Watch This With Rick Ramos

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#521 - Revenge - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 19, 2024

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Sun-Soaked Rape-sploitation: Coralie Fargeat's Revenge

Sometimes a film fails, but the conversation it inspires is worth the viewing; That appears to be the case with this week's discussion of Coralie Fargeat's 2017 beautifully shot, thinly plotted, obvious and disappointing exploitation film, Revenge. Fargeat (director of last week's episode, The Substance) proves a capable, but limited story-teller. Mr. Chavez and I use Fargeat's film as a jumping off point to understand the rape and revenge genre with comparisons to I Spit on Your Grave, Death Wish (I & 2), and Kill Bill Vol. I & II. What was an unsatisfying and critically disappointing movie watching experience proved to be an interesting and challenging (for us, at least) discussion. We're hoping you share in our enthusiasm. Take a listen . . . we don't think you'll be disappointed. Many Thanks. We can 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.

#520 - The Substance - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 12, 2024

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Young, Hot, Horrible - Coralie Fargeat's The Substance

November brings with it a return to the theaters as I venture into the multiplex (and Mr. Chavez grabs up a streaming subscription) for Coralie Fargeat's critically acclaimed attack on Womens' Aging in Tinsel Town, the Male Gaze, Vanity, with a Twilight Zone-like look at an industry that both makes stars and disposes of them in the most cruel and emotionless of ways. There's a whole lot to admire in Coralie Fargeat's sophomore effort, however how much of it is successful, and how much of it is obvious and labored, is what will drive this discussion. Take a listen and see if you agree with our assessments of this art-house effort that is garnering a great deal of attention for its audacity and the performances of Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks.

#519 - Vampires, The Crow, Carrie, and Evil Dead - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 07, 2024

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Blood - Old & New, Tragedy on the Set, Author & Director, and an Unholy Alliance

Back to the Memories. This week Mr. Chavez & I return to reminiscing on the past decade with a look at episodes ranging from the History of Vampires in Cinema, the loss of Brandon Lee on the set of The Crow, the first imagining of Stephen King in Brian De Palma's Carrie, and - finally - our introduction to a cabin in the woods, the Necronomicon, Ash Williams, and the warped mind of Sam Raimi. Take a listen . . . We're having a great time remembering WatchThis W/RickRamos. Take a listen and let us know that you're having a good time - gondoramos@yahoo.com

#518 - Creepshow 2 - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 28, 2024

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A$$Holes Learn a Lesson - Michael Gornick's Creepshow 2

This week Mr. Chavez & I close out our Annual Halloween episodes with a look at 1987s Creepshow follow-up Creepshow 2 - already creatively innovative. Although not a great film - and lacking the charm, inventiveness, and professionalism of the original - Michael Gornick's (taking over directorial duties from George A. Romero) sequel is fun - but also forgettable. The film is enjoyable if you let go of your expectations, dive into the nostalgia, and remember it's a dumb, fun Horror film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We can always be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. We appreciate your continued support.

#517 - King on Screen - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 22, 2024

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Ribbon of Darkness: Daphné Baiwir's King on Screen

The Halloween Season is coming to a close. Mr. Chavez & I are concluding with a look at the prolific and celebrated novelist, Stephen King. First we begin with a look at Daphné Baiwir's 2022 - French/Belgian financed - Documentary, King on Screen. More a talking head celebration of Stephen King's film adaptations than any kind of serious examination of the novelists work; the subtle difference here is that the majority of the talking heads are directors/producers/screenwriters of Stephen King's film adaptations. Pure fluff, however fluff that leads your favorite podcast through The Looking Glass and into a world of subtlety, grotesqueries, inventiveness, violence, and humanity. The movie is a lot of fun, and - as always - we are even more fun discussing it. Take a listen. You'll have a good time.

As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

#516 - Dracula aka Horror of Dracula - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 15, 2024

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Old Fangs for a New Monster: Terrence Fisher's Dracula aka Horror of Dracula

October continues to roll along. This week Mr. Chavez & I dive into the world of English Horror with 1958's Dracula aka Horror of Dracula. Although a flawed film that feels lazily directed, Terrence Fisher's film is our introduction to one of the great Dracula's of the Silver Screen - The Brilliant and Mesmerizing Christopher Lee. Lee would appear as Dracula nine times and is probably the most recognized Dracula after Bela Lugosi. Dracula (1958) would create a different kind of menace and a defiantly sexier Dracula. Lee is ably assisted by his on-screen nemesis and acting partner, Peter Cushing, as Van Helsing. The two of these men taking on such iconic roles is more than enough reason to look into this film.

We hope you enjoy our talk. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.

#515 - Onibaba - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 10, 2024

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Phantoms of the Field: Kaneto Shindō's Onibaba

From time to time, Mr. Chavez & I stumble on what can lovingly be referred to as "hidden cinematic gems". A few weeks ago we discovered (for ourselves, at least) a rarely seen "cult classic" - Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls. As we continue our look into the Horror genre we discover another film that deserves much greater attention. In 1964 Japanese director, Kaneto Shindō directed a disturbing and rather compelling look into relationships strained by the struggles and horrors of war and the power and drive for survival. Onibaba is Shindo's examination of three people (two women - mother-in-law and daughter - and a man) living, suffering, and fighting for survival through a war-ravaged 14th Century Kyoto.

Filmed in beautiful widescreen (2.35:1) Black & White, Shindō's film beautifully captures the war-ravaged countryside (overwhelmingly tall plant stalks) and the people who will murder samurai to survive one day at a time. The talk focuses on the movie, and - as always - steers into a discussion of emotion, humanity, fear, paranoia, and violence. Take a listen . . . it's a fun talk. We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.

#514 - House - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 30, 2024

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Seven Bloody Schoolgirls: Nobuhiko Obayashi's House

There are times when reputation precedes a viewing yet nothing can really prepare you for what you are about to see. Recently Mr. Chavez & I continued our dive into the Halloween Holiday Season with a search for new, frightening, strange, and acclaimed films. This week we stumbled on Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 Japanese Cult Classic House. As is often the case, your two favorite movie talkers are at odds with what we take from this film. Mr. Chavez enjoyed the film's inventiveness and originality, while I found it ponderous, boring, and without any kind of interesting focus. Take a listen as eacxh of us argue our points regarding this difficult and surprising film. We can always be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.

#513 - Carnival of Souls - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 25, 2024

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Ghost Dance for the Organ Girl: Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls

This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our celebration of the Halloween season with a little-seen and incredibly influential cult film from 1962, Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls. This is truly discovering diamonds in the landfill. Herk Harvey - a director and producer of industrial and educational films based in Lawrence, Kansas - would create one of the most influential films in cinema that would, somehow, remain almost completely unknown. Harvey's film would be dismissed upon its intitial 1962 release, but would find an audience through television screenings (it was in the public domain) and public arthouse screenings beginning in 1989. Watching the film, it is easy to see Harvey's influence on such varied directors as David Lynch and James Wan, however its strongest influence seems to be on George A. Romero's first zombie film, NIght of the Living Dead. Take a listen as I introduce this forgotten classic to Mr. Chavez and we dig into the power of its images, sound design, and story. It's a fun talk. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.

#512 - Drag Me to Hell - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 17, 2024

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The Beggar, The Blonde, and The Button: Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell

Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I continue our annual exploration of Horror for this Halloween Season. This week my podcast partner & I take a look at Sam Raimi's 2009 return to the Horror/Comedy genre. A modest hit when initially released, Raimi's film has developed somewhat of a cult following. Herein lies part of the problem . . . on this week's episode Mr. Chavez & I discuss the importance of the audience experience in enjoying a film of this type. It's a changing movie-watching world. Take a listen to see if you agree with our assessment of how an audience can affect the experience. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.

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