Old Fangs for a New Monster: Terrence Fisher's Dracula aka Horror of Dracula 

October continues to roll along. This week Mr. Chavez & I dive into the world of English Horror with 1958's Dracula aka Horror of Dracula. Although a flawed film that feels lazily directed, Terrence Fisher's film is our introduction to one of the great Dracula's of the Silver Screen - The Brilliant and Mesmerizing Christopher Lee. Lee would appear as Dracula nine times and is probably the most recognized Dracula after Bela Lugosi. Dracula (1958) would create a different kind of menace and a defiantly sexier Dracula. Lee is ably assisted by his on-screen nemesis and acting partner, Peter Cushing, as Van Helsing. The two of these men taking on such iconic roles is more than enough reason to look into this film.

We hope you enjoy our talk. As always, we can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Phantoms of the Field: Kaneto Shindō's Onibaba

From time to time, Mr. Chavez & I stumble on what can lovingly be referred to as "hidden cinematic gems". A few weeks ago we discovered (for ourselves, at least) a rarely seen "cult classic" - Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls. As we continue our look into the Horror genre we discover another film that deserves much greater attention. In 1964 Japanese director, Kaneto Shindō directed a disturbing and rather compelling look into relationships strained by the struggles and horrors of war and the power and drive for survival. Onibaba is Shindo's examination of three people (two women - mother-in-law and daughter - and a man) living, suffering, and fighting for survival through a war-ravaged 14th Century Kyoto.

Filmed in beautiful widescreen (2.35:1) Black & White, Shindō's film beautifully captures the war-ravaged countryside (overwhelmingly tall plant stalks) and the people who will murder samurai to survive one day at a time. The talk focuses on the movie, and - as always - steers into a discussion of emotion, humanity, fear, paranoia, and violence. Take a listen . . . it's a fun talk. We can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Seven Bloody Schoolgirls: Nobuhiko Obayashi's House

There are times when reputation precedes a viewing yet nothing can really prepare you for what you are about to see. Recently Mr. Chavez & I continued our dive into the Halloween Holiday Season with a search for new, frightening, strange, and acclaimed films. This week we stumbled on Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 Japanese Cult Classic House. As is often the case, your two favorite movie talkers are at odds with what we take from this film. Mr. Chavez enjoyed the film's inventiveness and originality, while I found it ponderous, boring, and without any kind of interesting focus. Take a listen as eacxh of us argue our points regarding this difficult and surprising film. We can always be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Ghost Dance for the Organ Girl: Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls 

This week Mr. Chavez & I continue our celebration of the Halloween season with a little-seen and incredibly influential cult film from 1962, Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls. This is truly discovering diamonds in the landfill. Herk Harvey - a director and producer of industrial and educational films based in Lawrence, Kansas - would create one of the most influential films in cinema that would, somehow, remain almost completely unknown.  Harvey's film would be dismissed upon its intitial 1962 release, but would find an audience through television screenings (it was in the public domain) and public arthouse screenings beginning in 1989. Watching the film, it is easy to see Harvey's influence on such varied directors as David Lynch and James Wan, however its strongest influence seems to be on George A. Romero's first zombie film, NIght of the Living Dead. Take a listen as I introduce this forgotten classic to Mr. Chavez and we dig into the power of its images, sound design, and story. It's a fun talk. As always, we can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

The Beggar, The Blonde, and The Button: Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell

Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I continue our annual exploration of Horror for this Halloween Season. This week my podcast partner & I take a look at Sam Raimi's 2009 return to the Horror/Comedy genre. A modest hit when initially released, Raimi's film has developed somewhat of a cult following. Herein lies part of the problem . . . on this week's episode Mr. Chavez & I discuss the importance of the audience experience in enjoying a film of this type. It's a changing movie-watching world. Take a listen to see if you agree with our assessment of how an audience can affect the experience. As always, we can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Gen Z Xenomorph: Fede Alvarez's Alien: Romulus 

No Worries . . . Mr. Chavez & I will be returning to our Never-Ending 500 Episode Retrospective.  However, this week we continue our look into the Horror genre taking us into the Halloween Season, with Fede Alvarez's newest entry into the Alien Series, Alien: Romulus. This 7th film in the series - We Don't Count Those AlienVSPredator Embarassments - takes place between Ridley Scott's original 1979 Alien and James Cameron's 1986 sequel, Aliens. Your two favorite movie podcasters differ wildly on this entry. Take a listen to see which of us you agree with. Is this a tense and exciting entry into the series, or is it simply an attempt to milk blood from a stone. See the movie, take a listen, and let us know what you think. As always, we can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

The TV Took My Blonde Daughter - Spielberg & Hooper's Poltergeist

This week we take a break from our 500 Episode Retrospectives - I really didn't think it would take this long to get through 500 episodes - to bring the cinematic hammer down and dive into The Season of All-Saints. We have an entirely new slew of Cinematic Horror for the next two months with looks at Horror Comedy, Horror Cult, Horror Classics, Foreign Horror, and Literary Horror. It's going to be a fun month as we dive into an 80s Classic . . . The Steven Spielberg Produced/Tobe Hooper Directed Poltergeist.  Mr. Chavez & I have much different takes on this exploration of the supernatural. Take a listen to hear the battle between memory, personal tastes, and better viewings. It's a fun discussion that gives - you - the audience a new and interesting angle on a film that has lived with us for over 40 years. Take a listen. We think you'll have a good time. Hit us up at [email protected] - As Always, 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.

Found Treasure, Excess, Hilarity, and New Authors in Horror

We have no idea when this will end, but we're having a hell of a time remembering. Take a listen as Mr. Chavez & I remember The Video Store, New Voices in Horror (Peele/Aster/Eggers), Ultimate Excess (Tarantino's The Hateful 8), Legends (Dylan & McCartney), and a Heartfelt Farewell to a Comedy Legend . . . Mr. Paul Mooney. This was a good time. Let us know what you think. As always we can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Music Televison, Bad Taste, Toxic Masculinity & So Much More

It's proving to be a hell of a good time reminiscing on these past ten years. Part 9 is coming at ya. Break open a bottle, take a listen, and enjoy the memories we share. We'd love to hear your thoughts - [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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Memories Are Made of This 

Part 8 of a never-ending ride back through a decade of WatchThis W/RickRamos. Discussing all manners of cinema, music, television, the culture, and culminating with my leaving Los Angeles after twenty years. It's a good time between two good friends. Take a listen and 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.

Conspiracies & Things to Come

Take a listen as we continue our deep dive into a decade of WatchThis W/RickRamos. We're having a great time . . . We hope you're feeling the same. Best Wishes. As always, we can be reached 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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.