The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (July 14th, 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:

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

Is She Wore a Yellow Ribbon just another old time western? With John Ford behind the camera, there is certainly more to appreciate. There is gorgeous cinematography that leverages the Technicolor for great effect. One scene has such rich colors from the sunset that it is eye popping to watch. But John Wayne also stands out as an aging and near retirement leader of the cavalry. This is one of Wayne’s strongest performances as he delivers a performance full of the swagger he is most known for but also some strong sensitivity and vulnerability. This performance might even get you to shed a tear. There are dashes of romance, bumbling comedy (thanks in no small helpings from Ford alum Victor McLaglen), and thrilling action. The action stunts on horseback are impressive. Almost as impressive as the gorgeous setting of the legendary Monument Valley. This is a strong western that stands the test of time with its heart, sense of pride, and a top tier Watne performance leading an overall strong cast as well.

The Red Turtle (2016)

Who else but Studio Ghibli can sell a whole feature length animated film with almost no dialogue? The Red Turtle is a beautiful film that works within the realm of all visual storytelling. There is no exposition to explain what is going on in this moving survival film. A man becomes a castaway. A turtle obscures his attempts to escape. A beautiful woman replaces this turtle and changes his life forever. This is a moving and poignant journey of survival, connection, and nature. The gorgeous visuals utilize colors (the red in the turtle is so rich) in such an impactful way. The animation at night with a lack of color creates such a lasting impression and reinforces some of the big narrative beats that occur. There are thrilling moments from flooding to near drowning. Michael Dudok creates a unique cinematic experience that you can get fully lost and engrossed like few animated films in recent memory.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

This is how you do a remake, right? Suicide Squad was a huge disappointment for many after its trailers promised such a fun time. But James Gunn turned out to be the missing ingredient as he breathed in a new vibe with The Suicide Squad. With a bloody, ultra-violent, and hilarious opening sequence, we all knew we were in for something special. We have a brand-new Squad with the likes of Bloodsport (Idris Elba), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Peacemaker (John Cena), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), and Polka Dot Man (David Dastmalchian) who are made up a wild crew of dysfunctional individuals. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn returns of course as life’s blood and the highlight of the first film. Gunn can find a surprising amount of empathy for these wild characters and for the bizarre villain of Starro (yes…a giant alien starfish). The action is bonkers and over-the-top bloody violent. The characters are so hilarious and strange in all their own unique ways. Gunn is having a blast with his needle drops, interesting filmmaking choices, and sharp quips. This all translates for a fun time for the audience and one of the highlights of the now defunct “DCEU”.

Willy’s Wonderland (2021)

Do you want a wild and silly horror flick with no shame in being ridiculous and funny? Well…welcome to Willy’s Wonderland! This is basically Five Nights at Freddy’s except on a shoestring budget and, most importantly, starring Nicolas Cage. You get Cage in all his silent cool and rage Cage rolled into one. This animatronic killer madhouse puts a silent loner who does not say a single word up against a bunch of animatronics possessed by serial killers. Cage mugs at the camera for the whole film as he chugs drinks, plays pinball, and demolishes these demented robots with his bare hands. This film never takes itself too seriously and neither should you. It is low budget, has a bunch of dumb teenagers, and has convoluted exposition dumps. But you have NIC CAGE beating serial killer possessed animatronics to death with his bare hands. That is really all you need to sell this silly and weird horror flick, right?

Mississippi Burning (1988)

Why is Mississippi Burning so relevant today? Alan Parker takes a visceral and brutal look at racism in the deep south at the height of the civil rights movement. The FBI versus corrupt local law enforcement. A cast stacked to the gills with Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe leading the charge. A grizzled and rule-bending southern agent versus the straight laced and “Hoover’s Boy” type boy scout. They must contend with a murder’s row of character actors representing all the seedy underbelly of this community from Michael Rooker to Brad Dourif to R. Lee Ermey to Stephen Tobolowsky. They are the worst of the worst of Klansmen out to kill and cause pain to every black person who crosses their path and the white there to support them. This “missing persons” case quickly turns into a powder keg with Parker capturing the bombastic violence of this period and culture. There are so many complex and layered elements to this system of oppression, and it delivers a gut punch of a cinematic experience. This film hits even harder in today’s tough societal landscape.

Remember the Titans (2000)

How can you not like Remember the Titans? This is a film that defined inspirational sports movies for a whole generation. The subject matter centered around racial tensions as a result of integration hits hard at times and navigates these issues in an accessible way. This might not be the most biting commentary on racism but it avoids pulling punches and delivers these issues in a way that younger audiences can process too. The connections that develop between the black and white players are so moving and inspiring. Gerry and Julius feel like true brothers through all the conflict, trauma, and tragedy. The football is well staged and exciting…because let’s not forget this is also a sports movie. Denzel Washington was a revelation to cast in a Disney sports movie like this as he brings power and poise to the character and performance. Will Patton is also fantastic as the aging white coach of the school. Patton is an underappreciated character actor who gets to shine here. The cast of young men who make up this team is quite impressive as well (Ryan Gosling was even in this movie). You will feel good and inspired by the times the credits roll based on a true story film.

The Full Monty (1997)

Why don’t we get Best Picture nominees like The Full Monty anymore? This comedy is one of the most meaningful and genuine explorations of masculinity, male insecurity, and pride. There are so many hilarious moments thanks to the sharp cast (especially the great line deliveries of Mark Addy). The training montages of these middle-aged Englishmen learning how to dance and become strippers are hilarious as well. The whole cast delivers on the physicality of the stripping which works for comedy earlier on and the catharsis for the climax of the film as well. This is such an inspiring story of down on their luck men in the blue-collar city of Sheffield just trying to make ends meet. Robert Carlyle has a great arc as a father at the core of the film. Addy has a moving arc as he must navigate his own insecurities for his body. Tom Wilkinson delivers one of the strongest performances in the film as an employment insecure man hiding his failures from his wife. This is one of the best feel-good comedies/dramas out there with one of the most perfect climaxes in film.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

How many directorial debuts hit quite as hard as Quentin Tarantino’s? Reservoir Dogs is a heist film without a heist. This is a crime thriller without much of the thrills. But the aftermath (with flashbacks to their backstories) is the story that is so damn compelling. Tarantino can craft such great tension around the idea that these criminals meet in a warehouse after their job goes sideways. The film feels a bit like a stage play and allows the actors to do their magic with a sharp script and some wicked dialogue. There are iconic moments like the opening diner scene (which has some of the coolest dialogue in movies) and the infamous ear scene as well. This stacked cast of Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, and more deliver one of the coolest, sharpest, and thrilling crime flicks. Tarantino also made it clear that he had a great ear for the right music early on as well. “Little Green Bag” with the slow-motion sequence of the crew is still one of the coolest movie moments ever. This is a must see modern indie classic.

Panic Room (2002)

Wait, David Fincher can make straightforward thrillers? Fincher is best known for his dark and rich cinematic efforts that will burrow underneath your skin and force you to look at the darkest in the world. Panic Room does have some good writing and interesting twists and character work but in general, it is a more straightforward production than we were used to from the man who made Se7en and Fight Club. But Panic Room is still a worthwhile experience because Fincher still brings all of his impressive craft to the table. There are plenty of thrilling and tense moments throughout. There are some surprising twists that will throw its high concept idea for a loop. Fincher shows off with some impressive camera awareness as well as some great leveraging of technology to create inventive “impossible” shots throughout. The cast is stacked too with Jodie Foster and a young Kristen Stewart really tugging at our empathy. Forest Whitaker is a crook with a heart and soul that creates a well-rounded and interesting character. Jared Leto is a slimy jerk we love to hate, and Dwight Yoakam is the most surprising actor in the whole film. This is a Grade A thriller worth your time (which will certainly be a good one).