Greg Araki's The Doom Generation

This week Mr. Chavez & I explore the 1990s with a cult film that is remembered as an early classic of New Queer Cinema. Greg Araki's The Doom Generation is remembered as a violent and trashy exploration of 1990s alternative cinmea. A Gen X Bisexual Bonnie & Clyde/Badlands profile of alienation and stylized camp, Araki's film is the second edition of his "Teen Apocalypse Trilogy". For Mr. Chavez the episode is a nostalgic look at a film that left an impression; for me, the film is an attempt to understand a genre that was somehow missed. We both dive into a discussion sliding through our memories of the decade and our attitudes on what the genre and respective films would mean to a voice that had only been hinted at and often censored. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at [email protected] - Many, 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.

Eddie Martin's We Were Once Kids

In a continuation of last week's episode on Larry Clark and Harmony Korine's 1995 Kids, Mr. Chavez & I discovered a documentary peeling back the layers of that problematic and controversial film. Although we continue to believe that the earlier film is - in many ways - exceptional, Eddie Martin's 2021 expose (produced with Kids actor, Hamilton Harris), titled We Were Once Kids, reveals much of the troubling nature behind the making of the 1995 film. Alleged exploitation, real-life drug use, alcoholism, manipulation, and the age-old story of Hollywood's predatory nature are all explored in a film that focuses on the misunderstandings, naiveté, and sadness of a group of teenage non-actors that many would argue were taken advantage of in the creation of Kids. Questionable casting methods, alleged real-life drug use in the film, financial exploitation, betrayal and abandonment, and - finally - the death of two of the stars of the film - Justin Pierce (Casper) and Harold Hunter (Harold). A sad story, but also (another) cautionary tale on the dangers of Hollywood and the exploitation of children. The conversation includes our opinions on the events in front of and behind the camera, as well as our own impressions based on our own experiences in LA over twenty + years. An interesting conversation that we hope you find compelling. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at [email protected] - Many, 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.

Larry Clark's Kids

This week Mr. Chavez & I travel back to the mid-1990s to look at a difficult, troubling, and polarizing film that raises questions concerning good taste, artistic license and victimization, as well as exploitation. Few films have caused the uproar that Larry Clark's Kids did in 1995. A quasi-documentary examination of aimlessness in an alcohol, drug, and sex driven New York of the 1990s, Kids is troubling for its frankness and sexually explicit narrative depicting high school kids discussing and engaging in sex and drug taking in a manner ignorant of their dangers. With a storyline driven by alcohol and drug use, unprotected sex, violence, HIV, and utter hopelessness, the film is a snapshot of a time that feels frighteningly real. We discuss our memories of both the film and our experiences with our own versions of youth culture. Directed by Larry Clark, written by Harmony Korine, and introducing both Chloe Sevigny and Rosario Dawson, Kids is a cinematic time jump that forces an uncomfortable discussion. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at [email protected] - Our Continued Heartfelt 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.

Robert DeNiro's The Good Shepherd

This week we springboard off of Robert DeNiro's 2006 spy film, The Good Shepherd, profiling the birth of the Central Intelligence Agency and its role throughout the second half of the 20th Century. From its origins during the end of World War II thru The Cold War, The Bay of Pigs, and the early days of the Kennedy administration, DeNiro's passion project is a thought-provoking, detailed, and troubling examination of U.S. Foreign Policy. Mr. Chavez & I - as is our habit and purpose - use this film to examine our own impressions of the C.I.A., American National & Foreign policy, and the Class System that allows all of it to exist and prosper. From the secretive Yale society, Skull & Bones, that has given us at least two presidents, numerous senators and congressman, and untold CEOs, thru secret and illegal actions designed to topple governments, The Good Shepherd is forcing questions that we are eager to answer. Featuring an all-star cast including: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, William Hurt, Michael Gambon, Eddie Redmayne, Keir Dullea, John Turturro, Timothy Hutton, Alec Baldwin, and a briliant Joe Pesci. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to [email protected] - Many, Many Thanks for Your Continued Support.

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.

Stefano Solima's Sicario: Day of the Soldado

This week we discuss the struggle between the United States, its neighbors, allies, and enemies depicted in the Taylor Sheridan scripted, Stefano Solima directed, 2018 C.I.A. action thriller detailing border wars, fabricated criminal kidnappings, cartel violence, and the never-ending, never winnable drug wars. Exciting performances from Josn Brolin and Benicio del Toro ignite this story, giving Mr. Chavez & myself a place to begin our own impressions, opinions, and thoughts concerning these matters. As always, there's a great deal to say. Take a listen and let us know what you think - [email protected] - 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.

Ben Affleck's Argo (2012)

In 2012 Ben Affleck would co-write and direct Argo, winning the Best Picture of the Year at at that year's Academy Awards celebration. Although a skillful and professional job it's - quite simply and obviously - a hack job, typical of the US's need to paint itself in the proper light while also giving Hollywood the opportunity to congratulate itself yet again (as well as short-changing the Canadian Government). An obvious and simplistic piece of political propaganda, Affleck's film continues the pattern of white-washing a serious topic while also reinforcing the idea that the US is the guardian, victim, and champion of the free world (whatever the hell that means). Democracy is safe because of the US's continued struggle against dissident elements throughout the world (in this case the Iranian Revolution). This week Mr. Chavez & I discuss the propaganda of this film, the role of the C.I.A. as saviour, dishonesty in storytelling and the note by note moments that make up a rescue mission movie. Take a listen, it's an interesting and relevant talk. Questions, Comments, Complaints & Suggestions: [email protected] - Many, 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.

Barry Levinson's Wag the Dog

Nothing's Changed/Nothing's New and we learned that in 1996 with Barry Levinson's Wag the Dog. As important 30 years later as when it was released, this week Mr. Chavez & I sit down to understand a film that predicted its own time (being released a few weeks before The Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky White House Scandal would break), but is also a simpler and almost quaint version of Epstein, Donald Trump, and Ol' Billy Jeff returning to relevance. A Sex Scandal covered up by a Manufactured War, revealing the spin doctoring and propaganda that fuels every election, Wag the Dog is the rare film that grows bolder and more prescient as years pass and facts fight to be discovered. Featuring great performances from Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman (hilarious, exaggerated, and on point), and a supporting cast including Anne Heche, Willie Nelson, Denis Leary, William H. Macy, and a ridiculously unhinged Woody Harrelson, Wag the Dog has volumes to say about our government, The White House, political parties, and the lying, cheating bastards that run the machine. Take a listen for a fun and enlightening conversation. As always, we can be reached at [email protected] - Many, 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.

Denis Villeneuve's Arrival

Since the beginning of this new century Popular Cinema has become increasingly obvious and simplistic. It is rare that a major studio will take a chance with "challenging, thought-provoking" material. In 2016 Denis Villeneuve would adapt Tony Chiang's 1998 novella "Story of Your Life" with a beautifully executed non-linear narrative. A sci-fi drama incorporating alien contact, geopolitics, diplomacy, and the perception of time, Villeneuve's film is a powerful and optimistic take on a genre that is often driven by pessimism and hopelessness. What could have easily been an overly formulaic bore is instead an intellectually demanding and cinematically rewarding experience that was recognized as one of the best pictures of 2016. Featuring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and - the always reliable - Forrest Whitaker, Arrival is a gift to the starved cineaste. As always, you can reach us at [email protected]. Many, 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.

Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story

Recognized as "The Greatest Film of All Time" in the 2012 Sight and Sound Magazine poll, Yasujiro Ozu's 1953 masterpiece is a quiet, contemplative examination of generational conflict, modernization, and aging in Post-War Japan. Masterfully directed and beautifully acted by Ozu's stock company, including Chishū Ryū and Setsuko Hara, Tokyo Story is arguably the greatest film in Ozu's ouvreau and one of the most powerful examples of slow cinema. A minimalist masterpiece that few directors have attempted to emulate, Ozu is a director that all cineastes eventually arrive at and - often. - find themselves unable to forget. This is a beautiful film that we are thrilled to bring to you. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at [email protected]. Many, 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.

Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut

In 1999 filmmaker Stanley Kubrick would shoot his final cinematic statement. Adapting a 1926 Freudian novella, Kubrick would (seemingly) explore the dark mysteries of sexual trafficking, secret societies, infidelity, and the paranoia inherent in all of it. A Psycho-Sexual Drama centered around a Masked Ball Orgy and images that would haunt the minds of popular culture, Kubrick's Final Film is troubling, but not for the reasons one may think. Heralded as his "Final Masterpiece" upon its release, Eyes Wide Shut has become far more relevant in the 27 years since its debut. The controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein has forged new relevance for Kubrick's swan song, presenting a narrative that far too many film, political, and social critics have latched onto with a misplaced fervor. Celebrated for the light it shines on the powers that control this world, the depravity of their sexual practices, and the honesty Kubrick is credited with exposing, the film is - in actuality - an obvious and simplistic handling of the material.

This week Mr. Chavez & I examine Eyes Wide Shut with a focus on on the reality of Jeffrey Epstein, The Epstein Files, National & International Politics, Wealth, and the Ruling Classes. Take a listen for, yet, another discussion of this troubling narrative.

Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to [email protected]. Our 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.