The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (August 4th, 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:

First Blood (1982)

What do you think of when you hear someone mention the action film franchise of Rambo? Big muscles. Bigger guns. Slow motion. Sylvester Stallone. A HUGE body count. Those are all true for most of the franchise which has entertained so many for so many years. But it was First Blood that brought the character of John Rambo to life for the first time, and it was a wholly different kind of experience. Stallone delivers one of his strongest performances as an intense and mostly silent former Green Beret on the loose in the Pacific Northwest. His final scene is drenched in trauma and emotion as he shatters in a way many probably would expect out of him. Brian Dennehy and Richard Crenna are also fantastic as the power-hungry sheriff who will not stop until Rambo is dead and the cold calculating military man who made Rambo respectively. There are certainly moments of impressive stunts, thrilling action, and plenty of explosive moments. But it is the exploration of small-town justice, the power trips of authority figures, and the coldness in our society and military’s approach to our veterans. First Blood is an incredible film with equal parts depth and thrills to sink your teeth into.

Road to Perdition (2002)

Do you want to experience one of the most gorgeous crime thrillers of all time? You should be watching Sam Mendes’ adaptation of the graphic novel Road to Perdition. This is a breathtakingly beautiful film that is full of richness of color and period piece perfection. The depth of filmmaking technique is astounding as every frame is a gorgeous expression in cinematic motion. There are countless shots in the film that are down right perfection. The story is also engrossing from start to finish. A hitman and his son go on the run to get revenge on the dastardly son of the hitman’s mentor and employer. There are so many shades of gray in this film, and it matches the gorgeous visuals that you see on screen. The music from Thomas Newman is impeccably emotive which just adds so many layers to the experience. Seeing Thomas Hanks as a more morally gray character at this point in his career was so refreshing. Paul Newman showed why he was one of the greats in this final live action role. The likes of Daniel Craig, Jude Law, and Stanley Tucci just scratch the surface of this rich ensemble. This is one of the best films of the 2000s that barely anyone talks about…and that should change.

Air Force One (1997)

Since Harrison Ford is going to be a movie president once again, isn’t it a great time to check out the film where he originally was? Air Force One is all the 90s action/thriller you could want. A post-Soviet conspiracy with fringe Russian terrorists taking over the titular plane, the only one who can stop them is the president himself. Ford is tough, honorable, and very much human in this prestigious role as the one man left to stop the terrorists and save his family. Wolfgang Peterson delivers a thrilling and suspenseful ride that is stuffed with political intrigue, close quarter combat, and some bit effects in the air. This extremely talented cast ties it all together. Gary Oldman is memorable as a Russian revolutionary who is the brain behind this mission. Glenn Close holds the house down as the vice president. Throw in some character actors like William H. Macy and you have yourself an impressive ensemble. You don’t see lean and mostly practical action flicks like this much in 2024 but this one is worth going back to check out.

Airplane! (1980)

What is the funniest movie of all time? Airplane! just might win that distinction. There are an endless onslaught of jokes in this tight 88-minute film. A plane is going to crash and a former pilot with a “drinking problem” must save the day. The narrative makes for some great disaster movie elements and there is a tinge of romance as this former pilot tries to get back with his ex (who happens to be a flight attendant on this plane). But it is the cast and humor that really sells this hilarious parody film. Leslie Nielsen revived his career and started a great string of being the deadpan “straight” man to nonsense in parody films. Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty do a fine job as well. But screen legends like Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack are pitch perfect. Special shoutouts should go to Stephen Stucker who is a manic energy at the heart of the film. There are some dark jokes throughout this silly film. There are some heavy themes and discussion as well. But the running gags are the most memorable aspects with the visual, physical, and reactionary gags are all top notch. But the jokes/minute ratio is off the charts making for one of the zaniest and funniest cinematic experiences around.

The Fabelmans (2022)

After a prestigious and long career, what kind of film does Steven Spielberg have up his sleeve in 2022? Spielberg is famous for so many different types of big genre films, but his most recent film stripped that all away and got deeply personal. The Fabelmans is a fictionalized account of Spielberg’s upbringing, and you can feel all the passion in it. The technical pieces are top notch as always with the beautiful cinematography and John William’s score just adds layers. Gabriel LaBelle brings so much to the leading performance as the young Sammy Fabelman. The way this film captures the world through the eyes of a budding filmmaking is fascinating. LaBelle captures the personality of an inward facing artist with so many great acting choices. This is a coming-of-age film that feels poignant and fresh. The story also navigates some challenging aspects of love and specifically the complexities of Sammy’s parent’s marriage. The supporting ensemble of Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch bring so many layers and dimensions to this impressive film. Spielberg still has it and channels the magic of film through this beautiful drama.

Too Much Johnson (1938)

Who knew that Orson Welles had created a long-forgotten comedy about a mustached man chasing after Joseph Cotton all over a city and more? This seems like the most random of films which was meant to be part of some kind of live play. The editing that Welles utilized in 1938 is so fresh giving off the feeling of a film more modern. There is some impressive cinematography as well where there are shots with depth that you would not expect from most films of the time. Welles was always the auteur of his time. The plot is simple. The two male lovers of a singular woman are at odds, and one chases the other for about an hour of runtime. There are recycled shots and repetitive beats, but the impressive filmmaking just makes it hard to ignore and look away. Cotton and Edgar Barrier as quite committed to this zany premise and have a blast doing it. If you are looking for an hour of wild and crazy fun with some impressive production design and set pieces, Too Much Johnson is just the right amount of Welles you need.

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

What is the most iconic version of the Frankenstein story adapted on screen? There was an earlier version at the dawn of cinema. Universal changed the whole perception of Mary Shelley’s story and redefined the iconography of the monster and story. Kenneth Branagh tried to take this story back to basics to varying success. But Hammer Horror, the iconic British film studio famous for their horror work, took a gothic stab at it back in the 50s. The Curse of Frankenstein stars Peter Cushing as the cold and sociopathic scientist and delivers a devilishly affect performance. Christopher Lee brought an unnerving and horrifying version of Frankenstein’s creature. This is certainly familiar to Universal in a more monstrous entity compared to Shelley’s more complex creation. This gothic horror is a bit slow and focuses a lot on human drama and romance, but it still delivers an engrossing eerie atmosphere worth experiencing.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Why is this my favorite film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe? There is so much to process when it comes to the conflicts and the emotions make this one of the best of the bunch. The Sokovia Accords is a fascinating addition to the MCU and how it tears the Avengers apart. Captain America is driven by his need to step in and help while not trusting governments to keep people’s best interests in mind. Iron Man supports through his own guilt and new desire for consequences. The battle lines are drawn, and audiences are treated to one of the best fights in any comic book film at the airport. The introductions of Black Panther and Spider-Man are well done as we understand their characters so well despite limited screen time. The Russo Brothers capture the thrilling magic of comics as we are treated to multiple memorable actions sequences. But the climactic confrontation between Iron Man and the team of Captain America and the Winter Soldier is visceral and full of intensity and emotion. Zemo turns out to be the perfect villain to push the right buttons to send our heroes on a collision course with each other. Civil War is certainly top tier comic book film material.