Weekend At Crombie's

It's 1991 and horror movie maestro Wes Craven puts young protagonist Brandon Adams into a house of terror. A blend of horror, comedy, satire and thriller, at least one of our gentlemen philosophers was watching this one from behind the sofa.

It's 1992 and box-office powerhouse Robert Zemeckis brings together the unlikely quartet of Bill Paxton, Ice-T, William Sadler and Ice Cube in this updated retelling of The Treasure of Sierra Madre. This film disappeared without a trace the first time around, but perhaps our two gentlemen philosophers can unearth the gold that lies beneath with the minimum of bloodshed.

It's 1974 and Richard Harris heads an all-star cast in this Richard Lester directed suspense-thriller about ticking bombs on an ocean liner. Having passed into history unremarked and unloved, it's a perfect Weekend at Crombie's film, and we make sure that no wire is left uncut.

It's 1989 and Terry Jones adapts and directs his own children's book into a fantasy romp led by Tim Robbins playing the hapless titular character. The nostalgia, at least, runs deep. But there is an elephant in the room. And that elephant is a Python.

It's 1987 and yuppie love is rife in this romantic comedy vehicle for Michael J. Fox. A massive success in its time, a movie that seems to be both fondly remembered, and completely forgotten. We lift the lid.

A bonus track to 2019 - join our two gentlemen philosophers as they review the films we shared over the year, and for James to mercilessly beat Huw into the ground with statistics. Again.

It's 1981 and everyone's flocking to see the sci-film of the year ... Outland with Sean Connery. We unearth this hidden gem of a sci-fi western, and mercifully keep the impressions to a bare minimum. We do have schandards, you know. 01:55 – Plot Synopsis 36:45 – Why We Chose This Film 39:53 – Analysis 01:14:38 - Other recommendations 01:17:26 – We Score The Film 01:20:11 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1987 and we're still in the age where, if you wanted a big creature in a movie, you got a big guy in a suit to do it! Podcast-favourite John Lithgow is on fine form here as the paterfamilias of an all-American family that bring a Bigfoot into their home. 01:54 – Plot Synopsis 39:28 – Why We Chose This Film 46:22 – Analysis 01:11:39 - Other recommendations 01:19:40 – We Score The Film 01:22:30 – Next Month’s Film

It's 2000 and Spike Lee's satirical comedy-drama about a modern televised minstrel show is due to be released to box-office ignominy and huge financial loss. It's a weighty subject this month (you can tell James chose the film)and our two gentlemen philosophers give this one the consideration it deserved. 01:57 – Plot Synopsis 27:19 – Why We Chose This Film 30:20 – Analysis 01:17:03 - Other recommendations 01:19:54 – We Score The Film 01:22:30 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1996 and a unique crime caper staring Jada Pinket, Queen Latifah and Vivica A. Fox is setting off on the big screen. Our two gentleman philosophers have a lot of fun unpacking this one, including a digression into Derbyshire accents, a thorough exploration of a minor character's romantic life, and the mystery of what makes James' yogurt so chewy.. 02:39 – Plot Synopsis 32:10 – Why We Chose This Film 37:35 – Analysis 01:09:35 - Other recommendations 01:15:35 – We Score The Film 01:19:10 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1989 and the British romantic comedy juggernaut that is Richard Curtis takes its first socially awkward steps in the form of Jeff Goldblum's leading role about a minor actor. Cinematic debits for Emma Thompson and Mel Smith in the director's chair. Our two gentleman philosophers - one of whom is most certainly not broadcasting from a toilet - take a good look at this embryonic and overlooked attempt at a romantic comedy of manners. Should have added more weddings, mate. 01:20 – Plot Synopsis 22:25 – Why We Chose This Film 26:15 – Analysis 01:09:50 - Other recommendations 01:16:55 – We Score The Film 01:20:35 – Next Month’s Film

It's 2006 and Bel Powley plays the eponymous Carrie as she undertakes this bildungsroman quest with the aid of cherry soda and a didgeridoo. It's a light romance film aimed at young adults - and it's fair to say this one is far from the comfort zone of our two gentleman philosophers. Luckily we can slip in a quick Benedict Cumberbatch impression to see us through. 03:00 – Plot Synopsis 36:10 – Why We Chose This Film 38:05 – Analysis 01:07:27 - Other recommendations 01:13:24 – We Score The Film 01:16:15 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1980 and Bruce Beresford's courtroom war drama, staring relative unknowns Edward Woodward and Bryan Brown, reached the cinemas, made an impact, and apparently has been forgotten everywhere but Australia. There's a lot to unpack with this one, and all of it good. Settle in for a good look at a hidden gem. And remember Rule 303! 06:15 – Plot Synopsis 36:50 – Why We Chose This Film 42:00 – Analysis 01:14:20 - Other recommendations 01:18:30 – We Score The Film 01:22:35 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1981 and the world wasn't quite ready for Michael Crawford in the title role of super-spy Condorman! We enjoyed ourselves heartily with a look back on what happened when Disney tried to do James Bond, and everyone involved - from veteran Oliver Reed to favourite of James' dad Barbara Carrera - brought something different to the party (not just the dip). 01:07 – Plot Synopsis 37:14 – Why We Chose This Film 39:53 – Analysis 01:12:35 - Other recommendations 01:17:05 – We Score The Film 01:20:15 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1972 and director Elaine May brings us a dark romantic comedy, penned by Neil Simon and starring Charles Grodin and Cybill Shepherd. It goes without saying, James picked this one. Join our two gentlemen philosophers as we attempt to unpick the knottiest of problems: would there still be deceit in the cauliflower if you added cheese? 01:05 – Plot Synopsis 26:14 – Why We Chose This Film 32:25 – Analysis 01:12:14 – We Score The Film 01:19:35 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1992 and a very young Christian Bale stars with a seemingly ageless Bill Pullman, an eternally aged Robert Duvall, and a host of cheeky young scamps in Disney’s musical retelling of the historic News Boy’s Strike of 1899. As is customary, our two gentlemen philosophers do not see eye-to-eye with this one. As is also customary, we attempt the accents and fail very badly. 01:27 – Plot Synopsis 22:30 – Why We Chose This Film 24:00 – Analysis 01:16:44 – We Score The Film 01:22:19 – Next Month’s Film

It's 2008 and the Wachowskis' live-action version of the 1960s anime roars out of pole position to critical indifference and box office ignominy. But such things do not concern our duo of gentlemen philosophers! Let us dig deeper into frenetic and technicolor experience from some visionary directors. Warning: it may be possible to develop epilepsy just by listening to someone talk about Speed Racer. 01:10 – Plot Synopsis 21:19 – Why We Chose This Film 26:43 – Analysis 01:05:49 – We Score The Film 01:11:50 – Next Month’s Film

It's 1997 and rising British talent Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone and Lena Headey (plus channel favourite Phil Davis, in a scene-stealing turn) are starring in the obligatory cockney gangster film from Antonia Bird. It goes without saying, that we both attempt the accent. Bosh! 01:10 – Plot Synopsis 36:18 – Why We Chose This Film 38:30 – Analysis 01:02:04 – We Score The Film 01:25:05 – Next Month’s Film

A bonus track to 2018 - join our two gentlemen philosophers as they review the films we shared over the year, and for James to mercilessly beat Huw into the ground with statistics. While his voice holds. Make haste ... for we are racing against the chimes of Big Ben.

It's 1966 and acclaimed director John Frankenheimer completes his 'paranoia trilogy' as Rock Hudson takes on a challenging and complex role in a psychological horror movie - it's the Christmas episode! 02:20 – Plot Synopsis 25:49 – Why We Chose This Film 29:27 – Analysis 01:08:25 – We Score The Film 01:13:28 – Next Month’s Film