Movies vs. Capitalism

Rivka and Frank are joined by progressive activist and political commentator Jordan Uhl for a discussion of David Fincher’s 2010 cultural touchtone The Social Network. They get into how the film portrays Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as a sharp-witted outcast, even though the real-life Zuckerberg is best described as, “if vanilla pudding was annoying.” They also break down the film’s misogynistic gender politics (cough, Aaron Sorkin, cough), and whether or not ordering two rounds of appletinis is worse than being Larry Summers.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Shannon Amabile, a licensed psychotherapist and passionate cinephile, joins the discussion to analyze the cult classic 'Josie and the Pussycats.' They delve into the film's sharp satire of late 90s consumerism and the music industry’s exploitative nature. Amabile shares insights on the impact of advertising on mental health and creativity. The conversation highlights the film's commentary on brand loyalty and subliminal messaging, urging listeners to engage thoughtfully with media while navigating the pressures of capitalism.

Rivka and Frank are joined by journalist Julia Rock for a conversation about the 1974 neo-noir classic Chinatown. They dig into the film’s near-perfect politics regarding institutional corruption, LA’s history of gentrification and real estate expropriation, and Frank finally figures out what the “Chinatown” metaphor actually means.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian and illustrator Branson Reese to delve into the working class politics of Kevin Smith's 1994 indie classic, Clerks. They discuss how the film effectively depicts the soul-crushing aspects of the service/retail industries, how the film places occupational blame on the individual rather than the system, the movie’s problematic sex politics, and the commodification of Kevin Smith. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor and activist Ryan Christian for a conversation about the 2021 Fred Hampton biopic, Judas and the Black Messiah. They discuss the film's revolutionary politics, how rare it is to see a non-whitewashed version of Black radicalism in pop culture, the history of violence and repression perpetrated by U.S. intelligence agencies, and how the film balances its pathos along with its political messaging.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian, actress, and director Melanie Vesey to discuss Terry Gilliam’s dystopian black comedy Brazil. They dig into the film's depiction of the merger of state and corporate power, the themes of fantasy escapism, and how hot Robert DeNiro is as a revolutionary plumber.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by writer and director Adam McKay — MVC's first official Academy Award winner, no big deal. Adam joins the pod to unpack the 1999 movie Office Space, Mike Judge’s comedic meditation on the modern work environment. The group breaks down the film’s stark portrayal of worker alienation, the brutality of corporate consultants, and how this movie has become even more relevant almost 25 years after its release.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by filmmaker, writer, and activist Pedro Ángel Rivera Muñoz to discuss Charlie Chaplin’s anti-capitalist masterpiece Modern Times, which remains relevant to this day with its grotesque depiction of factory working conditions, its satire of the ruling class and state power, and the aspirational message of its ending. They also discuss the historical context of Chaplin as a political artist during the 1930s, and the retribution he received at the time.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor, writer, and comedian Ele Woods to discuss the 1988 classic, Working Girl, the prototypical “girl boss” film, and how it brilliantly portrays the predatory male gaze dominant in 1980s cinema. They also do some Melanie Griffith voice ASMR, in case that's what you're into. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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

Rivka and Frank are joined by Carla Marie Davis, co-host of the Sip & Politic podcast, to discuss Ruben Östlund’s brutal 2022 satire, Triangle of Sadness, and how the film is one of the most effective modern commentaries about class politics, even though its ideas regarding gender dynamics aren’t as fully fleshed out. They also dig into how the film confronts the concepts of capitalism and communism head-on, but seems more interested in the influence of power. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism 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