The Top Shelf Video Podcast

Episode 24: Dragonslayer

This week, the boys at Top Shelf Video close out their Summer of D&D with the 1981 groundbreaking spectacular, Dragonslayer. This film touches on all the highlights of the prior movies, Jaime and Eli discussed in this trifecta, but with the high-end production value, the guys discuss some of the elements that make this film special. From the acting to the art direction, this movie has it all, and for a film made nearly 45 years ago, it still holds up and, in many ways a better film than many modern movies. But does this film have enough firepower to make the Top Shelf? 
 
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Film to Table (Side Cast) Episode 15: Weapons

Where have all the children gone?? Won’t anyone think of the children?!  Eli and Denise search for answers in this week’s Film to Table as they watch Zach Cregger’s Weapons. A small community is rocked by a devastating mystery with no discernible logic. What kind of monster prowls the neighborhood? Find out in this week’s newest episode!
 
This podcast has some spoilers, but we have a callout before then, so listener discretion is advised 
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Episode 23: The BeastMaster

This week, the boys at the Top Shelf Video store continue their campaign of watching sword and sorcery movies with the 1982 Don Coscarelli classic The Beastmaster. Continuing the Dungeons and Dragons theme from Krull, Jaime and Eli discuss the things that drew them to making this a high rental for them and many Gen X kids, and where it stands in the long line of sword and sandal movies of the 80's. With a big cast of familiar faces and furry animals, does this forgotten gem have what it takes to be a Top Shelf Video?
 
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Episode 22: Krull

Join us for the quest of a lifetime or for the two-hour run time of this swashbuckling adventure called Krull. This week, Jaime and Eli dust off their old Dungeons and Dragons playbooks and revisit this cult classic.  This 1983 movie was a major influence on our video store boys, and they discuss some of their favorite aspects of Krull, along with some flashback memories that include one of the most epic weapon designs put to film. Grab your bag of holding and join us on this adventure to the Top Shelf Video mountain top
 
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Episode 21: Johnny Dangerously

This week, the boys, particularly Eli, discuss why physical media is as important as it has ever been, as they explore Johnny Dangerously. This movie is often overlooked in discussions of Michael Keaton's filmography. This 1984 film was an early parody film of cinema and other aspects of crime movies, and its sharp wit and humor left a big impression on Jaime and Eli but is it enough to make the Top Shelf? Tune in an find out!Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Film to Table (Side Cast) Episode 14: Companion

This week, Denise and Eli ask the important question, "If you could put your head on a robot body, would you?" but they also watched 2025's Companion starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid. This ended up being a fun conversation about some deep aspects of the movie and what the film's story was saying in our opinion. The film is a great sci-fi film that we'd love of but one thing is certain: the robots are coming, and there is no stopping them. They will soon be here, and I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords. As a trusted podcaster, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground robot caves....so join us on Film to Table this week!Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Episode 20: Stand and Deliver

This week, the boys from Top Shelf Video revisit their school days and Hispanic heritage as they discuss the 1988 film Stand and Deliver. A drama film discussing the trials and tribulations of a group of underprivileged high school students from East Los Angeles who are pushed to find success by their teacher, Jaime Escalante, in the subject of math. Based on actual events, this film discusses the challenges that minorities face both at home and in school. Does Stand and Deliver get an A+ and make the Top Shelf, or will it fail and stick around for another year before graduating to the next level
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Episode 19: The Raid

This week, the Top Shelf Video boys turn up the action dial as the summer heat turns up and watch the return of gunkata in 2011's The Raid. This action-packed movie is a tribute to the John Woo wave of movies in the 1980s and restarted the action movement that is seen in most films from John Wick to the Marvel movies. Although this movie was at the tail end of the video store this has all the hallmarks of a video store rental but does it have a place on the Top Shelf?
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Film to Table (Side Cast) Episode 13 - Dark Match

Oh yeah, brother! Let me tell you a thing about...Yeah, I don't have that type of aura about me, but Densie and Eli love them some horror, and when you toss some wrastling with some delicious food, you've got yourself another episode of Film to Table. This week, we talk about the Shudder original Dark Match with Joe Bob Briggs fan Chris Jericho. We lace up our boots and prepare for our match-up of horror movies vs. culinary delights. 
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
Please rate and review us!
You can also email us at topshelfvideopodcast@gmail.com
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Theme music by Colin Nance

Episode 18: Crossroads

While Film to Table was down in the Mississippi Delta, the boys from Top Shelf Video made a double feature out of Sinners with 1986's Crossroads (no, not the Britney Spears joint). The classic story of a young man's journey to discover himself and what it means to know the Blues as he learns from his guide Willie Brown. Their adventures lead them to a duel over the fate of Willie's soul. Will the Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio, and his skills to save Willie's soul, and can this duel push this film into the Top Shelf?
Bonus Homework: The Devil Went Down To Georgia
Top Shelf Video – Reliving the Video Store Era with Gen X
Please rate and review us!
You can also email us at topshelfvideopodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram Top Shelf Video on Instagram
Follow us on BlueSkyTop Shelf Video Podcast Bluesky
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Theme music by Colin Nance