Movies vs. Capitalism

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (w/ Harvey Kaye)

Rivka and Frank are joined by podcast favorite Harvey Kaye for a heated debate about the 1971 children's classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Is Wonka, the eccentric chocolate genius played by the brilliant Gene Wilder, simply a monstrous capitalist factory owner? And will Charlie, with his working-class roots, follow in his footsteps—or is he the one who can turn the factory around?
'Do You Hear What I Hear?' When Will Democrats Listen?  - Harvey Kaye & Matt Strackbein
For next week, we'll be watching the 2024 Palme d'Or winner Anora. 
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

UHF (w/ Jade Kim)

Rivka and Frank are joined by science communicator and YouTube host Jade Kim to discuss the 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic comedy UHF. Jade and Frank are HUGE Weird Al fans, and Rivka is… patient. But even though this zany, fantastical movie starring the world’s greatest song parodist and incredible live performer (Frank wrote this copy, FYI), the movie still manages to have strong opinions about the hyper-sensationalism of the modern TV era, the ruthlessness of market competition, and the value of public utility ownership. Also Weird Al rules.
mutualaidla.org
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1971 children’s classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (w/ Will from About Face)

Rivka and Frank are joined by Will, a US Army veteran and member of the organization About Face: Veterans Against the War, to discuss the 2016 Star Wars standalone movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 
The group discusses the film’s themes around imperialism, war, revolution, radicalism, and what it means to compromise one’s morals for the sake of the “greater good.” They also ask the important question: what the hell was Forest Whitaker thinking?
About Face: Veterans Against the War
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic comedy UHF.
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Miracle on 34th Street

Rivka and Frank close out the year with a final “holiday duet” on the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street. They debate whether Kris Kringle is in fact the REAL Santa or just the world’s greatest salesman. Released during the second Red Scare, it’s unsurprising that the film’s core moral is the need for “altruistic capitalism.” But is it OK to allow a potentially unwell old man around thousands of children? As long as he’s making money — who cares, it turns out! Don’t get us wrong, we both love this movie but HOLY SHIT this story is wild. 
MVC will be off until 2025, but we’ll be back with an episode on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Scrooged [PATREON PREVIEW]

Rivka and Frank dive into Frank’s favorite Christmas movie, Scrooged, sparking a spirited debate: is this the story of genuine redemption or just a liberal fever dream where a narcissistic old white guy sprinkles a little charity while propping up capitalism's comfy cushions? Is Dickens rolling in his grave, or would he be giving a ghostly thumbs-up? Of course, they can’t resist unpacking their wild theories about Luigi, the claims adjuster—trust us, you don’t want to miss it. 
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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the classic American holiday film Miracle on 34th Street.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (w/ Evan from LOTP)

Rivka and Frank welcome back Evan from Left of the Projector podcast to discuss the upper-middle-class fever dream that is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Could this movie even exist if Kevin McCallister weren’t a white affluent child? Zero percent chance. The condescension, the entitlement, the PIGEON LADY. They talk about it all, plus who Mr. Duncan would have supported in the 2020 Democratic primary. 
Left of the Projector
Party for Socialism and Liberation
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1988 Bill Murray Christmas classic, Scrooged.
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Alien: Romulus (w/ Joe Mayall)

Rivka and Frank welcome back returning guest Joe Mayall to talk about the latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus. They appreciate how director Fede Álvarez doubles down on the anti-corporate themes of the original Alien, while finding new ways to freak the shit out of his audience. They also agree that android Andy stole the movie and unpack how his character arc is a sharp critique of AI. 
JoeWrote.com
We’ll be taking off next week for Thanksgiving! We’ll be back the following week with holiday movies :)
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Saturday Night Fever (w/ Jon Shelton)

Jon Shelton (author of The Education Myth: How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy ) returns to MVC to talk about the 1977 Disco Movie phenomenon Saturday Night Fever. Rivka, Frank, and Matt explore the cultural amnesia surrounding the film’s plot, its commentary on 1970s working-class politics, and its fascinating origin story.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 sci-fi horror movie Alien: Romulus.
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Killing Them Softly (w/ Matt Strackbein)

Matt Strackbein (AKA The Letterhack) is back on MVC to talk about Andrew Dominik’s bleak 2012 crime drama Killing Them Softly. Rivka, Frank, and Matt discuss how the film, set during the 2008 financial crisis, serves as a subtextual critique of Obama’s first term, how the “criminal” economy drives the plot of the film, and how the film’s nihilism has become even more relatable today than when it was released. 
A New Economic Bill of Rights for the 21st Century
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1977 John Travolta smash hit Saturday Night Fever. 
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Drag Me To Hell

Rivka and Frank return for another "duet" episode, diving into Sam Raimi's 2009 horror-comedy Drag Me to Hell. This time, they explore whether the film serves as a horror story about class betrayal or a metaphor for eating disorders under capitalism. They also discuss the film's problematic racial tropes and consider the director's political intentions.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another 2012 pic, the crime drama Killing Them Softly.
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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.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen