Films on Trial

The Wicker Man (2006) is on trial this week. Sweet as honey or better left in its cage? Gav defends, saying that watching Nicolas Cage karate chop his way through a pagan mystery dressed as a bear is tough to top. Dave and Alex argue that a smattering of unintentionally hilarious moments do not make up for the fact that this remake of a horror classic has taken out all the actual horror. All this with an impression and quiz about the main man himself, Nicolas Cage. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/258

The Wicker Man (1973) is on trial this week. Do we like these apples or is it a basket case? Gav argues a gripping story about paganism and Christianity topped off with one of the finest finales in horror history make this a classic. Dave and Alex argue it tries to be both a mystery-horror and a deep discussion of religion, ending up as neither. All this with an impression of Christopher Lee and another of a flaming Edward Woodward, with a quiz all about angles in historic monuments. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/257

Aladdin (2019) is on trial this week. Is it a magic carpet ride, or a step too Jafar? Gav celebrates the film's musical numbers, and highlights that a lot of the controversies of the original have been addressed. Alex argues that an odd choice in director and a subpar genie really hinder the film. There are great arguments from both sides, an impression of Guy Richie, and a quiz all about the 1001 Arabian Nights. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/256

Aladdin (1992) is on trial this week. A whole new world or a step Jafar? Gav mercilessly prosecutes, saying that the story is woeful and the use of stereotypes to depict middle eastern characters make this almost unwatchable. Alex and Ausy defend, looking at the film as the first Disney attempt at a story outside Western folk-tales that may have made many mistakes, but got some things right too. All this with an impression of the parrot and a quiz all about voice actors in Disney history. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/155

The Mummy (2017) is on trial this week. Are we all Set or is this a film in Isis? Gav defends, saying that having an action superstar like Cruise elevates this to another level. Dave is less enthusiastic, saying that this film is flawed in every possible way, killing the Dark Universe franchise before it even began. All this with an impression of the superb Russell Crowe and a quiz all about Tom Cruise! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/254

The Mummy (1999) is on trial this week. Does it help us unwind or is it better left under wraps? Dave argues an exciting plot with a director directing his own script makes for a scary, yet also family-friendly, adventure. Gav thinks the tone is all over the place, stretching thin at nearly 2 hours in length. All this with an impression of a Hungarian con-man and a quiz based on mummies! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/253

We are putting both Dune Parts I and II on trial this week. Will we get our just deserts, or does it leave us high and dry? Alex and Ausy say this is the definitive adaptation of the book, unlikely to be surpassed with such attention to detail in every aspect of production. Dave argues that too much detail causes a sluggish pace, the film thoroughly exploring every part of the book for a collective runtime of over five hours. All this with an awful attempt at a Charlotte Rampling impression, a much better try at Stellan Skarsgård and a spicy film quiz. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/252

Dune (1984) is on trial this week. Does it add some spice or should we bury our heads in the sand? Dave and Ausy argue this is an imaginative retelling by director David Lynch that packs a stellar cast. Alex is less fond of constant narration and voiceover that try to string together a huge amount of material with little to no success. All this with an impression of Sting and a quiz all about worms in films! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/251

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning is on trial this week. A runaway train or a nonentity? Gav passionately defends, arguing that slick action and an AI villain make this an accomplished addition to the series. Ausy and Alex feel that the lack of any tangible villain as well as fairly derivative action make this a fail. All this with an impression of Tom Cruise and a quiz all about actors doing stunts! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/250

No Hard Feelings is on trial this week. A strong contender or a complete flop? Dave and Ausy defend, saying this fresh take on the romcom has great comedic moments and a superb central performance from Jennifer Lawrence. Gav disagrees, saying that an insane basic premise is not helped by too much cringe humour and half-hearted characters. All this with an impression of a New Yorker and a quiz to test your film knowledge! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/249

Evil Dead Rise is on trial this week. A cut above the rest or is the glass half empty? Gav argues this is a loving tribute to the franchise that will satisfy fans whilst still shocking them. Dave and Alex feel that some lines are better left uncrossed and that all this pain and gore ultimately ends up in us feeling nothing at all. All this with an impression of Elvis as a Deadite and a quiz all about high-rise buildings in films www.filmsontrial.co.uk/248

Our Best of 2023 season continues as we put John Wick 4 on trial. Is it a candle in the wind? Or is it burning the candle at both ends? There are great arguments for both sides, a slapdash John Wick quiz, and an impression of the man himself. Hope that you enjoy. Let us know what you think in the comments! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/247

Saltburn is on trial this week. Will we lap it up or is it better left to rest in peace? Gav argues that a strong cast and big moments make this a fun ride guaranteed to get everyone talking. Dave and Alex say shocking scenes can't distract them from a shoddy plot that lacks any real point. All this with an impression of an Oxbridge student and a quiz all about disturbing scenes in films. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/246

Oppenheimer is on trial this week. Is it worth the hype or a 3 hour dud? Gav and Ausy say this is a spectacular, original piece of filmmaking that delves into a dark corner of human history. Dave says the film tries too hard to make Oppenheimer a sympathetic character whilst littering the plot with historical inaccuracies and amalgamated characters. All this with an impression of the biggest science man of all time, Albert Einstein! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/245

Barbie is in the hot seat this week. Does it make every day the best day ever or is it somehow always doing something wrong? Dave defends, highlighting a beyond stellar cast and a thought provoking story that is also thoroughly entertaining. Gav and Alex do not feel it is fantastic however, saying they can't get past the fact it is essentially a feature length advert full of irrelevant cameos. All this with an impression of both the lead singers of Aqua and a quiz all about toys in movies! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/244

This week, Danny Trejo season continues, as the gang put Spy Kids on trial. Is it a spy hit, or a spy miss? Gav argues that the film is an enjoyable and fun film that kids can still enjoy to this day, whereas Dave disagrees and says that it was poor back in the day, and definitely hasn't aged well. There's an impression of Antonio Banderas and a quiz all about the man himself, Danny Trejo. www.filmsontrial.co.uk/243

This week Machete is on trial. Is it a machete, or is it a butter knife? Dave argues that it's a bombastic grindhouse movie full of laughs and violence. But Gav disagrees and says that it's very one note, and that although it made an enjoyable 3 minute trailer, it didn't translate well to a full feature film. There's no judge this week, so both lads have to reach a general consensus. Will they be able to do it? Give it a listen and find out! www.filmsontrial.co.uk/242

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