Watch This With Rick Ramos

Latest Episodes:

#241- JOKER - WatchThis W/RickRamos Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

Screams of a Clown - Todd Phillip's Joker

& Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos we wholeheartedly welcome the return of Mr. Ibrahim Chavez. Back in time to discuss one of the most talked about films of the year, it is a thrill for Chavez & Ramos to sit down and discuss Joaquin Phoenix's remarkable performance as Arthur Fleck and Fleck's transformation into the one of the most iconic villains in all of Cinema & Literature - (The) Joker. A beautifully photographed and magnificently recreated late 70s/early 80s New York standing in for Gotham. We don't necessarily agree on this one, but we both have interesting opinions on the film. We pair this review with a look back at one of Phillip's heavy inspirations, Martin Scorsese's 1983 criminally underseen The King of Comedy. With brilliant performances by Robert DeNiro, Sandra Bernhardt, and Jerry Lewis, The King of Comedy reminds us of Scorsese's genius.

Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. As always, our continued thanks.

#240 - John J. Rambo - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

JOHN J. RAMBO - Looking Back on an American Icon

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos Ramos flies solo with a look at Sylvester Stallone's second most iconic role - John J. Rambo. A staple of the 1980s, Rambo is a problematic example of American Screen Heroism. From David Morrell's source novel First Blood, the Rambo character started as a confused and damaged Vietnam veteran pushed too far and forced to take revenge on a small-town. The series would begin in 1982 with First Blood and continue with Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Rambo III (1988), Rambo (2008), and - the supposed finale - Rambo: Last Blood (2019). Claims of simplicity, colonialism, jingoism, and ridiculously over-the-top violence have been a constant label on this series. This episode looks at the memories, problems, and overall quality of this series. We hope you enjoy it.

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

As always - Thank You.

#239 - WhereThe Sidewalk Ends (Film Noir Continued) - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

Disappointments and Surprises: Kiss of Death & Where the Sidewalk Ends - A Continuing Journey Into Film Noir

On This week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ramos continues to go it solo looking at two classics of Film Noir - Henry Hathaway's Kiss of Death (1947) and Otto Preminger's Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950). Two films heralded as classics of Noir with one of them holding up much better than the other. Take a listen as Ramos continues his descent into the heart of darkness.

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

#238 - The Set-Up (Film Noir) - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

Losers Refusing to Give Up - Robert Wise's The Set-Up

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, I continue my solo microphone runs into the world of Film Noir. I've always loved this genre (is it a genre?) and am thrilled to be making my way through so many films that have been sitting on my shelves. This week the show focuses on Robert Wise's RKO Classic The Set-Up from 1949. This is almost universally recognized as one of the best and most important Film Noirs. With a great lead performance from Robert Ryan as an over-the-hill boxer aware of how much he has lost and no idea of how hopeless it all is. This is really one of the great films of Noir. I'm thrilled that I've had the opportunity to finally see this film and now have the chance to present it to those who haven't seen it and give insight to those who have. Thanks for the opportunity. As always, I appreciate the continued love and support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

#237 - Edgar G. Ulmer's DETOUR - WatchThis W/RickRamos Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

Edgar G. Ulmer's Detour - Riding into the Darkness of Noir

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos I fly solo with a look at The Criterion Edition of Edgar G. Ulmer's Detour (1945). With this B-Movie/Poverty Row production, Ulmer secured his place in the annals of film history. One of the earliest Noirs of record, in 1992 Ulmer's film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It's a wonderful film and a great introduction to the genre. Take a listen as I discuss this classic starring Tom Neal, in a superb Noir Hero performance, and Anne Savage as the quintessential femme fatale ballbreaker. It's a good time and one which you should enjoy. Take a listen and decide for yourself.

Thanks for the continued Love & Support. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

#236 - Remembering Peter Fonda - WatchThis W/RickRamos Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Peter Fonda: A Rememberance (February 23, 1940 - August 16, 2019)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to look over the career of Peter Fonda, who passed away August 16th at the age of 79. From his early work with Roger Corman's American International Pictures thru his phenomenal success co-writing, producing and starring in Dennis Hopper's Easy Rider (1969). Ibrahim & I discuss the cultural and cinematic importance of this film as well as (what one of us believe) is it's failure 50 years later. We also take a look at one of Fonda's directorial efforts, 1973's The Hired Hand as well his roles in Victor Nuñez's Ulee's Gold (1997) and the Steven Soderbergh directed The Limey (1999). We discuss Fonda's gifts and limitations as an actor. The talk is an interesting one, slipping into a discussion of the culture of the time, as well as a lot of what goes into making a character honest and memorable.

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

#235 - History of the Oscars Part 11 - WatchThis W/RickRamos Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

The Re-Boot Era Continued - The History of the Oscars Part 11: 2015 - 2019

Our long road through The History of The Academy Awards finally comes to an end as Ibrahim & I look at these last five years of The Awards. We remember the winners, the losers, those that were not nominated, and our thoughts on the awards as a whole.

. . . That's All Folks

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

#234 - History of the Oscars Part 10 - WatchThis W/RickRamos Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

The Reboot Era - History of the Oscars Part 10: 2011 - 2014

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I get one episode closer to finishing our series on The History of the Academy Awards. Looking at the years 2011 thru 2014, we examine the Academy's continued desire to maintain the status quo. As we come closer to the end of this exploration, we find ourselves by the careful - and predictable - choices the Academy has made.

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

#233 - Rutger Hauer: Like Tears in Rain - WatchThis W/RickRamos Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Rutger Hauer: Like Tears in Rain (January 23, 1944 - July 19, 2019)

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss the career of Rutger Hauer who passed away this past week at the age of 75. Hauer began his professional acting career in 1969 under the guidance of fellow Dutchman, Paul Verhoeven, for a television movie. Hauer would work again with Verhoeven in his film debut Turkish Delight (1973). From this point Hauer continued in a series of European films until his American debut alongside Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams, as an international terrorist establishing himself in New York City in the gripping police-terrorist, cat & mouse game, 1981's Nighthawks. We also discuss starring roles, including The Hitcher from 1986 and Wanted: Dead or Alive from 1987. However, all of this is a prelude to his crowning achievement, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. Blade Runner, a brilliant film, propelled by an incredible Hauer performance.

We loved sitting down and examiniing this performance and remembering this incredible actor.

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

#232 - Once Upon a Time In Hollywood - WatchThis W/RickRamos Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

Tarantino (Re)Writes The Summer of 69: Sharon Tate, Charles Manson, Hollywood & The Changing of History - Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood

On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to discuss one of the most anticipated films of 2019, Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time . . . in Hollywood. Profiling "The End of the 60s" and taking liberal advantage of a history that saw the brutal murders of actress Sharon Tate and four of her guests by members of The Manson Family, Quentin Tarantino has delivered, yet another, film that plays with history and wallows in self-indulgence. There is great filmmaking here and it is a pleasure to talk about. With exceptional performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, this is definitely a film worth examining, how much of it is hype is what we are here to determine. Take a listen and let us know if you agree with our assessment.

Thanks for the continued Love & Support. As always, Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. A Million Thanks!

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