Rivka and Frank are celebrating their 100th episode of Movies VS Capitalism with a very special guest—Frank's dad, Tom Cappello! With over 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Tom brings a deeply personal perspective to the hit 1996 Stanley Tucci film Big Night. In this milestone episode, the trio dives into the politics of cooking—particularly how authentic cuisine is a form of resistance—and explores the impact of assimilation on Italian immigrants in America, plus the internalization of the American Dream.  

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 horror fantasy, I Saw the TV Glow. 

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by writer Svetlana Kitto to discuss the 2024 Timothée Chalamet Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. The trio examines whether the film delves deeply enough into the politics of its time. They also explore whether it matters if an artist considers themselves political, how the women in the film manage to shine despite their shallow character arcs, and why most musicians today are considered cowards.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be celebrating our 100th episode by watching the 1996 comedy Big Night with a very special guest - Frank’s dad!

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by actor Kate Eastman to dive into the 2024 body horror thriller The Substance, a film that tackles the twisted intersections of beauty, capitalism, and patriarchy. The trio explores how this movie craftfully unpacks the moralization of beauty and self-care as a form of imprisonment, and why horror is the perfect genre for director Coralie Fargeat to make her unsettling, yet strangely insightful, statement. 

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by Sean Morrow of More Perfect Union to dive into the utterly bonkers straight-to-streaming biopic about everyone’s favorite capitalist, Jeff Bezos. Sean pitches it as a contender for the "so-bad-it's-good" hall of fame alongside The Room, and the trio explores why, against all odds, this might just be an accidental anti-capitalist masterpiece. Oh, and did we mention the villain? None other than Kevin Sorbo as the CEO of Barnes & Noble. Yes, really.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 body horror thriller The Substance.

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are back with another “duet” episode, diving into the 2024 indie darling and Oscar-nominated film Anora, directed by Sean Baker with a breakout performance by Mikey Madison. The two discuss everything from the politics of sex workers on screen, fuck boys with oligarchy daddy issues, Sean Baker’s legacy, and more. This may in fact be the world’s most comprehensive Anora podcast ;) … You don’t want to miss it.

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2022 biopic about the founder of Amazon — Bezos: the Beginning — which is available to watch for free on the Roku channel.

Rivka and Frank are joined by podcast favorite Harvey Kaye for a heated debate about the 1971 children's classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Is Wonka, the eccentric chocolate genius played by the brilliant Gene Wilder, simply a monstrous capitalist factory owner? And will Charlie, with his working-class roots, follow in his footsteps—or is he the one who can turn the factory around?

For next week, we'll be watching the 2024 Palme d'Or winner Anora. 

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank are joined by science communicator and YouTube host Jade Kim to discuss the 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic comedy UHF. Jade and Frank are HUGE Weird Al fans, and Rivka is… patient. But even though this zany, fantastical movie starring the world’s greatest song parodist and incredible live performer (Frank wrote this copy, FYI), the movie still manages to have strong opinions about the hyper-sensationalism of the modern TV era, the ruthlessness of market competition, and the value of public utility ownership. Also Weird Al rules.

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1971 children’s classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

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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 Will, a US Army veteran and member of the organization About Face: Veterans Against the War, to discuss the 2016 Star Wars standalone movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 

The group discusses the film’s themes around imperialism, war, revolution, radicalism, and what it means to compromise one’s morals for the sake of the “greater good.” They also ask the important question: what the hell was Forest Whitaker thinking?

For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic comedy UHF.

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank close out the year with a final “holiday duet” on the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street. They debate whether Kris Kringle is in fact the REAL Santa or just the world’s greatest salesman. Released during the second Red Scare, it’s unsurprising that the film’s core moral is the need for “altruistic capitalism.” But is it OK to allow a potentially unwell old man around thousands of children? As long as he’s making money — who cares, it turns out! Don’t get us wrong, we both love this movie but HOLY SHIT this story is wild. 

MVC will be off until 2025, but we’ll be back with an episode on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 

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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Rivka and Frank dive into Frank’s favorite Christmas movie, Scrooged, sparking a spirited debate: is this the story of genuine redemption or just a liberal fever dream where a narcissistic old white guy sprinkles a little charity while propping up capitalism's comfy cushions? Is Dickens rolling in his grave, or would he be giving a ghostly thumbs-up? Of course, they can’t resist unpacking their wild theories about Luigi, the claims adjuster—trust us, you don’t want to miss it. 

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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the classic American holiday film Miracle on 34th Street.