The Shelf

Episode 55: Road to Perdition

Vroom Vroom babies! Hop in the car and get ready to drive with your pals Tom, Nic, Tom, and Hannah. This week, for our last film on the Shelf, we watch Hannah's final movie, Road to Perdition. Topics discussed: violence in media, Tom Newman et. al Toms and Newmans, Catholicism and Protestatism, fathers and sons, Tandy and Thandie, and the Tucc. Music used in this episode (all credit to Thomas Newman unless specified), "Rock Island, 1931," "Murder (In Four Parts)," "Road to Chicago," "Meet Maguire," "Fin McGovern,"  "The Farm," "Dirty Money," "Cathedral," "Ghosts," "Lexington Hotel, Room 1432," "Road to Perdition," "Perdition," by Tom Hanks, and Paul Newman, "Chicago," by Sufjan Stevens, 20th Century Fox theme, Dreamworks theme, "Closure," by Tandy Miller, and "You Got a Friend in Me," by Tommy's cousin Randy.

Episode 54: Kangaroo Jack

G'day mates! In the final Nic episode of the Shelf, we break all the rules to revisit an ur-text of Nic's love of cinema. Also, it's a movie Hannah really liked. Topics discussed include Hot Jerry O'Connell, the difficulties of remembering names, and testicles. Songs used in this episode: Down Under by Colin Hay, Tainted Love by Soft Cell, Hey Sexy Lady by Shaggy, Brian & Tony Gold, Walkin' On the Sun by Smash Mouth, Rapper's Delight, by the Sugar Hill Gang, and Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow.

Episode 53: Role Models

BOYZ TO MEN! This week Nic and Hannah watch Hannah's raunchy comedy about two grown men learning to be decent through the power of mentor-ship. Topics discussed in this episode include: toxic masculinity, Nic's love of improv, Paul Rudd, and LARP. Songs used in this episode: Love Take Me Down (To the Streets) by (not) Wings,  Augie on Rooftop by Craig Wedren, Mr. Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra, Universal Studios theme, Beth by Paul Rudd, and Dunkin' Fritalian Commercial  by They Might be Giants.

Episode 52: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Oooohhh boy, does Hannah not like this movie. It's a Nic week, and it is his final teen coming of age story. Based on a novel that meant a lot to him, this Michael Cera, Kat Dennings flick means nothing to Hannah, but Nic still loves the soundtrack. Also, we remain stuck in 2008 forever! Songs used in this episode: Xavia by the Submarines,  Negative by Project Jenny Project Jan, Very Loud by the  Shout Out Louds, After Hours by We Are Scientists, Middle Management by Bishop Allen, and Ottoman by Vampire Weekend

Episode 51: The NeverEnding Story

Like all children's films from the 80's, the NeverEnding Story is super freaky when you think about it for too long. Luckily for you, listener, this week Nic and Hannah did all of that thinking for you. Other discussion topics include: the problematic portrayal of Native Americans in cinema, existential dread, the beauty of the horse body, and the presence of Giles in a film.