The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (July 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:     

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Nora Ephron just has a way with romance, right? Having written When Harry Met Sally…, you realize that she just has a great grasp of banter, flirting, and romantic scenarios. All of those are on display with one of her two collaborations with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. You’ve Got Mail is a charming film that brings the Jimmy Stewart classic, Shop Around the Corner, into a modern context. Email correspondence is leveraged well to explore a budding romance while real life tension over a new chain bookstore makes Hanks and Ryan’s characters adversarial. This is not the freshness of romances but the classy direction and charming duo breathe so much life into this film. The supporting cast is strong as well with the likes of Greg Kinnear and Dabney Coleman filling out the film.

The Blue Angel (1930)

How moving and powerful can a story of descent and spiraling be? Josef von Sternberg tackles this challenging topic in his classic drama, The Blue Angel. Sharply directed and powerfully rendered, von Sternberg delivers a compelling and poignant film full of conflict (both internal and external). Emil Jannings turn as an aging professor who loses all his livelihood and respect through a lustful connection with a young cabaret performer is devastating. There is a dignity and presence that Jannings begins the film with, and his performance is so poignant that you see it all washing away as he desperately gives way to his more sexual urges. Marlene Dietrich is an electric and unique presence as this star-making performance put this star on the map. This film hooks you all the way up to its disturbing and harrowing final frame.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

What is the cost of war? Hayao Miyazaki has explored this theme deeply in a few of his films with Howl’s Moving Castle coming out with timely commentary around the Invasion of Iraqi. A war that leaves so much devastation is on display and rendered so impressively by Miyazaki and his team of animators. But the film is not just limited to that as it is an engaging exploration of aging with a young girl cursed to be an old woman by a witch. This young woman falls for an enigmatic figure named Howl who has a giant walking castle with all the impressive steampunk trappings you could ask for. Howl’s Moving Castle is a thematically rich experience but also packs in plenty of heart. One of the shining elements is the great cast of characters with a fire demon, a turnip-headed scarecrow, and the curse bird beast that Howl turns into. Plenty of fantasy and depth, this is a wondrous film that captures the imagination like only Miyazaki can do.

Sunnyside (1919)

What do you want from a Charlie Chaplin film? You are certainly expecting some physical comedy and charming, trampy behavior from Chaplin’s iconic character. That is exactly what you get from Chaplin’s 1919 effort, Sunnyside. This is a fun little film that packs romance, slapstick, and conflict into a 30-minute package. The Tramp finds himself in all types of shenanigans. The visual of watching Chaplin riding a cow is a wild sight and certainly is a crazy stunt. There are some interesting choices in storytelling with this one as dreams make a big impact. The ambiguity of the ending is compelling, which elevates this little flick from much of Chaplin’s straightforward and hilarious efforts from those early years of his career.

Longlegs (2024)

Whose mad idea was it to cast Nicolas Cage as a serial killer? Osgood Perkins is a horror filmmaker on the rise! The son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins, Oz burst onto the scene with his first disturbing directorial effort in 2015. But his highest profile work to date certainly has been Longlegs. Maika Monroe leads a twisted and warped crime thriller with plenty of horrific elements. Monroe’s lead character has a dark connection to a haunting killer and family destroyer, Longlegs. Cage is unhinged (as ever) with his unnerving performance that will crawl underneath your skin. Crisp and precise filmmaking accentuates every tense scene with a looming and foreboding terror. Satan is a looming shadow, and Cage makes for one of the most memorable killers on screen in a long time.

The Blue Umbrella (2013)

How moving can a story about two umbrellas really be? Just look at the beautiful Disney animated short film, The Blue Umbrella. Director Saschka Unseld creates a photo-realistic urban setting that is just gorgeous in the rain. There is a sea of umbrellas but only two stand out with their bright blue and red colors. This little dance of flirtation and connection between them is so moving. This blue umbrella is so desperate to not let this red umbrella go. The world building is impressive as well with faces appearing in all types of inanimate objects from street signs to streetlights. Unseld crafts something truly special and poignant in just seven simple minutes.

The Rider (2018)

What are the real stakes of being a horse rider in the rodeo? There is plenty of glory but also the possibility of life-ending or life-altering injury. Chloe Zhao’s contemplative and engrossing drama puts you in the shoes of a young cowboy whose life has changed since a traumatic brain injury. The Rider is harrowing and haunting with its beautiful filmmaking and impending danger. This journey to find your identity is a challenging watch as young Brady Jandreau struggles with the effects of his injury. There are plenty of scary and haunting moments from a deep human perspective with the shocking effects of injury and the challenges of having to put down animals. Zhao’s film is gorgeous and deeply human. Jandreau delivers a purely authentic and raw performance as a fictionalized version of himself. This is not a flashy film, but it is deeply poignant and beautiful for sure.

Your Friend the Rat (2007)

Have you even wanted to learn more about rats? The rat is a misunderstood creature that has such a bad reputation today. But Pixar has an educational short film that just might turn that tide a bit. Remy of Ratatouille fame and his brother give the audience a rundown on the history of rats through human civilization. You learn a lot of rats as well as a nice bit about the evolution of human culture over the centuries. Patton Oswalt delivers a charming voice performance (again) as Remy. There is plenty of gorgeous looking animation as well as the film gets creative with different styles of animation with each of these different periods throughout history. The music is charming and stylish as well and just really ties the whole experience together.

Two Tars (1928)

Who is the greatest comedy duo of all time? There are plenty of great duos to appreciate but it would be hard to argue with Laurel & Hardy. This dynamic duo has their own unique styles with Stan Laurel is small, lean, and silent. Oliver Hardy is big, boisterous, and bold. Their two different approaches to comedy mesh well together as they are both hamming it up on screen. Two Tars is a classic one-reel comedy that certainly shows this off. They are a pair of sailors trying to pick up some ladies. Their flirtations are hilarious. Their physical stunts from the climactic car chase to navigating some spilled gumballs deliver plenty of laughs in the 20-minute runtime. This is an engaging and fun film that might not be the most iconic or memorable comedy of the era, but it still has plenty of laughs and the charm of Laurel & Hardy to enjoy.

I, Robot (2004)

Do you trust the rising tide of technological advancement? Isaac Asimov had quite a bit to say about robots and artificial intelligence. His works have been explored in many projects on the big and small screen but probably the most famous one came out just over 20 years ago, I, Robot. This thought-provoking film might have blunted Asimov’s ideas for a wider and more general audience but the messaging about humanity and its push to advance its own creations is still intriguing. This adaptation leans more heavily into science fiction/action but that is not a bad thing as I, Robot is an exciting and thrilling experience. The special effects are feeling a bit dated, but they still feel ambitious to watch now. Will Smith leads the way as a robo-phobic detective and the rest of the cast is filled with talented performers as well. But Alan Tudyk’s work as a robot that is fully CGI is still the most memorable and impressive aspect of I, Robot.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1932)

Has there been a story adapted more times into a major motion picture? Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is an iconic tale of giving into our deepest, most animalistic urges. The 1932 version offers one of the most iconic versions of Hyde with an ape-like design that brings his evolutionary growth back a few thousand years. Frederic March delivers a twisted and unnerving performance as the brute and a refined performance as the titular doctor. Director Rouben Mamoulian delivers an engrossing experience with plenty of dynamic point-of-view shots, split screens, and perfect framing. The in-camera transitions and make-up are quite impressive every time. There is some impressive stunt work done in the height of Mr. Hyde’s athletic shenanigans. The action in the film is impressive for a film from the early 1930s. This is the most essential adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel for sure.

Brooklyn (2015)

In today’s climate, do you want to see a moving and poignant immigrant story? Brooklyn is exactly that…and so much more. Director John Crowley delivers a gorgeous, mature, nostalgic, and rich cinematic experience. Costumes. Hair. Make-Up. Production Design. You never once question the authenticity of Crowley’s film. Saoirse Ronan delivers a strong, refined, and mature performance as a young Irish woman finding a new life in America while struggling with the constant call to home. Eilis is a beautiful, smart, resourceful, and imperfect protagonist who comes to life with so much warmth and empathy through Ronan’s performance. The internal struggle of Eilis as she is pulled between America (and her charming Italian American love in the form of Emory Cohen’s Tony) and Ireland (and her refined, mature, and rich suitor in the form of Domhnall Gleeson’s Jim). This film has so much depth and richness, making this so much more than just a romantic love story. The capture of small-town politics and pettiness is poignant. The cast is incredible. The score is filled with so much personality and emotion. Brooklyn is an all-time romance and coming-of-age tale that transcends generations and speaks to its audience so deeply.

In Beaver Valley (1950)

What is more magical and entertaining than nature? Walt Disney saw the magic and potential in documenting animals in their natural habitats with his extensive documentary series. One of those films that is a great highlight is In Beaver Valley. This film is bookended with charming animation like only Disney could and a narrator who brings plenty of personality to the film. The commentary is such a fun twist on things as it personifies these familiar critters. There is some solid danger along the way but plenty of family friendly humor (accentuated with some fun musical scoring). There are plenty of memorable moments with beavers, deer, moose, bears, salmon, and many more. The crisp and gorgeous cinematography makes this a special and engaging experience.

The Fighting Seabees (1945)

How many war films came out during the height of World War II? There were plenty for sure and some of them stood the test of time. The Fighting Seabees is an interesting exploration of the private sector crossing paths with the military. But this conflict reflected strong themes on either side. Blue collar workers volunteering to fight for their country is a unique story to explore as few war films have taken that into perspective. John Wayne and Dennis O’Keefe are a dynamic duo with plenty of tension and fire in their tense dynamic. There are multiple sequences in the climax of the film that deliver exciting action that all lead up to a giant, explosive finale. There are good performances, good emotion, and inspirational, patriotic themes.

Spirited Away (2001)

What is the most creative and wondrous fantasy brought to the big screen? An amazing mixture of Japanese culture with witches, water spirits, and all types of strange beings who fill out this mysterious bathhouse. A young woman’s journey to come of age and exploration of identity comes into fruition within the walls of Yubaba’s magical establishment. The haunting scene of her parents turning into pigs is just the beginning of Chihiro’s wild experience becoming a slave laborer inside this bathhouse. Hayao Miyazaki’s vision is unmatched with this gorgeous and ornate setting, the wild and imaginative beings that fill out this world, and the wondrous fantasy world that surrounds all of it. No Face is such an iconic figure in anime and makes a great addition to this fantasy tale full of experiences. The action is quite thrilling and makes a bigger impact than you might expect. Spirited Away won so many awards and has such a long-lasting legacy because it does so much amazing work.