Rivka and Frank are joined by returning guest, comedian CJ Koepp, to unpack the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie Cars, the story of sentient automobiles grappling with the economic devastation of deindustrialization. They also talk about the filmmakers' bizarre choices to animate their anthropomorphic cars with distinct racial characteristics along with long floppy tongues. Movies vs. Capitalism has been nominated for an Ambie Award for Best Entertainment Podcast!! 🤝 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 writer Erica Bitton for a cautionary discussion of Katherine Heigl’s 2008 romantic comedy 27 Dressess, which serves as essential propaganda for the wedding-industrial complex. They also critique the film’s reductive portrayal of its two lead female characters, and pay homage to rom-com legend Judy Greer. 🤝 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 historian Harvey Kaye for a deep-dive on Tim Robbins’ Depression-era film Cradle Will Rock. The film tells the story of the Federal Theatre Project — a New Deal program that funded public theater productions around the U.S. during the Great Depression — and the reactionary forces that ultimately killed it. Rivka, Frank, and Harvey explore the film’s central themes of ownership in the arts and political censorship. As always, Harvey provides a detailed explainer on the historical context and accuracy of the film. The Most Radical Speech in Presidential History (Gravel Institute)  🤝 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 catch up on the TV series The Curse. They also revisit their conversation about Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in the wake of the Academy Award nominations, unpack Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Oscar snubs, and wonder why Hillary Clinton felt like she needed to weigh in. 🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

Rivka and Frank are joined by artist and YouTube host Matt Strackbein, AKA The Letterhack, for a conversation about Tony Gilroy's 2007 film starring George Clooney, Michael Clayton, the story of a high-priced “legal fixer” who uncovers a deadly conspiracy perpetrated by his law firm’s corporate client. They discuss how Michael Clayton is ultimately a story about radicalization and redemption, and how the film viscerally depicts the psychological toll exacted from doing a corporation’s dirty work. 🤝 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 filmmakers Abigail Horton and Ryan Dickie to discuss their independent feature film Blow Up My Life, a dark comedy thriller set in the world of corporate pharmaceuticals. Abby and Ryan discuss their inspiration for making the film, and go into detail about the challenges producing and distributing independent film in the age of giant media conglomerates. 🤝 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

Author Joe Mayall joins hosts Rivka Rivera and Frank Cappello to discuss Ridley Scott's Alien as an allegory for the labor movement and the dangers of unchecked deregulation in the late '70s and early '80s. They also explore the themes of profit-seeking without morality, the portrayal of Ripley as a strong female character, and the historical treatment of workers in different phases of capitalism.

Rivka and Frank chat about the flawed class politics (and flawless vibes) of Emerald Fennell’s new film Saltburn, starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi. They also critique Julia Roberts’ new Netflix film, Leave the World Behind — a neoliberal apocalypse fever dream.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor, writer, and educator Wren Mack to discuss the 1992 holiday classic The Muppet Christmas Carol. They break down why this particular adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel has become a staple of the holiday viewing schedule, including Michael Caine’s committed dramatic performance, Miles Gordon and Paul Williams’ score, and, of course, the friggin' Muppets.  Candle House Collective 5 Calls 🤝 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 actor Melanie Vesey for a cheerful yet critical discussion about Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, It’s A Wonderful Life. They discuss how the film’s depiction of American and liberal idealism may have something to do with its staying power. They also question why Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey didn’t simply go on a vacation or two, and suggest that the film’s alternate reality of “Pottersville” actually looked pretty fun.  Netflix Turns To South Korean Writers And Crews As Hollywood Strikes. But They Feel Exploited Too (Los Angeles Times, 2023) 🤝 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