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

"Everybody Podcasts" and we're no different as Dave takes 2002's Minority Report off the shelf. Phil is reminded why he hasn't seen this movie since its theatrical release and explains why this led to a 15 year long boycott of Spielberg movies. Dave revisits a favorite and finds a few more flaws than before but generally enjoys what the movie has to offer and is impressed by the performances.

We fall off the wagon as Phil takes 1945's The Lost Weekend off the shelf. This Billy Wilder movie is dark and moody but conveys the desperation of addition as good any any movie Phil has seen. Dave found the realities of alcoholism to be realistic and occasionally triggering. Both agree that the ending resolves a little too easily and leaves us wondering if Don has really beat the bottle.

The boys of summer are back on the field this week, and Dave takes 2012's Trouble With the Curve off the shelf. Phil found the movie to be a bland mix of common themes. Amy Adams manages to elevate some of them but struggles with a story that doesn't quite reach the heights it could have. Dave found the characters to be one note and the script to be pretty pedestrian. The movie culminates with too many "easy" answers to questions it barely asks.

Let's snap to it! Phil takes 1991's Oscar off the shelf. Phil remembers a very early theatrical experience and a newspaper headline that has never escaped him. Dave wonders what this movie is about for far too long but once he figures it out enjoys it. We discuss the complicated history of Stallone's comedies and John Landis' 90s.

Dave celebrates the first Bruce of the season as he takes 1993's Striking Distance off the shelf. Phil finds the movie to be predictable, bland and repetitive at times. He loves the supporting cast despite them being wasted. Dave revels in the complexity of the mystery as he revisits this movie. He enjoys the turns the plot takes and continues to be impressed by the tightness of the script.

It's a time for romance in the heart of Los Angeles as Phil takes 1991's L.A. Story off the shelf. This has been a constant favorite this time of year. Phil enjoys the wacky and absurd and how it mixes with the sweet, sincere and romantic. It's a bit dated but the jokes still hold up. Dave found the laughs but struggled to find the romance in this film despite Phil begging him to.

We're happy to share our enthusiasms as part of a team as Dave takes 1987's The Untouchables off the shelf. Phil remembers loving this DePalma classic from the first time he ever saw it from VHS to 4K and even owned the soundtrack on CD. Dave needed an excuse to connect with this movie again and was not disappointed. Even the perceived flaws are largely ignored. This movie's great.

We honour the day the music died as Phil takes 1978's The Buddy Holly Story off the shelf. Phil shares fond childhood memories of sharing this music with his mother. Dave found himself captivated by the music and the story that he was unaware of prior.

We left the bad accents to Brad Pitt this time as Dave takes 1997's The Devil's Own off the shelf. Phil has never seen it before and finds it rather bland as there didn't appear to be much reason for Harrison Ford to be in this movie. Dave likes the performances and the score but finds there to be something missing.

Whodunit? We dunit as Phil takes 1985's Murder in Space off the shelf. Phil recalls the hype of this movie gripping him at a very early age and watching all the promo interviews and loving every minute of it. Dave watches for the first time and misses the hype but found the mystery compelling even if he didn't get any right answers.