Watch This With Rick Ramos

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,

Chaos, Frame by Frame: Alex Garland's Civil War We're on top of it. The podcast continues to look into the possible disintegration of this country. We've discussed dystopias, comical and deadly serious looks at atomic annhilation, immigration abuse, fascism, paranoia, and now the full-on dissolution of the country. Last year Alex Garland directed Civil War a well-acted, interesting look at the fracturing of the United States. It's a problematic film that - probably - bit off far more than it could possibly chew. There's a great deal to admire in this film, including an exceptional Kirsten Dunst, however the film itself falls short of capturing a realistic and compelling scenario that would inhabit this story. Take a listen and let us know if you agree, disagree, or are unsure. As always, we can be reached at 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 - A

Total Massacre - Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins  Not a whole lot is better this week, so Mr. Chavez & I find ourselves digging deeper into an examination, coping, and understanding of Fascism, Cruelty, and Troubling Political Rule with this week's film, Takashi Miike's 2010 13 Assassins. Miike's vision is typically brutal, violent, and magnificent. 13 Assassins exceeds the critical constraints of your "Typical Action Film" with a look at Samurai Culture during the Edo Period (1603-1868 - in this case, 1844). With a strong debt to Akira Kurosawa and Seven Samurai, Miike's film is an action-packed drama that holds a mirror to society and the abuses of power seen throughout history. A fifteen year old film, set nearly 200 years in the past, 13 Assassins has a great deal to teach, if we are willing to learn. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - This is a damn good talk - Many Thanks.  For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a c

Operation Wetback: Richard "Cheech" Marin's Born in East L.A.  Somethings refuse to change and what was true three and a half decades ago continues to be true today. With a nation struggling under the hand of an adminstration refusing to look at human beings as anything more than numbers, "Cheech" Marin's Born in East L.A. seems even more relevant today than it did when it premiered in the summer of 1987. Marin's film (the first of his projects after the end of his partnership as the ground-breaking comedy troupe, Cheech & Chong) is a - at points a silly and slapdash - look at immigration, deportation, and the struggle for the American Dream. I would argue that it's the "Most Chicano" film ever made; the one that most accurately depicts the experience of being Mexican-American, working and living in the United States. Marin's film is silly and - at times - sloppy, but it has true heart and a point of view rarely seen in cinema before and since. As always, the film is a stepping stone to the conversation t

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