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The 2000s Summer Blockbuster Draft (Live!)

July 16, 2024/ 90 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins · Chris Ryan

A live three-host draft (Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, Chris Ryan) of 2000s summer blockbusters (released May through August, $100M+ domestic) across six categories, after some Gladiator II trailer talk and a round of movie trivia.

20 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.

Trailers, before the draftopening banter

Gladiator II poster

Gladiator II 2024

The new trailer dropped that morning: Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and debate over the flooded Colosseum scene.

Despicable Me 4 poster

Despicable Me 4 2024

Amanda's solo mall screening; she wanted more Minions.

The teams drafting 2000s summer blockbusters

Amanda Dobbins

Inglourious Basterds poster
Action Thriller

Inglourious Basterds 2009

First overall; a late add after Amanda found it made $120M on an Aug. 19 release.

Finding Nemo poster
Mega Blockbuster

Finding Nemo 2003

Recapped at length, from partial memory.

Mamma Mia! poster
Misunderstood

Mamma Mia! 2008

55% on Rotten Tomatoes; the ABBA musical, bigger abroad than at home.

Sean Fennessey

The Dark Knight poster
Action Thriller

The Dark Knight 2008

$535M domestic, the decade's top-grossing summer film; taken second to play defense.

Superbad poster
Comedy

Superbad 2007

Rogen and Goldberg's breakthrough.

WALL-E poster
Oscar Nominee

WALL-E 2008

Pixar.

Bad Boys II poster
Misunderstood

Bad Boys II 2003

25% on Rotten Tomatoes; Sean's Michael Bay defense.

Chris Ryan

Iron Man poster
Mega Blockbuster

Iron Man 2008

Kicked off the MCU.

Gladiator poster
Oscar Nominee

Gladiator 2000

The Best Picture winner; primed by the Gladiator II trailer talk.

S.W.A.T. poster
Misunderstood

S.W.A.T. 2003

48% on Rotten Tomatoes; a Colin Farrell and Josh Charles pick.

On the board, undrafted honorable mentions

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlShrek 2ShrekShrek the ThirdHarry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanBatman BeginsTransformersTransformers: Revenge of the FallenTroyCollateralWar of the WorldsSignsThe VillageWhat Lies BeneathMr. & Mrs. SmithThe Da Vinci CodeAngels & DemonsThe Sum of All FearsThe Perfect StormJurassic Park IIIThe Matrix ReloadedDodgeball: A True Underdog StoryScary MovieThe Princess DiariesPearl HarborFahrenheit 9/11Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullSeabiscuit

Also mentioned raised along the way

Trivia answers & prizes Iron Man 3Mr. BrooksWind RiverObvious ChildMolly's GameThe Dark TowerThe Virgin SuicidesDazed and ConfusedSpirited AwayTop GunTop Gun: Maverick

Also mentioned InterstellarInceptionMiami ViceSaltburnSix UndergroundBad Boys: Ride or DieChallengersRicki and the FlashInto the WoodsDarkest HourDunkirkHorizon: An American SagaDespicable MeLegally BlondeBring It OnThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementTransformers: Dark of the Moon

Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads

TV House of the DragonGame of ThronesShogunTop ChefThe BearMayor of KingstownMr. & Mrs. Smith (series)

Podcasts A Storm of SpoilersTrial by Content

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