Films on Trial

X (2022) is on trial this week. An afternoon delight or better with the lights off? Gav defends, saying this is a homage with a fresh look at sex within the slasher sub-genre of horror. Dave does not agree, saying that the need for a second film (Pearl) to make sense of the first does not bode well. All this with a synopsis read out in a southern drawl and a quiz all about over the top horror deaths. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/241

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) is on trial. Are we as happy as a hog in slops or is it all hat and no cattle? This ain't Gav's first rodeo when it comes to horror, but he believes this is a classic of the genre with gruesome scenes that don't rely on gore and the introduction of the iconic villain Leatherface. For Alex this dog don't hunt, with the actual massacre lasting only 5 minutes tops and a total absence of tension throughout. All this with a mind-bending quiz and an impression of a rootin' tootin' Texan. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/240

The Mighty Ducks is on trial this week. Does it take to the water or is it skating on thin ice? Ausy and Gav have cherished memories of this film as an important part of their childhood, learning about teamwork and the positive consequences of drink driving. Alex does not agree, saying a weak plot and an emphasis on winning above all else makes this a lame duck. All this with an impression of Donald Duck himself and a quiz all about hockey in films! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/239

Backdraft is in the hot seat this week. Does it flame high or give us heartburn? Alex and Gav defend, saying this is the definitive film about firefighters that has incredible practical effects and a solid cast. Dave points to a weak plot, poor script and unrealistic action that ultimately makes it go up in smoke. All this with a quiz about firefighters in films and an off-the-cuff impression of Donald Sutherland. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/238

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is on trial this week. Does it get itself in Hoth water or is it a happy Endor? Joel and Dave say Lucas finally got it right with this one, delivering exactly the Star Wars film fans were waiting for. Ausy and Alex say lessons were not learned, with terrible dialogue and far too much CGI fluff. All this with an impression of the Emperor and a Star Wars quiz! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/237

Doom is on trial this week. A ripping tale or one to make us tear up? Gav and Ausy argue this film took what is a very basic game concept and fleshed it out with exciting action and a solid cast. Joel and Alex say they took a very basic game concept and ignored it completely, deciding to rip off Aliens and Resident Evil instead. All this and an impression of both the Rock and a gritty Karl Urban with a quiz all about famous weapons in movies. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/236

What Dreams May Come is in the hot seat this week. Is it heaven sent or hell bent? Dave and Ausy say incredible visuals and a deeply emotional story make this a unique take on what comes after. Gav and Joel would rather not find out, with shallow sentimentality and weak characters making this a dud. All this with an impression of Robin Williams and Max Von Sydow and a quiz all about Joel's guilty pleasures. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/235

Top Gun: Maverick is on trial this week. Does it take our breath away or is it in the danger zone? Ausy and Alex say spectacular practical action sequences with a tight story and great cast hit the target dead on. Gav says it misses the mark, with a tired rehashed plot, lack of interesting characters and constant jingoism. All this with a quiz based around the Top Gun movies! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/234

Fast & Furious 7 is on trial this week. Has it got a full tank of diesel or are we going for a walk? Alex and Ausy say this is a mad action blockbuster that continually outdoes itself. Gav and Joel can't get past how insance the action is and find the lack of any attempt of character or plot too much to handle. All this with an impression of Vin Diesel and a quiz all about movie sevens. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/233

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is on trial this week. A light in the darkness or a web of lies? Ausy and Dave say this is the most faithful and beloved adaptation of the classic fantasy novel we are ever going to get. Joel and Alex counter that there are unavoidable flaws in the original story that make this film dull and never-ending. All this with an impression of Gollum and a quiz all about Lord of the Rings! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/232

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is on trial this week. Is this the way or do we have a bad feeling about this? Alex and Joel defend, comparing this original and lovingly made prequel to the more focus grouped fan service films that came after. Gav and Dave list a multitude of basic filmmaking errors, adding that Lucas may have been wrong in thinking his audience was interested in galactic taxation as a central plot point. All this with an impression of a Sith lord and a quiz all about Star Wars! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/231

What's Love Got to Do with It? is on trial this week. Is it simply the best biopic ever? Dave and Ausy say phenomenal, career-defining performances from Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne take this to the very top. Joel and Alex say that this is only for diehard fans of Tina Turner, with some poor direction and plot points that even Tina herself was not happy about. All this with an impression of David Bowie and a quiz on musicians in film. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/230

This week we put Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on trial. A cat-astrophe or positively paw-some? Joel and Dave aren't kitten around when they say this is the best Marvel film in a long time that has great action and furmidable performances. Gav and Ausy have their claws out as they say this is far infurior to what came before and that the plot had them chasing their tail. All this with an impression of Ulysses Klaue and a hissterical quiz about the making of this film. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/232

Olympus Has Fallen is in the dock this week. A storming, capital film or a bunch of trumped up nonsense? Gav and Dave argue that a fine central performance from Gerard Butler and some gritty action scenes make this one to be remembered. Ausy and Alex say that there is far too much grit in a film that does not deserve such a great cast. All this with faultless impressions and a dynamite quiz! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/231

This week sees the finale of the Michael Wincott season as the gang put Nope on trial. Is it a close encounter or is it a near miss? There are lots of great arguments for and against, plus a quiz all about the many deaths of Michael Wincott. Hope that you enjoy! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/230

This week we review the films and performances up for nominations at the 2023 Academy Awards. Did you agree or disagree with our picks? Let us know on Twitter @filmtrials www.filmsontrial.co.uk/229

We put The Crow on trial this week. Does it rule the roost or have us spitting feathers? Gav and Dave argue that the dark atmosphere and moody aesthetic of the film make it a hit. Alex counters that this is a fairly unremarkable standard revenge film, propelled to cult status by tragic circumstances. As this is part of our Michael Wincott season we begin with an impression of the man himself. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/228

We put Violent Night on trial. Does Santa light them up like a Christmas tree or will we have stars in our eyes? Gav and Dave say this is a great mix of action and comedy that has them already excited for a sequel. Joel and Alex argue out that disappointing action scenes and unnecessary gore make this a festive turkey. All this with an impression of jolly old St Nick and a quiz all about bloodthirsty Santas in film. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/227

The gang review 2022, including their best trials, their most surprising verdicts, and their favourite films of the year. Lots of banter, Kevin Costner, and Hosue of Gucci! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/226

Spirited is on trial this week. Does it have a bright future or a dark past? Dave and Ausy say a unique take on an old classic alongside great musical numbers make this a festive classic in the making. Joel and Gav say a muddled plot and actors with no musical training in over their heads make this one to forget. All this with a quiz all about Christmas music hits! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/225