"Have Fun Stormin' The Castle." - The Beauty, Humor, & Magic of Rob Reiner's

The Princess Bride

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the great fantasy/adventure/comedies in all of cinema (and certainly the best of the 1980's) - Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride (1987). A film that displays romance, comedy, action,  a princess (Robin Wright), an over-confident genius (Wallace Shawn), a drunken Spanish swordsman (Mandy Patinkin), a rhyming giant (André the Giant), an evil prince (Chris Sarandon), his trusted and sadistic right hand (Christopher Guest), a miracle worker and his wife (Billy Crystal & Carol Kane), an impressive clergyman (Peter Cook), a grandfather (Peter Falk), grandson (Fred Savage), and a stable boy turned pirate and hero (Cary Elwes). That's a lot. Take a listen as we remember this great family adventure.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our thanks for your continued love and support.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same - John Carpenter's Escape From New York/Escape From LA

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss a favorite - "Snake" Plissken in John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981) & Escape From LA. A classic action hero, Kurt Russell and Carpenter (with co-writer Nick Castle) created one of the greatest cinema has ever known. This week take a look at the lasting power of "Snake".

This was a fun conversation, take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

Black Man's Burden: The Vietnam War - A Spike Lee Joint

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I dive into Netflix to look at Spike Lee's newest - Da 5 Bloods. Featuring Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock, Norm Lewis, Jean Reno, Jonathan Majors, with Chadwick Boseman, and an Oscar caliber Delroy Lindo. One of only two films that we can think of that looks at the African-American experience during the Vietnam War, we focus on Lee's new film as well as The Hughes Brothers sophomore effort Dead Presidents (1995). Racism, class issues, and the psychological scars of an immoral war . . . a whole lot of good conversation.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for the continued love and support.

This is America - Los Angeles Burns: 1965/1992/2020

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the current social and political climate as well as how it's only more of the same. To do this right we take a look at two documentaries L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later (2017) & LA '92 (2013). From a narrative vantage we discuss Ron Shelton's Dark Blue (2002) starring Kurt Russell, Ving Rhames, Scott Speedman, Michael Michelle, and Brendan Gleeson. Each film approaches the material in a different way and gives powerful insight into the drama of the uprising. We look at these films with the hope of understanding the current political and social climate. Take a listen. We hope that you walk away with another perspective, one which helps with your understanding.

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