The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (December 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:     

Slightly French (1949)

Are you ready for a charming romance full of fake French accents? Douglas Sirk delivered a zippy and charming little musical romantic comedy back in 1949 with Slightly French. There are certainly some elements in the first act that have aged quite poorly but Sirk gets the audience into the action quickly as an aggressive director finds a gem of an actor at a carnival who becomes his new “French” star. The big lie delivers plenty of humor and drama along the way. There are some great musical moments with the movie within the movie (it makes you want to see that movie, to be honest). Don Ameche (much younger than in Trading Places) is sharp, but Dorothy Lamour is the real star with her big performance and plenty of range. This is not the best romantic comedy of classic cinema, but this is one worth checking out.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

What is one of the most enduring tales through the history of cinema? Apparently, mutinies and shipwrecks make for great cinema as Mutiny on the Bounty continues to get new life on screen. But back in 1935, this was a new tale and voyage in cinematic storytelling and Frank Lloyd’s film delivered, earning itself Outstanding Picture at the Oscars. There are a trio of impressive performances that anchor this sprawling, high seas adventure. Charles Laughton is the tyrannical captain of this ship who chews the scenery and brings great presence to the film. Clark Gable is the charismatic first mate who leads the titular mutiny. Franchot Tone is the audience stand-in who is along for the ride and gets a front row seat to this wild and iconic tale. The cinematic elements on the ocean are quite impressive for a 90-year-old film for sure. There is plenty of tension and great character work that comes together to make this a worthwhile watch and an honorable winner of such acclaim.

Number 17 (1932)

Are you ready for a Hitchcock flick full of directorial flair? This lean little thriller runs just 64 minutes but packs plenty of twists and bold filmmaking techniques. The film opens to the camera, tracking down the sidewalk and crawling into a rundown home. There are plenty of dynamic shots of looming shadows and creepy camera pans. This post-heist thriller finds a crew of folks stuck together who don’t have trust in one another while little romance begins to rise in the air. The climax of the film is filled with train stunts, miniatures and a WILD collision that Hitchcock brings to life so well. This is not the most complex or dynamic of scripts, but the filmmaking makes this little thriller worth watching.

Grey Gardens (1975)

How interesting can the lives of a mother and daughter be? Well…if they are Edith Bouvier Beale and Edie Bouvier Beale, then you just might make one of the most beloved documentaries of all time. Grey Gardens is a fascinating look at the high-society dropouts and cousins to Jackie Kennedy in the dilapidated mansion. This East Hampton, NY mansion is a character of its own but the toxic dynamic between Edith and Edie must watch. Their insecurities are all full display with great humor and emotion. The filmmaking is engrossing and brings the audience into this intimate experience that is hard to escape. It is no wonder reality television has become a hit because films like this exist and are so compelling to watch.

The Stranger and the Gunfighter (1974)

Who wouldn’t want to watch a film about a martial artist and gunslinger teaming up to find treasure? That is the wild premise for the 1974 western The Stranger and the Gunfighter. A dynamic duo of spaghetti western star Lee Van Cleef and martial arts film star Lo Lieh makes this energetic and action-packed flick worth a watch. There is an unexpected injection of sexual humor and nice butts throughout as well…so that is a plus. This is not the most refined of westerns, but it has plenty of humor, charm, and thrills along with some unexpected themes around religion (with a zealot of an antagonist trying to get that treasure and stop some “sinners”). This is a wild concoction of genre conventions that turns out to be a fun time in the end.

An American Tail (1986)

What is such an important film to watch today with immigration and antisemitism at the forefront of society? An American Tail is a vivid, engrossing, and powerful story of a Russian Jewish mouse cut off from his family as they arrive in America. Don Bluth packs so many thrills, charm, and big emotion into this film. The search for family and community is so deeply resonant and even more so today. The rich animation accentuates the gritty city setting to this wonderful adventure. Good music, fun characters, and a beautiful soul make this one of the most powerful animated films of the 1980s which still hits today. You have screen legends like Christopher Plummer, Dom DeLuise, and Madeline Kahn who bring this film to life. The James Horner score underscores all the emotion and culture on screen as well. This is a childhood favorite that stands the test of time.

The Rookie (2002)

What sport makes the best sports movies? Baseball. There is just something dramatic and cinematic about the game. With a film like The Rookie, you can see just how amazing stories come out of America’s Past Time. John Lee Hancock’s approach to the miraculous underdog story of Jimmy Morris is quite impressive. There are dashes of mysticism. There is a salt-of-the-Earth vibe to the film with its score and presentation. This is an inspiring and hopeful film with all the underdog elements thrown in. Dennis Quaid delivers a powerful, nuanced, and authentic performance as this high school teacher whose dreams of baseball reveal themselves again. There are some strong supporting turns from Rachel Griffiths and Brian Cox. Angus T. Jones is certainly charming as their son and Morris’ high school baseball team are filled with some strong performances as well. This is a charming and moving film that scratches that baseball movie itch so well.

The Exorcist III (1990)

Could The Exorcist series redeem itself after the horrifically bad second outing in the franchise? The original author of the novel, William Peter Blatty, takes the reins of this third outing and offers up a chilling and impressive return to form. Religious imagery is warped in some horrific ways that deliver plenty of scares. The film is shot so sharply and intensely that it opens the door to plenty of horrific moments. One of the greatest scares in horror movie history occurs in this very film. The story of a serial killer taking the body of a beloved priest is quite twisted and effective as well. There is plenty of emotion as well as this film navigates faith, regrets, and friends in such a powerful way. George C. Scott delivers a layered and deep performance as the protagonist, a cop who must discover the dark truths of this wild case. Brad Dourif is a big stand out as The Gemini Killer. This is a haunting and evocative sequel which honors the original and does right by its quality.

Oklahoma! (1955)

What is one of the most iconic Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals of all time? Oklahoma! is a classic tale of romance on the prairie. There are plenty of iconic musical numbers from “Oklahoma” to “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” to “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top”. The cinematography is gorgeous and vibrant as it captures the titular state in all its glory. Director Fred Zinnemann does an excellent job of bringing scale, energy, and cinematic magic to this classic big screen adaptation. The cast is quite impressive with the likes of Shirley Jones, Eddie Albert, Rod Steiger, and James Whitmore. This has not aged the best with its archaic look at gender dynamics, but it still has plenty of charm to be a fun musical romp.

Opening Night (1977)

How great was Gena Rowlands? If you are not well versed in John Cassavetes work, you might know one of the greatest actors to put their soul on the table for the craft of acting. Rowlands has delivered some of the most raw and vulnerable performances in films and Opening Night is one such effort. The story starts off simple…an actor prepares for her big opening night on stage. But when an obsessed fan dies a tragic death in her presence, Rowlands’ Myrtle Gordon begins the spiral. Haunted by the vision of this young woman, Gordon navigates all types of conflicts with the people in her life as well as a terrible urge towards alcohol. Tense, raw, and unnerving, Cassavetes crafts a humanistic and dramatic exploration full of talented performers from Cassavetes to Rowlands to Ben Gazzara and so many other talented performers who bring their all to this project. This film will crawl up underneath your skin all the way through it finale on stage filled with explosive emotion.