Tropic Thunder
17 winners · 1 left open
Who won the movie?
DeclaredRobert Downey Jr.
The hosts unanimously treat Downey as the clear winner of the movie.
Most rewatchable scene
Apparent consensusthe Access Hollywood trailer sequence
The hosts settle on the opening fake trailers as the scene they most want to revisit, while also praising the Simple Jack discussion.
What’s aged the best?
Apparent consensusLes Grossman as a portrait of Hollywood executive culture
They conclude that the Les Grossman material and the film’s Hollywood satire have held up especially well.
Apex Mountain
Apparent consensusRobert Downey Jr.
They treat Downey as the strongest Apex Mountain candidate, while Cruise is also discussed as a possible peak.
Open the full ledger14 more categories, in podcast order↓
What’s the most 2008 thing about this movie?
DeclaredTiVo
After listing several dated details, they agree that TiVo is the most 2008 element in the movie.
What’s aged the worst?
Apparent consensusthe movie’s third act/action material
They say the film’s back half gets weaker and the action sections are the least durable part of the movie.
The Floyd Gondoli, butter on my ass and lollipops in my mouth award for something I just enjoy
DeclaredBooty Sweat
The room gives the award to the recurring Booty Sweat joke because it still works for them every time.
Brock Landers Award for best character name
DeclaredAl Pacino
They pick Al Pacino as the best character name, with Kirk Lazarus and Rob Slolom mentioned as alternatives.
Coach Finstock / Mr. Miyagi award for best worst life lesson
DeclaredPorn sets the tone for everything / porn leads the way
The hosts lock onto the movie’s porn-format argument as the most memorable ridiculous lesson.
Weak link
Apparent consensusJack Black
One host calls Jack Black the weak link because his performance pulls attention away from the best parts, though Ben Stiller is also criticized.
What saves the worst?
Apparent consensusthe film’s willingness to take huge comedic swings
They argue the movie survives because it commits to giant comedy risks rather than playing it safe.
Hottest take
Declaredthe film’s blackface controversy doesn’t offend them in this specific movie
Two hosts say the material doesn’t bother them here because the performance is so strong and the satire is doing real work.
Recasting couch
DeclaredBill Hader in place of Jack Black
One host proposes swapping actors, with Bill Hader for Jack Black as the clearest recast idea.
Dion Waiters
No consensusNo clear winner
They start a Dion-style discussion about Les Grossman but do not land on a separate clear Dion winner before moving on.
Half-assed internet research
Apparent consensusRick Baker
The research segment circles around the makeup and effects team, with Rick Baker named and Stan Winston discussed as the closest comparator.
Nit-pick
DeclaredKirk Lazarus having more Oscars than Hepburn and Daniel Day-Lewis
They joke about the absurd Oscar count for Kirk Lazarus and also note that Four Leaf probably should have died.
What TV area?
Apparent consensusTiVo / DVR-era home TV culture
They identify the movie as a capsule of TiVo-era home viewing and other now-dated devices.
Double feature
DeclaredStep Brothers
For the paired watch, one host picks Step Brothers while another suggests a Ben Stiller satire like Zoolander.