The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (May 18th, 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 Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

Who does not love Tom Jones in their Disney Animation films? This legendary singer brings a fun personality to this post-Renaissance Disney effort. The Emperor’s New Groove was a film that had a tumultuous journey to the silver screen, but it turned out to be a lean and wildly fun experience. The cast brings so much personality to this film with David Spade, John Goodman, and Eartha Kitt bringing so much energy. But then you have Patrick Warburton who created one of the most beloved supporting characters in Disney, Kronk (the greatest himbo of all time). This film has hilarious humor that mixes physical, jokes, sarcasm, and character work. The adventure is full of fun elements along the way. You have a lean and fun romp that has great characters, fine animation, and hilarious gags.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse (2018)

What is one of the most unique and breathtaking animated films in recent memory? Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse is a film that has one of the most engaging and unique animation approaches in film. The visuals of this film are just breath-taking. Daniel Pemberton’s score is dynamic and unique. The world-building of the multiverse is one of the best put on the big screen. The journey that young Miles Morales goes on is inspiring and rich with thematic depth. The parallel stories of the aging Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy add layers and depth. Miles’ family adds layers and compelling conflicts for the film as well. The rogue’s gallery leverage for the film is a who’s who of Spider-Man villains. The different Spider-folk are so much fun and creative. The cherry on top is just how effective this whole voice cast is from top to bottom.

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Why is Lilo & Stitch getting remade? Because that original film is just that good. The titular monster is electric, hilarious, and wholesome…through all the mayhem he creates. Lilo is a charming and weird little girl who makes for a unique and endearing protagonist. The sister/sister dynamic along with the trauma they are both processing delivers great depth to the film. The animation is some of the best for early 2000s Disney Animation with the space set pieces and the Hawaiian setting really standing out. The collection of alien characters and other supporting characters (like Cobra Bubbles) bring so much personality and life to this story. There is a beautiful heart at the core of the film that really rises it above so many other films. All the Elvis and Hawaiian music are a wonderful garnish that really ties the film together too.

The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

What Batman film processes the loneliness and lack of human connection that the Dark Knight struggles with the best? The LEGO Batman Movie of course! This film has no right to be this funny or poignant. But here we are with this film delivering one of the best cinematic experiences for the Caped Crusader. There are so many great character dynamics in the film with the relationship structure of the Batman/Joker conflict making for the core of the film. But the developing relationship with Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon are strong too. The action is vibrant, exciting, and endlessly creative. The humor works on so many levels from the sight and sound gags with the LEGOs to the endless pop culture references to the clever banter amongst the characters. The action. The humor. The heart. The LEGO Batman Movie fires on all cylinders.

Aladdin (1992)

Why is Aladdin one of the all-time great Disney Animation films? The music is iconic and still stands out 30 years later. “A Whole New World” is one of the best Disney ballads…period. “A Friend Like Me” is endlessly fun. There are other songs that just bring so much to this film, so much life and personality. Robin Williams delivers one of the greatest voice performances of all time as The Genie as he packs in heart, humor, and energy. The pop culture references are endless and on point. The cast of characters are fun as well with Jafar making a devious villain, Iago and Carpet making great comedic elements and Jasmine being a top tier Disney princess. Love, freedom, and classism are the foundational thematic elements that work so well too. Adventurous and exciting from start to finish, Aladdin never fails.

Modern Times (1936)

What is a film that is 90 years old and still feels uncomfortably relevant today? Charles Chaplin’s Modern Times. This comedy tackles the changing factory setting through the advancements of technology. Instead of easily the pain and struggle, Chaplin explores how they enslave the working class even more. With the evolution of AI, Modern Times strikes a fascinating core. Chaplin’s performance as The Tramp is an all timer with his impressive physicality, facial expressions, singing, dancing, and character work. The gags including the bolt wrenches, feeding machine, and gears are some of the most iconic slapstick gags ever created. There is some charming romance thrown in as well that just tied this poignant and comic experience together. One of Chaplin’s best, Modern Times proves to keep up with its title and stays increasingly relevant and hilarious.

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Does being a villain make you a bad guy? That is quite the nuanced perspective that you might not expect from a Disney Animation feature. Exploring that through a video game centric story is also a surprising and fresh perspective as well. Wreck-It Ralph was a surprising and excellent effort from Disney that offered up vibrant, creative, and nostalgic world building while exploring meaningful themes about identity. John C. Reilly delivered a fun, committed, and empathetic performance that instantly made Ralph a fan favorite. But the work of Sarah Silverman, Alan Tudyk, Jame Lynch, and Jack McBrayer is excellent as well and fills out this fun ensemble. There is a great mix of storytelling, nostalgia, thematic work, and creativity that makes this such a wonderful film.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

How did Edgar Wright put together a cast full of future stars like this? 15 years ago, Wright branched out from his British genre flicks and dove into this Manga adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. There are so many impressive young talents that fill out this cast with Michael Cera bringing his unique brand of awkwardness to the core of it. The rest of this stacked cast brings so much personality to a film already brimming with it. The 8-bit vibes and video game visuals make this one of the most unique cinematic experiences you will ever have. The punk rock energy and Wright sharp filmmaking make this even more exciting. The relatable exploration of relationships and our own baggage is quite poignant. This was a film that captured a moment for so many and turned into the cult classic that it is today.

Tales of Terror (1962)

Who doesn’t enjoy some good old-fashioned horror tales? Edgar Allen Poe was the king of horror stories and director Roger Corman was one quite the run as he adapted them in the early 1960s. Tales of Terror is an anthology film that captures the terror of Poe in three of his stories. Having the likes of Vincent Price to be our narrator is perfect as he offers his smooth, menacing voice. But he also lends his expert acting chops to each of these stories as he is joined by screen legends Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. There are some great special effects for 1962, and some great suspense crafted by Corman along the way. Tales of Terror is a great introduction to Corman’s work and delivers some classic horror beats and elements through some of Poe’s most beloved horror stories.

Titan A.E. (2000)

What a career Don Bluth had, right? He was the main alternative to the Disney dynasty animation that came to be in the late 80s through the 90s. Bluth has plenty of classics himself and his career took him into the year 2000 with a fresh new take of Titan A.E. This sprawling science fiction adventure certainly is familiar compared to other star-hopping sci-fi flicks like it but there is still something special about it. Bluth’s animated work had to evolve at the turn of the century and there is some impressive mixture of hand drawn animation with fresh 3D animation popping up at the time. There are twists and turns along the way and plenty of other worldly elements including cool looking characters and creatures. The voice cast is stacked as well with Matt Damon leading the way. This might not be the most original film, but it has some impressive merits to experience.