The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (February 22nd, 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:     

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Can you get more British than some Pride & Prejudice? Joe Wright has been crafting striking, beautiful films about English folks for a while now and Pride & Prejudice just might be his crowning achievement. Led by a strong, confident turn from Keira Knightley (at only 20 years old), this romance explores the journey of the young Bennett women and their fortunes and misfortunes in love. The central connection between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy is legendary and comes to life with such beauty and tenderness. The visuals and music are impeccable. Wright crafts an all-time period drama stacked with plenty of talented performers including Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, Judie Dench, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, and Carey Mulligan.

Jamaica Inn (1939)

Are you willing to watch a whole film for just two reasons? If so, Jamaica Inn makes for an interesting watch. This lesser film in Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography is probably known more for its literal place in his filmography than the quality of the film. This was the last British film that Hitchcock made before jumping ship to the United States. But this is a worthwhile watch in no small part due to the impressive filmmaking. Hitchcock captures shipwrecks and burning visages so well with his sharp eye. The other big standout is Charles Laughton who is a devious man of stature and presence. His charisma is legit and he stands out in this solid period thriller.

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

What is the film that showed Hollywood what Hitchcock was truly capable of? The Lady Vanishes. The script for this film is layered, detailed, and increasingly engrossing. A young woman is unexpectedly concussed and searches for a little old woman who she befriended on train. But there is a problem…everyone around her tells her this woman never existed. This twisted tale of espionage and gaslighting is thrilling, mysterious, and exciting. The two main leads are quite charismatic and charming with Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave (a brash musician who tries to help her). There are plenty of compelling twists and turns that all feel earned. There are impressive plants throughout this top-notch screenplay and they all hit impressively. Hitchcock leverages models, deep focus, and plenty more cinematic tricks to make this such a dynamic cinematic experience. Layered with geopolitical issues of the time, The Lady Vanishes is a layered and engrossing cinematic experience.

Wings (1927)

Does the original Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards hold up? Wings is a thrilling war film with quite impressive air battles and land assaults. The stunts they do with some of these planes (including flying headlong into a stone house are quite impressive. The thrills are palpable almost 100 years later. The camera work is quite impressive, including the iconic dolly shot through the café across the top of multiple tables. There are some classic romance elements injected into the experience as well with Clara Bow delivering a charismatic performance. Some good laughs and good emotions thrown in and you have yourself a classic Hollywood effort that holds up so well.

Dinner with Friends (2001)

Are you ready for a mature drama about marriage and friendship? Acclaimed filmmaker Norman Jewison took a leap to the small screen back in 2001 with his HBO original film effort, Dinner with Friends. This tells the story of a married couple (Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell) stuck between their married couple friends (Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette) whose marriage is on the outs. The screenplay takes the audience through the evening, this all comes to light, the day this fractured couple first met, and the aftermath of this split. This lean drama has a sharp script, well-defined characters, and strong dramatic elements. The excellent cast goes a long way in bringing this play to life on the screen.