Weekend At Crombie's

It's 1988, and Sidney Poitier has returned from a decade-long absence to team up with Tom Berenger in an odd-couple, buddy-cop hunt through the mountains. Also featuring Kirstie Alley, Clancy Brown and a scene that was surely in contention for Best Supporting Duvet.

It's 2005 and before taking the lead in a modest superhero franchise, Robert Downey Jr. stars with Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan in this neo-noir romp by writer-director Shane Black. Our hosts don't always agree on the film of choice, and let's just hope it doesn't end badly. Or possibly bad. Adverbs are tricky.

It's 1965 and, from behind the Iron Curtain, a Czechoslovakian New Wave film stars Jozef Kroner and Ida Kamińska as they depict the Aryanization program in the Slovak Republic during World War II. Academy winner of Best Foreign Language Film, with Ida Kamińska also nominated for Best Actress, there's some powerful stuff here. And also a goose.

It's 1957 and this Stanley Baker vehicle tells the story of gravel haulage on the mean streets of Buckinghamshire. An absolute galaxy of supporting cast, including Patrick McGoohan, Sean Connery, Herbert Lom, Peggy Cummins, William Hartnell, Sid James, Jill Ireland, Gordon Jackson and David McCallum.

Phoebe Cates stars in this Regency-era true story of the mysterious Princess Caraboo. Supporting cast includes Jim Broadbent, Wendy Hughes, Kevin Kline, John Lithgow and Stephen Rea, so the real mystery is: how did this disappear without a trace?

Tim Curry leads a murderers' row of comedic talent in this 1985 mystery comedy based on the family board game. Spoiler: it was Dr Evans. In the kitchen. With the temperamental headset.

James has the numbers, and he's not afraid to use them. We look back on the films of the past year, the whole series, and how the scales of public perception may have rebalanced our previous picks. It's the review of the reviews show!

Are we starting to connect the dots?

We don't fly about throwing lead-painted toys down chimneys anymore.

Santa's gonna eat through these guys like a plate full of cookies.

Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.

Christ on a crutch. What kind of a fascist hash foundry are you running here?

Got about as much use for this as I do a chastity belt.

How much is "wow"? It's right in between, uh, between "ouch" and "boing".

I think what I've got is something slightly resembling, gumption.

Don't play no reindeer games with me.

The wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together.

It ain't cool being no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving.

Ginger Rogers and James Stewart star in this romantic comedy film from 1938, featuring wisecracks, slapstick and a murphy bed with a mind of its own. Settle yourself in with an oversized ham sandwich and enjoy.

Peter Weller stars in this old familiar tale of a physicist / neurosurgeon / rock star / martial artist, battling inter-dimensional aliens. Also starring Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd and Clancy Brown, who must have had some interesting conversations with their agents afterwards.

Hot on the heels of Psycho II, Richard Franklin directs a very young Elisabeth Shue and a very bored Terence Stamp in this chimpanzee-based horror film. Microwave yourself a nice cup of tea and get comfortable, and do mind where your step in the hall.

Alright team, listen up! We're breaking down the playbook on Friday Night Lights. James and Huw struggle manfully to comprehend American football with the same grit and tenacity as a fullback with a dislocated shoulder. There's some difference of opinion in this one, and the movie may not make it to the ten-yard line.

It's 1973 and Sean Connery reunites with director Sidney Lumet to star in a very dark tale of a police officer who suffers a breakdown and kills a suspect. It's a powerful performance from Big Tam and the supporting cast, but we'll pop a content warning in here: there is some pretty disturbing stuff in this one.

It's 1960 and Burt Lancaster plays a smooth-talking chancer who becomes part of a religious revivalist movement in the prohibition-era. Acting alongside other notables like Jean Simmons, Arthur Kennedy and Shirley Jones, this was the role that won Lancaster his only Academy Award for Best Actor. The Legend of Crombie‘s Gold examines a series of thematically-linked films - this time, we're taking a look at the films of Burt Lancaster, as we go From Here To Lancaster!

It's 1968 and, clad in nothing but a pair of swimming shorts, Burt Lancaster plays Neddy Merill, a man who undertakes a suburban odyssey to swim his way home. This doesn't take long to get into the deep end, and Lancaster gives this film everything he's got. The Legend of Crombie‘s Gold examines a series of thematically-linked films - this time, we're taking a look at the films of Burt Lancaster, as we go From Here To Lancaster!

It's 1964 and Burt Lancaster takes the lead in an epic of the French Resistance trying to stop a train packed with art treasures from reaching the Third Reich. Massive action sequences in a age of practical effects and some challenging questions raised. Never have railway timetables been so exciting. The Legend of Crombie‘s Gold examines a series of thematically-linked films - this time, we're taking a look at the films of Burt Lancaster, as we go From Here To Lancaster!

It's 1957 and this film noir looks at the vice-ridden underworld of New York's society gossip columnists (yes, really). Tony Curtis plays against type as the amoral press agent, but it's the terrifying menace of J.J. Hunsecker, played by Burt Lancaster, that makes it the opening film in our series. The Legend of Crombie‘s Gold examines a series of thematically-linked films - this time, we're taking a look at the films of Burt Lancaster, as we go From Here To Lancaster!

It's 1964 (or is it?) and James Garner stars in a World War II thriller about a captured American officer, Major Pike, and a very unusual method of interrogation to learn of the D-Day landings. A high-concept movie from the start, based on a Roald Dahl short story. It won't be long before you're shouting 'Don't tell him, Pike!'

With the speed of a V8 Interceptor Pursuit Special, we return for another Very Special Crombies. This time, we take a look at Furiosa, the latest instalment in George Miller's Mad Max 'Wasteland' oeuvre, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth.

It's 1994 and Meryl Streep takes to the water in her only action role, alongside Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn and John C. Reilly, directed by Curtis Hanson. The scenery is beautiful, the water is wet, and the eternal question is asked: how hard would you row to avoid talking to other people on your holidays?

With the grace of a man falling through a plate glass window, we return for another Very Special Crombies. This time, our opinions will differ over the David Leitch movie, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. One of us is still seeing unicorns, the other has well and truly rolled the car.

It's 1985 and Richard Pryor stars in the sixth remake of this riches-to-rags story, putting such an indelible seal on this Walter Hill movie that it's never been remade since. Supported by John Candy, John Candy, Lonette McKee and Stephen Collins, with Hume Cronyn doing his finest impression of a malevolent raisin.

It's 1995, and this Brett Leonard thriller flings us into the distant future (1999) where a computer-generated Russell Crowe must be hunted down by a relentless Denzel Washington. It's a bravura performance from Crowe, who leaves no piece of scenery un-chewed; and an early start for Washington's long catalogue of man-with-handgun-does-shouting oeuvre.

It's 1988, and Carl Weathers plays the titular role of Jericho 'Action' Jackson, alongside a host of familiar faces from other films where things randomly explode. The decade was not short of action movies, but where does this sit among the pantheon?

It's 1954 and cinematic greats Charles Laughton and David Lean create a romantic comedy about the heady world of nineteenth century Salford bootmaking. A smash hit at the time, we came at this with different perspectives. Still, you can listen to it, or not.

It's 1966 and comedy legends of French cinema - Louis de Funès and Bourvil - reunite for this epic World War II comedy, with Terry-Thomas providing Best Supporting Moustaches. After a year in the West, we're returning to the classic Weekend at Crombie's format - and this one does not disappoint!

As the bongs of Big Ben close out the old year, James breaks out his spreadsheet to analyse the films of the past year, the whole series, and how the shifting sands of public perception may have washed over our previous picks. It's the review of the reviews show!

The Man With The Hat is back, and our hosts have such strong feelings about this, it's time for another Very Special Crombies. Sit back and enjoy these museum pieces being dusted off for one last exhibit.

Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your podcast.

You think I got this podcast because I'm fat and jolly?

We're your worst nightmare. Elves with a podcast.

It's podcast time!

My mother's white breath as she watches me set out on a long podcast

What a terrible pun. Where do you get those podcasts?

I never liked a girl well enough to give her twelve sharp podcasts.

You don't understand. He had the power to make us happy or unhappy, to make our work a pleasure or a burden. It's nothing to do with podcasts!

You say you hate Washington's Birthday or Thanksgiving and nobody cares, but you say you hate podcasts and people treat you like you're a leper.

Welcome to the podcast, pal.

Some children wish for things they couldn't possibly use, like real locomotives or podcasts.

Remember, George: no man is a failure who has podcasts.