Watch This With Rick Ramos

Clive Barker's Hellraiser (1987) In 1987 Horror author Clive Barker introduced movie audiences to the soon-to-be-iconic Pinhead, The Cenobites, and a puzzle box that promises and fails to rival Pandora. A Supernatural Horror Film based on Barker's novella The Hellbound Heart, Hellraiser would signal the beginning of a nearly half dozen entry Horror series that has spanned nearly forty years. Focusing on BDSM and Hedonism, Barker's film is an overrated, nostalgic, and terribly inept entry into the Horror genre. It has a powerful and captivating villain in Doug Bradley's Pinhead and a gang of supernatural Cenobites that hint at a much better film. That film promised an exploration of the torture of pleasure and pain . . . an erotic thriller that dives into the idea of hedonism and the punishment that would come with it . . . Barker's film fails in every aspect of what is promised. This week we take a look at this "Horror Classic" in an attempt to understand what is missing and what the appeal is in what is realized on the screen. 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.  

Michael Wadleigh's Wolfen (1981) From time to time filmmakers finagle an original idea out of the studios. in 1981 Director Michael Wadleigh would adapt Whitley Strieber's (best known for the novels The Hunger and Communion) 1978 debut novel, Wolfen, for theaters. A 70s era Horror/Thriller set in a decaying and bombed-out Bronx, Wadleigh confuses and surprises his viewer with a film that seems to be moving in a direction of Native American/Indigenous stereotypes including shapeshifters, guardian spirits, and native mysticism only to develop into a police proceduarl regarding eco-terrorism, urban development, political hucksterism, and land rights. There is truly a deeper and more powerful film here than one would expect from a major studio (in this case Orion producing and Warner Brothers distributing). Wolves, Murders, Legends & Myths . . . all employed in an original and exciting way. Featuring stand-out performances from Albert Finnery, Gregory Hines, Diane Verona, Tom Noonan, and Edward James Olmos, Wolfen is a film that surprises and excites. Take a listen, watch the film, 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.

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.