The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (November 24th, 2024)

This series will highlight my weekly journey through previously released films, whether they are rewatches for me or new discoveries. Here are my picks:  

A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923) 

Who thought Charlie Chaplin had straight drama in his skill set with a film like A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate? Chaplin is nowhere to be seen on screen (even having a warning to make sure you would know that going in) but his craft is felt with his impressively made and emotionally resonant tale of love and status. There is plenty of tragedy along the way for our titular woman, Edna Purviance’s Marie St. Clair, and her true love, Carl Miller’s Jean Millet. From the start, this romance is plagued by loss and leaves our starry-eyed lovers disconnected from each other. But fate brings them back together to the big city of Paris. This is a humble and emotional tale that feels so different for Chaplin, but his expert filmmaking skills tie it all together. The performers do a great job selling the emotion and loss along the way. This is a somber tale but delivers a strong message about love and happiness in life. A surprising gem from one of cinema’s greatest figures and creators. 

Shrek (2001) 

Why wouldn’t you want to watch Shrek? This is one of the best examples of a film that balances entertainment for children and for adults as well. There are plenty of hilarious mature jokes sprinkled into this subversion of fairy tale tropes. The pacing is quick and there are plenty of exciting moments from Shrek wrestling a crew of knights to taking on a fire-breathing dragon. There are plenty of hilarious pop culture references as well as a timely soundtrack with all the Smash Mouth you could want. There is a strong heart in this animated adventure and a great message of acceptance as well. The voice cast is incredible with Mike Myers and his Scottish brogue becoming iconic. Eddie Murphy is at the height of his powers with an endlessly quotable and fun performance. There are plenty of fun supporting characters as well from Gingerbread Man to Pinocchio to the Three Blind Mice. This was the launch of one of the most successful animated franchises of all time and there is no wonder why.

The Godfather Part II (1974) 

How could you possibly make the perfect sequel and prequel at the same time? Just follow the blueprint that Francis Ford Coppola created with The Godfather Part II. The parallel story of Michael Corleone’s descent and his father Vito’s rise. The impressive exploration of family and how it dictates both journeys is poignant. Vito (portrayed in an iconic performance by Robert De Niro) does it all for his family and it has always been about his family. Michael (Al Pacino delivering another career defining performance) sacrifices all his family in the name of power and control. This ensemble cast is stacked from top to bottom as they bring layers of dramatic narrative to life. The period trappings of Vito’s story are pitch perfect and this rise to power and revenge is compelling. The somber and ominous journey of Michael through the Cuban Revolution and the smiting of his enemies is harrowing to watch. One of the greatest sequels and films ever made. Coppola certainly did it again.

Jurassic Park (1993)

What would you consider a perfect film? Jurassic Park certainly has little if any noticeable flaws in it. First off, the effects that bring these dinosaurs to life are awe-inspiring. The animatronics and CGI make these dinosaurs look so convincing which brings the magic of the film to life. John Williams’ music is iconic, and his theme makes for one of the most affecting scenes in cinematic history. Michael Crichton brings his own novel to the screen which is much tamer and sentimental thanks to the efforts of Steven Spielberg. But that does not mean Jurassic Park lacks thrills and scares. The visual storytelling of Spielberg maximizes the small touches of rippling water and sound design to build such great tension. The characters are all memorable thanks to the top notch writing and this charismatic cast. From Sam Neill to Laura Dern to Jeff Goldblum to Richard Attenborough to Samuel L. Jackson and many more bring so much personality to this cinematic experience. This is a lean, effective, and always engaging cinematic experience.

They Live (1988) 

What is the greatest B-movie ever created? John Carpenter’s They Live certainly has a good claim to that title. The budget is obviously too small to fully capture what Carpenter was trying to achieve. Some of the moments are a bit clunky and unpolished for a studio flick. Some of the performances are kind of awkward and flat as well. But Roddy Piper is a tough guy protagonist if you have ever seen one with his big muscles, mullet, and cheesy one-liners. But They Live is also an intelligent science fiction exploration of the Reaganomics of the 1980s and our obsession with materialism (even if it is on-the-nose). The evocative visuals of “OBEY” and “CONSUME” in that black-and-white filmmaking just burns in your brain. You even get a treat to one of the best street brawls ever put on film. Piper and Keith David came to play for sure. There are so many iconic moments and memorable lines that this brutal and visceral thriller is hard to ignore.

The Longest Yard (1974) 

What film captures the gruff and macho energy of 70s filmmaking? The Longest Yard. When you have a film about a group of prison inmates playing a game against the guards at their prison, you expect it to be a rough and tough cinematic experience. Burt Reynolds brings his manly charisma to this wild flick as he takes us on crazy car chases and onto the gridiron. This film is full of dangerous men and intense figures with the likes of Michael Conrad, Richard Kiel, and Harry Caesar. Eddie Albert makes for a charming and sinister antagonist as the warden of this unhinged prison. The climatic football game is brutal, well-choreographed, slickly edited, and directed in a visceral nature. This is a fun flick from an era of filmmaking that was perfect for such a morally gray flick to live and thrive. 

The Fall (2006) 

Who doesn’t enjoy hearing a well told story? The Fall is an interesting exploration of unexpected connections and the power of hope through story. An injured stuntman in 1920’s LA befriends a young girl in the hospital who tells the story of five great warriors. The framing device is filled with emotion, deceit, and gut punches for sure. The tale from our stuntman is vividly told on screen with striking colors and bold genre thrills. We witness a journey that is full of fantastical elements, heroism, and tragedy. Director Tarsem Singh weaves together these distinctly different stories and tackles grand scale with ambition and artistry. There are few films that will take you on such a wondrous journey and then give you such a sobering injection of reality. This does not always soar but when it does, you are going to the sky. 

Jingle All the Way (1996) 

Is Jingle All the Way a great film? No. Is it a hilarious experience for the holiday? 100%. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers one liner jokes like they are nobody’s business, and he embodies the manic energy of this lean comedy. He also captures the bulk and stature of the real Turbo Man which makes for a wonderful action-packed climax to the film. But he isn’t doing it alone as he has a pair of hilarious supporting cast members that bring the goods as well. Sinbad is the perfect foil for Arnold, and he delivers some iconic dialogue and makes this an endlessly quotable flick. Phil Hartman was an absolute treasure, and his slimy antagonistic neighbor is everything this film needed. There are so many hilarious lines that pepper this ridiculous story. The logic goes out the window but plenty of fun and laughs are left.