The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (December 7th, 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:     

Lake Placid (1999)

Who doesn’t love a fun creature feature? 1999 seemed like a peak year for it with films like Deep Blue Sea and, of course, Lake Placid. A fun group of characters go a long way in making films like this worth watching. Lake Placid honestly has a more fun cast than a lot of films like this in the late 90s. Oliver Platt really steals the show as he wants to connect with the giant crocodile and preserve it. But a universally cranky sheriff (Brendan Gleeson) and a by-the-book wildlife officer (Bill Pullman) must all get on the same page to save this small Maine town from this gigantic crocodile. The practical and computer-generated effects do a fine job bringing this giant monster to life on screen. You ever have a screen-stealing supporting turn from Betty White, who brings a fowl-mouthed energy to this old woman. There are fun, shocking, and thrilling elements sprinkled throughout this lean horror flick.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

What does a Hammer Horror take on Sherlock Holmes look like? It is rich in color, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee! The Houd of the Baskervilles is a sharp and unnerving adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel that brings the dread of this curse to life. From the opening scene, you get a boisterous and booming feel to the film that is operatic and unnerving. The rich vibrance of Terence Fisher’s film is quite engrossing and the moors are haunting and eerie as well. Cushing delivers a quirky, accurate, and compelling turn at the legendary detective with Andre Morell crafting a resourceful and intelligent Dr. Watson. Lee stands tall as the last Baskerville who avoids death from the hellhounds said to haunt his family. Twists, turns, and shocks, The Hound of the Baskervilles has it all.

Orlando (1992)

What is a film to truly show the impressive talents of Tilda Swinton? Orlando is a fascinating exploration of time, space, and gender politics. Swinton’s natural androgyny plays perfectly into this gender-bending role that finds her playing the young Lord Orlando who never ages and goes through quite the transformations over time. Swinton’s performance is completely engrossing and engaging as she injects an alluring presence that is undeniable. The costumes and production design is epic as it captures plenty of different times through human history, giving this engrossing experience plenty of depth and intrigue. There are some fascinating performances that defy gender and expectations with Billy Zane (and his majestic mane) and Quentin Crisp standing out the most. Sally Potter crafts a mysterious, atmospheric, and haunting cinematic experience that plays with fantasy and reality in such impactful ways. Once Potter and David Motion’s score kicks into gear, you just get pulled into this mesmerizing experience that is Orlando.

Sanjuro (1962) Do you love Yojimbo and Toshiro Mifune’s charismatic performance as a badass ronin? Well…you can enjoy even more in Sanjuro! Mifune is back as the quick-witted, honorable, and skilled swordsman who attempts to protect a group of samurai from a corrupt official and his gang. Mifune has an incredible presence and personality that makes him stand out while he delivers on the impressive physicality. When his wayward ronin kicks into action, it is thrilling, quick, and decisive. There are fun twists and turns in Sanjuro’s story as this group tries to outmaneuver this much bigger threat. Kurosawa is even able to inject some interesting and thoughtful themes about honor, channeled perfectly by Mifune in his central