The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (January 18th, 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:     

The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

To what lengths would you go to make it out of the desert? The Flight of the Phoenix finds a group of passengers and the pilot of a plane crashed in a vast desert with little hope of survival. One member of the group is a highly intelligent German scientist who has a wild idea to rebuild the plane into a new one which puts him in constant conflict with the pilot. The film is full of conflict as each of these men have their own perspectives and dynamics. The most important conflict is that between the men and the unforgiving Sahara. There are some impressive effects and intensity captured by director Robert Aldrich along the way. The stacked cast is what truly makes the experience with the likes of James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch, Ernest Borgnine, George Kennedy, and Hardy Kruger (the biggest standout of the cast). This is an exciting and thrilling epic with plenty of danger, conflict, and themes.

Funny Farm (1988)

How could moving out to the country go wrong? Well…there are plenty of things that can go wrong for sure and that is the plot of Funny Farm! Chevy Chase is the king of seemingly normal guys who quickly go completely unhinged and crack. That is exactly what happens to Chase’s Andy Farmer. Madolyn Smith Osborne is the real charmer of the film though as his wife Elizabeth who is brutally honest, full of creativity, and a “go-get-it” attitude. Andy gets up to so many crazy shenanigans in George Roy Hill’s comedy whether it is chasing down dogs, grappling with snakes, and attempting to steamroll drunken postmen with boulders. This is not the most consistently funny outing from Chase, but this has its charm (even if Elizabeth should NEVER take the sad, selfish sack like Any back).

See How They Run (2022)

How could you not be charmed by a whodunnit starring Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan? See How They Run is a sharply written and sassy caper set in 1950’s West End, London. Tom George’s film has plenty of charm with its period dress, production design, and setting. Rockwell is a drunkard who is attempting to solve the murder of an insufferable American director (played perfectly by Adrian Brody). Joining him in this case is this sweet and chatty Constable Stalker (who has a serious problem with overthinking things). There are plenty of twists and turns that make this film such a charming watch. Not the most original of capers but an engaging one, nonetheless.

X (2022)

How did Ti West capture so much lightning in a bottle? X is an indie slasher that roared onto the scene with its confident direction and thrilling elements. There are plenty of brutal and disturbing moments sprinkled into West’s horror flick about an unexpecting crew of a porno shoot who are brutalized by an elderly couple. Mia Goth is an absolute star as she shines in both the role of the confident young actress and the dangerous older woman who lives on this isolated farm. This 70s set flick has a vintage vibe with an old school brutality seen in such films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This isolated setting is both gorgeous and unnerving as it sets the tone. The cast is stacked with the likes of Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, and Kid Cudi who fill out the rest of this impressive cast. This sharply made slasher launched one of the most unexpected and beloved trilogies in recent memory as well.

De-Lovely (2004)

How big of an impact did Cole Porter make during his career in music? His works have become some of the most iconic songs and musicals of all time. His music wasn’t the only intriguing element of Porter’s experience either. De-Lovely is a film from one of Hollywood’s greatest producers, Irwin Winkler, and takes a unique approach to Porter’s life. Jonathan Pryce’s Gabe guides an elderly Porter (a made-up Kevin Kline) through his life in musical performance. Porter’s iconic songs are performed by a nice variety of contemporary artists like Robbie Williams and Alanis Morissette. Kline is charming in his portrayal as Porter with Ashley Judd delivers an affecting turn as Porter’s long-suffering wife, Linda. The complex arrangement they had with Porter sleeping with men openly outside his marriage does cause conflict throughout the film and adds layers to the drama. De-Lovely is unevenly paced and lacks that spark needed but this film has its charm and is worth a watch.

The Big Boss (1971)

How badass was Bruce Lee? The Big Boss is a great showcase of his talents as a martial artist. When the story gives way for Lee’s mysterious Cheng Chao-an to swoop in with his skills, the audience is not disappointed. You have the impressive stunt choreography combined with some impressive filmmaking including POV camera shots, sharp editing, and engrossing camera movement. The Big Boss balances some romance, crime/thriller elements, and action to offer up a satisfying martial arts experience. Heroin-smugglers pressuring a warrior in reform back into action is a timeless type of story that is worth watching.

The Eruption of Mount St. Helens! (1980)

Are you ready to see something quite extraordinary? This documentary captures the terror and majesty of a volcano exploding and drastically changing the world around it. Mount St. Helens was one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions to ever affect North America. The footage and photos capture devastation and desolation. The Eruption of Mount St. Helens might have an obvious traditional feel for a documentary, but it still has impact. The handheld footage provided by a journalist who survived is worth watching this 27-minute documentary alone.

The Constant Nymph (1943)

What is more frustrating and demoralizing than unrequited love? That is at the core of the romantic drama The Constant Nymph. Edmund Goudling’s film centers on the daughter (Joan Fontaine) of a famous musician. Young Tessa longs for the affection of a talented pianist, Lewis Dodd (Charles Boyer) who is married to her cousin (Alexis Smith). This love triangle is anchored by three strong performances (especially with the infectious charisma from Fontaine). This film is full of tension and tragedy that makes it a worthwhile experience.

The King and I (1956)

Why is The King and I one of the most beloved musicals of all time? There are some incredible aspects in Walter Lang’s film. The production design and art direction is incredible. The sets are massive, elaborate, and colorful. The Technicolor of the time looks so rich and gorgeous. The costumes are just as impressive, especially during the main stage performance in the second half of the film. The mask, outfits, hair, and make-up are so detailed and rich in color. The musical numbers are plenty of fun and iconic. There are some elements that have aged poorly with brown face and such and some outdated dynamics. Yul Brynner’s performance is strong, confident, and bold. Deborah Kerr has a refinement and presence with some powerful chemistry with Brynner. Their iconic dance is impressive, joyful, and powerful. There are some impressive and charming youth performances as well that give the film plenty of heart. This is a classic for a reason for sure.