"Everybody She Plays With Dies."

The Femmes Fatales of Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity and Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct

Femme Fatales on this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos. This week Ibrahim & I sit down to look at the femme fatale in cinema focusing on the very first - Barbara Stanwyck in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944) & Sharon Stone in Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct (1992). These are two very different films that showcase the femme fatale in all of its controversial existence. Take a listen as we discuss the history of Noir and the evolution of the femme fatale in this world.

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

Watching & Thinking: James Spader & The Dark Roads

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I take a look at two exceptional films starring James Spader - 1989's sex, lies, & videotape and 2002's Secretary. Two fascinating films that examine the difficult subject of voyeurism, BDSM, and sexual exploration. There's a great deal to say, so take a listen to this enlightening and often funny conversation between two film friends.

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

The Violence of Love: Psychological & Physical Abuse in Adrian Lyne's  9 1/2 Weeks and Sam Taylor-Johnson's Fifty Shades of Grey

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our look at sex, love, relationships, and emotional struggle. This week's episode focuses on Adrian Lyne's 1986 9 1/2 Weeks as well as Sam Taylor-Johnson's Fifty Shades of Grey from 2015. Two films that beg for re-writes and re-imaginings. This is one of the few times when the films are lackluster, but the talk is still fun and grabs a hold of you. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Continued Thanks. 

Portraits of Passion & Pain - Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris & Nagisa Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue to discuss Romance, Passion, Infatuation, and Sex with a look at two of the most controversial films ever made, Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 Marlon Brando & Maria Schneider exploration of sex, yearning, desire, and deep sadness, Last Tango in Paris. We pair this exceptional film with an even more brazen exploration of sexual relations, Nagisa Oshima's 1976 classic In the Realm of the Senses. This is a film that neither Ibrahim nor I had seen before. We are thrilled to be talking about it for this episode. The less written, the better.

Take a listen and hear a thoughtful discussion. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for the continued love and support. 

In the Kingdom of Kitsch - Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I begin the month of February with our first in a series of Romance movies. We start with Philip Kaufman's adaptation of author Milan Kundera's classic novel of romance and political upheaval in 1960's Prague, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988). This is my first viewing and Ibrahim's third. There are always surprises with a new film. This week's episode helps us see those possibilities. With a cast including Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, & Lena Olin, this was a great experience and we're thrilled to be talking it for all of you great listeners.

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