The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Review Recommends (August 24th, 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:     

Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)

Who doesn’t love adaptations of Robin Hood? This classic character is admirable to give money and power back to the people. There are plenty of fun swashbuckling adventures to enjoy in these stories too. But there is enough space (with such a good story) to put it into whole new settings and such. Director Gordon Douglas takes this classic tale and injects it into Prohibition era Chicago and makes the whole story into a gangster flick. Now with such a setting, the most obvious choice must be the Rat Pack of course! Frank Sinatra as the Robin of this tale of 7 Hoods. Throw in his buddies Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. and you have quite a fun crew. A small but effective E.G. Robinson’s performance and an antagonistic performance by the great Peter Falk give the film with even more personality. The music numbers are fun with “Mister Booze” being a real standout (sung by Bing Crosby). Clever and fun, Robin and the 7 Holds is such a fun little romp.

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

Does M. Night Shyamalan still have plenty in the tank? If you watch a recent effort like Knock at the Cabin, you will realize that Shyamalan still has it going. With a film like this one, Shyamalan is able to deliver a deep, rich, emotional, and unnerving experience (like the types of films that made him famous in the first place. Dave Bautista steals the show as the leader of an unexpected group of people asking a gay couple to sacrifice a member of their family to stop the apocalypse. The rest of the cast is strong with Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldrige delivering as this couple. The opening scene is tender yet frightening with Shyamalan showing off his penchant for camerawork and tension. The sequences showing the apocalyptic events will send a chill down your spine. Perfectly placed flashbacks add layers to this couple’s story and their trauma that builds even more empathy to make this impossible choice even more challenging. The emotional climax of the film will tear your heart out and leave you with an impressive genre filmmaking experience reminiscent of prime Shyamalan.

The Village (2004)

Why was this the film that started the turn against Shyamalan? Many people took offense to the twist of the film that certainly undercuts the whole monster movie madness that the trailers promised. But a solid, emotional, and complex tale exists on screen with The Village. The gorgeous cinematography from Roger Deakins elevated the visual experience of the film with plenty of amazing moments playing out on screen. A strong combination of tender, loving moments as well as terrifying ones makes this film such an unexpected experience. The twist opens the door to a story filled with trauma, forcing a group of parents to take drastic measures they believe will protect their children. There are some glaring weaknesses in the film (like Adrien Brody’s whole character) but there is plenty to latch onto as well. Bryce Dallas Howard is a revelation in this film with Joaquin Phoenix making a good pairing with her. The village elders are brought to life by strong actors like William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendan Gleeson. This is certainly a step down from The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs but there are plenty of moments that will burn in your brain.

It’s Always Fair Weather (1955)

What is an old school musical that deserves a lot more attention than it is getting right now? The Gene Kelly directed and starring film, It’s Always Fair Weather, is an absolute delight. You can look at just the work of Kelly and realize just how entertaining he is. There is a huge roller-skating sequence where Kelly taps dances in roller skates, and it is mind-boggling just how impressive it is. There are fun musical and dance sequences that are sprinkled throughout as well with Cyd Charisse absolutely killing it during a boxing gym sequence that shows off her all-around talents. The story is relatable with the thematic exploration of how friendship can evolve with space and time. The narrative and story might be lacking but there are so many engaging and fun musical and dance numbers that you will catch just enough of the charm of it to enjoy. Funny, charming, electric, and meaningful, It’s Always Fair Weather is a gleeful cinematic experience worth taking.

The Three Musketeers (1993)

Who wants another classic story with a more modern remake? The Stephan Herek adaptation of Alexandre Dumas tale, The Three Musketeers, is much more traditional than Robin and the 7 Hoods but it brings plenty of modern charm with its timely cast of actors. Having the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, and Chris O’Donnell in this film, it really makes sure that you know that this film came from the early 90s. The likes of Oliver Platt and Tim Curry really ham it up on screen and make this fun along the way. There is a more serious and darker tone at times, but the film is still able to deliver some humor and fun as well. The action is all practical and brings back that classic swash-buckling feel of older cinema. The Three Musketeers is a thrilling, romping good time that has a sprinkling of so many things.

Mel Gibson Goes Back to School (1991)

Did you enjoy Mel Gibson’s Hamlet? There are plenty of personal reasons that you would not be interested in but this visceral, intense, and brutal twist on the classic Shakespearian play. This documentary looks at the Hamlet film that Gibson made and puts it in the context of teaching it in a classroom. Gibson delivers a spark notes version of his adaptation (with plenty of clips to highlight his points) but then the real fun begins. Watching Gibson lead discussions about the story in this classroom is an engaging and thought-provoking experience. Getting to see these teens put their own spin on the story is such a fun experience as they think outside the box and lean into more humor. This is an engaging and unique documentary experience.

Tom Jones (1963)

Did this wild period comedy really clean up at the Oscars? Tom Jones is probably one of the most unexpected awards darlings of all time. This film is filled with ridiculous humor, thrilling elements, and plenty of horned up characters running amuck. Albert Finney is excellent in the title role as a man who is not well-respected in society but that doesn’t stop him from living up his life. The sharp, raunchy humor in the film is so unexpected for a film from 1963. There are some thrilling moments too from duels and brawls. This film is a wild ride with a string of unhinged shenanigans for over two hours of runtime. This is one of the most unexpected yet thoroughly entertaining, period comedies out there and Finney himself is worth the investment of your time.

The Public Enemy (1931)

Who is one of the most iconic early crime thriller stars that set the tone for so many gangster films for decades to come. James Cagney. Outside of E.G. Robinson, Cagney might be the most iconic performers in all early gangster movies. The eyebrows. The smirk. The voice. All have become iconic. But it is The Public Enemy that gave him the role to define himself. This is an engaging tale of two young men who find themselves in the seedy underbelly of a metropolitan environment. There is death around every corner. The clever use of camera movement and framing allows the story to get away with a lot more than you would expect from a film in 1931 (the imagination is so much worse than reality). This rise and fall story have set the tone for cinematic crime tales for decades to come. Cagney is so strong, and the climax of this film has a barrage of great moments. The final moments are harrowing and poignant in showing the dangers and negativity of a life of crime.