The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (November 2nd, 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:     

Springtime (1929)

Do you appreciate some early animation from the House of Mouse? The Silly Symphonies was a joyous series of animated shorts that brought all types of things to life. The changing of seasons can be such an affecting experience and Walt Disney brought that to life in creative animation in Springtime. We get to witness all the flowers and animals of the forest joyously experiencing the onset of spring. Big smiles and fun physical comedy, this short is a jaunting good time with charming music as well. Some dated character designs aside, Springtime is a fun little flick to enjoy.

The Secret of NIMH (1982)

What film turned a whole generation of kids into animal rights advocates? The Secret of NIMH is a harrowing fantasy adventure about an innocent family of mice who must connect with a society of super intelligent rats to save their lives. Don Bluth did not pull punches in capturing the effects of animal testing combined with big fantasy elements as well. Bluth’s film is full of textured and gorgeous animation that feels rich and affecting. There is a strong voice cast from screen legends like Dom DeLuise and John Carradine. You have an empathetic and charming lead character in Mrs. Brisby (brought to life so eloquently by Elizabeth Hartman). There are haunting and powerful characters like Nicodemus and The Great Owl. There are some haunting and evocative visuals throughout combined with some thrilling and brutal action as well. The Secret of NIMH is a powerful animated film that stands the test of time.

Sinners (2025)

What is the biggest cinematic achievement of 2025 so far? Ryan Coogler’s harrowing and haunting folk horror, period drama with music and racial tensions injected in takes the cake for sure. Sinners is a grand achievement of genre filmmaking that is infused with layers of compelling thematic work. Coogler has a miraculous cinematic eye combined with the bold IMAX shot photography from cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw. The score itself is a towering achievement that infuses generations of musical stylings all composed by the ever-talented Ludwig Goransson. The towering duo performance of Michael B. Jordan should put him in the forefront for Awards Season. The supporting cast is stacked with incredible performances from Jack O’Connell (an excellent Irish vampiric antagonist) to Hailee Steinfeld to Delroy Lindo to Wunmi Mosaku. There is a scene in Coogler’s film that is one of the most dynamic and compelling scenes in any film this year. Sinners is full of blood, guts, music, emotion, and rich thematic elements.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

What is one of the most iconic slasher films ever put to film? A Nightmare on Elm Street is an iconic horror achievement that takes your standard slasher elements and injects some wild fantasy elements. Freddy Krueger is one of the most iconic killers in all of horror with his penchant for invading the dreams of his victims. Horror filmmaking icon Wes Craven brings plenty of imagination, creativity, brutal kills, and dark humor to this slasher flick. There are plenty of 80s vibes, music, and style that gives A Nightmare on Elm Street its personality. The dynamic duo of its knife-gloved killer and its iconic “final girl” in Nancy gives this horror film so much staying power. Some of the most iconic kills and moments in horror occur in Craven’s classic film. If you are a horror fan, this is a must watch experience.

This is 40 (2012)

Did we need a spin-off of one of the most iconic comedies of the 00s? This is 40 is a sprawling exploration of a fracturing marriage as two struggling adults have a crash course with their 40^th birthdays. Judd Apatow was one of the kings of comedy in the 00s with his long and affecting dramedies. Apatow explores a certain time in life with a raw honesty with plenty of humor. The duo of Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann are given plenty of space to flex both their comedic and dramatic chops. There are countless supporting talents who give the film plenty of entertainment value and heart with Megan Fox, Albert Brooks, Jason Segel, Chris O’Dowd, and countless others. This film is a bit long, but it is jam-packed with humor, emotion, and some brutal honesty about aging, marriage, and parenthood. Pete and Debbie might not be the most likeable characters at this point in their lives but their journey to figure things out is quite endearing and entertaining.

Escape from New York (1981)

Who is the most dangerous man in cinema? One man whose reputation precedes him in any situation is Snake Plissken. The reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated. Plissken is a killer with a sick look (the eye-patch really ties the attire together) and an even worse attitude. When the President of the United States crash lands in the penal colony that used to be Manhattan, Plissken is sent in to save the President. John Carpenter dystopian action thriller is one of his most iconic and it certainly offers up plenty of cool elements to enjoy. There is plenty of world building in Escape from New York with a wild collection of characters brought to life by the likes of Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasance, Isaac Hayes, Ernest Borgnine, and Harry Dean Stanton. This flick has some thrilling action with the right trappings like an iconic Carpenter score. This might not be the most refined film but Carpenter packs in plenty of entertainment and thrills.

ParaNorman (2012)

What is the best zombie film for the whole family to enjoy? Laika Studio delivered such a wonderful option with their second feature, ParaNorman. This is a charming and eerie little tale about a strange boy who is ostracized by his small town because he can speak to the dead. A timeless tale about prejudice, forgiveness, and the afterlife, this film is packed full of emotion and good humor. The animation is incredible with some fun and offbeat character designs that give ParaNorman such a unique feel. The music gives the film plenty of personality and captures that Halloween feel. Filled with motifs from historical events (i.e. The Salem Witch Trials), the narrative for ParaNorman is rich with layers and themes. The voice cast is top notch as well with Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, John Goodman, Casey Affleck, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, and Bernard Hill. Perfect for the season, make ParaNorman part of your Halloween traditions.

Scent of a Woman (1992)

What is the film that finally won Al Pacino his Oscar? Scent of a Woman. This sprawling drama tells the tale of a good kid in trouble at a prep school who takes a job taking care of a blind former colonel in the military. Pacino is Lt. Col. Frank Slade and is a whole lot of something. His performance is big, bold, and boisterous. There is a lot of scenery chewing but also some real heart and fire. Pacino has so many iconic lines throughout this film and delivers a show stopping speech at the climax of the film at his young companions’ hearing. A young Chris O’Donnell is an endearing and empathetic lead performer who has some strong emotional beats and some good chemistry with Pacino. They get up to all types of New York shenanigans from fancy meals to dancing to driving a Ferrari. Martin Brest’s film has plenty of heart and soul with a charming and moving tone as well. The film might be a little long in the tooth, but it is quite an engaging and moving cinematic experience.

The Jerk (1979)

How much of a comedic genius is Steve Martin? If you want to explore this question, look no further than his classic comedy with Carl Reiner, The Jerk. This is a random and strange Candide-like story of a foolish and ignorant man who wanders through life and learns about the world. Martin is excellent with his precise physicality, commitment to the bit, and his expert comedic timing. Reiner does not hold back on his society commentary as this silly man must navigate the racial, class, and gender politics of the late 1970s. Martin has so many iconic one-liners and deliveries that it is hard to make it a minute or two without laughing. From the wild opening of Martin being a “young black child” up until he is a spiraling millionaire who loses everything, The Jerk never loses the laughs or the mission. From Bernedette Peters to M. Emmet Walsh to Maurice Evans to Jackie Mason to Reiner himself, you have a wonderful collection of supporting players that make this such a memorable and hilarious ride.

A Star is Born (1937)

Where did this iconic cinematic tale get its start? A Star is Born has gotten a fresh twist every few decades, but it all began back in 1937 with William A. Wellman’s directorial effort. Janet Gaynor is so darn charming and lights up the screen every time she gets the focus. Fun impressions, sharp banter, and deeply emotional swings fill out Gaynor’s Academy Award nominated performance. Frederic March is Gaynor’s over-the-hill actor husband who goes spiraling into alcoholism and depression as his wife’s profile soars. This tragic tale finds empathy in its flawed characters as it peaks behind the curtain of the film industry. This was a beloved film at the Oscars and that is no surprise. This is a technicolor vision with plenty of heart and soul.

Mimic (1997)

What was Guillermo del Toro’s first dive into Hollywood filmmaking? Del Toro has become such a beloved mainstream auteur but his first foray into English-language storytelling was not a smooth ride. But Mimic is still a killer creature feature with some grotesque and terrifying insect monsters. The atmosphere is haunting and eerie (in that del Toro kind of way) and there is just an ominous tone to the whole experience. There are interesting themes about reproduction, evolution, and human arrogance. The creature designs are quite impressive with the mimicking elements of these bugs making them quite uncomfortable. The cast has some standout supporting turns from Giancarlo Giannini, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Brolin, and F. Murray Abraham. There are plenty of tropes and cliches, but del Toro still offers up an entertaining and eerie experience.

Coraline (2009)

To what lengths will we go to get away from our boring home, parents, and lives? Based on the beloved Neil Gaiman book, Coraline is the big coming out party for Laika Studios and their brilliant stop motion work. The animation is downright incredible with its character designs (which are oddly grotesque in a way but charmingly strange) and world building. The other world that young Coraline wanders in is such a strange and eerie place that it turns downright terrifying. This just might be one of the scariest “kids” films of all time. The climactic spider web sequence is awe-inspiring and horrific all at once. The voice performances are pitch perfect as well with the child actors delivering (Dakota Fanning is a great lead) along with all the impressive supporting performers like Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane, and Keith David (who steals the show as the mysterious cat). Coraline is a grand achievement in stop motion and director Henry Selick delivers something special.