The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (June 23rd, 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 Mark of Zorro (1940)

Where did all the classic swashbuckling flicks go? Zorro was always one of the great adventure heroes on film and this 1940 film is one of his shining moments. The Mark of Zorro finds Tyrone Power bring the masked crusader to life as he must take down a powerful and evil authority now in control of his town. Basil Rathbone is the perfect henchman for the film as he and Power deliver one of the greatest swords fights ever put to film. It is fast paced and full of stakes as Power’s Diego conquers the evil men running his home. There is some good old-fashioned Hollywood romance thrown in to give it a little bit more variety and depth. A great cast and great action make this a classic that is still a pleasant and enjoyable ride all these decades later.

Inglorious Basterds (2009)

What made Tarantino take such a shift in storytelling approach with Inglorious Basterds? In the past 15 years, Tarantino has focused his energies on telling alternative history. This film is a revenge story about different Jewish individuals trying to take down the Third Reich during WWII. This film contains two of the most intense and engaging scenes in recent cinematic history including the killer opening sequence where Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa discovers a family of hiding Jews and the bar basement shootout. The cast is top to bottom incredible with Waltz as the big award-winning standout. But Brad Pitt, Daniel Bruhl, Michael Fassbender, and Melanie Laurent standout with incredible performances as well including breakout turns for quite a few of them. This film boasts a surprising and well-structured narrative that tells a web of revenge plots. This all builds up to a crazed and fiery finale that is uncomfortably cathartic. Cool music, over-the-top violence, and an impeccable cast…all you can want from a Tarantino flick.

Paris, je T’aime (2006)

Can one filmmaker capture the beauty and personality of one of the world’s greatest cities? Paris, je T’aime took a different approach from telling one singular tale with a singular filmmaker’s voice. This anthology film captures a wide breadth of different experiences from residents to immigrants to visitors. Each filmmaker captures the wonder and possibilities of Paris by targeting a different piece of the city. But each filmmaker also delivers their own voice to their section of the film. This makes this mosaic one of the most cinematic experiences you might ever have. You have such an interesting mix of foreign directors as well as American filmmakers like the Coens, Alexander Payne, and Wes Craven…to name a few. There are some famous faces as well like Juliette Binoche, Natale Portman, and Steve Buscemi. But love is the key. This universal feeling is the core to so many of these stories that navigate different stages of love. The genres of each story are unique as well with even a few stories that are horror and fantastical. This is a beautiful mosaic of film that should be experienced.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

What is the coolest film ever created? Ocean’s Eleven is most certainly in the conversation especially since one of the coolest filmmakers in the world, Steven Soderbergh, created it. This remake leaves the Rat Pack anchored original film in the dust as this finds its cool and suave atmosphere thanks to the cinematic prowess of Soderbergh. This features one of the greatest heists in the history of film. The script sets up everything perfectly and it knows exactly where things are going despite the audience’s ignorance. But getting pulled along for the ride feels great when it comes to a pitch perfect film like this. The music just screams cool, and the production and costume design are just off the charts well done to capture such a slick and shining world of gambling and conning. But it is the cast that really makes this soar. Danny Ocean needs to be the coolest damn person in the world. George Clooney. His turn is perfection. No notes. Brad Bitt and Matt Damon are fantastic support for Clooney. Andy Garcia brings the antagonist to life in a great way who is cool, sharp, and cruel…all at the same time. Tess is not a deep character, but it is hard not to be drawn in by Julia Roberts. The rest of the crew range from screen legends Elliot Gould and Carl Reiner to some young up-and-comers like Casey Affleck and Scott Caan. But in the end, this is one of the truly great experiences on screen.

Antlers (2021)

What can possibly be creepier than some old school folklore that hits too close to home? Antlers draws upon some unnerving and terrifying indigenous folklore with the wendigo and Scott Cooper creates one of the most horrifying monsters in the history of film. This horror film takes its time to burrow underneath your skin to build some serious tension and it pays off with a disturbing finale that will tear the rug out from under you and probably also tear your heart out. Keri Russell leads a strong cast through a story filled with poignant themes about abuse, trauma, and the fall of mining towns in the mountainous areas of our country. This is a film steep in atmosphere and aura that will shake you to the core through its visuals, creature design, story, and deeply harrowing themes. This is not a film to have fun with or to give you some hope. Antlers is a hard look at the decaying elements of America and the horrific truths that face so many people. Then it throws in some horrific gore and that makes for an unforgettable experience for sure.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

How do you shake up the sports movie formula in the best way? You put it in a whole new context with deeper threads involving culture clashes. Bend It Like Beckham is a brilliant and fresh twist on what we all expect out of sports movies as it takes a deep dive into Indian culture and how it clashes with soccer and British culture. Gurinder Chadha crafts a charming and poignant film about coming-of-age and showing one’s worth. Parminder Nagra is a star in the leading role and Keira Knightley is a perfect turn as well. Buckets of heart of charm make this such a wonderful film and endlessly watchable. The needle drops and high energy direction make this a zippy ride and there is plenty of drama and humor to go around as well. There are few films that capture so many layers in the sports movie drama and it makes it even better that this was the little movie that could.

Sex, lies, and videotapes (1989)

How does one navigate the complexities of sex and intimacy on screen? Steve Soderbergh found the perfect avenue in his early feature sex, lies, and videotapes. The iconic atmosphere of Soderbergh’s work shines through here with gorgeous cinematography and slick and precision editing that brings this tale to life. The deeply rich exploration of sex and intimacy is unlike any other film you might watch. There voyeuristic tendencies of James Spader’s character allows the other characters and the audience to explore sex through deep, raw, and honest conversation. Andie McDowell and the rest of the cast play their roles perfectly as this film navigates the complexities of its characters’ lives. There are plenty of lies to be told. Sexual feels are explored a plenty. Videotapes make for the perfect conduit and narrative device to crack open these taboo themes and bring rich discussion to them. The lives of its characters are shaky and messy but by the end, their real selves all shine through beautifully.

So I Married an Ax Murderer (1993)

How far can the pure skills of Mike Myers go to make a comedy work? Years before he did it with Austin Powers and on the heels of Wayne’s World he delivered quite the offbeat rom-com, So I Married an Ax Murderer. There are dashes of murder mystery and slam poetry along with quirky romance. There is plenty of Scottish culture including Myers going full blown Scottish dad mode portraying his own father. Conspiracies and Bay City Rollers add fun gags to this already fun romance. Myers is incredibly talents portraying two great characters but there are so many great cameos and small roles from the likes of Alan Arkin, Charles Grodin, Michael Richards, and Phil Hartman. There are some serious moments of thrills and tension as well which are quite unexpected from such a silly and offbeat film. The 90s atmosphere, the San Francisco setting, Scottish karaoke, and 90s hit songs make this a perfectly fun and engaging early 90s comedy.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

How could Disney possibly recapture the magic of such a classic as Mary Poppins and follow such a wondrous performance by the legendary Julie Andrews? Rob Marshall and Disney somehow were able to (mostly) create a perfect sequel to the original classic. Emily Blunt was a perfect choice as the titular nanny as she brings a great singing voice, a confidence that is practically perfect, and a sharp wit that makes for plenty of fun moments with the younger members of the cast. The biggest budget and modern technology allow for bigger and more imaginative moments that capture the wonderful imagination of this classic film. Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer are perfect as the older versions of the original Banks kids and the audience is treated to another heartfelt thematic journey. The new songs are fantastic including “Nowhere to Go but Up” and “Can You Imagine That?”/ There are a few cameos that are just simply magical. Lin Manuel Miranda brings a lot to the table as well for this delightful sequel. This cannot quite reach the same kite flying heights as the original, but it is still one of the loveliest musicals in recent memory.