The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (May 26th, 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:

Rumble Fish (1983)

Was The Outsiders the studio film that Coppola made so he could make Rumble Fish his way? One of the most surprising things about Rumble Fish is just how artful it is from a filmmaking perspective. The crisp black-and-white cinematography is awe-inspiring. Every shot looks so gorgeous and the way the camera moves is engrossing and fluid. There are some impressive stunts when it comes to the few fighting sequences. This is an engaging tale by S.E. Hinton (also the author of The Outsiders) as our protagonist idolizes his older brother and the lifestyle he perceives as what his brother valued. Matt Dillon portrays our young protagonist who must travel through many dangerous and unfortunate circumstances to finally figure out what is worthwhile in life. This stacked cast includes Mickey Rourke as Dillon’s older brother, his pals are Nicolas Cage and Chris Penn, his father is Dennis Hopper, and his fellow The Outsiders costar, Diane Lane, is his girl. This is so like The Outsiders in story and themes but so different in all other ways. Both are worthwhile experiences.

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

How far will an Italian man go to find the thief who stole his bike? The Italian classic Bicycle Thieves is a masterful exercise in drama and themes. What is so fascinating about this film is that the whole cast is made up of amateur actors for the pure authenticity of it all. When you must rely upon a group of people who are not actors, you can rely upon them to bring a realism to the screen and that is exactly what Vittorio De Sica was going to direct this film. This is a wonderful tale of father and son dynamics. You see how far a child will stick by a parent when they are pushed so far into desperation. The film captures the horrible places a person will go to support themselves when the economy and society are leaving them with zero options. Bicycle Thieves sends its protagonist through the ringer and puts him in a place by the end that he is ashamed to be in. This hyper-realistic experience is so unique and incredibly poignant.

Cabiria (1914)

Is Cabiria a film that you would watch just for fun and pure entertainment value? No. This is honestly more of a cinephile’s journey type cinematic choice. This is a two-and-a-half-hour Italian epic that is championed by Martin Scorsese…so if you want to keep your cinephile card, you should go check it out! The story is sprawling and tough to process in its 110-year-old existence but from a pure cinematic perspective, this film is still a towering achievement. The burning city below Mt. Etna is horrific in context but a marvel to look at from a cinematic standpoint. The towering set pieces are incredible and director Giovanni Pastrone did with cameras that no one did before (even before Griffiths and DeMille). This is a wondrous example of early cinematic achievements that should be experienced at least once.

The Girl with a Pistol (1968)

Would you travel to a completely other country to shoot the man who did you wrong? That might seem like a bit of an exaggeration, but it sure makes for a fascinating set-up for The Girl with a Pistol. This Academy Award nominated Foreign Language Film feels so European. This would not have the sense of humor or balance the dark themes and romance quite like an Italian would. Mario Monicelli does an impressive tightrope walk between the bride kidnapping and honor killing while still getting plenty of laughs and some honest romance. WILD. But the real star (and biggest reason to check out this crazy flick) is Monica Vitti. One of the biggest movie stars and comedic stars in the history of Italian cinema, she soars in the confines of this strange tale. The evolution that Vitti’s Assunta goes on is complex, engaging, and so satisfying. This film is worth it just for the big payoff that the film delivers in its final moments.

Asteroid City (2023)

Is there a film that is more idiosyncratic than Asteroid City? Wes Anderson has created a completely unique and artificial desert town to explore in his latest film. The colors are so bright and impressive in the way they are realized. The production design and costuming are top notch and should have received awards attention. This ensemble cast is enormous and filled to the brim with impressive talent. Jason Schwartzman leads this huge crew in creating a play within a film about grief, the unknown, and the path forward. The framed narrative is an interesting and engaging representation of the creative process for the stage. The black-and-white cinematography in those moments is so crisp and stark (in great contrast with the colorful scenes within this small desert). The music is perfectly selected to reinforce this quirky little town and there is even a roadrunner that just might steal the show. This is Anderson at his most creative and abstract. The boldness of its structure and themes makes Asteroid City such an interesting way that should not be missed.

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

What was that one film that put Netflix on the map for more serious cinema? Beasts of No Nation. This war thriller focuses on the lives of young men in Africa who get taken in by a warlord. Idris Elba received plenty of praise for his performance as this violent and scary man who is also a father figure for these young men. This story shows the dark side of youth when your environment warps your life into something undesirable and toxic. Cary Joji Fukunaga directs the heck out of this gritty and tense thriller that will shock you with its violence and the morally corrupt narrative that is laid out for this story. We see this whole experience through the eyes of a young man which makes this such a unique and impactful perspective. But this game-changing film shook up expectations for streaming and is still worthy of your time years later.

Raw (2016)

Only the French would make such a film like Raw, right? This crazy film takes an extreme allegory for puberty and sexual exploration. Cannibalism at its core will certainly dissuade many from watching such a horrific film but there is something enticing about its taboo elements. This gross out body horror is something that will churn your stomach and horrify you in many ways. The realism of it all makes it that much worse. But there is some impressive direction (tension building and visceral atmosphere to be specific) and performances make this a film that you might be able to stomach. Outside of the shocking visuals and acts, this story has plenty of twists and turns as it navigates a new school experience like none ever. Julia Ducournau is here to shake your foundations…and if you want more, you can certainly check out Titane as well.