Movies vs. Capitalism

Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest [PATREON PREVIEW]

Frank and Rivka come together for an MVC duet to discuss one of the podcast's most requested movies: FernGully: The Last rainforest. Often referred to as the "Millennial Silent Spring," the duo explores whether this animated classic is truly an eco-activist film…or whether it's doing more favors for Big Oil than it realizes.
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rain Man (w/ Daniel)

This week, Rivka and Frank are reunited with Daniel, host of The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union, to discuss another classic: Rain Man. Remarkably, this is the second film in a row we've watched in which Tom Cruise plays a yuppie asshole with a heart of gold. Daniel shares why Rain Man holds deep meaning for him—not only personally, but politically as well.
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youtube.com/@thesickleandthehammer
@sovietpod.bsky.social
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Risky Business (w/ Harvey Kaye)

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by favorite returning guest Harvey Kaye to discuss the Reagan-era film that made Tom Cruise an icon: Risky Business. The trio dives into the film’s neoliberal fantasy, its questionable sex politics, and more.
 
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Father Hood (w/ Editor John)

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by the third leg of the MVC team: editor John. Together, they discuss Father Hood, the 1993 Patrick Swayze comedy-action thrille (not to be confused with Kevin Hart’s Fatherhood). Buried beneath the film’s utterly unhinged plot, the trio uncover the politics of its era, including the decade’s fascination with the “deadbeat dad turns out to have a heart of gold” trope. 
 
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

American Psycho (w/ Kate Eastman)

This week, Rivka and Frank are rejoined by another pod favorite Kate Eastman (ig: @k8beastman) to break down the cult-classic American Psycho. The trio discuss everything from the powers and failures of satire, Patrick Bateman as the embodiment of capitalism and the original incel. 
 
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Starship Troopers (w/ Joe)

This week, Rivka and Frank are rejoined by pod favorite Joe (of Joewrote) to take on the much-requested Starship Troopers. Together, they dig into the film’s anti-imperialist politics. The group discuss the film’s anti-imperialist politics and its connections (if any) to the current “manosphere” of today. 
 
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Andor, Season 1

This week, in a rare turn for the pod, we head to television. Rivka and Frank are joined again by actor and cultural worker Chris Myers to discuss the widely beloved and much-talked-about series Andor, Season 1. The trio explore what lessons the political left might draw from Tony Gilroy’s writing, digging into Cassian Andor’s radicalization, the community and culture of Ferrix, Luthen as an accelerationist organizer, and more.
 
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

The Landlord

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by a guest who wishes to remain anonymous—a lifelong New Yorker deeply involved in the historic preservation community—to discuss Hal Ashby’s debut film The Landlord. Starring Beau Bridges and Diana Sands, the film is a sharp, unruly satire about the gentrification of Park Slope. It’s a wild ride, and our guest brings essential context to the history and impact of gentrification in New York City.
 
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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

One Battle After Another [PATREON PREVIEW]

Rivka and Frank are back with another premium duet, throwing their hats into the discourse around Paul Thomas Anderson’s newly Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another. The duo dig into the film’s so-called revolutionary politics, unpacking its anti-revolutionary core, hollow portrayal of the left, and the real impact of that framing.

Moonstruck (w/ Peter Moses)

Rivka and Frank are joined by their dear friend Peter Moses—entrepreneur, creative producer, and co-founder of Rain Delay Media—for a deep dive into the Oscar-winning 1987 classic Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. They unpack the film’s take on class, family, and a version of New York City that once felt economically possible.
Next week, we’re watching Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 film One Battle After Another.
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MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen