The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (April 20th, 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:     

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

What is the real cost of war? David Lean’s iconic war film explores the engagement and rules of conflict as cultures clash and ego explode. Colonel Saito is tasked with crafting a bridge and railroad for the good of the Japanese war effort during WWII but his ego clashes with that of Colonel Nicholson whose British troops are captured and brought to Saito’s POW camp. This duo makes for plenty of drama and tension and later respect as they have differing perspectives. The roguish American soldier, Shears, escapes and must return on a mission to blow up said bridge. The story spirals into madness and pride as each character has their own ego that gets in the way of the mission to support their own country. Stubbornness and cowardice make for great bedmates with pride as well. The killer cast is stacked with Alec Guinness, Sessue Hayakawa, William Holden, and Jack Hawking all shining in their own ways. This is one of the most poignant and impactful films about war ever shown on the silver screen.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

Who is the master at adapting Roald Dahl’s work? Wes Anderson. After delivering a perfect Fantastic Mr. Fox, Anderson tackles some short stories for Netflix with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar being the crown jewel. The technical prowess on display is incredible. The production design is exceptional as Anderson balances a morphing set that channels the creativity of early auteurs like Georges Melies. The mixture of live action stop motion brings plenty of charm to the presentation. The storytelling approach feels like story time threaded with clever dialogue and jokes along the way. The creativity on display is unmatched but the parallel stories of a great yogi and a spoiled rich gambler come together in such a compelling way. The cast is incredible as well with Ralph Fiennes leading the way as Dahl in a cleverly executed framing device. Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kinglsey, Dev Patel…all fantastic as well. This is a charming and expertly crafted short film that is one of Anderson’s best.

Akira (1988)

What is one of the most important and influential anime in the history of Japanese cinema? Akira. Katsuhiro Otomo’s film is an absolute masterpiece of animation with some of the most textured, layered, and complex pieces of hand drawn animation. The use of light is incredible, and few films have ever been able to leverage it quite like this in animation. The music is bold, unique, and complex that brings so many feelings to this sprawling science fiction/fantasy epic. A dystopian world centered on Neo-Tokyo that delivers this engrossing cyber-punk work. Government experiments create psychic mutants who have enough power to destroy the world. There are so many motifs, visuals, themes, and ideas that have been lifted from this iconic film as well. The action is thrilling and dynamic. The world-building is unmatched. The visuals are striking, creative, and impressive. The final climax is one of the boldest and most creative in any animated film. Akira is a towering achievement that is the benchmark for all anime.

No Regrets for Our Youth (1946)

Can love overcome the mighty hand of fascism? Akira Kurosawa explores this idea in his post-war drama No Regret of Our Youth that focuses on the story of a young woman whose life is altered by the looming phantom of fascism in WWII Japan. She is the daughter of a politically disgraced leftist professor. She falls for one of his former students who has a similar world view and wants to fight the rising fascist tides in Japan at the time. Born from a real conflict and event, Kurosawa explores the complexities of fighting for freedom in the face of adversity. We follow this young woman on a journey of struggle, heartbreak, and an evolving world view. There are clashes between intelligentsia and the blue-collar workers. Yukie must decide what kind of life she needs to lead as she is beaten down by great forces at every turn. Kurosawa crafts a well-made, poignant, and engaging drama that tells a relevant story 80 years later.

The General Line (1929)

What is the driving force of Russian cinema in 1929? Communism. That is the underlying thematic anchor that brings The General Line to life. This docudrama focuses on the farm life of Russian citizens at the time and how the profession has evolved over time. This is an incredibly realistic and gorgeous film that captures all the beauty of farm life and the animals that are essential pieces of this environment. This is a tale of progress and industrial revolution. A young woman (with the progress brought about by the Soviet government) shows how farm life can be revolutionized. This shows the winds of change in motion as farm work progresses in impactful ways on screen. This might be a propaganda film, but it has plenty of technical prowess to write home about.

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

What do we think of when vampires enter the conversation? Lust. Blood. Thirst. Anne Rice crafted what is the new age vampire in her beloved series The Vampire Chronicles. The beloved entry into this series came to the silver screen as Interview with the Vampire. This is a campy, lustful, and decadent experience that channels so much of the sexualization of vampiric lore. The framing device of a journalist (Cristian Slater) interviewing a real vampire (Brad Pitt) is fascinating. There is a level of tension and suspense throughout the film (directed by filmmaker Neil Jordan). This is an engrossing and seductive cinematic experience with textured and rich filmmaking. The cast boasts some great stars with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas all shining in their own ways. But Kirsten Dunst shines as the child vamp with plenty of danger and hunger underneath the surface. The practical effects are impressive as they bring this grim and bloodthirsty world to life. Fun, campy, dark…it has plenty going for it.

Here Comes the Navy (1934)

Who doesn’t enjoy the story of a bona fide hero? Here Come the Navy tells the story of Navy hero Chester J. “Chesty” O’Connor (who was later memorialized in a late career John Ford documentary) who joins the Navy for immature reasons but soon proves his worth and heroism. James Cagney is by far the biggest selling point for this film as he delivers an energetic and intense performance and can bring some levity to the proceedings as well. Pat O’Brien makes for a great second to him on the silver screen. The impressive military sequences are thrilling and the charismatic cast balances out with the film. Not an all-time classic but it is an engaging and enjoyable military romp.