Amanda calls this the essential and best Hanks performance — Amanda Dobbins
She praises the silent communication of ambition, loss, fear and dignity — Amanda Dobbins
The moon-landing reaction and navigation anecdote support her case — Amanda Dobbins
Cast Away is offered as a harder solo performance — Amanda Dobbins
A compromise gives Oscars to Apollo 13 and Cast Away — Amanda Dobbins
The panel believes Hanks deserved at least a nomination here — Amanda Dobbins

Share this discussion More The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award answers

44:02

Most Rewatchable Scene

Reentry and the CO2-filter solution divide favorite and most-rewatchable choices

In the discussion (15)

Approx. transcript time · 00:44:02Read transcript

Hanks watching Armstrong land is nominated
Jim’s explanation of the Apollo 1 fire to his son pays off later
Mattingly being removed from the mission is nominated
Swigert’s failed simulator attempt and retry are nominated
The launch and Harris’s introduction build excitement
Docking gives the rookie a success
The oxygen leak and sudden silence establish the crisis
Clint Howard’s explanation sets the stakes
The loss of the moon and the astronauts’ argument are discussed
The improvised CO2 filter initially gets broad agreement
The manual burn with Earth in the window is nominated
Mattingly restoring power is nominated
Reentry’s extended wait and the control-room celebration are praised
Final choices distinguish a favorite CO2 sequence from the most-rewatchable reentry
Lovell giving Swigert the pilot seat completes his confidence arc

Share this discussion More Most Rewatchable Scene answers

51:35

The most 1995 thing

The overwhelmingly white cast

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 00:51:35Read transcript

Opening graphics and Hanks’s period look are alternatives — Bill Simmons
The panel argues a modern production would notice the near-exclusively white speaking cast — Bill Simmons
The lone Black orderly and his treatment are criticized — Bill Simmons

Share this discussion More The most "year the movie came out" thing answers

54:40

What’s Aged the Best?

Houston, we have a problem; the score; and collective problem-solving

In the discussion (13)

Approx. transcript time · 00:54:40Read transcript

The famous line’s cleaned-up wording and lasting use in sports are discussed
The film’s use of the number thirteen leads to a superstition debate
Paxton’s rhinoceros line is enjoyed and its Busey/Point Break connection is reported
James Horner’s score and Annie Lennox’s vocals are praised
Supportive spouses are discussed
Harris’s hairpiece and military haircuts are enjoyed
The Hanks–Sinise reunion and Clint Howard’s role are praised
Walter Cronkite’s archival reactions give history emotional weight
Astronaut longevity is discussed with reported fitness and continuing medical monitoring, not verified health conclusions
Slingshotting around the moon is admired as comprehensible science
Lovell’s polo shirts are praised
Switching equipment on in the right order remains relatable
Gathering to watch a non-sports world event is missed

Share this discussion More What’s Aged the Best? answers

1:03:17

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The wide shot of the control-room celebration

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:03:17Read transcript

The panel agrees on the shot — Bill Simmons
The angled camera position captures the whole room erupting — Bill Simmons
The set is reported as purpose-built instead of using NASA’s offered room — Bill Simmons

Share this discussion More The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot answers

1:05:00

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Keep Apollo 13

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:05:00Read transcript

The simple title is preferred
Houston, We Have a Problem would preempt the line and feels like modern search-driven titling

Share this discussion More Is There a Better Title for This Movie? answers

1:06:39

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The older children, with disagreement about the ending

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:39Read transcript

Rob and another participant choose the teenagers
The younger child’s door question is defended
The older son’s close-ups lack the emotional force of Hanks’s
Reducing the number of children is proposed
The grandmother is criticized by one speaker and warmly defended by others
Bill wants a homecoming reunion with Sinise and Harris
Others defend ending early and the real Jim Lovell cameo
The children remain the leading weak-link choice

Share this discussion More The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film answers

1:09:26

What’s Aged the Worst?

The portrayal of Jack Swigert as underprepared

In the discussion (9)

Approx. transcript time · 01:09:26Read transcript

The repeated courting of thirteen is questioned — Bill Simmons
Fade-to-black transitions feel dated — Bill Simmons
Marilyn’s hair and the oldest daughter’s crying are criticized — Bill Simmons
The panel says real Swigert was an experienced backup rather than the risky rookie depicted — Bill Simmons
The dramatic distortion is discussed as unfair to his family — Bill Simmons
Heat-shield concerns are raised in comparison with contemporary missions — Bill Simmons
Some small launch effects show their age — Bill Simmons
The teenage daughter’s blame of Paul for the Beatles breakup is criticized — Bill Simmons
The panel compares difficult teenage-daughter roles with Moneyball, Homeland and The Americans — Bill Simmons

Share this discussion More What’s Aged the Worst? answers

1:12:58

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Henry the press officer

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:12:58Read transcript

Lovell’s flight-surgeon outburst is proposed but defended as appropriate — Amanda Dobbins
The press officer is criticized for leaning too hard into antagonism and concern for Nixon — Amanda Dobbins
The hosts do not identify the actor by name — Amanda Dobbins

Share this discussion More The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award answers

1:15:58

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

America needs a rival to recover its ambition

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:15:58Read transcript

A speaker argues the end of the Soviet rivalry left American ambition unfocused
Bill provocatively offers respect for Musk’s space ambitions; the others question the claim
They debate the appeal and purpose of Mars exploration
Amanda refers back to her earlier Hanks/Oscar take
Political and current-event comments remain attributed episode opinions

Share this discussion More The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award answers

1:20:51

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Todd Louiso

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:20:51Read transcript

Todd Louiso is remembered from Jerry Maguire — Bill Simmons
Loren Dean is recognized from Gattaca — Bill Simmons
Joe Spano is remembered from Hill Street Blues — Bill Simmons
Clint Howard is treated as too well known — Bill Simmons
Several other mission-control actors are recognized without names — Bill Simmons
Todd Louiso is the stated answer — Bill Simmons

Share this discussion More The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award answers

1:22:13

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Walter Cronkite

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:22:13Read transcript

Clint Howard and Jim’s mother are shortlisted — Bill Simmons
Cronkite is accepted as eligible and chosen — Bill Simmons
The panel discusses the authority of television science explainers — Bill Simmons

Share this discussion More The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance answers

1:30:37

Apex Mountain

Hanks’s mid-1990s summit, Quinlan’s nomination and Houston’s championship era

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 01:30:37Read transcript

Hanks’s Forrest Gump–Apollo 13–Toy Story period is a leading choice
Later freedom to direct or take unusual roles is offered as another measure of Hanks’s power
Howard’s A Beautiful Mind acclaim is preferred
Sinise’s Forrest Gump–Apollo 13 period is accepted
Bacon’s Footloose breakthrough is preferred
Houston’s back-to-back Rockets titles alongside the film are favored over the Beyoncé-birth alternative
Harris’s peak is placed somewhere between this and The Truman Show
Quinlan’s Oscar nomination supports her apex
Grazer is considered without a firm conclusion
Space movies are rejected because of Star Wars and 2001
American idealism and ingenuity are debated in relation to 1970 versus 1995

Share this discussion More Apex Mountain answers

1:35:08

Cruise or Hanks?

Hanks

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:35:08Read transcript

Hanks is chosen for this film — Bill Simmons
Cruise as Swigert is again offered as a way to have both — Bill Simmons

Share this discussion More Cruise or Hanks? answers

1:39:00

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Untouchable

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:39:00Read transcript

The film is declared untouchable for a remake or expanded adaptation

Share this discussion More Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake answers

1:39:14

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins as an astronaut

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:39:14Read transcript

Some participants are content to skip without Chris Ryan
A Wayne Jenkins reaction to Jack landing is imagined

Share this discussion More Is This Movie Better With…? answers

1:39:41

Just One Oscar

Best Picture, with Hanks and adapted screenplay also supported

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:39:41Read transcript

Amanda initially favors Hanks, consistent with her hottest take
Best Picture is a leading choice
Adapted screenplay is praised for turning technical procedures into drama
The conversation settles toward Best Picture over Braveheart

Share this discussion More Just One Oscar answers

1:45:36

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The white vest, gold flight jacket, flight suits and Hanks’s astronaut suit

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:45:36Read transcript

The white vest returns as a favorite — Bill Simmons
The gold jacket and rescued astronauts’ suits are alternatives — Bill Simmons
Hanks’s screen-worn astronaut suit is considered the most valuable object — Bill Simmons
Sinise’s sleeveless shirt and beer bottle are smaller-scale ideas — Bill Simmons