The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (July 7th, 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:

Sabrina (1954)

How was Billy Wilder just that good? His sharp wit and ability to tell all types of stories makes him one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Sabrina is a perfect example of how great Wilder was at creating memorable and hilarious rom coms that have stood the test of time. There is so much great banter between our main three stars. The quips are sharp, and they come hot and fast. Audrey Hepburn is so darn charming and is irresistible as the titular Sabrina who charms the socks off of a rich and successful rugged business, Humphrey Bogart, and his young playboy brother, William Holden. The talent between these three is quite impressive and the charisma that they shell out is unstoppable. There are some touchy subjects that are handled with a wink and some dark humor which few films would dare to tackle today. Wilder and his group of actors created an all-time great rom com with the right amount of humor and some truly impactful emotion and connection. This one leaves you with such a nice resolution that will warm your heart.

Interstellar (2014)

What do you get when Christopher Nolan gets a humongous budget to explore his love for science fiction, especially 2001: A Space Odyssey? Nolan, hot off the heels of The Dark Knight Rises, got to explore Kubrick’s influences on his work as well as the criticism of his projects lacking human emotions and connections. Interstellar was Nolan’s way of balancing those two things. From a visual standpoint, there are so many elements that borrow from 2001 including the miraculous wormhole sequences, the abstract nature of the tesseract, and the monolithic machines that our protagonists have as assistants. Those visual elements are paired with incredible computer-generated effects which assisted in creating unique new worlds including a giant ocean planet with mountainous waves and the icy sky world. But the exploration of love and how it can transcend time and space brings a great emotional anchor to this sci-fi adventure through time and space. Matthew McConaughey leads a stellar cast of impressive actors who each get chances to shine. Mackenzie Foy and Jessican Chastain are both incredible as they bring to life Murphy, the daughter of McConaughey’s Cooper and more importantly the heart of this whole film. Quantum mechanics, a killer organ-based score, top notch special effects, and a hopeful message of human perseverance melt together to great a near perfect experience that is a crowning achievement for Nolan.

The Outlaw and His Wife (1918)

Who thought that Swedish cinema was delivering bangers back in 1918 long before the likes of Ingmar Bergman? The Outlaw and His Wife is a poignant and fully realized human drama that tackles a lot of dramatic elements. You see the widow who searches for connection after the death of her husband. You have the mysterious man trying to find work and a place to make home who most certainly is running from his past. The judgment and horrors of said past put them on the run but in each other’s arms together as well. There is a tragedy that comes with this morality tale and how our pasts always seem to creep back onto us. There is a horribly sad and emotionally impactful finale to this early classic that will certainly find the tears welling up. But director Victor Sjostrom does not just peddle in melodrama and tragedy as he is able to capture such striking landscapes and the overall beauty of Swedish nature. There are thrilling and action filled moments as well with raid and wrestling. The Outlaw and His Wife had it all for a period where that was especially hard to deliver upon.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Can you think of a bigger coming out party for a director in recent memory than The Sixth Sense? M. Night Shyamalan became one of the biggest names in the film industry within only a couple of years and it all started with this supernatural/horror/thriller/drama. Shyamalan was being touted as the next coming of Hitchcock and that certainly has to do with the incredible tension that he created in The Sixth Sense. There are so many great scenes in the film that will make you jump and get underneath your skin. From the opening confrontation between Bruce Willis’ Dr. Crowe and his former patient. Shyamalan’s filmmaking is incredible with the limit of blood and guts and just hitting you when it matters. The camera moves in such impactful and purposeful ways. James Newton Howard’s score does some heavy lifting as it lays down the atmosphere. Willis gives one of his best performances full of regret and passion. Haley Joel Osment delivers one of the greatest child performances of all time. Toni Collette is sensational as Osment’s mother. The reveal of the young boy’s abilities and the final twist of the film are some of the greatest moments in cinematic history. This matches its reputation so well and then some.

Unbreakable (2000)

How would M. Night Shyamalan follow-up the incredible success of The Sixth Sense? He created one of the most unique and boldest superhero films of all time. No source material. Shyamalan leaned on his own creative process and knowledge of comic books to craft the most grounded and lived in world of heroes imaginable. The filmmaking in Unbreakable is stellar with the impressive use of colors, lighting, shadows, rain, and other elements to craft a perfect world for this story to exist in. The way the camera moves, and the framing is so precise and dynamic as it creates an engrossing and cinematic experience. But the story is where the heart and soul of the film is at. Bruce Willis provides one of his most earnest and moving performances as a man who slowly realizes what he really is in the aftermath of a devastating trainwreck. The foil, Mr. Glass, is brought to life with such poignancy by Samul L. Jackson who pulls back on the bravado and instead exists in a fragile state of subtlety and intensity. This is one of the greatest origin stories ever told and Shyamalan crafted a film so immaculately that it is hard to believe there are people out there who will not watch hero films like this.

Oldboy (2003)

Are you ready to really mess your day up? Oldboy is a modern classic of modern Korean cinema from acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook. But be warned…this is not a film for the faint of heart. The twists and turns this story take and the taboos ideas Chan-wook plays with are not going to be easy to process. This harrowing thriller is draped in mystery and intrigue. The idea of a man being locked away in a single room for 15 years before being finally released is a crazy enough concept on its own. But where this revenge thriller goes is even wilder. Oldboy navigates challenging human connections in a brutally honest and intense way. The action is off the charts with the iconic hallway scene delivering such a unique (and now frequently copied) approach to visualizing the action. Choi Min-sik carries this bonkers and poignant flick with his intense and vulnerable performance. Sit back and dive in (but make sure to go in as blind as possible).

Best in Show (2000)

Animal owners can be weird, can’t they? This relatable and basic idea created the perfect foundation for mockumentary director Christopher Guest to put together one of the strangest and funniest comedies in the last few decades. Best in Show follows the exploits of varying dog owners in their journey to compete in the largest national dog show around. Guest and crew show just how amazing they are at the art of character creation. This lampooning of special interest documentaries has a fleet of fully realized and detailed characters with all their own quirks that make them fully authentic beings. That is what is so impactful for Guest’s film…we have all met or seen people like this. The obsession. The drive. They all come from different walks of life and from across the country, but they all feel real. On top of that, their shenanigans are downright hilarious. This cast is one of the best comedic ensembles with the like of Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, Ed Begley Jr, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Park Posey, and more! But Fred Willard might take the care as the most absurd commentator to ever cover a dog show. Guest’s brand of dry and awkward humor is on full display with this gem.