Dance of Death: Lars Von Trier's Melancholia 

Cinema is a strange and captivating artform. In many cases, understanding a filmmaker's intent is a hopeless effort. Lars Von Trier is a director whose filmography has captivated, confused, angered, and endeared itself to audiences. His critically-lauded 2011 film, Melancholia, would startle and fascinate audiences at The 64th Cannes Film Festival. The film itself would beguile audiences (awarding Best Female Pereformance to Kirsten Dunst and making the film a top contender for the Palme d'Or, but it was press conference in support of the film that would torpedoe it's chances at the Award. This week, Mr. Chavez & I discuss the controversy surrounding that press conference as well as our own contradictory attitudes regarding the film. This is an interesting film with a great deal to recomend. We discuss these positives and dive just as deeply into the negatives of the film's offerings. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. ManyThanks. 

Questions in the Rain: Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration of South Korean Cinema with a look at Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder. Based on a true-life series of rapes and murders that captured and terrified the minds of South Koreans from 1986 thru 1991, Bong's film is a subtle and intriguing police procedural that takes the great elements of Police-Thrillers, Crime, and Noir. Memories of Murder is a captivating and powerful look at paranoia, fear, and the minutiae of police work It's a beautifully realized and thrilling introduction to a filmmaker that would make an incredible stamp on Cinema in the years to come. Take a listen and let us know what you think. It's an interesting and fun talk. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Nothing Left to Say - Defining Films of the 2010s

Nothing left to say, People . . . this week Mr. Chavez & I conclude our look into the Defining Films of Their Respective Decades. We started in the 1910s and here we are, one hundred years of Cinema later. It's been a fun time looking at some great films and a bunch of painful ones. The fact is that Cinema influences society, but also is a reflection of it. We're thrilled to have dedicated nearly a year to the art, power, and influence of The Movies. Take a listen to our opinions, ideas, and thoughts on This Final Decade. It's been a whole lot of fun. We hope you've enjoyed the ride and we hope this final chapter lives up to whatever expectations you have formed. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondormaos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Blue-Collar Love Song - John Turturro's Romance & Cigarettes

I've been wanting to talk this movie for quite some time. I'm not exactly sure when and where I first saw John Turturro's Romance & Cigarettes. I had heard stories of a "Working-Class, James Gandolfini led Romantic/Musical Comedy". With no idea what to expect, the film would finally find it's way into limited release sometime in 2007 - shortly after it would find its way to home video, where - I believe - I finally saw it. It exceeded any expectations I may have had and did away with any fears that may have come with it. I love this film and am thrilled to finally get Mr. Chavez to sit down and give it a watch.

This is a fun talk looking into a surprising, tender, and heartfelt performance from James Gandolifini; with Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi, Aida Turturro, Mandy Moore, Mary Louise Parker, and stand-out performances from Christopher Walken (excessively Christopher Walken) and the great Broadway actress, Elaine Stritch in a beautifully nuanced performance that will make you realize the injustice of her not having a lengthier filmography.

There's quite a bit to unpack here. We hope you enjoy the talk. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Celebrating a Genius - Martin Scorsese's 80th Birthday

This week a bonus episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos drops as I go solo to celebrate - in my opinion - The Greatest Living Director (and easily one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of the medium) - Mr. Martin Scorsese. Since my partner is not joining me for this episode, I am choosing to look at Mr. Scorsese more from a fan's vantage than from a critic's. Martin Scorsese has made some of the greatest films in the medium - Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, Casino, Bringing Out the Dead, The Departed, Gangs of New York, and Hugo.  I don't want to go into detail here . . . you're going to have to just sit down and listen to the episode. It's a good one. 

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

Franchising Heroes & Fools: The Films of the 2000s

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos continue our look at the films that defined their decades. This week we look at the films of the new millennium. The 2000s saw a shift in the cinematic mentality. It was the beginning of the franchise era focusing on literary properties, remakes, reboots, and a continuous slip in artistic quality. There's alot going on in this week's episode and the sunuvabitch is a beast, so sit back and lean into the magic of cynicism and dissapointment. It's a fun time. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Love & Thanks. 

The Billy Picture: Vincent Gallo's Buffalo '66

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down with an incredibly underseen and underappreciated independent film from 1998, Vincent Gallo's Buffalo '66. Some films are difficult to define . . . they are problematic in their narratives and politics. Vincent Gallo's directorial effort from 1998 is a film that few people have seen and which was - most likely - never intended for a mass audience. But there is great beauty in this film. There's an anger, strange character study, and sadness to this film. Featuring great performances lead by Gallo (as a recently paroled loser, struggling to impress . . . who knows!?!), Anjelica Huston, Ben Gazzarra, Mickey Rourke, Jan Michael Vincent, Kevin Corrigan, and a beautiful and brilliant Christina Ricci. This is certainly not a film for eveyone, but for those audiences that are fans of WatchThis, it certainly is a worthy investment of time and cinematic enjoyment. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks. 

Blood Brothers: Phil Joanou's State of Grace 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a forgotten gem from 1990 - Phil Joanou's tale of Hell's Kitchen Irish-American Brotherhood, State of Grace. We are thrilled to discuss this neglected classic showcasing Sean Penn, Robin Wright, (a frightening) Ed Harris, and a brilliant early stateside performance from one of the great actors of any generation, Gary Oldman. There's so much to dig into with this one. We hope you take a listen and it drives you into the arms of a film that you may have missed. For those who have seen it, you should have a great time joining in as Ibrahim and I do what we love to do. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

Undergound Leather: William Friedkin's Cruising 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the most controversial films of the 1980s - Al Pacino in William Friedkin's Cruising (1980). During its production and early 80s release, few films had suffered comparable controversy. An murder mystery set in the Underground, S & M, Leather Bars of Late 70s/Early 80s New York, Cruising was lambasted almost immediately. Forty-plus years later, the film continues to stir up controversy, however it has also gone on to become embraced as a cult classic for its depiction of the Gay Underworld of that time. It is a strange and disturbing film that fails and offends in a number of ways and still fascinates in others. For this episode (recorded nearly a month earlier), Ibrahim & I are thrilled to finally sit down and tackle this cult classic.

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

Ghosts of Old Japan: Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I wrap up October with a look at a Japanese Horror Masterpiece - Kwaidan (1964). This Classic of Japanese Cinema is filled with some of the most beautiful images committed to film. A film bringing together four ghost stories of Japanese lore, Kwaidan has overwhelmed viewers with its beauty for nearly sixty years. It's a thrill for Ibrahim and I to finally come to this classic. It's our first viewing and we hope that you make it your next. Thanks for your continued love and support. 

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

Death in a Village:   Na Hong-jin's The Wailing

One of the great joys of doing this show is discovering the gems in the cinematic world. Sometimes you stumble on them in your search; occasionally a friend turns you onto something great. For this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I send a special thanks to Mr. Cornelius Burroughs for his gift of Na Hong-jin's The Wailing (2016). Mr. Burroughs sent this to me a few years back and only now have I had the chance to sit down and watch it . . . It was well worth the wait. A story of Korean Horror featuring Ghosts, Posession, Murder, and Paranoia, The Wailing is simply one of The Best Horror Films in recent decades. It's a thrill for us to discuss this gem of World Cinema. We hope you enjoy the film and our talk. 

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

Mother's Arms: Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent into the terror of Horror Cinema as we celebrate moving closer and closer to All Hallow's Eve. For this week's selection we go against the norm and travel to Mexico for Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre (1989). A film that needs to be seen in order to be believed, Ibrahim & I are thrilled to discuss this Surreal Masterpiece. The less written the better so take a watch, follow it with a listen, and experience one of the great visionary expressions of Cinema. We think you'll have a good time. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be sent to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Return of the Past: Folk Horror & The Wicker Man (2006)

On this week's second episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim jump to the 2006 American remake of Robin Hardy's Classic, The Wicker Man. Remakes can go a lot of different ways and this one doesn't surprise. What's great is the two films (original and 2006) lead us to a fascinating documentary from 2021, Kier-La Janisse's Woodland Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror, a wonderful examination of the Folk Horror genre from Great Britain through Eastern Europe, Mexico, Central & South America, and Asia. It's a true testament to the beauty of cross-cultural understanding. Take a listen . . . it's a good, fun talk.

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

Bad Execution: The Wicker Man (1973)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our examination into the World of Cinematic Horror. For this episode we look to the UK and Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man. Recognized as "One of the Greatest Horror Films Ever Made" Ibrahim & I are . . .  well, take a listen and you'll hear our perspective. It's a fun discussion. You should have a good time.

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

Mirror Image: David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent into the Horror genre with a look at David Cronenberg's Underseen 1988 Masterpiece, Dead Ringers. With one of the great performances of the 1980s (In All of Cinema for that matter), Cronenberg gives audiences one of the most unsettling and disturbing pictures that can fit into the Horror genre. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I look back at this  overlooked masterpiece. 

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

My So-Called Decade: Defining the 90s - Part II

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our look at the movies that define and represent each decade in our second half of this two-part  episode. This week we look at the 1990s and the names that made up this new independent and ground-breaking cinema. Each of us has a list of ten and a large number of honourable mentions. We're thrilled to sit down and discuss many of the films that made up our young adult lives and shaped much of our cultural and artistic understanding. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

My So-Called Decade: Defining the 90s - Part I

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our look at the movies that define and represent each decade. This week we look at the 1990s and the names that made up this new independent and ground-breaking cinema. Each of us has a list of ten and a large number of honourable mentions. We're thrilled to sit down and discuss many of the films that made up our young adult lives and shaped much of our cultural and artistic understanding. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

"Heaven Help You . . . " Joe Dante's The Howling (1981)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our dive into The World of Cinematic Horror with a look at the classic werewolf film, The Howling (1981). Joe Dante, Director of Gremlins, Innerspace, and The 'Burbs, created one of the most iconic films in the Horror genre. Featuring 80s Scream Queen, Dee Wallace Stone, The Howling is a film that plays beautifully with the genre. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration into Horror. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Strange Fictions - John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent ito the World of Cinematic Horror. This week we take a look at One of the Greats - John Carpenter. After the financial and critical failure of The Thing (1982), Carpenter would find his career and project choices limited. He would regain some Hollywood stature with his adaptation of Stephen King's Christine (1983), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), and They LIve (1988), however the damage had been done and his career would never be the same. At this point we look at the later films of Mr. Carpenter. Although there are moments in most of these films, Carpenter would never return to the heights he once knew. In the Mouth of Madness (1994) is a noble failure, but a failing nonetheless. This week Ibrahim & I discuss why this is. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy it. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com 

Where's the Fear - Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down, settle in, and jump into the World of Horror Cinema. We're prepping two months worth of Horror because that's how long it's going to take us on this World Tour. This year we look stateside, but also look to Korea, Japan, and any other place that challenges their audiences not to turn away. This week we go back to the 1970s and the American Southwest with a look at Wes Craven's 1977 Cult Classic The Hills Have Eyes. There's a great deal to unwrap here . . . violence, rape, misogyny, torture porn, and all the storytelling elements that will manifest themselves in louder and stronger voices in the coming decades. This is a difficult film that needs the four decades space to look at it objectively. So that's the angle we're coming at it from. Cult classic or Overrated Schlock . . . we're thrilled to be talking about Craven's second film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Fame, Cocaine, and Coming of Age: Defining the 80s

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our exploration of the films that defined their decades. Naming "The Best Films of Their Decades" would be too easy (and boring) an endeavor. These are the films that Mr. Chavez & I see as The Good, The Bad, & The Very, Very Ugly of each decade. The 1980s is probably the most striking example of troubling, jingoistic, and mindless filmmaking. Yeah, there are some good films within each of our lists, but the decade is overrun by films that trouble us and are an ugly examination of Cinema and The Culture as a whole. Take a listen. We hope you agree, and if you don't, we hope the discussion triggers your own opinions. 

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

Dead Air - Oliver Stone's Talk Radio 

On this week' s episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to talk an underseen Oliver Stone film . . . Talk Radio (1988). From an original theatrical production (produced Off-Broadway), Eric Bogosian tells the story of Barry Champlain - provocateur, shock jock, vile human being. It's a wonderful debut from an actor we don't see nearly enough of. Along with Bogosian, Stone peppers his film with a wonderful supporting cast including: Ellen Greene, John C. McGinley, Leslie Hope, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, and Alec Baldwin. There's a whole lot to break down. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

 

He's My Father: James Foley's At Close Range 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a 1980s cable mainstay, James Foley's At Close Range. One of the earliest films to showcase Sean Penn as a lead, Foley's film is a harrowing look at father-son/criminal relationships in rural Pennsylvania. Penn made a name for himself with this film after exceptional turns in Bad Boys (1983) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and showed a hint of the work that would come to be expected from him over the next three decades, however this film is held together and overwhelmed by the presence of Christopher Walken. Walken is equal part charismatic and terrifying in a role that would test the limits of what audience are willing to accept. He is truly mesmerizing. It is with great pleasure that we look back at these classic 80s performances. 

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

"No Hunting Like the Hunting of (Wo)Man"  - Ernest Hemingway

Dan Trachtenberg's Prey (2022)

Solo Episode . . . . this week I go it alone to talk the newest entry in The Predator Film Series, Prey. Premiering on HULU August 5th, it is a thrill seeing this film and getting the chance to discuss it, the series, the Native American presence in Cinema, and the future of film releasing. There's not a whole lot to say except this is a great contribution to a series celebrating 35 years. Featuring standout performances from Dakota Beavers, Dane DLiegro, Michelle Thrush, and - Star - Amber Midthunder as Naru. A success on so many levels, it's a thrill to talk about exciting new film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Breaking Down the Gates: Defining the 70s (Part II) 

The Second Half of an earlier episode where Mr. Chavez & I discuss ten films (and a short list of Honorable Menitons) that defined the 1970s as a decade. All the usual names: Scorsese, Coppola, Spielberg, Friedkin, DePalma, Lumet, etc. are found throughout the episode. Take a listen and see if these (remaining Top 5 and The Honorable Mentions) are on your list. Thanks for the continued support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

Breaking Down the Gates: Defining the 70s  (Part I)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our examination of the films that defined their respective genres. This week we discuss - arguably (Mr. Ramos's opinion) - the single greatest decade in Cinema . . . The 1970s. The 1970s was an incredibly creative, ground-breaking, and overpowering period of filmmaking that brought us names as important as Spielberg, DePalma, Coppola, Friedkin, Bogdanovich, Ashby, and - of course - Scorsese. These filmmakers, and the names of others who fallen through the cracks, are profiled on this episode (as well as it's sequel). It's not necessarily "The Best of the 1970s" but more importantly, the films that tell us the most about the Decade. It's a fun ride. Join us for it. 

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

 

Towards a New Hope: George Lucas's THX-1138

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our look into - arguably - the greatest of The Cinematic Decades - The 1970s. This week we pay particular attention to George Lucas and his directorial debut, THX-1138. We discuss the film, it's themes and religious connatations, as well as it's production history - including role as flagship project of Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola's Independent Filmmaking Utopia, American Zoetrope. Surprise, Surprise - one of us is a bigger fan of this film than the other, but the discussion (because of this difference) is definitely worth a listen. It's a problematic film (both of us believe this), however it's a film with an important history and role in the emergence of "The New Hollywood". Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

Tormented Road: Steven Spielberg's Duel

This week Mr. Chavez & I dig into one of our favorite film decades - The 1970s with a look at - arguably - the most successful box-office director in the history of cinema . . . Steven Spielberg. This week we take a look at his feature length directorial debut, Duel. 1971 was a phenomenal year for cinema with the trumpeting of a great new director. It's difficult to imagine film without Steven Spielberg and, thus, it's important for us to begin an examination of great storytelling and the beginnings of a great filmmaker. Take a listen and let us know what you think of this 1971 classic. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

Easy Drugs & Raging Egos: New Hollywood & the Auteur Era

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I take a look at Ted Demme & Richard LaGravenese's IFC Documentary, A Decade Under the Influence and Kenneth Bowser's Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood.  It's a great time for a couple of cinema nerds to look at one of the greatest periods in the history of cinema. We look at the big names and the legacy of the 70s that continues to fascinate us 30+ years later. This week we talk the usual names: DePalma, Coppola, Spielberg, Bogdanovich, Schrader, and many more including - of course - Scorsese. It's a whole lot of fun. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks for Your Love and Support. 

 

A Decade Light and Dark: Defining the 60s

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our dive into the films that define their respective decades. This week we look at the 1960s . . . Racial Unrest, Vietnam, The Hippie Culture, Revolution and Class Uprisings, Male-Female Relations . . . The 1960s were a tumultuous decade that would test the country and the world. The usual names make their appearances (Kurosawa, Anger, Peckinpah, Wilder, etc.), but they are accompanied by new names and a handful of films that may surprise you. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Love and Thanks.

Rome Before Christ, After Fellini: Fellini's Satyricon

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss one of the great names in all of cinema - The Great Italian Master Federico Fellini. Fellini's Satyricon (1970) is a powerful, overwhelmingly beautiful, and incredibly conflicting film based on Petronius's Late 1st Century AD look at Imperial Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. Whether a commentary on Ancient Rome, The Contemporary Italy of the late 1960s, or both, Fellini's vision is on display through the lens of the great Italian cinematographer Giuseppe "Peppino" Rottunno, and is breathtaking and troubling. Fellini was a director unafraid of tackling images, subject matter, and tastes. This is an incredible visual feast that will challenge your sense of cinema. It's a wild ride that offers so much while dancing on the razor's edge of offense. A truly remarkable film that challenges it's viewers on many, many levels. We're proud and thrilled to be talking about this great piece of cinema. Take a listen and let us know what you think. 

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

Highway Without Horizon: Monte Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop

This week, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a seminal film of the 1970s, Monte Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop. Featuring musical icons, James Taylor and Dennis Wilson (as, respectively, The Driver & The Mechanic), Laurie Bird, and the great character actor, Warren Oates as GTO. There's not a whole lot I can put into this description, but I will give my all . . . Ibrahim & I are thrilled to be discussing a cult classic that has only grown more powerful and enduring as the years have gone by. There's a whole lot packed into this story of a cross (or mid) country race between Taylor's The Driver, his co-pilot The Mechanic (Dennis Wilson) and Warren Oates's GTO. An existential look at men and their need to bury themselves in car culture, speed, and mythology.

We cover a lot of bases and are thrilled that you are joining us on this incredible ride. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

Many Thaks!

Frontier Justice: William Wellman's The Ox Bow Incident

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Ramos goes it alone to discuss a seldom seen, little discussed film in the Western genre, William Wellman's The Ox Bow Incident. Henry Fonda leads a cast of noted character actors in an early look at the Western,  closer to it's actual truth. A controversial and disturbing look at mob rule and lynching in American society, Wellman's film is a challenging examination of the Western genre. Take a listen as I ramble on for about an hour. It's a li'l bit of fun. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

Madman's Miracle: Jodorowsky's El Topo

There are a few filmmakers that when you watch their work you can step back and honestly say that you are watching a visionary work. The great Russian-Chilean filmmaker, Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a filmmaker of immense talent and visual uniqueness. From his earliest films, including his earliest film Fando y Lis thru The Holy Mountain and his ill-fated adaptation of Frank Herbert's Sci-Fi Classic, Dune - Jodorowsky has been an admired, venerated, controversial, and polarizing figure.

On this week's episode, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to look at one of his masterpieces, 1970s El Topo. A beautifully poetic Eastern-Western, Jodorowsky's midnight movie masterpiece is justly regarded as a classic. This week, Ibrahim & I express our admiration, confusion, and love of his cinema. Take a listen . . . it's an interesting conversation that covers the poetics, the beauty, and the controversies surrounding this exceptional film and it's even more exceptional director.

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

Postwar Paranoia:  Defining the 50s

On this week's episode of Watch This W/Rick Ramos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down and continue our examination of the definitive films of their respective decades. This week we look at the 1950s . . . A Post-War America, The Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the "Imagined Idealism" of the Leave it to Beaver decade. It's a fun talk as we dig into our respective choices for the films that define the 1950s. Take a listen as we discuss a host of directors, actors, themes, and stories. It's a fun talk  as we barrel towards the new millennium of film-making. Take a listen. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Love & Thanks. 

More Than Seven Words: George Carlin's American Dream

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, I visit with an old friend, Mrs. Amy Nelson Melle. Amy & I first met thirty-three years ago as sophomores in the Camelback High School Drama Department. The only two Chicanos (and - maybe two of less than seven or eight Non-White students), we bonded early with our mutual love of Soul Music, Cinema, and Stand-Up Comedy. We went to our first George Carlin concert at the CelelbrityTheatre in Phoenix, AZ sometime in the early-90s. Carlin has been a constant source of strength, intelligence, and hope in our lives. We're thrilled to sit down and discuss this iconic performer and the Judd Apatow/Michael Bonfiglio directed HBO Documentary, George Carlin's American Dream (2022), which premiered May 20th.

Looking at Carlin's tumultuous life: compromised early career, counter-culture shift, rocketing success, drug and alcohol abuse, marital problems, dip in popularity, and late career resurgence which solidified his position as one of the greatest stand-ups of all time - all of this comes together to help us understand ourselves, the culture, and - ultimately - the species. This was a great time talking the past, the present, and the future with Carlin a constant presence and - to some degree - a contrarian guide. We invite you to sit in with us. It's a fun time between two old friends.

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

Sons of South Gate: The Cypress Hill Story

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I bring it home with this  fun discussion digging into Mr. Chavez's feelings, attitude, and memories of his hometown, South Gate, CA. - which also happens to be the birthplace of Latino Hip-Hop pioneers Cypress Hill. We look to cinema for inspiration and the new Showtime Documentary, Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain (2022, Dir. Estevan Oriol) provides just that. It's a fun, informative, and enlightening talk for me and a trip through the past for Mr. Chavez. We discuss the 1990s and Mr. Chavez's hometown of South Gate, CA - its music, people, culture, and history. It's a goddamn good time that you're not going to want to miss. Take a listen and see if you agree. 

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

What Was Real? Andy Kaufman, Latka Gravas, Tony Clifton, & Jim Carrey

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I look at the life and career of Andy Kaufman. Kaufman was always a polarizing figure in the world of comedy and entertainment. A challenging artist, constantly at odds with his audiences, Kaufman was responsible for some of the most controversial "crowd stunts" in late 70s and early 80s entertainment. From network specials designed to confuse and trick audiences, through his ambivalence in playing Latka Gravas on the sitcom Taxi (1978-83), berating and wrestling women, and his alter-ego - the obnoxious Vegas lounge singer - Tony Clifton, Kaufman has been heralded as a genius and "ahead of his time" and also a spoiled Hollywood star. This week Ibrahim and I discuss Milos Forman's 1999 biopic Man on the Moon, featuring a Golden Globe winning performance from Jim Carrey and the 2017 documentary on the making of the film, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond. It's an intersting conversation on the trappings of stardom and the responsibility of the artist. 

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

Black Summit 64 - Regina King's    One Night in Miami

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss the 2020 critical hit from first-time director, Regina King, One Night in Miami. A fictionalized portrait of a meeting between four of the leading figures of 1960s Black Culture: Soul Singer, Sam Cooke (portrayed by Leslie Odom Jr.)/NFL fullback and soon-to be Hollywood icon, Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge)/Muslim minister and Human Rights activist, Malcolm X (later Malik el-Shabazz - portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir), and the 22 year old Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Civil Rights Leader, and Cultural Icon, Cassius Clay - on the cusp of becomming Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree). It goes without saying King's film is one that rarely gets made. A work of subtlety and nuance that looks into the lives of the Black struggle and the roles of leaders in said struggle. It's a film that we walked into unsure of and walked out of excited by the conversation that would ensue. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love &  Support. 

More Than Hardboiled: Defining the 40s

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, my partner, Mr. Chavez & I are continuing our look at the very best films of each decade, culminating with our opinions on the single films that define the decade. This week we look at the 1940s . . . a period of The U.S. coming out of The Great Depression, the beginning and conclusion of World War II, and the opening of cinema as an international movement (although cinema had been viable art throughout the world before this time). For this episode, Mr. Chavez & I discuss our Top 10 films and the honorable mention titles that barely missed the list. As with all titles, we have picked these films after careful consideration and understand that the lists will - probably - change within minutes of our talk. That's the nature of cinema. Take a listen and hopefully, you'll remember some great films and  be introduced to others. We have our opinions and you're going to have yours. Either way, it's a fun talk.

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

"Toons . . . Gets 'Em Every Time!" Robert Zemeckis's Who Framed Roger Rabbit

On this week's episode of WatchThis, Mr. Chavez & I discuss the ground-breaking 1988 Robert Zemeckis Classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit. This is truly a game-changing film that succeeds far beyond any novelty it may appear to be. With a collection of classic fan favorite cartoon characters from Warner Brothers (Bugs, Daffy, Tweety, Yosemite Sam), Disney (Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and many of the cast of Fantasia), Max Fleischer Studios (Betty Boop), Walter Lantz Studios (Woody Woodpecker), and MGM (Droopy), this is a film that is both a nostalgic look back at Classic Animation and a beautifully realized 1940s style Film Noir. Better than it has any right to be, Zemeckis's film is a triumph of animation, technology, and acting led by Bob Hoskins (never better), Joanna Cassidy, the voice talents of Charles Fleischer, Kathleen Turner, Tony Anselmo, June Foray, The Greatest of All - Mel Blanc, and a live-action Christopher Lloyd - in one of his greatest performances - as Judge Doom. This is a fun conversation in which we dig into the film, the history of Animation, Noir, and Los Angeles. Don't miss out.

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

"It's the pictures that got small." - Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard

This week, Mr. Chavez & I continue our descent into the ruthlessness, horror, and sadness of Hollywood - Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard (1950), a true classic of cinema and a film that continues to astonish audiences over 70 years later. With a young William Holden cementing his stature in cinema, and brilliant performances from Silent Cinema legends, Gloria Swanson as one of the most iconic characters of the silver screen, Norma Desmond, and her broken, loyal, and forgotten manservant and one-time director, the great Erich von Stroheim (both Academy Award nominated), this is a classic of the studio system and a film that only grows in power year after year. Ibrahim & I are thrilled to talk this film and are hoping that we are introducing it to a few new viewers. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

In Dreams: David Lynch's Mulholland Drive

On this week's episode of Watch This, Mr. Chavez & I are diving into the hazy dreams of David Lynch. A polarizing, controversial, and challenging director, David Lynch has overwhelmed audiences for over four decades. Mulholland Drive (2001) may be his masterpiece. An uneasy and brutally honest look at Los Angeles and Hollywood, Lynch's tale of a young actor (Naomi Watts) arriving in The City of Angels and finding herself lost in a world of mystery, treachery, and deceit. It's a wild ride that leaves its audience guessing and second-guessing what they believe they know. This is an overpowering film with excellent performances from Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring. Be sure to watch this film before listening to the podcast. We are talking every aspect of the movie. You owe it to yourself to watch it first. 

Thanks for tuning in. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

 

Cinema Has Something to Say: Defining the 30s
On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to talk the 1930s and so many of the brilliants films that came out of that generation. This week we take a look at films from a wide variety of directors including: Michael Curtiz, Victor Fleming, Frank Capra, Lewis Milestone, Leni Riefensthal, John Ford, Howard Hawks, and Fritz Lang. It's a good conversation. Take a listen.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Beautiful Darkness - A Few Thoughts on Film Noir

On this week's episode, I go solo to talk my favorite genre . . . Film Noir. Take a listen as I ramble and bumble my way through a rudimentary understanding of the (supposed) genre. There's a lot to unpack here and I'm doing the best that I can to get my ideas down. Take a listen and let me know what you think. As always I can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for your continued love and support. 

Not a Comedian . . . Lenny Bruce

On this week's episode, Ibrahim & I dive into the life of one of the great comics of The Modern Stand-Up Era - a man that it can be argued changed the format of stand-up comedy - Lenny Bruce (October 13, 1925 - August 03, 1966). Often times recognized as a Christ-like martyr "who died for the sins of all future comics" this description may be extreme, however Bruce's status as an innovator and artistic & cultural hero cannot be denied. This week Ibrahim & I are thrilled to discuss one of the greats, including Bob Fosse's 1974 (loosely) biographical look at Bruce's life, Lenny featuring Dustin Hoffman as Bruce and an Academy Award nominated Valeria Perrine as his wife, Honey. We also look at three documentaries of varying quality. 1998's Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth (dir. Robert Weide), 1972's Lenny Bruce: Without Tears (dir. Fred & Barbara Baker), and Elan Gale's 2011 documentary Looking for Lenny.  We talk Bruce, his legacy, controversies, and the current state of stand-up comedy and cancel culture. It's a good discussion. Take a listen. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

The Roaring Silents - The 1920s

On this week's episode, Ibrahim & I sit down to continue our look at the cinema of each decade. This week we focus on the 1920s and the great films and directors whose films continue to enthrall us. Whether Chaplin's The Gold Rush (1925), Robert Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), F.W. Murnau's Sunrise - A Song of Two Humans (1927)and The Last Laugh (1924), Buster Keaton's The General (1926) and Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928), Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie (1928) and Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927). It's a fun and interesting conversation about the history of film and the importance of these great pictures. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

The History of Rock N Roll Part XII - Troubled Harmony: Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys

This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration into The History of Rock N Roll with a look at one of the seminal bands in the history of Southern California music . . . The Beach Boys. We take a look at the history with a focused look at band co-founder and principal songwriter Brian Wilson. Long heralded as a musical genius, it has been an interesting and compelling look into his life. This week we focus on four documentaries: Malcolm Leo's  hagiography The Beach Boys: An American Band (1985), Don Was's Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (1995), Brent Wilson's Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road (2021), and Bill Pohlad's 2014 Bio-Pic Love & Mercy featuring Paul Giamatti as psychologist, Dr. Eugene Landy, Elizabeth Banks as Wilson's second wife, Melinda Ledbetter, and as Wilson, Paul Giamatti (as the young Brian Wilson) and John Cusack as the older 1980s Brian Wilson. With the exception of Leon's doc, the films are interesting and thought-provoking regarding artistry, mental illness, and the combination of the two. It's a good talk and we're thrilled to go - a bit - outside of our comfort zone. Thanks for listening. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

The History of Rock N Roll Part XI - Frank Zappa: Absolutely Free

Ibrahim and I keep moving through the artists, recordings, songs, and magic that have defined The History of Rock N Roll. This week we take a look at censorship, independence, artistic integrity and their coming together in the work of Frank Zappa. A polarizing figure both artistically and politically, there has never truly been an artist comparable to Zappa, before or since.  Neither of us is completely sold on Zappa's music, however we feel it important to dedicate an episode to this powerful figure, and three documentaries that profile his career and life: Salvo Cuccia's Summer 82: When Zappa Came to Sicily (2013), Thorsten Schütte's Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words (2016), and Alex Winter's Zappa (2020).

It's a good talk; we hope you enjoy it.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks.

 

Like a Thread Throughout the World: Andrei Tarkovsky's Mirror

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I are thrilled to discuss one of the truly great artists of the medium, Andrei Tarkovsky. In the short span of seven films, Tarkovsky expanded and re-defined the possibilities for Cinema. For this episode we look at a Tarkovsky masterpiece, 1975s Mirror; a hazy and dream-like examination of the filmmaker's life and the life of The Soviet Union in the 20th Century. This is a film that has baffeled, confused, enthralled, and captivated untold numbers of viewers for nearly a half century. Take a listen as Ibrahim & I discuss why this is the case.

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

The History of Rock N Roll Part X - Soundtrack of the Century: 20 Feet from Stardom/Standing in the Shadows of Motown/Muscle Shoals

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration of The World of Rock N Roll with a look at the foundation of any song . . . the bands and the background singers that give every song structure, power, and drive. This week we look at Morgan Neville's 20 Feet From Stardom (2019) - profiling Tata Vega, Judith Hill, Jo Lawry, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and the great Darlene Love - Paul Justman's Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) - profiling the great Motown backing band The Funk Brothers. composed of: Jack Ashford (percussion), Bob Babbitt (bass), Uriel Jones (drums), Joe Hunter (keyboards), Joe Messina (guitar), Richard "Pistol" Allen (drums), Benny "Papa Zita" Benjamin (drums), Eddie "Bongo" Brown (percussion), Johnny Griffith (keyboards), Earl Van Dyke (keyboards), and Robert White (guitar). Finally, we close out the show with an incredible film showcasing The Birth of the Deep South Soul & Rock N Roll Sound birthed by the great Alabama Producer Rick Hall and FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals Alabama . . . I'm talking about Greg "Freddy" Camalier's Muscle Shoals (2013). An incredible film that showcases the legacy of Hall and the Swampers including: Barry Beckett (keyboards), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Chips Moman (guitar), Junior Lowe (guitar), Dan Penn, Tommy Cogbill, Pete Carr (guitar), and Spooner Oldham (organ and piano). This is a fun episode that will - hopefully - introduce three great films and a host of music that you owe it to yourself to embrace. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

The Films that Defined Their Decades - The 1910s: A Southern Gentlemen Re-Writes History With a Lightning Bolt - D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I, begin a new series examining a film from each cinematic decade; A film that defines the era and changes the way we look at the movies. This week we take a look at D.W. Griffith's controversial, problematic, and ground-breaking depiction of The Civil War, The Reconstruction, and The Birth of the Ku Klux Klan - The Birth of a Nation. This is not an easy film to talk about, but it's one of the most important films in The History of Cinema. From its controversial release in 1915 through continued attempts to screen Birth in public, the film remains a lightning rod for anger, resentment, and censorship. We hope that we are able to add intelligence and thought-provoking criticism to this argument.

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

The History of Rock N Roll Part IX - English Blood Runs Hot: The Rolling Stones

This week Ibrahim & I continue our examination of The History of Rock N Roll with a look at one of the greatest of Rock N Roll bands - Mick Jagger,  Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Brian Jones, Mick Taylor, and Bill Wyman . . . The Rollings Stones. This is a great episode, looking at Oliver Murray's The Quiet One (2019), Mike Figgis's Ronnie Wood - Someone Up There Likes Me (2020), Jean Luc Godard's Sympathy for the Devil (1968), Danny Garcia's Brian Jones - Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones (2020), and Martin Scorsese's Shine a Light (2008). A whole lot to watch and a whole lot of talk. Take a listen and enjoy the celebration.

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

Ghosts of the Pale & Shadowy Moon After the Rain: Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogotari

This week Mr. Chavez & I have the pleasure of discussing one of the great films of Cinema, Kenji Mizoguchi's 1953 Masterpiece, Ugetsu Monogotari. A beautiful, touching, and awe-inspiring film that stands as one of the great examples of World Cinema and easily sits among the great films of The Art of Motion Pictures. Featuring a cast including Rashomon's Machiko Kyō and Masayuki Mori, Mizoguchi's tale of Ghostly Temptation, Upward Mobility, and Feudal Class Restraints is both a warning and a morality tale for human greed, desire, and frailty.

It is a true pleasure to continue our exploration into the greatest films of the medium. If you have not seen this film you are walking into one of the great story-telling experiences. You're Welcome.

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

What's the Worst That Could Happen? Ted Demme's Life (1999)

Dropping a bonus episode . . . this week I go solo to discuss Ted Demme's 1999 comic tour de force, Life. Until My Name is Dolemite, nearly twenty years later, this was Eddie Murphy's last R-Rated Comedy. 

Tackling 65-years of racism, imprisonment, scapegoating, and - ultimately - friendship, Demme's film captures the brilliance of Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence with a wonderful supporting cast including: Bernie Mac, Miguel Nuñez Jr., Anthony Anderson, Joe Torry, Nick Cassavetes, R. Lee Ermey, Obba Babatundé, Clarence Williams III, and Ned Beatty. It's a wonderful film that I'm thrilled to talk about and relate to the ridiculous and painful experiences of my own life. A deeply personal and honest episode that I hope you take something from. Thank you for listening. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

 

Hot Air & Fantasy: Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Here's a movie that makes it exciting to be a movie lover . . . in the mid-1980's, filmmaker Terry Gilliam - after having won an unbeatable media and artistic war with Universal Pictures over the release of his bleak and dystopian picture, Brazil (1985) - would tackle a film that would nearly prove the end of him and almost everyone involved with it. Based on an 19th Century German storyteller, Terry Gilliam's film had been filmed a number of times before, but never with the vision, excitement, budget, and production problems that would plague this film. Through problems with language (English-speaking director and cast, Italian-speaking crew, shooting in Spain), production overruns, cast changes, a line producer seemingly more interested in the bravado of his role, shutdowns, and - finally - being dumped by ColumbiaPictures without any kind of advertising, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen continues to amaze, intrigue, and baffle audiences. It is truly one of the most visionary and daring productions ever committed to film; from a director that was vilified (continuing to suffer from the films reputation some thirty plus years later) and, only much later, recognized as one of the great fantasy films. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is a beautiful film gifted to anyone who wants to believe in, "sausage trees, oceans of wine," and the insanity of traveling to the moon on "hot air and fantasy". Featuring an incredible cast including: Eric Idle, Sarah Polley (all of nine years old), Valentina Cortese, Uma Thurman, Oliver Reed, Winston Dennis, Jack Purvis, Johnathan Pryce, Allison Steadman, co-screenwriter Charles McKeowen, Bill Paterson, Peter Jeffrey, Robin Williams (in a cameo as Ray D. Tutto - The King of the Moon), and a lead - an incredible lead - in John Neville as The Baron. This is a beautiful and inspiring film that we are thrilled to be talking about. We hope you enjoy the conversation, and that the conversation makes you seek out the movie. Thanks for the continued love and support.

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