The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (November 9th, 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 Devil’s Backbone (2001)

Who tells a better ghost story than Guillermo del Toro? The Devil’s Backbone certainly has eerie, supernatural elements that will creep underneath your skin. The effects and design are perfect for the world that del Toro creates that balances the mysterious wonders of the universe with the horrors and brutality of real life. Set during the Spanish Civil War, this tale focuses on an ominous boy’s orphanage while the dangers of the world soon penetrate these walls. The technical aspects of del Toro’s film are exceptional (as always) while telling a story that mixes terror and beauty so well (as always). The journey that young Carlos goes on is filled with bullying, betrayal, murder, theft, and supernatural vengeance. Del Toro captures the darker elements of humanity that attempt to snuff out light. This is a haunting and poignant coming-of-age tale told like only del Toro can.

When Marnie Was There (2014)

How does this non-Miyazaki effort stack up in the realm of Studio Ghibli? Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s When Marnie Was There is a flawed but beautiful film. The controversy around the film stems from its effective set-up of the love between these two girls, Anna and Marnie, to twist it in a way that feels quite wrong. But the twist has its own merit emotionally. The connection between them is still palpable and beautiful. The film itself is yet another strikingly beautifully animated effort that feels right at home in the filmography of this beloved studio. The characters are charming. The setting is specific and engrossing. There is a good heart to the film as well. The evolution of the central connection might be a bit more challenging to process; there is enough here to really sell you on the experience.

The Scarecrow (1920)

How many laughs can Buster Keaton pack into under 20 minutes? The Scarecrow is quite a feat of physical and situational humor. Keaton and his roommate start off with some silly household shenanigans with plenty of unexpected mechanical mechanisms. A little love triangle ensues and leads into a collection of fun gags. Keaton as a kicking scarecrow. A wild car chase leads to an unexpected marriage. Keaton shows off his clever comedic mind as well as his commitment to his physicality. The Scarecrow is a charming romp that has a nice balance of humor and a little romance. The titular gag is certainly a classic one, making a fun centerpiece for this fine comedy.

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)

Who doesn’t love a good film noir? It could be even more fun if it gets a satirical send up as well! Carl Reiner and Steve Martin were certainly in the mood and headspace for that back in 1982. Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid has all the trappings of a good noir except with plenty of laughs sprinkled in. Martin portrays a noirish private investigator with great commitment and vigor. But there is a sarcasm to the portrayal which is found perfectly in Reiner’s lampooning of the genre. One of the cleverest gags is that Reiner splices in actual scenes, shots, and characters from classic noirs and Martin gets to engage with them in hilarious ways. Sharp and clever Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is not a riotous comedy, but it does some good satire along the way. No noir trope, archetype, or motif will remain unturned during Reiner and Martin’s farcical exploration.

One Sings, the Other Doesn’t (1977)

What is so great about the work of Agnes Varda? Her films are so unabashedly human and pull no punches in exploring challenging subject matters. One Sings, the Other Doesn’t explores themes like abortion, fractured families, and societal pressures. The central dynamic between Pomme and Suzanne is the heart of the film and Valerie Mairesse and Therese Liotard both deliver charismatic and empathetic performances. There is a rawness to Varda’s film that gives One Sings, the Other Doesn’t plenty of weight and emotional impact. There are a warmth and authenticity to how Varda brings her film to life on screen. There are plenty of dramatic twists and turns in the lives of Pomme and Suzanne which gives the film plenty of dramatic tension. But this (and the rest of Varda’s work) is not sensationalized, which gives it so much weight and power.

The Man with Two Brains (1983)

Are you ready for more shenanigans from Carl Reiner and his star, Steve Martin? Trading in noir and fedoras for campy science fiction and plenty of brains, The Man with Two Brains is a wild farce of a film. Martin’s approach is full of sarcasm, big character work, and a performance reaching for the sky. The seductive and alluring Kathleen Turner makes for an excellent second player who uses her assets to get all the physical pleasure she wants. There are plenty of fun odes to old school science fiction with a mad scientist laboratory that would make Frankenstein blush. This zippy little flick has plenty of sexual humor that is delivered with plenty of winks and dry wit. This might not be the strong work from either Reiner or Martin but their commitment to the bit really sells the zany and uneven pleasures of this romping science fiction farce.

All of Me (1984)

What happens when you put two of the funniest actors of their generation in the same body? You get Carl Reiner’s wildly funny body-swap comedy All of Me. Steve Martin is an artist at heart but lawyer by trade who gets an unexpected roommate within his own body. Lily Tomlin is a rich and disconnected woman looking for a new body to roll around in. Things go awry with a ceremony, and they are both stuck in Martin’s body. The physical comedy perpetrated by Martin is off the charts. Reiner understands how to thread the humor while still having a heartfelt romance building between these unlikely bed (or body) fellows. There are some charming and fun effects to bring this concept to life while delivering a steady supply of silly shenanigans, awkward situations, and some hilarious sexual scenarios with unabashedly hilarious results.

The Court Jester (1955)

How amazing was Danny Kaye? When you watch a film like The Court Jester, you realize just how immense his talents were. His Hubert Hawkins is a carnival performer who has joined a noble resistance in ye olden times. The Court Jester finds Hawkins going undercover as a jester (and assassin in disguise) who must infiltrate the court of the evil King Roderick I. Hawkins loves the gorgeous and strong Maid Jean (portrayed so elegantly by Glynis Johns) but must use his charm to seduce his way through his rouse. This film is vibrant in both color and personality for sure. From the opening credits, the audience is treated to the incredible charm of Kaye with his fast-talking songs and rhymes. This might be the Kaye show through and through but there are plenty of wonderful supporting turns as well. Basil Rathbone is nefarious and dangerous. Angela Lansbury is quite a delight. Cecil Parker brings plenty of presence to the film. The Court Jester is an endless entertaining and joyful romp from start to finish.