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 [email protected]. 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.

Comic Strip Underdog: Robert Altman's Popeye

This week we look to the fans with a special episode dedicated to WatchThis supporter, Jorge Saucedo. Mr. Saucedo asked that we take a look at the much-maligned 1980 Robert Altman comic strip adaptation, Popeye. This was a great time re-visiting a classic of my youth and, although Popeye is not Mr. Chavez's type of film - good guy hero, comic strip adaptation, musical - there is a great deal that he admired in this 80s Classic. Featuring Robin Williams (in his debut role) as the famed Sailor Man, a supporting cast including: Ray Walston (Poopdeck Pappy) Paul Dooley (Wimpy), Paul L. Smith (Bluto), Bill Irwin (Ham Gravy), Richad LIbertini (George W. Geezil), and - in perfect casting - Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl, Popeye is a film that is remembered fondly. For too long it  has been unfairly labeled a "disaster", but the truth is it is a charming, beautiful, and light-hearted adaptation of the E.C. Segar comic strips of the 1930s. This was a fun time remembering a classic of the 1980s. We hope you like what we have to say. Thanks for the continued support. We can be reached at [email protected].

 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.

We'll Always Have Aqaba - David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia

Few films are able to live up to the label of "epic".  In 1962 David Lean created one of the great epic masterpieces of cinema, Lawrence of Arabia. Based on the life of British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and write, T.E. Lawrence, Lean's film chronicles Lawrence's involvement in the Arab Revolt (1916-1918), his life among his adopted tribal families and his struggles with loyalty to the Arab tribes, the dessert, and his ties to his British roots. Lean's film is an epic in every way; from beautiful 70mm cinematography (lensed by the great Freddie Young) majestic and engrossing music from Maurice Jarre, and the incredible editing of Anne V. Coates (all three Academy Award winners for the film). Introducing Peter O'Toole and Omar Shariff, Lean would help create two of the great international stars Cinema has known. It's a thrill for Mr. Chavez and I to sit down, watch, remember, and discuss this powerful, overwhelming, and life-changing film. Take a listen as we dig into the history of The Middle East, the reception and legacy of this film, and comparisons to other "White Saviour" stories. It's a damn good talk. We hope you'll enjoy. Let us know what you think - [email protected]. 

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.

Frank Herbert's Burden: Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part 2

This week Mr. Chavez & I return to Planet Arrakis for the conclusion (a lie) of Frank Herbert's Sci-Fi Classic, Dune. We partly imagined that this would be more of our previous look at this film (Episode #353), however we were able to find more to complain about. Take a listen as we fortify our stance in the minority opinion regarding this "WhiteSaviour" epic. It's an interesting talk with a lot to unpack. As always we can be reached at [email protected].

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.

Woman in Trouble; Audience Perplexed: David Lynch's Inland Empire 

Few filmmakers can live up to the title "auteur" . . . David Lynch almost requires the use of it. From daring soundtracks through troubling narratives and controversial story elements, fascinatingly over the top performances and strange journeys into the subconscious, Lynch has left audiences reeling with confusion and excitement for over forty years. On this week's episode Mr. Chavez and I take a look at his last theatrical release 2006s Inland Empire. It's as if everything that has come before has been building towards this strange and captivating three-hour long journey into the mind, fantasy, fears, reality, and imagination of an actress facing the role of her career . . . But is that what it's really about? Who knows. The fun is in the descent into Lynch's rabbit hole. Take a listen as we take a deep dive into the unknown. As always we can be reached at [email protected]. Our continued love and 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.

Broken Mirror: Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan

Fun talk . . . This week Mr. Chavez and I continue to look at the films of Darren Aronofsky with this discussion of his 2010, Five Time Oscar Nominated (Including Best Picture and Director, and Winner for Best Actress - Natalie Portman) look at the world of Ballet. Aronofsky's film is a tense and often brutal look at the world of artistic perfection featuring a dynamic and fearless performance from Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers, a young ballerina given the opportunity of a lifetime to lead a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Questions of perfection, training, direction, maninpulation, and sexual harassment are tackled in this layered and frightening film. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez and I look at the film, the culture that spawns it, and the history of such art, lies, sacrifice, and abuse. It's a damn good talk. Let us know what you think - [email protected]

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.

Souls Dead, Eyes Dilated: Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream

On this week's episode Mr. Chavez & I sit down for a re-watch of Darren Aronofsky's second feature, Requiem for a Dream, based on the 1978 novel by Hubert Selby Jr. Aronofsky's adaptation is a tragic and often times painful viewing of heroin addiction and the victims (Jared Leto, Marlon Wayans, and Jennifer Connelly) it leaves in its wake. Aronofsky and Selby contrast heroin addiction with the more "acceptable" and less recognized addiction of prescription diet pills embodied in the struggles of Ellen Burstyn's Sara Goldfarb character as she struggles to lose weight and slowly slips into madness.

With brutal and traumatizing imagery, Aronofsky's film is a chilling look into the world of addiction. This week Mr. Chavez & I are thrilled to discuss this difficult, painful, and enlightening film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We continue to be open to messages - [email protected]. Many Thanks for your continued love and support. 

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 from you Cheap Bastards.

Mima's Room: Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue 

This week we thank long time listener and Buy Me a Coffee supporter, Cornelius Burroughs with a viewing and discussion of Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue. Mr. Burroughs was kind enough to gift me a blu-ray copy of this Classic Japanese Anime many years ago . . . I have finally made the time to watch it and am eager for listeners to hear our admiring, problematic, and conflicted opinions of this film. This is a great discussion that has forced - at least this moviewatcher - an intense critical and psychological understanding of cinema, genre, format, and expectations. Mr. Chavez and I dive head first into this wonderfully telling and suprising (for us at least) experience. Take a listen and let us know what you think ([email protected]), and - once again - thank you Mr. Burroughs, You Are 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 from you Cheap Bastards.

From Cute & Cuddly to Killer: Joe Dante's Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch

This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our stroll through the 1980s with a look at a stange kind of Comedy/Puppetry/Action/Horror hybrid, Joe Dante's Gremlins (1984). Dante - a graduate of the Roger Corman School of Low-Budget Filmmaking - is one of the most criminally underappreciated directors of the 1980s and 1990s. The Howling, Explorers, The 'Burbs, Matinee, Innerspace, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action . . . Joe Dante has been a reliable, solid, and inventive filmmaker. Gremlins is what he calls, "the movie I'm going to be remembered for. If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, the headline is going to be 'Gremlins Director Hit By Bus'. I'll never do something that'll outlast that in terms of the public image of who I am – which is fine with me." Dante shouldn't be limited to this, but I will say that the both Gremlins films are exceptional and it was a thrill to return to them and have one of our wonderfully insightful talks. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, you can reach us at [email protected]. 

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 from you Cheap Bastards.

What's Out There: Ridley Scott's Alien and John Carpenter's The Thing

This week we take a look at two of the greatest Science-Fiction/Horror films in the History of Cinema: Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) and John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) We've talked about both of these films throughout the history of the podcast, however on this go-around we take a slightly different approach, looking at the similarities between the films, the differences, the influences, and how each film has adhered to and expanded the genres. Take a listen as we go back to a well that never seems to go dry. It's a fun talk that we think you'll enjoy. You can reach us at [email protected] with your comments. 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 from you cheap bastards.