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PODCAST

Movies vs. Capitalism

Movies vs. Capitalism

MOVIES VS. CAPITALISM explores the politics of your favorite films through an anti-capitalist lens and the crucial intersection between pop culture and politics. Each episode, hosts Rivka and Frank are joined by a guest for a critical discussion about a movie and the ideological messages baked into it.

tv & film politics

All Episodes

01:29:28

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (w/ Zachary Marlow)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/10/10

Rivka and Frank are joined by radical filmmaker and organizer with Moneyless Society, Zachary Marlow, for a silly-voiced conversation about the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They discuss how the Pythons used comedy to speak truth to power within British society, the transformation of feudalism into capitalism into what some are now calling “neo-feudalism,” and why Dennis the peasant has better politics than God. Moneyless Society Zachary’s Ko-Fi page For next week’s movie, we’ll be

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01:36:23

Hook (w/ Larry Powell)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/10/04

Rivka and Frank are joined by award-winning infini-hyphenate artist Larry Powell (they/them) to discuss Steven Spielberg's 1991 classic Hook. Beloved by many, this live-action Peter Pan story starring Robin Williams doubles as a critique of capitalism's impact on family structure, reminding us of the importance of reconnecting with our inner child and radical imagination. The group also delves into the colonial nature of Neverland and its gender politics.Powell House of Arts PASSION 🤝 SUBSCRIBE

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02:01

Ask a Marxist (w/ Harvey Kaye) - Part 2 [PATREON...

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/09/27

Rivka and Frank are rejoined by author, professor, and MVC’s resident historian Harvey Kaye for part two of Ask a Marxist. In this episode, Harvey names his favorite progressive speakers, continues debunking capitalist myths, and discuss current organizing strategies. The New Economic Bill of Rights - Comic Strip (Common Dreams) We will be posting the full reading list from this episode on our Patreon Page. For next week, we'll be watching the 1991 live-action Peter Pan adaptation starring Robin

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01:37:14

Slacker (w/ Marie Buck and Matthew Walker)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/09/19

Rivka and Frank are joined by Marie Buck and Mathew Walker, co-authors of Spoilers (Golias Books, 2024), a book about watching movies with people you love, to discuss Richard Linklater’s 1991 film Slacker, an ode to Austin and Generation X. They dive into how the film captures the aimlessness of the era while embodying the distinct Slacker ethos. The group also explores themes of conspiracy, a fractured left, and the enduring relevance of Slacker in today's cultural landscape.Spoilers (Golias

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01:27:14

Ask a Marxist (w/ Harvey Kaye) - Part 1

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/09/05

Frank is joined once again by author, professor, and MVC all-star Harvey Kaye for a special episode: Ask a Marxist. In this episode, Harvey tackles listener questions, covering everything from debunking capitalist myths to recommended reading for those beginning their Marxist journey. (Rivka is on vacation but will return for part two.)"The New Economic Bill of Rights - Comic Strip (Common Dreams) We will be posting the full reading list from this episode on our Patreon Page. For next week, we'll

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01:21:13

Showgirls (w/ Jenna Cosgrove)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/08/30

Rivka and Frank are joined by author, screenwriter, and director Jenna Cosgrove to discuss 1995 cult classic Showgirls. They unpack the film’s brutally honest depiction of the commodification of the female body and sexual exploitation, and the class divide between the Cheetah Club and the Stardust Hotel. They also discuss how Verhoeven is actually the bad guy of the film, while Elizabeth Berkeley deserves all of the credit. Jenna’s website Edgar’s Mission For next week, we’ll be breaking from our

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01:33:23

Duck Soup (w/ Branson Reese)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/08/22

Rivka and Frank are joined once again by comedian, writer, and illustrator Branson Reese to discuss the Marx Brothers' classic, Duck Soup. Together, they explore the anti-comedy style of the Marx Brothers, the political and cultural legacy of their work, and the film's anti-fascist and anarchic themes.Branson Reese Website Rude Tales of Magic Podcast 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If

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02:26

Natural Born Killers [PATREON PREVIEW]

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/08/15

Rivka and Frank unpack Oliver Stone’s 1994 psychological action thriller Natural Born Killers. They get into whether the film was successful in its satirization of violence in the media or if it just ended up glorifying it, how the performances still hold up, and Frank reveals if he ever got the NBK tattoo he wanted as a teenager…🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching The Marx Brothers 1933 classic Duck

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01:45:09

Rocky (w/ Pamela Capalad & Dyalekt)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/08/08

Rivka and Frank are joined by Pamela Capalad and Dyalekt, an anti-capitalist artist power couple who co-founded a financial liberation program for creators of color called See Change. The group discusses Sylvester Stallone's 1976 American classic, Rocky, and how its characters and themes are deeply rooted in the fabric of American capitalism, from the glorification of the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality to the starving artist trope perpetuated by Stallone. They also explore Rocky as

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03:39

MVC update

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/07/17

MVC will be taking an indefinite hiatus while Frank deals with his back injury - we'll hopefully be back in the next few weeks or months. You can listen to Frank's announcement here.Love you, comrades. We'll talk to you soon.

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01:05:50

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (w/ Daniel Bessner)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/07/11

Rivka and Frank are joined by historian and co-host of the American Prestige podcast, Daniel Bessner, to discuss Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic, Gremlins 2: The New Batch. They explore the film’s anti-capitalist themes, its self-aware satire of franchised movie sequels, and, naturally, which Gremlin has the best politics.The Life & Death of Hollywood (Harper’s Magazine) American Prestige Podcast 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism MVC donates its ad space to

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01:18:49

Snowpiercer

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/07/03

Rivka and Frank delve into Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 climate horror thriller, Snowpiercer. They explore how the film's deep Marxist themes make it an ideal choice for discussing class warfare. They also examine the role of collaborators in revolutionary movements, the symbolism of airplanes as reminders of our modern caste system, and why Captain America was the perfect choice to star in this movie. For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic Gremlins 2: The new batch. 🤝

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03:44

Capitalism, A Love Story (w/ Harvey Kaye) [PATREON...

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/06/26

Rivka and Frank are joined by MVC all-star Harvey Kaye to discuss Michael Moore’s 2009 documentary Capitalism, A Love Story. They talk about the film’s radicalizing potential, its portrayal of the 2008 financial crisis, what Moore could have done better, and Obama.🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism Next week’s movie will be Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi action masterpiece Snowpiercer.

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01:42:07

Rat Race (w/ Thalia Sablon)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/06/19

Rivka and Frank are joined by playwright Thalia Sablon for a conversation about the wild 2001 screwball comedy Rat Race. They discuss how the film's celebrity-packed cast represents a dying culture, the shockingly anti-capitalist character arcs, and how the movie may have been an inspiration for Squid Game. Thalia Sablon - Website For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism MVC donates

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01:27:57

Rosemary’s Baby (w/ Kate Willett)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/06/12

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian Kate Willett for a conversation about the 1968 horror classic Rosemary’s Baby. They discuss how the film is an overt metaphor for the domination and control of a woman’s body, Mia Farrow’s incredible performance as a woman being gaslit by her husband and neighbors, and how the film’s generational dynamics mirrored the violent political upheavals in the U.S. during the late ‘60s. Kate Willett: Loopholes For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2001

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01:43:59

Never on Sunday (w/ Nomiki Konst)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/06/05

Rivka and Frank are joined by investigative reporter, political analyst, and strategist Nomiki Konst to discuss the 1960 revolutionary comedy Never on Sunday. This hidden gem of a film follows a Greek sex worker who makes her own hours and chooses her clients. The trio delves into the film’s themes of alienation from Western culture, its celebration of the revolutionary spirit of Greek culture, and the writer/director/star Jules Dassin’s history with the Hollywood blacklist. Nomiki also shares

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02:38

The Dark Knight (w/ Anthony DePice) [PATREON PREVIEW]

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/05/29

Rivka and Frank are joined by professional organizer and agit-prop creator Anthony DePice to discuss Christopher Nolan’s 2008 Batman movie The Dark Knight. Is Joker a master organizer? Where was the Gotham Rec Center? Does Alfred ever get a break? All these questions and more on this black-pilled episode.For next week's movie, we'll be watching the 1960 comedy Never on a Sunday. 🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

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01:21:43

Whiplash (w/ Kelly Kaufman)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/05/22

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian Kelly Kaufman, to discuss the 2014 jazz thriller Whiplash. This film is Damian Chazelle’s breakout feature starring JK Simmons and Miles Teller. They talk about abusive power dynamics in the arts, toxic masculinity and the dangers of perfectionism under capitalism. Frank and Rivka also discuss the recent rants of comedian Jerry Seinfeld against the left and gen z. For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2007 iconic Batman movie The Dark Knight. 🤝

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01:34:00

Margin Call (w/ David Bruin)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/05/15

Rivka and Frank are joined by theater educator, author, and Executive Artistic Director of Celebration Barn, David Bruin, to discuss the 2011 finance drama Margin Call. The film, which takes place at a fictional investment firm at the start of the 2008 financial crisis, is a fascinating look into the toxic work of finance. They talk about the ins-and-outs of the subprime mortgage crisis, the twisted pathology of finance bros, and how when the ultrarich play games the only losers are the people not

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01:15:54

Oldboy (w/ Julian Elijah Martinez)

Movies vs. Capitalism ·

2024/05/08

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor and educator Julian Elijah Martinez for a conversation about Park Chan-wook’s 2003 masterpiece Oldboy. They discuss the film’s themes of toxic male narcissism and unquenchable vengeance, how the film serves as a metaphor for the violence perpetuated by the carceral system, and how many live Octopi the lead actor had to actually eat. For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2011 financial crisis-era thriller Margin Call. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON

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125 results

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