Watch This With Rick Ramos

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#271 - Oldboy (2003/2013) - WatchThis W/RickRamos May 26, 2020

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Weep and You Weep Alone - Park Chan-wook & Spike Lee's Oldboy (2003/2013)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss a film that did much to establish South Korea as a major force in International Filmmaking, Park Chan-wook's 2003 paranoia-riddled Oldboy. One of the earliest films to establish South Korea cinema, Oldboy has only grown in it's importance. Park's look at a man who is imprisoned for 15 years without any knowledge of his crime or who he has wronged takes elements of Hitchcock and reinvents them into a modern and disturbing story.

With the financial and critical success of Park's film, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood would attempt a re-imagining. For years Spike Lee's 2013 take on the material would be derided, however it is the opinion of these two critics that Lee (although not completely successful) has made an interesting and challenging film that is not entirely deserving of the criticism that has been heaped on it. Take a listen and formulate your own opinion.

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

#270 - The Warriors - WatchThis W/RickRamos May 18, 2020

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Can You Dig It? -

The Warriors: Walter Hill's Exhaustive Look at Youth Culture

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I take a look at one of the great "Cult" Films of the 1970s - Walter Hill's imagining of Xenophon's Anabasis (look it up). Hill has been a favorite of mine for some time. It's a pleasure to dive into his filmography - Hard Times, 48 Hours, Southern Comfort, The Long Riders. Hill has been one of the great figures in American Action Cinema. His work has been criminally-neglected in critical circles. It's time for that to change. Ibrahim & I are excited to continue our look into cult, midnight, and underground cinema. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Our Continued Thanks.

#269 - Robocop (1987/2014) - WatchThis W/RickRamos May 12, 2020

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More Human Than Human - The Legacy of Robocop

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss Paul Verhoeven's 1987 Action-Satire Classic, Robocop as well as it's 2014 remake (from director José Padilha). It's a fun discussion that breaks down what works beautifully in one film and fails miserably in the other. We also discuss the passing of Rock 'N Roll Architect and Legend Richad Penniman, better known as Little Richard. We've got a lot to say. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

#268 - Rian Johnson's LOOPER - WatchThis W/RickRamos Apr 27, 2020

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Closing the Loop: Straw Diagrams, The Headaches of Time Travel, & The Understanding of the Self - Rian Johnson's Looper (2012)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the best films of the 2010's - Rian Johnson's Sci-Fi, Existential Classic Looper. With an incredible cast and standout performances from Joseph Gordon Levitt, Emily Blunt, Jeff Daniels, Paul Dano, and a never better Bruce Willis, Looper is the rare mainstream popular film with ideas and much grander themes. It was a pleasure to sit down and talk Johnson's film, time travel, writing the future, and understanding the individuals' purpose.

Take a listen, we think you'll enjoy it. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

#267 - The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension - WatchThis W/RickRamos Apr 20, 2020

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The Watermelon Factor: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension and the Making of a Cult Classic

We continue our journey into "cult" films. On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss a film that we - probably - should have seen years ago. W.D. Richter's 1984 Cult Classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Featuring an all star cast of 1980s B-Movie stars including Christopher Lloyd, Ellen Barkin, Vincent Schiavelli, Dan Hedaya, Carl Lumbly, Pepe Serna, and headlined by Buckaroo Banzai himself, Peter Weller this is certainly a strange film that has grown in fan appreciation since being buried by the studios in 1984. There are a hell of a lot of interesting things going on in this film (in particular John Lithgow's wild, over-the-top performance), however so much of it just misses the mark for these two reviewers. But - as with all things - we go into the screening with open minds and good attitudes. There are going to be those who love this film and take issue with our opinions, but they are honest, real, and well-considered. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions. Many Thanks!

#266 - Cult Classics: The Hidden - WatchThis W/RickRamos Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Hiding in Plain Sight: Jack Sholder's

The Hidden

From time to time you get the chance to uncover a hidden gem. On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I get to do exactly that. Showcasing 1987's Jack Sholder directed The Hidden, we take a look at a film that many people are unfamiliar with, however for those who have seen it, it is an exceptionally admired and well-appreciated movie. Featuring Michael Nouri and a young Kyle MacLachlan, The Hidden is a film that is "better than it has any right to be" and a testament to good story-telling and inventive filmmaking propelling a standard story. Take a listen as we look back at this forgotten 80's gem, and count the number of noted character actors that pop up in this 80's B-Movie Classic. And don't worry, this is one of the few times when we concern ourselves with spoilers.

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

#265 - Return of the Living Dead - WatchThis W/RickRamos Apr 06, 2020

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An Unforgiving Rain - The Return of the Living Dead

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I re-visit the Zombie genre with a look at Dan O'Bannon's 1985 cult classic, The Return of the Living Dead. The World is in distress, what better way to fill your days than examining how so many others have struggled to survive. We talk zombies, 80's Schlock, the early days of cable television, and the passing of Max Von Sydow. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions should be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for your continued love & support.

#264 - 10 Films That Keep Getting Better - WatchThis W/RickRamos Mar 31, 2020

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10 Films to Get You Through These Hard Times -

These are difficult times, no doubt. With so much doom and gloom it may be time to think about pulling ourselves away from so much of the world. This new episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos is designed to give you a li'l bit of help with that. This week I fly solo to give you 10 picks for films that I have seen any number of times, but which - simply - get better and better. Some may be to your liking. Some you may hate. But hopefully through the episode you will rediscover something that you don't remember too well or are unfamiliar with and will find a new classic for your collection.

We do what we can. Take a listen. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for the continued love and support.

#263 - Train to Busan - WatchThis W/RickRamos Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

Zombie Class War: Yeon Sang-ho's Train to Busan

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim double down on our Pandemic Theme, combining pandemics with a Zombie Apocalypse showcased in South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho's Train to Busan. This is a film that has received widespread critical and box office success since its release in 2016. Incredibly well-made, with beautiful cinematography, and great acting, Train to Busan deserves the acclaim it has received. Take a listen and let us know if you agree with our assessments. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Thanks for the continued love and support.

#262 - 12 Monkeys & La Jetée - WatchThis W/RickRamos Mar 22, 2020

Show notes

The Troubling Nature of Memory - Terry Gilliam's 12 Monkeys & Chris Marker's La Jetée

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I are determined to continue with this labor of love. This week we continue our examination of Pandemics through an examination of Terry Gilliam's 1996 Classic 12 Monkeys and it's inspiration Chris Marker's La Jétte. Both of these films have stood the test of time and are more relevant today than ever before. With great performances by Bruce Willis as the time-traveling, James Cole, Madeline Stowe as his doctor, and Academy Award nominated Brad Pitt, this was a welcome hit for the ever-production troubled Terry Gilliam.

Chris Marker's film is world renowned, however too few people have seen it. We hope that with this episode you are inspired to seek it out. It truly is an amazing work.

If you have any Questions, Comments, Complaints, or Suggestions please direct them to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

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