The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (June 1st, 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 Crowd (1928)

Who is ready for a good old-fashioned romance turned tragedy turned hopeful drama? King Vidor’s classic drama The Crowd is the type of film that is a wholly human experience that finds ways to stand out and shine. The story of John (James Murray) and Mary (Eleanor Boardman) starts off as a charming romance of two young lovers. There is humor and charm for sure. But life takes hold, and Vidor pivots into drama that highlights the shocking cruelty of life while also highlighting the resilience of human beings along the way. John and Mary’s relationship is shown to have great highs and horrific lows but all engaging along the way. There are dynamic production and camera elements that add some flair to this bold and modern feeling drama highlighted at the first Academy Awards.

Peter Pan (1953)

Are you ready for a Disney classic that has aged in places but still packs the Disney Magic? That is Peter Pan in a nutshell. The animation still stands tall, and the world building is engrossing as this class animated flick brings the realm of Neverland to life. The Darling children are the audience stand-ins for this adventurous and fantasy romp. Peter is a rambunctious and fun (if not cocky) hero with his gang of Lost Boys. Hans Conried is devilishly fun as the notorious and villainous Captain Hook. J. M. Barrie’s tale is brought to life with plenty of charm with musical fun (minus the quite racist Native American sequence). This lean and jaunting adventure is quite a bit of fun still and highlights the legacy of Disney Animation from its early Golden Years.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

What does Hayao Miyazaki do best? Bringing beautiful fantasy worlds to life. Tell tales about the importance and meaning of nature. Deliver a tale about the horrors of war. This is the description of quite a few of his films but it all started with Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (based on Miyazaki’s own Manga). Nausicaa is a princess caught in the middle of a war between human tribes and giant insects. The grand rests and epically large deserts come to life with the grand vision of Miyazaki’s animation. Beautiful, violent, impactful, and wondrous, Nausicaa is a grand expression of rich themes and fantasy filmmaking. The action is thrilling and the creatures of the world are creative and expansive. Miyazaki wears his influences on his sleeve from Earthsea to Dune to The Lord of the Rings and mixes them together to create an immersive vision on screen.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

What is THE cult classic film that has created its own religion and has become universally beloved after bombing at the box office? The Coen Brothers’ The Big Lebowski. This wild ride is a perfect homage and send-up of the hard-boiled private investigator stories of Raymond Chandler. This comedy is also infinitely quotable and delivers the goods every time you watch it. Like any great Coen Brothers effort, The Big Lebowski is stuffed to the gills with memorable and iconic supporting and minor characters. But these twisted, noirish criminal shenanigans are only so delightful as the films aimless and lovable sloth of a protagonist, The Dude. Jeff Bridges is so natural and delightful as this classic stoner. John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Peter Stormare, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman…and endless more perfect supporting turns. The soundtrack is an all-timer with plenty of hits from Bob Dylan to Kenny Rogers to Gypsy Kings. The “Gutterballs” sequence is one of the most creative and fun fantastical sequences in any film. This is one of the funniest movies ever created which is endlessly quotable.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

How is Shane Black so good at making buddy crime flicks? First there was Lethal Weapon. Now everyone wants a sequel to The Nice Guys. But Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is one of the most beloved “buddy investigators” flicks around. The work that Robert Downey Jr. does in this film is completely off the charts. His narration is sharp and full of personality. Downey throws one-liners around like it is his job (it basically is). There is plenty of personality and emotion in this performance as Harry Lockhart (actor impersonating a private investigator). Then you have a real private investigator named Gay Perry who must team up with him. Val Kilmer is excellent in the film as well with his hilarious sarcasm and presence. Michelle Monaghan is a revelation as Harmony Faith Lane who is the hilariously charming and sexy femme fatale of the flick. Christmas vibes. An engrossing mystery. Shocking twists and turns. Black does it all.

Raising Arizona (1987)

Who doesn’t love a pair of lovable rednecks and their shenanigans trying to make a family? One of the earliest efforts of the Coen Brothers, Raising Arizona finds Nicolas Cage at his best comedy with his wild look and southern drawl who happens to be a criminal with a heart of gold. Married to a cop (Holly Hunter, also doing some peak comedic work) and unfortunately not able to have kids, they steal one of five famous quintuplets. This brings a whole world of trouble down upon them with the likes of an unpainted furniture baron, a pair of fraternal escaped criminals, and a bounty hunter out of a Mad Max movie. The humor is exaggerated and hilarious with its over-the-top moments of freak outs, police chases, and slapstick brawling. The yodeling music and exaggerated cinematography from Barry Sonnenfeld just ties this campy, absurd comedy together.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

What is the greatest buddy cop film of all time? Lethal Weapon. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Richard Donner behind the camera. Shane Black is behind the typewriter. This is such a funny, edgy, and sharp action/thriller that engrosses you from the mystery opening death scene and all the way up through its explosive and brutal climax. This film certainly has plenty of humor with Gibson’s manic energy and Glover’s discomfort in this wild ride that makes it so engaging. The music from Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen is iconic and perfectly fits the vibes and atmosphere that Donner is going for. Black’s script is sharp while delivering plenty of memorable characters and quips. The heavier elements of the film hit as well with the excellent and unnerving suicidal sequence with Gibson (who sells it so well). The antagonists are so 80s antagonists including Gary Busey’s intimidating Mr. Joshua. This is an awesome first film in a beloved franchise (with an excellent second film which might be the best) and is a watch for 80s action flicks.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Just how good was that string of performances for Al Pacino in the 1970s? Outside of The Godfather and Part II, Pacino had a few other great dramas that showed off his immense acting talents. Dog Day Afternoon is one such film that shows the whole range of emotions that Pacino can hit. Pacino and John Cazale team up to rob a bank in this drama that challenges plenty of societal dynamics of the time. Pacino’s character becomes a folk hero amongst the people of Brooklyn and soon to all queer folk once his motivations are revealed for stealing from this bank. Plenty of tension and suspense mount throughout this film that is elevated by a great cast as sharp writing. This is not a standard bank robbery flick. The thematic layers make it rise above this genre set up. Very 70s, Dog Day Afternoon still packs a punch.

The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)

How many shenanigans can Inspector Clouseau get up to? This wild, silly, and bonkers franchise returned for one of the most outlandish entries in the Pink Panther franchise. The Pink Panther Strikes Again is a romp that is packed with the most outlandish physical comedy with all the slapsticks you can possibly want. Even closer to his death, Peter Sellers still had plenty of energy left for this iconic idiot that he brought to life. A vengeful Chief Inspector who wants Clouseau dead takes the world for ransom and a fleet of assassins come for our beloved inspector. Ridiculous deaths and bonkers twists make this entry in the franchise such a fun experience. You even get a Tom Jones original song…and you cannot ask for more than that.

Grease (1978)

Grease is the word, right? It has groove and has meaning. This is certainly one of the greatest theme songs for any film with Frankie Valli setting the tone for the rest of this iconic musical. There are plenty of iconic music moments with “Grease Lightning”, “Summer Nights”, “You’re the One That I Want”, and “Beauty School Dropout”. There are moments with great choreography as well as some creative set pieces like the sleek auto body shop and the dreamlike beauty school set. The dancing and music are obvious highlights of the film but there is plenty of charm to enjoy too. The dynamic duo of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are charismatic and charming while they are supported by a fantastic crew of other fun performers. Some of the thematic elements might not have aged the best but there is still plenty of fun and charm packed into this 70’s flick with a retro 50s setting.