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

Phil brings 1975's Dog Day Afternoon off his shelf and introduces Dave to a near perfect movie. Lumet's direction and Pacino's performance are nearly unparalleled.

Dave delivers 1989's The Package to Phil who had never watched it before and thinks he may not have heard of it despite its great cast. Dave enjoys Gene Hackman's performance as a man of action which a casual charm and Phil sees the pieces of a better movie that came out a couple of years later.

Phil and Dave visit Gotham City as they discuss 1989's Batman. Phil talks about all the ways the movie and the hype around the movie connected with him and Dave thinks the spectacle of the film may have hidden some of the plot challenges.

Phil and Dave don't like BS. Don't like to hear it. Don't like to speak it. 1999's Talented Mr. Ripley gets taken off of Dave's shelf. Both agree that Jude Law is a performer that you can't take your eyes off of. They both find the performances of the rest of this incredible cast a great sign of their futures. Anthony Minghella sets a tone and atmosphere that is mesmerizing.

What if you could erase the most painful memories you have experienced? What would be left? That's the question that 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind asks as Phil takes this favorite off his shelf. Is forgetting the bad memories worth losing the good ones? How do we look at relationships before, after and during get discussed as well. Have a listen as we reckon with the consequences.

Phil and Dave stir the pot as Dave takes 2001's Last Castle off his shelf. Both attempt to find the meaning in this well cast but overall empty film. Phil gets more and more frustrated as he looks at all the ways in which the movie let him down. Dave wonders what other prison movies this resembles and why they are better.

Phil and Dave take 1991's Soapdish off the shelf and discuss their history with soap operas and how an audience of 2022 may feel about a movie that so closely mirrors the soap opera world. Phil finds the leads so compelling in roles that allow for fun and big performances while the writing races to keep up. Dave enjoys the banter of the characters and finds the movie hits its peak during the last 30 minutes and ends on a high note.

Phil and Dave are all ears as they discuss 1992's Reservoir Dogs. They discuss Quentin Tarantino's effect on pop culture and how this movie shows some of the promise of his follow up. They do wonder why this movie has been part of the zeitgeist for 30 years. Phil reveals the reason he's never seen this movie while Dave admits to owning more copies of the movie than times he's seen it.

Phil and Dave discuss 1998's A Simple Plan. Phil enjoys the complexity of character when challenged by finding 4.4 million dollars but feels some of the motivations seems rushed and Dave wonders what this movie would be like if it were a Canadian comedy set in a Trailer Park in Nova Scotia.

Phil and Dave visit 2010's Shutter Island. Dave brings our first Scorsese movie off his shelf and finds that this is an overlooked gem in Leo's catalogue of performances and Phil finds so many levels to the questions asked of this challenging and compelling film.