Left of the Projector

The 1990's were filled with vampire classics, one of which may be Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles. For perhaps the first time on this show, I rewatched a movie and it didn't bring back that 90's nostalgia that I so dearly love. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt both perform well, but it's hard to fully love it knowing the type of people they are today. But I digress... Vampire lore has a long history, much of which stems from the classic novel 'Dracula.' However, the mythos goes back much further. There are many alagories and ways to interpret the vampire, but perhaps the most useful version is that of the blood-sucking capitalist. The mere idea of a person, who drains you of your blood until you are dead sounds remarkably similar to that of a Capitalist in our current system. An individual or corporation sucks the life out of its workers so that it remains moving, living, and immortal. Enjoy Smirk Gently's return to the show to discuss the film. DO you think it holds up? Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

The original Candyman film spawned numerous sequels, all of which fell flat and were not true to the original. Enter the new era of Candyman was ushered in by Director Nia DeCosta and writer Jordan Peele. The movie acts as a direct sequel to the OG Candyman film and does a great job of making it so you didn't need to see it to understand the new one. Horror films should be viewed through a leftist and marxist lense, and this film is no different. There are class, race and other issues that are glaring once you look past the gore and jump scares. I'm joined by three-peat guest Emlie - The Jolly Leftist - who lends are expert eye for Horror films. Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

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Jordan Peele's pivot to Horror film making has paved the way for a new era of Horror films over the almost last decade. His movies lean on his own love for horror movies as well as his life experience. It's impossible not to watch his films, be scared, entertained and also learn so much about the experience of a black man in America. I'm joined this week by Ryan who has a new podcast coming out called the Conscious Environment which you can listen to on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

In a slight departure from our regular movie content, we bring an episode on Star Trek, Trekkie politics, the Federation, and its history. I'm joined by Caribbean Warrior who will provide a deep dive into the Star Trek universe. This will be a great primer for anyone new to the Star Trek Universe... Or make all the big Trekkie fans mad that we left something out or went against your preferred theories.Hope you enjoy it and hit us up on social media if you want to follow the show and other leftist content.Left of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

The Lord of the Rings saga couldn't be more relevant than now with the release of the new show Rings of Power. If you're on the left and have dismissed this movie in the past due to some of the connections to Christianity, I implore you to take another watch or read, or both!I am joined by Hungry Rye who will impart their knowledge on the LOTR with a Marxist twist. Stay tuned for future episodes where we will dive into the incredible 2nd and 3rd chapters of this Trilogy. Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

If you grew up in the 90's and had a computer, you probably saw Hackers. This cult classic really brings back those 90's computer memories for me and my guest Serra Despair. While this movie may not be her best, Angelina Jolie makes her feature film debut and plays the rich white girl in a cast of mostly people too old for their roles as high school kids.Hackers brings out a lot of interesting themes about the world around us, corporate BS and much more. Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

This week's episode features a new movie, yes, we do those too. The Hunt came out in 2020 right before the pandemic after a delay from 2019. The movie features so-called elite liberals literally hunting conservatives at a manor...somewhere. The movie is super gory and super exaggerated, but it makes for a great discussion of class antagonism, culture wars, and much more.I am joined by Amanda Joy, who you can follow on Instagram and TikTok.Left of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

Jaws is a lot more than a classic blockbuster film that coined the term "Blockbuster." Emlie is back again to chat about class analysis, capitalism, and much more. Left of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

Pixar's A Bug's Life is not just a kids movie -- It's a kids movie with an underlying message of a colony of ants reaching class consciousness and overthrowing their grasshopper oppressors. SmirkGently joins me again to discuss how the ants, led by Flick, are able to understand their true worth and stand up to Hopper and the grasshoppers. Left of the Projector Linkshttps://www.patreon.com/LeftoftheProjectorPodhttps://boxd.it/5T9O1https://leftoftheprojector.comhttps://instagram.com/leftoftheprojectorhttp://tiktok.com/@leftoftheprojectorpodhttps://www.threads.net/@leftoftheprojector

You couldn't have a podcast about film without John Carpenter and there isn't much that is more John Carpenter than They Live. Ok, well maybe Halloween, but I digress. This week I am joined by Nelson from The Dixieland of the Proletariat, an excellent podcast you'll need to check out if you haven't already. We'll discuss the class aspects of this movie as it relates to class, capitalism and of course The Pervert's Guide to Ideology by Slavoj Žižek. Žižek's analysis of this film, among others, is really essential in unpacking ideology. He of course has the classic line: The Name of this trashcan is ideology." What's Left of the South Podcast Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

Who Framed Roger Rabbit takes back to 1988, a golden era of Disney movies, and to one that was visually stunning with its mixture of cartoons and live action. It was one of the first of its kind. But...did you know that the film tells the true story of the destruction of rail and trolly in every American city? Cloverleaf, the evil company in the film is a stand-in for National City Lines.This week I discuss the cartoonishly evil Judge Doom with the Leftist Down Under. This was a favorite film of theirs (and mine) and the discussion really will detail the ways that capitalism undermines innovation, trains, and instead pushes us to the brink...Leftist Down Under on TikTok Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

We are back again this week for the first bonus episode between regular interview discussions. This episode I will give some thoughts on one of the best horror movies ever made: Black Christmas. For those who are big horror buffs, you probably know all about it. For those who aren't or just missed this 1974 gem, I'd encourage you to find it (it's free right now on many sites) and watch it. Black Christmas was a genre-defining film that established the slasher/psychological thriller era even before the famed Halloween by John Carpenter. You'll find themes rarely found in horror movies as well as the first use of "The call is coming from inside the house" in a horror film.Left of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

This week we dive into yet another 90's film with the memorable film Pleasantville. I promise we'll do some new movies soon...Pleasantville stars Toby Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H Macy and Joan Allen. People probably remember it best for the stark difference from black and white movie into color. The movie evokes a lot of strong symbolism, whether director Gary Ross meant it or not. I'm joined this week by Emlee aka The Jolly Leftist on TikTok who suggested this episode for its interesting themes. While some are overused, it's still is poignant today.Left of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

Sergio Leone revitalized the western genre with banger after banger in the 1960s and 70s. Clint Eastwood was often his muse, though not in this film. With an incredible cast, Leone brings to the surface the dark underbelly of the "old west." As an Italian filmmaker, Leone was somewhat of an outsider in his perception of the North American western expansion. Along with that expansion was the brutal exploitation of black, brown, and indigenous people. US Government and capital interests ruled with an iron fist and the two tracks of the railway enabled the expansion.If you're not a fan of westerns, this one will change your mind. Sergio Leone obituary Left of the Projector:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠ // ⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // ⁠⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

In 1998, Jim Carrey was in the midst of his peak comedic film era and yet he opted to join on The Truman Show, a film far from funny. At that time, we thought of Carrey as Ace Ventura or Lloyd Christmas and not as the sad sack that was Truman Burbank who, unbeknownst to him, was being broadcast to billions of people every second of the day. I talk to Zoo about the implications of this depressing "comedy." The Truman Show is a reminder of the commercialization that was seen to this day. Everything is for sale, everything is a jammed pack full of advertisements and we may have lost some of our own identities in the process.Notes:‘The Truman Show’: Weir and Niccol’s Uplifting Yet Prophetically Disturbing Dystopian SatireHow we made The Truman Show – 20th anniversaryMusic by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' Richard Left of the Projector:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠ // ⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // ⁠⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

There have been numerous film iterations of Batman over the last 3 decades, but the new version really brings new depth to the Batman character. While there are very few superhero films that make political statements, we do get about half a movie of solid undertones. As I discuss with my guest Matt Galvatron, Batman superfan, Matt Reeves does put together a marvelous movie but does fall short when it comes to fully flesh out the political message. Left of the Projector:⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe // ⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠ //⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ //⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

Paul Verhoeven's masterpiece RoboCop was ahead of its time. The poignant satire on police, capitalism, militarism and neoliberalism stands today as one of the GOATs. I chatted with Farhad about this true masterpiece. You may be reading these words and saying: Are we talking about that fun action movie with a half man, half robot? Yes. Yes we are.Buckle up...Notes:Film School Rejects: "The Violent Satire of 'RoboCop' by Kieran FisherTropics of Meta: "What Robocop Tells Us about the Neoliberal City, Then and Now" by Keith Orejel Left of the Projector Links ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast Stream Links ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

Most Cohen Brothers movies are classics, while The Hudsucker Proxy may have flown under the radar and never reached that status. Written in 1985, finished in 1991, and released in 1994, the film was also written by Sam Raimi and turns out to be more pertinent today. The movie was written to depict ordinary men and how they too can become heroes. The film took us back to 1958 New York City and gives us a glimpse of corporate life and how a small-town college graduate can achieve big things. While this doesn't stand along side The Big Lebowski or Fargo, it deserves its day in the sun.Music by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' RichardLeft of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

This week I am joined by SmirkGently to discuss Mike Judge's masterpiece, Office Space. While the movie was not a big hit in theaters, it gained a cult following in the years that followed on Comedy Central. The movie brought us so many classic lines that have just become part of everyday vernacular. When viewing the movie today, it's impossible not to see that technology has changed, but the commonalities of office work haven't. From Hawaiin Shirt Friday, to waiting for just one tiny piece of chocolate cake at Collin's birthday celebration. The monotonous aspects of office life were perfectly brought to life in this classic.Music by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' RichardLeft of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support

In the inaugural episode, I chat with Andy about the classic film 'The Matrix.' Released in 1999, it changed action movies forever with special effects we'd never seen before. Beyond the effects, the audience is left with the chilling knowledge that the world as we know it is not real, it is a simulation. How might we understand that in today's context of global capitalism and alternatives? Notes/Links:The Wachowskis stated that The Matrix was born out of "rage at capitalism." Music by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' RichardLeft of the Projector Ko-Fi PageTikTok PageInstagram Page --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leftoftheprojector/support