Watch This With Rick Ramos

The Director's Lens: Three Early Noirs by Jules Dassin - Night & the City/The Naked City/Brute Force

On this solo episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ramos continues his look at one of his favorite cinematic genres - Film Noir. Taking advantage of the chance to watch so many great films, this week week Ramos looks at the early career of Jules Dassin, a director who refused to name names during the McCarthy Era WitchHunts and was forced to emigrate to France where he became an even more successful director. On this episode we take a look at 1950's Night & the City featuring Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, and Herbert Lom, as well as 1948's The Naked City starring Barry Fitzgerald, and - finally - 1947's Brute Force with commanding performances from Burt Lancaster and Hume Cronyn. Basically one guy sitting her bullshitting with himself about something he loves. 

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Continued Thanks. 

Direct download: JulesDassin.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:31am EDT

High Art, Low Art, & The Need To Get It On Screen:

Dolemite Is My Name & Ed Wood

Twenty-Five Years in the making. On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the struggles of High Art, Low Art, and Recognizing the Difference between the Two. Looking at two great film biopics chronicling the lives and work of artists of questionable talent, this week we discuss the new Netflix biopic of 70s Blaxploitation Legend Rudy Ray Moore - portrayed in a great return to form performance by Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name (directed by Hustle & Flow's Craig Brewer) and Tim Burton's 1994 look at the director widely credited as "The Worst of All Time," Ed Wood starring Johnny Depp in the title role. Ibrahim & I go deeper than some may expect in profiling these two immensely entertaining films, however we both agree that both films present interesting questions regarding the definition of Art. 

Maybe we're on point, maybe we're missing it . . . either way we hope you enjoy the conversation. 

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

Direct download: Dolemite.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:58am EDT

God's Lonely Men: The Collaborations of Martin Scorsese & Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver & Bringing Out the Dead)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the artistic collaborations between Martin Scorsese & Paul Schrader. Over a 23 year span these two filmmakers have created some of the most powerful stories put on film. This week we take a look at their first film 1976's ground-breaking masterpiece Taxi Driver and their final collaboration, 1999's criminally underseen Bringing Out the Dead. We realize that Taxi Driver has been discussed almost to death, however a film of it's power can always be looked at again. Bringing Out the Dead has never received the recognition or examination that it has deserved. We are proud to do our small part to fix this. Take a listen as we discuss the cultural and artistic importance (as well as legacies) of these two films. 

Remember, Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thank You for your continued Love & Support. 

 

Direct download: ScorseseSchrader_2.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 3:45am EDT

Screams of a Clown - Todd Phillip's Joker

&                         Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos we wholeheartedly welcome the return of Mr. Ibrahim Chavez. Back in time to discuss one of the most talked about films of the year, it is a thrill for Chavez & Ramos to sit down and discuss Joaquin Phoenix's remarkable performance as Arthur Fleck and Fleck's transformation into the one of the most iconic villains in all of Cinema & Literature - (The) Joker. A beautifully photographed and magnificently recreated late 70s/early 80s New York standing in for Gotham. We don't necessarily agree on this one, but we both have interesting opinions on the film. We pair this review with a look back at one of Phillip's heavy inspirations, Martin Scorsese's 1983 criminally underseen The King of Comedy. With brilliant performances by Robert DeNiro, Sandra Bernhardt, and Jerry Lewis, The King of Comedy reminds us of Scorsese's genius. 

Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, our continued thanks. 

 

Direct download: JOKER.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:21pm EDT

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