Logan Lucky 2017
The Soderbergh-Driver team-up the killed 'Ben Solo' pitch would have followed.
The Big Picture · Discussion · Draft
The 1989 Movie Draft
November 3, 2025/ 120 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins · Chris Ryan
A three-person snake draft of 1989, a stealthily deep year: Sundance and Soderbergh arriving, the rom-com and the franchise both taking hold. Amanda, Chris, and Sean each fill a seven-slot roster by category (blockbuster has a $75M threshold), after a news open on the killed Soderbergh-Driver 'Ben Solo' pitch and Taylor Sheridan's studio jump.
33 films across 2 segments.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
The newsBen Solo, Taylor Sheridan, and the state of the movies
Contagion 2011
Cited as prior Soderbergh-Scott Z. Burns work; Burns was writing the Ben Solo script.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 2019
The ending that soured all three of them: Palpatine's return, the Rey-Kylo kiss.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 1999
Turns up in Soderbergh's culture diary, part of a nine-film Star Wars rewatch.
The Mandalorian and Grogu 2026
The next actual Star Wars film, six years after the last one.
Hell or High Water 2016
One of the Taylor Sheridan scripts Chris rates.
Sicario 2015
Sheridan script; Emily Blunt cited as proof he writes women well.
Wind River 2017
The Sheridan film he directed; Elizabeth Olsen praised.
Without Remorse 2021
Another Sheridan credit, less admired.
Those Who Wish Me Dead 2021
The Sheridan-directed one Chris rates below the scripts.
The Rip 2025
Damon and Affleck as Miami cops robbing dealers; coming to Netflix.
Good Fortune 2025
Aziz Ansari's film, brought up via his Bill Murray / Being Mortal comments.
The teams drafting the movies of 1989
Amanda Dobbins
Drama
Born on the Fourth of July 1989
Oliver Stone; she'd take it over Platoon, with Cruise as Ron Kovic.
Action / Horror / Thriller
Ghostbusters II 1989
Taken here for lack of a comedy slot; she likes the Bill Murray of it best.
Oscar Nominee
The Little Mermaid 1989
'Part of Your World'; the film that restarts the Disney golden age.
Sequel
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1989
Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold and the Christmas-bonus meltdown.
Blockbuster
When Harry Met Sally... 1989
Her No. 1 overall pick; Nora Ephron's script sets the modern rom-com template.
Wild Card
Troop Beverly Hills 1989
Shelley Long; a formative childhood watch, with young Jenny Lewis and Carla Gugino.
Chris Ryan
Action / Horror / Thriller
Road House 1989
Swayze; picked partly to talk about the dueling Road House sequels.
Blockbuster
Dead Poets Society 1989
Peter Weir; Robin Williams and a young Ethan Hawke, nearly $96M.
Wild Card
Major League 1989
The 'winning' pick; Sheen, Snipes, and a fictional pennant that plays real.
Sean Fennessey
Drama
The Fabulous Baker Boys 1989
Steve Kloves; a first-ever watch, and the case that Pfeiffer was robbed.
Action / Horror / Thriller
Batman 1989
Burton and Keaton; the Prince soundtrack, and his Batman since age 7.
Oscar Nominee
Sex, Lies, and Videotape 1989
Soderbergh's Sundance debut; he calls it the best film still on the board.
Sequel
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 1989
Ford and Connery; his pick for the best sequel of the year.
Blockbuster
Back to the Future Part II 1989
Hoverboards, the Sports Almanac, and the Biff-as-Trump reading.
Wild Card
Roger & Me 1989
The pick over Major League; Michael Moore's GM debut, his first documentary.
On the board, undrafted honorable mentions
Driving Miss DaisyMy Left Foot: The Story of Christy BrownGloryCrimes and MisdemeanorsHenry VDrugstore CowboyCasualties of WarThe AbyssMiracle MileBill & Ted's Excellent AdventureHow to Get Ahead in AdvertisingThe 'BurbsUncle BuckThe War of the RosesWeekend at Bernie'sGleaming the CubePolice Academy 6: City Under SiegeLook Who's TalkingHoney, I Shrunk the KidsA Dry White SeasonStar Trek V: The Final FrontierA Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream ChildHalloween 5: The Revenge of Michael MyersFriday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes ManhattanFletch LivesThe Fly IIThe PackageSteel MagnoliasMusic BoxTrue BelieverLean on MeHarlem NightsTango & CashThe Adventures of Baron MunchausenCinema ParadisoMystery TrainSweetieSocietySee No Evil, Hear No EvilSkin DeepLet It RideNotebook on Cities and ClothesLicence to KillPet SemataryDisorganized CrimeSea of LoveDead CalmCookie
Also mentioned raised along the way
Also mentioned You've Got MailIndiana Jones and the Temple of DoomThe Color of MoneyPlatoonU-TurnJFKMagnoliaThe UnderneathGrease 2Tequila SunriseJagged EdgeBeauty and the BeastHowardFather Mother Sister BrotherWeekend at Bernie's IIHoney, I Blew Up the KidLook Who's Talking TooIn the Mouth of MadnessJurassic ParkThe RoseBlue Moon10 Things I Hate About YouDraft DaySneakersA House of DynamiteLittle Shop of HorrorsThe Verdict
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV AndorThe Chair CompanyThe DiplomatNobody Wants ThisDown Cemetery RoadLandmanThe Book of Boba FettTaskDocThe Lowdown
Video games Call of DutyHaloElden RingFIFASuper Smash Bros.Tetris