Off The Shelf with Phil and Dave

Dave tries to stay out of Phil's personal affairs as he brings 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective off the shelf. Phil didn't find the over the top antics of Jim Carrey appealing as he once did unless it got cold enough. Dave shares memories of high school in 1994 and the impact the movie had on him.

"Dad, do you think there are podcasts on other planets?" - Dave takes 1997's Contact Off the Shelf this week. Phil thinks Matthew McConaughey is terribly miscast and the movie suffers as a result. Dave doesn't have as many problems with it but makes it harder to get into. The movie asks questions but doesn't have the strength to answer them.

"I'm going to tell you about a time I almost podcasted" - Phil takes 1998's Fallen Off the Shelf and remembers seeing it in theatres, in Winnipeg! He loved it then, loves it now. Dave had never seen it before and was impressed by performances and the twists along the way. A few scenes so good, Phil can't pick just one.

"That's what makes you that podcast" - Dave attempts to get even with Phil by taking 2007's Live Free or Die Hard Off the Shelf. Phil remembers why he hasn't seen this movie before but doesn't blame Bruce by the end. A bland action movie with a bland villain makes the movie far less enjoyable than its predecessors. Dave enjoys Bruce as always, doesn't care that the plot is a little thin and doesn't hate Kevin Smith's involvement as much either. He does appreciate Mai Ling and Mary Elizabeth Winstead though and finds some of the action sequences to be exciting if not a little over the top.

"Today we decide which Podcast we want to buy" - it's the summer in the city as Dave takes 1995's Die Hard With a Vengeance off the shelf. Phil remembers loving this movie and it turns out all his favorite stuff is in the first hour. Unfortunately, the back half is a but of a struggle. Dave loves seeing the drunk and hungover Bruce and enjoys the addition of Sam Jackson as a hilarious foil. We both miss Bonnie Bedelia and that relationship though.

"What started out as a joke has now turned into a podcast" - It's East vs. West as Phil takes 1985's Rocky 4 off the shelf. He remembers seeing this movie in the theatre and admits that though not as good as Rocky, it may be his favorite. Dave misses Mr. T but enjoys the Rock of 85. Paulie still sucks.

"My Prediction? Podcast" - It's round three as Phil takes 1982's Rocky 3 off the shelf. Phil looks at the film through the lens of Stallone's career and remarks the physical and character changes that Rocky underwent between the sequels and how it keeps Phil at a distance until the back half. Dave comes to this movie fresh and enjoys the presence of Mr. T and welcomes the return of Carl Weathers but questions the benefits of slow motion running on a beach. 

"Sleep Now" as Phil takes 1998's Dark City off the shelf. Once again we discuss our love of the film noir aesthetic. Phil remembers an early DVD purchase and an immediate love of this somewhat forgotten film. We discuss the Career of Alex Proyas and Dave talks about his appreciation of the pace, style and performances and can't quite place his memory of seeing it before. Fitting, isn't it?

"Once again we play out Dangerous game" as Dave takes 1990's The Hunt For Red October off the shelf. Phil had never seen this movie and enjoyed going back to the first Jack Ryan movie to see how the foundation that Alec Baldwin created changed throughout the series. Sen Connery delivers a great performance and Mctiernan continues his run of great films. Phil is surprised by how much he enjoyed this movie. Dave tried to explain why we are watching the first Jack Ryan movie last and delivers his Jack Ryan ranking. He confesses that this isn't a go-to movie for him but is a happy addition to his shelf.