Episode 317 - Driven (2001)

Welcome back to Not A Bomb, the podcast where we resurrect cinema’s most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: is it a bomb? This week, Troy and Brad strap into the chaotic, nitro‑fueled world of the 2001 racing epic Driven. And before we go any further, yes, Troy is back from surgery and only slightly a little high on pain medication, which honestly might be the perfect state of mind for revisiting a movie this unintentionally wild. Driven arrived during the era when Hollywood believed the cure for every script problem was “more CGI, more speed, more Stallone.” The film promised high‑octane racing, intense rivalries, and behind‑the‑scenes drama in the world of CART. What audiences got instead was a dizzying mix of digital car mayhem, melodramatic speeches, and physics‑defying crashes. Troy and Brad dig into the film’s over‑the‑top action sequences, the baffling script choices, and one of the worst displays of “acting” this podcast has ever seen…. cough, cough - KIP! They also explore how the film’s reputation has evolved, why some viewers have embraced its unintentional charm, and whether Driven deserves a second look or remains a cautionary tale about letting Stallone write his own sports movies. Buckle up, avoid the flying manhole covers, and prepare for a ride that makes absolutely no sense. This is one cinematic spinout worth revisiting. Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs! We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Cast: Brad, Troy