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The Rewatchables ·

Days of Thunder

year 1990decade 90sdirector Tony Scottgenre Sportsgenre Actiongenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Kyle Brandtproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 36 categories

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:54:29

Rubbing is racing

I'm more afraid of being nothing than being hurt is selected as a life lesson.

The film

Days of Thunder (1990)

Directed by Tony Scott · Sports

107 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Robert Duvall Harry Hogge, Cole's crew chief (patterned after Harry Hyde).
Nicole Kidman Dr. Claire Lewicki
Randy Quaid Tim Daland
Cary Elwes Russ Wheeler
Michael Rooker Rowdy Burns
John C. Reilly Buck Bretherton, Cole's car chief, and Buddy Bretherton's son.
Tom Cruise Cole Trickle
Caroline Williams Jennie Burns, Rowdy's wife.
J. C. Quinn Waddell, Rowdy's crew chief.
Nick Searcy a highway patrol officer.

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

1:32:26

Casting What-Ifs

Kurt Russell, Robin Wright, Tom Sizemore, Dale Earnhardt, Paul Newman

Kurt Russell, Robin Wright, Tom Sizemore, Dale Earnhardt, Paul Newman

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:26Read transcript
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1:37:53

Recasting Couch

Val Kilmer as Russ Wheeler

Val Kilmer as Russ Wheeler

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:53Read transcript
  • Val Kilmer is proposed as Russ Wheeler, potentially carrying his Jim Morrison styling into the role. — Bill Simmons
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1:39:13

Half-Assed Internet Research

Cars, birds, relationships, speeding, and role preparation

Cars, birds, relationships, speeding, and role preparation

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:13Read transcript
  • Hendrick Motorsports supplied the main cars, which were entered in real races for footage. — Bill Simmons
  • Birdseed used for the rental-car beach scene reportedly led to birds being struck during filming. — Bill Simmons
  • Donna Scott appeared in the police-stop scene, later dated Tony Scott, and married him. — Bill Simmons
  • Tom Cruise reportedly received a speeding ticket in North Carolina during production. — Bill Simmons
  • Nicole Kidman reportedly wanted to study neurosurgery, but producers discouraged it.
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1:45:00

Picking Nits

Origins, romance, safety, car knowledge, and repetitive passing

Origins, romance, safety, car knowledge, and repetitive passing

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:00Read transcript
  • Cole's background as an Eagle Rock NASCAR driver is questioned. — Bill Simmons
  • Claire falling for Cole almost immediately despite his conduct is questioned. — Bill Simmons
  • Claire having no boyfriend and claiming to work around the clock are questioned. — Bill Simmons
  • Claire's condemnation of racing danger is contrasted with riding a motorcycle without a helmet. — Kyle Brandt
  • The trope of a passenger threatening to jump from a moving car is questioned. — Bill Simmons
  • Cole's open-wheel experience is inconsistent with his claimed ignorance of cars. — Chris Ryan
  • His rapid shift to technical car expertise is questioned. — Chris Ryan
  • The racing action relies too heavily on high-side passes. — Chris Ryan
  • Cole being a fast learner is offered as a counterexplanation for his rapid acquisition of car expertise. — Chris Ryan
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1:50:51

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Daytona odds, pace car, Cruise–Kidman timing, and alternate Harry

Daytona odds, pace car, Cruise–Kidman timing, and alternate Harry

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:51Read transcript
  • Cole's Daytona odds after his crash and in another driver's car are estimated at 100-to-1 or longer. — Bill Simmons
  • The panel doubts it would be good at driving a pace car because of the banking and attention. — Kyle Brandt
  • The timing of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman beginning their relationship is debated as either casting or after the hallway kiss. — Kyle Brandt
  • Jack Nicholson is proposed as Harry if Robert Duvall had made The Godfather Part III instead. — Bill Simmons
  • That substitution is recognized as potentially changing A Few Good Men. — Bill Simmons
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1:54:44

Best Double Feature

Days of Thunder, Far and Away, and Eyes Wide Shut

Days of Thunder, Far and Away, and Eyes Wide Shut

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:54:44Read transcript
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1:56:23

Producer review

Positive

Positive

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:56:23Read transcript
  • The producer praises the film’s American spectacle, music, and presentation after watching it for the first time. — Chris Ryan
  • The producer argues the movie should be longer because character setup and crash aftermath feel abruptly cut. — Chris Ryan
  • The final freeze-frame race between Harry and Cole is praised.
  • Cole's unpunished post-race collision with Russ is flagged as an extreme rules violation. — Chris Ryan
  • The absence of contemporary ESPN or SportsCenter coverage is identified as a missed opportunity. — Bill Simmons
  • The film is praised as an ideal movie to have playing in a bar. — Bill Simmons
  • The producer says younger viewers may have missed Cruise's early work and prefers the young Cruise persona. — Chris Ryan
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Mentions across The Rewatchables

Recorded movie reference

Top Gun

The Rewatchables · aired July 23, 2019

Days of Thunder is listed in the sourced research for this episode. The precise discussion has not been linked yet.

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