The History of Rock N Roll Part IX - English Blood Runs Hot: The Rolling Stones

This week Ibrahim & I continue our examination of The History of Rock N Roll with a look at one of the greatest of Rock N Roll bands - Mick Jagger,  Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Brian Jones, Mick Taylor, and Bill Wyman . . . The Rollings Stones. This is a great episode, looking at Oliver Murray's The Quiet One (2019), Mike Figgis's Ronnie Wood - Someone Up There Likes Me (2020), Jean Luc Godard's Sympathy for the Devil (1968), Danny Garcia's Brian Jones - Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones (2020), and Martin Scorsese's Shine a Light (2008). A whole lot to watch and a whole lot of talk. Take a listen and enjoy the celebration.

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

What's the Worst That Could Happen? Ted Demme's Life (1999)

Dropping a bonus episode . . . this week I go solo to discuss Ted Demme's 1999 comic tour de force, Life. Until My Name is Dolemite, nearly twenty years later, this was Eddie Murphy's last R-Rated Comedy. 

Tackling 65-years of racism, imprisonment, scapegoating, and - ultimately - friendship, Demme's film captures the brilliance of Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence with a wonderful supporting cast including: Bernie Mac, Miguel Nuñez Jr., Anthony Anderson, Joe Torry, Nick Cassavetes, R. Lee Ermey, Obba Babatundé, Clarence Williams III, and Ned Beatty. It's a wonderful film that I'm thrilled to talk about and relate to the ridiculous and painful experiences of my own life. A deeply personal and honest episode that I hope you take something from. Thank you for listening. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

Of Masks & Fantasies:

Stanley  Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut

The History of Cinema has known many great names. Few have had the success, respect, and influence of Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999). With a filmography of only twelve films (unless you include his hated Fear and Desire), Kubrick stands tall among the great directors: Lang, Murnau, Hitchcock, Ford, etc. and continues to fascinate audiences. This week Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the late filmmaker's last film, Eyes Wide Shut (1999). This is a difficult film, tackling a troubling subject - marital infidelity, paranoia, and insecurity.  Featuring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and a wonderful and troubling Sidney Pollack, Eyes Wide Shut is a problematic and fascinating last film from a great director. Take a listen as Ibrahim and I discuss this final film from a master.

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

A Heavy Metaphor: Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo

On this week's episode, Ibrahim & I look at a controversial and divisive film, Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo ( 1982). Herzog has proven himself a true artist and poet of Cinema. The notorious and infamous actions of his filmmaking history are well known. Irresponsible filmmaking or the Dogged Determination of an artist unwilling to compromise? The question is an important one to ask. In no other film that I have watched have I felt the overwhelming sense of danger and awe that must have been palpable on the set of Herzog's 1982. From losing two major actors, through cast and crew rebellion, violence directed at the production and crew, and - finally - the often violently contentious relationship between Herzog and his (six time) leading man, Klaus Kinski, the debate on responsible filmmaking is unmatched in the modern-era of filmmaking. With a demanding eye rivaling Fritz Lang and Erich von Stroheim, with Fitzcarraldo, Herzog certainly made a name for himself in the history of cinematic visionaries. Take a listen as we debate the merits of Herzog, Kinski, and the production. We think you'll find it interesting. Many Thanks. 

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

The Ghost of Dune: Jodorowsky's Unmade Masterpiece

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our look at Frank Herbert's Classic Sci-Fi Novel, Dune. There's no shortage of angles to come at this movie from. Last week we looked at Denis Villeneuve's new film playing in theaters and HBOMax right now. This week Mr. Chavez & I touch on David Lynch's failed early-80's effort with producer Dino De Laurentis. A disastrous production and final product that Lynch has disowned and has great difficulty discussing, for the longest time Dune seemed unfilmable. But the meat of today's episode lays with Frank Pavich's 2013 documentary, Jodorowsky's Dune - a documentary on the making of the most famous un-filmed project in Cinema History. Featuring interviews with directors Richard Stanley and Nicholas Winding Refn, special effects, production and artistic designers, and producers including: H.R. Giger, Michel Seydoux, Chris Foss, and Jean Giraud. This is a fascinating documentary on one of the greatest disappointments in Cinema. A Must-See for all fans of Cinema. Take a listen and enjoy. 

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

Lawrence of Arrakis: Denis Villeneuve's Dune

This week Ibrahim & I take a look at a film currently playing in theaters and HBO MAX, Denis Villeneuve's Dune. There's a hell of a lot going on here; some good, some not so good. Villeneuve's a true visionary who pushes expectations. But is that always enough? Neither Ibrahim nor I are exactly sure. There are problems with Frank Herbert's 1965 novel (as well as David Lynch's 1984 troubled adaptation), but there are also aspects that are so grand and beautifully imagined that it's almost forgivable. There's a lot to talk about and Ibrahim & I do just that. Take a listen to see if you agree, disagree, or are - simply - confused by the whole thing. It's a good talk, either way. Take a listen and let us know what you think.

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

Night Phantom: Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre

On this week's episode, Ibrahim & I close out The Halloween Season with a look at an exceptional re-imagining of a Horror Classic, Werner Herzog's 1979 masterpiece Nosferatu the Vampyre. Featuring great performances from Bruno Ganz, Isabelle Adjani, and a masterful Klaus Kinski, this is easily one of the great Dracula re-tellings. It's a thrill for Ibrahim & I to sit down, look back, and discuss this great work of cinema. There's a whole lot going on in this episode. Take a listen as we celebrate Halloween. 

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

The Wolf Will Out: The Universal Werewolf

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the third of The Great Universal Movie Monsters, Lon Chaney Jr. in his signature role as Lawrence Talbot, The Wolf Man. This is an incredible five picture run - the only actor in the Universal Monster canon who played his signature character through the character's entire run - The Wolf Man (1941), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945), and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). In a touching and iconic performance, Chaney would rise past his famous lineage to create one of the greatest of screen monsters. In this episode we salute the great man, the character, and it's long-lasting power. We also take a look at 2010's remake/re-boot, The Wolfman starring Benicio del Toro, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, and Anthony Hopkins. This is a good time that you don't want to miss. Take a listen.

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

A Slice of Death - Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our celebration of the Halloween season with a continuing exploration of Horror Cinema. This week we look at a truly nerve-wracking, disturbing, and horrific examination of serial killers, John McNaughton's Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (shot in 1986 and released in 1989). With a career-making performance from Michael Rooker and an incredible supporting cast, the brutality and tension of McNaughton's debut film has remained with cult audiences for over 30 years. This week, Ibrahim & I are proud to sit down and discuss of such great power and importance. If you haven't seen it, you will be changed. Give it a viewing, but be warned - it is not an easy film nor is it a forgiving one.

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

Groovy! - Sam Raimi & Bruce Campbell Battle an Army of Deadites

On this week's episode, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss A Classic Series of the Horror Genre, Sam Raimi's Evil Dead Trilogy: Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992). The End of the 1970's brought with it a new sense of Horror. A leading voice in that movement was Minnesota born director Sam Raimi and his star, Bruce Campbell. A World of Evil was created and unleashed on the movie-going public and forty years later we continue to celebrate the adventures of Ash as he battles The Undead in three films, a reboot/remake, and a STARZ series that ran for three seasons. On this episode we celebrate the magic, inventiveness, imagery, and world creation that Raimi & Campbell have built careers on. It's a fun talk, so take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!