Strange Fictions - John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent ito the World of Cinematic Horror. This week we take a look at One of the Greats - John Carpenter. After the financial and critical failure of The Thing (1982), Carpenter would find his career and project choices limited. He would regain some Hollywood stature with his adaptation of Stephen King's Christine (1983), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), and They LIve (1988), however the damage had been done and his career would never be the same. At this point we look at the later films of Mr. Carpenter. Although there are moments in most of these films, Carpenter would never return to the heights he once knew. In the Mouth of Madness (1994) is a noble failure, but a failing nonetheless. This week Ibrahim & I discuss why this is. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy it. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com 

Where's the Fear - Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down, settle in, and jump into the World of Horror Cinema. We're prepping two months worth of Horror because that's how long it's going to take us on this World Tour. This year we look stateside, but also look to Korea, Japan, and any other place that challenges their audiences not to turn away. This week we go back to the 1970s and the American Southwest with a look at Wes Craven's 1977 Cult Classic The Hills Have Eyes. There's a great deal to unwrap here . . . violence, rape, misogyny, torture porn, and all the storytelling elements that will manifest themselves in louder and stronger voices in the coming decades. This is a difficult film that needs the four decades space to look at it objectively. So that's the angle we're coming at it from. Cult classic or Overrated Schlock . . . we're thrilled to be talking about Craven's second film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Fame, Cocaine, and Coming of Age: Defining the 80s

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our exploration of the films that defined their decades. Naming "The Best Films of Their Decades" would be too easy (and boring) an endeavor. These are the films that Mr. Chavez & I see as The Good, The Bad, & The Very, Very Ugly of each decade. The 1980s is probably the most striking example of troubling, jingoistic, and mindless filmmaking. Yeah, there are some good films within each of our lists, but the decade is overrun by films that trouble us and are an ugly examination of Cinema and The Culture as a whole. Take a listen. We hope you agree, and if you don't, we hope the discussion triggers your own opinions. 

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

Dead Air - Oliver Stone's Talk Radio 

On this week' s episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to talk an underseen Oliver Stone film . . . Talk Radio (1988). From an original theatrical production (produced Off-Broadway), Eric Bogosian tells the story of Barry Champlain - provocateur, shock jock, vile human being. It's a wonderful debut from an actor we don't see nearly enough of. Along with Bogosian, Stone peppers his film with a wonderful supporting cast including: Ellen Greene, John C. McGinley, Leslie Hope, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, and Alec Baldwin. There's a whole lot to break down. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

He's My Father: James Foley's At Close Range 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a 1980s cable mainstay, James Foley's At Close Range. One of the earliest films to showcase Sean Penn as a lead, Foley's film is a harrowing look at father-son/criminal relationships in rural Pennsylvania. Penn made a name for himself with this film after exceptional turns in Bad Boys (1983) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and showed a hint of the work that would come to be expected from him over the next three decades, however this film is held together and overwhelmed by the presence of Christopher Walken. Walken is equal part charismatic and terrifying in a role that would test the limits of what audience are willing to accept. He is truly mesmerizing. It is with great pleasure that we look back at these classic 80s performances. 

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

"No Hunting Like the Hunting of (Wo)Man"  - Ernest Hemingway

Dan Trachtenberg's Prey (2022)

Solo Episode . . . . this week I go it alone to talk the newest entry in The Predator Film Series, Prey. Premiering on HULU August 5th, it is a thrill seeing this film and getting the chance to discuss it, the series, the Native American presence in Cinema, and the future of film releasing. There's not a whole lot to say except this is a great contribution to a series celebrating 35 years. Featuring standout performances from Dakota Beavers, Dane DLiegro, Michelle Thrush, and - Star - Amber Midthunder as Naru. A success on so many levels, it's a thrill to talk about exciting new film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Breaking Down the Gates: Defining the 70s (Part II) 

The Second Half of an earlier episode where Mr. Chavez & I discuss ten films (and a short list of Honorable Menitons) that defined the 1970s as a decade. All the usual names: Scorsese, Coppola, Spielberg, Friedkin, DePalma, Lumet, etc. are found throughout the episode. Take a listen and see if these (remaining Top 5 and The Honorable Mentions) are on your list. Thanks for the continued support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

Breaking Down the Gates: Defining the 70s  (Part I)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our examination of the films that defined their respective genres. This week we discuss - arguably (Mr. Ramos's opinion) - the single greatest decade in Cinema . . . The 1970s. The 1970s was an incredibly creative, ground-breaking, and overpowering period of filmmaking that brought us names as important as Spielberg, DePalma, Coppola, Friedkin, Bogdanovich, Ashby, and - of course - Scorsese. These filmmakers, and the names of others who fallen through the cracks, are profiled on this episode (as well as it's sequel). It's not necessarily "The Best of the 1970s" but more importantly, the films that tell us the most about the Decade. It's a fun ride. Join us for it. 

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

Towards a New Hope: George Lucas's THX-1138

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our look into - arguably - the greatest of The Cinematic Decades - The 1970s. This week we pay particular attention to George Lucas and his directorial debut, THX-1138. We discuss the film, it's themes and religious connatations, as well as it's production history - including role as flagship project of Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola's Independent Filmmaking Utopia, American Zoetrope. Surprise, Surprise - one of us is a bigger fan of this film than the other, but the discussion (because of this difference) is definitely worth a listen. It's a problematic film (both of us believe this), however it's a film with an important history and role in the emergence of "The New Hollywood". Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

Tormented Road: Steven Spielberg's Duel

This week Mr. Chavez & I dig into one of our favorite film decades - The 1970s with a look at - arguably - the most successful box-office director in the history of cinema . . . Steven Spielberg. This week we take a look at his feature length directorial debut, Duel. 1971 was a phenomenal year for cinema with the trumpeting of a great new director. It's difficult to imagine film without Steven Spielberg and, thus, it's important for us to begin an examination of great storytelling and the beginnings of a great filmmaker. Take a listen and let us know what you think of this 1971 classic. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.