The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (December 1st, 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:    

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) 

What is one the key pieces of the western genre? The lore and myths of the west. John Ford was one of the filmmakers who created such lore and laid the groundwork for what this all-American genre was going to be. For decades, the western was a fixture of the cinematic landscape with Ford delivering classics like The Searchers and Stagecoach. But it is his film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance that challenges those very same ideas of western myth that Ford helped create. This western drama captures just how powerful a myth can be even if the truth is not what it seems. The dynamic duo of James Steward and John Wayne bring plenty of depth to this tale with the unhinged danger of Lee Marvin adding to the needed flair of THE Liberty Valance. The black-and-white cinematography is crisp and gorgeous as it sets a specific grounded and intimate tone that feels so different from most of Ford’s sprawling and colorful vistas. A compelling tale of truth, justice, and order in the wild frontier, Ford delivered the last great flick of his career and made a must-see edition to the western genre.

Ouverture (1965) 

How far can impressive music and a singular vision go in terms of making a lasting impact? This Hungarian short film made quite the splash at Cannes and the Academy awards way back in 1965 for a reason. The simplicity and impressive feat of portraying the gestation and birth of a chick might not seem impressive but this was back in the 1960s. The editing expertly shows the growth and evolution of this fetus as it grows and slowly begins to become a recognizable living being. This is the miracle of life in motion. What makes it even more engaging is the perfectly chosen piece, Beethoven’s Ouverture to Egmont, that accompanies it. Simple yet miraculous, this film was a quick watch that certainly earned its attention.

Perfect Blue (1998)

Where is the line between reality and madness? There are a few things that can truly push a person to those types of dark places. The late, great director Satoshi Kon tackled such an experience through his haunting and intense anime Perfect Blue. This lean flick (only about 80-minutes long) packs a giant punch of anxiety and danger. The film focuses on the life of a retired J-pop star who is trying to break into acting. But her journey is a rough one as a stalk begins to make her life a living Hell. Kon does not shy away from taboo as there are disturbing occurrences of (simulated) rape as well as brutal murder. This is a thrill ride from start to finish that delivers a visually arresting experience. This haunting tale is brought to life through the talents of its voice cast and Kon’s direction. In the end, this is an influential and challenging film that will burrow deep inside of you for a long time.

Home Alone (1990) 

What would you do if you got left alone by your family during the holidays? This is a childhood dream that was brought to life by director Chris Columbus and writer John Hughes. Macaulay Culkin gives one of the most charming and iconic child performances on film as Kevin McAllister who gets to rule the roost when his family is off to France for Christmas. Watching Kevin grow up before our eyes is wonderfully fun and charming. But the real fun begins when he goes toe-to-toe with The Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv. Joe Pesci is a delight with his fake cursing and Daniel Stern is a delightful buffoon as well. This film is funny, charming, and captures the spirit of the holidays so well. But the real highlight is the amateur Saw climax full of booby traps. There is no way that Harry and Marv would have survived but that wild slapstick torture is a delight to watch. Heck…this was even scored by John Williams and had a John Candy cameo. Delightful.

The Red Shoes (1948) 

Why are Powell & Pressburger not household names like other legendary filmmakers? You can probably just watch Made in England (bonus recommendations) which recounts their career from the perspective of their biggest fan…Martin Scorsese. But The Red Shoes is one of their crowning achievements and one of the best films in the history of film. The ballet sequence of The Red Shoes is one of the purest pieces of cinema ever put to screen. The beauty of the colors and the choreography is precise and perfect. Moira Shearer (a great dancer in real life) brings this ballet to life as Victoria Page. The toxic love triangle that Victoria finds herself in is quite compelling as she fights between love for a man and the love for dance (being exploited by another man). The film builds in tension and suspense with its unique reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale. The finale is iconic and tragic as it ties all the drama together so perfectly.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003) 

Whoever thought a beloved anime from Satoshi Kon would have found its roots in a John Ford/ John Wayne film? 3 Godfathers found a trio of bandits in charge of a baby, but Kon set his tale on Christmas Eve and replaced his bandits with the homeless. Led by a transwoman, this trio navigate a night full of conflict and mystery trying to find this baby’s parents. The animation is unique with some interesting character design and the city of Tokyo is brought to life with such personality and charm. This trio each have depth in their own and have emotional journeys to go on. This is a fun and emotional evening as they come into conflict with quite the crew of characters. The film builds to a heartwarming and fantastical finale that is ripe for the holiday season. Certainly not as dark as Perfect Blue but it boasts equally impressive animation, and its voice is distinct and impactful. Kon was a talented filmmaker who crafted an engaging and compelling tale of found family and acceptance.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Everyone in America has watched A Christmas Story in some shape or form over the years, right? This film is placed on repeat every year on Christmas. You might not watch it all the way through, but you will probably pick up bits and pieces throughout the holiday. This relatable flick captures the want of a present so badly that it becomes your personality for the whole holiday season. Peter Billingsley’s Ralphie is all of us for sure with his want of a BB gun. But Bob Clark’s film is really a collection of events and occurrences that fill out a time in a young boy’s life. Being bullied. Licking frozen poles. Cursing. Getting into their favor show. This charming flick captures the period when life was indeed simpler and some of the most iconic cinematic moments occurred. Think about the leg lamp and a Chinese Christmas dinner. A Christmas Story is told to use with some charm and zeal that we can all get invested in this charming little film.

Sleepy Hollow (1999) 

What is one of the most underappreciated entries in Tim Burton’s filmography? Sleepy Hollow does not get the type of hype as Beetlejuice or Edward Scissorhands or Batman, but it does capture the voice and atmosphere of Burton’s work so well. Emmanuel Lubeski’s cinematography is rich and textured in so many ways that it brings this haunting vision to life. A series of murders pop up in a small Revolutionary era town and Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane is on the hunt. The visuals scream Burton all over including the demented and bloody practical effects through this film. The impressive ensemble is full of talented veteran performers who bring life to this twisted tale. The body count keeps rising and the danger keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is not the freshest of Burton’s tales, but it captures all his dark sensibilities that come together in this wildly entertaining film. 

Absence of Malice (1981) 

Who wouldn’t want a tantalizing conspiracy of deceit and lies starring Paul Newman? Absence of Malice is supported by Newman and the rest of this stacked cast from Sally Field to Bob Balaban to Wilford Brimley. This is a tale full of lies, deceit, and manipulation that creates the necessary tension and suspense for this thriller. Newman and Field develop quite the connection as a hard-nosed figure with a criminal family and a naïve journalist. Their performances are top notch, and they bring a lot to the table. There is a compelling mystery that has layers that pit the duo against corrupt members of society, lies that will be endangering the lives of others, and a pull for control. This is an old school thriller that sets our protagonists against corruption in society, and it is compelling around every corner. Syndey Pollack directs this thriller well as he adds effective tension in each new dynamic and scene that develops. Newman shows he still has it, and Field shows that she has some true star power. 

Blue Velvet (1986) 

What is so fascinating about the idyllic suburbia? There has always been a darkness underneath the surface that we all pretend is not there. David Lynch understands this well and portrayed it perfectly in his thriller, Blue Velvet. There is an eerie, dreamlike quality to the film that soon feels quite nightmarish for sure. Kyle MacLachlin is the perfect actor for the role of Jeffrey, a young man who finds his way into the seedy world underneath when he finds a severed ear. Isabella Rossellini is seductive and alluring as the femme fatale Dorothy Vallens (“The Woman in Blue”) in this haunting neo-noir. Dennis Hopper is terrifying as the raw emotions and perverse urges of humanity characterized in human form…Frank Booth. This great cast, haunting atmosphere, and biting look at humanity mix perfectly. The classic music haunting lines this erotic thriller for sure. 

Gravity (2013) 

Do you remember the phenomenon that was Gravity? This was the cinematic event of 2013 with its impressive effects and the full commitment to 3D filmmaking. Alfonso Cuaron is a visionary director, and he can create a fully engrossing experience with the most state-of-the-art CGI that brings this space tale to life in all its glory. The impressive camera work (especially with some thrilling POV sequences in the film) does some wonders in creating a fully engaging and pulsating experience. Emmanuel Lubeski is one of the great cinematographers of today and he is out with full force. The characters are lean, but Sandra Bullock and George Clooney bring their movie star charisma, and we buy into their life-threatening adventure in space. Lean and mean, this 90-minute flick is jammed packed with thrills and evocative visual metaphors about the life cycle. This is a thrill ride that is a must watch for sure. Make sure to watch the film in the best home theater setup you can find. You won’t regret it. 

Quills (2000) 

How far will unchecked lust and sexuality go to spring free from oppression? This period piece from director Philip Kaufman focuses on the exploits of The Marquis de Sade in an asylum. The period trappings are pitch perfect with the disturbing asylum coming to life and the costuming as well. Geoffrey Rush leads the way with this Oscar nominated performance that is unhinged and fascinating every moment he pops up on screen. There is a dastardly perversion about him as he disrupts the control of Joaquin Phoenix’ priest and Michael Caine’s doctor. Themes of authoritarianism, repression, and freedom of sexual expression are all on display. This is a disturbing cinematic experience with multiple scenes that will put you through great discomfort…for the dramatic effect. Rush is supported with strong performances from Kate Winslet, Phoenix, and Caine (who is as evil as he comes).

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 

What is a goodwill political film that we need in a time like this? Mr. Smith Goes to Washington finds a legend like Frank Capra taking a deep look into the system of government that the American people rely upon every day.  James Stewart stars as the titular Mr. Smith who is a bright-eyed novice in the political landscape who must take down the corruption of the system (that certainly hasn’t changed since, has it?). Jefferson Smith is an iconic character who is no nonsense and believes in the possibility of the government. Claude Rains is the perfect foil, a long-standing politician who is corrupt as they come. This is a film with great humor but a biting commentary that stands tall even today. Capra finds great pacing for his story that is matched with precise editing and engrossing cinematography. The whole ensemble is impressive with Jean Arthur, Thomas Mitchell, Harry Carey, and plenty more great actors of the time. This is a film that is not only perfectly entertaining, but it is impactful still today.

Miracle on 34^th Street (1947) 

What is one of the most iconic Christmas movies ever created? Miracle on 34^th Street is a seminal classic that finds the root of the holiday season and the true meaning of Christmas. This charming film captures the childhood wonder of believing in Santa Claus and what it truly means for so many people. Edmund Gwenn just might be the quintessential Santa on film with his charm, humor, and warmth. There is impressive depth in the George Seaton film as it navigates the world of capitalism, the commercialization of Christmas, and the societal perspective of community. The cast is full of great performances from Maureen O’Hara (the resident skeptic), John Payne (the lovable lawyer), Gene Lockhart (the conflict judge) and Natalie Wood (the charming young girl that doesn’t believe). There are buckets of heart in this classic film, and it is no wonder that it is still one of the most beloved holiday films almost 80 years later.