On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the most popular characters in all of cinema - Bram Stoker's Dracula. We start our talk with the iconic Bela Lugosi - the standard to which all vampire portrayals are compared - in Todd Browning's 1931 classic Dracula. We follow this with F.W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece of German Expressionism, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. And finally we talk Francis Ford Copolla's interpretation of the classic novel, Bram Stoker's Dracula. This week we talk the history of the novel, the films, and the (partly) inspiration of the character, Vlad The Impaler.  Take a listen and enjoy.  As always, thanks for the support. We appreciate your taking the time to listen.  Any and all questions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

The WatchThis train keeps moving forward.  Ibrahim & I return to The Fortress to finish up our 90's themed showcase. This week we talk Alex Proyas' 1998 masterpiece Dark City.  An incredible piece of celluloid that has unjustly been lost in the shadow of The Wachowski's The Matrix, Dark City continues to grow in stature and rewards viewers with a deeper understanding of humanity.  With exceptional performances by Rufus Sewell, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O'Brien (Mr. Hand), Kiefer Sutherland, and William Hurt, Dark City has provided a great opportunity for a couple of friends to sit down, talk and bring attention to a criminally underseen film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Any and all question, comments, and suggestions can be sent to gondoramos@yahoo.com - As always, thanks for the continued support. 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue with our examination of the 1990's - looking at Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days from 1995 and Mike Leigh's 1993 underseen classic, Naked.  Strange Days proves to be a bit of a disappointment, but a fascinating one that plays out in an interesting conversation regarding the the past, present, future and our dealings with all three.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.  As always, we can't wait to hear from you.  We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com  - Many Thanks.  You know we love ya!  

On this weeks episode of Watch This W/RickRamos my good friend Ibrahim Chavez returns to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to continue discussing the 1990's.  This week we focus on Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers.  We discuss the cultural relevance of the film as well as it's impact twenty years later. We also discuss the death of singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. As always we thank you for listening. Any questions or comments can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com   

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, WatchThis fans welcome Mike Black back to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Mr. Martin Scorsese.  Mr. Scorsese turned 74 this past November 17th so Mike & I thought it would be only right to discuss his career, his importance as a filmmaker, and his importance in each of our lives.  As always, talking film always causes you to spiral in many directions and that is exactly where we find ourselves. We talk Tarantino, Tower Records, and - of course - The Election (hopefully for the last time). As always, Thanks for you continued support.  

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/Rick Ramos I welcome good friend - and WatchThis Audience Favorite - Ibrahim Chavez back to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness. We sit down and talk a decade that (as time has begun to prove) is a time in cinema that is quickly being recognized as the last great period of American filmmaking - The 1990's. We begin with a  brief discussion of the Presidential Election, quickly easing into the thing that drives us most . . . Cinema.  We both choose a film that we view as significant to The Decade - Mine being David Fincher's Seven, His being Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers. To do this episode correctly takes perspective and we break down the events and moods that formed this great decade of filmmaking.  As always, we thank you for your support.   

On this weeks episode of Watch This w/Rick Ramos we take a look at one of my favorite films - a film that has resonated through my life - Malcolm Venville's 44 Inch Chest.  This sadly overlooked 2009 British Drama is an incredible showcase for actors Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, and - in a frighteningly good performance - Ian McShane.  Chronicling a man's dealings with the pain of his disintegrating marriage, Venville's film is a showcase of machismo, infidelity, and sorrow. One of my favorite films, I sit down and realize it's parallels to my life (and many of your lives), especially after my recent return to Evanston, Illinois for my 20th reunion. Some times films really help us understand life.  I believe this is one of those cases.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.  As always, Many Thanks. 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, my good friend, Ibrahim Chavez, returns to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness in our continuing discussion of Pornography in Film. We get back on track from last week's roundabout discussion to focus on specific films including Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights, James Cox's Wonderland, and A Serbian Film (the director is better left unnamed), as well as the documentaries After Porn Ends and Pornstar: The Legend of Ron Jeremy. Take a listen for an interesting and in-depth conversation. Questions & Comments can be directed to rickramoscomedy.com or gondoramos@yahoo.com - Thanks for your continued support. As always, you guys mean the world to me.  

On this weeks episode, podcast favorite - and good friend - Ibrahim Chavez stops into The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss The World of Pornography. We had originally intended this to be an examination of documentaries and narrative films dealing with the matter, however the episode quickly spiraled into a philosophical discussion regarding the history, benefits & dangers, current state of, and future of the industry.  Take a listen and let us know what you think of what we had to say. I can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - As always, thanks for the continued support and all of the good words.  

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos I say goodbye to one of the great comic minds of Cinema, Mr. Gene Wilder.  Having discussed his work with Richard Pryor in an earlier edition of WatchThis I felt it was necessary to pay closer attention to his two greatest works as an actor 1968's THE PRODUCERS and 1974's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (both directed by Mel Brooks).  This one's a bit heartfelt, but always in the WatchThis tradition of focusing on the work.  Mr. Wilder will be missed, but he left a love letter to Cinema and we have that to be grateful for.  As always, Thanks for the Support and feel free to let me know how I'm doing at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Can't wait to hear from you.  Best Wishes.