Watch This With Rick Ramos

Mutual Doomsday: Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove/Sidney Lumet's Fail Safe  Recording a mere two days before Donald Trump fired on Iran, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss nuclear war and the incredible self-destructiveness of humankind. In 1963 Stanley Kubrick would direct one of his earliest masterpieces. With a ridiculous and hilarious George C. Scott, frighteningly honest Sterling Hayden, and a briliant Peter Sellars in a trio of roles that stands as one of the (three) greatest comic performances in cinema. There is a great deal going on in this film, however much of it's power has been dismissed as mere comedy. Surprisingly, a second film from 63 would provide an even more powerful statement of the danger of nuclear war. Sidney Lumet's film would die in the shadow of Kubrick's great comedy. On this episode Mr. Chavez & I are thrilled to do our part to bring light to this criminally neglected film. Take a lesson and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many, Many Thanks.  For those

Kill Along to Get Along: Bernardo Bertolucci's The Conformist Does Life Imitate Art or Does Art Predict and Comment on Life?  Regardless of Bernardo Bertolucci's reputation - admitted questionable actions in the realization of art - the Italian filmmaker is regarded as one of the great Auteurs of Cinema. Films from 1900 (1976) thru the Oscar-winning The Last Emperor (1987), and the controversial (artistically and production-wise) Last Tango in Paris (1972), have explored the human eperience through Sexuality, Social Taboos, Class Conflict, and - in his directorial debut 1970s The Conformist, Politics. Lensed by the great Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, The Conformist may have some of the most beautiful images ever captured in Cinema while telling a story of Political Ideology,  Conformity, and the rise of Fascism.  Questions rise in this 1970 film that have surprisingly presented themselves again over fifty years later. This is a difficult film in viewing, however it is incredibly important in what

Citizen Accused: Orson Welle's Film of Franz Kafka's The Trial Few authors can lay claim to creating a genre, however it could be argued that Franz Kafka did just that with stories like The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, and this week's cinematic adaptation, The Trial. The term Kafkaesque , instantly builds a sense of excitement, confusion, and paranoia in readers - many whom are only familiar with the term and not necessarily the author. This week we look at Orson Welle's 1962 adaptation of Kafka's 1925 classic, The Trial.  Set (15 minutes?) in the future, Welle's beautifully realizes the confusion and terror that has made Kafka's unfinished original work a classic. It's a thrill for Mr. Chavez & I to sit down and dive into a bold and daring exploration of a famed and cherished writer, by one of the great masters of the cinema. Take a listen and ask yourself how much you see of Kafka and Welles' visions in today's troubling world. Thanks for listening. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yaho

Forest vs Iron Town: Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration of Japanese anime with a look at 1997s beautiful and breathtaking Princess Mononoke. Mr. Chavez & I are both very new to the world of anime . . . these episodes are our ntroduction to this magnificent world. Featuring story elements of traditional folk tales, the hero's journey, and environment warnings. This is a magnificent motion picture; leading us into deeper and more rewarding viewings. A good beginning and a promising journey. Take a listen and let us know if you agreee. 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 Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

High School Murder Tournament - Kinji Fukasuku's Battle Royale  This week Mr. Chavez & I look back to the beginning of the new millennium and an examination of the paranoia, violence, and uncertainty societies all over the world were facing. In 2000 Japanese director Kinji Fukasuku would bring to the screen one of the most controversial, thought-provoking, and challenging films of the new century. Battle Royale would stun and anger audiences in Japan and - later - throughout the world with its (seemingly) hopelessly dystopian look at a future not very distant from our own. Societies are breaking down and youth violence is running rampant; In the tradition of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange as well as considerable debt to William Golding's 1954 novel, The Lord of the Flies, Fukasuku combines his influences in a world that resembles "reality television" without the cameras. It's a difficult and challenging movie that rewards its viewer with a sense of purpose that could have easily been overlooked. Take a list

Franchises, Sex Tapes, & The Future of Film On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I dive back into the archives to remember this 10 year journey. A John Turturro working-class musical, a Sean Penn/Gary Oldman/Ed Harris Hell's Kitchen crime drama, Defining Decades, and a Salute to Martin Scorsese . . . This week we look back to episodes #411-416 in this continuing Journey of Self-Indulgence. We hope you're enjoying this look back as much as we are enjoying talking it. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many 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.

Superficial Sci-Fi: Rupert Sanders' Ghost in the Shell On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I dive into Rupert Sanders' 2017 live-action re-imagining of Mamoru Oshii's 1995 Anime-Classic, Ghost in the Shell.  There are so many things that can go wrong with an adaptation and Sanders manages to check many of those boxes. From casting Scarlett Johansson  in the lead role through a amateurish handling of theme and purpose - the film is - certainly - beautiful to look at, however it misses out on so much that made the oringal anime both special and important. In an attempt to be all things to all audiences, the film fails to capture the existential ideas and philosophical statements of the original material (manga and anime film). We may be wrong, but you'd have to mount an argument against what we have to say. Feel free to let us know what you think . . . 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 con

Cyborg Awakening: Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell From time to time this podcast allows Mr. Chavez & Myself the opportunity to explore new genre's. With the encouragement and recommendations of WatchThis listeners, we have had the opportunity to engage in new experiences a number of times. Some of these new viewings have been from The World of Japanese Anime (Thank You, Mr. Burroughs!). This week we dive into one of the very best, Mamoru Oshii's 1995 dystopian masterpiece Ghost in the Shell. It is rare that a film is able to deliver on so many different levels (entertaining/exciting - insightful/thought-provoking), but this is precisely what Oshii's film does. What could have been a simple and obvious look into a bleak and misery-infused Science-Fiction future is, rather, an insightful and compelling examination of Artificial Intelligence, The Soul . . . its relation to the species and culture, and intellectual and emotional awareness. This is an incredible film that mixes Fritz Lang, Blade Runner, mart

Synthetic Sexuality: Alex Garland's Ex Machina AI continues to hold our fascination. This week Mr. Chavez & I dive into Alex Garland's examination of Artificial Intelligence with 2014s Ex Machina. Set, as Garland describes, "Ten minutes from now," Ex Machina is a fascinating film with exceptional performances from Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander. Few films are able to capture the subtleties and realities of science fiction paranoia with this level of skill. As these talks have continued over the last few episodes, the paranoia is becoming greater as the realities of our world begin to live up to predictions.  Garland does  creative and powerful work; asking questions and presenting situations that seem to be more likely than simple imagination. Take a listen and let us know what you think . . . 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 - An

Bad Bitch, Cyborg, & Liquid Metal: James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgement Day Go to last week's introduction to James Cameron's The Terminator . . . fast-forward seven years. Sarah Connor is no longer a "damsel in distress". James Cameron has worked his Sigourney Weaver magical transformation on another heroine, creating one of the great female action stars in all of cinema. Once again, Sarah Connor is facing the destruction of the world. However this time she is fully aware of the danger in front, behind, above, and below. Cameron's imagination - coupled with a sheer will and an (at that time) unheard of and unlimited budget, would unleash one of the greatest sequels of all time. Basically a remake of the first film with a series of adjustments to continue the story in a logical manner, Cameron proved that imagination and drive could make up for the simplicity of a plot that had been presented before - Cinema is no stranger to The Apocalypse in its many forms. Take a listen as we reminisce on this incre

Skynet AI 2029: James Cameron's The Terminator  If you grew up in the 1980s, you were living in a decade that would be controlled by raunchy teen sex comedies (Porky's, My Tutor, Private Lessons), John Hughes (The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off), and the emergence of straight to video. However there was one genre that stood above all others and would forever alter the output of Hollywood. Action films had always been a part of Hollywood, however the 1980s would unleash the talents of Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis, as well as lesser box office talents such as Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damme, and the continuing presence of 70s holdover, Chuck Norris. One name would stand above all others, however. Inhabiting the title role of the 1984 B-Movie, Low-Budget Classic, The Terminator, Director James Cameron would establish Austrian-born, seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger, as - possibly - the greatest Action-Star to ever grace the Big Screen. The Terminator would change cine

Gonzo Hellscape: Terry Gilliam's Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas In 1998 Director Terry Gilliam - a director whose cinematic career has been fraught with difficulty on the level of Job (see 2002s Lost in La Mancha) was finally successful in bringing to the screen Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 Classic roman á clef of excess, paranoia, idealism, and disappointment, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. A polariizing film upon its release in 1998, Giliam's interpretation of Thompson's 1971 vision is both awe-inspiring and troubling. There is a tremendous amount to admire in this film while at the same time there is a tremendous amount to be critical of . . . We tackle both perspectives and struggle to find some greater understanding of the late 60s, early 70s, and pain and disappointment of the 2nd decade of a new millennium. It's an interesting and volatile discussion between two friends. Take a listen and let us know what yout think about our reaction to Thompson's

This week we continue digging through the archives to remember the past ten years of WatchThis W/RickRamos. (Episodes #395 - #410) Great Episodes . . . Great Discussions.  We dive into Mr. Chavez's Favorite Cinematic Decade - The 1990s, as well as looks at Horror both Domestic and International: Dante/Carpenter/Craven & Cronenberg/Kobayashi/Na Hong-jin/Jodorowsky, Oliver Stone, Defining the 80s, but we start everything with a terrific, exciting, worthy re-boot of the Predator series, Prey. We're having a hell of a good time remembering these episodes. Take a listen and let us know what you think - 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 Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Godzilla, the 60s, Hopes, & Monsters  A return to 10 years of WatchThis W/RickRamos - This week we return to the vault to look at one of the greatest movie monsters of all time . . . Toho's Godzilla. We look back on the tumultuous 1960s and the changing face of Cinema, Monsters, and Hopes for the Future. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We can be reached at gondormaos@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 Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.  

Cynicism, Rogan, & What Would Carlin Say? - Remembering 500 Episodes We come back to this celebration as we look through the archives and reminisce and what these episodes have meant to us. Take a listen as we remember the good times, arguments, and great cultural gifts that Pop Culture, Music, Television, and - of course - Cinema have gifted us. It's a fun conversation . . . We hope you enjoy it. Send us your thioughts: 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 Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Carry the Fire, Get to the Coast: John Hillcoat's The Road  Bleak & Dark, Hopeless & Beautiful . . . On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss one of the most brutal and powerful films to emerge from the studio system in decades. In 2009 Director John Hillcoat adapted Cormac McCarthy's 2006 novel The Road. Featuring a career best Viggo Mortensen as "Man" and newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee as "Boy" - two of the last surviving humans, left to wander the desperate and perilous remains of a world rapidly dying. There's only so much that should be said in this synopsis. The magic of a viewing is in the discovery. It's a thrill for the both of us to watch, conemplate, and discuss this film. Take a listen. We hope you enjoy it. 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 Everyth

Dumbing Down the Future - Mike Judge's Idiocracy This is an especially fun one! This week Mr. Chavez & I take a trip into a very funny, very frightening, and very likely future. In 2006 20th Century Fox released Mike Judge's Idiocracy in a manner that almost guaranteed that no one would ever see it.  . . . but the film would survive. Judge's bleak and pessiimistic vision of the future - the year 2505 - would find a cult audience that would embrace its hilarious prediction of a Professional Wrestler President, warehouse stores as a kind of Mecca, Fast-Food Restaurants as cheap, disgusting food and sex providers, and a population of such minimal intelligence that an "Average Joe" cryogenically frozen and awoken in the future would find himself the "Smartest Man on Earth". Judge spares no targets and we are grateful for the ride Idiocracy takes its viewers on. There's a whole lot to unpack here. Great Satire is usually ahead of its time and that is surely the case with this film. Judge would later joke, "I'm

Dreams with Gilliam, The Rolling Stones Through the Years,  The Silent Voice, The Magic of Tarkovsky, Zappa, A Trio of Very Different Noir On this week's episode Mr. Chavez & I return to reminiscing on 500 shows. We begin with the beauty and magic of Terry Gilliam with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, through a look at Rock 'N Roll and The Rolling Stones, A beginning series of movies that defined their decades, the beauty of Soviet Cinema with Andrei Tarkovsky, and The Dark Brilliance of Film Noir. It's a fun look back; We hope you'll take the ride with us. Many Thanks. We can always be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com.  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.

Cinematic Karma - Stanley Kubrick's                     A Clockwork Orange  WatchThis fan and BuyMeACoffee contributor, Alan Lamberg, suggests this week's title, Stanley Kubrick's 1971 controversial (masterpiece - ?), A Clockwork Orange. In the late 60s and early 70s the cinematic landscape was changing and evolving into a very different creature. Arthur Penn's Bonnie & Clyde and Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch would usher in a new era of cinematic violence. Stanley Kubrick would soon pick up the baton and create one of the most polarizing and controversial films ever made. From the novella by Anthony Burgess, Kubrick would create a dystopian England that would change the attitudes and expectations of film audiences. With a powerful and compelling performance by Malcolm McDowell, A Clockwork Orange has riveted audiences since its premiere in 1971. Fifty plus years later we have to ask ourselves if the film continues to offend and frighten as it did those many years ago. Mr. Chavez & I definitely have o

Whitey Saves the Day, Jake Won't Go Down, The Beatles Break Up, & More This week Mr. Chavez & I return to a project that began in the middle of last year, releasing an episode recorded many months ago, and exploring the first 500 shows of WatchThis W/RickRamos. It's taken some time to get back to this, but we find ourselves returning to Memory Lane and plan on spending the next few months peppering the podcast with our reflections on what has come before; what it meant then, what it means now, and what it may mean in the future. A whole lot to unwrap, but we're having a great time doing it. This week reflections on: Denis Villeneuve's Dune, Scorsese's Raging Bull, Hitchcock's Rear Window, and Peter Jackson's The Beatles: Get Back. The opinions are as strong as ever. We thank you for taking the trip with us. 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.buyme