The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (MAR 3rd, 2024)

In a cluttered and overwhelming world of cinema, it is literally impossible to watch it all (trust me…I try). There is a hard balance between rewatching your favorite films, new releases, and films from your ever growing watchlists. But there are so many gems in film history to enjoy so it is a great way to utilize your movie watching time. But how do you decide what to watch? Queue The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends! This series will highlight my weekly journey through previously released films (whether they are rewatches for me or new discoveries. Here are my picks:

Major League (1989)

What is the most authentic look at a baseball season put to film? Oddly enough, it is this sports comedy, Major League. Following the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) with a rag tag group of players trying to defy an evil owner who wants them to fail. First off, this is a genuinely hilarious film that will have you laughing in every scene. But what makes this film special is the connections we get to make with each of these players. We get some impressive depth to some and get to see how their dynamics evolve. When you have a cast full of Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, and others, you are in for a real treat. All the little support characters from fans to the grounds crew to Bob Uecker’s announcer are great trappings as well. Throw in some great music and “Wild Thing” will get you pumped for more.

A League of Their Own (1992)

Is there really no crying in baseball? This iconic line of dialogue is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this sports movie classic A League of Their Own. Penny Marshall’s beloved baseball film is the perfect balance of baseball and themes and characters. Geena Davis is a towering anchor for this film as she leads an incredibly talented ensemble. Tom Hanks certainly makes his presence known as a drunken and obnoxious coach. But this empowering story tells the audience that women can do what the men can too. There is a fantastic sisterhood that develops over the course of the film, and it even boasts one of the most interesting sister dynamics in the film. There is plenty of entertainment but also heart and soul in this beautiful film. You will certainly be rooting for the Rockford Peaches by the end and want to join the team.

Demons (1985)

What if you took The Evil Dead and put it in a movie theater instead of a cabin in the woods? Sounds like a lot of fun! Dario Argento thought so and supported Lamberto Bava in the creation of Demons. The characters are flat, and you don’t really care too much about their problems…but it is a ton of fun watching them take on grotesque and crazy possessed people inside the confines of a beautiful house of cinema. The makeup is fantastic and certainly makes you think of the Deadites that fill out the more famous horror series. The heavy metal infused music is something else that churns up plenty of tension as stuff hits the fan. There are plenty of demented twists and turns while no one is possibly safe. That is what makes this such an enjoyable time.

Stagecoach (1939)

Is this peak John Ford? Is it peak John Wayne? The answer to both of those questions is YES. Stagecoach is an exciting and thrilling western with an ensemble cast to certainly write home about. Wayne shines in his star-making performance as The Ringo but the rest of this great cast deserve praise from Thomas Mitchell to John Carradine to George Bancroft. The stagecoach chase sequence in the climax is one of the greatest in the history of film. The characters feel so fleshed out and engaging as their group dynamics make for an exciting and affecting experience. The audience gets plenty of opportunities to connect with this ragtag crew of characters and that is special. The technical achievements in the film are trendsetting and setting the stage for many modern film chases and action in general.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913)

How many adaptations of Robert Louis Stevensons’ novel are there? This early cinema adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one of a few from that era that does a fine job of leaning out the story and delivering a 26-minute watch that delivers the premise just fine. Something like this can be easily found on YouTube and is a brief runtime as well making for a much easier decision to check it out. There is a more morally ambiguous Hyde this time around, but it is the transformation (like for many adaptations) is the highlight of the proceedings. There is a touch of romance and King Baggot (the lead as the titular split personality) brings plenty to the table including a crazed and committed death sequence. If you are curious to check out some early cinema, this is a fine addition to your watchlist.