The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (February 1st, 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:     

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Who doesn’t love a cool mystery with a stacked cast and plenty of needle drops? Drew Goddard leans heavily into style and twists with his crime thriller Bad Times at the El Royale. The music is leveraged powerfully to give the film a vintage feel that matches with all the convincing production and costume design. There is plenty of vibrant colors, bloody violence, and dynamic cinematography that delivers an engrossing visual experience. The sharp editing and story structure deliver plenty of thrills and surprises. Goddard leverages period relevant pop culture and societal issues that deepen the experience as well. Each character stands out in their own way due to fleshed out backstories and plenty of great work from their performers. Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Lewis Pullman, Dakota Johnson, Cailee Spaeny, Jon Hamm, and Chris Hemsworth each get their opportunities to shine with a few truly standing out. Bad Times at the El Royale is filled to the brim with entertainment and thrillers, making it a truly special experience.

Crazy Heart (2009)

What is the vehicle that won Jeff Bridges his big Best Actor Academy Award? Crazy Heart is not a real biopic, but it is framed in the way that makes it truly convincing. Bridges portrays Bad Blake with plenty of confidence, vulnerability, and physicality. Not unlike many famous musicians, Blake is a horrible alcoholic who has lived a rough life that puts him in a bad place as he ages. A chance interview with Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Jean turns his life upside down when he finds someone to love and care about. Writer/director Scott Cooper does not avoid the harsher realities of this spiral that Blake finds himself in. Bridges’ performance is engrossing and authentic as he shows so much vulnerability and plays a convincing broken man. The music performances in the film are quite impressive with some catchy songs and both Bridges and Colin Farrell delivering. Not the most unique film out there but Cooper and Bridges make this quite a worthwhile experience.

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

What is the classic film behind Adam Sandler’s remake, Mr. Deeds? You might be surprised to see how much of Sandler’s film is ripped right from Frank Capra’s original film. Capra brings an earnest charm and plenty of personality to this romantic screwball comedy. Gary Cooper delivers an earnest and charming performance as the small-town man Longfellow Deeds. He is never as dense as the big city folks make him out to be with his pragmatic approach to life making him quite empathetic. This small-town man gaining a massive fortune opens the door to plenty of lies, deceit, and drama (which Capra leverages to great effect). Jean Arthur makes an excellent partner for Cooper as they have quite a believable connection. A classic comedy that certainly has plenty of heart.

Young and Innocent (1937)

Are you ready for another Hitchcock crime thriller? Young and Innocent finds a young man standing accused of murdering a famous actress due to a misunderstanding. He goes on the run with the crafty daughter of a colonial as they attempt to find a coat that could prove his innocence. There are plenty of sequences with bursts of violence and thrills. There are a few scenes that standout with a car falling into the ground and the climactic concert reveal of the true killer. The amazing crane sequence in that scene makes for an iconic moment of filmmaking. Derrick De Marney makes for a solid lead, but it is Nova Pilbeam who stands out as his co-lead. Their budding romance on the run is rock solid as well giving the film some layers. This is a lean 80-minute thriller worth the ride.

Sabotage (1936)

Are you ready for an explosive and deeply emotional entry of early Hitchcock? Sabotage is a thriller that is full of espionage, lies, deceit, and heartbreak. The main players are a terrorist living a false life as a cinema owner, his wife, and an undercover policeman who develops a relationship with her as he is investigating her husband. There is a thrilling and suspenseful set piece in the center of the film with a boy unknowingly carrying an explosive bird cage, crafted expertly by Hitchcock. Sabotage has what movie Hitchcock films of the era have including the sharp filmmaking and suspenseful set pieces, but this one adds some deeper layers. The power of loss and grief paired with the fracturing of a marriage deepens the experience and makes this one of the best films of Hitchcock’s 30s era of his career.

Near Dark (1987)

What is one of the coolest vampire films that not enough people have seen? In a year when The Lost Boys grabbed plenty of attention, Near Dark put Kathryn Bigelow on the map. Bigelow delivers a thriller that expertly mixes action, horror, and neo-western motifs seamlessly. The action scenes are bolstered by thrilling shootouts and authentic explosions. The practical effects and makeup for when the vampires engage with sunlight are so impressive and stand up almost 40 years later. The story has some good mystery (including some great tension built in the opening sequence). The climax hits a whole new gear that stands out with the best of any vampire cinema. The supporting cast brings a lot to the table as well with Aliens alumni like Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, and Jenette Goldstein leaving quite the impact. This is a thrill ride with a cool Tangerine Dream score and plenty of vibes to enjoy.

Point Break (1991)

What is one of the coolest “bro” movies ever made by a woman? Kathryn Bigelow is renowned for her impressive visceral nature with his cinematic voice. Her most famous and beloved film is Point Break which finds Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Utah as an FBI agent going undercover with a gang of surfer bank robbers led by Patrick Swayze’s Bodi. The screenplay is full of crazy, unhinged one-liners ripped from 80s/90s action flicks. But the filmmaking standouts the most with its visceral and powerful nature. Point Break is a film that is full of thrilling elements, committed performances, and killer music. This is a cool experience watching a movie even if it is quite unhinged.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

Who doesn’t love a good mystery…and Muppets?! The Great Muppet Caper is a silly good time about jewel thievery and a Muppet adventure to England. The Muppet gang all get their chance to shine with the trio of Kermit, Fozzy, and Gonzo on the case while Miss Piggy gets the spotlight to shine as a starlet with a big musical and dance number. The film has plenty of fun musical numbers and impressive puppetry (all those bike riding Muppets are quite impressive). The human performances are fantastic as well with Charles Grodin having the second most fun a human has ever had in a Muppet movie (right behind Tim Curry). Diana Rigg is fabulous and stunning as the refined and classy woman who is a victim of this jewel robbery. There are a few fantastic cameos from Jack Warden, Peter Falk, John Cleese, and Peter Ustinov. Another wonderful Muppet romp for the whole family.

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)

How ready is a story about Beavis and Butt-Head that television or streaming could not contain? Beavis and Butt-Head Do America is a wild ride across America as everyone’s favorite aloof weirdos go from Texas to Las Vegas to Washington DC. This feature debut for Mike Judge garnered the attention of talents like Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Robert Stack who joined this feature version of the beloved 90s cartoon. Plenty of misunderstandings, play on words, and mistaken identities deliver plenty of laughs. Nothing is off limits to the elderly, politics, the government, and the church. The soundtrack is excellent and there is a crazy nightmarish sequence with ghoulish animation and Rob Zombie to boot. A climactic trip to the White House is just the icing on the cake for this comedy filled with everyone’s favorite gags from this iconic series.

Nightmare Alley (1947)

Have you heard of the noir classic that was released years before Guillermo del Toro’s remake? Nightmare Alley is a great example of classic noir trappings. The sharp cinematography leverages the black-and-white footage to capture engrossing and atmospheric shadows and imagery. Director Edmund Gouling delivers an engrossing character study of a grifter, a mentalist, who navigates the carnie life and uses it to launch into big city stardom. Tryone Power delivers an engrossing and engaging performance that goes a long way in anchoring this thrilling drama. Stanton Carlisle’s journey is a compelling one filled with great supporting turns. The trio of women with Joan Blondell, Coleen Gray, and Helen Walker deliver a variety of performances who all embody these women who make up intriguing elements in Carlisle’s life. Ego and hubris are his downfall with Goulding and company’s efforts make it some must see cinema and a defining entry in the realm of film noir.

Muppets from Space (1999)

Anything with Muppets in it is fun at least, right? Muppets from Space certainly is not the strongest film in the Muppet franchise but it is still a ton of fun. There are plenty of star cameos (as ever) and especially a bunch of faces familiar to millennials in the late 90s and early 00s. This film has quite a personal journey for the strangest of the main Muppets with Gonzo finding out his alien origins. The soundtrack rocks (or should I say, it is quite “funky”) with plenty of killer disco and funk tracks from the 70s. Certainly drawing from the popularity of films like Independence Day and Mars Attacks, Muppets from Space delivers some fun science fiction beats along the way. The Muppet gang get a fun opening music number and plenty of shenanigans throughout the film. The film focuses on government conspiracies as well with Jeffrey Tambor and his buddy Bobo the Bear chasing Gonzo and pals. A little too trendy as it loses some of the Muppets’ classic vibe, Muppets from Space is still a fun romp with everyone’s favorite puppets.

Metropolis (2001)

What happens when one of the most influential science fiction films of all time gets the manga treatment then the cinematic anime treatment after that? Metropolis. Director Rintaro has quite a vision for this science fiction anime. The visuals are an intriguing mixture of hand drawn and computer-generated animation. The music has this class’s big band feel and the needle drops are poignant for sure. A robot girl named Tima comes upon this booming, vibrant, and intricate Metropolis and a young man and his uncle race to identify her origins and weather a class riot and warfare brewing in the underbelly of this city. The visuals can be so striking with plenty of animation crafts, striking colors, and high concept ideas. This is a thrilling and moving tale brought to life with so many layers by Rintaro.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

What is the classiest, most English movie you will ever watch? The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is from “The Archers” themselves…Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. This duo just might be one of the greatest creative forces to ever make a film. Some of the most beautiful films of all time were directed by this duo and Colonel Blimp is no different. The rich and vibrant colors. The texture and make-up that just leaps off the screen. The dynamic camerawork and visual storytelling. Some truly iconic moments happen in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp with the duel between Clive and Theo (our two protagonists). This is a film about love, friendship, and honor. Clive lives a life centered on war and the military and his mission is to keep honor and respect for humanity alive during wartime. Rich in visuals, character, and themes. Colonel Blimp is a towering cinematic achievement that grabs you and never lets you go.

Dante’s Peak (1997)

What can be more terrifying than a giant mountain that explodes and releases seemingly endless ash, smoke, fire, and lava? Knowing it is coming while your warnings are ignored. Dante’s Peak fits perfectly in that zone of 90s disaster movies which were on the rise at the time. Led by a pair of big stars like Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton, this slow burn pays off when mayhem befalls this small mountain town. The special effects were quite impressive in 1997 with the use of miniatures, pyro, and computer-generated elements. The film has that 90s film feeling that is sorely missed. There is some solid character work and plenty of memorable moments that leverage some authentic emotions. Some good old fashioned disaster movie cinema!