The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (January 19th, 2025)

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

You Can Count on Me (2000) 

How does Kenneth Lonergan understand trauma and human drama so well? Manchester by the Sea put Lonergan on the map as a filmmaker but he delivered a couple of winners before including You Can Count on Me. This is a small-town drama up in the Catskill Mountains where two siblings struggle to come together after years apart. Laura Lunney is a wonderful actor and shows her talents here as a single mother who is trying to reconnect with her brother. Mark Ruffalo, her brother, is quite the vagabond and screw up. But the journey that both these siblings go on is full of emotion and feeling. This is a rich drama that shines in its mountain setting and leverages the small-town tension so well. This film is filled with other talented performers like Matthew Broderick, Amy Ryan, and Josh Lucas. From the opening scene, you know that there are stakes in this drama and Lonergan carries it all the way.

The Circus (1928) 

How great was the 1920s for early comedy? Buster Keaton. Harold Lloyd. Charles Chaplin. Slapstick was at its peak! Chaplin is one of the most iconic filmmakers and performers in the history of cinema. His efforts have leveraged great set-ups to great comedic effect. The Circus finds Chaplin’s Tramp caught up in the circus as he quickly becomes the biggest star. But there are some emotional levels too as The Tramp struggles as the mishap prone character connects with an abused young woman (the daughter of the ringmaster). There is some good heart to go around in this lean comedy, but it is the physical comedy that sells this film so well. The mirror maze sequence is hilarious. Chaplin pretends to be an animatronic which he delivers so well with physicality. The general shenanigans that Chaplin delivers make this such a wonderfully fun flick.

The Fighter (2010)  

What happened to David O. Russell? Well…he himself did a lot and that certainly led to his fall from grace. But starting with The Fighter, he started a streak of films that catapulted him to great fame and success. This film is about Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, two brothers on different paths but both boxers scraping through life in Lowell, Massachusetts. Russell delivers an entertaining but poignant cinematic experience that pulls the audience into both a sports flick but also a drama about the challenges of living in a struggling environment. There is plenty of violence and trauma that affects our protagonists with the toxic family dynamic. Mark Wahlberg delivers a fine performance as Micky who seeks love in the arms of Amy Adams’ Charlene (who is incredible in the film). Christian Bale is Dicky who struggles with serious addiction and the journey he goes on is quite impressive. Melissa Leo is so damn good as their mother who is a downright narcissistic monster. This cast is stacked, and Russell fills out this flick with plenty of needle drops, suspenseful familial drama, and authentic looking boxing sequences. 

Altered States (1980) 

Is William Hurt the king of smug, self-righteous characters in film? From his first film, Altered States, Hurt absolutely kills it. The arrogance is so palpable, and the genius feels so authentic. Hurt’s presence is so essential for this science fiction, body horror film to work. Ken Russell stands as one of the boldest and most unrestrained filmmakers around. The Devils is such a controversial film with its perspective on religion and Russell channels that with some truly haunting and horrifying religious iconography. The unnerving visions that Hurt’s Dr. Jessup experiences are some of the most arresting and haunting sequences on this side of Event Horizon. The make-up, character design, and special effects 100% sell the escalating body horror of the film into the second and third acts. Hurt is joined by strong performances from Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, and Charles Haid. This is a bold and ambitious cinematic experience that will make you think and process our experiences while chilling you to the bone.

Django (1966)

Wait…Quentin Tarantino drew upon a cult classic film that he loves to inspire one of his films? Shocking. But Django certainly deserves praise and affection. This visceral and bombastic spaghetti western has plenty of its own merits. Admittedly, this is just another unofficial (i.e. illegal) adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo and just feels like another Italian director chasing the success of Sergio Leone. BUT…Sergio Corbucci delivers a bold and visceral cinematic experience in the form of this western. Franco Nero is channeling his best big Clint energy as the steely and powerful Django. There are some crazy and bombastic shootout sequences and the iconic image of Django dragging a coffin and firing a minigun is just so cool. This is an interesting conflict as Django tries to take down both the Ku Klux Klan and Mexican bandits. The final sequence boasts a thrilling and unique cemetery shootout as well. Django is another great western to enjoy from the 60s.

The Wiz (1978) 

Do you want another reimagining of The Wizard of Oz to enjoy along with Wicked? Go check out The Wiz! This afro-infused remake of Baum’s classic tale started as a successful Broadway musical and then the reins were given to acclaimed director Sidney Lumet. The direction is not the most dynamic for a musical (the static, wide shots are kind of bland) but the production design, costuming, and make-up is so vibrant and engrossing. There are plenty of enjoyable and fun musical numbers that capture the spirit of music from African American culture at the time. There is a stacked cast of talented performers with Diana Ross leading the way as an aged-up Dorothy from Harlem. Michael Jackson brings such an innocent and warm vibe to Scarecrow. Nipsey Russell is charming and vibing with old school entertainment flair as Tinman. Ted Ross brings so much vibrance, presence, and energy to Lion. Mabel King is so powerful and exciting as Evillene (the Wicked Witch). Then you have a fun small role by Richard Pryor as The Wiz. A little bloated and stale, The Wiz still has plenty of great elements to enjoy in the film.

Toy Story 4 (2019) 

What is one of the most overhated and underappreciated animated films of the last 10 years? Toy Story 4. This is a film that deserves to be put on the same elite level as the first three Toy Story films. This might not be a film that “we needed” because of how great Toy Story 3 wrapped things up but it brings so many great elements to the table. The existential crisis that is explored in this film about what it means to be a toy is a transcendent element that rises above a film just about talking toys. Forky is a fascinating addition (along with Tony Hale being so great in the role) as he blurs the line of what a toy is. Bo-Peep gets a fresh new role in her return with Annie Potts killing it. Woody gets to explore a brand-new perspective that takes him on this engaging adventure once again. One of the best elements of Toy Story 4 is the addition of some great new toys like Key & Peele’s Ducky & Bunny (their cutaway gags are downright hilarious). Keanu Reeves’ Duck Caboom is just a silly and fun addition that perfectly leverages Reeves’ talents. Gabby Gabby is a fresh and unique antagonist for the franchise and Christina Hendricks does great work. This is a beautiful and thoughtful addition to this elite franchise with the best animation yet. 

Attack the Block (2011) 

What can a group of teenagers do against a horde of furry and ferocious aliens? Plenty…apparently! Writer/director Joe Cornish brings to life the wild thrill ride that is Attack the Block. Long before The Force Awakens, John Boyega made a splash as a young man who leads a gang of misguided teenagers in “The Block” but their fates collide with a hesitant and fearful woman played by future Dr. Who Jodie Whittaker as they must survive the onslaught of these creative and simple designed alien creatures. There is some depth to the racial and class tensions for sure but there are plenty of laughs as well. Nick Frost delivers some great comic relief (as he does). But it is the thrills, action, and creature elements that make this such a fun and unique zippy experience. 

The World’s End (2013) 

How do you deliver a fresh take on a classic science fiction story that has been adapted quite a few times already? You bring some laughs and satire, and you can certainly freshen a classic story up. When you put those laughs in the hands of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost…you get something special for sure. The World’s End is the final flavor of the Cornetto Trilogy and certainly is the most mature of the three films. Pegg shakes things up as the screw up this time around and Frost taking on the straight man role. But this middle-aged crew of pals (including Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, and Eddie Marsan) head back to their hometown for a bar crawl. Drunken, bathroom brawls, pod people, and grand intergalactic conspiracies. That is a lot to love about The World’s End. There are rich themes about humanity and growing up as well. Wright delivers his best cinematic tricks (great foreshadowing and sharp comedic editing to name a pair) and proves a wonderful homage and send-up of science fiction classics.