The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (September 21st, 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:     

The Sound of Music (1965)

What is one of the most iconic musicals of all time? The Sound of Music is a classic tale of love, faith, and rebellion against the rising tide of fascism. Julie Andrews is a showstopping megastar as Maria as she commands the screen with her charm and impressive singing. Christopher Plummer plays all the tunes of a hardened military man and heartbroken father. The musical numbers are both iconic and impressive. The film opens with one of the most iconic shot sequences of the Austrian Alps into one of the most iconic songs in the history of cinema. Sprawling and gorgeous, Robert Wise’s towering film was a box office hit and awards darling. There are plenty of great music numbers, emotional beats, and even thrilling elements in its Nazi heavy third act. This might not be the most accurate film but the story it does tell is beautiful and timeless.

Downhill (1927)

Who doesn’t love to watch a spiraling tale of drama and tension? That might not be the type of film you just watch for fun, but it might be the right type of film to appreciate such great storytelling. Downhill is an early effort from legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, and you can see plenty of his filmmaking and storytelling talents on display. There are a plentiful amount of camera pushes and pulls that build tension and suspense throughout the film. This film looks nice and crisp, especially for a film from almost 100 years ago. There is plenty of tension that builds from the central tale of a young schoolboy taking the fall for a friend which unfortunately leads to a spiraling of his life. This might not be a thriller or horror like most Hitchcock films but there is still the creative quality you expect. Laughs, tension, and heart, Downhill is a fine addition to the massive filmography of Hitchcock.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

What is the defining werewolf film of the 1980s? There are a few great ones, but none compare in entertainment, thrills, and influence when measured up against John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London. The humor is a great defining factor as there are quality laughs injected in through the work of the film’s lead David Naughton as well as his close co-star Griffin Dunne. But through that fun humor, there is a dark and disturbing thrill ride that will shake you to the core. The blood and guts are quite graphic and impactful. The transformation sequence is iconic with plenty of impressive practical effects. There are plenty of compelling elements including the disturbing hauntings of the werewolf’s victims. The nightmares that our protagonist, David, has are horrific and memorable. This is a lean and high energy flick with top notch filmmaking while becoming a staple for the Halloween season.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

Who doesn’t love a good bit of rebelling? Paul Muni leads this classic film about a war veteran who gets caught up in the wrong life and unfortunately, pigeon-holed into a bad crowd and caught up in crime. This is a tale of horrible travesties laid against a man who just seeks freedom in a world full of miscarriages of just. Muni delivers a memorable and strong central performance full of emotion. The story has plenty of twists and turns as it takes Muni’s protagonist on such a compelling and engaging ride. I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang has heists, prison breaks, blackmail, and chase sequences that keep the audience on their toes. The third act of the film has quite a thrilling and dangerous chase from the prison that is a great exclamation point for the whole film. A film that is almost 100 years old still feels relevant with the machine trying to keep Muni down at every turn (makes for quite the compelling and engaging experience.