Eating Images: Jordan Peele's Nope  On this episode, Mr. Chavez & I sit down to discuss one of the best directors to emerge from the late 2010s into the early 2020s, Jordan Peele. With three films under his belt, 2017s Get Out, 2019s Us, and his latest - 2022s Nope, Peele has established himself as one of the most creative and compelling voices in today's cinema. His films challenge convention and stun audiences and critics with their audacity. This week we discuss Peele's emerging style as a filmmaker as well as the conventions and evolution of the genre. Take a listen. Ibrahim & I continue to have great times recording these episodes. We hope you can join us.  Questions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com. Many Thanks. 

#423 - Nope - WatchThis W/RickRamos

Comedian Rick Ramos sits down and talks current theatrical releases and offers suggestions for additional movie watching choices. A film fans dream come true, WatchThis is about the art, beauty, and possibilities of cinema. Each week Ramos discusses the greatest films ever made (including those that you may have missed) as well as the artists that have created these films. He also goes further in discussing how much these films mean to him and how much they will - hopefully - mean to you. Enjoy!

TV & Film

Comedy

Film Reviews

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 conversation where we defend our low-brow enjoyment of pointless and simplistic entertainment. 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.   

#494 - Con Air - WatchThis W/RickRamos

Obvious Action, Patriotic Porn: Michael Bay's The Rock This week Mr. Chavez & I dive into the world of 1990s Big Budget, Over-Hyped & Underwritten, Garbage Cinema with one of the best that would come out of the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Machine, Michael Bay's 1996 opus The RockFeaturing Nicholas Cage (in the first of a series of big-budgeted, ridiculous films), Sir Sean Connery, David Morse, and Ed Harris (in a performance out of touch with this particular film), along with a who's who of 90s  character actors inclluding: John Spencer, Phillip Baker Hall, Claire Forlani, Bokeem Woodbine, Tony Todd, Michael Biehn, and William Forsyth. This is absolutely the definition of "so bad it's good" with Michael Bay leading his cast into battle, while building on a Bruckheimer aesthetic that would overwhelm every following Bruckheimer release. It's a fun talk. Take a listen and judge for yourself. 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 so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos  - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards..

#493 - The Rock - WatchThis W/RickRamos

The Bailey Effect: Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life This week Ibrahim & I re-watch a classic (Thank You - Anonymous Donor, Someone), Frank Capra's 1946 Jimmy Stewart/Donna Reed Classic It's a Wonderful Life. Few films have captured the public's hearts and imaginations like Capra's look at the life of Bedford Falls' George Bailey - A man with big dreams hobbled by the responsibilties and challenges of life. A kind of Christmas Carol re-telling from the Bob Cratchett point of view, Capra's look at pre-war thru World War II Small Town America, is a film that has been honored, cribbed from, parodied, and beloved by American audiences and audiences throughout the world. A financial failure upon it's 1946 theatrical release, Wonderful Life was re-discovered in the late 1970s when it's copyright expired and it was gobbled up by UHF and other public television stations, airing nearly round the clock during the holiday season. A paint-by-numbers story of goodness and American values, Capra's "little story" of one man's life and the effects it has had throughout his community is magical, touching, and - ultimately - inspiring.  Thank you for your continued support. 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 so with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

#492 - It's a Wonderful Life - WatchThis W/RickRamos

A Fighter's Journey: The Rocky Saga & Legacy This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our look at Sylvester Stallone's 1976 Oscar-Winning creation, Rocky Balboa. For nearly five decades Stallone's Balboa has captured the hearts of the American public. An underdog character that has appeared seven times on the big screen, Balboa's story has run the gamut of emotions featuring deaths, births, disappointments and success. It's a paint by numbers story that the public continues to eagerly swallow. Why is this the case? On this week's episode Mr. Chavez & I attempt to understand and answer this question. There's a great deal to unpack in this episode . . . we hope that your are interested in joining us in finding the answers.  As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com. You're comments and questions are always appreciated. For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

#491 - RockyIII/Rocky Balboa - WatchThis W/RickRamos

America's Underdog: John G. Avildsen's Rocky & Sylvester Stallone's Rocky II Jumping into the world of underdogs (last week's Popeye), Mr. Chavez & I look at one of the great American Cinematic creations - Rocky Balboa. The Balboa character's screenplay origin rivals that of the character's struggle in the film(s). From a real life adaptation of the 70s Muhammad Ali/Chuck Wepner bout, Stallone is legendary for having written Rocky and forcing studios to accept him as the lead in order to produce the film. It was an incredible gamble that paid of beautifully for Stallone. This week we look at the character, the role of the hero, Rocky's place in 70s Cinema, and the beginning of the legacy of the original film - and character - that would continue for close to fifty years. Take a listen as we look at these first two films and their importance in and for the American public. You can reach us 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 donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

#423 - Nope - WatchThis W/RickRamos

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