The third in my series of films you would recommend to a visiting alien to explain humanity is... the harrowing yet utterly brilliant Incendies (2010), directed by Denis Villeneuve, from the play by Wajdi Mouawad. Utilising a French and Arabic speaking cast you have probably never seen before, this brutal drama feels as close to … Continue reading Alien Rec’s No.3
Today's 12 of the Best list celebrates the life and extraordinary career of Christopher Plummer, who has sadly passed away aged 91. Born in Toronto in 1929, he moved to New York to study acting in his early 20s, fast becoming a star on Broadway following his stage debut in 1954. He graduated to movies … Continue reading 12 of the Best… Christopher Plummer Films
The rule of threes is a pretty solid philosophy. We find things repeated in triplicate satisfying and complete. There is no rule of four, it isn't a thing. Four is usually one too many... and this was the fear for all Pixar and Toy Story fans when this project was announced, fairly unexpectedly, in 2018. … Continue reading Toy Story 4
The second in the series of films you would recommend to a visiting alien species in order to explain humanity. This is an effort to try and engage followers of The Wasteland a little more, both via WordPress on the actual page and through the instagram account thewasteland.art.blog If you have an idea which film … Continue reading Alien Rec’s No.2
When it is a director's second, or sophomore movie, if you like, there is a lot of unfair pressure that finds people comparing the new work to the first one. Especially if that first work has set you up as the saviour of a particular genre, as was the case with Jordan Peele. Get Out … Continue reading Us
Another new feature for Wednesdays! Imagine aliens have landed and understand nothing of our history, who we are, and why we do what we do. Nominate one film that you would show to an alien to explain humanity. It can be anything at all, from any period, in any genre. No reasons needed - let … Continue reading Alien Rec’s: No.1
My relationship with Laurel & Hardy is a tentative one. I do enjoy their short films, full of ingenuity and genuinely funny moments. But, they'd be down the list a bit for me on the greatest black and white comedy stars - Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd, then the Marx Brothers maybe, then the slapstick duo next, … Continue reading Stan & Ollie
A new feature on The Wasteland - Each Monday I will induct a new person into the Hall of Fame and give a concise explanation of why they deserve their place in the pantheon of cultural media legends. It is not restricted to actors or movies, it could be a musician, an artist an author, … Continue reading Hall of Fame Inductee #1 Jack Nicholson
As the owner of an Amazon Fire stick for a few years now, I would say it is my main & best source of watching films and TV. I have always found there is a mine of quality in the back catalogue of Amazon Prime that doesn't exist on Netflix, or others, for a very … Continue reading 12 of the Best… Vintage BFI Movies
If you check back in the archives of The Wasteland you will see that from time to time I do find myself down the dark, fascinating yet morbid rabbit hole of true crime documentary. I do find the majority of them a little ghoulish, but when done particularly well they can become incredible insights into … Continue reading Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil & Vile
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