Watch This With Rick Ramos

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#301 - Oliver Stone's Nixon - WatchThis W/RickRamos Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

"I am America. I'm a winner who lost every battle, up to and including the war. I am not the American nightmare. I am the American Dream. Period. That's why the system works. Because I am the system. Period."

The Life, Times, & Cinema of Richard Milhous Nixon - 37th President of the United States

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I finish out our examination of Presidential Politics with a look at The Life & Times of Richard Milhous Nixon. The Vietnam War, The Watergate Scandal, and the subsequent resignation of the 37th president. There's a great deal to talk about and there are numerous parallels to our current political environment. This week we focus on Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995), Alan J. Pakula's All the President's Men (1976), and - finally - Robert Altman's Secret Honor (1984). Three great films that beautifully and powerfully capture the controversy, struggles, and nuances of Richard Nixon.

Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Love & Thanks.

#300 - John Belushi: A Remembrance - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

Blue-Collar Immigrant, Breaking All of the Rules - Belushi (2020)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, I find myself flying solo because of audio problems. My good friend and podcast partner, Mr. Ibrahim Chavez, is unable to join me this week, so I find myself forced to go it alone. This week the podcast is dedicated to the memory of SNL Legend, John Belushi. From the First Class of "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players" through groundbreaking roles in National Lampoon's: Animal House (1978) & The Blues Brothers (1980), both from director John Landis, Belushi was a proven powerhouse. He was one of the greats and I love sitting down to remember this great comic through the recent Showtime documentary Belushi (2020 - Dir. R.J. Cutler). It doesn't stop there. I also look at the career of his cast-mate, Gilda Radner. With a recently released documentary from director Lisa D'Apolito - Love, Gilda (2018). That's the episode. Take a listen. It's a li'l bit personal. Hope you like it. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support.

#299 - Oliver Stone's JFK - WatchThis W/Rick Ramos Nov 23, 2020

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"A Patriot Must Always Be Ready To Defend His Country Against His Government" - Jim Garrison

Oliver Stone's JFK (1991)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a masterpiece of cinema, and Oliver Stone's greatest achievement, JFK (1991). Fifty-Seven years later, the controversy surrounding that fateful day in November continues to haunt our country. Oliver Stone's dramatization and exploration of the Kennedy Assination, the controversy surrounding the Warren Report, Louisiana District Attorney, Jim Garrison's prosecution of Louisiana Businessman, Clay Shaw (the only case ever brought to court regarding the Kennedy Assasination) and our nation's continued fascination with the paranoia and perceived conspiracy of the assassination shaped and drove one of the greatest films ever made. With an all-star cast including Kevin Costner as Garrison, Ed Asner, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Candy, Michael Rooker, Jay Sanders, Laurie Metcalf, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gary Oldman. A truly great film that we are thrilled to discuss. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support.

#298 - Election 2020: The Comey Rule - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 16, 2020

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The Fat Man Won't Sing: Showtime's The Comey Rule

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss the Showtime original film, The Comey Rule. This is a hit-and-miss film that falls short of doing it's subject matter justice. Featuring Jeff Daniels as former F.B.I. Chief James Comey and Brendan Gleeson as President Donald J. Trump, as well as a host of character actors filling in various supporting roles, this is a film that had a great deal of potential, but is one that we take great issue with. I'll leave it at that, so that you can take a listen and determine for yourself if our criticism is fair and balanced. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Most Sincere Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support.

#297 - Election 2020: 1984/V For Vendetta - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

Inventing the Past; Creating the Future; Controlling the Present - George Orwell's 1984 & V for Vendetta

On this week's cinematic adventure, Mr. Chavez & I sit down and continue our stroll through Politics, exploring cinema as a way of better understanding this strange and dangerous world. This week we take a look at one of the great works of literature, George Orwell's 1948 masterpiece 1984. This Michael Radford film has great beauty, power, and importance. It is a thrill to sit down and watch two greats, Sir John Hurt and - in his last screen appearance - Richard Burton. We discuss the film and the source material for a continuing worried and paranoid look at "Groupthink" and "Big Brother" as it exists in our world. We couple this screening with the James McTiegue directed (Wachowski produced) V for Vendetta. Take a listen and feel free to contribute at gondoramos@yahoo.com if you agree, disagree, or have anything to add. Thanks for the continued love and support.

#296 - Election 2020 - A Face in the Crowd - WatchThis W/RickRamos Nov 03, 2020

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"There's Nothing As Trustworthy . . . As The Ordinary Mind-Of The Ordinary Man" - Lonesome Rhodes

November Goddammit! We're starting our dive into politics with one of the greatest looks into the media end of the political system - The Elia Kazan directed, Bud Schulberg scripted 1957 Classic A Face in the Crowd. This is an incredibly important film that feels essential to our understanding of the current political system. Featuring a star-making debut from Andy Griffith, and supporting roles for Patricia Neal, Lee Remick, and Walter Matthau, there's not a great deal that I can put down on this one. All I want to say is that I found it an incredibly moving film that we should have paid attention to in 2015. The episode isn't fully focused on Kazan's film, as I veer off into a political rant on this, my 46th birthday. Take a listen and celebrate with me as I treat myself and you to one of the great warnings in cinematic history.

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

#295 - Frankenstein - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

"Made me from dead. I love dead . . . hate living."

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/Rickramos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss one of the great stories of cinema, the James Whale directed Fankenstein (1931) & The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). The legend of Baron Victor (Henry in the original film) Frankenstein has enraptured audiences since it's first publication as Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus in 1818 by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. The novel was a sensation when first published, however it would become iconic after the iconic, star-making performance of English actor Boris Karloff. Karloff would become immortalized in his three portrayals of the creature - Frankenstein (1931), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939).

Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I discuss these great films and the Frankenstein mythology that rings true even in modern-day society.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks For Your Continued Love & Support.

#294 - Ten Horror Films That Keep Coming Back - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

There Are Things to Fear - Ten Horror Films to Go Back to

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez is absent so Mr. Ramos is forced to fly solo and talk "Ten Films That Continue to Scare the Hell Out of Him". Horror, Serial Killers, Thrillers, Chillers, Chainsaws, Sideshows, Monsters & Mad Scientists . . . the Horror Genre has never been one to shy away from doing what is necessary to get the scare. Sit back and take a listen as Mr. Ramos talks ten films that continue to scare the shit out of him. Hope you agree and hope you take that leap into films that you had only heard about, but were too afraid to watch. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com.

Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support.

#293 - Stanley Kubrick's The Shining - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 18, 2020

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Stanley Kubrick's The Shining - Is a Scare Ever Really Just a Scare?

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the great films of Modern Horror Cinema - Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining (1980). It's important to recognize Stephen King's role in this film. So often Kubrick is given sole credit for all that is on screen. Even if King's dissatisfaction with the film has been incredibly vocal through the years, we have to discuss what his original creation means to the final product. Without a doubt it's an incredible film and a great deal of this is due to Kubrick's vision, but also the violent, intense, and captivating performance of Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, the innocence of Danny Lloyd, a beautifully nuanced Scatman Crothers, and a pained and painful performance by Shelley Duvall that can only be called soul-draining. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez and I look back on this classic of paranoia and terror. We also spend time discussing Rodney Ascher's strange, warped, and confused Room 237 (2012). The less said, the better. Take a listen . . . it makes for an interesting conversation.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

#292 - John Carpenter's The Fog - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 11, 2020

Show notes

A Modern-Day Ghost Story - John Carpenter's: The Fog

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I return to one of the great filmmakers of the 70's & 80's and a Master of the Horror Genre . . . John Carpenter's The Fog. This is a film that neither of your reviewers had seen before this episode. With the power of Carpenter's surrounding filmography, there are certainly expectations to be met. Some of these are achieved and some of them are not. Take a listen as Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss what works, what doesn't work, and what this film means to the Horror Genre.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Thanks For Your Continued Love & Support.

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