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.