The New Independents Continued - History of the Oscars Part 7: '97 - '00

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our examination of the Academy Awards, focusing on the years 1997 - 2000. Miramax, the Weinsteins, and surprise after surprise as we remember history differently than history occurred. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Epilogue:

Anthony Bourdain

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the One Year Anniversary of the Death of Anthony Bourdain. What was Bourdain's Legacy? The Power and Purpose of the Final Season? And Bourdain's Continuing Importance as a Cultural Ambassador & Explorer of Humanity. It felt great to sit down and talk three episodes of the final season of Parts Unknown as well as remembering what made Bourdain such a compelling and charismatic  figure. Sit back and remember this great humanitarian. Thanks for the continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot. 

Deadwood - David Milch: The Meaning of Endings

We've been working quite some time to get to this place. On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to continue our discussion of - arguably - the greatest series ever produced for television, David Milch's Deadwood. After a cancelled fourth season, and two two-hour movies that were never made, Milch was finally able to give his series the send-off that it has always deserved. On this episode we discuss the success in restarting this major work, the full arc of such characters as Al Swearengen, Seth Bullock, Alma Garret, The Whore Trixie, Sol Star, Charlie Utter, and so many more, as well as  the performances that brought these characters to life. This was a great time. Two friends sitting down to discuss a story that has consumed - at least one - of our lives. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thank You So Much for your continued support. 

Lies Agreed Upon - David Milch's DEADWOOD

This is an episode that we have talked about and prepped for years. On this episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss - arguably - the greatest show ever produced for television, David Milch's Western Masterpiece Deadwood. Portraying the birth of the town of Deadwood, South Dakota from it's creation through it's evolution from lawlessness into the formation of government, we're covering a lot of ground on this episode. Ranging from the themes (Religion, Government, Racism, Greed, Nobility, etc.) thru the acting, writing, fluidity and beauty of the language, David Milch has created a world that is alive and compelling in every aspect of what we've come to expect from long-form storytelling. It's a magnificent show that we are thrilled to be talking about. We talk about every aspect of the series without concern for spoilers. If you are listening to this podcast we hope that you have finished the series. We will continue with a second episode picking up where this one leaves off and including the Deadwood Movie that premiered on HBO on Friday, May 31st. Take a listen. We think you'll enjoy what we have to say. 

Game of Thrones: Path to the Crown

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I take a short break from our look at the history of the Academy Awards to break down the past seven seasons of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones. HBO has routinely changed the face of storytelling and does so now with the creation of an amazing fantasy world that digs into the marrow of humanity. There is so much to talk about over these 70 episodes - as well as speculation regarding how the final three episodes will play out. We are examining the mythos of this world-building, the characters (each of our favorites), moments that we didn't expect, and the show's thematic connection to our own world. This is an exciting talk and we're glad that so many of you are choosing to join us. Thank you for your continued love & support. As always, Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be addressed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

The Blockbuster Era -Regaining Control 

History of the Oscars Part 4: '75 - '83

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our look back at the Academy Awards; their origins, politics, surprises, and historical importance. Part 4 takes us through the mid 70's with the balancing of "The New Hollywood" with the "Film School Brats" and the emergence of the blockbuster from some of those same hands.

Join us as we take a look back at a fascinating time and place that continues to captivate audiences. We hope you enjoy this trip as much as we enjoy guiding it.

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

Emergence of a New Hollywood - History of the Oscars Part 3  '67 - '74

Ibrahim & I continue our examination of the Academy Awards looking at the breakdown of the studio system and the emergence of a "New Hollywood" that would challenge everything that had come before it. We look at the effects of an America in turmoil and confusion and the films that would find inspiration in such pessimism. The "Old Guard" was dying off, the studios were losing control, and the "Movie Brats" were rising with a European sense that would revolutionize cinema. This is a fun talk. We're not really sure how many episodes this is going to take, but we're looking forward to the ride. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. A Million Thanks. 

Hollywood in Transition - A History of the Oscars Part 2 '51 - '66

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I once again go through the history of the Academy Awards. We talk the changing face of the medium and acting, as well as the beginning failings of the studio system. Some pretty good stories and a number of laughs as we remember some great films, some forgettable ones, and ask ourselves what happened to a few of these names. Take a listen. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for the continued love and support.  

Hollywood Loves Itself - A History the Oscars '29-'50

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to take one of our trips through The History of Cinema. Focusing on The Academy Awards, this first episode in our new series looks at the inception of the awards, it's earliest nominees and winners, as well it's purpose in the bigger picture of film as a recognized art form. We look at past winners and chart the names forgotten and those who would become staples of the ceremony. From it's beginning in 1929 - celebrating the films of 1927 & 1928 - we lay the foundation for a discussion that will lead to understanding the process of nominating and awarding films, as well the politics and evolving purpose of the awards. Take a listen . . . we've got quite a bit to say. Thanks for the continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Who Decides What We See? 

Jack Valenti, The MPAA, & The Ratings Board 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss censorship and the Hollywood industry's attempts to police themselves. The establishment of the MPAA would put into to place  the next five decades of artistic and cultural parameters governing the depiction of sex, sexuality, violence, and the culture as a whole. Kirby Dick's 2006 documentary, This Film is Not Yet Rated,  takes a talking heads and investigative approach to this subject. But the documentary is really only a stepping point for Ibrahim & I to go off on our own ideas of how the system is set up. Take a listen as we dig into this very important topic.

As always thanks for the continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

Goodbye to a Few Friends and a Brief Academy Award Recap

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos I give a quick summation of the 2019 Academy Awards and quickly move on to the topic of Suicide. Not a totally upbeat episode, but one from the heart. If you've been listening this long the candor of this episode should not surprise you. 

Thanks for the continued Love & Support. 

The Spectrum of Criminality:

Infernal Affairs &

The Departed

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss and compare Andrew Lau & Alan Mak's 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs and it's 2006 American remake The Departed from director Martin Scorsese. With rival casts including Andy Lau Tak-wah, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Anthony Wong Chau-sang, and Eric Tsang Chi-wai, the Hong Kong film is considered a classic of both the genre and the Hong Kong Film Industry. Martin Scorsese's re-imagining of this film finally brought him the Oscar he had been working nearly 40 years to win. With an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and a late era Jack Nicholson, Scorsese's film is an exemplary remake; expanding on the original film and adding nuances that Scorsese has become known for. Ibrahim & I come at it from numerous angles. Our opinions on both films seem to differ wildly from the accepted norm. Film is without a doubt a medium of varied interpretation and these two films do so much to prove that point. Take a listen and let us know if you  agree or disagree. Questions, Comments, Compaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thank You for your continued love and support. 

J. Lee Thompson & Martin Scorsese: Cape Fear 

On this week's second episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss a B-Movie masterpiece, J. Lee Thompson's 1961 Noir Classic, Cape Fear. Featuring a wonderful cast including Gregory Peck, Polly Bergen, Barrie Chase, Martin Balsam, and Telly Savalas, Thompson fashions a taut, heart-pounding thriller propelled by an incredible performance by Robert Mitchum as convicted rapist Max Cady. Voted one of the greatest villains of all time, Mitchum is truly extraordinary. Almost thirty years later Martin Scorsese would remake this film as an exercise in genre filmmaking that would reunite him for the seventh time with Academy Award winner, Robert De Niro. Along with Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis, Joe Don Baker, and cameos from the film's original stars - Gregory Peck, Martin Balsam, and Robert Mitchum this is an exceptional remake even if it happens to come up short in comparison to the original. Take a listen. We hope you have as much fun as we had recording. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always thank you so much. 

Neo-Realism: From De Sica to Cuarón

Bicycle Thieves & Roma 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down to talk two of the most widely recognized works in Neo-Realism: Vittorio De Sica's 1948 masterpiece Bicycle Thieves (sometimes known as The Bicycle Thief) and Alfonso Cuarón's current critical hit (nominated for 10 Academy Awards) Roma. We discuss the importance, merits, and differences between both films. We argue, coming to agreement on some points and reaffirming our beliefs in other respects. An interesting conversation tackling controversial and polarizing issues, this is easily one of our best episodes in quite some time.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, thanks for the continued love and support. 

The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling & Kurosawa's Ikiru: Purpose, Regret, & Redemption

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ramos goes it solo in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to talk Judd Apatow's 2018 HBO Documentary on The Life, Struggles, & Career of Garry Shandling (November 29, 1949 - March 24, 2016). Apatow had incredible access to the comedian's life, having known him for nearly four decades, and The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling is probably the most in depth understanding of Shandling's art, life, and spiritual self. It's a wonderful examination of the life of one of the greatest stand-up comics of all times . . . his personal, artistic, and spiritual struggles. Ramos pairs this episode with Akira Kurosawa's 1952 Ikiru, featuring a touching and brilliant lead performance from Kurosawa stock player Takashi Shimura as an almost anonymous political bureaucrat who discovers he is dying from stomach cancer and becomes consumed with finding purpose for his life. These are two films that have affected Ramos deeply, an emotional and thoughtful discussion of these two films which he hopes you enjoy.

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

Vice & W. - Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld: Power & War 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss Christian Bale (Golden Globe Winner for Best Actor) in Adam McCay's Vice. A decisive movie between the two of us, Vice has a great deal to debate. Featuring Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carrel, and Tyler Perry this was an interesting discussion for the two of us. We couple this screening with W. - Oliver Stone's 2008 biopic on the 43rd President, George W. Bush. With a lead performance from Josh Brolin, again we find ourselves with differing opinions. Take a listen as we discuss eight years of The Bush Dynasty led by George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld. 

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

Thanks for the continued love and support. 

Reservoir Dogs & City on Fire - Tarantino and the late Ringo Lam

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to look back on Quentin Tarantino's debut, the Classic Reservoir Dogs. We look at the film, but also it's importance as a game-changer in the early 90s. We discuss the performances of Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Edward Bunker, and - of course - Harvey Keitel. We also take a look at Ringo Lam's 1987 Hong Kong classic, City on Fire starring the great Chow Yun-Fat. Basically two friends remembering a great and highly influential film while going back and forth regarding it's importance. This was a fun time on the mics. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

Thanks for your continued love and support. 

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs 

The Coen Bros. Re-Imagine The West & How Netflix is Changing the Face of Cinema 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ramos goes it alone to talk The Coen Brothers new film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a film that is the culmination of nearly everything the Brothers have produced over the past 30-plus years. Ramos was overwhelmed by this film and was thrilled to finally sit down and talk about it . . . although it did take him three viewings before he was able to fully put together his feelings and attitude regarding this new classic. On this episode he talks the film itself, but also the changing world of movie-watching. Netflix is definitely changing the world of movies. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for your continued Love & Support. 

Psycho - Hitchcock & Van Sant

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss Hitchcock's masterpiece Psycho (1960) and Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot re-imagining from 1998. We discuss the brilliance and importance of Hitchcock's original and the pointlessness of Van Sant's remake. An interesting conversation that forces both of us to understand the films better, we are proud to put out an episode that we hope captures the quality of the first film and understanding of the purpose of the second.

As always, we appreciate your continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

Catching Up On The Classics:

To Be or Not To Be (1942) 

Director: Ernst Lubitsch

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, I go solo to talk Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 Classic To Be or Not to Be, starring the great Jack Benny, Carole Lombard (in her last role), and - a very young - Robert Stack. A profile of a Jewish acting company in war torn Poland, Lubitsch's film was one of the earliest films to tackle the Nazis on screen (in a comedy, nonetheless!) and was not considered entirely "respectable" when first-released, however it has grown in its importance over the years. 

We're trying something a bit different with the podcast this week . . . a new angle that we hope to implement throughout the life of the show. Focusing on individual films in my collection, I'm looking forward to finding and talking about the great films that I have somehow missed. Take a listen as I discuss #607 in the Criterion Collection with hopes to get through everything that I own and have not watched. Thanks for listening. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

The Dead Man's Hand: A Goodbye to Ricky Jay & Others in 2018 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to mourn the passing of the great sleight of hand artist, magician, writer, actor, and historian Ricky Jay (June 26, 1946 - November 24, 2018). Focusing heavily on directors Molly Bernstein & Alan Edelstein's Deceptive Practices: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay (2012) - a fascinating study of the great sleight of hand magician, this is an examination of - probably - the greatest practitioner of magic the 20th & 21st Centuries have ever known. We round this episode out with a discussion of others who have passed this year including: Mitzi Shore (Owner and Co-Founder of The Comedy Store), Stan Lee, and former president George H.W. Bush. We look back on what these lives have meant to us as well as the lessons learned from them. As always, we appreciate your continued Love & Support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

THE HORROR OF CRONENBERG

(PART II): SCANNERS/THE DEAD ZONE/VIDEODROME  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to continue discussing the work of Canadian cult director David Cronenberg who somehow found mainstream success with a series of strange and controversial films. In this hour and a half episode we talk Scanners (1981) as well as Videodrome and The Dead Zone (both from 1983). We take a look at this evolving filmmaker in our second examination of his work. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many, Many Thanks!

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World -

55th Anniversary

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos I take a look back at the 1963 Stanley Kramer Comedy Classic It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. With an all-star cast including Spencer Tracey, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers, Ethel Merman, Dick Shawn, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, and Edie Addams, and cameo appearances by Jerry Lewis, The Three Stooges, Buster Keaton, Don Knotts, Jack Benny, and so many more this was a once in a lifetime production. A short, sweet episode about once of my favorite films. It was a good time reminiscing about this classic. Thanks for the continued support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks!

In Theaters:

Can You Forgive Me? Finding Meaning in Misery & Loneliness 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/Rick Ramos I go it solo to talk Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me? A new film in theaters profiling the life of biographer Lee Israel who turned to a career of forgery and found purpose in her criminal endeavors. I loved this film and connected with it in a strange way. Movies do that. Take a listen as I dig deep into my own psyche in order to understand the darkness. 

. . . it'll make more sense after listening to the episode. 

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

Michael Meyers - Return to Haddonfield

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down (almost a year after our last visit to Haddonfield, IL) to continue our talk on that blank-faced masked bastard, Michael Meyers. Screenwriters Jeff Fradley, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green (with Green directing) bring us all back to that sleepy little town to re-introduce us to Meyers. With a returning Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode (the lone survivor of the first film) and a whole new generation to murder - all in one night - audiences are reminded of the brilliance that has been with us for 40 years. Take a step into The Fortress and remember what all of the excitement was originally about. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, a Million Thanks! 

THE CHANGING WORLD OF HORROR (THE WITCH, HEREDITARY, THE BABADOOK)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss The Changing Face of Horror Films. We take a look at three recent hits: Robert Eggers' The Witch (2015), Ari Aster's Hereditary (2018), and Jennifer Kent's The Babadook (2014). From The Universal Horror Films of the 30s, 40s, and 50s through the emergence of the Slasher genre of the 70s, the Torture Porn of the 90s and early to mid-2000s, we have finally settled on a more subtle and mind-numbingly patient series of films that are looking to burrow their way into the psyche. Take a listen as two guys hash it out over a genre that has been criminally underrated. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As Always, Thanks For The Continued Love & Support. 

The Horror of Cronenberg (1975-1979)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the most innovative and disturbing filmmakers to emerge out of the 1970's - David Cronenberg. From his earliest (professional) film 1975's Shivers, through 1977's Rabid, and finally 1979's The Brood, Cronenberg has proven a filmmaker of immense depth and powerful imagery and one whose early worker would lay the foundation for some of the most ground-breaking and artistically challenging films to emerge out of the studios. This episode is a continuation of our look at Horror Cinema, as well as a preview to a future episode focusing on Cronenberg's 80s & 90s work. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, Thanks for the Love & Continued Support!

THE HISTORY OF TV (PART 8) -

THE EVOLUTION OF A NEW MILLENIUM, THE EVOLUTION OF A NEW MEDIA, AND THE ATTACK ON THE TWIN TOWERS

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & Rick sit down to discuss the beginning of a New Millennium. They talk the growth of Reality Television, the evolution of the Medium, and the Impact of The Attack on The Twin Towers. There are arguments, conflict, and discussion regarding a number of differing viewpoints. We may not agree, but - hopefully - there is a greater understanding and acceptance of whatever the hell can be recognized as the truth. 

Thanks for listening. Continued Support, Criticism, and Recommendations can be directed to gondoramos@yahooo.com. As Always, A Million Thanks! 

The History of TV Part V - The X Era 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I continue our walk through The History of Television. This week we look at the 1990s and what has come to be known as "Generation X". Take a listen as we discuss Post-Modernism and it's role in the formation of 1990s television. All of this culminating with a look at our choices for the most influential sitcoms of this era: Married With Children, The Simpsons, Roseanne, and Seinfeld. Thanks for the continued love & support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks!

The History of TV Part 4 - The Reagan Era Continued  

This episode was going a bit long so we broke it up . . . gotta give you guys a little bit of breathing room. We continue with sitcoms, Bill Cosby, constant and unrelenting news, the beginnings of FOX, Siskel & Ebert, daytime talk, and commercials - both public service, scare tactics, and selling! Take a listen as we finish the 80s and get ready for the 90s. Thanks for the continued love & support. Questions, Comments, Problems, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

History of Television (Part 3) - The Reagan Era: NightTime Soaps, TV News & Talk Shows, The Sitcom, The Mini-Series, and The Birth of FOX

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our discussion of The History of Television, looking - specifically - at The 1980's. Take a listen as we discuss the first decade that we remember from personal experience. Thanks for listening. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com Thanks for the continued love and support. 

THE HISTORY OF TV Part 2 -

THE VIETNAM ERA  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our discussion of television through the ages. This week we focus on the 1970's, paying particular attention to The Vietnam War, Richard Nixon, Norman Lear, and the growing counterculture. Sit back and take a listen. As always, thanks for your continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

Going Back To The Comedy Store

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ramos goes solo out of The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to talk about the importance of The Comedy Store in his life and the steps that went into leaving and finally returning nearly a decade later. Just a quick change of pace that we hope you have a good time listening to. As always, thank you for your continued Love & Support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

The History of Television Part 1: From Carhode Ray Tubes to Ed Sullivan 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & Rick sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to begin a lengthy examination of  television. Part I takes a look at the early history of creating television, moving into the great early television shows that would make up the memories of The Baby Boomer Generation into Generation X. We talk Your Show of Shows, Leave it to Beaver, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Ed Sullivan Show, Meet the Press, and many other groundbreaking shows. Take a load off and join us as we take this trip down Memory Lane. Questions, Comments, Problems, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always . . . Our Heartfelt Thanks!

Greatest Cinema Heroes 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I take our mutual seats in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss the greatest heroes in all of cinema. From defining what a hero truly is to the vagaries of the hero, anti-hero, and dependence on villains we tackle this question from a number of angles. We discuss each of our Top 10's as well as a number of names that just barely missed the cut. It was a fun time. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, thanks for the continued love & support. 

Greatest Cinema Villains - 

This week on WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down to talk the greatest villains in cinematic history. From Hannibal The Cannibal to The Wicked Witch of the West, Zombies and Vampires, it's a pretty diverse list. We talk Slasher, Anti-Heroes, Tragic Villains and Redemption. Take a listen. Thanks for the continued Love & Support. Questions, Comments, Problems & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

George Carlin - Celebrating a Genius on What Would Have Been His 81st Birthday

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to talk one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time . . . George Carlin. We discuss Carlin's fascination with words, his prodigious output (14 HBO specials and countless albums), his cultural influence, and - finally - his brilliance in creating material that challenged the status quo, common beliefs, and that always present line in the sand. Take a listen as we celebrate this great artist on what would have been his 81st birthday. Questions, Comments, Problems, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for all of the continued love and support. 

Kurt Cobain, 90's Grunge, Suicide, Controversy, & The Voice of a Generation . . . On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss the Life, Death, Influence, and Controversy surrounding Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain. Take a listen as we discuss three documentaries that deal with this subject: Nick Broomfield's, Kurt & Courtney (1998), Benjamin Statler's Soaked in Bleach (2015), and Brett Morgen's Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015). Still fascinating after 24 years, this story makes for a very interesting conversation. Hopefully, you will see that as well. Thanks for listening, and thanks for the continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Problems, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

Continuing with our practice of using ALL of our data for the month, on this episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to continue our Question & Answer analysis of Cinema . . . It's Purpose, Importance, and - often - the misunderstanding that comes with studying this art form. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We had a good time and are looking forward to doing more of these. Questions, Comments, Problems, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Our Continued Love & Thanks!

We had some room left before the data ran out, so Ibrahim & I decided to sit down - once again - in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness for a short episode of questions about Cinema, The Art, Interpretation, and Attitudes. Take a listen to a fun little talk as Ibrahim continues his interrogation. Thanks for the continued love & support. Questions, Comments, Problems, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks!

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss screenwriter Taylor Sheridan. Coming out of an incredibly prolific writing period, Sheridan has exploded onto the scene writing three of the best films of the last five years. Sicario (2015 - Director Denis Villeneuve), Hell or High Water (2016 - Director David Mackenzie), and - finally - Wind River, with which Sheridan made his directorial debut in 2017. It is rare that a screenwriter is able to so forcefully capture marginalized communities and dismissed men and women without being condescending in doing so. Three phenomenal films that deserve your attention and which we are proud and thrilled to be discussing. Please take a listen and - either - discover these films or sit back and listen to our assessment and decide for yourselves whether or not you agree with us. As always, thank you for the continued love and support. Questions, Problems, Comments, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/Rick Ramos I'm flying solo in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness. A quick look back at the life and work of Military Vet and Unexpected Movie Star who passed away on May 15th from complications of Pneumonia. Of course you can't talk Ermey without discussing Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam War Classic, Full Metal Jacket (1987), but I also take a look at Tim Robbin's Dead Man Walking, Alan Parker's Mississippi Burning, and Ted Demme's Life. Take a listen and remember a great (under appreciated) screen presence.  Thanks for the continued love & support. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos we take a minute to get personal and talk about The Art of Cinema. Sit back and take a listen as I ask Mr. Chavez a series of questions designed to get to the core of his beliefs and opinions regarding Cinema. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, thank you for the continued love and support.  Questions, Comments, Problems, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I, once again, sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss a fascinating topic - The Culture of Cool and all that can be defined as such (or, at least, as much as we can get to).  From Icons of Cool, Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Robert Mitchum through todays stars that are able to carry that mantle. We talk imagery in film, it's influence on society, but also the African origins of "Cool" and how these influences continue to influence our world. So sit back, pour a whiskey, and take a listen to the opinions of two guys.  We thank you for your continued support.  

This week Ibrahim & I get back to our discussion of the portrayals of Native Americans in Cinema. Spanning the Silent Film Era and the John Ford Legacy of "The Red Savage" into the re-evaluation of Native Cultures beginning with Arthur Penn's 1979 Dustin Hoffman classic, Little Big Man, and into the 1990's resurgence with Kevin Costner's Academy Award Winning Revisionist Western, Dances With Wolves.  We finish this study with a look at the Native push to make personal films that come from Native writers, directors, producers, and actors. There are some beautiful and powerful examples of Cinema in this discussion as well as a look at documentaries, namely, Neil Diamond's Reel Injuns (2009) - a fascinating study of the history of American Indians in Cinema. There's a lot said, a few moments of anger and frustration, and a great deal of hope as we discover the gems hidden in the trash of American Cinema. As always, Our Thanks & Love go out to you guys! 

Trying something a bit different with the podcast . . . this second episode of the week, Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to answer a few questions about Cinema.  A little over twenty minutes of one guy asking another guy questions.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.  As always, Thanks for the Love & Support!

Going back to a favorite . . . a flick that that set off the Independent Movement of the 1990's, Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994). This week Ibrahim & I talk about this groundbreaking movie and what it has meant to both Cinema and the Culture. There's not much else to write so just take a listen.

Twenty-four years is a long time to spend thinking about a film. With that in mind I think we've done a pretty good job breaking this one down.

Questions, Comments, Problems, Suggestions, & Support can be sent to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  As Always, Thanks & Love. 

We're getting a bit personal on this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, as Ibrahim & I talk about a particularly important topic in our lives. In 1992 I stumbled on Michael Apted's Incident at Oglala - a film chronicling the late 70's persecution of The American Indian Movement and the railroading of Leonard Peltier in the deaths of two F.B.I. agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. This film lit a spark that has proven to be one of the most important cinematic experiences of my life. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to talk about this case.  In addition to this documentary, we take a look at Apted's fictional dramatization of many of these events with his Thunderheart (from the same year) starring Val Kilmer, Sam Shepard, and an exceptional performance from Graham Greene. We pepper this episode with a look at the late Native American Spoken Word artist, John Trudell, in the documentary profile Trudell (2005) directed by Heather Rae. There's a lot of remembrance and emotion in this episode. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com.  As always, Thanks & Love. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of my favorite films, Clint Eastwood's 1992 Best Picture winning masterpiece, Unforgiven. Yeah, I've talked about this film in the past, but it's an entirely different thing when you sit down to discuss the same film with someone whom you respect and whose opinion you value. So this week we find ourselves sitting in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness reflecting on our pasts including the achievements and mistakes that have brought us to this place in our mutual lives. The beauty of cinema is what it makes us think about ourselves and this is a film that is overpowering in that regard. Watching it for the umpteenth time only reinforces that fact. To add to our understanding of this film we also take a look at Lee Sang-il's 2013 remake, Yurusarezaru Mono, starring the great Ken Watanabe. It is rare that a film remake can bring such depth and understanding to the original material, and also reinterpret it with a consciousness that takes into account the necessity of telling it's own story.  This was what we were facing and we hope that you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed recording it. As always, Questions, Comments, Problems, & Support can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Many Thanks! 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I tackle one of the great all-time musical comparisons. This week we look at the lives of The (So-Named) King of Rock 'N Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley and The (Equally Ridiculously Named) King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson.  When Ibrahim & I started thinking about the lives of these two incredible artists it became obvious that we would have to turn the microphone on and get our thoughts down. From their equally humble beginnings, incredibly swift and lightning-like rise, ground-breaking and revolutionary roles in popular music, and - ultimately - tragic, drug-induced deaths, it would be difficult to ignore the similarities. To get this episode down we take a look at Kenny Ortega's This Is It, chronicling Michael Jackson's rehearsals for his final concert tour, Jackson's numerous ground-breaking videos, as well as Elvis' '68 Comeback Concert, Elvis Aloha From Hawaii, and Don Coscarelli's Bubba-Ho-Tep. We hope you find this talk interesting.  Thanks for the love and continued support. Questions, Problems, Suggestions, and Good Words can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Thanks! 

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I take a look at The Game . . . specifically The Hustling Game of The American Pimp.  For this we take a look at Jerry Schatzberg's Street Smart, featuring Christopher Reeve and phenomenal performances by Kathy Baker and (in one of his last villainous roles) Morgan Freeman as Leo "Fast Black" Smalls. In order to do this subject right we have to focus on non-fiction and we were lucky to find a handful of great documentaries, starting with Nick Broomfield's Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam, The Hughes' Bros. American Pimp, and Jorge Hinojosa's Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp. Three wildly different takes on this controversial and polarizing subject.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.  Questions, Comments, Problems, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  As always, thanks for your continued love and support. 

Ibrahim & I have come to the end of our journey to The Crossroads. On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos we wrap up our discussion of this great American Music. We discuss the music's growth and transformation from a rural Delta sound to an industrial Chicago worldwide force. We focus on the change in the music, but we also look at individual artists including Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, but also lesser known artists such as Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and "Screamin'" Jay Hawkins. We talk Elvis Presley - and there's a hell of a lot to be said there. Of course we talk the man who captured my fascination and drew me into The Blues . . . The Boogie Man, Mr. John Lee Hooker.  These three episodes - these 6 hours - mean the world to us. We had a great time preparing for this episode and an even better time recording it. We hope you enjoy it as well. As always, thanks for the love and continued support. Comments, Support, Problems, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

This week on WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our walk through the woods.  Starting with Robert Johnson we take a look at the musical construction of The Blues including the lyrical pattern of the music as well as the arrangements that would form and dictate the future of Rock & Roll, Soul, Funk, and most popular music. We continue with our understanding and passion for this great American music, as well as our feelings concerning the future of this music.  

Thanks for your continued support. Questions, Comments, Problems, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Many Thanks and All of Our Love!  

It doesn't get a whole hell of a lot more personal than this . . . On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Rick and Ibrahim sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss The Greatest Music this country has ever produced (that's an opinion, but it happens to be the truth). Take a listen as we go down the rabbit hole of one of our greatest passions.  We discuss the origins of The Blues - The African Influence, Slavery, Call & Response, Prison Chain Gangs, The Mississippi Delta, the mass emigration to Chicago and the surrounding Northern cities, and - of course - Selling One's Soul.  We take a look at The 7-Part, Martin Scorsese produced PBS series The Blues as well as numerous literary and non-fiction works that detail the lives of Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and more.  A true labor of love that spans three episodes and slightly over 6 hours, we have a lot to say and hope you are interested in taking this ride with us. As always we thank you for your continued love & support. Questions, Comments, Issues, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - Thanks & Love. 

2017 is gone, buried, and it's time to move on, but before we do that we gotta take a few minutes (a little over 108 minutes to be exact) to discuss the films of 2017. On this episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ramos goes it alone to discuss eighteen exceptional films he saw in theaters this past year.  Of course you're going to hear about Coco, Gilbert, Three Billboards Outside of Ebbings, Missouri, Wind River, BladeRunner 2049, and Logan, but you're also going to hear about a few other films that flew under the radar. So sit back, relax, and take a listen as Rick Ramos takes you on a journey back through 2017.  

Thanks for the continued support. As always Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

The train keeps rolling down the track as Ibrahim & I continue our examination of The Devil in Cinema.  After examining the Religious Devil, The Anti-Christ, and the Occult, we are ending this series on a more whimsical note by looking at The Devil of Mythology & Folklore.  The Devil as a Trickster, Scratch, as The Deal-Maker for One's Soul. With that in mind sit back and listen to us as we take a look at William Dieterle's 1941 forgotten classic, The Devil & Daniel Webster, George Miller's 1987 serio-comic The Witches of Eastwick featuring Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cher, and Jack Nicholson in a bravura performance, Taylor Hackford's The Devil's Advocate from 1997 with an over the top Al Pacino, Alan Parker's 1987 supernatural noir, Angel Heart - Robert DeNiro (appropriately creepy), and - finally - Fraser C. Heston's Needful Things from 1993 featuring an under-appreciated Max Von Sydow as The Devil by way of Akron.  Take a listen as we do what we do.  Thanks for the continued love and support.  As always, Questions, Complaints, Suggestions, and Support can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

This week Ibrahim & I dive right back into our examination of Lucifer himself . . . Beelzebub, The Prince of Darkness, The Anti-Christ.  We start this look at The Evil One by examining Richard Donner's 1976  Horror-Thriller, The Omen, which would quickly become a series with Damien: The Omen Part II (1978), and the concluding film in the series Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981). Not the best films to take a look at, but even bad films have their importance.  Take a listen as Ibrahim & I dissect what these films get right and (more often) get wrong.  As always thanks for the continued love and support.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

It's crybaby week on this episode of WatchThis W/Rick Ramos as Ibrahim & I sit down in The Temple of Ultimate Darkness to discuss Disney/Pixar's newest masterpiece, Coco.  It's a pleasure to sit down and talk a film that strives for and achieves so much.  We discuss the the film's personal importance to the both of us, as well as the cultural significance of Dia de Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).  We also discuss 2014's The Book of Life.

This started out as a normal episode and quickly turned in to a more personal one.  We hope that you listen and are inspired to see this magnificent new film from Pixar.  Thank You for your continued support. As always we can be reached for Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions at gondoramos@yahoo.com.   

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our dance with The Devil profiling The Occult and the tragic, controversial, and fascinating life and career of Polish filmmaker and Fugitive of American Justice, Oscar-winner Roman Polanski (he drugged and raped a 13 year old girl, in case you forgot). With this episode (recorded a few days after the death of Charles Manson) Ibrahim continues with his history of The Satanic Church, Anton LaVey, The History of the Devil in the Bible, but we also go into Polanski's Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The 9th Gate (1999).  We also spend a great deal of time looking back on the history of Charles Manson, The Manson Family, and The Tate-LaBianca Murders.  Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Many Thanks & Much Love.  

We're hitting episode #150 and what better way to do that then with a little bit of introspection? So with the jumping off point of Neil Berkeley's new documentary profiling the life of comedian Gilbert Gottfried, Gilbert is a fascinating look at the life of the aforementioned comic who has spent the last forty years as some kind of strange curiosity in the world of stand-up comedy. A "comics' comic" Gottfried seems to have always been driven by insecurity and fear. With that combination there exists some kind of magic in the comic's approach to his life, his craft, his (surprising) 10 year marriage, and fatherhood. I found this to be a beautiful and lovely little film. It hits close to home and I'm not sure I did justice to Berkeley's film because so much of what is shown mirrors my own life. Either way it's a heartfelt and emotional episode that - I hope - gets to the core of the comics' dream. Special Thanks to Joey Diaz & Lee Syatt on this one.  Questions, Problems, Comments, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - All of My Love; All of My Thanks!

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to talk the ever-evolving Harvey Weinstein controversy.  With an ever increasing number of accusers, as well as additional controversies involving Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman, Ibrahim & I are eager to put Hollywood under the microscope.  For this episode we go back almost a hundred years to the Rocoe "Fatty" Arbuckle scandal and the death of young starlet Virginia Rappe, as well as such Hollywood tragedies and controversies including Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Jayne Mansfield, The Manson Family, Bill Cosby, Woody Allen, and - of course - Roman Polanski.  We talk sexism, racism, homophobia and our opinions on how all of this should be handled.  So sit back and prepare to be engaged (we hope)! As always Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, thanks for your continued love and support.

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss Horror in Cinema, and specifically a True Master of the Grenre, John Carpenter and his early Masterpiece, Halloween.  With an exceptional debut performance from Jamie Lee Curtis, and beautiful slumming by the great English actor Donald Pleasance, John Carpenter's Halloween remains the single greatest Horror film of the late century and rivals just about anything that has come before it.  We talk about the origins of the horror film including the 1920 German Expressionist Classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari as well as the Universal Monster Movies of the 1930's & 40's.  We also discuss the great Universal make-up artist, Jack Pierce and his influence over countless make-up artists to follow including: Rob Bottin, Greg Nicotero, Tom Savini, and Rick Baker.  So sit back and take a listen.  It's really a pretty good time.  As always, Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Many Thanks. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I take on a classic of the Science Fiction Genre, Ridley Scott's 1982 Masterpiece Blade Runner. We discuss it's groundbreaking narrative as well as it's lasting legacy over nearly four decades. Of course, we discuss the continuing argument of Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) as a replicant as well as the insights, opinions, and questions created and posited by the film. We also take a look at continuing sage of the film in Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049.  Take a listen to what we have to say.  Maybe you'll agree; maybe you'll disagree.  They're all just opinions backed by a little bit of insight and a lot of love.  Thanks for the continued support.  Questions, comments, arguments, and suggestions can be directed to gondormaos@yahoo.com.  Thanks.  

Let's get right to this . . . there is one great action star of the cinema and his name is Chan Kong-sang better known as Jackie Chan. A child actor and graduate of The Famed Peking Opera School, Jackie Chan shot to fame in the mid-70's as the Hong Kong Movie Industry was reeling from the loss of the great Bruce Lee.  Looking to fill this void there were a number of attempts at replacing Lee. Chan was one of these candidates, however it quickly became apparent that Lee (as his screen persona stood) was irreplaceable.  Chan would go in another direction and focus on creating a new genre of action films, the kung-fu action-comedy film. With early films such as Snake In the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master, Chan would go on to redefine the World of Hong Kong Action. In preparation of his upcoming film The Foreigner, we focus this week's episode on the great Jackie Chan. As always, Thanks for Listening.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I look back at David Fincher's Fight Club. I can't think of a better way to sum up and close out the 90's than this brutal examination of male anger, disillusionment, and confusion.  On this episode we look at the brilliance of the film, the source material from author Chuck Palahniuk, the performances of Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, and it's stunning relevance almost twenty years later in Trump's America.  As always, thanks for the continued support.  Questions, Comments, Problems, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Thank You for your continued support.  

On this episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I remember the great Harry Dean Stanton who passed away on September 15th at the age of 91. Stanton distinguished himself in an acting career that spanned over 50 years. He was truly a great presence on screen, exemplified by roles too numerous to name, but highlighted in his only starring role - Wim Wender's  incredible examination of a man who walks out of the desert in order to find his life once again, 1984's Paris, Texas written by the great Sam Shepard. We discuss this film, Repo Man, Pretty In Pink, The Godfather Part II, and Sophie Huber's 2013 biographical documentary, Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction - an absolutely essential watch in order to understand this great artist.   Thanks for listening, and - as always - please direct your questions, comments, criticisms, and suggestions to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos I take a look at an exceptional film playing in theaters at this time, Matt Ruskin's Crown Heights. Detailing the life of Colin Warner who found himself wrongfully imprisoned for murder at the age of 18, this is a powerful true story, told beautifully.  With exceptional performances by Keith Stanfield as Colin Warner and Nnamdi Asomugha as Carl King, the best friend who would spend nearly twenty years fighting to prove his friend's innocence, this is a heartbreaking film with an importance so often missing from today's cinema. I found it incredibly moving and am happy to dedicate this episode of WatchThis to Crown Heights. As always, thanks for the continued support.  Questions, Suggestions, Problems, and Encouragement can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

Going solo this week. On this episode I take a look at the career of the great Robert Mitchum who would have been 100 years old on August 6th. A great actor who has been eclipsed by the likes of George C. Scott, James Dean, and Marlon Brando, Mitchum was the epitome of cool and hipness. A man of incredible natural talent, Mitchum exhibited this throughout his nearly 60 year career. On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos we talk Out of the Past, Pursued, Cape Fear, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, The Yakuza, and - possibly his greatest achievement - Night of the Hunter.  Take a listen and let us know what you think . . . even if it is to give me hell for getting it out so late.  As always you can reach me at gondoramos@yahoo.com. A Million Thanks.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss the passing of an American Original, The Playwright Sam Shepard who passed away July 27th just a few months short of his 74th birthday.  I have to admit that I had been an admirer of Shepard's for quite some time without knowing a great deal about him. His passing led me on a tour of his work in front of the camera and behind the typewriter.  With that in mind we discuss his work as an actor (The Right Stuff, Fool For Love, BlackHawk Down, and many more) as well as his written work (Fool For Love, True West, Paris, Texas,) as well as his iconic stature as a symbol of The American Male.

Through looking at these films, plays, and the touching and - ultimately - heartbreaking documentary Shepard & Dark, we get an intense and sometimes frustrating examination of this man. The documentary Shepard & Dark is particularly enlightening in it's profile of a nearly five decade long friendship between Shepard the playwright and his best friend Johnny Dark, a hermetic writer who seems to be the polar opposite of Shepard in both attitude and professional desire. 

This was a bit of a look into the darkness for both of us.  We thank you for continuing on our journey. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Many Thanks & All Of Our Love.   

So on this new episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I get a bit serious delving into the world of the judicial system, and specifically The Death Penalty. As always we take our cue from the cinema focusing on the works of Werner Herzog (2011's Into the Abyss), Lawrence Schiller (1983's The Executioner's Song), and Tim Robbins (1995's Dead Man Walking). It's a bit of a heavy talk, but difficult topics deserve hard conversations.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.  We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  As always, thanks for the continued love and support.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I tackle one of the greatest films ever made, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather.  Take a listen as we spend nearly three hours talking a ground-breaking piece of cinema. With incredible performances from Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Robert DeNiro, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Michael Castellano . . . Christ, the list is too many to name. All that needs to be said is that these are two magnificent films which makes the last film such a disappointment. Ibrahim and I talk the greatness of the first two films and delve into the problems of the third. Take a listen and enjoy this examination of cinematic greatness.  As always, we thank you for your continued love and support. All questions and comments (good or bad) should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks!

On this week's episode of Watch This w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I reflect on the world of professional wrestling, focusing our attention on the documentaries Beyond the Mat (Dir. Barry W. Blaustein, 1999) and The Resurrection of Jake The Snake (Dir. Steve Yu, 2015). Not necessarily great films, but films that give a fascinating and entertaining exploration into the behind the scenes going on's of this world wide phenomenon. We draw comparisons between the theatrics of the ring and it's relationship to politics (and, namely, The Trump Administration). We close out this episode with an examination of Darren Aaronofsky's beautifully realized portrait of Randy "The Ram" Robinson, 2008's The Wrestler.  With an incredible career-defining performance from Mickey Rourke this is a film that certainly needs to be seen again.

Take a listen and let us know what you think. We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, thanks for the continued support. 

Yeah . . . On this episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos  I take a break from the seriousness of our previous episodes and have a little bit of fun with a classic, Hal Needham's classic 1977 Redneck Masterpiece, Smokey & The Bandit.  This is one of those films that I have to just come to terms with my love for . . . a hilarious and beautifully realized 70's era comedy that has stood the test of time.  With great throw-away comic performances from Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry (as the criminally forgotten Junior Justice), Pat McCormack & Paul Williams, and - an unforgettably brilliant comic performance by the great Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice, this is a film that deserves it's reputation as one of the great underrated comedies of the 1970's. 

It feels great to cool down and talk about a good time at the movies. As always, thanks for the continued support.  Questions, Comments, Suggestions, and Complaints should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos Ibrahim and I come to the end of our examination of The Vietnam War.  You don't watch Full Metal Jacket, Stanley Kubrick's 1987 classic without recognizing it as two separate films.  That's the angle that we're approaching the film. Boot Camp and The Grunts' Experience in one of the few urban examinations of this very complex war.  With standout performances from Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, and in a career-definining role, former USMC Drill Sergeant, R. Lee Ermey. This is a great film that we are proud to close this series out with. Take a listen and let us know what you think.  As always, we can be reached for Praise, Comments, Suggestions, & Complaints to gondoramos@yahoo.com - Thanks for all of the support. 

The train keeps rolling down the bend . . . On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent into The Vietnam War.  This week we take a look at The War through the eyes of the displaced and victimized . . . the people of Vietnam and Cambodia.  Oliver Stone ends his Vietnam Trilogy with 1993's Heaven & Earth, the story of Le Ly Hayslip who survived the destruction of her village, death of many family members, and the decimation of her country to eventually find peace through her will and perseverance. We also take a look at Roland Joffe's 1984 examination of the expansion of the war into Cambodia and the genocide wrought by Pol Pot and The Khmer Rouge, The Killing Fields.  Through the story of Dith Pran's four year odyssey through "The Killing Fields" of the title, we get a rare examination of the war from a perspective that has been too often ignored.  With an Academy Award winning performance from Dr. Hang S. Ngor, The Killing Fields is a truly exceptional film.  We talk the film as well as Dr. Ngor's remarkable parallel experiences and his untimely 1996 murder by a Chinatown street gang.  We hope you enjoy and take a little something from this heartfelt episode.  Please direct questions, comments, suggestions, and complaints to gondoramos@yahoo.com - As always, thanks for the continued love & support. 

On this episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent into the rabbit hole of The Vietnam War. This week we take a look at the grunts' welcome home with an examination of Oliver Stone's 1989 biopic of paralyzed Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic, Born on the Fourth of July.  We also take look at Michael Cimino's 1978 masterpiece, The Deer Hunter.  With these films we see two powerful and heart-wrenching examinations of a misunderstood and much maligned experience. The trip isn't over. Ibrahim & I are discovering more and more and we hope that you good listeners are taking a little bit from it. Questions, Comments, Suggestions, & Complaints should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - As always, thank you for the continued love & support.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos Ibrahim & I continue our examination of the great Vietnam War films. This week we take a look at the "grunts' experience' in Vietname; We talk Oliver Stone's Platoon and Brian DePalma's Casualties of War.  The less written the better.  So take a listen and let us know what you think.  As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  So take a listen and continued thanks for your love and support.    

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I begin a many episode (we have no idea how long this is going to take) examination of The Vietnam War. Where else to start off than - possibly - the greatest War Film ever made, Francis Ford Copolla's Apocalypse Now Redux - Copolla's 2001 Director's Cut of his 1979 Cannes Palme d'Or winner. Rarely do audiences have the opportunity to see behind the curtain . . . Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) tells the troubled history behind one of the greatest films ever made. Rivaling Keith Fulton & Louis Pepe's Lost in La Mancha (2002) as one of the most depressing and frustrating cinema documentaries ever made, Hearts of Darkness is a beautifully constructed, amazingly intimate examination of this troubled production. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down in The Fortress to discuss George Miller's Masterpiece series MAD MAX (1979) THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981), MAD MAX - BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985), and - finally - MAD MAX - FURY ROAD (2015). Possibly the greatest cinematic series ever created (based on their being no weak films in the series), Miller's collaboration with Mel Gibson, Tom Hardy, and Charlize Theron has created one of the truly visionary experiences of the cinema.  So sit back, take a listen, and listen as two friends talk a series that has cut to the marrow of everything. As always, we thank you for your continued support.  Any questions, comments, suggestions, or complaints should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Many Thanks & Much Love.   

A mid-week entry that is mostly cathartic release for me. On this episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos we take a look at the career and passing of the greatest artist Rock 'N' Roll has ever know, Charles Edward Anderson Berry, better known as The Father of Rock 'N' Roll Chuck Berry. On this episode I talk about what this great man has meant to me. From my introduction through The Chess Box (purchased at Tower Records on Thomas in Phoenix in 1987) through three concert appearances I was a party to, and Taylor Hackford's 1987 documentary CHUCK BERRY: HAIL, HAIL ROCK 'N' ROLL, this is a look back in love.  Hopefully you have the same appreciation as I have.  As always, Thank You For The Continued Love & Support. Send any and all questions to gondoramos@yahoo.com

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos we take a look at a masterpiece currently playing in theaters, James Mangold's LOGAN, featuring a career defining performance by Hugh Jackman, an Oscar worthy performance from Patrick Stewart, and a promising introduction to a new young actress, Dafne Keen. I can't speak highly enough about this film.  I'm going to leave it at that.  Take a listen and let me know what you think. I can be reached with questions and comments at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  As always, thank you for the continued support.  

On this weeks episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim returns to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss his recent trip to Alaska and the affect it had on his emotions, psyche, and overall attitude. WatchThis is all about relating cinema to life experiences.  This week we couple Ibrahim's vacation with Werner Herzog's GRIZZLY MAN - documenting the life and death of self-appointed Bear Protector Timothy Treadwell.  We also discuss Sean Penn's little-seen, powerfully insightful INTO THE WILD starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Academy Award winners William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden, and Best Supporting Acting nominee for this film, Hal Holbrook.  An incredible film that has yet to find the audience that it deserves.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.  You can reach me at gondoramos@yahoo.com  Thanks for all of the continued support.   

On this weeks episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos we talk about David Lynch's THE ELEPHANT MAN from 1980 and Tod Browning's infamous 1932 film FREAKS. Two films that have had differing affects on me, but which have stayed with me over the years. I also talk a bit about A MONSTER CALLS and JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.  As always, I can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Thanks for the continued support.  

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I take a look at one of the most iconic characters in all of popular cinema,  Lieutenant "Dirty" Harry Callahan. It would be impossible to watch these movies without examining the social and historical impact of this character in the five films Eastwood made with a variety of directors beginning with Don Siegel's 1971 "Fascist Masterpiece" Dirty Harry and concluding with Buddy Van Horn's 1988 The Dead Pool. In between we talk Ted Post's Magnum Force (1973), James Fargo's The Enforcer (1976), and the Eastwood directed Sudden Impact (1983). We take a look at the fantasy aspect of the series, the police state, and the rights of both victim and criminal, and - of course - a li'l bit of Trump. Take a listen for a good time and join us as we say goodbye to the great John Hurt who passed away this past week at the age of 77. There's a lot to talk about. We hope you enjoy it. As always, thanks for the continued support.   

On this week's episode of Watch This w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our discussion of The Vampire subgenera.  Our angle this week . . . ? We talk the pure enjoyment of the Vampire Hunter, showcasing Tom Holland's Fright Night and John Carpenter's Vampires.  We contrast these films with Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark and the Swedish adolescent vampire film Let the Right One In.  We had a good time talking; we hope you have a good time listening.  As always, you can contact us at gendarmes@yahoo.com or rickramoscomedy.com.  Thanks for the continued support. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our lengthy discussion of the Vampire subgenre.  On this episode we touch on a number of different films, but we focus on Abel Ferrara's THE ADDICTION from 1995, starring Lili Taylor, Edie Falco, Anabella Sciorra, and Christopher Walken.  We continue the theme of metaphorical drug addiction in the vampire film with a look at Tony Scott's 1983 directorial debut THE HUNGER.  We round out our examination of this part of the genre by focusing on Jim Jarmusch's 2013 masterpiece (my humble description) ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE.  Yeah, it's a lengthy episode, and it's going to take a bigger commitment than I usually expect from our audience, but I think it's - ultimately - a very rewarding discussion.  Or maybe it's just a couple of assholes going on about how much we love movies.  Either one works.  Take a listen and let us know what you think at gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, thanks for the love; Thanks for the support.  

On this weeks episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos I take a look at Abel Ferrara's masterpiece from 1992 - Bad Lieutenant.  A film that has stayed with me for some twenty-five years after first seeing it in Chicago during the fall of 1992. I can speak highly enough about this film. It was an entrance to my understanding of what cinema was capable of portraying. I was and continue to be overwhelmed by the emotional rawness of Harvey Keitel's performance and am thrilled to finally be sitting down to put forth my ideas and attitudes concerning this brilliant film.  As always, thank you for your continued listening and support.  Any questions, comments, or suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the most popular characters in all of cinema - Bram Stoker's Dracula. We start our talk with the iconic Bela Lugosi - the standard to which all vampire portrayals are compared - in Todd Browning's 1931 classic Dracula. We follow this with F.W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece of German Expressionism, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. And finally we talk Francis Ford Copolla's interpretation of the classic novel, Bram Stoker's Dracula. This week we talk the history of the novel, the films, and the (partly) inspiration of the character, Vlad The Impaler.  Take a listen and enjoy.  As always, thanks for the support. We appreciate your taking the time to listen.  Any and all questions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com

The WatchThis train keeps moving forward.  Ibrahim & I return to The Fortress to finish up our 90's themed showcase. This week we talk Alex Proyas' 1998 masterpiece Dark City.  An incredible piece of celluloid that has unjustly been lost in the shadow of The Wachowski's The Matrix, Dark City continues to grow in stature and rewards viewers with a deeper understanding of humanity.  With exceptional performances by Rufus Sewell, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O'Brien (Mr. Hand), Kiefer Sutherland, and William Hurt, Dark City has provided a great opportunity for a couple of friends to sit down, talk and bring attention to a criminally underseen film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Any and all question, comments, and suggestions can be sent to gondoramos@yahoo.com - As always, thanks for the continued support. 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue with our examination of the 1990's - looking at Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days from 1995 and Mike Leigh's 1993 underseen classic, Naked.  Strange Days proves to be a bit of a disappointment, but a fascinating one that plays out in an interesting conversation regarding the the past, present, future and our dealings with all three.  Take a listen and let us know what you think.  As always, we can't wait to hear from you.  We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com  - Many Thanks.  You know we love ya!  

On this weeks episode of Watch This w/Rick Ramos we take a look at one of my favorite films - a film that has resonated through my life - Malcolm Venville's 44 Inch Chest.  This sadly overlooked 2009 British Drama is an incredible showcase for actors Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, and - in a frighteningly good performance - Ian McShane.  Chronicling a man's dealings with the pain of his disintegrating marriage, Venville's film is a showcase of machismo, infidelity, and sorrow. One of my favorite films, I sit down and realize it's parallels to my life (and many of your lives), especially after my recent return to Evanston, Illinois for my 20th reunion. Some times films really help us understand life.  I believe this is one of those cases.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.  As always, Many Thanks. 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, my good friend, Ibrahim Chavez, returns to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness in our continuing discussion of Pornography in Film. We get back on track from last week's roundabout discussion to focus on specific films including Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights, James Cox's Wonderland, and A Serbian Film (the director is better left unnamed), as well as the documentaries After Porn Ends and Pornstar: The Legend of Ron Jeremy. Take a listen for an interesting and in-depth conversation. Questions & Comments can be directed to rickramoscomedy.com or gondoramos@yahoo.com - Thanks for your continued support. As always, you guys mean the world to me.  

On this weeks episode, podcast favorite - and good friend - Ibrahim Chavez stops into The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss The World of Pornography. We had originally intended this to be an examination of documentaries and narrative films dealing with the matter, however the episode quickly spiraled into a philosophical discussion regarding the history, benefits & dangers, current state of, and future of the industry.  Take a listen and let us know what you think of what we had to say. I can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - As always, thanks for the continued support and all of the good words.  

On this weeks episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos I say goodbye to one of the great comic minds of Cinema, Mr. Gene Wilder.  Having discussed his work with Richard Pryor in an earlier edition of WatchThis I felt it was necessary to pay closer attention to his two greatest works as an actor 1968's THE PRODUCERS and 1974's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (both directed by Mel Brooks).  This one's a bit heartfelt, but always in the WatchThis tradition of focusing on the work.  Mr. Wilder will be missed, but he left a love letter to Cinema and we have that to be grateful for.  As always, Thanks for the Support and feel free to let me know how I'm doing at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  Can't wait to hear from you.  Best Wishes. 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos I take a look at two films held in high regard, although find myself favoring the undervalued one . . . I'm speaking of Brian DePalma's two collaborations with Al Pacino Scarface and Carlito's Way.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.  As always, your support is greatly appreciated.  

On this weeks episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos I welcome my good friend Ibrahim Chavez to The Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to discuss the passing of The Greatest Figure in Sports History (and perhaps The World as a Whole) - Muhammad Ali. We discuss his Life and Career, the Achievements and Controversies, and the two greatest documentaries to profile his life, Leon Gast and Taylor Hackford's When We Were Kings and Peter McCormack's Facing Ali. A heartfelt goodbye to a great athlete and a greater human being. As Always, Thanks For Your Continued Support. 

On this weeks episode of WatchThis w/Rick Ramos I take a look at Cheech Marin's classic 1987 solo directorial deburt, Born In East L.A. This film has meant a great deal to me over the years and I'm thrilled to talk about. I also take a look at Chris Weitz's 2011 drama A Better Life. With an Oscar nominated performance from Demian Belchir. These are both exceptional films that I had a wonderful time revisiting. As Always, Thank You For Your Continued Support.

Here's an episode that's been building for almost a quarter of a century . . . since his disappearance in the early 90's, we have seen the great Pee Wee Herman only sporadically. This changed last month when Paul Reubens, Judd Apatow, and Netflix made The Return of Pee Wee Herman possible in the new Netflix original film Pee Wee's Big Holiday. This week's episode of Watch This W/Rick Ramos takes a nostalgic trip back to 1985 for the very first Pee Wee film, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and examines the appeal of this classic and beloved character. I also take a look at the passing of one of the greatest artists music has ever know, the Northern California native Merle Haggard. Take a listen and have a little bit of fun. As always, Thank You For Your Support & All of My Love. 

On this week's episode of WatchThis w/Rick Ramos I go back to the well and focus on a film that I have loved for nearly three decades . . . Martin Brest's 1988 under appreciated gem Midnight Run. I know that I've dedicated an episode to Midnight Run in the past, however I believe that earlier episode didn't do the film justice. Hopefully this episode alleviates that problem. As always, Thanks for the Love & Support. 

WatchThis w/RickRamos is back and I'm talking one of my idols . . . The Greatest Comic to ever step on stage, The Two Most Beautiful Words in the World of Comedy Mr. Richard Pryor. From the earliest days of watching him in his concert films Richard Pryor Live in Concert and Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip, through Stir Crazy, The Toy, Blazing Saddles (co-writer), Blue Collar, and Bustin' Loose, this has truly been one of the great inspirations of mine and my fellow comics' lives. Hopefully you can hear the love and respect I have for this great artist. Thanks for listening.