Movies vs. Capitalism

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor Kate Eastman for a conversation about Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 masterpiece Princess Mononoke. They discuss the film’s central theme of environmental equilibrium, the groundbreaking animation, some brief history of feudal Japan, the queer-coded love story, and how Ashitaka is the snack we’ve all been waiting for.  Princess Mononoke and History (Jonathan Hielkema) Radical American Environmentalism and Wilderness Preservation: A Third World Critique (Ramaehandra Guha)   For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Alex Garland’s 2024 dystopian thriller Civil War. 🤝 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 unpack the 2023 Nicolas Cage film Dream Scenario, written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli. 🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

Rebecca Burns, an investigative reporter specializing in housing and finance, joins the discussion about Robert Zemeckis’ animated classic. They delve into the film's nods to Los Angeles history, such as the Great Red Car Conspiracy, and explore how Toons represent marginalized communities. The conversation also touches on the groundbreaking animation techniques, the rivalry between Disney and Warner Bros, and the film’s darker themes reflective of capitalism and societal issues, including urban displacement and exploitation in Hollywood.

Rivka and Frank are joined by writer and director Alex Hare for a conversation about the anti-capitalist banger Little Shop of Horrors. They talk about the musical’s production history and how creators Alan Menken and Howard Ashman set out to write a musical that was critical of capitalist social relations. They also unpack the myriad metaphors of Audrey II, whether Seymour is a complicit actor or abuse victim, and the show’s original (and much darker) ending.  Alex’s Little Shop Playlist Ember Cooperative For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1998 Robert Zemeckis film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. 🤝 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

Jaffer Khan, a New York-based stand-up comedian and TV writer, joins the hosts to delve into the cultural significance of 'The Truman Show.' They explore how Truman's journey serves as a metaphor for radicalization and critiqued the commodification of genuine experience. The conversation reveals how the film anticipated the self-surveillance state of social media and reflects on the ethical dilemmas faced by artists today. Jaffer shares insights on political comedy, while they all discuss the need for resistance against manufactured realities.

Rivka and Frank are joined by journalist and writer Seth Simons for a conversation about the 2021 Nicolas Cage drama Pig. They discuss the film’s central theme of creativity vs. commodification, cooking as one of the most communal forms of art making, the abusive and exploitative nature of the restaurant industry, and whether the character of Darius is the scariest produce supplier ever depicted on-screen.  Humorism.xyz CeasefireToday.com 5Calls For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1998 Peter Weir / Jim Carrey classic The Truman Show. 🤝 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 review the 2024 Academy Awards, AKA The Oscars. They discuss the pro-Palestinian protest outside the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, director Jonathan Glaser’s (somehow) controversial acceptance speech for The Zone of Interest, Emma Stone’s surprise victory, and all of glitz and glam of Hollywood’s biggest night.  CeasefireToday.com 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 James Harr, creator of socialist apparel company Comrade Workwear, for a conversation about Mike Judge’s 2006 political satire Idiocracy, which could have offered a critique of the merger of corporate and state power and privatization, but instead seemed more interested in blaming the impoverished for their own lack of education. They also discuss whether they would actually use a recliner/toilet. Important stuff. 🤝 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 have an in-depth discussion of Yorgos Lanthimos’ 2023 film Poor Things, the story of Bella Baxter, who receives an experimental brain transplant and embarks on a journey of self-discovery in her new body. They talk about how Bella’s journey embodies the Marxist concept of “dialectical materialism,” how the men in the film represent the full spectrum of patriarchal archetypes, and how Emma Stone’s choices and performance make the film truly exceptional. They also talk about the Willy Wonka immersive experience scandal in Glasgow — one of the greatest scams capitalism has ever given us. 🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalisma

In a lively conversation, Madeline Pendleton—a socialist business owner and host of the Pick Me Up, I'm Scared podcast—joins to dissect John Woo's 'Face/Off.' They explore its portrayal of the carceral system and the film's extreme misogyny. Madeline highlights the nuances of character dynamics and the cultural implications of male identities within the film. Together, they hilariously contemplate a fictional prequel while unpacking themes of privilege and the struggle for equality, revealing how this action flick mirrors broader societal issues.