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

This week Phil takes 2001's The Man from Elysian Fields off his shelf and present to Dave a very underknown and underseen Andy Garcia movie. The guys discuss the many things they like about this movie. The real standout is Mick Jagger in a small but pivotal role. Phil and Dave wish the movie spent more time with his character and only slightly found the main relationship storyline to be the weakest.

Dave takes 2016's Arrival and presents a film beautifully directed by Denis Villeneuve and accompanied by a fantastic performance by Amy Adams. Both Phil and Dave seem to consider Ms Adams their favourite actress. Phil appreciates the ability to make a movie about communication so interesting and compelling while Dave enjoys the story structure and amazing score which Dave discovered after recording had contributions from Ad Astra's Max Richter.

Phil/Dave have a look at 2008's Frost/Nixon. Phil grabs this movie off his shelf and the guys get a glimpse of Nixon after the Watergate scandal that All the President's Men depicted. Phil loves the performances and the writing and Dave feels as though the big win the team gets is a little of a let down despite being built up very well.

Phil and Dave have another look at Jack Ryan as Dave takes 1992's Patriot Games off the shelf. The guys reflect on having watched its sequel and Affleck's take on the character before viewing this movie. Phil believes that Clear and Present Danger is a much more compelling and accomplished movie and finds some of the plotting a little muddled while Dave enjoys Richard Harris and Sean Bean as the movie's villains as well as the action of the end.

Phil and Dave discuss another special relationship as Phil takes 1976's All the President's Men. Woodward and Bernstein took down Nixon and Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman take those roles and create amazing characters with brilliant performance. Gordon Willis shot this gorgeous movie and Alan Pakula directs it perfectly.   Sadly, the content is still relevant all these later but this movie is a towering achievement and worth spending your time. Phil talks about becoming interested in Journalism, Nixon and newspaper movies and Dave finds the tone, atmosphere and performances to be compelling.

What's a more special relationship than your podcast hosts? We find out when Dave pulls 2010's The Special Relationship off of his shelf. With Solid performances by Dennis Quaid and Michael Sheen and especially Hope Davis edge this movie out of "made for HBO" territory but the movie still feels a little flat.

Phil and Dave look back at their own challenges as they discuss 1962's The Days of Wine and Roses. A stunning look at the ravages of addiction. Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon give powerhouse performances in glorious black and white.

Phil and Dave visit Africa in search of 2006’s Blood Diamond. Phil has a little trouble with Leo's accent at first but grows accept it. Dave explains how this movie impacted him directly and both admit that Djimon Hounsou is the star of the movie.

Phil and Dave discuss 1982's Poltergeist. Phil takes one of his favourite childhood movies off his shelf to share with Dave. Phil believes the movie holds up with great performances by the cast and some wonderful visual effects. Dave had trouble connecting to a 40 year old movie and as a result leaves him a little cold. Can Phil convince him? Have a listen.

Phil and Dave storm the beaches as they visit 1998's Saving Private Ryan. The rare movie that lives on both shelves. Phil recounts his early experience with the movie that is considered the best of 1998 and still has trouble agreeing with that title. Dave admits that after nearly two dozen viewings some moments have lost their potency but other are just as compelling as the first.