Wasteland Retrospective

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by his wife, Jess Conto, for a double dose of Stephen Sommers’ action-packed takes on the Universal Monsters:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• The Mummy (1999): starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, and Oded Fehr. This adventure-comedy reimagines the 1932 Boris Karloff classic as a rollicking romp through 1920s Egypt, with an Indiana Jones feel and a score by Jerry Goldsmith.
• Van Helsing (2004): starring Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, and David Wenham. This monster mashup brings together Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolf Man, and Mr. Hyde in one big-budget gothic action spectacle.

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning cult comedies, musical cinema, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Wasteland Spotlight, and Cinematic Wasteland on the SPDM Crew network.

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by podcaster and SPDM Crew member Adam Ritchie (KerbRider) for a double dose of Jim Jarmusch genre filmmaking

🎬 Films Discussed:

• Dead Man (1995): starring Johnny Depp and Gary Farmer, with Robert Mitchum, John Hurt, Crispin Glover, and Iggy Pop.
• Only Lovers Left Alive (2013): starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as centuries-old vampires, with Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, and Anton Yelchin.

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning cult classics, neo-noir, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Wasteland Spotlight, and Cinematic Wasteland on the SPDM Crew network.

Adam Ritchie (KerbRider) — host of Screen Time with KerbRider and co-host of The Cinematic Wasteland: 📸 Instagram | 🎥 Letterboxd

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by writer, reviewer, and filmmaker Jeff Alan for a double dose of Joel Schumacher’s neon-soaked Batman movies, the two films that took the Caped Crusader into the most colorful and controversial era of superhero cinema:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• Batman Forever (1995): starring Val Kilmer as Batman, Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face, Jim Carrey as The Riddler, Nicole Kidman, and Chris O’Donnell as Robin. A box office hit with a chart-topping soundtrack featuring U2 and Seal
• Batman & Robin (1997): starring George Clooney as Batman, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy, and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl. One of the most infamous and debated superhero movies of all time

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning war cinema, prestige drama, and landmark filmmaking across every era.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Wasteland Spotlight, and Cinematic Wasteland on the SPDM Crew network.

Jeff Alan — photographer, filmmaker & film/TV reviewer: 🌐 Portfolio & Contact Available for photography and videography — check out his portfolio!

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by film blogger and SPDM Crew podcaster Luke Burian for a deep dive into two essential entries in one of Japanese horror cinema’s most iconic franchises — the Ringu series:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• Ringu 2 (1999) — directed by Hideo Nakata — the direct sequel to the original Ring film that deepened the mythology of Sadako and the cursed videotape
• Ringu 0: Birthday (2000) — directed by Norio Tsuruta — the haunting Sadako origin story that reveals the tragic backstory behind one of horror cinema’s most iconic villains

If you’re a fan of Japanese horror, J-horror, Sadako, Hideo Nakata, the Ring franchise, supernatural horror, or Halloween season horror viewing — this is essential listening!

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Cinematic Wasteland, and Wasteland Spotlight on the SPDM Crew network.

Luke Burian — film writer, blogger & podcaster: 🌐 Lost in Movies | ✍️ SiftPop | 🎙️ Flix and Chill | 🎙️ The Cinematic Wasteland | 🎙️ SiftPop Writers' Room

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by SPDM Crew creator Mike Hilty for a deep dive into two of the most visually stunning and emotionally powerful films from Laika Studios — the masters of stop-motion animation:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) — directed by Travis Knight — Laika's most ambitious and visually breathtaking stop-motion animated film, set in ancient Japan and featuring an Oscar-nominated score
  • ParaNorman (2012) — directed by Sam Fell & Chris Butler — Laika's beloved stop-motion horror comedy about a boy who can speak to the dead — perfect for Halloween season watching

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning animation history, cult cinema, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Cinematic Wasteland, and Wasteland Spotlight on the SPDM Crew network

Mike Hilty — SPDM Crew creator, TV & film enthusiast: 📸 Instagram | 📺 Serializd | 🎥 Letterboxd | ✍️ SiftPop

Also hosts Family Movie Night, Sportsball, Mix CD, SPDM TV, and Geek Speak Louder Than Nerds on the SPDM Crew network.

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by Jess Conto for a double dose of the one and only Dolly Parton — two iconic musical comedies that cemented her status as one of Hollywood's most beloved stars:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• 9 to 5 (1980) — directed by Colin Higgins, starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin — the beloved workplace comedy that became a feminist classic and spawned one of the most iconic songs in history
• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) — directed by Colin Higgins, starring Dolly Parton & Burt Reynolds — the Broadway musical adaptation that gave Dolly one of her most memorable film roles

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning cult comedies, musical cinema, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Wasteland Spotlight, and Cinematic Wasteland on the SPDM Crew network.

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by writer, reviewer, and filmmaker Jeff Alan for a deep dive into two of Kathryn Bigelow's most powerful and acclaimed films — both exploring the post-9/11 world through the lens of modern warfare:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• The Hurt Locker (2008) — starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie & Brian Geraghty — Kathryn Bigelow's Academy Award Best Picture winner that redefined war cinema and made history as the first film directed by a woman to win Best Picture
• Zero Dark Thirty (2012) — starring Jessica Chastain — Bigelow's gripping and controversial thriller about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden following the September 11 attacks

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning war cinema, prestige drama, and landmark filmmaking across every era.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Wasteland Spotlight, and Cinematic Wasteland on the SPDM Crew network.

Jeff Alan — photographer, filmmaker & film/TV reviewer: 🌐 Portfolio & Contact Available for photography and videography — check out his portfolio!

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by film blogger and SPDM Crew podcaster Luke Burian for a double dose of Steve McQueen at the peak of his powers — two landmark 1968 crime films that cemented his status as the King of Cool:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• Bullitt (1968) — directed by Peter Yates, starring Steve McQueen — home of the greatest car chase in cinema history through the streets of San Francisco
• The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) — directed by Norman Jewison, starring Steve McQueen & Faye Dunaway — the ultimate stylish heist thriller of the 1960s

If you're a fan of Steve McQueen, 1960s crime films, classic Hollywood thrillers, Faye Dunaway, or the greatest car chases in movie history — this is essential listening!

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning classic Hollywood, crime cinema, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Cinematic Wasteland, and Wasteland Spotlight on the SPDM Crew network.

Luke Burian — film writer, blogger & podcaster: 🌐 Lost in Movies | ✍️ SiftPop | 🎙️ Flix and Chill | 🎙️ The Cinematic Wasteland | 🎙️ SiftPop Writers' Room

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by SPDM Crew creator Mike Hilty for a deep dive into two of Martin Scorsese's most profound and controversial explorations of faith, doubt, and spirituality:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• Silence (2016) — starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver & Liam Neeson — Scorsese's devastating meditation on Christian missionaries in feudal Japan and the silence of God
• The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) — starring Willem Dafoe — the controversial Martin Scorsese biblical drama that shocked the world and redefined religious cinema

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning prestige drama, religious cinema, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Cinematic Wasteland, and Wasteland Spotlight on the SPDM Crew network.

Mike Hilty — SPDM Crew creator, TV & film enthusiast: 📸 Instagram | 📺 Serializd | 🎥 Letterboxd | ✍️ SiftPop

Also hosts Family Movie Night, Sportsball, Mix CD, SPDM TV, and Geek Speak Louder Than Nerds on the SPDM Crew network.

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!

This week on The Wasteland Retrospective, host Shane Conto (The Wasteland Reviewer) is joined by Jess Conto for a deep dive into two of the most essential and terrifying folk horror classics ever committed to film:

🎬 Films Discussed:

• The Wicker Man (1973) — directed by Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward & Christopher Lee — the undisputed masterpiece of British folk horror and one of the greatest horror films ever made
• Witchfinder General (1968) — directed by Michael Reeves, starring Vincent Price — a brutal and haunting historical horror film set during the English Civil War

The Wasteland Retrospective is a weekly film podcast where Shane Conto and a guest each pick a related film to discuss together — spanning folk horror, cult cinema, and hidden gems across every era of filmmaking.

Shane Conto — film critic, writer & YouTuber: 🌐 Website | ▶️ YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🎥 Letterboxd

Also hosts Wasteland Watchlist, Wasteland Spotlight, and Cinematic Wasteland on the SPDM Crew network.

Have a film pairing suggestion or want to join the SPDM Crew? Email [email protected]

📲 Follow SPDM Crew: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Bluesky 🌐 www.spdmcrew.com

🎵 Theme music by Kristofer Twadell | Logo by Jason Wilbur @ HiFlyer Creative

Leave a review and rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your favorite podcast app!