Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, but Mission: Impossible 2 is a very different mission. Phil and Dave revisit John Woo’s action-heavy 2000 sequel to discuss the slow motion, motorcycles, over-the-top stunts, Thandiwe Newton and Dougray Scott, and whether this actually feels like a Mission: Impossible movie. Does Woo’s signature style give the franchise a shot of adrenaline, or bury it beneath all the spectacle? Plus, plenty of kicking, questionable IMF hiring practices, and more doves than any spy movie probably needs.

Phil and Dave take on 1990’s Arachnophobia, the creepy-crawly horror-comedy starring Jeff Daniels and John Goodman. Does Frank Marshall’s blend of laughs, scares and killer spiders still hold up more than 35 years later? From the film’s practical effects and surprisingly effective tension to Goodman’s scene-stealing exterminator and Daniels’ terrified performance, the guys break down what makes Arachnophobia such a unique ’90s movie. Plus: childhood fears, unwanted encounters with bugs, familiar faces from Seinfeld, MacGyver and Star Trek, and whether this one deserves a permanent spot on the shelf.

This week on Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave, we’re doing our part and revisiting Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 sci-fi cult classic Starship Troopers. After years of requests, Dave finally gives the movie a proper watch, while Phil returns to the bug-infested battlefield for the first time in nearly 30 years.

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We dig into Casper Van Dien’s Johnny Rico, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Neil Patrick Harris and the always-welcome Michael Ironside, while debating the intentionally cheesy performances, massive bug battles, impressive practical effects and CGI, excessive gore and relentless military propaganda. But underneath all the carnage, how well does Verhoeven’s satire of fascism, patriotism, violence and manufactured information hold up today?

Dave is surprisingly hooked—at least for a while—while Phil discovers that talking about Starship Troopers might actually be more enjoyable than watching it..

Starship Troopers (1997) | Paul Verhoeven | Casper Van Dien | Denise Richards | Neil Patrick Harris | Sci-Fi Movie Review | 90s Movies | Cult Classic | Movie Podcast

This week on Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave, we head back to 1998 for Wes Anderson’s Rushmore. Phil has loved it for years, but can Jason Schwartzman’s endlessly ambitious—and occasionally insufferable—Max Fischer win Dave over?

We dig into Schwartzman’s unforgettable debut, Bill Murray’s surprisingly sad and layered Herman Blume, Olivia Williams as Rosemary Cross, and the soundtrack that first made Phil fall in love with the movie. Along the way, we debate Max’s questionable decisions, the escalating war between Max and Blume, Wes Anderson’s distinctive style, and how Rushmore manages to be funny, strange and genuinely melancholy at the same time.

Dave’s first viewing was a little touch-and-go—but a second watch changed things considerably. Is Rushmore worthy of a permanent spot on the shelf?

Rushmore (1998) | Wes Anderson | Jason Schwartzman | Bill Murray | Olivia Williams | Movie Review | Film Discussion | 90s Movies

This week on Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave, we’re accepting the mission and going back to 1996 for Brian De Palma’s Mission: Impossible. Dave has seen Tom Cruise’s first outing as Ethan Hunt countless times; Phil somehow made it 30 years without seeing it at all. Does this spy thriller still hold up?

We dig into the iconic CIA Langley break-in, that unforgettable theme, the very ’90s technology, Jim Phelps, Kittridge, the original TV series connection, De Palma’s direction and an explosive finale that may stretch the laws of physics. Plus, Dave discovers that after all these years, he may have a few more nitpicks than he remembers.

Mission: Impossible (1996) stars Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Henry Czerny, Jean Reno and Ving Rhames. Join us for a funny, spoiler-filled look back at the movie that launched one of Hollywood’s biggest action franchises.

Martin Scorsese doing a dark comedy? This week on Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave, we revisit the bizarre, frustrating and increasingly absurd nightmare that is After Hours (1985). Phil thinks this overlooked Scorsese film is hilarious; Dave just watched wanted the night to end. We get into Griffin Dunne’s performance, the film’s strange cast of characters, its brand of deadpan comedy, the never-ending obstacles keeping Paul Hackett from getting home, and whether all that frustration is exactly what makes the movie work—or what makes it unbearable. Plus: Teri Garr, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard, Rosanna Arquette, Cheech & Chong, papier-mâché, subway fares and one very long night in SoHo.

Phil and Dave head back to the excess of the early 2000s with Boiler Room (2000), starring Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck, Nia Long and Scott Caan. Does this cult Wall Street drama about fast money, high-pressure sales and a shady brokerage firm still hold up 25 years later?

We revisit the rise and fall of Seth Davis, the unforgettable sales pitches, the surprisingly stacked cast, the troubled father-son relationship and a movie that feels more and more like a time capsule with every scene. There are things we like — including some of the phone sales sequences — but once Boiler Room heads toward its final act, the stock isn’t the only thing that starts to plunge.

Join Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave – A Movie Podcast for a funny, critical look back at Boiler Room, its characters, its questionable ethics and whether this 2000s cult movie is still worth buying into today.

Is The Game David Fincher's most underrated thriller? This week on Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave, we revisit the 1997 psychological mystery starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn to see if its twists, tension, and unforgettable ending still hold up nearly 30 years later. We debate the movie's biggest surprises, Dave's "BS meter," Fincher's masterful direction, and whether this reality-bending classic is brilliant—or asks viewers to suspend belief a little too much. If you love movie reviews, psychological thrillers and David Fincher films, come join The Game.

Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Secret Service suspense, and one unforgettable game of cat and mouse. This week on Off the Shelf with Phil and Dave, we revisit In the Line of Fire (1993) to find out whether this political thriller still hits the mark. We dive into Eastwood's aging hero, Malkovich's chilling performance, memorable one-liners, surprising laughs, pacing, and whether this '90s classic deserves its reputation—or does Dave regret his 4k-$40 purchase. Join us for another fun, spoiler-filled movie conversation packed with nostalgia, debate, and plenty of off-the-cuff opinions.

Can a shark really seek revenge? That's the question Phil and Dave tackle as they revisit Jaws: The Revenge (1987), the most controversial film in the legendary Jaws franchise. From the unforgettable Christmas opening and Sean Brody's shocking fate to Michael Caine, Lorraine Gary's emotional performance, and one of the wildest premises in horror history, the conversation balances laughs, nostalgia, and surprisingly thoughtful debate. Is Jaws 4 a complete disaster, or an entertaining sequel that's more fun than critics ever gave it credit for? Dive in and decide for yourself.