Blockbuster
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001
Sean's pick from what he calls a weak blockbuster field. He defends it as 'unimpeachable' after Amanda gives him a mocking thumbs up.
The Big Picture · Draft
The 2001 Movie Draft
June 13, 2023/ 118 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins · Chris Ryan
Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, and Chris Ryan draft 2001 across six categories (Blockbuster, Drama, Comedy, Action Horror Thriller, Oscar Nominee, and Wildcard), from Mulholland Drive to Zoolander.
18 films across 1 segment.
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 2001 Movie Draft drafting 2001 movies
Sean Fennessey
Drama
Mulholland Drive 2001
David Lynch on Los Angeles, ambition, and stardom. Sean calls the diner scene maybe the scariest jump scare of the 21st century.
Comedy
Wet Hot American Summer 2001
Barely released in theaters and became a cult object. David Wain directed, Michael Showalter co-wrote; Bradley Cooper's first movie and an early Amy Poehler role.
Action Horror Thriller
Vanilla Sky 2001
Cameron Crowe's Lynchian swing with Tom Cruise, adapted from Abre los Ojos. Sean pairs it with Frankenheimer's Seconds as a spiritual cousin.
Oscar Nominee
A.I. Artificial Intelligence 2001
Spielberg completing a project Kubrick left unfinished. Sean calls it one of the great Spielberg films and cites Haley Joel Osment's performance.
Wildcard
In the Mood for Love 2001
Wong Kar-wai's film, shot by Christopher Doyle. Sean floats it as possibly the best movie of the year and admits he almost forgot to draft it.
Amanda Dobbins
Blockbuster
The Princess Diaries 2001
Amanda's pick after reading through a long list of that year's blockbuster board. Anne Hathaway's debut and a returning Julie Andrews.
Drama
The Royal Tenenbaums 2001
Amanda's category choice for a Wes Anderson film both she and Sean say could've gone comedy instead.
Comedy
Legally Blonde 2001
Amanda didn't like it the first time she saw it with friends in high school; came around on a rewatch.
Oscar Nominee
Bridget Jones's Diary 2001
Renée Zellweger's best actress nomination. The film's conference speech was a reading at Amanda's wedding.
Wildcard
Zoolander 2001
Released weeks after 9/11 and flopped; became a heavy-rotation favorite in Amanda's freshman dorm.
Chris Ryan
Blockbuster
Ocean's Eleven 2001
Chris's first-overall pick and, by his account, one of the trio's three shared favorite movies (with Moneyball and The Social Network).
Drama
Memento 2001
Christopher Nolan's breakthrough. Chris says it's where his relationship with Nolan's films began.
Comedy
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back 2001
Kevin Smith's Clerks spinoff, which Chris saw on opening night in college.
Action Horror Thriller
Heist 2001
David Mamet's con movie with Gene Hackman and Delroy Lindo. Chris rewatched it the day before taping and calls it excellent.
Oscar Nominee
Sexy Beast 2001
Ben Kingsley's nomination; Chris argues Jonathan Glazer should have been nominated for directing instead of Ron Howard, who won for A Beautiful Mind.
Wildcard
Ali 2001
Michael Mann's Muhammad Ali biopic with Will Smith and Jamie Foxx. Chris calls the opening ten minutes the best of any 21st-century film.
On the board, undrafted honorable mentions
Gosford ParkIn the BedroomBlack Hawk DownHannibalJoy RideDonnie DarkoA Beautiful MindHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneShrekMonsters, Inc.Rush Hour 2The Mummy ReturnsPearl HarborJurassic Park IIIPlanet of the ApesAmerican Pie 2The Fast and the FuriousLara Croft: Tomb RaiderDr. Dolittle 2Spy KidsSpy GameThe OthersThe Man Who Wasn't ThereWaking LifeTapeOriginal SinThe ScoreThe MajesticThe Wedding PlannerMoulin Rouge!Freddy Got FingeredPootie TangDown to EarthBaby BoyGhosts of MarsJosie and the PussycatsAmélieWitA Knight's Tale
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV BarryThe Tom Green Show
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