Each week we will act as judge, prosecution, and defence as we recreate a courtroom scenario, and decide whether a much loved (or hated) film should end up on the Hit List or not. Film trivia, quizzes, banter, terrible impressions, musical interludes, and lots of debating ensue as we put Films on Trial.
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The Birds is on trial this week. A pheasant surprise or does it make us raven mad? Alex says this horror classic showcases a director at the height of his talent, blending different genres together to make something truly unique. Dave and Mike point out the dated effects, a nonsensical plot and deeply concerning behaviour from Alfred Hitchcock towards his star Tippi Hedren. Mike also reads the…
Top Gun is on trial this week. Is it a movie Maverick? Or is it a cooked Goose? Dave defends the classic, arguing that it was one of the biggest films of the 80s, with great action sequences and a stellar soundtrack. Gav is in prosecution and counters that the action is short and not very sweet, and that most of the film is focused on a poorly-written love story. There's an impression of Tom…
War of the Worlds (2005) is on trial this week. Did Spielberg catch lightning in a bottle or would it be better left buried? Alex says this is a modern yet faithful adaptation of the seminal novel by H.G. Wells that deftly weaves horror into the blockbuster experience. Dave feels a saccharine ending as well as odd plot changes mean the impact of the original novel is diluted and the film itself is…
Eyes Wide Shut is on trial this week. Does it rise to the occasion or is it a complete flop? Alex argues that Stanley Kubrick's last film is a gripping exploration of sexual desire and fantasy, with strong lead performances and an unnerving plot making this a hit. Gav and Mike say there is very little here to sustain a long runtime, with meandering scenes and themes that go nowhere. All this with…
The Last Samurai is on trial this week. A perfect blossom or a knife in the guts? Alex defends, saying that this love letter to Japan made a fascinating period of history accessible for Western audiences. Dave feels too much is lost in translation, with glaring historical inaccuracies that stop it achieving greatness. All this with an impression of the big man Billy Connolly and a quiz all about…
We kick off Tom Cruise season by putting Legend (1985) on trial. Will it cruise to victory or fail to curry favour? Dave defends, arguing that incredible character and set design, alongside an iconic performance from the legendary Tim Curry, make this a hit. Alex disagrees, saying there isn't enough make up in the world to disguise a story that lacks any emotional depth. All this with an…
Our financial flop season concludes with John Carter on trial this week. Will we jump for joy, or could we not give a Thark? Ausy and Alex say a huge overspend on budget distracts from the fact that this is a fun adaptation of one of the earliest and most influential sci-fi series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Dave and Mike argue that even forgetting the terrible marketing and extensive reshoots, John…
Joker: Folie à Deux is on trial this week. Does it make us cry laughing or does it just make us cry? Dave defends saying that Todd Philips accomplished everything he set out to do in this meta take on super villains that's also got a killer cast. Gav is slightly less enthusiastic, saying that it's hardly a surprise when a film that seems to hate its own audience doesn't do well at the box office.…
The Thing (1982) is on trial this week. Does it keep up appearances or is it a wolf in sheep's clothing? Gav defends his all-time favourite film with help from Mike, saying this is a masterpiece of sci-fi horror that has been often imitated but never bettered. Alex and Ausy are left cold however, citing a slapstick beginning to a film that then doesn't bother to create characters or tension,…
After many years of putting films on trial, Citizen Kane is finally in the dock this week. Should it go on our shit list, next to Spiderman 3 or Home Sweet Home Alone? Or on our hit list, alongside such cinematic titans as Crossroads, Air Force One and Hocus Pocus? Alex defends and Dave prosecutes, with Gav having to decide whether this film deserves its place as one of the greatest films of all…
