Watch This With Rick Ramos

Wes Craven's Last House on the Left This week we begin an examination of Violence in Cinema, but primarily Violence Directed Against Women in Cinema, beginning with a look at West Craven's 1972 Grindhouse "Classic" Last House on the Left. An infamous and controversial cult film, Craven's re-imagining and updating of Ingmar Bergman's 1960 Swedish Classic, The Virgin Spring , is not an easy viewing. A low-budget, dirty, ugly, and disturbing film, Craven's effort is definitely amateurish, however there is (as far as I am concerned) the hint of a filmmaker with a developing style and need to challenge his artistic sensibility. A decade before A Nightmare on Elm Street and the creation of Freddy Krueger, Craven would take a rape and revenge fantasy and use it as a calling card to enter the World of Cinematic Horror. We discuss the film, but more importantly we discuss the style, violence, and themes that have always existed, but have been given life and power through this film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com -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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

George Sluizer's The Vanishing Imagine Not Knowing. Imagine the struggle to move on if the person you love disappears from your life. In 1988 Dutch filmmaker George Sluizer would make one of the most subtle, tense, and troubling Thrillers cinema has known. The Vanishing (originally released with the Dutch title, Spoorloos) is the story of a couple whose lives are mysteriously and tragically upended when the girlfriend disappears during a road trip . . . Without a Trace. The beauty of Sluizer's film is that we as the audience know exactly what has happened and are forced to watch the sadistic game of a amateur kidnapper and killer as he satiates his desire to plan, carry through, and discover his talent for kidnapping and murder. All the while, we watch the husband lose his mind as he continually obsesses over what has happened to her coupled with his desperate and futile attempts to find her. Obsession and Guilt are paralleled with Intricate Planning, Patience, and Seizing of Opportunity. A story of abduction and obsession that is neither exploitative nor gratuitous, but is simply a realistic presentation of how it would happen. Culminating in one of the most disturbing and hopeless endings in all of cinema, The Vanishing is a powerful and thought-provoking film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Love & 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.

John Alan Schwartz's Faces of Death Few films have live in the minds and memories of Gen X like 1978s Faces of Death . Presented as a documentary examining the fears, fascinations, and cult surrounding death and dying, John Alan Schwartz's film is a controversial and legendary exploitation classic. A film that was famously "Banned in 46 Countries" (a claim that is dubious, at best), Faces of Death was a taboo adolescent rite of passage that was talked about and sworn to ( a documentary of real and violent footage ) throughout cafeterias and playgrounds across the United States. Almost fifty years later it is clear and documented that much of the film is staged scenes and violent re-enactments. A VHS series best seller that scattered video stores with other "legendary" titles such as The Last House on the Left , The Hills Have Eyes , It Lives & It Lives Again , and I Spit on Your Grave AKA Day of the Woman , FoD lives rent free in our memories featuring images of dog fights, alligator attacks, and - probably most famously - an electrocution and the infamous monkey brain scene. Arguably the film that popularized shockumentaries, Faces of Death (and the memories we have of said film) speaks volumes to the culture. Take a listen as we reminisce and examine the impact of this "video nasty" classic. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Eric Steel's The Bridge This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our dive into challenging films examining difficult subjects. In 2004 director Eric Steel and his crew focused his camera - day and night/7 days a week - on San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Since it's opening in May of 1937, the bridge has been one of the most popular suicide sites in the world. Steel's film attempts to understand the struggle of suicide and (rather unsuccessfully) the appeal of The Golden Gate Bridge for this purpose. Talking with family and friends, friends and loved ones, and in one case a survivor of the jump, Steel's film is a sad and troubling look into the reality of choosing to end one's life. The psychology of suicide is not given nearly enough focus and Steel's film feels empty and unfocused. But what is there . . . the discussions from friends and loved ones, the regret, acceptance, and confusement revealed are heartbreaking. As is often the case with this podcast, the film is a starting point for a discussion that will go far deeper than the film achieves. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Love & 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.

Robinson Devor's Zoo listener discretion advised Sometimes a documentary is simply facing an uphill, unwinnable, unsatisfying battle. Such is the case with Robinson Devor's 2007 investigation into the strange and perverted network of zoophiles ( those people sexually attracted to animals ). Chronicling the case of a Washinton State farm that hosted bestiality sessions, Zoo is a frustrating look into a world that simply does not make sense. Critically-acclaimed and respected on the festival circuit, Devor's film attempts to find the humanity in this strange underground community, while struggling to document these people as more than simply a punchline. That punchline would make it's way into pop culture with the 2005 death of a man known online and in the film as "Mr. Hand" after his accidental death from injuries sustained during a sexual encounter with a horse. The film describes the coming together of these people through early internet chat rooms, the incident - its rationalization to those in this world - and the aftermath of the disturbing incident. As always we look at the subject, the success or failure of the film itself, and its relationhip to the culture. At the very least an interesting discussion, we are troubled by and compelled to understand this film. Take a listen and let us know what you think. We can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Love & Appreciation. 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.

Kirby Dick's SICK: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan - SuperMasochist Listener Distrection Advised: There are a number of films that burrow into the hearts and minds of its viewers. In 1997 the Los Angeles poet, writer, performance artist, comic, and BDSM celebrity, Bob Flanagan would succumb - at the age of 43 - to cystic fibrosis (a disease that is comparable to drowning as one's lungs constantly fill with mucous). The final years of Flanagan's life would be documented by filmmaker Kirby Dick in SICK: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan - SuperMasochist . Unlike any film these podcasters have seen, Dick's film chronicles Flanagan's brave and inspirational struggle; a struggle that he would use to gain control of his artistic integrity, expression, body and life. Through a lilfe of extreme sado-masochism, self-expression, and sexual exploration Flanagan would achieve this self-empowerment. A disturbing, sad, and - finally - inspirational film, SICK , is a powerful piece of documetary filmmaking. We are proud to tackle it this week. Take a listen and 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.

Nick Bromfield's Fetishes This week we dive into the world of High-End S&M/Bondage through the lens of provocateur director Nick Bromfield - Fetishes. A 1996 HBO documentary in the American Undercover series, Bromfield's camera walks into New York's exclusive, expensive, and fascinating world of dominatrixes, fantasy, race-play, whipping, humiliation, and dungeons. Lorded over by Mistress Raven and a small staff of women who engage in and fulfill the fantasies of New York's elite through bondage, humiliation, wrestling, fetishizing, feminization, suffocation, and wrestling among others. There's a great deal to experience and Bromfield's camera exposes the acts and many of the participants. Join our discussion as we atttempt to understand this world and decide whether Bromfield captures fully the complexities of this subculture. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

John Dahl's The Last Seduction Continuing with an idea that we started a few episodes back focusing on Lena Olin in Romeo is Bleeding , this week Mr. Chavez & I take a look at an overlooked neo-noir, erotic thriller from 1994 featuring a stand-out performance from Linda Fiorentino. Our basic idea is the difficulty of casting "dangerous and strong" female characters with intimidating and daring actresses. So, why was Linda Fiorentino - an intelligentl and overpowering actor - not given the opportunities to break big? In John Dahl's cult classic, The Last Seduction , audiences were never given the chance to watch a performance that defied the narrative conventions of redemption, nurturing, or karmic comeuppance that is standard in Hollywood films. Fiorentino gives a performance that ranks with the great femme fatales of cinema including: Barbara Stanwyck ( Double Indemnity ), Johan Bennet (The Woman in the Window), Marie Windsor ( The Killing ) and Ann Savage ( Detour ). As Bridget Gregory/Wendy Kroy, Fiorentino is a sexual force without any apologies or sense of regret. It's a performance Fiorentino fully dives into with equal parts sex appeal, intelligence, and danger. Featuring Peter Berg, Bill Pullman, and classic character villain, J.T. Walsh, Fiorentino is a lesson in femme fatale manipulation. Take a listen and let us know if you agree. 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.

J-P Valkeapää's Dogs Don't Wear Pants This week Mr. Chavez & I explore Finnish Cinema with a look at J-P Valkeapää's Dogs Don't Wear Pants. A brave and troubling look at emotional trauma, BDSM, and auto-ertotic asphyxiation, Valkeapää's 2019 erotic black comedy is an exploration of the erotic underground subculture of dominance and submission. There's a great deal to admire in this film including the lead performances of Pekka Strang as a widowed single father struggling with death of his wife seven years earlier, and Krista Kosonen as the woman he meets and whose dominatrix skills he becomes consumed by. A film that is not for the squeamish or prudish, but one that gives insight into - some of - the workings of this sexual subculture. Not all of the film works, but what is there speaks louder than the majority of American films that claim to tackle sexuality. Take a listen, give the movie a watch, and let us know what you think. As always, we appreciate the continued love and support. We continue to be available to you at gondoramos@yahoo.com . 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.

Peter Medak's Romeo is Bleeding In the 1990s low-budget studio films on the periphery (in this case Polygram Filmed Entertainment) were being made with casts that - in some cases - would become mainstream stars throughtout the decade and the upcoming milennium. 1993s Peter Medak directed Romeo is Bleeding , is an under-watched, hidden gem with a cast that almost defines the 1990s - Gary Oldman, Annabella Sciorra, Roy Schreider, Juliette Lewis, Michael Wincott, and the brilliant, Lena Olin. A New York set Neo-Noir that explodes beyond the Hayes Code limits of the genre, Medak's film is a platform for a darkness of material that is rarely seen in mainstream Hollwyood. Building on a violent and highly sexualized narrative that reminds today's viewer and expands on the memories of late 80s/early 90s Cinemax Erotic Thrillers (as well as Sharon Stone and Basic Instinct ), Romeo is Bleeding is a showcase for Oldman's burnt-out, self-destructive cop, Jack Grimaldi, and Lena Olin's daring, highly sexualized, and dangerous, femme fatale, Mona Demarkov. This week Mr. Chavez and I discuss the brilliance of these two performances and the film that underserves their talents. We dive into what the film gets right and how a better director (in our opinions, Paul Schrader) may have produced a masterpiece. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Love & 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.

David Lynch's Wild at Heart This week we return to a World of Dreams and the Land of Oz through the dark and chaotic eyes of David Lynch (January 20, 1946 - January 16, 2025). A Homage/Love Letter to the classic MGM masterpiece, Lynch's 1990 Wild at Heart is a pulsating cinematic shotgun blast. The story of young lovers breaking parole and crossing the country to find a future that is never clear, Lynch's dark romantic comedy is unlike anything seen before, but inspiring to cinema for decades after. With allusions to Fleming's 1939 Technicolor Classic, as well as nods to Elvis, Americana, and the great tradition of cinematic road trips, Wild at Heart cannot be adequately described, it can only be experienced. This week Mr. Chavez & I describe our relationship to this film (his history with it and my first viewing nearly a decade ago). We discuss our history (and dismissa - minel) of Lynch followed by the embracing of this great American filmmaker (also mine). With particular attention paid to the over the top brilliance of all involved in front of the camera, including: Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton, Isabella Rosellini, J.E. Freeman, Calvin Lockhart, Grace Zabriskie, Crispin Glover, and Willem Dafoe. We are thrilled to dive into a great film from an incredible director. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com . Our Continued Love & 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.

Victor Fleming's (w/Directorial Contributions from George Cukor, Richard Thorpe, and King Vidor) The Wizard of Oz A long time coming, this week's episode focuses on the 1939 MGM Technicolor Classic The Wizard of Oz . In the early days of the studio system, each studio focused on a specific genre, Metro Goldwyn Mayer was the home of the musical and The Wizard of Oz is one of the greatest, most remembered, and most loved musicals of all time. Adapted from the L. Frank Baum classic series of novels - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) - the film an eagerly antiicipated adaptation that would prove one of the most difficult, problematic, and dangerous productions in the history of cinema. An American Classic, the film is a staple in the memories of film lovers the world over. Nearly as well known as the film itself are the stories of abuse and production difficulties which plagued the film. From the verbal and physical abuse suffered by Garland, as well as her studio forced drug addiction that was born during the making of this film , thru cast changes from life-threatening reactions to make-up (Buddy Ebsen as the original Tin Man) and Margaret Hamilton's near death experience, as well as four different directors, The Wizard of Oz is a miraclulous achievement. With some of the greatest and well known characters in cinema (The Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy Gale, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Oz, Toto, and The Great & Powerful Oz), songs that continue to inspire, as well as a following from children to their parents, grand-parents, and great grandparents, the Gay Community, Pink Floyd and Dark Side of the Moon fans, The Wizard of Oz is a film that over eight decades later continues to captivate, enchant, and inspire. Take a listen as we make a long overdue return to this American Cinematic Classic. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

Wolfgang Petersen's The Never Ending Story This week we look into the cinematic psyche of Mr. Ibrahim Chavez. Our path is Wolfgang Petersen's 1984 Childrens' Dark Fantasy, The Never Ending Story . A childrens' adventure/heroes journey of youth battling nihilism (in this case The Nothing ), bullies, parental loss, and the power of imagination, self-worth (self-belief), and self-realization. Possibilities abound in this story surrounding a magical book , a young warrior (Atreyu), beautiful, frightening, and troubling settings ( The Swamp of Sadness - one of the most depressing and overpowering setttings in The History of Movies), and imaginative puppetry ( The Luck Dragon - Falkor, Gmork, Turtle-like Morla, and The Rock-Eater - truly magnificent). The struggle to save the mythical Fantasia of the film presents imaginative and important points for those of us who have always loved reading and literature and the new generations that are understanding the power of literature. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China When I first saw John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China , it was a Pan & Scan VHS copy from my local video store. I immediately fell in love with one of the strangest and most imaginative films of the 1980s. The fourth collaboration between Horror icon, John Carpenter, and Disney legend Kurt Russell (doing an over the top and ridiculous parody of John Wayne), Big Trouble in Little China is a love letter to the Hong Kong Sword and Sorcery epics of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. With admitted and obvious inspiration from Tsui Hark's Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain , Carpenter's fantasy swordplay epic would employ an almost entirely Asian-American cast led by Denis Dun as Wang Chi, Victor Wong as Egg Shen, and the great James Hong as David Lo Pan. This week Mr. Chavez & I discuss this movie with a focus on how the film stands up to charges of appropriation (lovingly created), Orientalism (questionable), and the White-Saviour trope (mislabeled). An American set, San Francisco and Chinatown comedy that lovingly and respectfully dives into the mythology of culture, history, and hero-making, John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is a comedy, that 40 years later, is as thrilling, funny, and exciting as it was when it premiered in the summer of 1986. Take a listen and see if we give this film a fair and balancecd review or if I'm simply too in love with my memories to be objective. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

James Mangold's Cop Land Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, and Sylvester Stallone in one of the most highly-anticipated films of the 1990s . . . Springing from the headlines of the 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and today, James Mangold's 1997 police corruption drama was released to critical acclaim and tepid box-office. In an era of 90s Independent filmmaking, focusing on newspaper/magazine headlines and evening newscasts, Mangold would write and pitch a story (ostensibly a Western) set in modern day life. The reluctant hero, Sheriff Freddy Heflin (an overweight, tired, and sad Stallone), who is neither the Rocky or Rambo hero Stallone is known for, fighting the corruption of an all-star cast of big-city police living outside of the city in a mob financed town. Stallone versus Keitel, Robert Patrick, Peter Berg and John Spencer, with a cocaine-addled Ray Liotta as back-up, and a disheveled, angry, and calculating Internal Affairs officer played by DeNiro manipulating the scene, Mangold's second film - with obvious comparisons to Scorsese - stands out as an brutal and honest look at police corruption and those wiling to stand up against it. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - Our Continued Thanks and Appreciation. 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.

Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused (70s Soundtrack) This week Mr. Chavez & I return to Richard Linklater's 1993 "Hang-Out" Masterpiece, Dazed & Confused , focusing on the importance and use of its soundtrack. Featuring Aerosmith, KISS, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, WAR, ZZ Top, Edgar Winter Group, and Deep Purple, among others, Linklater's "Cinematic Soundtrack" would establish nostalgia, youth, freedom, aimless wandering, and a musical foundation inspired by previous films and inspiring others to come. Take a listen as we retrun to a great film and unwrap the music that would ground it in its time and establish a mood rarely equaled. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly It's becoming increasingly difficult to find straight-forward, honest, and personal stories at the movie theater. The low to medium budget films that populated the 1970s have cast a shadow that continues to excite and inspire modern audiences. In the wasteland of re-vamps, sequels, action and comic book dreg, a handful of pictures crawl out of the monotony. In 2012, one of these films was released and quickly disappeared from theaters. With the star power of Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini, supporting players Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy, and Ben Mendelsohn, and executive producer and star, Bradd Pitt, Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly should have been a box office hit and a critical darling. However, a film as bleak as this one - profiling the economic problems leading to the 2008 financial crisis, a difficult and racially contested presidential election, and a bleak social atmosphere focusing on blue collar criminals and hitmen versus corporate criminal bosses - Dominik's third film would be dismissed and buried by a public and studio system that would prefer leaving the pasat as it was. This week we look back at it with a decades perspective. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

Kevin Smith's Clerks The 1990s were a strange, wondrous, and hopeful decade for Cinema. Three decades later we look back on those mid 90s attitudes, trends, screams, and shouts. With the emergence of Sundance, The Weinsteins, and voices such as Tarantino, Fincher, Rodriguez, and others, Independent Cinema was flexing in a way that threatened the studios in much the same way the 70s thrilled, excited, and - most importantly - challenged that audience. This week we look at one of the loudest and unlikliest voices to emerge from this decade; A Coming of Age, Adulthood focused story following the lives of convenience store workers, Kevin Smith's 1994 classic Clerks . Thirty-two years later the anger, frustration, and hopelessness of our collective futures remain. Smith (working as a convenience store clerk while supporting his passion for writing and filmmaking) would give purpose to that anger with a foul-mouthed, pessimistic, and hopeless look at blue-collar jobs and the people who are swallowed by them. Through the lives of two best friends, Dante & Randall (with a couple of pot-dealing morons names Jay & Silent Bob singing the chorus), Smith gave voice to the fears, inhibitions, and cynicism of the 90s and the working mans' struggle. Most importantly, how does all of this relate to us? Well, we are all mired in the aimlessness and calcification of the 40 hour work week. Clerks spoke volumes to a generation unsure of itself. Thirty-two years later that volume has not dimmed. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused On this week's episode we explore 1976 through the eyes of 1993, with Richard Linklater's slacker/high-school masterpiece, Dazed & Confused . Linklater's love letter to high school coming-of-age films is one of the stand-out productions of early 90s independent cinema; a film that blends aimless storytelling with a pounding and nostalgic 70s soundtrack, to reminisce on the good, bad, boring, and character forming experiences of growing up. Juniors becoming Seniors, Middle-Schoolers transitioning to High School, Dazed & Confused is much more than a re-creation of Texas in 1976. Linklater's film is a funny, touching, and - surprisingly - heart-warming story of finding ones' way, selling out, peaking in high school, and imagining the future and ones' place in it. It's about the friendships we make and how so much of that plays a part in building our individual characters. Dazed & Confused is a cult classic which began the careers of Jason London, Adam Goldberg, Joey Lauren Adams, Cole Hauser, Nicky Katt, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey. It's a thrill for Mr. Chavez & I to return to this classic and examine how so much of it mirrors our own lives. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com - 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.

Michael Mann's Heat On this week's episode we celebrate our 600th episode with a look at one of the most important films of our generation, Michael Mann's Crime-Thriller, Heist Film, Masterpiece . . . the coming together of two of the greatest and most important actors of their generation, Al Pacino as Lieutenant Vincent Hannah and Robert DeNiro as Professional Criminal Neil McCauley in 1995s Heat . This week we talk the film, but as always the film is simply a jumping off point for a greater undestanding, in the case an understanding of 1990s culture, the crime genre, brilliant acting and direction, and our own personal growth and attachment to the ideas, warnings, and lessons of this exceptional film. A modern day criminal tragedy which re-invents a story that has been told thousands of times and somehow manages to make all things fresh and unique. With a brilliant cast including the aforementioned DeNiro and Pacino, but also Wes Studi, Ted Levine, Mykelti Williamson, Diane Verona, Tom Sizemore, Danny Trejo, Amy Brenneman, William Fichtner, Ashley Judd, Hank Azaria, Natalie Portman, Henry Rollins, John Voight, Kevin Gage, Bud Cort, a heartbreaking Dennis Haysbert, and a brilliant Val Kilmer, Michael Mann's Heat is a beautifully rendered, heartbreaking crime tragedy that feels real, lived in, and timeless. And yeah . . . we spend a good amount of time on that scene - one of the greatest ever filmed. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at gondoramos@yahoo.com . 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.