The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends: July 13th, 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:     

Con Air (1997)

Who doesn’t love an over-the-top 90s action movie like Con Air? This film has some of the most ridiculous set-up and leaps in logic that you must get past to enjoy…but if you do, this is a wild thrill ride from start to finish. Simon West takes the reins of this film and delivers all the over-the-top action direction you would expect out of Michael Bay. This film is at times both overly serious and campy, which gives it the most bonkers tone as this brash and aggressive film flies by for two-hours. The cast is absolutely stacked with Nicolas Cage and John Cusack anchoring the whole thing down. John Malkovich is so great as a top tier action movie villain as Cyrus the Virus. Con Air has all the trappings for a wild 90s action film, and it delivers exactly what you want out of an over-the-top 90s action film.

Speed (1994)

What happens when a psychopath sets a bus to explode when it goes below 50 MPH? This concept is incredibly compelling and the basis for a beloved 90s action film, Speed. This high concept film is about a cop doing all he can to stop an unhinged bomb expert from blowing up a big chunk of the city. Speed is not the type of action flick with a big muscle-bound hero who takes out a bunch of bad guys. Speed is a film that leverages its high concept idea for all types of tension and suspense. There is a thrilling action sequence both at the beginning of the film (elevator) and at the end (subway train) that makes this one big action sandwich. Dennis Hopper is unhinged and having a blast as the mysterious bomber who plays with the crews from start to finish. Keanu Reeves is a top-notch movie star and brings some good presentations for his special edition. Throw in Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels, and amongst others who gave Speed plenty of thrills and emotion to latch onto.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

What film is Hayao Miyazaki’s crown jewel of his exploration of environmentalism? Princess Mononoke. Nausicaa and Castle in the Sky laid the foundation for Miyazaki’s fantasy work and Princess Mononoke picks up the ball and runs with it. From the opening action sequence with a curse boar running amuck, this film sets the stage for a more mature and brutal look at the fantasy genre. The mixture of gorgeous hand drawn animation and effective digital effects brings this epic film to life with such an amazing fantasy world that explores the conflict between humanity and the natural world. Both sides show sympathetic elements as well as anger and rage which makes this conflict more engaging, layered, and complex. The world-building is impressive with so many iconic creatures including the unnerving yet majestic Forest Spirit. There is plenty of emotion, action, and thematic density which delivers a memorable and masterful cinematic experience.

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

What is the benchmark for all swashbuckling classic adventures films? Michael Curtiz & William Keighly’s The Adventures of Robin Hood. The gorgeous Technicolor bursts off the screen with the beautiful forest setting and vibrant (and iconic) costumes come to life on the screen, The music is iconic and captures the rousing fanfares of early cinema. The smiling, laughing, and vibrant performance of Errol Flynn brings electricity to every frame of this glorious action/adventure film. The stacked cast is filled with impressive turns from Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Alan Hale, Eugene Pallette and many more. This is a towering achievement in filmmaking that captured filmgoers at the right time with its impressive horseback stunt work, meticulous and exhilarating sword fights, and classic cinematic romanticism.

The Bat (1926)

Where did the inspiration for Batman come from? Look no further than this old school piece of cinema, The Bat. This is a fun little mystery where a villainous criminal is dressed up as a bat and stalks and scares a mansion full of people. The big standout element branches out further than a few fun surprises centered around who this titular criminal is. The production design of The Bat is quite impressive. There are big sets with vaulting ceilings with the eeriest of room designs. Plenty of black accents and shadows give this silent film plenty of eerie atmosphere. If you are down for some vibes to fill out a silent film space, The Bat is a strong choice. The direction from Roland West is quite dynamic with some interesting camera work there to give the film more personality. There are certainly slow moments, but the atmosphere will keep you going and make this a worthwhile venture into silent cinema.

House (1977)

What is one of the strangest and most unique haunted house films of all time? Look no further than Nobuhiko Obayashi’s House. A trip to a long-estranged aunt’s house turns out to be a dangerous affair for a young woman and her six classmates. This colorful and vibrant film has plenty of energy and personality through the unexpected and strange direction of Obayashi. The creepy hauntings and occurrences are some of the strangest and most disturbing you will find in any horror film. This horror film might not scare you in the traditional sense, but it will put you into so many uncomfortable situations that it will be hard not to feel you crawl in your seat. Floating heads, glowing eyes, ghostly visages, and abstract imagery peppers this film and creates one of the most unnerving atmospheres around.

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)

Do you love baseball? This is a sport that people either love or hate with its more methodical pace. But if you love baseball, you probably love baseball movies too. There is so much room for drama and there have been plenty of films that have leveraged these opportunities to offer up classic and relevant films. One film that is certainly less well known is Bang the Drum Slowly. This is the tale about a pitcher and catcher and the close bond they develop. Michael Moriarty portrays the talented pitcher Henry Wiggen who has a big career ahead. Robert De Niro is quite impressive as the gritty and dimwitted catcher Bruce Pearson. There is a looming cancer diagnosis, contract negotiations, team tensions, and conflict with their manager. These all give director John D. Hancock plenty of drama to explore. Melodramatic in an affecting way, Bang the Drum Slowly is a moving and poignant little film that is quite human to the core.

Cast Away (2000)

Who is an actor you can easily trust to rest a whole film on their shoulders? Tom Hanks certainly must be at the top of that list. Both a brilliant comedic actor and an empathetic presence for drama, Hanks is a generational talent who is still going out there and doing it. There was an important period of his career and charged everything…the 90s. But as this big decade shifted into the new Millenium, Hanks has another Robert Zemeckis collaboration ready to shoot him to the top again. Cast Away is an impressively made film and a perfect film to let an actor like Hanks stand out. There is a strong set-up to build empathy before it shifts hard into a thrilling and shocking film once that plane crash occurs (Zemeckis crafts a truly affecting and dynamic sequence). But it is Hanks himself who shines with plenty of solo moments as he makes survival on this island engaging and believable. His dynamic with Wilson is moving for sure (even though it is just a ball). But there is a sprawling story that just hits so many impressive beats with Hanks and Zemeckis delivering an impressive cinematic experience.