Episodes
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Rivka and Frank welcome back returning guest Joe Mayall to talk about the latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus. They appreciate how director Fede Álvarez doubles down on the anti-corporate themes of the original Alien, while finding new ways to freak the shit out of his audience. They also agree that android Andy stole the movie and unpack how his character arc is a sharp critique of AI.
JoeWrote.comWe’ll be taking off next week for Thanksgiving! We’ll be back the following week with holiday movies :)
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Jon Shelton (author of The Education Myth: How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy ) returns to MVC to talk about the 1977 Disco Movie phenomenon Saturday Night Fever. Rivka, Frank, and Matt explore the cultural amnesia surrounding the film’s plot, its commentary on 1970s working-class politics, and its fascinating origin story.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2024 sci-fi horror movie Alien: Romulus.
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Episodes manquant?
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Matt Strackbein (AKA The Letterhack) is back on MVC to talk about Andrew Dominik’s bleak 2012 crime drama Killing Them Softly. Rivka, Frank, and Matt discuss how the film, set during the 2008 financial crisis, serves as a subtextual critique of Obama’s first term, how the “criminal” economy drives the plot of the film, and how the film’s nihilism has become even more relatable today than when it was released.
A New Economic Bill of Rights for the 21st CenturyFor next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1977 John Travolta smash hit Saturday Night Fever.
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Rivka and Frank return for another "duet" episode, diving into Sam Raimi's 2009 horror-comedy Drag Me to Hell. This time, they explore whether the film serves as a horror story about class betrayal or a metaphor for eating disorders under capitalism. They also discuss the film's problematic racial tropes and consider the director's political intentions.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another 2012 pic, the crime drama Killing Them Softly.
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Harvey Kaye returns for the dramatic final installment of our Ask a Marxist series. In this final episode, Rivka and Frank get Harvey’s take on the Democratic party, revolution, and what he would do as the *democratically elected* president of the U.S.
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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2009 horror movie Drag Me to Hell.
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Rivka and Frank are back with another “duet” episode, diving into the 2012 horror-comedy The Cabin in the Woods. A Frank favorite, this film surprises with its sharp critique of capitalism's relentless need for human sacrifice. The duo also can’t resist touching on the latest political chatter sparked by Love Is Blind.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching another 2012 pic, the crime drama Killing Them Softly.
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Rivka and Frank are joined by radical filmmaker and organizer with Moneyless Society, Zachary Marlow, for a silly-voiced conversation about the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They discuss how the Pythons used comedy to speak truth to power within British society, the transformation of feudalism into capitalism into what some are now calling “neo-feudalism,” and why Dennis the peasant has better politics than God.
Moneyless SocietyZachary’s Ko-Fi pageFor next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Frank’s spooky season favorite, The Cabin in the Woods.
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Rivka and Frank are joined by award-winning infini-hyphenate artist Larry Powell (they/them) to discuss Steven Spielberg's 1991 classic Hook. Beloved by many, this live-action Peter Pan story starring Robin Williams doubles as a critique of capitalism's impact on family structure, reminding us of the importance of reconnecting with our inner child and radical imagination. The group also delves into the colonial nature of Neverland and its gender politics.
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Rivka and Frank are rejoined by author, professor, and MVC’s resident historian Harvey Kaye for part two of Ask a Marxist. In this episode, Harvey names his favorite progressive speakers, continues debunking capitalist myths, and discuss current organizing strategies.
The New Economic Bill of Rights - Comic Strip (Common Dreams)We will be posting the full reading list from this episode on our Patreon Page.For next week, we'll be watching the 1991 live-action Peter Pan adaptation starring Robin Williams, Hook.
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Rivka and Frank are joined by Marie Buck and Mathew Walker, co-authors of Spoilers (Golias Books, 2024), a book about watching movies with people you love, to discuss Richard Linklater’s 1991 film Slacker, an ode to Austin and Generation X. They dive into how the film captures the aimlessness of the era while embodying the distinct Slacker ethos. The group also explores themes of conspiracy, a fractured left, and the enduring relevance of Slacker in today's cultural landscape.
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Frank is joined once again by author, professor, and MVC all-star Harvey Kaye for a special episode: Ask a Marxist. In this episode, Harvey tackles listener questions, covering everything from debunking capitalist myths to recommended reading for those beginning their Marxist journey. (Rivka is on vacation but will return for part two.)"
The New Economic Bill of Rights - Comic Strip (Common Dreams)We will be posting the full reading list from this episode on our Patreon Page.For next week, we'll be watching Richard Linklater's 1991 debut feature, Slacker.
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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
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Rivka and Frank are joined by author, screenwriter, and director Jenna Cosgrove to discuss 1995 cult classic Showgirls. They unpack the film’s brutally honest depiction of the commodification of the female body and sexual exploitation, and the class divide between the Cheetah Club and the Stardust Hotel. They also discuss how Verhoeven is actually the bad guy of the film, while Elizabeth Berkeley deserves all of the credit.
Jenna’s websiteEdgar’s MissionFor next week, we’ll be breaking from our regular format to present a special episode: Ask a Marxist with Harvey Kaye.
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Rivka and Frank are joined once again by comedian, writer, and illustrator Branson Reese to discuss the Marx Brothers' classic, Duck Soup. Together, they explore the anti-comedy style of the Marx Brothers, the political and cultural legacy of their work, and the film's anti-fascist and anarchic themes.
Branson Reese WebsiteRude Tales of Magic Podcast🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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Rivka and Frank unpack Oliver Stone’s 1994 psychological action thriller Natural Born Killers. They get into whether the film was successful in its satirization of violence in the media or if it just ended up glorifying it, how the performances still hold up, and Frank reveals if he ever got the NBK tattoo he wanted as a teenager…
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For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching The Marx Brothers 1933 classic Duck Soup.
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Rivka and Frank are joined by Pamela Capalad and Dyalekt, an anti-capitalist artist power couple who co-founded a financial liberation program for creators of color called See Change. The group discusses Sylvester Stallone's 1976 American classic, Rocky, and how its characters and themes are deeply rooted in the fabric of American capitalism, from the glorification of the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality to the starving artist trope perpetuated by Stallone. They also explore Rocky as the "Great White Hope," examining the triumph of white, working-class individualism in response to the collectivism of the Black Panther Party, the Civil Rights movement, and affirmative action of the era.
getshameless.com seechangecommunity.compocketschange.comcast🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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MVC will be taking an indefinite hiatus while Frank deals with his back injury - we'll hopefully be back in the next few weeks or months. You can listen to Frank's announcement here.
Love you, comrades. We'll talk to you soon.
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Rivka and Frank are joined by historian and co-host of the American Prestige podcast, Daniel Bessner, to discuss Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic, Gremlins 2: The New Batch. They explore the film’s anti-capitalist themes, its self-aware satire of franchised movie sequels, and, naturally, which Gremlin has the best politics.
The Life & Death of Hollywood (Harper’s Magazine)American Prestige Podcast🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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Rivka and Frank delve into Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 climate horror thriller, Snowpiercer. They explore how the film's deep Marxist themes make it an ideal choice for discussing class warfare. They also examine the role of collaborators in revolutionary movements, the symbolism of airplanes as reminders of our modern caste system, and why Captain America was the perfect choice to star in this movie.
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic Gremlins 2: The new batch.
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Rivka and Frank are joined by MVC all-star Harvey Kaye to discuss Michael Moore’s 2009 documentary Capitalism, A Love Story. They talk about the film’s radicalizing potential, its portrayal of the 2008 financial crisis, what Moore could have done better, and Obama.
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Next week’s movie will be Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi action masterpiece Snowpiercer.
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Rivka and Frank are joined by playwright Thalia Sablon for a conversation about the wild 2001 screwball comedy Rat Race. They discuss how the film's celebrity-packed cast represents a dying culture, the shockingly anti-capitalist character arcs, and how the movie may have been an inspiration for Squid Game.
Thalia Sablon - WebsiteFor next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.
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Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen
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