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

This is it, another 52 in review. Phil and Dave look back on the year that was and honour the best and worst of the season. Phil gives recommendations for theatrical releases and recalls the feeling he gets from seeing a great movie in the theatre and Dave decides that this year he'll see more.

The new year begins as the last one ends when Dave brings 1990's Die Hard 2 off his shelf. Our original movie we planned for this week is delayed like so many flights this winter.. The guys discuss if this is more of a Christmas movie than the first one.  Phil believes it to be an excellent sequel and Dave thinks that it gives a little more depth to McClane's character while the other returning actors don't get the same treatment.

It's the new year and Phil takes 1999's 200 Cigarettes off his shelf. The guys discuss their favorite "new years" memories and remind themselves that there just isn't the same feeling as Christmas. Phil finds the movie to be a mess but some meaningful lines that have stuck with him throughout the years but doesn't rise above those few high points. Dave finds all the performances too heightened to be believed and wanted to quit smoking again after watching this movie.

Happy holidays from Phil and Dave . It's the gift of Bruce as Dave takes 1988's Die Hard off his shelf.  Is it a Christmas or not? It doesn't matter considering this is a near perfect action movie. Phil finds the movie takes the care to provide even the "bad guys" a character and personality and no bad guy is badder than Hans - bubbe! This quotable film has stood the test of time and Dave confesses that he may have seen this more than maybe any other movie and he still loves it

It's the most wonderful time of the year as Phil takes 1983's A Christmas Story off his shelf. The movie that brings all the joy and wonder of a child at Christmas is a real treat to discuss.  Phil is transported to his childhood that occurred 40 years after the setting of this movie yet still connects to the similarly. Considering the guys are talking about this movie almost 40 years after the film was released is a testament to its power. Dave finds the sweetness of the story, as well as the 40s setting to be really enjoyable and may become a Christmas tradition.

Phil and Dave wrestle with the 2 hour and 8 minute war as Dave takes 2018's Mortal Engines off his shelf. Phil struggles to get through what he feels is a mess of a movie while Dave enjoys the visuals and the audio but finds the plot to be less interesting. This movie feels like it was meant to be a franchise but at the same time feels like an hour was cut out of it. A strange paradox for a less than engaging movie.

Phil and Dave get animated when Phil takes 2009's Up off his shelf. Disney/Pixar deliver a beautiful film that shows life, love and adventure through the eyes of a septuagenarian. Phil believes its a masterpiece that kind of loses steam near the end and Dave briefly questions the logic but gets lost in it regardless.

Phil and Dave visit the criminal underworld again as Dave takes 2007's American Gangster off his shelf. The guys discuss the star power of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Phil remembers seeing this in the theatre and being disappointed,  then buying it on HD-DVD with high hopes and being let down again watching the extended version.  Dave watched the theatrical cut and found it to be entertaining enough but feels a little let down at the overall experience.

Phil and Dave crawl into 2002's Panic Room as Phil grabs this off his shelf. Phil delights in finally talking about a David Fincher movie and remarks that it seems to have gotten better over time. Dave finds the showy camera work more impressive and less obvious than Unbreakable.

Phil and Dave pay their respects as Dave takes 2006's Flags of our Fathers off his shelf. Phil finds the story structure to be jarring and unnecessary and leaves the movie missing key elements and ultimately wishes a different movie was made. Dave praised the presentation of the war theater but was unable to connect to any of the characters.