Days of Thunder (1990)

📄 Episode Description
We’re fired up for Episode One of Raised by VHS and we’re kicking it off with pure early ’90s blockbuster energy – Days of Thunder (1990)! Tom Cruise’s NASCAR-fueled “Top Gun on wheels” was one of the defining movies of our childhood, and we’re talking about why it still slaps, where it doesn’t hold up, and the wild behind‑the‑scenes stories that made it a cult favorite. From Cole Trickle’s cocky debut to Robert Duvall’s iconic Harry Hogge wisdom, Hans Zimmer’s adrenaline‑pumping score, and Tony Scott’s golden‑hour race cinematography – we break it all down. Plus, our Top 5 Tom Cruise movies, favorite quotes, memorabilia pick, and of course, our official Raised by VHS Late Fee rating.

🧱 Episode Breakdown
🎬 Intro & Show Launch – Welcome to Raised by VHS and why we’re here paying late fees.

🏁 Movie Overview – Days of Thunder’s box office, cult following & why it’s “Top Gun on wheels.”

🎞️ Memory Lane – Our first VHS and DVD experiences with the film, the Nintendo game, and why we still watch it anytime it pops up.

🎥 Movie Breakdown – Full scene-by-scene run‑through: casting surprises (Nicole Kidman, John C. Reilly’s first big break), epic opening credits, the Rowdy Burns rivalry, the Daytona 500 showdown, and those unforgettable Harry Hogge one‑liners.

🔧 Behind the Scenes – Tom Cruise’s real NASCAR license, filming in live races, rewriting scripts hours before filming, and the off-screen chaos of Bruckheimer & Simpson productions.

🎵 Hans Zimmer’s Breakthrough – How the score amped up the racing energy and launched Zimmer’s blockbuster career.

🏆 Favorite Picks – Our favorite scenes, quotes (“Rubbin’, son, is racing!”), and why Robert Duvall steals the show.

🔥 Hot Takes – Is Days of Thunder actually better than Top Gun? Did it mark the end of Cruise’s “young hotshot” era?

🎁 Segments – Top 5 Tom Cruise movies, “Put That on a T‑Shirt” lines, and the Movie Memorabilia Inferno gift.

💵 Late Fee Rating – Final verdict: a Top‑Tier $90 in Late Fees.

👉 Like what you hear? Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @RaisedByVHS for more VHS‑era movie love!