The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (January 4th, 2026)

This series will highlight my weekly journey through previously released films, whether they are rewatches for me or new discoveries. Here are my picks:     

Ex Machina (2015)

How close to full autonomy can and will humanity get artificial intelligence? There are a lot of big questions like this floating around the topic of A.I. in society today. There have been films tackling such topics for a long time but 10 years ago, Ex Machina arrived and truly challenged audiences. Alex Garland expertly crafted this engrossing science fiction film that works on every level. The visuals are striking with some impressive visual effects throughout. The score is atmospheric, poignant, and pulsating. The story is filled with thought-provoking themes around technology and human nature while delivering a narrative with plenty of surprises. The trio of actors does great work with Domhnall Gleason anchoring the audience, Oscar Isaac dazzling the audience with his charisma, and Alicia Vikander delivering a captivating, enthralling, and mysterious performance as this artificial intelligence. Garland’s Ex Machina is peak sci-fi of this century.

Creed (2015)

How do you inject life into a classic movie franchise that was thought over? Ryan Coogler brought the perfect idea for a new Rocky film…from the perspective of a Creed. Adonis is the illegitimate child of the deceased boxing legend who leaves his safe finance job to become a boxer like his father. Creed finds Adonis building a relationship with Rocky Balboa, helping Rocky through his own personal roadblocks, finding love with a beautiful music artist who is slowly losing her hearing, and making a name for himself in the ring. Coogler directs this film with plenty of dynamic filmmaking techniques making it the sharpest film in the franchise. The mixture of needle drops and Ludwig Goransson’s poignant score gives Creed quite the engrossing soundscape. The boxing matches are dynamic and thrilling. The heart and soul of this film are giant. The cast is led by a star-making performance by Michael B. Jordan and an awards worthy turn from Sylvester Stallone. This is one of the finest films of this great franchise and is opening an incredible new chapter.

Secrets & Lies (1996)

What makes Mike Leigh’s films so special? They are so naturalistic and human because his actors craft the characters themselves. Secrets & Lies just might be his crown jewel. This is a story about a dysfunctional family with plenty of secrets and lies pulling them apart. You have a fracturing marriage. A mother/daughter relationship on the brink. A young woman finding out she is part of this dysfunctional family. Leigh takes the time to give each of these performers the space and time on screen to explore and deepen their character work. There are plenty of moments that are full of emotion, conflict, and joy which make this film feel relatable. There are few filmmakers who make mundane engrossing. The likes of Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and more bring this film to life in the capable hands of Leigh. You want some raw human drama…make sure to check out Secrets & Lies.

As Good as It Gets (1997)

Who doesn’t enjoy watching horrible bigots with compulsive disorders learn to be better people? As Good as It Gets is such a strange film on its own and it is even stranger to realize that it was a big Oscar darling. James L. Brooks is a beloved filmmaker and storyteller, and he delivers a film filled with over-the-top characters and stereotypes. Brooks does his thing and makes this film so enjoyable to watch (even through all the discomfort). The actors bring a lot to these characters which makes this film as enjoyable as it is. Jack Nicholson delivers a big, committed, and quirky performance which is that larger-than-life type of stuff that grabs attention. Helen Hunt is the true star of the film with her layered, engaging, and affecting performance. Greg Kinnear’s character is put through the wringer and he delivers the goods. This trio makes this film despite all the rough edges.

Alphaville (1965)

How does one mix French New Wave aesthetics with both film noir and science fiction elements? Jean Luc-Godard is one of the most acclaimed directors of French cinema and he was one of the main fixtures of the French New Wave movement. His film Alphaville is a story about a hard-boiled secret agent who is trying to take down the supercomputer that runs a futuristic community. The music is bold and aggressive. The sound design is engrossing and creates an immersive experience. Eddie Constantine is fantastic as this steely agent with froggy voice who rocks that classic noir attire of fedora and trenchcoat. Twisted and abstract, this is an engrossing cinematic experience with crisp black-and-white cinematography. Alphaville is not the most accessible film out there, but it has plenty of compelling ideas and visual motifs to chew on.

Thursday’s Children (1954)

Are you ready for a nice injection of hope and inspiration? This 20-minute documentary explores the work of The Royal School for the Deaf as they work with children who have hearing impairments as they practice all types of exercises to expand their abilities to navigate the world around them. Acting legend Richard Burton delivers calm, engaging narration as he walks the audience through the impressive work of those who run this school. The kids are engaged and having fun with their learning (we love to see it) and it makes the film more engaging and impactful. Thursday’s Children was an Oscar winner in its time and hopefully will become a hidden gem today.

The Goddess (1934)

Do you want some shockingly poignant and progressive drama from 1930s China? The Goddess is a harrowing tale of a woman who is a single mother desperate to take care of her child and give him a better life. This desperation leads her to a life as a sex worker as she navigates an abusive crime boss and a judgment school community. This is a sharply crafted and moving film that boasts impressive dialogue and performances that dig deep into the dramatic core of the film. The film does not shy away from the challenging themes of its story and the prejudices of the world that it inhabits. The Goddess is a powerful drama that has been lost to time and will hopefully find an audience again.

Rooty Toot Toot (1951)

How does one inject some personality into the tale of a jealous woman in trial for murder? Rooty Toot Toot is an acclaimed documentary short film 1951 that centers on a murder trial. There is a good sense of mystery and a giant question mark hovering about the proceedings. The minimalist approach to the hand-drawn animation gives the film a sleeky and cool feel that will look vibrant with rich colors and such. There are some dark twists in this little tale full of music and attitude. Then throw in a dastardly attorney with a song and dance and you have yourself a cool little animated short to appreciate.

The Old Man & the Gun (2018)

Sometimes you just cannot outrun your calling, right? David Lowery has such an interesting career with great variety in his films and The Old Man & the Gun is certainly one of the most grounded and accessible. This film has a distinct grit of a bygone era of filmmaking that gives the experience a vintage feel. The period setting is quite effective, and it doesn’t hurt that one of Hollywood’s greatest stars leads the way in Robert Redford. His charisma is unmatched for sure as he charms his way through all his bank robberies with a smile on his face. His chemistry with Sissy Spacek is electric and gives the film a healthy dash of romance. You have some good supporting players from Casey Affleck, the lawman on Redford’s tail, to Danny Glover and Tom Waits, Redford’s partners in crime. The score and soundtrack truly tie the experience together as well.  This is a moving and challenging little film about a deep human urge to live life.

The High Sign (1921)

How great was Buster Keaton? It still amazes me the amount of humor this many could produce without a signal expression on his face. The High Sign centers around violence and guns which open the door for a barrage of trick shot humor. The running gag of magically shifting bullets is hilarious as those shots never land where they are supposed to. The gag with Keaton, an amusement park game, and a dog is quite hilarious. For only 20 minutes of runtime, Keaton and Edward F. Cline packed it full of slapstick comedy, gang thriller elements, and a dash of romance.

No Other Choice (2025)

What is 2025’s premiere international feature? Park Chan-wook has delivered one of the most darkly fun films in recent memory with No Other Choice. A desperate man laid off from his paper job (Lee Byung-Hun) decides he indeed has no other choice…but to murder all the other applicants for the jobs he wants. Visually striking with rich colors, and plenty of dynamic and intimate shots. Filled with crazy characters from top to bottom. The narrative features plenty of twists and turns as well as some rich thematic work. Lee delivers an offbeat, volatile, and engaging performance. There are plenty of shocking and thrilling scenes, especially one murder that goes terribly wrong. This is a challenging and twisted tale worth your time.

The Life of Chuck (2025)

Are you ready for a different type of Mike Flanagan film? Flanagan’s career has been defined by a single genre…horror. But he takes his path in a new direction with a familiar source of material, Stephen King. The Life of Chuck is a uniquely structured story told in three reversed acts. Flanagan finds the power of the story’s meaning and explores it in a deeply rich emotional way. Chuck lives his life through plenty of grief but finds joy in dance and love. His story is explored through tender moments with his family as well as profoundly cathartic dance sequences. There are some fantastic elements that you would expect from King and Flanagan. This is a profound and beautiful cinematic experience that is hard to ignore.

Sorry, Baby (2025)

Who is one of the biggest breakout stars of 2025? Eva Victor. Their new film Sorry, Baby features their own leading performance, writing, and direction. This is an intimate, funny, and well-told story of an awkwardly charming Agnes who navigates a horrible injustice done to them. Victor’s performance is idiosyncratic in the most charming of ways with plenty of love, affection, and wisdom. Supported by the likes of Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, and John Carroll Lynch, Victor puts together an engaging film with sharp directorial vision filled with inspired visualization. There are so many meaningful elements in this quaint little film which makes for one of the best films of 2025.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2025)

Who is the most dastardly and evil villain in all of film? Feathers McGraw! And he is back with vengeance that can only be described as…most fowl. Aardman with back with such vengeance through their classic stop motion animation crafted with the malleable clay of expression. The dynamic duo of aloof inventor and resource pooch is back to stop that evil penguin/chicken/nun from getting revenge and stealing the priceless diamond he sought before. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl has an interesting exploration of A.I. and technology through the silly yet incredibly creepy Norbots who are turned against their creator for McGraw’s revenge. There are plenty of humans with sharp dialogue and hilarious sight gags galore. The action in this silly little film is quite impressive, including a masterfully executed final chase. One of the best animated films in recent memory.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

Can Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig do it again? A new Knives Out Mystery is here, and it just might be the best one yet. Wake Up Dead Man takes a rich, nuanced, and compelling look at faith with a story centered on a young priest (a former boxer) who is the prime suspect in the impossible murder of a Monsieur with a controversial approach to the pulpit. Josh O’Connor delivers a fantastic performance as this young priest who is filled with earnest attitude and a passion for the true word of Jesus Christ. Daniel Craig is deliciously bonkers and committed as ever in the role of southern private investigator, Benoit Blanc. The ensemble is top notch with Josh Brolin as the controversial preacher and Glenn Close as his intense and steely acolyte who are the real standouts. The narrative structure is quite exquisite, and the filmmaker is top notch (with a gorgeous use of light). Bring on more Benoit Blanc!

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

The Muppets can do just about anything, can’t they? Taking Broadway just seems like a no brainer! The Muppets Take Manhattan is a wildly charming edition of the Muppets’ cinematic franchise. Kermit leads the way as he navigates Broadway politics to get their musical onto the biggest stage. As Kermit is doing his work, the audience gets to enjoy a batch of hilarious vignettes of all his Muppet pals getting into a variety of shenanigans around the country. There are some silly gags from Miss Piggy roller staking after a purse snatcher in Central Park to Kermit getting into the advertising business with a group of frogs to their wonderful show finally making it to the stage. The musical numbers are infectious and charming for sure and deliver quite the fantastic romp in the big city with those charming puppet pals.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

What makes for a classical musical experience? Well…great songs to start! Vincente Minelli’s Meet Me in St. Louis certainly has that with some classic numbers like the titular track as well as “The Trolly Song”. Judy Garland is a towering star of cinema, and she brings all her singing chops and her infectious charm to the role of Esther Smith. The story of the Smith family is told over the seasons in one fateful year as they process the potential of a big move, plenty of courting, and some darkly fun Halloween shenanigans. There is some good charm witnessing Ester seeking out love and the rest of her family navigating the tensions that brew over time. Zippy, charming, and musically inclined, there is a reason Minelli’s film is a classic.

A Star is Born (1954)

How incredible was Judy Garland? Her performance in A Star is Born just might be one of the greatest movie star performances of all time. The musical elements are infectious with her incredible voice and charisma. There is so much charm, emotion, and stature in her performance. Watching her go from a struggling yet working performer to a towering movie star in this film is so impactful James Mason is a spiral mess and destructive in this film as well. His performance is harrowing to see. This might be a tad overlong at almost three hours, but it is a fascinating exploration of fame, addiction, love, and grief. This is a towering achievement from George Cukor who crafted a massive scale musical epic of Old Hollywood.