Watch This With Rick Ramos

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 powe

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.  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.  

Gen Z Xenomorph: Fede Alvarez's Alien: Romulus  No Worries . . . Mr. Chavez & I will be returning to our Never-Ending 500 Episode Retrospective.  However, this week we continue our look into the Horror genre taking us into the Halloween Season, with Fede Alvarez's newest entry into the Alien Series, Alien: Romulus. This 7th film in the series - We Don't Count Those AlienVSPredator Embarassments - takes place between Ridley Scott's original 1979 Alien and James Cameron's 1986 sequel, Aliens. Your two favorite movie podcasters differ wildly on this entry. Take a listen to see which of us you agree with. Is this a tense and exciting entry into the series, or is it simply an attempt to milk blood from a stone. See the movie, take a listen, and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.  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 Every

The TV Took My Blonde Daughter - Spielberg & Hooper's Poltergeist This week we take a break from our 500 Episode Retrospectives - I really didn't think it would take this long to get through 500 episodes - to bring the cinematic hammer down and dive into The Season of All-Saints. We have an entirely new slew of Cinematic Horror for the next two months with looks at Horror Comedy, Horror Cult, Horror Classics, Foreign Horror, and Literary Horror. It's going to be a fun month as we dive into an 80s Classic . . . The Steven Spielberg Produced/Tobe Hooper Directed Poltergeist.  Mr. Chavez & I have much different takes on this exploration of the supernatural. Take a listen to hear the battle between memory, personal tastes, and better viewings. It's a fun discussion that gives - you - the audience a new and interesting angle on a film that has lived with us for over 40 years. Take a listen. We think you'll have a good time. Hit us up at gondoramos@yahoo.com - As Always, Many Thanks! For those of you who wo

Found Treasure, Excess, Hilarity, and New Authors in Horror We have no idea when this will end, but we're having a hell of a time remembering. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I remember The Video Store, New Voices in Horror (Peele/Aster/Eggers), Ultimate Excess (Tarantino's The Hateful 8), Legends (Dylan & McCartney), and a Heartfelt Farewell to a Comedy Legend . . . Mr. Paul Mooney. This was a good time. Let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks. 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.

Music Televison, Bad Taste, Toxic Masculinity & So Much More It's proving to be a hell of a good time reminiscing on these past ten years. Part 9 is coming at ya. Break open a bottle, take a listen, and enjoy the memories we share. We'd love to hear your thoughts - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.  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.

Memories Are Made of This  Part 8 of a never-ending ride back through a decade of WatchThis W/RickRamos. Discussing all manners of cinema, music, television, the culture, and culminating with my leaving Los Angeles after twenty years. It's a good time between two good friends. Take a listen and let us know what you think . . . .  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.

Conspiracies & Things to Come Take a listen as we continue our deep dive into a decade of WatchThis W/RickRamos. We're having a great time . . . We hope you're feeling the same. Best Wishes. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.  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.

Old, New, and Everything In-Between Neither Mr. Chavez nor I are sure how long this will take, but we are having a great time remembering these last ten years. We hope that we are stirring memories and giving you an idea of the enjoyment we have in recording these shows and the importance that each episode means to us. Take a listen . . . we think you'll enjoy yourselves. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks! 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.  

Down a Darker Path  The memories continue to flow. Take a listen as we remember, argue, laugh, and double-down. This is proving to be a great time for the two of us . . . We can only hope you're enjoying it in the same manner. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks.  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.

A Never-Ending Talk . . .  We're just having too much fun remembering the last decade and the 500 episodes that have come with it. Take a listen as we amuse ourselves and - hopefully - you. No End in Sight. Just enjoy the ride.  As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Thanks.  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.

And the Band Plays On . . .  What can I say . . . ? This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our leap into the past with a look at 500 episodes and a decade of memories. It's a fun time and we'd love to share our memories, thoughts, thanks, and promises for the future. Take a listen . . . we think you'll enjoy it.  As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks! 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.

More to Say: A Continuing Reminiscence on 500 Episodes Take a listen as Ibrahim & I continue to look back on the decade of episodes we have done. This continues to be a great time for two old friends and our look back at the show, why we do it, how it still excites us, and what it has meant to us as a whole. Take a listen . . . We don't think you'll be dissapointed. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many Continued Thanks.  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.

Because It's In 'Em And It's Got To Come Out: Reminiscing on 500 Episodes A whole lot of what we do is the thrill of (hopefully, thoughtful/intelligent) conversation. WatchThis W/RickRamos has afforded your two hosts the opportunity to maintain, grow, and strengthen our friendship. The fact that there exists an audience interested in where these ideas, thoughts, and opinions are platformed only emboldens our belief that criticism and conversation can be a welcomed and fascinating artform. We thank you for your nearly decade-long dedication to this show. We put a great deal of heart and soul into each episode. Take a listen as we go back to reminisce on our favorite episodes, the origins of the show, and the development into a platform for intelligent conversation. 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 apprecia

Nature Finds a Way: Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park This week Ibrahim & I close out the month with a fan favorite, a ground-breaking special effects extravaganza, the emergence of a new cinematic tool, and a hint at the cinematic world to come. This week we close out our look at blockbusters bookending Steven Spielberg's 1975 Jaws with his 1993 look at Jaws on land - Jurassic Park. This was a fun time looking back on a classic and examining how it changed the face of filmmaking. There's a whole lot to cover here - Mr. Chavez's fascination with the film, its role in Spielberg's filmography, the relationship to Jaws, and the ushering in of CGI as a mainstay of filmmaking. We discuss all of this as well as the performances of Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Sir Richard Attenborough, Wayne Kramer, Samuel L. Jackson, and - of course - Jeff Goldblum. It's a fun talk. Take a listen. As always, 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

Lady War Rig: George Miller's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga  This week we focus on a soon to be classic prequel to - arguably - the best action film of the 21st Century . . . the continuing George Miller saga - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Featuring an incredible Ana Taylor-Joy, taking over the Imperator Furiosa role originated by Charlize Theron in Miller's 2015 Mad Max: Fury Road, Taylor-Joy (and as the much younger Furiosa, Alyla Browne) and Chris Hemsworth as the Warlord Leader Dementus. This is a truly incredible cinematic feat that has been pulled off by the 79 year old Australian filmmaker. Little can be said in this description and all should be left to listening to the episode. Take a listen to one of the best times that Mr. Chavez and I have had doing WatchThis W/RickRamos. Thanks for the continued love and supprot. We can still 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/watchri

Yippee-Ki-Yay, M*#^%$F@!^!#: John McTiernan's Die Hard  This week a 1980s Action Classic . . . John McTiernan's Die Hard (1988). A huge gamble for 20th Century Fox in the late 1980s, Die Hard remains the standard for "everyman" action films. Before the character would become a superhero, impervious to any and all pain, John McClane was a New York cop, visiting Los Angeles, and struggling to keep his ego, anger, and jealousy in check in a Christmas Eve attempt to win back his estranged wife. We all know the story . . . Terrorists (?) take over Nakatomi Plaza and all that stands between their nefarious plans, freedom and (spoiler alert) $650 million is John McClane. What could have been an obvious and forgettable action film chooses to go against the grain and - thus - creates the archetype for the "everyman" hero. There are moments throughout McTiernan's film that would set the template and move away from the indestructible and introduce a relatable and vulnerable hero.  With a great supporting cast including:

Like Looking in the Mirror, Only Not: John Woo's Face/Off This week Mr. Chavez and I continue our look at blockbusters with this 1997 John  Woo Classic of stylized violence, ridiculous plotting, and unbridled overacting . . . we are - of course - talking about Woo's Face/Off. There's no way to really get into how utterly ridiculous this film is for an episode synopsis, but I will say that it was a fun utterly moronic ride into the past. John Travolta (riding the waves of Pulp Fiction that would carry him through to the end of the century) and Nicolas Cage unrestrained and without any sense of shame . . . Cage at His Most Cagiest. Through all of the fun, Ibrahim and I also discuss Woo's foray into Hollywood filmmaking and the troubles he would find translating his sense of heroic honor to a culture that would find it campy (essentially why do none of Woo's signature cinematic touches work in  Face/Off, but are so incredible and beautifully realized in such masterpieces as The Killer, Hard-Boiled, and Bullet in

Like a Doll's Eyes: Steven Spielberg's JAWS This week, a classic . . . in 1975 Steven Spielberg changed the face of cinema with his adaptation of Peter Benchley's 1974 novel Jaws.  The story of a man-eating shark terrorizing a small island community, Jaws would usher in a new era of moviegoing. There's little that should be written in this episode synopsis; the history and legacy of Spielberg's film is well known. But conversation is always a good time, and we would love for you to join us as we break down this classic. From casting (Schreider/Dreyfuss/Shaw), shotting on the ocean, a mechanical shark - constantly breaking down, and that iconic Indianapolis speech, we cover the impact and our love for this masterpiece. Take a listen and let us know what you think 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.

Make a Move and the Bunny Gets It: Simon West's Con Air   This week Mr. Chavez & I celebrate bad cinema with a look at the 1997 Simon West Action/Comedy/Prison/B-Movie Character Actor Extravaganza Con Air. Based on a real-life judicial system prison transport program, Con Air is an embarassing and exaggerated look at 1990s Hollywood Action Cinema. Featuring a slew of character actors (M.C. Gainey - Swamp Thing, Danny Trejo - Johnny 23, Mykelti Williamson - Baby-O), a future star (Dave Chappelle - Pinball Parker), and respected stars slumming: (Ving Rhames - Diamond Dog, John Cusack - U.S. Marshall Vince Larkin, Steve Buscemi - Garland The Marietta Mangler Greene, John Malkovich - Cyrus the Virus, and - rounding it all out with a ridiculous mullet and equally embarassing Alabama accent, Nicolas Cage - Cameron Poe). An incredible production of 90s excess, pyrotechnics, and ridiculousness - Con Air is the definition of a film that is so bad in so many ways that it becomes endearing. This is a fun conversatio