America's Underdog: John G. Avildsen's Rocky & Sylvester Stallone's Rocky II

Jumping into the world of underdogs (last week's Popeye), Mr. Chavez & I look at one of the great American Cinematic creations - Rocky Balboa. The Balboa character's screenplay origin rivals that of the character's struggle in the film(s). From a real life adaptation of the 70s Muhammad Ali/Chuck Wepner bout, Stallone is legendary for having written Rocky and forcing studios to accept him as the lead in order to produce the film. It was an incredible gamble that paid of beautifully for Stallone. This week we look at the character, the role of the hero, Rocky's place in 70s Cinema, and the beginning of the legacy of the original film - and character - that would continue for close to fifty years. Take a listen as we look at these first two films and their importance in and for the American public. You can reach us at gondoramos@yahoo.com. 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, You Cheap Bastards.

Comic Strip Underdog: Robert Altman's Popeye

This week we look to the fans with a special episode dedicated to WatchThis supporter, Jorge Saucedo. Mr. Saucedo asked that we take a look at the much-maligned 1980 Robert Altman comic strip adaptation, Popeye. This was a great time re-visiting a classic of my youth and, although Popeye is not Mr. Chavez's type of film - good guy hero, comic strip adaptation, musical - there is a great deal that he admired in this 80s Classic. Featuring Robin Williams (in his debut role) as the famed Sailor Man, a supporting cast including: Ray Walston (Poopdeck Pappy) Paul Dooley (Wimpy), Paul L. Smith (Bluto), Bill Irwin (Ham Gravy), Richad LIbertini (George W. Geezil), and - in perfect casting - Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl, Popeye is a film that is remembered fondly. For too long it  has been unfairly labeled a "disaster", but the truth is it is a charming, beautiful, and light-hearted adaptation of the E.C. Segar comic strips of the 1930s. This was a fun time remembering a classic of the 1980s. We hope you like what we have to say. Thanks for the continued support. We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.

 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, You Cheap Bastards.

We'll Always Have Aqaba - David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia

Few films are able to live up to the label of "epic".  In 1962 David Lean created one of the great epic masterpieces of cinema, Lawrence of Arabia. Based on the life of British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and write, T.E. Lawrence, Lean's film chronicles Lawrence's involvement in the Arab Revolt (1916-1918), his life among his adopted tribal families and his struggles with loyalty to the Arab tribes, the dessert, and his ties to his British roots. Lean's film is an epic in every way; from beautiful 70mm cinematography (lensed by the great Freddie Young) majestic and engrossing music from Maurice Jarre, and the incredible editing of Anne V. Coates (all three Academy Award winners for the film). Introducing Peter O'Toole and Omar Shariff, Lean would help create two of the great international stars Cinema has known. It's a thrill for Mr. Chavez and I to sit down, watch, remember, and discuss this powerful, overwhelming, and life-changing film. Take a listen as we dig into the history of The Middle East, the reception and legacy of this film, and comparisons to other "White Saviour" stories. It's a damn good talk. We hope you'll enjoy. Let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

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, You Cheap Bastards.

Frank Herbert's Burden: Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part 2

This week Mr. Chavez & I return to Planet Arrakis for the conclusion (a lie) of Frank Herbert's Sci-Fi Classic, Dune. We partly imagined that this would be more of our previous look at this film (Episode #353), however we were able to find more to complain about. Take a listen as we fortify our stance in the minority opinion regarding this "WhiteSaviour" epic. It's an interesting talk with a lot to unpack. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.

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, You Cheap Bastards.