The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Reviewer Recommends (January 11th, 2026)

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 Christmas Toy (1986)

What is the TV special John Lasseter used to rip-off for Toy Story? The award goes to Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy.  There are plenty of memorable puppet toys throughout the film all voiced by the iconic Henson crew who deliver the Muppets. You even get a little bit of Kermit the Frog at the beginning and end to set the stage. This is a special tale of Christmas Eve and a toy room full of toys preparing to make way for the latest popular toys. But the favorite toy of the family’s daughter (a tiger voiced by Gonzo performer Dave Goelz. There are plenty of thrilling moments as the toy avoids being seen by the human (which would freeze them forever). There is a cool new toy who has no idea they are a toy (sound familiar?) that arrives on the scene and makes things more complicated. Plenty of musical numbers, laughs, and fun puppets to enjoy.

MirrorMask (2005)

What happens when the Henson Company goes full CGI? You get the twist, surreal, and haunting MirrorMask. Stephanie Leonidas portrays Helena, a daughter of circus performers, who is lost in a wild fantasy world in search of a mysterious and powerful mask that can bring her home. The world is creative and the designs of the creatures feel like they are ripped from a hellscape. Leonidas is a strong anchor as both our protagonist and the goth Anti-Helena who has replaced her in the real world. A family tragedy looms over her head as she desperately attempts to escape this twisted and warring land full of even stranger characters. This has a loose and scattered plot, but it certainly is such a unique visual experience.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

What is the film that restarted Alfred Hitchcock’s career and began his impressive prime? The Man Who Knew Too Much is a lean 75-minute crime thriller filled with espionage. An ordinary British couple with their daughter is vacationing in Switzerland when they wander into a web of spies. Leslie Banks and Edna Best portray this resourceful couple who finds their way into the crosshairs of Peter Lorre, a very bad man. The film has murder, pitfalls, and twists throughout. The film boasts plenty of Hitchcock’s trappings and techniques that make him stand out as a filmmaker. There is a thrilling ski accident which just starts the thrills with plenty more set pieces like a dangerous dental trip, a twisted church meeting, and a final confrontation on top of a building. The Man Who Knew Too Much has truly set the tone and it is a great place to start for anyone looking to dive into Hitchcock.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

What is one of the most beloved Christmas films of all time? It’s a Wonderful Life…but it is so much more than that. This is a film wrapped in a faith-based lens that is a deeply human story. Frank Capra tells the tale of George Bailey, an ambitious young man whose life becomes confined to his small town of Bedford Falls. This is a moving story about a man who is too focused on what he was never able to accomplish without realizing the amazing impactful he has made on his community. There is conflict with the evil banker Mr. Potter. There is a wonderful twist with the third act diversion into an alternative reality of a world without George. There is a fascinating exploration of business through the lens of small-town banking. Finally, you have the moving romance between George and Mary. James Stewart is a powerful and charismatic performer who carries the film. Donna Reed is so darn charming as his love, Mary. Lionel Barrymore is a great antagonist as the grumpy, egotistical Mr. Potter. You even have a fun and charming turn from Henry Travers as the goofy angel seeking his wings, Clarence. This is a wonderful classic with plenty of reality and hope with a finale that will most certainly bring a tear to your eye.

Crashing the Water Barrier (1956)

Are you ready for a rousing short about breaking a record? Crashing the Water Barrier is an Oscar winning short film about Donald Campbell’s attempt to break the record for the fast boat on water. Dangerous and thrilling, this feat is captured with a brisk little film with triumphant music and a great announcer’s voice. This is a lean, brisk, and simple film but it is a cool sight of seeing that boat fly like a rocket across the water.

Waiting for Guffman (1996)

How much effort goes into putting on a community theater musical? King of the mockumentary, Christopher Guest, got his start by highlighting such a situation in Waiting for Guffman. This little flick captures the quirky community of a hokey small-town in Missouri as they come together to make a time-spanning musical about their beloved hometown. Guest is an obviously gay, aspiring director who will go to great lengths to put on a massive show to grab the attention of a Broadway personality (the titular Guffman). The cast is excellent with plenty of Guest’s regulars including Eugene Levy (the co-writer), Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard, Parker Posey, and plenty more. There are plenty of great laughs, a good heart, and a vibe that feels so authentic for a small, budgeted documentary like this.

From Russia with Love (1963)

Which film helps to refine the James Bond blueprint in the franchise’s early years? Dr. No might be the first and Goldfinger might be the most iconic but From Russia with Love just might be the best of that Sean Connery era. His sex appeal, cold demeanor, and intensity make him the perfect, dangerous spy who captured the pop culture zeitgeist. From Istanbul to the Orient Express to Venice, this globe-trotting flick has plenty of thrills along the way. John Barry’s music is quite iconic and fills each scene with plenty of energy. Terence Young’s direction is visceral and intense especially in the more iconic action set-pieces. You have the gypsy encampment raid. Bond goes toe-to-toe with Spectre agent Grant (a steely and intense Robert Shaw) on the Orient Express. The final stretch of the film has the impressive helicopter attack as well as the thrilling race across a lake filled with exploding gas tanks. A sexy and alluring Daniela Bianchi as Russian honeypot Tatiana is just the cherry on top of this espionage-filled cinematic sundae.

The 39 Steps (1935)

What is one of Hitchcock’s first great films of his illustrious career? The 39 Steps is a wonderfully entertaining romp of a mystery as an unassuming English man is caught up in a crazy conspiracy (such a Hitchcock trademark). There are plenty of great edits, close-up shots, and excellent pacing as Hitchcock shows off his great craft as a filmmaker. For just about 90-minutes, Hitchcock has the audience in the palm of his hand with his sharp visuals and impeccable tension. The story is full of twists and turns with plenty of thrilling sequences from a train escape to a race across the loch, and plenty more. Robert Donat is a charismatic lead who is entertaining to watch and empathetic to connect with. The film has an exciting and unexpected finale with such an iconic resonance. This is one of Hitchcock’s must-see early films.

The Truman Show (1998)

What makes Peter Weir’s film The Truman Show so special? This film has one of the most intriguing concepts for a film you are ever going to find. An abandoned child is adopted by a corporation, and his life is turned into the greatest television show of all time. Truman Burbank is an endearing, charming, and lovable protagonist for the world to fall for. This commentary on early reality television is quite fascinating for sure, and Weir tackles it with great craft. The music is aethereal. The cinematography is so inspired and engrossing. The intrusive camera work makes the experience so engrossing. But Jim Carrey’s performance is what stands out the most. Charming and charismatic with plenty of good humor, Carrey delivers such an entertaining performance. But it is the sincerity, emotion, and vulnerability that makes this film so engrossing. There are great supporting turns from Laura Linney, Ed Harris, Noah Emmerich, and Natascha McElhone. This is one of the most thought-provoking, emotional, and unexpected films in the past 30 years and its finale is a beautiful bit of cinema.

EDtv (1999)

What would it be like if your whole life was turned into a reality TV show? Ron Howard explores that fascinating concept in the 1999 comedy EDtv. Just two years after The Truman Show, EDtv looks at some similar themes and ideas with a much lighter (and shallower) approach. Howard’s film dabbles in many ideas without getting too deep on any of them, but it is a thoroughly entertaining experience from start to finish. Matthew McConaughey is as charismatic as ever portraying this every man who becomes a reality star. There is plenty of romance as well with this fun flick as McConaughey has great chemistry with his on-screen love, Jenna Elfman. There are plenty of strong supporting turns from the likes of Woody Harrelson, Martin Landau, Dennis Hopper, Elizabeth Hurley, and more. You even get an antagonistic turn from Rob Reiner (RIP). Plenty of humor and unexpected moments, EDtv is a pulpy look at these relevant and poignant themes.

Broken Arrow (1996)

How can you resist a John Woo action film? Even better…it stars John Travolta. Terrorists. Nuclear weapons. There was a distinct lack of doves…but you can get past that. Broken Arrow might be overlong and truly ridiculous but there is plenty of fun to enjoy from start to finish. From the over-the-top boxing match in the opening scene to a later nuclear blast, you just have to understand that this film doesn’t hold back. Travolta certainly does not with his scenery-chewing performance that is just nonstop manic energy and sass. Christan Slater is a solid protagonist who must take down these corrupt soldiers and their plot to steal nuclear weapons. The editing is aggressive, the action is bold, and the Hans Zimmer score goes way harder than it ever needed to. This has all the trappings you want out of a ridiculous 90s action flick and Woo delivers a fun (if absurd) time.

Rio Bravo (1959)

What do you get when John Wayne, Dean Martin, and Ricky Nelson show up on set? You get one of the most beloved westerns of all time. Rio Bravo finds a veteran sheriff, a drunkard, and a young gunslinger teaming up to defend a small desert town from a dangerous gang. This western from director Howard Hawks delivers an entertaining and thrilling experience with a surprising bit of depth. You get plenty of character work from this trio as they must explore their own lives and professions as they join forces in this unfortunate scenario. You even have a bit of romance between Wayne’s aging sheriff and a sexy and liberated woman portrayed by the alluring Angie Dickinson. All threads converge in an expertly staged and crafted shoot out making this an all time classic.

Frantic (1988)

What makes Harrison Ford such a great protagonist? He has so many of those traits of a leading man but there is a vulnerability to his presence that makes him so relatable. Roman Polanski’s thriller Frantic benefits greatly from this unique Ford presence as a husband desperately attempting to find his missing wife in Paris. Polanski’s direction is sharp, dynamic, and has plenty of flair. The camera work is dynamic and elevates the tension so well. Ford anchors the film but is supported well by Emmanuelle Seigner who is a fiery and engaging presence as a mysterious young woman caught up in this conspiracy. The score from Ennio Morricone is iconic and perfectly accentuates whenever it slides in. The conspiracy might be a whole bunch of nonsense, but the tension is engrossing and compelling.

Winchester ’73 (1950)

What is the ramification of the presence of a gun? Anthony Mann’s iconic western is an interesting approach that follows a gun and the impact that it has on anyone it crosses paths with. Mann’s film is sharply directed including a killer final shoot out that is incredibly thrilling and impeccably shot. James Stewart is out protagonist Lin McAdam who starts off this gun’s journey as he wins it over a man from his past who he has great disdain for, Stephen McNally’s Dutch Henry Brown. Their dynamic and past drives the drama of the film and the more that is revealed deepens the tension and drama of the film. There are plenty of interesting characters along the way and conflict to keep this lean western going. Mann crafted an engaging film, Winchester ’73, that captures the ripples of violence that this iconic weapon has caused.

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Who doesn’t love a good courtroom drama? Otto Preminger’s iconic film, Anatomy of a Murder, is quite the web of lies and courtroom discourse. Preminger delivers a well-directed film that balances humor, tension, and drama to perfection. James Stewart is a screen legend, and he brings plenty of charisma to this Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler. The screenplay from Wendell Mayes is quite sharp with the dialogue and plenty of compelling dimensions to this murder that leads our players into the courtroom. This is quite the time commitment (over 2.5 hours), but it is consistently engaging and quite the compelling story. The cast is filled with talented performers from Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Eve Arden, and George C. Scott. Duke Ellington delivers plenty of engaging moments with his unique and impactful score. This is a film that has an iconic reputation, and it is truly earned.