The Big Picture

The 1989 Movie Draft

November 3, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts of "The Big Picture" opened "The 1989 Movie Draft" episode by reacting to news of Steven Soderbergh's proposed 'Ben Solo' movie being rejected by Disney leadership and Taylor Sheridan leaving Paramount. 
  • The initial picks of the 1989 movie draft strongly favored critically acclaimed and culturally defining films, with Amanda Dobbins selecting 'When Harry Met Sally...' and Chris Ryan choosing 'Do the Right Thing' as the first two selections. 
  • The conversation highlighted 1989 as a pivotal year in cinema, marking the rise of independent film (Soderbergh's 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape'), the peak of the classic rom-com ('When Harry Met Sally...'), and the end of the slasher horror cycle. 
  • The hosts engaged in a lively debate about the merits of the 1989 film *Heathers*, praising its quotable script and subversive take on teenage girl characters, contrasting it with John Hughes' work. 
  • Chris Ryan made a dominant run in the 1989 Movie Draft by securing highly-regarded films like *Do the Right Thing*, *Field of Dreams*, and *Dead Poets Society* early on. 
  • The discussion highlighted the enduring cultural impact and critical acclaim of films like *Say Anything* and *Sex, Lies, and Videotape*, with the latter being noted as Steven Soderbergh's breakout directorial debut. 
  • The discussion concluded the 1989 movie draft, followed by an extensive list of honorable mentions, including films like *Drugstore Cowboy*, *Casualties of War*, *The Abyss*, *Crimes and Misdemeanors*, and *Glory*. 
  • The speakers expressed strong affection for early Michael Moore documentaries, noting that one film (implied to be *Roger & Me*, though not explicitly named as the draft pick) was personally impactful, while acknowledging Moore became overexposed later in his career. 
  • The hosts and guest Chris Ryan reviewed their final draft picks for *The Big Picture*'s 'The 1989 Movie Draft,' revealing their selections across categories like Drama, Blockbuster, Comedy, Action/Horror/Thriller, Sequel, Oscar Nominee, and Wildcard. 

Segments

News Reaction: Soderbergh’s Ben Solo
Copied to clipboard!
(00:01:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Bob Iger personally rejected Steven Soderbergh and Adam Driver’s pitch for a post-mortem Kylo Ren movie, ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo,’ citing that the character was already dead.
  • Summary: The pitch involved Soderbergh directing and Driver starring in a film about Ben Solo’s survival after The Rise of Skywalker. Scott Z. Burns was attached to write the screenplay. The pitch was ultimately shut down by Bob Iger, who reportedly felt it contradicted the established ending.
News Reaction: Taylor Sheridan Exit
Copied to clipboard!
(00:09:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Sheridan is leaving Paramount for an overall deal with Peacock/Universal, starting with film in 2025 and television in 2028.
  • Summary: Sheridan’s departure follows news that his planned Call of Duty film at Paramount was shelved. The hosts note that Sheridan’s screenwriting is often strong, even if his directorial efforts like Those Who Wish Me Dead are less so. Sheridan also owns the Four Sixes Ranch, which features a branded steakhouse in Las Vegas.
Personal 1989 Reflections
Copied to clipboard!
(00:17:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts’ memories of 1989 are heavily influenced by their age, with Chris Ryan (age 7) recalling VHS rentals like ‘Gleaming the Cube’ and Amanda Dobbins (age 4/5) having only vague cognitive memories.
  • Summary: Chris Ryan noted that 1989 was a huge year for VHS rentals, often prioritizing non-cinema over ’true cinema’ for a 12-year-old. The year is also significant as the only one where films from the Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Halloween franchises all released installments.
1989 Pivotal Year Analysis
Copied to clipboard!
(00:24:12)
  • Key Takeaway: 1989 was a crucial transitional year in film, marking the emergence of 90s independent cinema via Sex, Lies, and Videotape, the establishment of the modern rom-com with When Harry Met Sally…, and the controversial exclusion of Do the Right Thing from Best Picture nominations.
  • Summary: The year saw a stable environment for mid-tier dramas and rom-coms that Hollywood is now struggling to produce. The box office success was dominated by franchises (Batman, Indiana Jones 3, Lethal Weapon 2), signaling a shift away from star power guarantees. The Academy Awards that year were considered ’nightmarish’ due to Driving Miss Daisy winning Best Picture over stronger critical contenders.
Draft Order and First Picks
Copied to clipboard!
(00:30:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The draft order for the three-person panel was set as Amanda Dobbins (1st), Chris Ryan (2nd), and Sean Fennessey (3rd), with Amanda immediately securing the highly coveted ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ in the Comedy category.
  • Summary: Amanda Dobbins justified her first pick by calling ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ the best and most influential romantic comedy of her lifetime, setting the standard for subsequent films in the genre. Sean Fennessey followed by taking ‘Batman’ in the Action/Thriller/Horror category, citing its definitional impact on him as a child.
Heathers Comedy Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(00:51:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The film Heathers is praised for its inspirational, albeit dark, portrayal of angry and mean teenage girls, contrasting sharply with typical cheerleader tropes.
  • Summary: The speaker finds Heathers inspirational, noting its quotable script and its depiction of female characters who are angry and ugly rather than just cheerleaders. The film is recognized for its absurdist spectacle and its use of color theory, such as the red scrunchie symbolizing power. It was reportedly written with the hope that Stanley Kubrick would direct it.
Dead Poets Society Draft Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(00:54:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Ryan selected Dead Poets Society, a Peter Weir film starring Robin Williams, which resonated deeply with listeners as a ’teenagers’ Field of Dreams.
  • Summary: Dead Poets Society earned nearly $96 million at the box office, a figure noted as surprising given modern distribution models. The film features strong performances from young actors like Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles. Watching the movie at a young age brought up complicated questions, such as those surrounding suicide.
Soderbergh’s Sex Lies and Videotape
Copied to clipboard!
(00:58:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Sex, Lies, and Videotape is considered a best remaining movie, launching Steven Soderbergh’s career and serving as a clever character piece about confronting desires.
  • Summary: The film is Soderbergh’s directorial debut, which premiered at Sundance and was instantly critically acclaimed, granting him significant creative freedom afterward. It is described as a personal movie about relationships, featuring a mesmerizing performance by James Spader who commands the frame despite the spare sets. The film’s impact was significant enough that the speaker’s parents saw it on a date night and were very excited by it.
Say Anything Draft Selection
Copied to clipboard!
(01:01:40)
  • Key Takeaway: John Cusack’s character Lloyd Dobbler in Say Anything normalized being weird and idiosyncratic for young viewers, though the film contains a darker subplot involving elder abuse.
  • Summary: Say Anything is highlighted as a hopeful film, with Lloyd Dobbler making it okay for viewers to be weird and have poor boundaries. The film is noted for its short story-like structure, lacking hard resolutions, especially concerning the shocking revelation about Ione Skye’s father, played by John Mahoney. The movie was instrumental in establishing John Cusack as a major star through the late 1980s and 1990s.
Music Interlude and Roadhouse News
Copied to clipboard!
(01:04:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation briefly diverted into a discussion about Genesis songs and the use of Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’ in House of Dynamite before pivoting to news about dueling Roadhouse sequels.
  • Summary: The hosts noted the irony of politicians using songs like ‘In the Air Tonight’ as theme songs, contrasting it with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own Way.’ The main news item concerns two competing sequels to Roadhouse: one by Amazon MGM starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and another potentially being developed by original director Doug Lyman, who is reportedly upset the first remake went straight to streaming.
Parenthood Comedy Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(01:07:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Ron Howard’s Parenthood is a sweet, kind-hearted ensemble drama/comedy featuring early performances by Joaquin Phoenix (then Leaf) and Keanu Reeves.
  • Summary: The film is recognized for its funny performances, particularly Steve Martin’s devastating scene watching his son play baseball, which captures complex suburban family dynamics. It was written by the team of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. The movie was later adapted into a long-running and well-loved television series.
Born on the Fourth of July Drama
Copied to clipboard!
(01:09:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Chris Ryan argues Born on the Fourth of July is Oliver Stone’s best film, featuring one of Tom Cruise’s greatest performances just before he became fully self-aware as a star.
  • Summary: The film is preferred by the speaker over Stone’s Platoon as a Vietnam movie to watch. Cruise’s commitment to playing Ron Kovic is noted as a performance that nearly won him an Oscar, only to be beaten by Daniel Day-Lewis. The discussion pondered how Cruise’s career trajectory might have differed had he won that year.
Christmas Vacation Sequel Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(01:11:52)
  • Key Takeaway: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is Chris Ryan’s favorite of the Vacation films, serving as a core holiday movie for him growing up.
  • Summary: The film features great performances from Chevy Chase, who is noted for his enraged scene regarding his Christmas bonus, and Beverly D’Angelo. The speaker associates the movie with the start of the holiday season, contrasting his enthusiasm with his current struggles as a parent preparing for Halloween. The film is considered a great ensemble piece featuring actors like Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Lethal Weapon 2 Sequel Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(01:17:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The selection of Lethal Weapon 2 was accompanied by an explicit shout-out to the anti-apartheid movement, specifically referencing the death of the South African antagonists.
  • Summary: The film is celebrated for its deranged action, including a toilet explosion and the satisfying downfall of the apartheid-supporting villains. The speaker explicitly stated the message of the film was ‘Free Nelson Mandela,’ contrasting Mel Gibson’s character’s happiness with the tragedy inflicted upon him. The segment concluded with commentary on Mel Gibson’s later career controversies.
Back to the Future Part II Blockbuster
Copied to clipboard!
(01:21:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Back to the Future Part II became a cultural touchstone due to its depiction of hoverboards, the sports almanac, and an early reference to Donald Trump.
  • Summary: The sequel is considered a very good and fun entry in the franchise, heavily influencing culture through its futuristic elements. The hosts noted the disappointment that hoverboards have not materialized despite the film’s prediction. The conversation briefly touched upon current financial news regarding debt and crypto, linking it loosely to the film’s themes.
The Fabulous Baker Boys Drama Pick
Copied to clipboard!
(01:23:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Amanda Dobbins selected The Fabulous Baker Boys, praising Michelle Pfeiffer’s legendary performance and noting the film’s excellent screenplay by Steve Kloves.
  • Summary: The film is a character study about two musician brothers (Jeff and Beau Bridges) who hire a singer, Susie Diamond (Pfeiffer), leading to a love affair. Pfeiffer’s performance of ‘Makin’ Whoopee’ is cited as one of the sexiest scenes in movie history, and the speaker argues she was unfairly overlooked for the Oscar against Jessica Tandy (Driving Miss Daisy). Steve Kloves, who wrote this film, later became famous for writing the Harry Potter movies.
True Beverly Hills Wildcard
Copied to clipboard!
(01:37:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Troop Beverly Hills is a beloved film for Amanda Dobbins, known for launching the careers of Jenny Lewis and Carla Gugino, and featuring Shelly Long.
  • Summary: The movie is remembered for its depiction of the Wilderness Girls scouting group and the sleepover at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The speaker noted that Shelly Long was extremely famous in 1989 but is largely unknown to younger generations now. The film’s plot involves an undercover agent infiltrating the troop.
Major League Wildcard Selection
Copied to clipboard!
(01:40:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Major League is celebrated as one of the great, believable baseball movies, capturing the arc of the Cleveland Indians defying their owner’s desire for them to lose.
  • Summary: The film successfully portrays a fictional professional sports arc that feels authentic, which is difficult to achieve in sports movies. It features key actors like Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes. The relationship between Tom Berenger’s character and Rene Russo is cited as an early example of complicated adult relationships for younger viewers.
Michael Moore Documentary Impact
Copied to clipboard!
(01:42:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Early Michael Moore documentaries were highly influential, personal, and conventionally entertaining examples of great filmmaking.
  • Summary: One speaker detailed how early Michael Moore movies, focusing on his family and his father’s work at GM, were formative for aspiring leftists in the 1990s. The speaker noted a personal shift in opinion regarding Moore after he became a major box office and pop culture figure post-Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine. The film discussed was cited as a movie that could change one’s worldview, similar to Do the Right Thing.
Draft Conclusion and Honorable Mentions
Copied to clipboard!
(01:44:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The 1989 movie draft concluded with numerous unpicked films, including Drugstore Cowboy, Casualties of War, and The Abyss.
  • Summary: The draft officially ended, leading into a review of many honorable mentions due to the robust nature of 1989 films. Gus Van Sant’s Drugstore Cowboy and Brian De Palma’s Casualties of War were specifically noted as major independent films that went undrafted. The group confirmed that James Cameron’s The Abyss was indeed a 1989 release.
Undrafted Classics and Actor Pop-Ups
Copied to clipboard!
(01:45:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Films like Miracle Mile and Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors were considered but ultimately left undrafted.
  • Summary: The speakers mentioned considering Miracle Mile and noted that Crimes and Misdemeanors was surprisingly undrafted despite being a pretty amazing movie. The conversation briefly touched on the current relevance of actors from 1989 films, citing Emma Thompson and Daniel Day-Lewis appearing in recent projects.
Reviewing Undrafted Genre Films
Copied to clipboard!
(01:46:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Several major genre films from 1989, including The Burbs, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and The War of the Roses, were left off the final draft boards.
  • Summary: Joe Dante’s The Burbs was called a phenomenal movie, and The War of the Roses was considered a major unpicked film, though one speaker felt it was outdated by the time they saw it. Weekend at Bernie’s was highlighted as a movie one speaker had seen repeatedly, with Andrew McCarthy’s performance deemed a powerhouse.
Arthouse and Cult Film Mentions
Copied to clipboard!
(01:50:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train was praised as an incredible cultural mixtape that introduced listeners to Rockabilly and Screaming Jay Hawkins.
  • Summary: Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Cinema Paradiso (released in the US in 1989) were mentioned in the arthouse category. Mystery Train was lauded for its cultural impact and is available on the Criterion Channel. The speaker also mentioned seeing Jarmusch’s newer film, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.
Aging Concerns and Genre Deep Dive
Copied to clipboard!
(01:51:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The film Glory was criticized for its ‘white gaze,’ indicating that some 1989 films have not aged well critically.
  • Summary: The film Glory was noted as undrafted, with the critique focusing on its ‘white gaze’ not aging well, a sentiment extended to the general concept of the white gaze. The courtroom thriller A Dry White Season, which earned Marlon Brando an Oscar nomination, was suggested as an interesting double feature with Lethal Weapon 2.
Horror Sequels and Cult Thrillers
Copied to clipboard!
(01:52:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The later Halloween and Friday the 13th sequels from 1989, such as Halloween 5 and Jason Takes Manhattan, were deemed poor entries in their respective franchises.
  • Summary: The speakers dismissed Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child, and Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers. Friday the 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan was also dismissed, despite featuring a telekinetic young girl fighting Jason. Dead Calm, a thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill, was highly recommended as an incredible thriller.
Final Draft Recap and Wrap-Up
Copied to clipboard!
(01:58:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The final draft selections were read aloud, confirming Do the Right Thing and Roger & Me as key picks for the hosts.
  • Summary: Amanda Dobbins’ final picks included When Harry Met Sally, Ghostbusters 2, Heathers, Born on the 4th of July, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Little Mermaid, and Beverly Hills Cop II (wildcard). Sean Fennessey’s picks included Do the Right Thing, Field of Dreams, Dead Poets Society, Parenthood, Roadhouse, and Major League (wildcard).