The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (February 23rd, 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:   

Wake in Fright (1971)

How far can a human being fall? That is the challenge of Australian Ozploitation film Wake in Fright. Gary Bond portrays a young teacher out in the outback who finds himself in a small mining town. What happens is a gambling ring pulls him in, and he loses all his money to head home to see the woman he loves. Where this journey takes him is a haunting descent into the life of the dark and violent locals of this town. There is a horrific kangaroo hunting sequence that will shake you to the core. Bond’s performance is strong as we see him shaking to the core. Donald Pleasence is an iconic actor who brings a dark and hardened performance to this film as an antagonistic and tempting force to our protagonist. This is a harrowing experience that will penetrate you and stick with you for long after.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

How much has humanity grown since the 1950s? Watching The Day the Earth Stood Still…it hasn’t grown much at all. This is a film that turns the mirror on the audience and has a call to action. Humanity needs to do better. Klaatu, an alien who arrives to influence us, tells us what we need to do. Michael Rennie delivers a performance that is reflective and curious as he explores what humanity truly is through his connection with Patricia Neal’s Helen. But there are fantastic science fiction elements including the flying saucer, visual effects, and the iconic alien robot that has been stuck in the pop culture landscape of America since. Robert Wise delivers a lean and well-directed film with a brain and a heart for sure.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

What is one of the most controversial and haunting films of all time? A Clockwork Orange. Stanley Kubrick tackles a compelling and unique novel about the darkness of humanity and the sinister way society can try and put it out. This concoction of ultra-violence as well as behavior modification is a haunting experience from the start. Kubrick brings his incredible filmmaking prowess with vibrant colors, impressive blocking and framing, and fascinating mixture of musicality as well. Malcolm McDowell delivers a challenging and layered performance as a disturbed young man who is a devilish force who then is reprogrammed and struggles to get back into society. This film is a biting experience about human nature and the corruption of government and society. There is a compelling examination of free will as well. Kubrick takes Burgess’ novel and crafts a wholly unique cinematic experience FULL of trigger spots…be forewarned.

2001: A Space Odyssey (2001)

What is the greatest achievement in the history of science fiction? 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick crafted a film that captures the art of cinema. There are whole sequences of the film with zero dialogue, yet it says so much about humanity, evolution, and the place technology plays in humanity. Artificial intelligence is such a significant fixture in our society today and how Kubrick presents HAL-9000 is fascinating. This is one of the greatest antagonists in film as the cold and calm voice of Douglas Rain is haunting and the calculating nature of HAL’s violence and murderous behavior is shocking. Each section of this film is compelling in its own way with the “Dawn of Man” sequence using pure cinema to tell a story of evolution and the dark nature of humanity. The final sequence is one of the most visually striking pieces of filmmaking ever created. Kubrick created a masterpiece.

The Fifth Element (1997)

What is a satisfying pulpy and campy bit of science fiction? Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is this to a tie. Besson brings a most practical and colorful world to life that has some insane visuals and creative creatures and production design. This is a big broad story with mythos and history for sure while focusing on themes like love. This cast is iconic with Bruce Willis (and HUGE star) anchoring down such a wildly weird and fun film. Milla Jovovich is so alluring and fun as Leeloo. Gary Oldman is a wildly devious villain as well. There are plenty of other fun character performances that tie this all together. This film has endless vibes that just capture so much energy, fun, and tension as well. Dark yet campy, Besson finds such a unique voice for sci-fi in The Fifth Element.

I Live in Fear (1955)

Akira Kurosawa doesn’t need a samurai story to get your attention, does he? I Live in Fear is a moving drama that has layers of humanity and fear. Playing well above his own age, Toshiro Mifune brings plenty of layers and conflict to this aging industrialist who will let his fear of global destruction create a wedge in his family. This film captures a strong feeling that permeated Japanese society post WWII and it embodies Mifune’s protagonist. Kurosawa crafts an engaging visual experience with its gorgeous black-and-white cinematography and precise blocking and framing. But it is the dark turns of familial dynamics that drives this film with Mifune’s mixed family forcing the engagement while selfishness (from all around) threatens the future of this film’s wealth and legacy. The descent is harrowing, frustrating, and thoroughly engaging.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Who doesn’t love a tale of young love? Wes Anderson channels all his sensibilities into Moonrise Kingdom that captures a quaint story on a small New England Island in the 1960s. Two young people who are isolated and struggling in their lot in life find a connection with each other. The duo of Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward are so fantastic and carry the weight of this film on their soldiers. Anderson captures that feeling of children wise beyond their years and adults bumbling around like children. This impressive cast of actors bring a lot of life and emotion to the film with the likes of Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and Bill Murray. The beautiful color palette, toy-like elements, and quirky tone just exudes that Anderson feel. This script from Anderson and Roman Coppola is rich and deep with themes about young love, sexuality, and mental health while delivering plenty of hilarious moments as well.

Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

Why can’t we get classic style screwball comedies like Intolerable Cruelty more often? Well…you certainly need the correct creatives behind the film to capture that feel for sure. The Coens were the perfect choice for this film. They have a love of old school screwball comedies and mix it well with their darker edged sensibilities. The dynamic duo of George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones just exude charisma and deliver insanely entertaining performances. Clooney for sure finds his best work in the hands of the Coens. This set up of a serial bride of rich men falling for a premiere divorce attorney is just perfection. There are so many fantastic characters along the way and plenty of hilarious gags and set-ups. The Coens can leverage this fantastic ensemble for big laughs and wild occurrences (including the unhinged opening sequence with Geoffrey Rush). The tone is truly set with the wonderful opening credits and use of Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds”.  

The Go-Between (1971)

Just how British can a film possibly get? Just check out The Go-Between and you will understand just how far. There is a specific English sensibility all over this period romance film. A young man is stuck in the middle of a love that cannot be and must act as a messenger between these forbidden lovers. Joseph Losey’s film tackles classism in English high society as a well-to-do woman is in love with a man of lower standing. A great cast breathes plenty of energy and personality into this drama as the film navigates some complex relationships and dynamics. Julie Christie and Alan Bates shine for sure with a young Dominic Guard really standing his own as our young lead. The music and cinematography help create a strong atmosphere, and the costuming and production design are quite engrossing. This is quite an engaging and romantic experience that delivers a quality coming-of-age narrative as well.

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Is Lethal Weapon 4 as fresh as the stellar first two entries of this classic action franchise? Not quite…but damn does it still have a lot to love. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are still a great pair and them both being “too old for this shit” The comedic elements from Joe Pesci and Chris Rock are welcomed as well. The feeling of family and those themes are explored in such an impactful and meaningful way. There is a fresh feel with the Chinese elements incorporated into the plot including the Triad led by an intense and dangerous Jet Li. But the action is still the star. Li’s addition makes for some killer moments. The final confrontation between Riggs/Murtaugh and Wah Sing Ku is brutal and thrilling with plenty of emotion underneath. The wild highway car chase and flamethrower opening makes for some exciting moments as well. This might not be the strongest of the Lethal Weapon films, but it is such a satisfying and enjoyable finale to this franchise.

Sorry We Missed You (2019)

How raw and authentic can a drama get? Just ask director Ken Loach because his film Sorry We Missed You is something that just hits way too close to home. This is a tale of unbalanced class structure and the struggle of the working class to make ends meet. This film feels so real and it has a truth to the experience. All the performers feel like real people and Loach crafts a realistic feeling world on screen. There are so many big, impactful emotional beats that draw you in and last long with you past the point of the credits rolling. This does not have a happy ending, but the end captures the real exploration of human struggle, and the film never once betrays that. There are moments that will push you as an audience member to the brink of breaking and getting pushed over the edge. Few films capture an authenticity quite like Sorry We Missed You.

Legend (1985)

Does a film have to have a good story to be a good time? No…Ridley Scott delivered a now iconic fantasy film back in 1985 that matches that description perfectly. Legend is not a film with a good, structured narrative. This film is loose and chaotic to say the least. But there is something so engaging and enthralling when it comes to this fantasy. The world feels so authentic and lived in that it is hard to ignore. So many films like this today are all computer generated but Scott delivers something so tangible and real. The make-up and performance from Tim Curry really bring the antagonist The Darkness to life. Haunting, frightening, and uncomfortably charming, Curry delivers tons of emotion under impressive visual effects. Tom Cruise is so young but charming in this film as he delivers a worthy protagonist. The score from Tangerine Dream goes so hard for sure. Simple in story and themes but complex and bold in execution.