Films on Trial

This week West Side Story (1961) is on trial. Is it jet setting or swimming with sharks? Alex and Dave are prosecuting and think that the film is dated and underpinned by a weak story, whereas Gav and Ausy are defending and argue that it is a technically one of the greatest musicals ever made. There's a quiz about Christmas films, an impression of a 'Jet' and lots of great banter. Let us know what...

Home Sweet Home Alone is in the stand this week www.filmsontrial.co.uk

Red Notice is on trial this week. Will it steal our heart or is it as thick as a thief? Gav defends, saying this deserves to be one of the most popular films on Netflix, with three stars at the top of their game and a fun-filled action plot to boot. Alex points out a story that twists itself into knots and that this much star power can be difficult to rein in. All this with a terrible Russian acce...

Jumanji: The Next Level is in the hot seat this week. King of the jungle or a piece of cake? Dave and Gav passionately defend, saying this expands on a winning formula, adding interesting new elements whilst keeping fans happy. Alex does not agree, saying that constant character swapping means you can't suspend your disbelief and that by the end you are fed up of actors doing a Danny Devito impres...

This week we conclude our 200th episode celebration with a very special quiz all about Films on Trial. Apologies in advance, it's very self-indulgent, but you'll hopefully find it as fun to listen to as we did to record it. Hope that you all enjoy it! www.filmsontrial.co.uk Special Guest: Big Dave.

For our 200th episode 2 part special, the gang put No Time To Die on trial. Is it a thunderball or does it (sky)fall from grace? Part 1 will cover the trial. Gav and Ausy are on defence and state that it's a textbook James Bond movie. The Daves are prosecuting and argue that it's too serious and shooting itself in the foot. There are lots of great arguments, banter and impressions. So do be sure t...

Free Guy is on trial this week. Does it pwn everything or was it made by noobs? Gav and Joel defend, pointing to a fun premise and performances by actors who look like they are enjoying themselves. Dave and Alex say the second half doesn't live up to the promise of the first and some cgi heavy sequences drag it down even further. All this with an impression of Mario and a quiz based on lead actor...

Don't Look Now is on trial this week. Does it keep it's head above the water or should we be on red alert? Dave and Alex defend, saying that it is a cinematic classic with intriguing performances and masterful direction. Gav and Joel say the symbolism becomes a dead weight and that it is severely lacking by modern horror standards. All this with an impression of an Italian bishop and a quiz all ab...

This week a Nightmare on Elm Street is on trial. Is it bloody nightmare or a wet dream? There are lots of great arguments for and against, banter, and an impression of the main man himself, Freddy Krueger www.filmsontrial.co.uk/197

Eden Lake is on trial this week. Will it tempt us or should it be banished? Gav and Joel point out a top cast and a gore-filled plot that is as believable as it is horrific. However, Dave and Ausy say this is a cheap use of shock violence that has a tone deaf attitude to youth gang culture. All this with an impression of a young scallywag and a quiz all about gangs in films! www.filmsontrial.co.uk...

The Taking of Deborah Logan is on trial this week. Does it compel us or should it be cast out? Joel and Gav say this is a stand out performance for Jill Larson and a fresh take on possession films with the use of found footage. Ausy and Alex say that putting two tired horror genres together does not make it original and that an interesting look at Alzheimer's gets lost in a standard demon possessi...

The Night of The Hunter takes the stand this week. Will we love it with all our heart or hate it's guts? Alex and Dave defend, saying a masterful performance by Robert Mitchum is the cherry on top of a film packed with thrills and chills. Gav prosecutes, saying that a promising start ends up turning into farce and that there's a good reason why this was director Charles Laughton's only film. All t...

This week, The Bodyguard is on trial. Is it a bulletproof vest, or is it a bullet in the chest? Joel and Ausy argue that it's a timeless classic, with a great central love story and a fantastic soundtrack. Gav and Alex argue that it's a got a weak story and a uninspiring romance. There's a quiz about Kevin Costner and other cinematic Kevins, plus impressions of Gary Kemp, and a lot of banter. www....

This week The Postman is on trial. Is it 'next day delivery', or is it "sorry we missed you"? Dave and Ausy praise the direction and the message of hope in this post apocalyptic film, whereas Gav and Joel argue that the film is too long and self-indulgent. There's a quiz about correspondence in movies, an impression of Postman Pat, plus lots of great film chat. Check is out and let us know what yo...

This week Waterworld is on trial. Is it a lifeline or a sinking ship? Dave and Ausy defend that it is a misunderstood film with fantastic action and a not-so hidden warning about climate change. Gav argues that it's reputation as a cinematic failure is well-deserved. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/191

This week Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is on trial. Is it robbing from the rich to give to the poor? Or is it robbing from the poor to give to the rich? There are lots of great discussions, plus a quiz about movie soundtracks that have been number one in the UK music charts. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/190

The Suicide Squad (2021) is in the hot seat this week. Does James Gunn hit the bullseye or has he jumped the shark? Ausy and Gav defend, pointing out a stellar cast and refreshing take on the dark side of superhero comics. Alex and Dave disagree, looking instead at the lack of emotional depth between the characters and the excessive violence. All this with an impression of Harley Quinn and a quiz...

Se7en is on trial this week. A blessing to behold or a terrible transgression? Dave and Joel argue that stunning direction and a thrilling plot make this a classic. Gav and Alex point out that the mystery gets lost in gore and a certain terrible performance tanks the entire film. All this with an impression of one of the sinners in the film and a quiz based on the seven deadly sins! www.filmsontri...

This week, Clue is on trial. Is it a board game adaptation? Or a bored game adaptation? Dave is defending and states that this zany comedy is elevated by its tremendous cast of comedy greats. But Gav is prosecuting and argues that the film doesn't channel the spirit of the game and is screwball comedy instead of a good whodunnit. There are failed attempts of impersonating Tim Curry and Christopher...

Knives Out is in the hot seat this week. A cut above the rest or a stab in the dark? Gav is in defence, looking at a stellar story that balances a clever whodunnit with fascinating insights into American society. Joel and Alex are on offence, pointing out a bloated A-list cast that defies belief and weak core to the story. All this with our go at a Louisiana drawl and a quiz all about whodunnits!...

Akira is in the hot seat this week. Does it put the pedal to the metal or is it a bumpy ride? Joel and Alex defend, bringing up the fact that the groundbreaking animation and gloriously bloody action made this the first anime film to cross over to western audiences. Gav and Dave argue that the plot is not easy to figure out and being hugely influential does not necessarily make for a great watch....

We put 50 First Dates in the dock this week. Something to bear in mind or completely forgettable? Ausy and Alex defend, saying that this is a solid Adam Sandler vehicle with a unique premise and good lead actors. Dave does not agree, saying the the plot is morally questionable and many of the jokes morally bankrupt. All this with an impression of Adam Sandler and a quiz about romance and Hawaii! w...

This week Sleepless in Seattle is on trial. Is it a peaceful nights sleep, or is it a bad case of insomnia? Alex and Dave argue that the film is a timeless classic, with a brilliant and funny script. Gav and Ausy disagree and say that it's not funny or romantic, and has dated very badly. There's a Six Degrees of Separation quiz, impressions of Cary Grant, and a very lively debate. www.filmsontrial...

The Proposal is on trial this week. An acceptable romcom or just indecent? Gav defends, saying that Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds lead a classic romcom that is exactly what you expect. Dave and Joel argue it is a little too predictable with a dud script holding the cast back. All this with an impression of Betty White as well! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/182

Four Weddings and a Funeral is on trial this week. Will your heart skip a beat or will it explode in your chest? Gav defends, looking at excellent performances and a winning script that revitalised British cinema at the time. Joel and Alex point out a weak central romance and characters that are so posh you don't care what happens to them. All this and an impression of a bumbling English gent and...