The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (February 8th, 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:     

Angel’s Egg (1985)

What is one of the first great anime films to elevate this style of filmmaking? Mamoru Oshii’s classic Angel’s Egg is quite an elusive experience, but it finally got a 4K upgrade and looks striking in all its 71-minute glory. A mostly dialogue-less experience, this film finds a young girl with an egg cross path with a cross-bearing young man in a striking looking dystopia. Ishii never meant to make a narratively rich and straight-forward experience. This surrealist and abstract film is rich in themes about faith and skepticism. The desolate world that Oshii creates is striking and haunting. The world-building, visuals, and vibes are completely engrossing and harrowing to experience. Many questions will float in your head once that final shot slowly zooms out and the credits begin to roll.

Captain Blood (1935)

Are you ready for a swashbuckling adventure? Errol Flyn and Olivia de Haviland starred together in a film before The Adventures of Robin Hood that would also represent the classic Hollywood style of swashbuckling adventure in Captain Blood. Flynn is a charismatic lead who stars as a doctor turned pirate who becomes one of the biggest disruptors around. The long haired and big grinned hero is a classic figure in pirate cinema and de Haviland makes for a charming confidant to him as well. The action is thrilling as there are quite a few standout moments that lean into the practical effects of these high sea adventures. This is an exciting and thrilling bit of Old Hollywood that still has plenty of charm all these years later.

Battle Royale (2000)

Are you ready for one of the most visceral, brutal, and intense movie-watching experiences you will have? Director Kinji Fukasaku blew audiences minds with Battle Royale, a film about an unsuspecting high school class who pit against each other in a killing competition. A twisted dystopia where teens murder each other for sport has certainly become a popular story today with The Hunger Games, but Battle Royale did it first. The action is brutal, uncompromising, and intense. Fukasaku pulled zero punches in the presentation of this horrific destruction of violence. The cast of young performers is pitch perfect as they fully embrace this bonkers concept and deliver engaging performances. Biting social commentary and plenty of twists make this a must-see cinematic experience.

Gate of Hell (1953)

Are you ready for a classic of Japanese cinema? The winner of Best Foreign Language Feature at the Academy Awards, Gate of Hell is a harrowing story of lust and dishonor. A samurai pursues the love of a married woman who he saves. The journey that Morito Endo goes on is filled with thrills, twists, and harrowing moments that deepen the dramatic elements of this iconic film. The direction from Teinosuke Kinugasa is full of life and personality as he can humanize these characters and build empathy. The technical elements of the film are outstanding with the costume design standing out with the incredibly rich colors that are so vibrant on screen. By the end of this film, you will see a tragic drama unfold that is still a deeply human and powerful experience.

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)

Why is the The Human Condition trilogy one of the most beloved sets of films amongst cinephiles? They are a towering collection of films about war, humanity, and the horrific things we can do to each other. The first film, No Greater Love, finds a man who has a loving wife put in a complex scenario where he is forced to organize a prison colony for Chinese war prisoners. Tatsuya Nakadai delivers a moving and layered performance as this conscientious objector who is stuck between his duty to his country and treating his Chinese prisoners with respect. With the complex human story, director Masaki Kobayashi can craft an engrossing film that clocks in at almost 3.5 hours. The harrowing imagery of the last 30 minutes is worth the investment alone as the filmmaking is off the charts. The investment is well worth the experience and this deeply human story.