iTunes backup analyzer/extractor?

After a long struggle with a toxic iTunes backup that would not restore (described in more detail in this thread), I stuck with my iPhone restored as new, pulling down most stuff from iTunes & iCloud; now looking for a way to recover the only two missing pieces I sort-of cared about - Messages history & a few pictures that fell through the crack between my last manual backup & My Photo Stream's 1 month cutoff. I came across many application claiming to be capable of scanning an iTunes (and sometimes even an iCloud) backup & restoring individual items onto the phone, some free, some that will scan/analyze for free, but require a fee to recover. If anyone has any experience & could recommend one or even just confirm it worked for them, please share!