The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (MAY 5th, 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:

The Battle of Midway (1942)

What was John Ford doing during World War II? He was making films to help with the war effort! The Battle of Midway was one of his first films as part of this effort to show the courage and sacrifice of American forces. This is real footage of American fighter planes doing their work with impressive aerial shots and explosive visuals of bombings as well. There is a bit of humor as Ford introduces the audience to Midway “natives” …seagulls. But the film wraps up with triumphant patriotism with music and flags galore. Throw in a few Hollywood stars like Henry Fonda doing some narration and you get quite the documentary short like only a filmmaker like Ford could put together.

Space Cowboys (2000)

What do you get when you combine aging film legends and N*SYNC into a movie? Space Cowboys. Clint Eastwood leads a team of screen legends including Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, and Donald Sutherland who must (at their advanced ages) go up into space to stop a failing Russian satellite. This film might turn into a bit of a thriller once the events take place but for much of the runtime it is a fun ride. The first two acts highlight this team of charismatic actors who charm their way through training. This is such a strange concept, but the actors make it so worth watching. You even get James Cromwell, Marica Gay Harden, William Devane, and more. This is an endlessly watchable flick even when it gets a little too self-serious once its mission becomes even more dangerous.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

What is the best Batman film? I am sure few people will name Batman: Mask of the Phantasm…but maybe they should. Batman: The Animated Series is a beloved series that truly captured the perfect mix of noir, detective story, mobster elements, and the more over-the-top comic books elements. That perfect mix was delivered so well in Mask of the Phantasm. This is a story that is deeply personal for Bruce Wayne as he must confront the best love of his past while trying to solve a slew of mob deaths. But the best Kevin Conroy Batman is when he must go toe-to-toe with Mark Hamill’s Joker. This twisted murder mystery boasts a well-structured and engrossing story that perfectly layers in the love story, Joker, and the over mystery of the Phantasm. The animation is fantastic, the production design is engrossing, and the action is thrilling. In only 75 minutes, Mask of the Phantasm has it all.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

What is the peak of Wes Anderson’s style and storytelling? The Grand Budapest Hotel. His films have been bolder and more experimental as of late, but this funny and emotional caper is a wonderful ride. There are deeply emotional elements with some pitch perfect dialogue. There is an ensemble cast that is of another world based on how much talent is squeezed into this quirky murder mystery. Ralph Fiennes leads the charge in a role that is pure perfection which he should have received award consideration for. The layered framed narratives and narration are perfect in capturing this tale of tales with the soothing voice of F. Murray Abraham bringing it to life. The world building is top notch with the most vibrant color palette you will find and a beautiful hotel that would make any others jealous. There is impressive genre bending (including a horrifying sequence inside a closing museum) as well as Alexandre Desplat’s beautiful and dynamic score. This one has it all and shows Anderson at his best.

The Secret of Kells (2009)

What is the most impactful tale of Gaelic culture you will find? Look no further than Cartoon Saloon and their first feature The Secret of Kells. This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful, animated films ever with its unique design with swirling strokes and intricate patterns. Brendan Gleeson anchors a great cast of Irish voices who bring these characters to life as a community inside a walled off land prepared for barbarian raiders. Those sequences are some of the most shocking and frightening you will find in a “children’s” film. The balance between beautiful and ominous visuals is stellar. But it is the mixture of magic, fantasy, and faith that breathes so much life into the world of Kells. There is a charming and sweet friendship at its core between a young boy and a fairy. But it is the exploration of faith and culture that makes this film resonate so strongly with an ending that is impactful and emotional but most importantly satisfying.

The Breadwinner (2017)

Was Cartoon Saloon able to capture their same magic outside of the world of Irish and Gaelic cultures? The Breadwinner is yet another stunning and powerful story from one of the best animation studios in the world. This is a tale of a young girl who must be a boy to take care of her family. This film pulls no punches in showing the oppression and sexism under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. This story is deeply emotional and delivers plenty of dramatic moments that will burn in your brain. The animation is beautiful but our young protagonist’s fables told on screen are even more gorgeous with its dynamic visuals and themes. The direction is incredible with so much tension building through every scene. This is a powerful film about freedom and family that will stick with you long after watching. This film never got the attention it deserved upon its release, but it is a powerful tale that is striking and moving in so many ways.

Twister (1996)

If you lived through the 1990s, what was the prototypical disaster movie for you? Of course, it had to be Twister. The special effects are off the charts and the thrills take you through the whole runtime. There is always something exciting and thrilling going on for this crew of storm chasers. Jan de Bont directs the hell out of this disaster flick with impressive visual effects, sound design, and production design. But it is the impressive ensemble that really sells this film so well. Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt make for an impressive duo who handle the romance aspects of the film. There is some solid personal drama with reigniting an old flame and going toe-to-toe with Cary Elwes’ perfect antagonist. But the rest of this cast is fantastic as well with Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Lois Smith, and others who deliver fun and memorable characters who we care about along the way. Get ready for Twisters with a rewatch or first time watch of the original.

Song of the Sea (2014)

Cartoon Saloon is just so darn good, aren’t they? Song of the Sea just might be their peak work with this fantastical journey that is filled with wonder and heart. Brendan Gleeson is back again but it is the dynamic brother/sister duo of Ben and Saoirse. They go on a journey filled with plenty of fairies, magical owls, and the folklore around the Selkie. Saoirse is a Seel Child, just like her mother, and she must save nature with her magical powers. This is a tale about siblings, trauma, and love. The animation (like all Cartoon Saloon projects) is just incredible. There is no other way to slice it. This gorgeous film is a wonder to behold. The fantastical elements and the pure beauty of Ireland just pops on screen. This is a wonderous fairy tale like few American films can deliver. Culture and passion can be seen in every single frame. There is deep emotional resonance and a healthy sense of danger. This is the best type of adventure for the whole family.

Wolfwalkers (2020)

What was the fitting way Cartoon Saloon found to wrap up their Irish Folklore Trilogy? They dove into more Irish Folklore and looked at the titular Wolfwalkers. Human beings when awake wolf projections come to sleep, this is a fascinating bit of folklore that was the perfect vehicle to tell this beautiful story. Apple distrusted this film back during the pandemic and it should have been a mammoth streaming hit. There is a moving tale of connection between two young women who bond over their abilities. Our protagonist is the daughter of a huntsman who works for a religious zealot who rules under an iron fist. The way this film navigates themes of belief versus organized religion, the bastardization of Christianity, the connection to nature and the wild, as well as the role of fear in the world of oppression and tyrannical rule. There is a surprising amount of depth in this film that shines so brightly. The heart and emotions rise high as we go on this wondrous adventure with our two young protagonists. The animation might be a tad different compared to the first two films in this trilogy, but you cannot take away the technical prowess that Wolfwalkers shows off.

My Father’s Dragon (2022)

Does Cartoon Saloon still have it with their most recent feature film with My Father’s Dragon? Netflix distributed this new fantasy adventure that finds a young boy whose mother loses her shop, and he is whisked away to Wild Island in search of a dragon to save his family. But what he finds is the fate of this floating island hanging in the balance as our protagonist and his new dragon friend must find a way to save the island. This film might feel a bit too much like a standard animated film focused on children thanks to the silly banter of Gaten Matarazzo’s dragon. But this fantastical adventure has weight and some serious moments. Like any Cartoon Saloon film, this does deliver a story that is full of danger, wonder, and a beautiful world. More similar to The Breadwinner in look and as directed by Nora Twomey, this film is still able to capture that spark that makes this studio’s films so special. The voice cast is filled with the gills with great talent from Ian McShane to Chris O’Dowd to Rita Moreno and more. This is a fantasy world worth discovering.

Van Helsing (2004)

What if the legendary vampire hunter Van Helsing was a badass action hero? Stephen Sommers’ Van Helsing feels like some crazed fan fiction of classic horror novels…but it is so much fun! There might be a lot of eye candy and objectification for the teenage boy crowd but these special effects driven fantasy adventure feels somewhat in the vein of Sommers’ previous work on The Mummy. Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale…so hot back then. They make for a fun pair of attractive action heroes who go toe-to-toe with vampires, werewolves, and all types of horror creatures of the night. There is a killer score from Alan Silvestri that makes every scene so much better. There are performances that range from over-the-top camp from Richard Roxburgh to subdued humanity from Shuler Hensley. This might not be the most dynamic or intelligent script but there is plenty of crazy twists and turns. This was a franchise starter in the making and kind of wish we got more.

South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut (1999)

How popular was South Park back in the late 90s? The attention around this controversial show was so big that Trey Parker and Matt Stone were able to bring this raunchy and wild series to the silver screen. South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut is a wild ride that is a full-blown musical that tells a story about censorship, Hell on Earth, and the search for the clitoris (you heard that one right). This extended South Park experience took fans to whole new places this franchise had yet to reach including global war, Hell, and big musical numbers. There are quite a few downright hilarious musical numbers that might be too taboo to write about here, but they are damn hilarious. We witness the true death of Kenny as he heads down to Hell and witnesses the dysfunctional and toxic relationship between Satan and Saddam Hussein. Terrence and Phillip “corrupt” American youth through their profanity laden film release. If you love South Park, this is bigger, wilder, and more hilarious compared to any given episode.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)Who doesn’t love a good history lesson? Well…if it is like the one from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, then everyone would certainly love! This super 80s science fiction adventure tells the tale of two teenage rockers and underachievers who must time travel to put on the best presentation to pass high school history class. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are the perfect pair of doofuses to empathize with as they go on this most excellent adventure. The charm of this story is seeing all the historical figures brought to life, how Bill & Ted engage with them, and how those figures engage with modern times. The montage at the mall is such a wonderfully fun ride. You also have legendary comedian George Carlin who appears as the future’s best mentor, Rufus. This might not be the smartest film or the most dynamic time travel film but it is hard to match the fun you will have inside that time traveling phone booth with our bodacious lead duo.