Roger Ebert
Just one Oscar
No Oscar
Overacting Award
The police sergeant
Most Rewatchable Scene · 37:24
Rick boating with Frank and Danny while claiming he does not want to replace Frank is nominated.
Bill Simmons: Ray’s wedding entrance and Rick’s improvised thanks for dressing up are praised; the hosts wish the wedding sequence were longer.
The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:28:28
Bill Simmons: The panel treats the film’s lessons about trusting children and recognizing danger as darkly comic rather than definitive.
Selected cast credits · Film reference
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
The baseball catch; the murder and incinerator sequence
Sinister Vince Vaughn, Travolta’s earnestness, Danny’s awfulness, the baseball catch, and Vaughn’s dramatic breakthrough
Ray’s stabbing and Rick’s shadow appearing on Danny’s wall are nominated; the panel also jokes about the film’s worst-looking shot.
Rick Barnes
Joint Custody
The confined garage fight and the film’s last fifteen minutes
Susan’s barely addressed miscarriage, the police sergeant’s hostility, and Susan’s credulity
The police sergeant
Ray hunting Rick
Chris Ellis and Ruben Santiago-Hudson
50 Cent as the police sergeant
Travolta reportedly flew himself in and out of Wilmington during filming; the panel wonders what he knew about an on-set bar fight.
No affirmative selection
The movie title and character names are tested as racehorse names after a debate about replacing the director comparison.
Cruise in the Travolta or Vaughn role
The depth of Rick’s new identity and why his public life does not expose him
A racketeering prequel; an all-Black remake
No Oscar
Do Frank and Susan reunite? How traumatized is Danny?
The chamber-of-commerce plaque, Danny’s Cal Ripken glove, and a handmade boat
Trust children and recognize danger (darkly comic)
The Stepfather
Split: Vince Vaughn for entertainment value; Matt O’Leary for performance
