Politics of Cinema

On this Double Feature episode, we take a look at films about strikes. As the WGA and SAG continue to strike, we thought it would be a good time to examine how Hollywood has protrayed strikes throughout the years. We discuss; Norma Rae (1979), The Pajama Game (1957), Sorry to Bother You (2018), Harlan County, USA (1976), The Organizer (1963) and Chi-Raq (2015) and then put together a double featur...

While Isaac is immersed in his Arabic language summer camp, we're rebraodcasting our very first episode.  In 2027, after 18 years of global human infertility and depression, the world is on the brink of collapse and humanity faces extinction. The United Kingdom, one of the few nations with a functioning government (Stiff upper lip chap!), is deluged by asylum seekers fleeing radiation and plague....

This July 4th, celebrate with a true Leftist film that will have you on the edge of you seat with suspense, a pulsing score and politics that will have you debating the need for a diversity of tactics when fighitng the evils of capitalism. We're discussing the film Daniel Goldhaber's How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

This year we celebrated May Day (a little late) by watching a Latvian worker-revenge-horror-film. Aik Karapetian's The Man in the Orage Jacket (2014). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Isaac finally make Aaron sit down and enjoy some DTV action, focusing on the John Hyams' last two entries in the Universal Soldier franchise. Regeneration (2010) and Day of Reckoning (2012). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

On this Double Feature episode, we take a look at two of the greats from the best era for cinematic action - 1980's Hong Kong. On this episode we discuss the art of action and (oftentimes) convoluted politics of In the Line of Duty 4 (1989) & Righting Wrongs (1986).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We conclude our 2023 series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with Claudine (1974).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook   Sources: White Balance: How Hollywood Shaped Colorblind Ideology and Undermined Civil Rights by Justin Gomer Daniel Amir Jackson article on Claudine  

We continue our 2023 series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with Jamaa Fanaka's Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We kick off our 2023 series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with podcast favorite Ivan Dixon's  The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

With the voluntary passing of Jean-Luc Godard in 2022, we decided that it's long overdue to take a look at one of his classics. Alphaville (1965) is a dystopian science-fiction film shot in black & white on the streets of Paris and is infused with Godard's politics of the moment. But, can Aaron convince Isaac that he actually liked this one?  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Le...

It's masterpiece time here at Politics of Cinema. We're finally discussing Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri (1962). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Noirvember concludes with one more Yakuza Noir film from Japan. On this episode we're dicussing Takashi Nomura's A Colt is My Passport (1967). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

This Noirvember, we are taking a look at some Yakuza Noir films from Japan. On this episode we're gushing over Seijun Suzuki's Tokyo Drifter (1966). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

On this Double Feature episode, we highlight some of the horror films we've been watching this Halloween season as well as our planned double (maybe triple) features for Halloween night. Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

The idea of Humans Hunting Humans has been a story told through film since The Most Dangerous Game back in 1932. There is something about this kind of story that lends itself to a variety of social and political metaphors.  Here we take a look at two films from two countries that have virtaually the same plot synopsis, but couldn't be farther apart in execution and their politics. Punishment Park...

LSD has been portayed on film in a number of different ways. From the trippy visuals and gonzo narration in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) to the "how-to trip" guidance of The Trip (1967) to the POV death trip of Enter the Void (2009). Here we take a look at how two LSD fueled horror films explore the cultural detritus of the 1960's ripples all the way to Ronald Reagan's America in the earl...

On this episode, we wrap up our summer series looking at American Urban Landscapes on film with a Double Feature episode.  We each bring a few titles that exemplify this theme and then put together a Double Feature (or two...or three) for the listeners.   Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

On this episode, we continue our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. For this episode we watch Summertime (2020).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook

On this episode, we continue our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. For this episode we watch The Plot Against Harry (1971).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook

On this episode, we continue our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. We take a look at John Sayles' City of Hope (1991).  Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook

On this episode, we kick off our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. We're starting off with Falling Down (1993).  It's a mess, but it's an interesting mess. Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook

On this episode, we each bring a few titles that exemplify Communism on Film and then put together a Double Feature for the listeners.   Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

This year we celebrated May Day by finally watching Warren Beatty's passion project, Reds (1981). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We wrap up our series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with Bill Gunn's Ganja & Hess (1973). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Over the next few episodes, we're taking a look at some independent African American auteurs that made landmark films.  On this episode, Cheryl Dunye's The Watermelon Woman (1996). Follow us at: Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram / Letterboxd  /  Facebook