Watch This With Rick Ramos
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. 
Direct download: 1930s.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:54am EDT

The History of Rock N Roll Part XIII - Laurel Canyon & The L.A. Sound

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I go back to our never-ending examination of the History of Rock N Roll with a look at the Laurel Canyon scene of the late 60s and early 70s. Profiling The Mamas & The Papas, The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, & Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, The Doors, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, LIttle Feat, Love, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and a host of others, we continue our look into the History of the American Music Scene and the era that both inspired and was affected by this music. We look at a number of documentaries to understand this music and time, including: Echo in the Canyon (Dir. Andrew Slater, 2019), The Two Part Epix Documenary - Laurel Canyon (Dir. Alison Ellwood, 2020), Joni Mithcell - A Woman of Heart and Mind (Dir. Susan Lacy, 2003), and - finally - David Crosby: Remember My Name (Dir. A.J. Eaton, 2019). Take a listen . . . it's a good conversation - Very Personal.

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

Direct download: My_MovieLaurelCanyon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:46pm EDT

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. 

Direct download: FilmNoirMarch19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:42am EDT

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. 

Direct download: LennyBruce.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:33pm EDT

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