The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (September 7th, 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:     

Darkman (1990)

What was Sam Raimi’s first foray into superhero cinema? Before Raimi adapted Spider-Man onto the big screen, he delivered a thrilling and unhinged experience in the for of Darkman. Liam Neeson leads the way as a scientist who is mutilated and transformed into a grotesque and powerful being to fight crime. Neeson delivers plenty of range from warm and tender to unhinged and terrifying. There are plenty of bonkers twists and turns as well as visual and storytelling trappings that are bold and unhinged. Raimi injects so much of his cinematic voice into this film. There is no wonder who made it. Frances McDormand delivers a memorable turn as Neeson’s love interest in this tragic and doomed love affair. The effects are wild with some aging terribly and others reaching a fun and twisted level of camp. Few superhero films have this much personality and entertainment value as Raimi’s Darkman.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

What is one of the most profitable films of all time? When you can make a whole movie with just some basic video cameras and a basic haunted house plot, a lot of movie magic can happen. Paranormal Activity changed the game for horror. There are certainly haunted tropes thrown in but there is some impressive filmmaking from Oren Peli. There are quite a few well-staged and well-executed scares that make this film so watchable and engaging. Katie Featherston delivers the emotional foundation of the film as a woman haunted by a terrible entity. Micah Sloat is the pitch perfect “haunted house husband” who is terribly frustrating in the best way possible. This film grabs and keeps you there until its horrific final moments.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

Is it dementia or possession? That is the question at the heart of the found footage horror film The Taking of Deborah Logan. Jill Larson leads the way as the titular woman who is possessed and delivers such a haunting and terrifying performance that gets up and underneath your skin. A documentary about dementia quickly turns into a wild horror thrill ride with plenty of haunting elements. Adam Robitel does a fantastic job of crafting scares and delivering twists in its narrative. Murder, snakes, and a ghoulish older woman makes this such an unnerving cinematic experience. This is a hidden gem for sure, but it will be well worth your time with some unforgettable imagery that will stick with you for sure.

Alice’s Circus Daze (1927)

What did Walt Disney do before films like Snow White captured the attention of audiences? The Alice Comedies were a series of animated shorts with a young girl projected into frame. Alice’s Circus Daze is a wonderful example of Disney’s imagination and the silly shenanigans that these shorts deliver. The animation is fun, and the character designs are charming. The chair stunt in this little film is quite impressive (as it mixes live action and animation). Vibrant, fun, and joyous, Alice’s Circus Daze certainly captures the vibes of a day at the circus.

Stalag 17 (1953)

Who is one of the greatest filmmakers of Old Hollywood? Billy Wilder. From noir to rom-coms, Wilder has created some of the greatest films of all time. His steady hand finds humor in all aspects of life while still tackling serious issues and stories. Stalag 17 is about a POW camp during WWII…this is a heavy topic. But Wilder finds humor in the whole situation. The dynamic duo of Kuzawa (Academy Award nominated Robert Strauss) and Shapiro (Harvey Lembeck) has plenty of fun shenanigans that distract from the danger around these American prisoners. William Holden won his Oscar for his portrayal of the cynical J.J. Sefton who is quickly labeled a traitor by the other men. That mystery of who is the informant to the Germans becomes such a significant and compelling element of this film. Sharply directed and written, Stalag 17 is a classic war film from an all-time director like Wilder. That is certainly a good enough reason to give this darkly funny film a shot.