The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (April 6th, 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:     

Deewaar (1975)

What would you expect from the classic Bollywood film that inspired Danny Boyle to create Slumdog Millionaire? Deewaar is a three-hour Bollywood epic that has plenty to sink your teeth into. There are some meaningful thematic elements with corruption and vengeance at the core. This tale of two brothers in completely different walks of life whose worlds collide makes for quite the epic flick. The film boasts bold colors and visuals, expressive and fun editing, and plenty of energy to keep this big film moving forward. The musical performances are bold, fun, and exciting. Those songs are catchy and fun while lighting up the screen every time the music kicks in. There are plenty of wild action sequences with impressive stunt work, thrills, and brutality. Deewaar is a film that has it all and is a fantastic cinematic experience full of emotion, laughs, romance, action, and music.

Atlantis (1991)

What if you took the visceral and stylish filmmaking behind The Professional and The Fifth Element and created a sea life documentary with it? That might seem entirely strange and unexpected…because it is, but Luc Besson does something quite engaging with Atlantis. There is minimal voiceover at the beginning of the film and then gives way to nothing but music, camerawork, and editing. Broken into sections with different musical tones and styles that match the wondrous creatures on screen, Atlantis offers an engrossing and engaging auditory and visual experience. You get to see so many different ocean creatures in all types of action. This is a nature documentary with energy, style, and flair for sure.

The Ratings Game (1984)

What if you take a whole bunch of Jersey and inject it directly into the Hollywood system? That is some culture clash right there with plenty of comedic potential. Danny DeVito says all that potential and got the opportunity to deliver a hilarious and campy good time in the form of a TV comedy movie. DeVito plays a blue-collar man who made the big bucks in trucking but dreams of the creative life in Hollywood. This feels like a TV movie, but DeVito brings bits of flair and plenty of silly humor to the proceedings. This is a hilarious and campy good time that has a great satirical twist on the television system at the time as well as plenty of absurd gags as well. This is not a subtle film, but it has plenty of fun to go around. A strong cast with DeVito himself leading the way (and behind the camera) makes this a memorable and engaging experience.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

What should you expect from the least favorite Avengers film? With 10 years of hindsight, Age of Ultron has aged quite well. There are certainly some elements that stick out in an awkward and forceful way, including Thor’s vision quest to put in a spotlight the future importance of the Infinity Stones. But there are plenty of great elements to this film including the opportunity to see the Avengers as a legitimate team (which does not actually happen often in the MCU). The cold open is such a fun and engaging action sequence that each member is given a chance to shine. We get plenty of great team moments including the defense of the Sokovian chapel in the climax of the film. Age of Ultron balances the quieter character moments and fun action well as each of our characters get time to be fleshed out. Ultron is more fun than menacing but James Spader certainly delivers. Scarlet Witch and Vision are great additions here and the overall story moves the MCU into new and interesting places.

Bone Tomahawk (2015)

What is the most brutal western ever created? S. Craig Zahler might win that title with Bone Tomahawk. This film finds a small town challenged by the specter that is a violent, terrifying, and cannibalistic Native American tribe. When a few members of their community are kidnapped, a team of four brave (and maybe stupid) men rider off to save the day. Zahler offers up a gritty and dirty vibe that is paired with some of the most graphic and horrific body horror you are going to find in a film. There is a sequence in the den of this tribe that delivers a few moments that will burn in your brain forever. The film finds the time to build character and allows the audience to invest in these characters. Kurt Russell, Richard Jenkins, Patrick Wilson, and Matthew Fox each bring a unique vibe and performance to this team making for an engaging and impactful experience.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Does Danny Boyle have the skills to channel Bollywood and deliver a fun, poignant, and engaging cinematic experience? Well…Slumdog Millionaire was a massive hit and won Best Picture. That might be enough to say he does. Dev Patel leads the way as the endearing and charming young protagonist who seeks his lost love (Frieda Pinto, who is fantastic in the film). The film does not shy away from the challenges of growing up on the streets and the struggle to escape the criminal underbelly of India. Boyle can capture the dirty and gritty elements of India while also channeling the rich colors of Bollywood cinema. The film’s structure is interesting with Patel on the show, later being interrogated about how he knew the answers, and remembering back to the many meaningful moments throughout his life. This is a moving, poignant, and hopeful film that just captures so much charm.

Men in Black II (2002)

How do you follow-up one of the funniest, sharpest, and most perfect script for a sci-fi, action, comedy like Men in Black? You make a rock solid, fast paced, and charming sequel with some heart. Men in Black II is certainly not close to the same quality as the initial film but this sequel has some charm. The addition of Rosario Dawson is welcomed as she is endlessly charming even if her character is underwritten. You have some creative new aliens from a giant planet entity, a two headed humanoid, small humanoids on mechanical saucers, and even ballchinians. The story of Agent J getting Agent K into the fold is a fun aspect of the story. This sequel even has quite the emotional climax that affects J and K in different ways. This is also a fun reminder of just how good Will Smith was.

The Assistant (2019)

Are you ready to step in the shows of a young woman whose dream job has turned into a nightmare? The Assistant explores one day in the life of this woman (Julia Garner) who struggles to get through a day full of disrespect, inappropriate behavior, and gaslighting. Garner delivers a quietly powerful performance with authentic emotion boiling underneath the surface. This film lives in quiet and small moments. There are no big theatrical moments. Instead, we experience little paper cuts consistently throughout this lean run time. This leverages the mundane and the crawl of the day that is so relatable for anyone who has lived that office grind. The subtle storytelling and small acting decisions throughout really tie this experience together. The HR scene (with a small role from a Succession alum) really ties this office nightmare together in such an impactful way.

World’s Greatest Dad (2009)

What would you do if your child accidently died while performing some sort of dangerous sex act? World’s Greatest Dad puts Robin Williams’ character in that position and delivers a darkly funny and poignant exploration of grief worship. Williams delivers one of his last great performances are a man struggling to father a cruel and abrasive young man who no one liked. Williams’ character is an opportunist as he stages a suicide with an incredibly written note (written by Williams, a poetry teacher) and revels in the attention that his work gets. This film will certainly push you into a dark place, but it is deftly explored thanks to the steady hand of writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait. There is some compelling commentary on display with this film and quite the cathartic climax to a beloved song.

Captain Fury (1939)

Have you ever checked out a “Meat Pie Western”? These are Australian westerns with the cultural stylizing of Australian cinema. But the idea of a western set in Australia goes way back to the 1930s when Hollywood went “Down Under”. Captain Fury takes the beloved Robin Hood tale and throws it into the outback and in the style of a western. Some Irish criminals stand up to rebel against the rich and powerful of this island. Captain Fury boasts plenty of classic western trappings long with some exciting action and stunts as well. Having legends on screen like Victor McLaglen in there makes for some fun and engaging entertainment. But Brian Aherne makes for a rock-solid protagonist who we can get behind as well.