Watch This With Rick Ramos

"Once More, We Survive." - Akira Kurosawa's Shichinin no samurai - Seven Samurai 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss what is arguably the greatest film in the history of cinema - Akira Kurosawa's 1954 jidaigeki (Japanese period drama) masterpiece, Seven Samurai. Featuring star-making performances by frequent Kurosawa collaborators, Takashi Shimura (as the Samurai leader, Kambei) and Japan's greatest star, Toshiro Mifune (as Kikuchiyo, the samurai eager for adventure and the chance to prove himself). It also has what may be the first depiction of building a team - a movie trope that would continue for decades in remakes (The Magnificent Seven) and adaptations (Pixar's A Bug's Life) and inspirations (The Ocean's Films, The Blues Brothers, etc.). We cannot hide our enthusiasm. Our love for this film is palpable. We hope you join us in our look at this incredible film. 

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

Direct download: SevenSamurai.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00pm EDT

"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."

Stanley Kubrick's - 2001 A Space Odyssey

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a Sci-Fi Masterpiece, Stanley Kubrick's 2001 A Space Odyssey. A classic doesn't need a whole lot of explaining. Some may argue that everything that can be said about this film has already been said . . . well, the two of us disagree. Take a listen as we go a bit deeper and discover even greater nuances that this film has to offer. It's a fun conversation. Take a listen . . . it's always a good time. 

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

 

Direct download: 2001ASpaceOdyssey.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:11am EDT

"I don't know who to trust." 

Trust as a Hard Thing to Come By: Christian Nyby and Howard Hawks' The Thing from Another World (1951) and John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I close out 2020 with a look at the apocalypse . . . The Howard Hawks' Classic The Thing from Another World (1951) & The John Carpenter masterpiece The Thing. You're probably already familiar with both of these films, but it's always fun listening to fans gush over an exceptional work. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks. 

 

Direct download: TheThing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

One of God's Fools - The Zone in Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker

On this week's episode of WatchThis W//RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss one of the great achievements of Cinema, Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker. This late-70's era Russian existential masterpiece has rightfully been recognized as one of the most important films of Russian Cinema and an amazing examination of philosophical and psychological themes. There's little more that can be said in this introduction. We hope that you listen and discover this intelligent and challenging film for yourself. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks & Appreciation. 

Direct download: Stalker-Tarkovsky.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 3:41am EDT

Madman With a Typewriter - The World of Sam Fuller: Shock Corridor (1963) & The Naked Kiss (1964)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, I introduce Mr. Chavez to one of the great "B-Movie" directors in all of cinema . . . Sam Fuller. From humble beginnings through his years as a copy-boy, newspaper reporter, screenwriter, novelist, infantryman, and - finally - director, Fuller is one of the very few artists of the 20th Century who can honestly claim authenticity in his storytelling. Through Noir, War, Social Commentary, Thrillers, and Westerns, Fuller remains an impressive figure in The History of Cinema. This week, Ibrahim & I are thrilled to discuss and shine a light on a director you owe it to yourself to explore.

Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support.

Direct download: SamFullerShockNaked.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 3:20am EDT

"I am America. I'm a winner who lost every battle, up to and including the war. I am not the American nightmare. I am the American Dream. Period. That's why the system works. Because I am the system. Period."

The Life, Times, & Cinema of Richard Milhous Nixon - 37th President of the United States

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I finish out our examination of Presidential Politics with a look at The Life & Times of Richard Milhous Nixon. The Vietnam War, The Watergate Scandal, and the subsequent resignation of the 37th president. There's a great deal to talk about and there are numerous parallels to our current political environment. This week we focus on Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995), Alan J. Pakula's All the President's Men (1976), and - finally - Robert Altman's Secret Honor (1984). Three great films that beautifully and powerfully capture the controversy, struggles, and nuances of Richard Nixon.

Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Love & Thanks. 

Direct download: RichardNixon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:16am EDT

Blue-Collar Immigrant, Breaking All of the Rules - Belushi (2020)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, I find myself flying solo because of audio problems. My good friend and podcast partner, Mr. Ibrahim Chavez, is unable to join me this week, so I find myself forced to go it alone. This week the podcast is dedicated to the memory of SNL Legend, John Belushi. From the First Class of "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players" through groundbreaking roles in National Lampoon's: Animal House (1978) & The Blues Brothers (1980), both from director John Landis, Belushi was a proven powerhouse. He was one of the greats and I love sitting down to remember this great comic through the recent Showtime documentary Belushi (2020 - Dir. R.J. Cutler). It doesn't stop there. I also look at the career of his cast-mate, Gilda Radner. With a recently released documentary from director Lisa D'Apolito - Love, Gilda (2018). That's the episode. Take a listen. It's a li'l bit personal. Hope you like it. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

 

Direct download: Belushi.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:53am EDT

"A Patriot Must Always Be Ready To Defend His Country Against His Government" - Jim Garrison

Oliver Stone's JFK (1991)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a masterpiece of cinema, and Oliver Stone's greatest achievement, JFK (1991). Fifty-Seven years later, the controversy surrounding that fateful day in November continues to haunt our country. Oliver Stone's dramatization and exploration of the Kennedy Assination, the controversy surrounding the Warren Report, Louisiana District Attorney, Jim Garrison's prosecution of Louisiana Businessman, Clay Shaw (the only case ever brought to court regarding the Kennedy Assasination) and our nation's continued fascination with the paranoia and perceived conspiracy of the assassination shaped and drove one of the greatest films ever made. With an all-star cast including Kevin Costner as Garrison, Ed Asner, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Candy, Michael Rooker, Jay Sanders, Laurie Metcalf, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gary Oldman. A truly great film that we are thrilled to discuss. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support.

 

Direct download: JFKANnniversary.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:17am EDT

The Fat Man Won't Sing: Showtime's The Comey Rule 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss the Showtime original film, The Comey Rule. This is a hit-and-miss film that falls short of doing it's subject matter justice. Featuring Jeff Daniels as former F.B.I. Chief James Comey and Brendan Gleeson as President Donald J. Trump, as well as a host of character actors filling in various supporting roles, this is a film that had a great deal of potential, but is one that we take great issue with. I'll leave it at that, so that you can take a listen and determine for yourself if our criticism is fair and balanced. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Most Sincere Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

Direct download: TheComeyRule.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT

Inventing the Past; Creating the Future; Controlling the Present - George Orwell's 1984 & V for Vendetta

On this week's cinematic adventure, Mr. Chavez & I sit down and continue our stroll through Politics, exploring cinema as a way of better understanding this strange and dangerous world. This week we take a look at one of the great works of literature, George Orwell's 1948 masterpiece 1984. This Michael Radford film has great beauty, power, and importance. It is a thrill to sit down and watch two greats, Sir John Hurt and  - in his last screen appearance - Richard Burton. We discuss the film and the source material for a continuing worried and paranoid look at "Groupthink" and "Big Brother" as it exists in our world. We couple this screening with the James McTiegue directed (Wachowski produced) V for Vendetta. Take a listen and feel free to contribute at gondoramos@yahoo.com if you agree, disagree, or have anything to add. Thanks for the continued love and support.

Direct download: 1984.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:28pm EDT