Watch This With Rick Ramos

David Cronenberg's The Fly In 1958 Director Kurt Neumann would direct a classic of the horror genre, the Vincent Price led, The Fly. A Horror Classic in the Mad Scientist genre, the film would be re-made (re-imagined?) almost three decades later, by the great Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg. Taking the basic idea of a science-fiction/mad scientist story, Cronenberg would expand and develop the themes of the story. Scientific Ethics coupled wtih Technological Risks would be the focus of the '86 film. Featuring groundbreaking - and Academy Award winning - make-up and special effects (iconic teleportation pods) - by Chris Walas and Stephen Dupuis, Cronenberg's film would catapult character actors Jeff Goldblum (scientist Seth Brundle) and Geena Davis (as his love interest and investigative journalist) into A-List roles. A Body-Horror Classic that has inspired and transformed Modern Horror, Cronenberg's production value has been felt throughout cinema. Take a listen and let us know what you think. As always we can be reached at [email protected] - 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.

Tom Holland's Child's Play In 1988 Director Tom Holland introduced movie audiences to Chucky, a Good Guy Doll who was meant to be Your Friend to the End. Possibly the last time Horror films would create an icon, the evil and possessed Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif), would embody a strange late 80s Horror fiction that would draw on animatronic dolls that were popular at this time (Teddy Ruxpin and My Buddy) as well as classic dolls including G.I. Joe, Barbie, Cabbage Patch, and Raggedy Ann & Andy. The point was an old one . . . something about childhood was terrifying. Bringing The Chucky Doll to narrative life through cinematic voodoo tropes and physically through special effects including puppetry, animatronics, and forced perspective using little people, Child's Play would be a slasher hit spawning a half dozen sequels, a television series, and a theatrical reboot in 2019. Although Child's Play is in no way a great film, it does have its charm with good performances from Catherine Hicks, child actor Alex Vincent, Dourif, and a slumming (and possibly bored) Chris Sarandon. There are problems returning to a 40+ year old movie, but when the fun kicks it in you find it worth the watch. Take a listen and let us know what you think. Questions, Comments, Complaints, & Suggestions can be directed to [email protected] - 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.

Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 "After a Decade of Silence . . . The Buzz is Back" And with that tagline audiences wer re-introduced to the Sawyer Family: The Cook, Chop-Top, and Leatherface. In 1986, Director Tobe Hooper would return to Texas for a sequel to - arguably - the greatest Horror film in the History of Cinema (respectfully acknowledging George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead & Dawn of the Dead and John Carpenter's Halloween; a film that many cite as the first and most important Slasher film ever made. In August of 1986, audiences were not prepared for Hooper's new take on his original classic. An over the top, violent, slasher, comedy, horror film seemed the only possible approach to the material. Slapstick, Shticky, and Ridiculously Gorey, Hooper would create a sequel similar in appearance to the original, but Bizarro in execution. Bigger, Wilder, and with a set-design Grander (but only barely equal) to the original film (as well as beautifully bloody make-up effects by the legendary Tom Savini), Hooper would fulfill a contractual obligation to Cannon Films that would baffle the Schlock, Low-Rent Studio known for such garbage as Ninja III: The Domination, Death Wish 2 & 3, and Missing in Action. Chainsaw 2 is truly bewildering and a testament to directorial drive and inventiveness. (Google the original theatrical poster substituting The Sawyer Family for The Breakfast Club in that classic one sheet.) It's not a movie for everyone, but it definitely is a strange kind of brave, creative, and hilarious masterpiece. Take a listen as we dive in and argue these points. Qustions, Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions can be directed to [email protected] - Our Continued Thanks & 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.

Meir Zarchi's I Spit on Your Grave (AKA Day of the Woman) In 1978 Meir Zarchi's I Spit on Your Grave (originally titled Day of the Woman) was released in theatres and would become infamous as one of the most polarizing and controversial films ever made. A rape and revenge picture following a young woman visiting the country to write her novel, the story quickly turns into one of sexual violence and exploitation. Camille Keaton portrays Jennifer. The ninety minute film would subject to her to numerous acts of physical, mental, and sexual violence. Without nuance or any kind of artistic skill, Zarchi's film has been criticized by many and applauded by others. The film would find notoriety through the criticism of Roger Ebert who called it, "a vile bag of garbage . . . a movie so sick, reprehensible and contemptible that I can hardly believe it's playing in respectable theaters,Attending it was one of the most depressing experiences of my life." This week Mr. Chavez & I look at this cult classic and in our continued dive into the world of exploitation to understand the "artistic and theatrical" need to present cinematic violence against women as the required entry to stories of female empowerment. It's uncertain if questions are answered, however the importance of asking the questions is invaluable. Take a listen and let us know what you think of this heartfelt and troubled conversation. As always we can be reached at [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.

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 [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 contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.