Watch This With Rick Ramos Rick Ramos

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 the Head?). Join us as we devote more discussion than this film deserves and still recognize it as a great fun time at a bad movie. 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.

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 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. 
 

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..

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.

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.