Watch This With Rick Ramos

Russ Meyer's Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!  If you allow it to do so, Cinema will take you to strange, hypnotic, and brilliant places. For close to forty years I have known about Russ Meyer's Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) and have assiduously avoided it. Cinematic Snobbery stopped this podcaster from one of the strangest and - seemingly - sexist and self-indulgent exercises in moviemaking. I could not have been more mistaken. The verdict on Russ Meyer as a filmmaker is stil to be determined by this podcast, however we can be sure that this film contains one of the greatest performances ever captured on celluloid. Tura Satana is simply incredible. The leader of a three girl gang of violent, porsche-racing, hedonistic go-go dancers on a desert adventure of murder, kidnapping, seduction, and robbery, Satana is a force of nature that is unlike anything else ever captured in the movies. This week we discuss this classic film, our opinions and theories regarding Russ Meyer, sexploitation, and the brilliance

David Lynch's Eraserhead This week we continue our look into Midnight/Cult Movies. One of the earliest films to find an audience (and build its directors career) was 1977s Eraserhead. A film that baffles description, this weeks episode takes the angle of describing the "feelings" and memories that have followed our initial viewings of this brilliant debut film. Brilliant Black & White cinematography by Frederick Elmes and Herbert Caldwell, hypnotic performances from Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Judith Anna Roberts, as well as a disturbing supporting cast that simply feels right. Take a listen to see if Lynch's debut film has affected you in a way that it has affected us. We'd love to hear from you. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Jim Sharman's The Rocky Horror Picture Show Cinema is art, Viewing Cinema is an artistic experience. We sit in the theater and drift into the beauty of a story that either entertains, explains, or enlightens. Sometimes all of these and even more. In 1975 20th Century Fox would distribute a film that would fail miserably with mainstream audiences, but would survive box office death and be reborn on the Midnight Movie Circuit. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has played non-stop since it began midnight screenings in 1976. With a rabid fanbase that acts out scenes, musical numbers, and improvised attacks on the action, the film has become a cinematic cultural experience . . . But, what is it, and is it actually a good movie? This week Mr. Chavez & I return to our shared experience with a NuArt screening, his return to the theatre, and my home viewing, alone in a dark room without any of the supporting distractions. This week we discuss  Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, and - a legendary - Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-

Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark  This year Halloween fell on a weekend . . .  We've come to the end of the Halloween season. Two months of Vampire movies finds us ending on a cult favorite from the 1980s. In 1987 Kathryn Bigelow would direct her first solo-outing by re-imagining the Vampire film as a Neo-Western centered around a young couple and the family of vampires that haunt and terrorize a modern Southwest. Featuring Adrian Pasdar as Caleb Colton, a young man bitten and "turned" by the seductive Mae and his "adoption" into a troubling imagining on the traveling "nuclear family" including Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, and Lance Henriksen. The film certainly has its problems however it is an assured and impressive debut directorial feature for Bigelow and captivating performances from her Vampire Family. Take a listen and let us know what you think - Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggesetions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to

E. Elias Merhige's Shadow of the Vampire Sometimes it's simply a thrill to watch one your favorite actors let loose and have a great time. F.W. Murnau's 1922 Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is widely - and deservedly - considered one of the greatest films of all time. A mythology has formed around the making of the film including the idea that its star, Max Shreck, was an actual vampire. With this springboard, writer Steven Katz and director E. Elias Merhige's fashion an exciting, inventive, and thrilling historical re-telling of the making of Murnau's film. With a great supporting cast including Cary Elwes, Eddie Izzard, Udo Kier, and Catherine McCormack as actors and crew of Nosferatu. However the film belongs solely to a pair of unhinged and clearly fun performances from John Malkovich as Murnau, and (in an Academy Award nominated performance) Willem Dafoe as Schreck. For fans of Murnau's classic, silent films, and vampire stories, Shadow of the Vampire is a real treasure. Take a listen to see if you agree

Carl Theodore Dreyer's Vampyr If you dig deep enough, Cinema will unleash great treasures. The Silent Era ended in 1927 with the release of The Jazz Singer . . .  Movies would never be the same. A number of filmmakers would utilize the new technology in innovative, imaginitive, and groundbreaking ways. Fritz Lang's M comes to mind. Musicals became a reality and would astonish audiences. Storytellng became an entirely new artform. However the power of Silent Films would continue to be felt. Chaplin stubbornly held onto silence, while Karl Dane, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., and Emil Jannings would witness their star power dim sound emerged. Danish filmmaker, Carl Theodore Dreyer, would struggle throughout his career with complex material, however he would - years later - be recognized as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. With Vampyr the struggle with the new technology is evident in its use in the film, however the brilliance in Dreyer's vision is in the visual. The images are haunting, disturbing, and - in

Adrien Beau's The Vourdalak If you dive into the depths of World Cinema you will often discover magic. You may not know that you're viewing something exceptional while you're watching it, but you will find yourself realizing the power of the image, the power of ideas from different corners of the world. This week Mr. Chavez & I find Adrien Beau's 2023 French "Folk" Tale The Vourdalak, a film of nuance and beautifully imagined historical horror. Chronicling the story of a French aristocrat, robbed and left lost in Eastern Europe, Beau's story takes on a familiar story re-imagined as the Marquis Jacques Saturnin du Antoine is directed to a villager's home and the terror of a new vampire story. Better seen than read about, we encourage you to take the chance, start the movie, and trust that it will captivate you. Take a listen, watch the movie, and let us know if you agree. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of l

Tobe Hooper's Salem's Lot From time to time movies slip through the cracks. Although Tobe Hooper's Salem's Lot is considered a television classic, it is a film that your movie podcaset host has somehow missed these 46 years. Adapted from Stephen King's 1975 best-seller, this 1979 adaptation features David Soul from TVs Starsky & Hutch, as well as future Mrs. Holly McClane, Bonnie Bedelia. What could have easily been a throw-away television mini-series, is instead a ground-breaking take on Vampires, Lust, and Small-Town Paranoia. Guided through the directorial lens of Mr. Hooper, shortly after the landmark Horror spectacle, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and before Poltergeist (1982), Hooper elevates the material to a truly frightening and exciting experience. If you haven't seen this classic you owe it to yourself to make the time. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.  For those of you who w

Park Chan-wook's Thirst One of the great thrills of the past ten-plus years is the discovery of new, exciting, and challenging films. On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I dive into the cinema of South Korea's Park Chan-wook for 2009s Thirst. It's fascinating to watch stories we believe we understand and are sure we have witnessed every variation. Park Chan-wook's Vampire story centers around a priest (Kang-ho Song) as he struggles with his beliefs and his slow transformation into the Undead. With an equally exceptional performance from Kim Ok-vin (as Tae-ju, the woman who fall in love with the priest with all of its complications), Chan-wook's film is a beautifully realized exploration of love, religion, death, and sin. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contributi

John Landis's Innocent Blood  There are times when you have to take what you can get from a project. This week Mr. Chavez & I look at John Landis's 1992 Horror/Mob/Vampire/Comedy, Innocent Blood. With a talent such as Landis, the strokes are broad and without nuance. Innocent Blood is no exception. There are definitely the seeds for an exceptional Horror/Comedy hybrid, however this film is serving far too many masters. Some of the Horror works. Some of the Comedy works. The problem is there's simply not enough dedication to either. You can't serve two masters. The Pros . . . Robert Loggia - The man is having a great time spoofing himself, the Mob genre, and Horror movies. With an exceptional supporting cast including the great Don Rickles and a "who's who" of 90s Mob faces, Innocent Blood  is a miss but a curious, interesting, and - somewhat - charming film. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many, Many Thanks.   For those of you who would like to donate to this undying

Samurai Dhampir - Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust What an incredible find! This week Mr. Chavez & I return to the world of Japanese Anime with this discussion of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's 2000 Dark Vampire Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. Coming fifteen years after Toyoo Ashida's Vampire Hunter D, what Kawajiri creates is breathtaking. Simply put, Japanese Anime expands the boundaries and expectations of "Traditional" American Animation. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Kawajiri's tale of a half human/half vampire hired to track and rescue a wealthy man's kidnapped daughter. In a story that mirrors - to a degree - Richard Brooks's The Professionals, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust takes a simple, and rather familiar, story and emboldens it with some of the most beautiful animation ever committed to film. There is a great deal to admire here. Take a listen as Ibrahim & I are overwhelmed and excited to talk. We hope you enjoy this episode. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo

Fanged Housemates - Taika Waititi & Jermaine Clemente's What We Do in the Shadows This week Mr. Chavez & I dive into the World of Reality Cinema with Taika Waittit & Jermaine Clemente's 2014 mockumentary, What We Do in the Shadows. A comical look at the undead that misses more often that it hits, Waititi & Clemente take a reality television approach to the vampire legend, both literary and cinematic. As always, we look at the film and dive into the history of movies that have inspired this film as well as the direction that these types of films have begun to move. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Someone To Die For: Ariane Louis-Seize's Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person The title alone may put off some audiences, however to do pass on this film would be a mistake. The rare film that explores genre with an intent to experiment, open up, and entertain, Louis-Seize's French-Canadian co-production is an exciting and beautifully realized look at a coming-of-age story wedged into the Horror genre. The story of a young female vampire who refuses to kill, Louis-Seize's story is a moving and intellectually stimulating examination of genre story-telling. Take a watch . . . we dont' think you'll be disappointed. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Mamuwalde Unchained: William Crain's Blacula  Well Boys & Girls, this week Mr. Chavez & I begin our yearly dive into Horror, returning to the genre with a search for lesser-known, less-discussed titles in the Vampire sub-genre. Over the next two months we will be traveling to Korea, Canada, the American Southwest, a post-apocalyptic Japan, and New Zealand. This week we start in Transylvania and travel to Los Angeles with 1972s Blaxploitation Classic, Blacula. A film with a mixed reputation, there certainly is a great deal to admire in William Crain's re-imagining of the Dracula legend. One of the most powerful aspect is the performance of its lead actor William Marshall. Much of what we do here is an examination of cinema in the popular culture, social history, and an embracing of the "what-if's" - There are quite a few that this film raises. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Thanks.  For those of you who would like to do

Pilot Going Down: Robert Zemeckis's Flight This week we close out our Denzel Washington Love Fest with - arguably - one of his best performances. In 2012 Mr. Washington would team with Director Robert Zemeckis for Flight, a film that is rarely discussed, but that has powerfully affected this film watcher. For this episode, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to watch, examine, and discuss this incredible performance that touches on the fraility of humanity and the dangers of addiction. Denzel Washington with supporting performances from Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood, John Goodman, Melissa Leo, an early star-making turn from Yellowstone's, Kelly Reilly, and Director Robert Zemeckis, the elements for brilliance are obvious. Take a listen and decide for yourself if the praise is deserved. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and

Battle for the Conn: Tony Scott's Crimson Tide You can never get enough Denzel Washington. This week Mr. Chavez & I sit down to talk the first of five collaborations with director Tony Scott, 1995s Crimson Tide. This first collaboration of Washington and Scott would fall almost directly in the middle of Scott's career and would be the fourth collaboration between Scott and the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer producing behemoth. This episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos takes a look at the relationship between Scott and his producing partners; the creation of the look and style that would come to define a great deal of 80s and 90s action films, as well as the relationship betwen Scott's style and what would later be adopted and expanded on by Michael Bay. We also take a look at the tremendous star power in pitting Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman against one another in a film that makes palpable argument for both of their characters. Two of the greatest actors of the last quarter of the 20th Century elevating

Denzel Wandering the Wasteland: The Hughes Brothers' The Book of Eli There are few great actors who can also be considered movie stars. Denzel Washington is certainly on that short list. A few weeks back we discussed his crowning achievement, Malcolm X. In 2010 he would produce and star in the Hughes Bros. directed, The Book of Eli. The rare instance of an action film with a purpose beyond mere entertainment, The Hughes Bros. brought to the screen one of the great "neglected" films of the 21st Century. In a post-apocalyptic world, Washington plays Eli, a man wandering the desolate remanants of America on a mission. For those who have seen the movie there is very little to say in this blurb, except that the film is far greater than the attention it has received. For those who have not seen it, you're in for a treat. Take a listen as we look at this neglected film and the performances of Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Malcolm McDowell, and Jennifer Beals. Truly an Underrated Film. Take a listen and let us

Neo-Nazi Family Drama: Tony Kaye's American History X Some films simply don't age well. With the passing years the problems of a narrative can become glaring. Such is the case with Tony Kaye's American History X (1998). A difficult subject that would have been better served with a revised script and a stronger director, American History X  suffers from a forced and simplistic narrative. Good performances and interesting cinematography (by director Kaye) are simply not enough to overcome a story that my partner dismsses as "after-school special". Although this film is widely admired in some circles, your favorite movie podcasters are less than impressed. Take a listen as we break down the problems this film carries. It's an interesting conversation; continuing our look at a collapsing and disintegrating America. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buyme

A Time for Martyrs: Spike Lee's Malcolm X  Last Week Spike Lee, Ernest Dickerson, and Denzel Washington started Mr. Chavez & Myself on an artistic, political, and introspective journey. We originally intended to discuss this masterpiece in one episode, however art, life, and the conversation often dictate a different outcome. Last week was the "making" of Malcolm X, this week WatchThis W/RickRamos dives into the beauty, power, and ground-breaking nature of this labor of love/passion project/grand cinematic statement. It is rare when so many of the cinematic elements come together to make a powerful and important statement of this type. In 1992 Malcolm X did just that. This week we sit down to remember and praise a truly great film. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many, Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appre

By Any Means Necessary: Spike Lee & The Making of Malcolm X  Cinema can change attitudes, englighten ignorance, strengthen understanding and faith. In 1992 director Spike Lee would partner with star Denzel Washington and long-time cinematographer (and NYU schoolmate) Ernest Dickerson to bring to the big screen the life of one of the most important firgures of the 20th Century, Malcolm Little to become "Red" to become Malcolm X, to become el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. In an expansive narrative that covers over four decades and - could be argued - encapsulates the experience of Black life in the history of the United States, Spike Lee's Academy Award ignored film (save Denzel Washington's Best Actor Nomination that was lost to Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman) is certainly one of the great artistic, social, and political achievements of the 20th Century. What started out as a reflection on this thirty-three year old film quickly revealed itself as a subject that would demand two episodes to truly understand Lee,