Categories & segments

Armageddon The Rewatchables
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Armageddon

Who Won the Movie?

Billy Bob Thornton wins two explicit ballots to Will Patton’s one, while Michael Bay is discussed but not chosen.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:09Read transcript
  • Two voters choose Thornton because his magnetic competence and gravity keep the fourth-billed NASA role—and the movie—credible.
  • One voter chooses Will Patton in an openly personal selection that the others call a homer pick.
  • Bay owns the film stylistically but is denied the win for disowning it after criticism and for later excess; the hosts urge him to claim the masterpiece.
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Billy Bob Thornton
Speaker not identified
Will Patton
Speaker not identified
Billy Bob Thornton
Back to the Future The Rewatchables
Back to the Future poster
Back to the Future

Casting What-Ifs

Eric Stoltz filmed five weeks as Marty before Michael J. Fox replaced him

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:52Read transcript
  • Michael J. Fox was initially unavailable because Family Ties needed him while Meredith Baxter Birney was absent
  • Eric Stoltz filmed for five weeks but was judged too dramatic, insufficiently comic, and unconvincing on a skateboard
  • The studio approved spending another $3 million to replace Stoltz and reshoot with Fox
  • Stoltz continued filming temporarily after the replacement decision while the production secured Fox
  • Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson are quoted describing Stoltz as talented but too intense for the needed comedy
  • Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, John Cusack, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell were also considered or auditioned
  • John Cusack is judged a plausible alternate because he could balance comedy, drama, awkwardness, and charm
  • Fox’s athletic physical comedy is credited as essential to the final performance
Back to the Future The Rewatchables
Back to the Future poster
Back to the Future

Most Rewatchable Scene

The final return to 1985 and Biff skateboard chase lead many strong sequences

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:25Read transcript
  • The clock-filled opening credits and Doc’s laboratory are nominated
  • Einstein’s one-minute time-travel experiment is nominated
  • Marty meeting George and Lorraine in the diner and bedroom is nominated
  • Marty convincing the 1955 Doc and the Ronald Reagan exchange are nominated
  • Marty punching Biff, escaping on the improvised skateboard, and the manure crash are nominated
  • The Johnny B. Goode performance is nominated and reported as a preview audience favorite that Zemeckis had considered cutting
  • The clock-tower return to 1985 is selected for its escalating action beats
  • The flying DeLorean sequel tease and transformed McFly family are praised as part of the closing stretch
  • The Biff skateboard chase is separately selected and linked to a childhood skateboard purchase
Back to the Future The Rewatchables
Back to the Future poster
Back to the Future

What’s Aged the Best?

Huey Lewis, character payoffs, Claudia Wells, backlots, Christopher Lloyd, and Alan Silvestri

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:26Read transcript
  • The Goldie Wilson setup and later mayor payoff are praised
  • The Power of Love and Back in Time are praised, including Huey Lewis judging Marty’s performance of his own song
  • Marty’s horror at Lorraine flirting with him is praised
  • The 1950s ice-cream shop and George punching Biff are praised
  • Claudia Wells is praised as a supportive Jennifer Parker
  • Studio backlots are praised for creating a reusable, convincing town square
  • Christopher Lloyd is jokingly praised for appearing not to age
  • Alan Silvestri’s score is praised as iconic and durable
  • Huey Lewis is selected as the leading Aged Best choice
Back to the Future The Rewatchables
Back to the Future poster
Back to the Future

What’s Aged the Worst?

Franchise replacement, makeup, Libyan terrorists, sexual misconduct, PG content, guitar mime, and rock-history premise

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:52Read transcript
  • Claudia Wells leaving the sequels because her mother had cancer is treated as a sad lost opportunity
  • Lorraine’s heavier-body makeup is criticized as unconvincing
  • The unexplained Libyan-terrorist plot is criticized, with Zemeckis reportedly apologizing for its insensitivity
  • George spying on Lorraine and Biff’s attempted assault are criticized
  • The violence and repeated profanity are considered surprising for a PG film
  • Michael J. Fox’s guitar mime is criticized as unrealistic
  • Marty being framed as inventing rock and roll is criticized
  • The high-school dance band is added belatedly to Aged Best
Back to the Future The Rewatchables
Back to the Future poster
Back to the Future

Casting What-Ifs

John Lithgow and other alternate casting history

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:57Read transcript
  • John Lithgow is reported as the first choice for Doc Brown and is judged plausible
  • J.J. Cohen was reportedly moved from Biff to a cohort because he was not imposing enough opposite Stoltz
  • Melora Hardin was reportedly released as Jennifer after Fox replaced Stoltz because of their height difference
  • An Al Pacino Doc Brown is performed as a comic hypothetical rather than reported casting
Back to the Future The Rewatchables
Back to the Future poster
Back to the Future

Half-Assed Internet Research

Alternate nuclear climax, Stoltz footage, Fox schedule, VHS ending, and Oscar result

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:42Read transcript
  • The original climax reportedly involved driving through a Nevada nuclear test before cost prompted the clock tower
  • Lea Thompson was reportedly dating Dennis Quaid during filming
  • A shot of Eric Stoltz’s hand reportedly remains in Biff’s punch scene
  • Michael J. Fox reportedly worked Family Ties by day and the film overnight
  • The To Be Continued card was reportedly added to VHS but absent from theatrical and DVD versions
  • Power of Love was Oscar-nominated but lost to Say You, Say Me
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