From Cute & Cuddly to Killer: Joe Dante's Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch

This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our stroll through the 1980s with a look at a stange kind of Comedy/Puppetry/Action/Horror hybrid, Joe Dante's Gremlins (1984). Dante - a graduate of the Roger Corman School of Low-Budget Filmmaking - is one of the most criminally underappreciated directors of the 1980s and 1990s. The Howling, Explorers, The 'Burbs, Matinee, Innerspace, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action . . . Joe Dante has been a reliable, solid, and inventive filmmaker. Gremlins is what he calls, "the movie I'm going to be remembered for. If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, the headline is going to be 'Gremlins Director Hit By Bus'. I'll never do something that'll outlast that in terms of the public image of who I am – which is fine with me." Dante shouldn't be limited to this, but I will say that the both Gremlins films are exceptional and it was a thrill to return to them and have one of our wonderfully insightful talks. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, you can reach us at gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

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What's Out There: Ridley Scott's Alien and John Carpenter's The Thing

This week we take a look at two of the greatest Science-Fiction/Horror films in the History of Cinema: Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) and John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) We've talked about both of these films throughout the history of the podcast, however on this go-around we take a slightly different approach, looking at the similarities between the films, the differences, the influences, and how each film has adhered to and expanded the genres. Take a listen as we go back to a well that never seems to go dry. It's a fun talk that we think you'll enjoy. You can reach us at gondoramos@yahoo.com with your comments. Many Thanks. 

For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated from you cheap bastards. 

A Safe Alien for the Box Office: Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

This week Mr. Chavez & I shift our focus from the dangers of extra terrestrial life to the cute and cuddly alien that captivated audiences in 1982 - Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. At the time, the biggest box office hit in the history of cinema (a title it would hold until Spielberg's own Jurassic Park eleven years later), E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, is a film that has stayed in the public consciousness for the better part of four decades . . . But is it really as good as we remember? This week we look back and answer that question with an examination of the film, the time in which it was made, and its standing among other films of the genre, year, and culture. Take a listen - it's a fun discussion. Hit us up at gondoramos@yahoo.com to let us know what you think. Many Thanks.

We continue to look to you good and loyal listeners for support. If you have listened and enjoyed our bantering over these nearly eight years please feel free to support us with a monetary contribution. We're not asking for a whole lot. Whatever you can give is appreciated. 2024 is promising to be an incredible year filled with great discussions. Help us make this possible. We appreciate anything You Cheap Bastards can give. Follow the link below to contribute.  Our Continued Thanks.

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Paradise Lost - Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant

This week brings us to the end of our look into the Alien franchise with a discussion of Ridley Scott's final journey into the world he introduced audiences to in 1979. 2017's Alien: Covenant did a great deal to explain the origin of the xenomorphs and the space jockey, however an equal number of questions arose. As we await the release of Alien: Romulus in the summer of 2024 it's our duty to look at Ridley Scott's conclusion and discuss this multi-layered and beautifully textured film. From the production design through the cinematography and performances, Alien: Covenant is a wonderful coda to Ridley Scott's direction in this series. Take a listen as we dig deep into this film, Scott's previous film - Prometheus - and our theories on the final film and the series as a whole. It's a good talk. Let us know what you think at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

We continue to look to you good and loyal listeners for support. If you have listened and enjoyed our bantering over these nearly eight years please feel free to support us with a monetary contribution. We're not asking for a whole lot. Whatever you can give is appreciated. 2024 is promising to be an incredible year filled with great discussions. Help us make this possible. We appreciate anything You Cheap Bastards can give. Follow the link below to contribute.  Our Continued Thanks.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos