The court pleads the Fifth (no, not Beethoven’s) this week when conductor Chris Shepard (Artistic Director of the Worcester Chorus) crafts a masterful requiem for 1984’s “Amadeus.” *** Prosecutor: Chris Shepard. Defense: Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory…

This week, victory has defeated the court when Nick Masella (“Get Piped” Podcast) makes darkness his ally in defense of 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Nick Masella. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Dylan J. Schlender. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prologue: K…

Hey you guys! The court discovers the skeleton of Tom Lorenzo (“You’re Missing Out” Podcast) who disappeared years earlier on a quest to destroy the 1985 cult classic “The Goonies.” *** Prosecutor: Tom Lorenzo. Defense: Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Dylan J. Schlender, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advis…

This week, the court forgets to bring their swim trunks when author Alessandra Seggi (“Youth and Suicide in American Cinema”) tries to hard boil the 2010 comedy “Hot Tub Time Machine.” *** Prosecutor: Alessandra Seggi. Defense: Big Ben Haslar. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Dylan J. Schlender. *** Ad…

Boy’s Night ends in all-out war this week when Jeremy Black, fearing only fear itself, helps us settle the (four) score between 2013’s best White House-based action films: “Olympus Has Fallen" and "White House Down." *** “Olympus Has Fallen”: Dylan J. Schlender. “White House Down": Jeremy Black. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Lui…

It’s an odd-numbered episode this week when Emily Strand (“Potterversity: A Potter Studies Podcast”) weighs the needs of the many against the needs of 1984’s “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Emily Strand. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Dylan J. Schlender, Ryan Luis Rodr…

This week, the court shakes, rattles and rolls when author Landon Palmer (“Rock Star/Movie Star”) tries to check out of the Heartbreak Hotel with the 1964 Elvis vehicle “Viva Las Vegas.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Landon Palmer. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *…

The court turns its frown upside down this week when D-Rok Schlender (“Schlender 5 Productions”) argues that a thousand words are worth much more than the 2024 horror film “Smile 2.” *** Prosecutor: D-Rok Schlender. Defense: Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar, Ryan Luis Rodriguez. *** Advi…

This week, come with us if you want to live as Isaac Arthur (“Science and Futurism”) fulfills his promise to be back to protect the 2009 sci-fi action film “Terminator Salvation.” *** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: Isaac Arthur. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advis…

This week, the court gives our regards to Broadway when Drs. James and Noah Charney (“The 12-Hour Film Expert”) tip the scales in our musical match-up between 1952’s “Singin’ in the Rain” and 2016’s “La La Land." *** “Singin’ in the Rain”: Drs. James and Noah Charney. “La La Land": Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Rya…

There'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when we defrost Kaleigh DuLac for her annual holiday summons: a Merry Muppet Melee between 1977's “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” and 1987's “A Muppet Family Christmas." *** “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”: Ryan Luis Rodriguez. “A Muppet Family Christmas": Maynard Bangs. Judge: The Hono…

In the court this week, do we a stately pleasure dome decree when Jeremy Black looks to land a critical hit between two films about artists of yesteryear: 2023’s “The Critic” and 2020’s “Mank.” *** “The Critic”: Jeremy Black. “Mank": Maynard Bangs. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Dylan J. Schlender.…

Incessant Comedy Central reruns are on trial this week when Isabel Teran (“Hearsing Around Podcast”) proves blondes don’t have more fun in the 1988 musical comedy “Earth Girls Are Easy.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Isabel Teran. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar, Ryan Luis Rodriguez. *** Adv…

It’s a Thanksgiv-sing feast this week when author Frieda Toth (“James Bond Route 9 and Me”) drops a ray of golden sun for the 2016 animated film “Sing.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Frieda Toth. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Maynard Bangs. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prolo…

The claws come out this week when Jason Dietz and Ryan Hudson (“Desert of the Reel Podcast”) contend for the more purr-fect story in the 1985 anthology film “Cat’s Eye.” *** “Quitters, Inc.”: Jason Dietz. “The Ledge”: Dylan J. Schlender. “General”: Ryan Hudson. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar, Ryan Luis Rod…

The court regains its pride this week when Dwight Hurst (“Broken Brain” Podcast) swears he ain’t lion when he defends the 2022 animal survival movie “Beast.” *** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: Dwight Hurst. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prol…

The court is fighting for its life inside a killer thriller tonight when Jeremy Black dolly zooms during a struggle between two Alfred Hitchcock classics: 1948’s “Rope” and 1954’s “Rear Window.” *** “Rope”: Dylan J. Schlender. “Rear Window": Jeremy Black. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Maynard Bangs…

We snuff out Hell on Reels this week when Nathaniel Jonsson (“At The Devils Ball Podcast”) asks you to choose Team People or Team Twilight when he defends 2010’s “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” *** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: Nathaniel Jonsson. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Dylan J. Schlender, Big Ben Haslar, Ryan Luis Rodrigue…

This week, the court wants to be your boo when the amazing Maisie Culver (“Hysteria!”) defends the depiction of dead children to other children in the 1995 children’s film “Casper.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Maisie Culver. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Maynard Bangs. *** Ad…

Hell on Reels is standing right behind you when Addison Binek (“Psycho Ape: Part II - The Wrath of Kong”) ‘voulez-vous coucher avec’ the 2003 slasher “High Tension.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Addison Binek. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar, Ryan Luis Rodriguez. *** Advisory: Silvana Carran…

This week, our palms are almost as bloody as they are hairy when CK (“DragsVille”) warns of the coming apocalypse prophesied by the 1999 horror film “Stigmata.” *** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: CK. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prologue: K…

It’s a graveyard smash when Jack Bennett (“Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary”) meets Frankenstein and then also “Frankenstein (1931)” meets “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” (and fights him). *** “Frankenstein (1931)”: Big Ben Haslar. “The Creature from the Black Lagoon": Jack Bennett. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: …

Hell on Reels again walks the Earth when alleged hellspawn Clay Keller (“Screen Drafts”) unleashes his scary eyes and asks us to join the 1978 horror sequel “Damien: Omen II.” *** Prosecutor: Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Defense: Clay Keller. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar, Dylan J. Schlender. *** Advisory: S…

The court is forced to run through one of those rubber tire obstacle courses when Bryan Bintliff (“Burning Virtue”) tactically disarms the 2008 war film “The Hurt Locker.” *** Prosecutor: Bryan Bintliff. Defense: Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana…

The Seven Dwarves have got winner this week when the Magnificent One Jeremy Black joins us to pit the original, 1954’s “Seven Samurai,” against the remake, 1960’s “The Magnificent Seven.” *** “Seven Samurai”: Big Ben Haslar. “The Magnificent Seven": Jeremy Black. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, M…

The court had a bad dream and wants to sleep in your bed when Triv (“Trivial Theater”) reaches out from underneath and drags you into 1985’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Triv. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Maynard Bangs, Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender. *** Advi…

The court hears the lamentations of Case Aiken (“Another Pass” Podcast) as he oils up to crush his enemy, the 2011 remake of “Conan the Barbarian.” *** Prosecutor: Case Aiken. Defense: Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prologue: K…

This week, artist Virginia Hagans (“Off-Center Albatross”) gets drawn into the jury as the court goes completely nuclear over 2023’s “Godzilla Minus One.” *** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: Big Ben Haslar. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Virginia Hagans, Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. …

The court has a coming of “rage” this week when Ryan Verrill (“The Disc-Connected” Podcast/”The Physical Media Advocate” Magazine) advocates physically and verbally for 2022’s “Aftersun” over 2016’s “Moonlight.” *** “Moonlight”: Ryan Luis Rodriguez. “Aftersun": Ryan Verrill. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Big Ben Haslar, Dylan J. Schl…

The court resists the urge to make ‘wax off’ jokes when Justin Andrews (“Mind Pump Media”) crane kicks 1984’s “The Karate Kid” right in the face. *** Prosecutor: Justin Andrews. Defense: Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prologue: Kirk …

It’s The 219th Episode Crossover Spectacular! Daniel Scribner stacks the jury with his comrades from the so-called "sexual core" of the Cinemania Society as he defends 1996’s “The Long Kiss Goodnight.” *** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: Daniel Scribner. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Andrea Palladino, Ethan Ireland, Andy Slack. A…

This week, Graham Skipper (“The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine”) acts as the herald of our impending doom (his words, not ours) in service of the 2007 superhero film “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Graham Skipper. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard B…

Guy Ritchie gets “richer” this week when Jeremy Black “enriches” our lives and we go from rags to “riches” and… ummm… oh, it’s 2019’s “The Gentlemen” vs. 2024’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare." *** “The Gentlemen”: Jeremy Black. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare": Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Big Ben…

The court is alive (alive!) when the abby normal Ian Potter ("Rifftrax"/”Big Finish”) digs up his own corpse to defend the 1985 period sci-fi film “The Bride.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Ian Potter. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Maynard Bangs. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza. Prol…

In an episode completed posthumously, Caleb Zakarin (“New Books Network”) dons one of the more tantalizing costumes the court has ever seen as he defends 1999’s thriller “Eyes Wide Shut.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Caleb Zakarin. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Dylan J. Schlender. *…

Stupid is as the court does this week when author Brooks Eason ("Trigger Warning") opens up a box of chocolates (and whoop-ass) when he defends 1995’s Academy Award winner “Forrest Gump.”*** Prosecutor: Maynard Bangs. Defense: Brooks Eason. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Dylan J. Schlender. ***…

This week, the court gets deep in their feelings when writer Gregory Marlow (“The Destination Star”) dares to care for the 1985 animated film “The Care Bears Movie.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Gregory Marlow. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana Carr…

On the premiere of our fifth season, the court lets the past die when Adam J. Floyd (“Get Piped” Podcast) fights what he hates: 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” *** Prosecutor: Adam J. Floyd. Defense: Maynard Bangs. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Dylan J. Schlender. *** Advisory: Silvana Carranza…

The court closes out Season Four with a bang! A wholly original idea cooked up by us, never-before-seen, for the first time ever, making its grand debut, here it is, what you’ve all been waiting for, the inaugural “Appeals of Justice Number Two” (yes, I do believe we did one last year). *** Defense (“The People vs. Ready to Rumble”): Dylan J. Schle…

The court holds several truths to be self-evident this week when patriot Joe Pontillo (“The Joe Pontillo Show”) treads on us to defend his right to bear the 2004 adventure film “National Treasure.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Joe Pontillo. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Maynar…

This week, the court puts on a happy face (we’re not saying whose) when writer/performer Rachel Robbins offers a quid pro quo to track down the 1991 thriller “The Silence of the Lambs.” *** Prosecutor: Rachel Robbins. Defense: Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Dylan J. Schlender, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *** Adv…

We saw the court in half this week as Jeremy Black (The Magnificent) pulls himself out of a hat to decide the better prestidigitation picture of 2006: “The Prestige” or “The Illusionist.” *** “The Prestige”: Jeremy Black. “The Illusionist": Big Ben Haslar. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Maynard …

The court sparkles in the sunlight this week when Marty Ketola and Clif Campbell (“Making Pondo/Talking Pondo” Podcast) try to suck the life out of the 2008 romance fantasy film “Twilight.” *** Prosecutor: Marty Ketola and Clif Campbell. Defense: Dylan J. Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Ma…

This week, the court learns what it sounds like when doves fry as D-Rok Schlender (“Schlender 5 Productions/Trailer Trash’d”) attempts to woo the jury with his defense of the 1996 action film “Broken Arrow.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: D-Rok Schlender. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, …

Justice ain’t never had a friend like Bouncin’ Bobby LePire (“Film Threat”), who crash-lands his egg-shaped spaceship in the court this week to argue the better “evil” Robin Williams movie: 2002’s “One Hour Photo” or 2002’s “Insomnia.” *** “One Hour Photo”: Bouncin’ Bobby LePire. “Insomnia”: Maynard Bangs. Judge: The Honorable Dylan J. Schlender. J…

The court hopefully chooses wisely this week when our idol The Vern (“Cinema Recall” Podcast) throws himself at us in defense of the 2023 adventure film “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: The Vern. Judge: The Honorable Ryan Luis Rodriguez. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Dylan J. Schlender, Maynard Bangs.…

This week, the court takes another stab at Funny Tom Hanks when girl-next-door Divinity Rose (“She Dreams Content”) sticks up for the 1989 horror comedy “The ‘Burbs.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Divinity Rose. Judge: The Honorable Big Ben Haslar. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Big Ben Haslar. *** Advisory: Silvana Carr…

This week, the court finds out if the house really always wins when Brian Levine (“Pipes Magazine Radio Show”) bets it all on black as he defends the 1997 comedy “Vegas Vacation.” *** Prosecutor: Dylan J. Schlender. Defense: Brian Levine. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Big Ben Haslar, Maynard Bangs. *** Advisory: S…

This week, the court returns the gift of fire (we kept the receipt) while Ethan Ireland (“The Cinemania Society Podcast”) gets chained to a rock for eternity, defending the 2012 sci-fi horror film “Prometheus.” *** Prosecutor: Big Ben Haslar. Defense: Ethan Ireland. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodriguez, Maynard Bangs, Dyl…

It’s low-key our 200th episode (which we’re totally too cool to make a big deal of), and Jeremy Black is back as we witness the greatest monster mash in history (hear us out): 2023’s “Napoleon” vs. 2005’s “King Kong.” *** “Napoleon”: Dylan J. Schlender. “King Kong (2005)”: Jeremy Black. Judge: The Honorable Maynard Bangs. Jurors: Ryan Luis Rodrigue…