The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (February 15th, 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 Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959)

What are the consequences of doing the right thing? For Kaji, his penance to Japan for showing humanity to Chinese prisoners is to be sent into the military. The Human Condition II shows the militaristic side to the Japanese Empire as Masaki Kobayashi captures the brutality, violence, and loss of humanity throughout the three-hour runtime. There are a few sequences that capture striking visuals of intimacy, war, and violence. Kaji’s journey transforms him as he is further distanced from the love of his wife. This sprawling epic in this iconic trilogy of Japanese cinema takes our protagonist and audience deeper into the recesses of the human soul and it proves to be an engrossing and poignant ride.

The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer (1961)

How do you wrap up such an epic and harrowing tale about war and humanity? A Soldier’s Prayer is, yet again, a harrowing journey that finds Kaji amid war and takes him on such a terrifying quest to find his way home. He sees the worst of humanity as he witnesses and experiences torture, mass murder, and a distinct lack of care and empathy. Masaki Kobayashi continues his impressive handle from behind the camera with bold camera choices that craft so an engrossing and dynamic cinematic experience. Kaji’s journey finds him consumed into this horrific experience that is filled with death, suffering, and the faintest of hope. This is not a happy ending for this epic tale, but it is one that will challenge you as a member of the audience. This is an impressive achievement in film and such a poignant conclusion of this epic trilogy.

Billy Blazes, Esq. (1919)

Who doesn’t enjoy a good send-up of a classic movie genre? It is even better when it is only 13 minutes long! Billy Blazes, Esq. finds classic comedic film director Hal Roach lampooning the classic western with some funny shenanigans. What makes this one-reel flick so much fun is the confident and hilarious performance by Harold Llyod. One of the kings of early comedic cinema, Lloyd does a great job with his gun play and charm. There is a dastardly rogue for him to play off (a committed performance by ‘Snub’ Pollard as Sheriff ‘Gun Shy’ Gallagher). Bebe Daniels is a charming enough love interest as well to shake up these shenanigans as Billy and Daniels’ Nell has a happily ever after.

Stage Door (1937)

What is one of the strongest forces in supporting women? Other women. When society pits women against each other, it is a sad situation but films like Stage Door show the power of sisterhood and support for one another. This is a classic film from Old Hollywood (a Best Picture nominee at that) where a group of women from a New York Theater boarding house come together (against their initial feelings) to support each other in the face of abuse at the hands of powerful men running Broadway. The likes of Katherine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers light up the screen with their charisma, screen presence, and acting chops. Director Gregory La Cava brings the right amount of energy and captures some sharp banter and writing that pops on screen. There is some tragedy. There is some hope. There is plenty of charm to hook you into this crowded boarding house setting filled with dreams.

Madam Satan (1930)

Who is ready for a completely bonkers romantic comedy full of affairs, sexy masquerades, and a zeppelin crash? Now those first two things might seem normal for a romantic comedy, but I guess with Cecil B. DeMille behind the camera, you must get some massive set pieces somewhere! Madam Satan is quite the flawed film, but it has some entertaining and fun elements along the way. This is one of those types of films you watch once because you need to witness just how wild it will go. What is even crazier is what it could have been before the censor board made them make this crazed zeppelin masquerade less sexy. Madam Satan boasts some crazy mistaken identity comedy bits, sexy women, and some wild big, budgeted effects in its climax. The oddest romantic comedy around…especially from the 1930s.

New Nightmare (1994)

Before Wes Craven explored meta-horror with his beloved franchise of Scream, where did he try out such a bold approach to storytelling? New Nightmare. After “killing” him off in the last film, Freddy Krueger was supposed to be done. But this only made him stronger as he escaped the film world and started coming after A Nightmare on Elm Street star Heather Langenkamp. This was such a wild idea for a film back in 1994 and it hit so well. This meta-story is fascinating as Heather’s child is slowly consumed by Freddy and Heather (and those close to her) are targeted in their dreams. You have blurred lines with Robert Englund and Craven as actual characters in the film. Craven’s nightmares are dictating the script which is coming to life which includes a darker and more sinister Freddy. This is the most unique and one of the scariest films in the franchise.

Kiss Me Kate (1953)

Who doesn’t want to watch a relationship spiral into pieces live during an onstage performance? Kiss Me Kate is a fun romantic comedy musical that has a lot going for it. Director George Sidney never takes this film or its shenanigans too seriously (despite some elements like mafia and gambling) which gives the film a light and fun vibe. There are elements that feel dated for sure, but the combination of Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson has plenty of spark. We get to witness this crew putting on a performance of Taming of the Screw that is quickly going awry due to Keel’s Fred and Grayson’s Lilli breaking up in real time. The musical numbers are some fun (including a tap number by a couple of gangsters. Colorful, vibrant, and fun, Kiss Me Kate has plenty of outdated thoughts on relationships but there is enough charm to make it stand out.

Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)

Just how charming was Doris Day? This blond actor/singer was one of the brightest stars at the time and she made quite the romantic comedy lead. Please Don’t Eat the Daisies finds her in a screen pairing with David Nevin, one of England’s most popular exports at the time. This charming flick has plenty of performances within performances as Day is a stage performer when she is not doing her motherly duties and Niven is a professor turned critic for the theater. This is a film about creatives and the challenges they face along the way and the tensions rising in this central marriage. A move to the country, a panned musical made by a friend, and four rambunctious sons make this quite the bonkers little flick in all its early 60’s colorful vibrance.

Millennium Actress (2001)

Who wants to take a trip down memory lane? Satoshi Kon was one of the boldest creatives in the realm of anime and his film Millennium Actress is such a wondrous and exciting adventure through time. A TV interviewer and his cameraman meet an aging actress who brings them on a journey through her experiences. There are all types of roles, genres, and worlds that they travel through. The visuals are bold, vibrant, and exciting. There are plenty of thrills and emotions along the way in Millennium Actress as this actress explores her past and all the secrets that are there. The animation is rich, colorful, and dynamic in ways that are so engrossing. This is a poetic expression of life through visual storytelling in the most impressive of ways.

Donnie Darko (2001)

What is the film that has so many isolated young people from the early 00s? Donnie Darko is a haunting and complex experiment in storytelling by Richard Kelly. A story about a young man who narrowly escapes death when a plane part falls through his ceiling. What follows is a twisted tale about this young man who is influenced by a large, aethereal bunny and the appearance of worm holes. This is a bold and creative film with plenty of exciting atmosphere. The music is fantastic with scenes elevated by the new wave music injected into them. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a rich performance full of emotion, mystery, and vulnerability. The supporting cast is stacked with all types of talented rising stars like Jena Malone and veterans like Drew Barrymore. This is not your everyday drama and its is quite the unique experience.