The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (October 5th, 2025)

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 Black Ghiandola (2017)

How far will a group of movie stars go to make a wish come true for a dying young man? The Black Ghiandola is all for Anthony Conti as he dies from an aggressive cancer. Filmmakers like Catherine Hardwicke, Theodore Melfi, and Sam Raimi turn his suffering and pain into a fun, bite-sized zombie flick for his own and everyone else’s benefit. This short film is only 17 minutes, but it packs in plenty of familiar faces like J.K. Simmons, David Lynch, Laura Dern, Richard Chamberlain, and Johnny Depp (what?!). Conti gets to star in the film and that is fine as he is surrounded with solid effects, fun performances, and a good concept. The Black Ghiandola is a feel-good little horror short that deserves to be watched.

Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation (2011)

Who doesn’t love diving back into the world of Toy Story? Disney+ is a great landing spot for all things Pixar and Toy Story specifically with all the feature films along with a nice batch of short films to whet your appetite. One of the shorts is Hawaiian Vacation which finds the toys putting on a makeshift Hawaiian getaway for Barbie and Ken so they can have their first kiss. You have all the great voice actors back, including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and the rest of the crew. Each of the characters has their little moments from the Potato Heads to Rex to Mr. Pricklepants. This little tale leads to a moving and charming moment for sure. Jodi Benson and Michael Keaton really steal the show as the charming duo of Barbie and Ken.

The Plumber (1979)

Where did acclaimed director Peter Weir cut his teeth in the world of cinema? Back in 1979, Weir delivered a lean little thriller that certainly shows off his future promise as a filmmaker and storyteller. The Plumber is an intriguing thriller that pits a white-collar, middle-class woman against the plumber in her building who is of a lower class yet an aspiring artist. The tension elevates this made for television film thanks to the sharp and inspired direction from Weir. Ivar Kants is a charismatic and engaging figure with plenty of mystery and terror behind this presence. But is it all an illusion? Weir plays around with class tension and the fear experienced by those in high classes. There are plenty of twists and turns including an impactful decent for Judy Morris’ protagonist. This showed great promise and is certainly worth a watch.

The Princess Bride (1987)

What is one of the perfect films ever created? Rob Reiner sparked some serious magic when he created The Princess Bride. This film is filled with romance, swashbuckling adventures, action, horror, and plenty of comedy. This is one of the sharpest scripts ever made with so many great gags and jokes filling out the film. The deeply moving and genuine love between Buttercup and Westley gives the film all the magic it needs. The framing device is clever and fun with Fred Savage and Peter Falk bringing it to life. There are so many memorable characters from Inigo to Fezzik to Vizzini to Miracle Max. The cast is perfect with each actor bringing their all to perfectly capture the essence of their characters. There are plenty of iconic lines that you will have stuck in your head long after watching. Amazing swordfights, escaping rodents of unusual size, and experiencing “trwue wuve” are all highlights of the game.

Tron (1982)

What is THE video game movie? Well before video games started getting big screen adaptations, there was Tron. This is one of the most engrossing worlds brought to life on screen with state-of-the-art effects at the time. The world of Tron is exciting with the Light Cycle races (which is one of the most unique and iconic aspects of the film) and the Disc Arena. Jeff Bridges makes a charismatic lead (as always) as the game developer Flynn who gets transported into the realm of the game. The themes and philosophies of the grid are quite compelling and engaging as rebellious programmers take it to big corporations and all power AI of the system. This is one of the most 80s films you are going to find with its arcade vibes and tech motifs. This beloved classic has launched a whole franchise that continued the advancement of effects, but this original is still the one with the most heart.

Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)

Do you want to experience a charming and sentimental classic on film? Peter O’Toole leads the way in this iconic remake of Goodbye, Mr. Chips. O’Toole is one of the greatest actors of all time and he has a great vehicle with this musical where he is a strong-willed and reserved schoolteacher in pre-WWII England. This is an unexpected romance where this tied-tight man falls for a free-spirited singer. Their opposing personalities make for such an interesting dynamic and empathetic couple. Petula Clark is so charismatic and has an amazing voice as she steals so many scenes. The film does navigate classism, the hierarchy of education, and mentorship in such a moving way. This film could be much deeper, and O’Toole is not the strongest singer, but Herbert Ross’ adaptation is a fine bit of cinema.