This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by musical theater writer, playwright, and organizer Ben Bonnema to discuss Spielberg’s 1993 classic Jurassic Park. The trio digs into the film’s politics: what it suggests about de-extinction, how the park embodies capitalism’s knack for turning scientific wonder into a luxury good, and whether there’s even a glimpse of a socialist horizon in this dino-thriller.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1969 Jane Fonda drama They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? 

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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

This week, Rivka and Frank are joined by Assad Shalhoub, co-host of the Habibi House Podcast, for a deep dive into the 2001 thriller Spy Game, starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Together they unpack the film’s overt racism, its relentless Islamophobia, and its unmistakable role as propaganda for the CIA.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Spielberg’s epic classic Jurassic Park. 

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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

This week Frank is joined by returning guests Harvey Kaye (award-winning author and Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay) and Jon Shelton (professor and chair of Democracy and Justice Studies). In honor of Labor Day they discuss the John Sayles union drama Matewan and dive into labor issues, with insights on workers’ rights and the fight for social democracy.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2001 CIA thriller SPY GAME..

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Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

This week, Frank is joined by comedian and actress Andrea More (STICK) and returning guest Mike Benner (Bob’s Burgers) to talk about the Paul Rudd/Jason Segel bromantic comedy I Love You, Man. Together, they unpack the epidemic of male loneliness, the pitfalls of toxic masculinity, and how male friendships are portrayed on screen—especially compared to female ones.

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching John Sayles’ union drama Matewan.

MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at [email protected].

Editing by John Patrick | Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio to discuss the 1964 political thriller Seven Days in May. The three examine how this Cold War classic starring Kirk Douglas remains strikingly relevant in Trump’s America, unpacking its themes of a divided nation, nuclear tensions, fragile peace treaties, and the threat of a military coup.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2009 bromance comedy I Love You, Man.

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Frank and Rivka are joined by journalist Taylor Lorenz (User Mag) to discuss the horror film It Follows. The trio unpack the movie’s portrayal of suburban horror, the constant threat of violence against women, and how the film resonates in the context of COVID and our current cultural climate.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1964 drama Seven Days in May.

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by Brooklyn-based playwright Andy Boyd to talk about the Coen brothers’ 2016 movie Hail, Caesar!. They get into the film’s portrait of 1950s Hollywood, its sharp send-up of the capitalist studio system, and what it reveals about the uneasy marriage of religion, politics, and mass entertainment. 

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2014 horror movie It Follows.

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

This week on Movies vs. Capitalism, Frank is joined by labor historian and pod favorite Harvey Kaye to talk about Warren Beatty’s REDS. They dig into the film’s take on the Russian Revolution, American radicalism, and what Hollywood gets right—and wrong—about revolution.

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2016 Coen Brothers movie Hail, Caeser!

Rivka and Frank are joined by Daniel from the new podcast ‘The Sickle and the Hammer: A Socialist History of the Soviet Union’ to talk about the 2001 Soviet-era drama Enemy at the Gates. If you’ve ever wondered what the Western capitalist perspective is on the siege of Stalingrad - this is the movie for you! We unpack all of the propaganda, historical inaccuracies, and flat out lies baked into the film. Because it turns out you’ll betray your entire belief system if the girl you like doesn’t like you back. We also talk about Daniel’s podcast, which is a comprehensive telling of the Russian revolution told from a socialist perspective. 

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1981 drama REDS. 

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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 [email protected].

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by journalist and Zeteo staff writer Prem Thakker to discuss Stephen Spielberg and Tom Cruise’s 2002 sci-fi dystopian crime thriller Minority Report. The three talk about the film’s critique of the modern day surveillance state, the philosophical concept of “pre-crime”, and whether the entire movie could have been avoided if John Anderton had just told his colleagues that some weird shit went down in the milk vat. 

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching 2001 film Enemy at the Gates.

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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 [email protected].

Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen