Movies vs. Capitalism

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

Casablanca (w/ Harvey Kaye)

Rivka and Frank are joined by returning guest and pod favorite, award-winning author and professor Harvey Kaye, to discuss the all-time classic Casablanca. The trio dig into why the film truly deserves its legendary status, its striking relevance to today’s political climate amid the rise of fascism in America, and the quietly radical politics behind the filmmaking itself.
For next week’s movie—snap out of it!—we’ll be watching Moonstruck.
 
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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

The Santa Clause [PATREON PREVIEW]

ust in time for Christmas, Frank and Rivka are back with their second holiday duet—this time breaking down The Santa Clause. The duo dive into the politics of this absolutely unhinged ’90s classic, from the divorced-dad trope to Scott Calvin being a full-on pos, the film’s fatphobic messaging, and Santa as the ultimate capitalist overlord.
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For next week’s movie, snap out of it because we’ll be watching Moonstruck.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

In time for the holidays, Rivka and Frank cover the 2000 Jim Carrey adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The duo dig into whether this Dr. Seuss classic is truly an anti-consumerist tale—or if it ultimately misses the mark. They also unpack Whoville as a surprisingly prophetic preview of our current plastic-surgery obsession and the class aesthetics baked into its cheerfully creepy smiles.
 
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another Christmas classic, Tim Allen’s 1994 The Santa Clause.
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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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