The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Into the Past: 2005

Welcome to The Wasteland into the Past! Join this journey backwards in time as I take a cinematic look at years past. Each article will focus on a singular year and my Top 5 films from that year. Turn back the clock with me…and let’s get started! 

2005

Batman Begins

Why is Batman Begins never given enough attention as being the fantastic launching off point for Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy? Well…it is hard sitting in the towering shadow of arguably the greatest comic book movie of all time. That is the truth of the situation with The Dark Knight gaining such impressive acclaim as well as box office success. Even The Dark Knight Rises gets plenty of attention for a variety of reasons. But it seems Batman Begins sits in the shadows and is only deeply appreciated by a subset of the fandom of The Dark Knight. Nolan’s second Batman film is a revelation but his first is a game changing film in the context of franchise filmmaking. The influence of Batman Begins can be traced directly to other franchises like James Bond who wanted to take a new and different look (like Casino Royale). The last Batman film released was Batman & Robin (which is a giant toy commercial) which boasted a vibrant and campy vibe. This film upset fans of Batman so much that Warner Bros. let Nolan take things in a deeply grounded and raw direction this time. Batman Begins is an excellent combination of origin story and Batman’s first big challenge. What is more impressive is the grounded and intense environment that Nolan creates. The Gotham in Batman Begins is a more dramatized version of Chicago and that gives it a gritty and realistic feel. Christian Bale balances the smugness of a spoiled playboy with the deeply troubled vengeance of a young and driven Batman. The more grounded suit, Batmobile, and villainy is quite striking. The police chase with the armored tank that is the new Batmobile is thrilling and impressively directed. Batman laying waste to the criminals of the shipyard is a haunting and eerie sequence with an excellent reveal of Batman in all his glory. The story of Liam Neeson’s Ducard teaching Bruce Wayne the way of a ninja and helping crafting Batman is compelling and impressive. The mixture of organized crime, Ra’s Al Ghul, and the Scarecrow makes plenty of thrills. The toxin moments boast insane visuals and practical effects. This film introduces an amazing cast with Bale, Neeson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, and Tom Wilkinson are just bonkers. Caine, Freeman, and Oldman would become some of the most important elements of this beloved franchise. This is the story of the creation of Batman. Nolan tells it with flair, grit, and unique storytelling approaches that give the film plenty of personality (along with the bombast of Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard’s score).

Walk the Line

What is the modern biopic that has set the tone for all other films to follow? There really was a one-two punch of films that came out in the 00s that took biopics to a new popularity. Ray was a strong effort that told the sprawling story of rhythm & blues legend Ray Charles that boasts an incredible turn from Jamie Foxx. But there is also Walk the Line. This biopic tells the tale of the country’s outlaw superstar, Johnny Cash. Named after one of Cash’s iconic tracks, this biopic checks all the boxes on the list of biopic tropes, yet it resonated so deeply and didn’t feel like just another biopic. The biggest asset behind the film was director James Mangold. This man really understands how to craft a classic cinematic experience from decades ago. He accomplished the same with 3:10 to Yuma, Ford v Ferrari, and A Complete Unknown. But it is Walk the Line that shines with this classic directorial flair. There is a crispness and vintage feel to the cinematography. The production design, costumes, hairstyling, and make-up capture this era so perfectly. There are certainly the expected elements of a biopic that spans someone’s life. There is plenty of youthful trauma that molded Cash on his journey. The drug abuse is incorporated without pulling punches as we witness the toll it takes on him and his loved ones. We also get to witness his electric persona and performances that made Cash such an icon. There is something electric witnessing the actual performers in the film singing and not just piping in perfect recordings from Cash’s career. The cast for an approach like that is so essential though and needs to be perfect to bring this music legend to life effectively. Joaquin Phoenix might seem to be an odd choice, but he is indeed one of the best performers of his generation. All that talent is channeled into this performance for sure. His singing does not match Cash’s tone, but Phoenix still captures the power, swagger, and depth of what Cash did as a performer. The inclusion of Reese Witherspoon as June Carter (Cash) is a revelation as she embodies Cash’s wife and fellow country stars so well. When they act against each other or perform music together, there is a spark that sizzles on screen. If you are going to make a biopic, you want to reach the heights that Mangold reached with Walk the Line.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

What impact did this franchise have on a whole generation of kids? Harry Potter is one of the most influential media in my life for sure. I was ready to go pick up my copies of the books in the mornings they release, and I would finish them in just a few days. The films were just as influential as they all proved to be big box office successes. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is such an important entry in this franchise as it brings the true evil of the series to the front…Lord Voldemort. This entry also broadens the Wizarding World with the Quidditch World Cup and the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This is certainly Harry’s biggest challenge to date as he must go up against some terrifying creatures and obstacles to winning this tournament. Director Mike Newell took the reins of the franchise here for a one-off effort and he does a fine job bringing a darker and heavier to them. David Yates would mold the rest of the franchise, but Newell delivers hints here. The action and special effects dominate this entry with the challenges including dragons, mer-people, and a mysterious labyrinth. You get to see the maturation of Daniel Radcliffe as he is confronted with some serious emotional moments this time around, especially the tragic death of Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson entering the spotlight here). But it is the climactic sequence in a cemetery with the Dark Lord that makes this film feel so special. Ralph Fiennes is an absolute revelation with a chaotic and malevolent spirit that he brings to the role of Voldemort in this entry. This is one of the most defining moments in the franchise and Newell makes this sequence shine for sure. The introduction of one of the franchise’s best supporting characters in Mad-Eyed Moody also gives this film an extra spark (Brendan Gleeson is excellent in the role). Even David Tennant makes a splash in a small but significant role. This is one of the most consistent franchises in film and this might not be the strongest entry but Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire shines in a cinematic year that does not stand out so much in the grand history of film.

V for Vendetta

What is one of the most energetic and compelling performances behind a mask in the history of film? The Matrix might have made Hugo Weaving famous…but V for Vendetta might provide his most iconic performance. This graphic novel adaptation is so poignant and relevant in the world today where fascism is rising all around us in such a sickening way. The world of fascist England that this film portrays speaks so directly to society and culture right now. Rebellion is the game in James McTeigue’s film (which may or may not be ghost directed by the Wachowskis). V is a representation of the fire that can burn the whole system to the ground and destroy the horrible institutions that are holding the people down. Weaving is so charismatic and emotive as this unhinged, fiery, and unrelenting force of vengeance and rebellion. But this film is truly about a young woman who becomes the center of this rebellion with the support and force of V. Natalie Portman is a revelation as this young woman who is broken down to her foundations and built back up into a powerful force of change. One of the best performers of her generation, Portman, is so powerful in this film and rocks that buzz cut. The harrowing imprisonment sequence of this film puts Portman through the ringer, and she rises to the occasion. That story that Evey finds is harrowing and intense is such a beautiful and heartbreaking way.  This narrative is full of dark twisted elements that will rock you to your core. You have Stephen Rea as the only member of authority who seems to bring justice to this broken world. He brings the audience on a journey of discovery to show what led to such a horrific world. John Hurt is disturbing and unnerving like the fascist figurehead, Adam Sutler. Tim-Pigott Smith has his moments too as the leader of the police. Stephen Fry delivers a wonderful supporting turn that highlights a whole new way of rebellion (that unfortunately ends in utter tragedy). The action in this film is impeccably stylized with slow motion and graphic novel-esque visualizations. V for Vendetta has a look that feels ripped from the graphic novel and makes for such a unique and engrossing experience.

A History of Violence

David Cronenberg reinvented himself in the 21^st century, didn’t he? Throughout these early years and his first few decades, Cronenberg focused so much of his efforts creating some of the most challenging and compelling science fiction films infused with body horror that you will find. But when the turn of the century came around, Cronenberg took his storytelling in a whole new direction. Focusing more on the violence in humanity than the grotesque horrors inside of us, Cronenberg delivered more psychological thrillers that are quite impactful. His first film of this new era was A History of Violence. We have so many action/thrillers that feature a man living their life but their past coming back to pull them back into a life of violence. Taken. The Equalizer. John Wick. Nobody. This is one of the most common types of stories in modern action cinema. But the approach that Cronenberg takes with this idea is more dynamic and compelling. There is a mystery to this story. Is this man really the man who caused so much violence in the past? Or is this a case of mistaken identity? That is the challenge that Cronenberg puts on his audience and the small town that his protagonist now calls home. Viggo Mortensen is fantastic (a muse of Cronenberg’s later career) as he captures this needs complexity of Tom Stall. One act of violence in the name of justice brings danger upon him like ripping open a healing wound. There is a rage hidden underneath this mild-manner façade. There is an exploration of pent-up needs and urges like violence and sex (including a raw and visceral sequence between Mortensen and his on-screen wife, Maria Bello). Cronenberg explores the idea of repression and the darker side of humanity through this pulpy tale of a local hero. Ed Harris is an unnerving presence with the design of his character as well as the cold intensity that he brings to his performance. William Hurt makes a huge impact on a smaller role which is introduced in the climax of the film. This is a film with a familiar structure and narrative, but you have a filmmaker of Cronenberg’s talent to explore this story in a fresh and visceral way. A History of Violence is a tight and lean film that packs quite the punch. Cronenberg shows off his versatility and opens a whole new chapter in his career.