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 spdmcrew@gmail.com

📲 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 spdmcrew@gmail.com

📲 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 spdmcrew@gmail.com

📲 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!