Off The Shelf -A Movie Podcast with Phil and Dave

We visit the airport again as  Dave takes 2000's Meet the Parents off the shelf. It's been 23 years since Phil had seen the movie and he remembers enjoying it but time has not been kind. The laughs feel pretty dated but some elements continue to be enjoyable. Mostly the cast. Dave barely remembers the movie and feels Owen Wilson steals the scenes he is in and it's nice to see James Reb...

We take to the skies, the rails and the road as Phil takes 1987's Planes, Trains and Automobiles off the shelf. Phil revisits a holiday favorite and marvels at just how funny the lead actors are in such different ways. Dave had never seen the movie and connected to the performances and questions just how many Thanksgiving movies there have been. This one holds up.

Randall Wallace strikes again as Dave takes 2002's We Were Soldiers off the shelf. Phil finds this movie to have qualities that some previous war movies have not had and appreciated that scenes of the families at home more than the action. Dave finds the performances solid and the writing to be engaging and while he has seen it a few times before believes it continues to hold up.

The day that will live in infamy. Dave takes 2001's Pearl Harbour off the shelf and forced Phil to watch what he has dreaded. Dave commits to the relationships in this movie and finds its enough to keep interest throughout the whole 3 hours. Phil finds the whole thing a waste of time and feels that the choices Michael Bay makes don't make the drama any more interesting just boring. Strange...

What happened to Jamie after the ending of part 4? We find out after Phil takes 1989's Halloween 5 off the shelf. Phil is almost immediately disappointed as the movie doesn't deliver on the promise of the last entry and brings in new characters that drove him crazy. Dave, however, was ready for a life change upon meeting Tina. Sees value in the choices made by the new director and is mildl...

It's October and Phil takes 1988's Halloween 4 off the shelf this week. A Return to the basics of Halloween is welcomed. Phil finds the style to be a bit flat but enjoys the way in which is holds to and then occasionally flips the horror tropes. Dave was ready for Michael Myers' return after his distaste of the last entry and found this to be pretty enjoyable. Both agree that this is o...

We hide from those we don't speak of as Dave takes 2004's The Village off the shelf. Phil is reaffirmed that M. Night just can't sustain the tension he thinks he can. The movie's languid pace and lack of payoff leave him less than enthusiastic. Dave enjoys some of the performances and finds the cinematography to be appealing but overall doesn't deliver a quality movie

Dave learns a new word as Phil brings 2002's Road to Perdition off of his shelf. This is Dave's first viewing of the film while Phil, much like the general public, has neglected it after their first viewing despite it's star-studded cast. Phil story about driving a stick-shift is more entertaining than Mike Sullivan's driving lessons and Dave reveals his crush on Felicity from Road...

We quietly go back to space as Dave brings Interstellar off of his shelf. Apparently Dave doesn't like Nolan films but makes an exception to this one and, well, most of them. Phil is reminded why he gravitates to Nolan films and likes the 4th dimension of emotionality but can't quite get into the 5th dimension. All in All, the fellas enjoy this blockbuster film and the performances within.

The boys of summer are heading into the fall as Dave takes 2005' Fever Pitch off the shelf. Phil believes that the central problem with the movie is the casting. Jimmy Fallon who feels as though he is in way over his head. Drew Barrymore feels as though she is phoning it in and the whole movie suffers because of it. Dave refutes this and believes that Jimmy's charm and personality elevate...

It's the end of the season as Phil takes 2009's (500) Days of Summer off the shelf. Phil discovers that he enjoyed this movie even more than he did when he first watched it. It's a great blend of romance and comedy without falling for the trappings of a "rom-com" Dave enjoyed the performances and thought the choices made by director Marc Webb were compelling and made for a br...

The guys blast off as Dave takes 2000's Space Cowboys off the shelf. Phil struggled to get through this overlong movie but did manage to enjoy a Tommy Lee Jones moment or two. Clint Eastwood directs this movie and it's questionable that he was the right choice. Dave suggest this movie has no impact but ultimately found it difficult to not be entertained by such charismatic cast.

What better way to spend Labor day than the most laborious watch we've had. Dave takes 2011's Cowboys and Aliens off the shelf and we mistakenly watched the extended cut. Phil finds the pace, performances and the score to be almost unbearable and even the easy going Dave has a hard time defending the talent involved for making such a drab film. The conversation is more lively and thankfull...

As Paul Reubans takes on the next adventure; the guys pay tribute as Phil takes 1985's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. It's a pleasure to watch this collaboration with 3 distinct artists as Burton and Elfman lend their talents. Phil remembers connecting to the fantastic elements as a kid but finds a little more heart this time. Dave is introduced the to Pee-Wee character and feels the movie l...

Back to high school as Phil takes 1995's Angus off the shelf. Phil tells the story of his personal connection to the character and how this movie came to mean even more to him as he met more fans along the way. Dave finds this movie to be a real sweet movie with great characters and elevates the teen movie above the usual stuff. Appreciates the message and performances but does get a little je...

It's the rematch of the century as Phil takes 1979's Rocky 2 off his shelf. Phil is excited by the sequel that takes place immediately after the events of the first movie. Eager to spend more time with the lovable boxer but finds Adrian's ark to be less satisfying this time around. Dave finds more to like about the first movie after watching this one but did appreciate Carl Weathers pe...

Phil delivers a knockout punch as he takes 1976's Rocky off the shelf. The boxing movie that cares less about boxing than the boxer himself. Phil still connects to the underdog story that believes in doing the distance while Dave struggles to connect to the main character and his love interest and daydreams of Bruce Willis. A stellar cast, great writing, and an incredible score make this the m...

Phil and Dave confront their fears as Dave takes 1997's Event Horizon off the shelf. The movie's reputation as being a great Sci-fi horror movie is questioned as Phil finally watches it for the first time. The potential is there and in a rare case, wishes it were a little longer to help the movie not feel so rushed. Dave enjoys some of the performances of the cast and their deaths. Some da...

This week, the guys finally get the pool they always wanted as Phil takes 1950's Sunset Boulevard off the shelf. Long felt as being one or the best movies Phil had ever seen. He's happy how well it holds up. Dave continues to enjoy visiting another black and white film. The performances are perfect in a great story of desperation and obsession. A masterpiece in every way.

Sparks fly as Dave takes 2005's The Island off his shelf. The movie brings back fond memories of an aborted episode 3 years ago and this most recent look leaves Phil wishing he never won the lottery to visit this Island. Dave remembers fondly watching this movie the first few times but perhaps repeated viewings have left the movie stranded in a silo. Both agree what Michael Bay does well, is d...

School is out for the summer as Phil takes 1998's Can't Hardly Wait off his shelf. Phil remembered enjoying this movie upon first watch and felt those memories rush over him when revisiting this one. It's such a fun watch and he wishes the writer/director team had more chances to make movies. Dave vaguely remembered seeing this before but certain scenes reminded him that he enjoyed it...

It's the end of June and Dave takes 2010's Repo Men off his shelf to discuss the father son relationship... nope, not this week. Though there is a father and a son in this movie, it is nowhere near the plot of this movie. Is this a satire, a comedy, a drama? Phil couldn't settle on what this movie wants to be and found the plot mechanics muddled and thin. Dave enjoyed the performances...

Happy Father's day from Phil as he grabs 2003's Big Fish off the shelf this week. The last great Tim Burton movie, according to Phil, as it brings a new level of character depth to his usual flair for fantasy. Dave found this movie to a beautiful representation of art, story, and movie making itself. The guys don't understand why this movie was maligned upon release and isn't remem...

It's another father favorite as Dave takes 1997's Liar Liar off his shelf. Phil has better memories of the company he shared the first time he watched it than anything he saw this time. Dave explains his love of Jim Carrey and his commitment to that brand of comedy. The guys don't believe his comedic energy matched the role and ends up being just a showcase for his talent. For better o...

What is the difference between innocent people and demons? The guys find out as Phil takes 2001's Frailty off his shelf. Returning to this movie after nearly 20 years, Phil has renewed excitement for this movie. Bill Paxton directs this movie and gets great performances from the children involved. Dave vaguely remembers seeing this many years ago but was caught up in the story regardless.