Watch This With Rick Ramos

All Out of Bubblegum - John Carpenter Rings The Alarm - 1988's They Live 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Mr. Chavez & I sit down to talk one of the great B-Movie, Sci-Fi Classics, John Carpenter's They Live (1988). Science Fiction has traditionally been a genre that comments on the current state of society and culture. Carpenter's depiction of an alien invasion and the subsequent enslavement of the human race, is one of the greatest criticisms of 1980s Reagan Era Economics and the rise of Yuppie culture. With a surprisingly accomplished performance from Wrestling Icon "Rowdy" Roddy Piper as  John Nada - an "Everyman" of the Working Poor - and a great supporting performance from Keith David, this is an exceptional film that warned us of the dangers of the destruction of the Middle Class. Take a listen as we - once again - draw comparisons between art, culture, and the ugliness of politics. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

Direct download: TheyLiveFinal.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:17pm EDT

The Many Children of Akira Kurosawa: Sturges & Fuqua's The Magnificent Seven & Pixar's A Bug's Life

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue discussing Akira Kurosawa's 1954 masterpiece Shichinin no samurai (Seven Samurai) with a look at the numerous films this film has directly and indirectly influenced. From Marvel's The Avengers (from 2008 on) thru John Landis' Three Amigos (1986), Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables series (2010/2012/2014), and Robert Aldrich's The Dirty Dozen (1967). For this episode we focus on John Sturges' 1960 American remake The Magnificent Seven, starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, and Charles Bronson and Antoine Fuqua's The Magnificent Seven (2016) featuring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Ethan Hawke. Two good re-imaginings of a cinema classic, but the big discussion is devoted to the magic of computer animation and Pixar's 1998 overlooked classic, A Bug's Life. Sit back & Take a listen. We had a good time with this episode. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

Direct download: SamuraiInfluencesFinal.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

"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

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