Watch This With Rick Ramos

Blue-Collar Love Song - John Turturro's Romance & Cigarettes I've been wanting to talk this movie for quite some time. I'm not exactly sure when and where I first saw John Turturro's Romance & Cigarettes. I had heard stories of a "Working-Class, James Gandolfini led Romantic/Musical Comedy". With no idea what to expect, the film would finally find it's way into limited release sometime in 2007 - shortly after it would find its way to home video, where - I believe - I finally saw it. It exceeded any expectations I may have had and did away with any fears that may have come with it. I love this film and am thrilled to finally get Mr. Chavez to sit down and give it a watch. This is a fun talk looking into a surprising, tender, and heartfelt performance from James Gandolifini; with Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi, Aida Turturro, Mandy Moore, Mary Louise Parker, and stand-out performances from Christopher Walken (excessively Christopher Walken) and the great Broadway actress, Elaine Stritch in

Celebrating a Genius - Martin Scorsese's 80th Birthday This week a bonus episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos drops as I go solo to celebrate - in my opinion - The Greatest Living Director (and easily one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of the medium) - Mr. Martin Scorsese. Since my partner is not joining me for this episode, I am choosing to look at Mr. Scorsese more from a fan's vantage than from a critic's. Martin Scorsese has made some of the greatest films in the medium - Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, Casino, Bringing Out the Dead, The Departed, Gangs of New York, and Hugo.  I don't want to go into detail here . . . you're going to have to just sit down and listen to the episode. It's a good one.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Franchising Heroes & Fools: The Films of the 2000s On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos continue our look at the films that defined their decades. This week we look at the films of the new millennium. The 2000s saw a shift in the cinematic mentality. It was the beginning of the franchise era focusing on literary properties, remakes, reboots, and a continuous slip in artistic quality. There's alot going on in this week's episode and the sunuvabitch is a beast, so sit back and lean into the magic of cynicism and dissapointment. It's a fun time. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Love & Thanks. 

The Billy Picture: Vincent Gallo's Buffalo '66 On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down with an incredibly underseen and underappreciated independent film from 1998, Vincent Gallo's Buffalo '66. Some films are difficult to define . . . they are problematic in their narratives and politics. Vincent Gallo's directorial effort from 1998 is a film that few people have seen and which was - most likely - never intended for a mass audience. But there is great beauty in this film. There's an anger, strange character study, and sadness to this film. Featuring great performances lead by Gallo (as a recently paroled loser, struggling to impress . . . who knows!?!), Anjelica Huston, Ben Gazzarra, Mickey Rourke, Jan Michael Vincent, Kevin Corrigan, and a beautiful and brilliant Christina Ricci. This is certainly not a film for eveyone, but for those audiences that are fans of WatchThis, it certainly is a worthy investment of time and cinematic enjoyment. Take a listen and let us know wh

Blood Brothers: Phil Joanou's State of Grace  On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a forgotten gem from 1990 - Phil Joanou's tale of Hell's Kitchen Irish-American Brotherhood, State of Grace. We are thrilled to discuss this neglected classic showcasing Sean Penn, Robin Wright, (a frightening) Ed Harris, and a brilliant early stateside performance from one of the great actors of any generation, Gary Oldman. There's so much to dig into with this one. We hope you take a listen and it drives you into the arms of a film that you may have missed. For those who have seen it, you should have a great time joining in as Ibrahim and I do what we love to do. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for Your Continued Love & Support. 

Undergound Leather: William Friedkin's Cruising  On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I sit down to talk one of the most controversial films of the 1980s - Al Pacino in William Friedkin's Cruising (1980). During its production and early 80s release, few films had suffered comparable controversy. An murder mystery set in the Underground, S & M, Leather Bars of Late 70s/Early 80s New York, Cruising was lambasted almost immediately. Forty-plus years later, the film continues to stir up controversy, however it has also gone on to become embraced as a cult classic for its depiction of the Gay Underworld of that time. It is a strange and disturbing film that fails and offends in a number of ways and still fascinates in others. For this episode (recorded nearly a month earlier), Ibrahim & I are thrilled to finally sit down and tackle this cult classic. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo

Ghosts of Old Japan: Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I wrap up October with a look at a Japanese Horror Masterpiece - Kwaidan (1964). This Classic of Japanese Cinema is filled with some of the most beautiful images committed to film. A film bringing together four ghost stories of Japanese lore, Kwaidan has overwhelmed viewers with its beauty for nearly sixty years. It's a thrill for Ibrahim and I to finally come to this classic. It's our first viewing and we hope that you make it your next. Thanks for your continued love and support.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. 

Death in a Village:   Na Hong-jin's The Wailing One of the great joys of doing this show is discovering the gems in the cinematic world. Sometimes you stumble on them in your search; occasionally a friend turns you onto something great. For this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I send a special thanks to Mr. Cornelius Burroughs for his gift of Na Hong-jin's The Wailing (2016). Mr. Burroughs sent this to me a few years back and only now have I had the chance to sit down and watch it . . . It was well worth the wait. A story of Korean Horror featuring Ghosts, Posession, Murder, and Paranoia, The Wailing is simply one of The Best Horror Films in recent decades. It's a thrill for us to discuss this gem of World Cinema. We hope you enjoy the film and our talk.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Mother's Arms: Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre On this week's episode of WatchThis w/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent into the terror of Horror Cinema as we celebrate moving closer and closer to All Hallow's Eve. For this week's selection we go against the norm and travel to Mexico for Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre (1989). A film that needs to be seen in order to be believed, Ibrahim & I are thrilled to discuss this Surreal Masterpiece. The less written the better so take a watch, follow it with a listen, and experience one of the great visionary expressions of Cinema. We think you'll have a good time. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be sent to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Return of the Past: Folk Horror & The Wicker Man (2006) On this week's second episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim jump to the 2006 American remake of Robin Hardy's Classic, The Wicker Man. Remakes can go a lot of different ways and this one doesn't surprise. What's great is the two films (original and 2006) lead us to a fascinating documentary from 2021, Kier-La Janisse's Woodland Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror, a wonderful examination of the Folk Horror genre from Great Britain through Eastern Europe, Mexico, Central & South America, and Asia. It's a true testament to the beauty of cross-cultural understanding. Take a listen . . . it's a good, fun talk. Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

Bad Execution: The Wicker Man (1973) On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our examination into the World of Cinematic Horror. For this episode we look to the UK and Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man. Recognized as "One of the Greatest Horror Films Ever Made" Ibrahim & I are . . .  well, take a listen and you'll hear our perspective. It's a fun discussion. You should have a good time. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.

Mirror Image: David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers  On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent into the Horror genre with a look at David Cronenberg's Underseen 1988 Masterpiece, Dead Ringers. With one of the great performances of the 1980s (In All of Cinema for that matter), Cronenberg gives audiences one of the most unsettling and disturbing pictures that can fit into the Horror genre. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I look back at this  overlooked masterpiece.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

My So-Called Decade: Defining the 90s - Part II On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our look at the movies that define and represent each decade in our second half of this two-part  episode. This week we look at the 1990s and the names that made up this new independent and ground-breaking cinema. Each of us has a list of ten and a large number of honourable mentions. We're thrilled to sit down and discuss many of the films that made up our young adult lives and shaped much of our cultural and artistic understanding. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

My So-Called Decade: Defining the 90s - Part I On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our look at the movies that define and represent each decade. This week we look at the 1990s and the names that made up this new independent and ground-breaking cinema. Each of us has a list of ten and a large number of honourable mentions. We're thrilled to sit down and discuss many of the films that made up our young adult lives and shaped much of our cultural and artistic understanding. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

"Heaven Help You . . . " Joe Dante's The Howling (1981) On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our dive into The World of Cinematic Horror with a look at the classic werewolf film, The Howling (1981). Joe Dante, Director of Gremlins, Innerspace, and The 'Burbs, created one of the most iconic films in the Horror genre. Featuring 80s Scream Queen, Dee Wallace Stone, The Howling is a film that plays beautifully with the genre. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration into Horror. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Strange Fictions - John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our descent ito the World of Cinematic Horror. This week we take a look at One of the Greats - John Carpenter. After the financial and critical failure of The Thing (1982), Carpenter would find his career and project choices limited. He would regain some Hollywood stature with his adaptation of Stephen King's Christine (1983), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), and They LIve (1988), however the damage had been done and his career would never be the same. At this point we look at the later films of Mr. Carpenter. Although there are moments in most of these films, Carpenter would never return to the heights he once knew. In the Mouth of Madness (1994) is a noble failure, but a failing nonetheless. This week Ibrahim & I discuss why this is. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy it. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to

Where's the Fear - Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes (1977) On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down, settle in, and jump into the World of Horror Cinema. We're prepping two months worth of Horror because that's how long it's going to take us on this World Tour. This year we look stateside, but also look to Korea, Japan, and any other place that challenges their audiences not to turn away. This week we go back to the 1970s and the American Southwest with a look at Wes Craven's 1977 Cult Classic The Hills Have Eyes. There's a great deal to unwrap here . . . violence, rape, misogyny, torture porn, and all the storytelling elements that will manifest themselves in louder and stronger voices in the coming decades. This is a difficult film that needs the four decades space to look at it objectively. So that's the angle we're coming at it from. Cult classic or Overrated Schlock . . . we're thrilled to be talking about Craven's second film. Take a listen and let us know what you th

Fame, Cocaine, and Coming of Age: Defining the 80s On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Ibrahim & I continue our exploration of the films that defined their decades. Naming "The Best Films of Their Decades" would be too easy (and boring) an endeavor. These are the films that Mr. Chavez & I see as The Good, The Bad, & The Very, Very Ugly of each decade. The 1980s is probably the most striking example of troubling, jingoistic, and mindless filmmaking. Yeah, there are some good films within each of our lists, but the decade is overrun by films that trouble us and are an ugly examination of Cinema and The Culture as a whole. Take a listen. We hope you agree, and if you don't, we hope the discussion triggers your own opinions.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks!

Dead Air - Oliver Stone's Talk Radio  On this week' s episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to talk an underseen Oliver Stone film . . . Talk Radio (1988). From an original theatrical production (produced Off-Broadway), Eric Bogosian tells the story of Barry Champlain - provocateur, shock jock, vile human being. It's a wonderful debut from an actor we don't see nearly enough of. Along with Bogosian, Stone peppers his film with a wonderful supporting cast including: Ellen Greene, John C. McGinley, Leslie Hope, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, and Alec Baldwin. There's a whole lot to break down. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.   

He's My Father: James Foley's At Close Range  On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss a 1980s cable mainstay, James Foley's At Close Range. One of the earliest films to showcase Sean Penn as a lead, Foley's film is a harrowing look at father-son/criminal relationships in rural Pennsylvania. Penn made a name for himself with this film after exceptional turns in Bad Boys (1983) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and showed a hint of the work that would come to be expected from him over the next three decades, however this film is held together and overwhelmed by the presence of Christopher Walken. Walken is equal part charismatic and terrifying in a role that would test the limits of what audience are willing to accept. He is truly mesmerizing. It is with great pleasure that we look back at these classic 80s performances.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks for your continued support.