Movies vs. Capitalism

This week, Rivka and Frank dive into two of the most talked-about shows of the season: The White Lotus and Severance. They explore how Severance brilliantly captures Marx’s concept of worker alienation, debate whether The White Lotus functions as true satire or simply a glossy drama about wealthy vacationers, and discuss the political implications each series leaves us with. For next week, we’ll be watching the post-apocalyptic Mel Gibson epic MAD MAX 2: The Road Warrior. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON [http://patreon.com/user?u=118876010] 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism [http://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 [https://www.rufuspaisley.com/] | Theme song by JustBen [https://www.youtube.com/@justben7779]

Rivka and Frank are joined by MVC editor John for a deep-dive into the sci-fi parody Galaxy Quest. They unpack the film’s clear affection for Star Trek, its sharp satire of fan culture and conventions, and why David Mamet once praised it as one of the best-structured screenplays in modern film. Speaking of space, Frank and Rivka give their take on girlboss billionaire’s modern day galaxy quest in today’s topical.  For next week we’ll be talking about TV, discussing the season finales of Severance and White Lotus. 🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON [http://patreon.com/user?u=118876010] 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism [http://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 [https://www.rufuspaisley.com/] | Theme song by JustBen [https://www.youtube.com/@justben7779]

Rivka and Frank return with another duet to revisit a childhood staple: Jumanji, the Robin Williams-led adventure that shaped a generation’s imagination. But as they unpack the film, it becomes clear that it’s doing more than telling the story of a man trapped in a magical board game. Beneath the surface, Jumanji reflects deeper currents—tracing the shadows of American and European imperialism, colonial legacy, and the quiet manipulations of capitalist logic.  🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=118876010] 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism [http://www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism] For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1999 sci-fi satire Galaxy Quest.

Rivka and Frank are joined by 3 time Emmy Nominated writer and comedian Ellory Smith [https://www.ellorysmith.com/] to discuss the 1998 Disney / Pixar film A Bug’s Life. The trio deep dive into this radical animation, discussing its themes of exploitation and surplus value. They also discuss how the circus bugs symbolize mutual aid, and, in a controversial twist, they ask: Is Flick actually the hyper-individualistic villain of the story? For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1995 Robin Williams classic Jumanji.   🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON [http://patreon.com/user?u=118876010] 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism [http://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 [https://www.rufuspaisley.com/] | Theme song by JustBen [https://www.youtube.com/@justben7779]

Rivka and Frank are joined by author, activist, and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson [https://x.com/marwilliamson] to discuss Jason Reitman’s 2009 comedy drama Up in the Air — a movie where George Clooney flies around the country firing people. The three discuss the film’s context coming out shortly after the 2008 financial crisis, the film’s depiction of “corporate loyalty” culture, and how treating people like numbers on a spreadsheet leads to feelings of extreme alienation. For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1998 Disney / Pixar film A Bug’s Life.  🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON [http://patreon.com/user?u=118876010] 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism [http://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 [https://www.rufuspaisley.com/] | Theme song by JustBen [https://www.youtube.com/@justben7779]