The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (August 10th, 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:     

Small Soldiers (1998)

Who wouldn’t want a bunch of toys who can come alive and interact with you? Well…you probably wouldn’t if they had unstable military chips and artificial intelligence in them. But that makes for a wild ride of a film like Small Soldiers. Joe Dante made plenty of beloved films in his career, and this film captures that energy again and offers up a violent, thrilling, and unhinged action flick that is drenched with 90s vibes and plenty of familiar faces from that period. The Jerry Goldsmith score, classic rock soundtrack, and pop culture infused humor give Small Soldiers plenty of personality. The voice cast for these toys are inspired choices with getting plenty of legendary performers from This is Spinal Tap and The Dirty Dozen who gives these monsters and soldiers plenty of personality. The addition of Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella are just the cherry on top. Few films from the 90s will deliver such an unhinged and intriguing exploration of technology this side of Terminator 2: Judgement Day and The Matrix.

The Matrimaniac (1916)

To what lengths would you go to get married? The early cinematic comedy The Matrimaniac tells the tale of a young man who wants to marry the love of his life despite her father’s reservations. But there is a big problem…they are stuck on a train without a minister. Screen legend Douglas Fairbanks Sr. stars as the young man who leaves the train to find himself a minister. What ensues is a wild series of shenanigans and the unlikely journey of a soon-to-be groom and a minister. The physical comedy in this film is some top-notch stuff with Fairbanks scaling the sides of buildings, hanging onto trains, and running across powerlines. This mad dash to marriage is a thrilling and fun ride. There is not a ton of depth to the film but there is a satisfying enough conclusion to this bonkers little story.

The Constant Gardener (2005)

What would you do to find the truth about your wife’s death and the horrible corruption that she uncovered? Fernando Meirelles’ conspiracy thriller The Constant Gardener was a film that garnered solid awards attention back in 2005 but is a film that has been mostly forgotten now. This is a thrilling and poignant film that will challenge you with all the seedy and horrible things that the rich and powerful do to those who want to protect people and release the truth. Meirelles leverages non-linear storytelling and a documentarian style of filmmaking to craft a fully engrossing and dynamic cinematic experience. There is an intensity once the film gets going but there is a tenderness in the way Meirelles sets up the central love story. Rachel Weisz steals the film with this dynamic and charismatic performance and Ralph Fiennes delivers a reserved yet poignant performance. Throw in some strong supporting turns from Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, and Pete Postlethwaite and you have yourself a strong cinematic effort.

Men in Black 3 (2012)

Why has this threequel gotten such a bad reputation? You can tell there are some clunky elements and iffy special effects at times but there is a lot of heart and charm to Men in Black 3. The use of time travel opens this world to a retro 60s version of the film, and the beloved character of Agent K. Josh Brolin delivers a sharp and believable turn as a younger version of Tommy Lee Jones (who has a little bit more hope and spirit). The way the film explores an alien-infused 1969 is a lot of fun with some unexpected performances. Will Smith is still clever and hilarious as Agent J especially as he navigates a new time (and racism). Michael Stuhlbarg delivers a charming and offbeat turn as a new alien with a fascinating ability to see all possible outcomes. Jemaine Clement is so much fun as the strange, terrifying, and quirky Boris (the Animal) who makes a fun and memorable antagonist for the film. Barry Sonnenfeld and Danny Elfman bring their charm to the table and deliver for a third time with this fun franchise.

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Is a spinoff film worthwhile if it feels like an appendix for the third entry into the overall franchise? That seems quite ridiculous if you say it out loud, but it is exactly what Tony Gilroy’s film The Bourne Legacy is. This spinoff combined with supplemental pieces is better than you might expect. This is certainly not on the same quality level of the films in the proper Jason Bourne series but there are some good things to enjoy. The action in the film is thrilling and there are some inspired stunts and set pieces as well. Jeremy Renner makes for a cool and intense protagonist who pairs well with the ever-engaging Rachel Weisz. Legacy might be a little too attached to Ultimatum in terms of narrative, but it still offers up some really shocking and intense story elements that makes for a rock-solid, entertaining action/thriller.

The English Patient (1996)

Does The English Patient deserve all the hate that it gets in the wake of it winning Best Picture? First off, no…this film should never have beat Fargo for Best Picture. That does mean that The English Patient is a bad movie. This is a sprawling epic that is so well put together by filmmaker Anthony Minghella. There are multiple sequences in the film that are high tension and full of suspense. The film may be too long for the story that is offered but it is still an engaging film that delivers some strong emotion. Too much melodrama and leaning in on the romance might turn some people away but there is still plenty to appreciate and engage with. The cast is excellent though with Ralph Fiennes delivering a compelling and strong turn. There are a few big standouts with Juliette Binoche and Kristin Scott Thomas delivering layered and emotional turns. Willem Dafoe, Colin Firth, and Naveen Andrews deliver too. Not perfect…or Best Picture worthy, but still a strong historical epic that looks amazing.

Taxi Driver (1976)

Why has Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver stood the test of time and still resonates almost 50 years later? A character like Travis Bickle has become such a common and present piece of society which makes this film such a haunting experience. A loner. Disconnected from society and the decorum of human interaction. A possessive perspective on women. An angry young man compelled to violence. Scorsese captures the brutality of his existence in such a visceral and raw approach. The internal monologue is haunting and unnerving while forcing the audience into this troubled man’s head. There are plenty of iconic moments with “Are you talkin’ to me?” standing out so well. Scorsese is fantastic but the rest of his collaborators come to play too. The jazzy score from Bernard Herrmann is infectious and impressive. Robert De Niro’s performance is an all-time great one with haunting intensity and bubbling emotion. Jodie Foster is impressive as well as she stands out as a teenage performer. Throw Harvey Keitel, Cybil Shepard, Albert Brooks, and Peter Boyle in to fill out this impressive cast.

The Boy and the Heron (2023)

What should you expect from (probably) the last film in the storied career of one of film’s greatest filmmakers? In the case of Hayao Miyazaki, you should expect yet another masterful fantasy brought to life in the most stunning animation. The Boy and the Heron is a layered and powerful film that balances harrowing moments with the wildly creative and the deeply emotional. From the opening scene focusing on the firebombing of Japan in WWII, you get a sense of what type of story you are getting in terms of weight and meaning. Young Mahito must go on a journey into a world filled with killer birds to save his future stepmother. Early on, the audience is treated to this miraculous world spilling into reality with plenty of creatures brought to life on screen. This is an emotional tale of grief as well as a beautiful fantasy brought to life with all the impressive animation of Miyazaki and his team of 60 animators. If The Boy and the Heron turns out to be his last, Miyazaki will leave one last masterpiece in the hands of his audience.