Watch This With Rick Ramos

To Our Graves, We're Taking This: Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I move into 2023 with one of the best films of 2022, Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin. A reunion for stars Brendan Gleeson & Colin Ferrel as well as their Director Martin McDonagh (all three of In Bruges - 2008), Banshees is a beautifully realized character study looking at a decades long friendship as it comes to an end and the struggle of both men dealing with that separation, McDonagh's film is both beautiful and touching in it's examination of friendship, aging, and loneliness. It's a thrill for the two of us to sit down and discuss this wonderful film playing in theaters and on HBO Max right now. Please realize that Mr. Chavez & I will be discussing all aspects of this film. Be sure to see the film before listening to the episode. However you get into this it's a fun and informative discussion. We hope you enjoy it. Questions, Comments, Complai

Dance of Death: Lars Von Trier's Melancholia  Cinema is a strange and captivating artform. In many cases, understanding a filmmaker's intent is a hopeless effort. Lars Von Trier is a director whose filmography has captivated, confused, angered, and endeared itself to audiences. His critically-lauded 2011 film, Melancholia, would startle and fascinate audiences at The 64th Cannes Film Festival. The film itself would beguile audiences (awarding Best Female Pereformance to Kirsten Dunst and making the film a top contender for the Palme d'Or, but it was press conference in support of the film that would torpedoe it's chances at the Award. This week, Mr. Chavez & I discuss the controversy surrounding that press conference as well as our own contradictory attitudes regarding the film. This is an interesting film with a great deal to recomend. We discuss these positives and dive just as deeply into the negatives of the film's offerings. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaint

Questions in the Rain: Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder  On this week's episode of WatchThis W/RickRamos, Mr. Chavez & I continue our exploration of South Korean Cinema with a look at Bong Joon-ho's Memories of Murder. Based on a true-life series of rapes and murders that captured and terrified the minds of South Koreans from 1986 thru 1991, Bong's film is a subtle and intriguing police procedural that takes the great elements of Police-Thrillers, Crime, and Noir. Memories of Murder is a captivating and powerful look at paranoia, fear, and the minutiae of police work It's a beautifully realized and thrilling introduction to a filmmaker that would make an incredible stamp on Cinema in the years to come. Take a listen and let us know what you think. It's an interesting and fun talk. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

Nothing Left to Say - Defining Films of the 2010s Nothing left to say, People . . . this week Mr. Chavez & I conclude our look into the Defining Films of Their Respective Decades. We started in the 1910s and here we are, one hundred years of Cinema later. It's been a fun time looking at some great films and a bunch of painful ones. The fact is that Cinema influences society, but also is a reflection of it. We're thrilled to have dedicated nearly a year to the art, power, and influence of The Movies. Take a listen to our opinions, ideas, and thoughts on This Final Decade. It's been a whole lot of fun. We hope you've enjoyed the ride and we hope this final chapter lives up to whatever expectations you have formed. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondormaos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

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