Off The Shelf With Phil and Dave- A Movie Review Podcast

"I can almost see it from here...podcast" - Dave takes 2017's Dunkirk off the shelf this week and finally reveals what we already knew; he's a Nolan guy. The manner in which this film is told is unique to Nolan and his skill. Piecing together the timelines makes the second and third watches enjoyable but it's the visceral experience of that first watch that is magic. Phil finds the movie making skill to be on full display and they both agree that the cast in this movie is incredible with a special shout to Mark Rylance who may be the best in the movie. 

"Lonesome Rhoads is the podcast. The Podcast is Lonesome Rhoads" - Phil takes 1957's A Face in the Crowd off the shelf this week and wonders why, in this political climate, it is not talked about more. A movie that despite it being made almost 70 years ago still bites as hard as it did then. A brilliant movie about the influence of the media and the disdain some of the people in power have for the people.  Dave loves getting into another black and white film and enjoys another opportunity to se Lee Remick but captivated the great performance of Andy Griffith and the movies brilliant screenplay. 

The Halloween series was more of a trick than a treat for Dave but as all the original films were taken off the shelf, Phil and Dave casually revisit the original and those that followed in the context of the series. Join us as we go back to Haddonfield.

"Michael Myers is not a podcast. He's a killer shark" - Phil takes 2002's Halloween Resurrection off the shelf and fondly remembers working at the video store when this was shot and shares some stories of hanging out with the actor who plays Michael. The fond memories end there as Dave discovers that whatever good will may have been earned last time is sorely wasted in the first 15 minutes. The franchise struggles to redefine itself and neither Phil nor Dave think it succeeds at all. Stick around to the end as they rank the series as well.

"Has anyone ever told you that second hand podcasts kill?" - Phil takes 1998's Halloween H20 off the shelf. Dave wonders why this movie doesn't have a water theme and continues to wonder what is happening in this franchise. Phil explains that 6 was a mess and this is an attempt to clean it up by turning to the Scream model. Phil still finds this movie lacking but with some really good scenes and Dave grants the series a little bit of good will by the end of it.

"It's his podcast now, and I know where he wants to play it" - Phil takes 1995's Halloween 6 off the shelf. Dave wonders if the curse of Michael Myers is that he has to watch this nearly incoherent sequel. Phil remembers really enjoying this entry upon it's release but time has not been kind. There is a deal made to revisit the movie with the producer's cut with pizza to make more sense of this mess.

Dave tries to stay out of Phil's personal affairs as he brings 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective off the shelf. Phil didn't find the over the top antics of Jim Carrey appealing as he once did unless it got cold enough. Dave shares memories of high school in 1994 and the impact the movie had on him.

"Dad, do you think there are podcasts on other planets?" - Dave takes 1997's Contact Off the Shelf this week. Phil thinks Matthew McConaughey is terribly miscast and the movie suffers as a result. Dave doesn't have as many problems with it but makes it harder to get into. The movie asks questions but doesn't have the strength to answer them.

"I'm going to tell you about a time I almost podcasted" - Phil takes 1998's Fallen Off the Shelf and remembers seeing it in theatres, in Winnipeg! He loved it then, loves it now. Dave had never seen it before and was impressed by performances and the twists along the way. A few scenes so good, Phil can't pick just one.

"That's what makes you that podcast" - Dave attempts to get even with Phil by taking 2007's Live Free or Die Hard Off the Shelf. Phil remembers why he hasn't seen this movie before but doesn't blame Bruce by the end. A bland action movie with a bland villain makes the movie far less enjoyable than its predecessors. Dave enjoys Bruce as always, doesn't care that the plot is a little thin and doesn't hate Kevin Smith's involvement as much either. He does appreciate Mai Ling and Mary Elizabeth Winstead though and finds some of the action sequences to be exciting if not a little over the top.