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

Whatever you do, don't podcast asleep - Phil offers option 2 to Dave as he takes 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street off the shelf. They further discuss the changes to the genre as well as filmmaking overall since 1980, the advent of MTV as well as advances in special effects. Ghostbusters, Gremlins and Temple of Doom came out this same year. Phil finds great joy in watching the original movie of his favorite slasher icon and enjoys a script that manages to balance some great characters and great kills to create a character that permeated pop culture in ways that Jason and Michael were not able to. Dave, however, found it challenging to sort out what was happening in the real world and the dream world and found a few gaps in logic that were tough to overcome. The gore was a little too much too as some of the over the top kills were great reminders of why he's not a fan of the genre to begin with. Now that he has watched these movies, which franchise will be the next we tackle in October, tune in to find out. 

Podcast, Mommy! Podcast! - Phil issues a challenge to Dave as he takes 1980's Friday the 13th off the shelf and discusses the changes to the genre since Halloween and how the modern slasher film owes a lot to this film. Dave wonders where the heck Jason is as he watches for the first time. Phil forgives the stiff performances and thin dialogue since the kills are great and even Dave enjoys some of the gore effects of Tom Savini. They discuss the "who dunnit" model and try to determine if it was ultimately successful as well as ask why Kevin Bacon won't discuss this role 45 years later. 

I was old 10 podcasts ago - It is tax season, and Dave takes 2016's The Accountant off the shelf this week. He remembers seeing it and enjoying the action and being intrigued by the twists in the plot. Years later, he isn't quite as enamored of the movie and not entirely sure where he lands on its quality. Phil vaguely remembers seeing it upon release but finds himself fully engaged. This isn't the silly Affleck that he usually prefers, but likes the performance and is interested in the upcoming sequel.

I see dead podcasts - Dave takes 1999's The Sixth Sense off the shelf this week as he decides it has been too long since we've visited two favorites; M. Night and Bruce Willis. Dave relishes the chance to watch one of Bruce's movies he has seen the least though remembers fondly. He find the fact that this is M. Night's "first" movie to be impressive and is blown away by Toni Colette performance. Phil remembers too well that he hated this movie upon release as he was one step ahead of the movie pretty early on and just couldn't get caught up in the drama that was unfolding. Leaving the "twist" to be less than successful. He also remember this to be the downfall of his appreciation of Bruce as he did not connect to his performance. However, Phil enjoyed it more than he thought he would even if it still rings a little hollow. 

Ritchie Valens and his flying podcast! - Phil takes 1987's La Bamba off the shelf this week as he remember the day the music died for the second time. Phil is so captivated by the performance of Esai Morales as Bob that it threatens to take the attention away from Lou Diamond Phillips. That being said, the movie is successful in taking a different approach to similar material as the 1979's The Buddy Holly Story (available in the archives) Dave found it challenging to get into the story overall as the characters were too thinly drawn to be understood without knowing the story previous. The performances and structure of the movie start to be a little melodramatic by the end. Phil, of course, is moved to tears. 

I'm podcasting through silk... Dave is breaking all the rules as he takes 2023's Mr. Monk's Last Case off the "shelf". The first time we tackle a made for streamer movie and Phil is not pleased. Frustrated that it's the series finale and looks like a TV show is a challenge to get over as he watches it. Dave enjoys the character and performance of Tony Shaloub while he may end up going back to watch the show. Phil wishes a TV show never ended up on a movie podcast.

Of all the podcasts in all the world... We wish you a Happy Valentine's Day as Phil takes 1942's Casablanca off the shelf. David must vaguely remember this movie before as he certainly remembered all the iconic lines. Phil gushes over the performances, the characters, the dialogue and one of the greatest scenes of patriotism ever on film.  The movie continues to work 80 years later and will continue to work as time goes by

Looks like we're going to be here a while, let's get going on some podcast - Dave takes 2003's Hollywood Homicide off the shelf. Phil wonders how so many talented people could make such a waste of time. Harrison Ford phoning it in, literally! Ron Shelton losing the charm of his early films by delivering a sloppy plot. Dave remembers this movie more fondly and tries to defend the choices made (but fails) and may drive Phil crazy by the end. 

Just because they're gone doesn't mean they can't podcast - that line may be clunky but Phil is delighted to take 1995's Things to do in Denver When You're Dead off the shelf. He shares a wonderful memory of choosing to stay over an hour after work to finish the movie. Dave can't help himself but laugh as Phil bares his heart to Christopher Lloyd's performance. Somehow Dave claims to like the film but thinks it would be better if nothing went wrong and it had a happy ending and a different cast. This may be biggest fight yet.  

I'm the Gringo who always podcasts - Dave pulls 2017's American Made off the shelf this week and enjoys the Tom Cruise-ness of it. There is an energy and performance style that takes up the whole frame when he is on screen. Phil finds the movie a little disjointed and ultimately disappoints by the time it ends despite some solid scenes. There is a problem with Domhnall Gleeson's hair and the voiceover (video cassette recordings) that is tough to get over. Dave questions the validity of the claim of "based on a true story"