The Bottom Shelf

Before Squid Game made “hunting humans for sport” a global phenomenon, Hollywood was already doing it on a VHS tape from your local mom-and-pop video store. In 1994’s Surviving the Game , Ice-T plays a homeless man lured into the Pacific Northwest wilderness — only to discover he’s not a guide. He’s the prey. With Rutger Hauer, Gary Busey, and F. Murray Abraham along...

After exploring the limits of the multiverse long before it was a cinematic trend, Jet Li decided to face off against his toughest opponent yet—himself. In 2001’s The One , we see a high-stakes pursuit across parallel dimensions that left audiences seeing double and critics feeling single-minded. Join Dallas and John as they hop through the quantum tunnel to discover if this martial arts sci...

On the heels of directing V for Vendetta, James McTeigue decided to bring a stylized ninja story to the silver screen called, Ninja Assassin. Legend says that the movie cut the hearts of viewers everywhere who loved it, but the hearts of critics were apparently made of iron. Join the team of The Bottom Shelf as they look to discover if it’s better than what the critics say, or if it truly be...

Straight to Amazon Prime comes War of the Worlds (2025) , a “screen-life” style alien invasion film starring Ice Cube as a DHS agent watching humanity unravel through monitors and phones. Critics say the shaky visuals, heavy product placement, and flat script make it a disaster — but could this modern spin on H.G. Wells’ classic actually be a hidden gem? Or does it truly belong on… The Bottom Shel...

On the heels of the release of “Bloodsport,” Mark DiSalle got to work on a new action pack martial arts movie about a man out to prove he’s the best at fighting style that he’s just learned. Bloodsport 2! er…. Kickboxer! This Jean-Claude Van Damme movie worth watching? Is it better than what the critics say? Or does it truly belong on… The Bottom Shelf? Connect...

In 1988, during the height of the Karate Movie boom, Jean-Claude Van Damme exploded into popculture with what some would call a cult classic. It was a film that was based on true… well mostly true… well we aren’t really sure about that either… story about one man fighting to be the best that he could ever be. No, not in a Pokemon Tournament… But a bloodsport called th...

In 2015, the makers of War Room and Pendragon: Sword of His father, created an action packed revolutionary war Assassins Creed like movie that was meant to inspire to be more than they were. It was met, however, with very poor reviews. But is it better than what the critics say? Can this film be more than it was? Or does it truly belong on… the Bottom Shelf Connect with John:  https://l...

In 1977 everyone’s favorite webslinger came to the big screen… on small screens. While the spin off series is generally remembered fondly the movie was critically caught in a web of bad reviews. Is it better than what critics say? Or does it truly belong on… The Bottom Shelf? Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Check out the Gundam Watch Podcast: https://thegundamwat...

Welcome to a special episode of The Bottom Shelf! This time, we’re diving into Madame Web, the latest addition to the Spider-Man universe. Join our hosts—John, Dallas, and Force Ghost Branson—as they dig into this standalone origin story of one of Marvel’s most mysterious heroines. With plenty of laughs and a critical eye, the team breaks down the film’s highs and lows, from its intriguing p...

In 1991, Yoshiyuki Toninoia attempted to invent the Gundam franchise with a new action-packed Gundam series. Sadly due to – Reasons – the series was turned into a movie that is considered to be a critical fail.  But is Gundam F91 better than what the critics say? Or does it really belong on… the Bottom Shelf?   Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Check out the G...

1960’s Batman featuring Adam West and Burt Ward as the dynamic duo Batman and Robin, is notoriously campy and tongue and cheek. But what about their 1966 movie? Is it just as campy? Does it make it a bad movie? Join us as our team and special guest (and original member), Kevin Joshua Burnham, tackles this notorious Bat-Film Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Dallas...

This past we our team had the opportunity to be at Geek’d Con in Shreveport, LA! While there John had a question for Geek’d Con-goers… “What’s your favorite bad movie?”  Come hear some of their suggestions and then let us know your thoughts on their movie choices!   Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju    Connect with Dallas & Celeste Vi...

In 2018, Drew Goddard wrote and produced a film about 4 people who were stuck at a hotel called, The El Royale. Will this crime drama be enough to free our crew who’s stuck in a wormhole? Join us as we ask the question, “Is Bad Times at the El Royale good? Or is it just a bad time that belongs on… The Bottom Shelf?” Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju    Co...

As our team continues to float through the mysterious worm whole that is making them watch… Good movies?… Celeste suddenly disappears and our team is left to review the 2022, The Batman. Is Sparkle Bat a good movie or even a good Batman movie? Join the team a they seek to find out.   Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro 03:41 Why is John avoiding watching “The Batman” 04:56 DON’T CLICK HERE 0...

The Crew of the Bottom Shelf remains lost in a strange wormhole where they must watch Bad…err.. good? movies? Join them as they take on 1998’s disaster film Armaged…errr… Deep Impact! Is it as good as some have said? Or does it actually belong on… The Bottom Shelf. Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Branson EMAIL: branson.boykin@gmail.com So...

The team has been pulled into a wormhole and are suddenly forced to do something they aren’t used to… Watch good movies? In this episode the team is being forced to watch the 1985 fantasy action film, Ladyhawke… is it as good as some say? Or does it actually belong on… The Bottom Shelf. Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Branson EMAIL: branson.boy...

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles Battle, Jonathan Liebesman brought forth “Wrath of the Titans.” Critics saw it as a genesis and catastrophe of his carrier but is it really that bad? Is it better than what the critics say? Or does it truly belong on… the bottom shelf?   Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Branson EMAIL: branson.boykin@gmail.com S...

After the failure of “The Incredible Hulk,” Louis Leterrier tried to bring some classic titans back to the silver screen with his 2010 remake, “Clash of The Titans.” The film left critic scratching their heads. But is it better than the critics say? Or does it truly belong on… the bottom shelf? Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Branson EMAI...

In 1994, Steve Wang brought forth the sequel to the Americanized Tokusatsu, Guyver: Dark Hero, to life in a direct-to-video format. While it was more critically successful than “The Guyver” (1991), critics still didn’t care for it. Join the crew of the Bottom Shelf as they strive to discover the truth behind this film. Is it better than what critics say? Or does it truly belong&#...

In 1991, Screaming Mad George brought the Japanese based anime, Guyver to American cinema. critics felt like the script and filming was Screaming Mad and rated it as a complete flop. Is it as bad as critics say? Or does it truly belong on, The Bottom Shelf.       Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Branson EMAIL: branson.boykin@gmail.com Solid Houe Podcast:...

In 1992 the world was introduced to Rocky, Colt, and TumTum. The 3 Ninja heroes that captured the hearts of a generation. However, according to critics, it’s a terrible movie. But is it? Francisco Ruiz and Paul J. Powers of Retro Rewind Podcast join the crew to find out if “3 Ninjas” truly belongs on… The Bottom Shelf.   Learn more about Retro Rewind Podcast : https://...

In 1989, Eric Roberts and Phillip Rhee took to the silver screen to inspire a generation with a martial arts film. The critics say that it was a failure, but there is a generation that says that it truly was, The Best of the Best? Is it better than what the critics say? Or does it honestly belong on, The Bottom Shelf?   Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect with Branson EMA...

The Bottom Shelf is part of the Geek Devotions Network, a network of podcasts that are devoted to letting people know that they are loved. Starting July 7th, Geek Devotions is doing what we call, Operation 501. This is a fundraiser where we are attempting to raise the funds to get Geek Devotions an official Nonprofit status. In this special audio John and Dallas talk about how The Bottom Shelf bec...

In 1993, Ernie Reyes Sr. and Jr. waxed up their surf boards and exposed the world the a hidden secret… Ninjas… can… surf… well sort of. This Neal Israel family comedy was considered a box office flop, but does this more rad than what the critics say? Or will it wipe out as a total Barney on… The Bottom Shelf. Connect with John:  https://linktr.ee/johnharju  Connect wi...

In 1996, before entering the Danger Zone on The Titanic… Billy Zane put on a mask and purple tights to fight evil in a Crime Story spanning from jungle adventure to the streets of New York… He became…. THE PHANTOM… This pulp action hero movie wasn’t received well by critics. But is it better than what the critics say? Or does it truly belong on… The Bottom Shelf...