The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends: June 2nd, 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:

They Were Expendable (1945)

What are the big strength areas for legendary filmmaker John Ford? Westerns…and war films. They Were Expendable is a thrilling and inspiring film released in the year that WWII ended as it highlighted the brave soldiers in a PT squadron trying to defend the Philippines. Starring Robert Montgomery (who helped direct as well when Ford was injured on set) as Ford regulars John Wayne and Ward Bond, this war film spends the time building up the depth in its characters and interpersonal conflicts within the squadron. Not only is the character work so well done but the actual battle sequences are mind blowing for a film released in 1945. There are impressive pyrotechnics that bring gunfire, missiles, and flames of war to life. The camera work captures some impressive stunt work on the high seas which brings a level of authenticity to the film. The film doesn’t avoid the emotions that will result from loss and grief and sacrifice. Honor and duty highlight the strong themes of this Ford war film that certainly stands the test of time.

Kwaidan (1964)

What is the key to creating a powerful anthology film? Masaki Kobayashi found the right formula with his epic Japanese horror film Kwaidan. This legendary director knew the right ways to create an unnerving and atmospheric experience unlike most films you might see in the genre. The four stories that Kobayashi selected are straight out of Japanese folklore and capture the culture of his nation as well as the correct elements to create such an unnerving experience. There are deeply impactful themes that are embedded in the stories that are universal and make the events of these stories much more poignant. But it is the visuals that make this film stand the test of time. The colors are rich and resonant. The camera work is eloquent and engrossing. There are some impressive production design choices that tie the whole horrific experiences together. Kobayashi’s work needs to be experienced by more and Kwaidan is a great place to start.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

What is the perfect case of neo-noir in film? L.A. Confidential is a killer cop thriller that captures the glory of Hollywood without glorifying the horror elements working in the shadows. The trio of actors (Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey) each deliver layered and complex performances as their stories come together to create an impressive crime thriller mosaic of Los Angeles at the time. This cast is so stacked and certainly does not start there. James Cromwell, Denny DeVito, and Kim Bassinger are just a few more elements of this ensemble which knocks things out of the park. The setting, production design, and costuming are top notch as well creating a world that is so engrossing and really delivers a fully realized experience. There is a twisting story that is filled to the brim with detail. This script is a complex mixture of plot threads and character arcs that expertly come together for this thrilling and memorable cop thriller that is one of the greatest ever put to fill.

Scarface (1932)

Wait…there was another Scarface before the Al Pacino/Brian de Palma version of the film? This 1932 gangster film is a crowning achievement of film at this point that takes all the elements you love about its genre and pulls them together. This effort from Howard Hawks is indeed the quintessential gangster flick from the 1930s that has a fantastic protagonist and a dark seedy underworld to play with. The most obvious element that stands out the most is the camera work which captures dynamic events on screen. The way that Hawks has his camera move is engrossing and awe-inspiring. You would be shocked to find out this film is from 1932. The story is full of danger and tragedy (which makes for an interesting experience). There is impressive action and shocking moments that will leave you reeling. Paul Muni is an engaging and important anchor to this whole film. His charisma on screen created one of the most significant movie gangsters in all of cinema.

The Phenix City Story (1955)

What happened to make our political landscape so heated and full of conflict? Well…it might have always been that way. The Phenix City Story is a shocking true crime thriller that captures volatile and combustible hate that boils underneath the surface in society. This film is told with a bumper that frames this with an interesting docudrama lens. This is based on a real political assassination that was influenced by corruption and the desperation of powerful people trying to keep their power. The themes of duty, honor, racial tensions, and our fraying political system make this such a relevant and poignant watch. The most shocking elements are how brutal, bloody, and brutish the film can be in portraying such horrible occurrences. There is a big body count (including those of children) that tells of the horrors that fill this small town. There are few films with such an impactful message and such a fiery will to tell such a story. This is a frightening and haunting watch but certainly one that needs eyes on it.

Dune (2021)

What is the definitive science fiction epic of the 21^st century? Denis Villeneuve might have claimed that crown with his sprawling adaptations of Frank Herbert’s iconic first novel. Dune got people back into the theaters during the pandemic with its impressive scale, effects, and epic story. Even if this first entry in Villeneuve’s franchise fails to have a whole narrative, this first entry does impressive heavy lifting to create this impressive world including the desert planet of Arrakis. But it is the giant cast of amazing performers, led by Timothee Chalamet, that makes this film a hit so well. Some actors only get to appear in this first entry (including Oscar Isaac and Jason Mamoa who each leave quite the impression) but each member of the cast create their characters perfectly. The special effects are some of the greatest ever put on film as we see the giant worms of Dune lore come to life as well as the giant machines that transport beings across time and space. Few films have ever captured this type of epic scale and there is plenty in this narrative to help create a towering cinematic experience that is hard to deny. And Part Two is even better so now you have two amazing films to check out.

Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

This doesn’t reference the historical events I am expecting, right? There is certainly no literal blood on Sunday Bloody Sunday but there is plenty of pain and heartache. You have a Jewish gay-doctor (Peter Finch) who is dealing with his lot in life reaching into his mid-life. You also have a recent divorcee (Glenda Jackson) who is a career woman. Both are in a relationship with a young bisexual mod artist (Murray Head). His presence in their life brings new life and vigor but also brings frustration and chaos. John Schlesinger’s drama is a mature navigation of relationships, evolving perspectives on life, and the complexities of human connection. There is a distinct British air to this film that presents a stiff upper restraint. But the film does not avoid the challenges of relationships and there are plenty of deeply affecting moments that deliver on an emotional level. Finch and Jackson are incredible in this film as they deliver truly affecting performances that draw the audience in with their drama and struggles. There are layers of themes from love to relationships to religion. This is a more forgotten gem of the early 1970s and deserves your attention.

My Darling Clementine (1946)

How do you capture one of the greatest American legends on the big screen? Wyatt Earp is as ingrained in Old West mythology as any other figure, and it makes total sense that John Ford would bring his story into realization (even though he didn’t want to). Henry Fonda is also one of the most iconic American actors ever and it just makes sense that he would be the one to bring the legend to life. Fonda brings a sense of honor, stillness, and weight to this man who was a renowned tall talesman. The account of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral might be a complete myth, but it sure makes for a thrilling cinematic experience. Ford is unmatched in capturing the Old West and how he shoots this shootout is both thrilling and intense. There is emotional weight as this deadly conflict does not leave the Earps and Doc Holliday unscathed. My Darling Clementine just might be one of the truly great American westerns, and it only makes sense that Ford and Fonda were the ones to bring it to life.