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Zodiac

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Zodiac The Rewatchables

The panel offers two major takes: Zodiac is the greatest American crime film, and the Zodiac killer is the greatest serial-killer brand or legacy.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 02:01:50Read transcript
  • A modern Zodiac case would be flattened into partisan internet discourse.
  • Zodiac is proposed as the greatest American crime film.
  • Its attention to the actual work of solving crime distinguishes it.
  • The Zodiac is proposed as the greatest serial killer by legacy and elusiveness.
  • The self-created name and communications are cited as a uniquely strong gimmick.
  • Modern DNA and cameras are said to make serial killing harder.
  • Taking credit for unrelated crimes may have distorted the investigation.
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Zodiac

Casting What-Ifs

Zodiac The Rewatchables

Gary Oldman, Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston appear in a detailed casting history.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 02:07:46Read transcript
  • Gary Oldman was considered for Melvin Belli but physical resemblance was an issue.
  • Orlando Bloom was lined up as an alternative Graysmith.
  • Jennifer Aniston reportedly recommended Gyllenhaal and Ruffalo to Fincher.
  • Aniston declined the Chloë Sevigny role.
  • Fincher wanted Brad Pitt for Avery before Robert Downey Jr.
  • The panel prefers Downey’s fast, nervy energy for Avery.
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Zodiac

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Zodiac The Rewatchables

John Terry, Charles Fleischer, and numerous veteran supporting actors are discussed without a clean single winner.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 02:09:32Read transcript
  • John Getz is nominated but considered too recognizable.
  • John Terry is nominated.
  • Charles Fleischer is nominated.
  • The actor who played Father Intintola on The Sopranos is nominated.
  • The actor associated with Kicking and Screaming and Beverly Hills, 90210 is nominated.
  • The panel notes that many classic That Guys have graduated from eligibility.
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Zodiac

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Zodiac The Rewatchables

Clea DuVall wins the heat check over Charles Fleischer, John Carroll Lynch, Brian Cox, and Belli’s housekeeper.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:11:24Read transcript
  • John Carroll Lynch is nominated.
  • Charles Fleischer is nominated for one basement scene.
  • Clea DuVall is selected for commanding her single interview scene.
  • Brian Cox is nominated for two highly seasoned scenes.
  • Melvin Belli’s housekeeper receives a low-key nomination.
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Zodiac

Recasting Couch

Zodiac The Rewatchables

Michael Keaton for Anthony Edwards is rejected as too large a presence; John Slattery is proposed for the ensemble.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 02:12:16Read transcript
  • Michael Keaton is proposed for Anthony Edwards’s role.
  • The proposal is rejected because Keaton would be too large for the role’s assist function.
  • Fincher reportedly called Anthony Edwards the embodiment of an assist.
  • John Slattery is proposed for an unspecified supporting role.
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Zodiac

The Action Is the Juice Award for Best Milking of the Moment

Zodiac The Rewatchables

John Carroll Lynch going toe to toe with Mark Ruffalo wins the episode’s spoken Action Is the Juice variant.

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:14:43Read transcript
  • The spoken category variant specifies the best toe-to-toe moment for a non-star.
  • John Carroll Lynch is selected for dominating the Arthur Leigh Allen interrogation opposite Ruffalo.
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Zodiac

Half-Assed Internet Research

Zodiac The Rewatchables

Research covers period reconstruction, digital photography, a 1972 sting film, repeated straw takes, Ruffalo’s deal, and a cocktail.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 02:15:19Read transcript
  • Production used period photos to recreate streets, cars, and the number of Volkswagen Beetles.
  • The Thomson Viper digital camera is discussed as an early major digital-production choice.
  • A 1972 Zodiac movie was reportedly screened as part of an attempted sting.
  • The filmmakers behind that movie hoped the killer would attend.
  • Downey’s straw trick reportedly required 26 takes.
  • Ruffalo recounts a blunt studio negotiation over his casting.
  • The movie’s cocktail recipe is enumerated and judged unappealing.
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Zodiac

Apex Mountain

Zodiac The Rewatchables

The panel audits Fincher, Ruffalo as a detective, Gyllenhaal, San Francisco movies, Chloë Sevigny, Fincher villains, John Carroll Lynch, Donovan, wooden dildos, and Zodiac within Fincher’s filmography.

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 02:17:56Read transcript
  • Fincher’s apex is disputed among Zodiac, The Social Network, Fight Club, and Gone Girl, with a distinct case for Zodiac as his creative apex.
  • Mark Ruffalo is judged at an apex specifically as a movie detective, with Zodiac favored over Collateral.
  • Gyllenhaal’s apex is debated against Nightcrawler and his End of Watch/Prisoners period.
  • San Francisco movies are measured against 48 Hrs., Bullitt, and Dirty Harry.
  • Chloë Sevigny is rejected in favor of The Last Days of Disco.
  • Fincher villains are compared, with John Doe favored over Arthur Leigh Allen and Mark Zuckerberg.
  • John Carroll Lynch movies are compared, and Zodiac is chosen over Fargo.
  • Donovan needle drops are compared across Zodiac, To Die For, and Goodfellas.
  • Wooden dildos receive a joking apex discussion.
  • Zodiac is selected as Fincher’s best or favorite movie, with Seven and other later films discussed.
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Zodiac

Cruise or Hanks?

Zodiac The Rewatchables

The panel role-swaps both actors: one audible choice favors Hanks and another favors Cruise, then the discussion explicitly says they do not really have to choose.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:26:44Read transcript
  • The category is introduced as “Cruise or Hanks.”
  • One audible choice favors Hanks.
  • Another audible choice favors Cruise, followed by agreement that Cruise is fun in the movie.
  • Cruise and Hanks are each tested as Graysmith and Toschi, with concern that either recasting loses Ruffalo.
  • The panel explicitly says it does not really have to choose.
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Zodiac

Scorsese or Spielberg?

Zodiac The Rewatchables

The panel splits on Scorsese versus Spielberg, with Bill favoring Scorsese.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 02:28:27Read transcript
  • The panel runs Scorsese or Spielberg as a named category.
  • A Spielberg version is argued for through procedural clarity.
  • A Scorsese version is argued for through obsession and moral decay.
  • No unanimous choice is reached.
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Zodiac

Picking Nits

Zodiac The Rewatchables

Meetings, the roadside sequence, a clue, detective conduct, food history, and Herb Caen produce distinct nitpicks.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 02:30:49Read transcript
  • The number and arrangement of cartoonist meetings are questioned.
  • Ione Skye pulling over for the stranger is questioned.
  • The Narlow clue is questioned.
  • Detectives interacting so freely with a prime suspect is questioned.
  • Penne alla vodka is flagged as a possible historical error.
  • The handling of Herb Caen is questioned.
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