The opening Dignam–Queenan briefing of Costigan receives one explicit final choice; the roof meeting with Queenan is another stated rewatch anchor, among major deaths, calls, and showdowns.
In the discussion (7)
- Costello repeatedly asking Costigan whether he is still a cop is nominated.
- Queenan’s rooftop death and body fall are nominated.
- Dignam killing Sullivan is nominated.
- Sullivan calling Costigan on Queenan’s dead phone is nominated.
- Costigan’s sudden elevator death is nominated and remembered for making the theater gasp.
- The opening Dignam–Queenan briefing of Costigan is explicitly selected as most rewatchable.
- The rooftop meeting with Queenan is described as the part one host always watches, including Queenan’s fall and the reaction afterward.
DiCaprio versus Damon, the delayed title, Baldwin and Wahlberg’s department, the cranberry-juice scene, Costello’s death, Dropkick Murphys, and contemporary Boston sports links lead aged-best.
In the discussion (8)
- The contrast between DiCaprio and Damon is praised.
- The title arriving about eighteen minutes into the movie is praised.
- Costigan’s jail workout is part of the delayed-title sequence.
- Alec Baldwin and Mark Wahlberg running an internal-affairs-on-internal-affairs department is praised.
- The cranberry-juice confrontation is praised as a perfect scene.
- Costello’s death is nominated.
- Dropkick Murphys entering with the title is praised.
- The Dropkick Murphys cue is linked to Jonathan Papelbon and the Red Sox era.
Nicholson’s overall performance, Wahlberg’s hair, Costigan panicking over the Citizens Bank envelope, the rooftop trap, pocket T9 texting, the microchip subplot, and a third use of “Gimme Shelter” draw criticism.
In the discussion (7)
- Nicholson’s entire performance is nominated as aged worst.
- Mark Wahlberg’s hair is criticized.
- Costigan’s panic and handling of the Citizens Bank envelope are questioned against his established intelligence.
- Costigan’s plan to trap Sullivan on the same roof where Queenan died is questioned.
- Sullivan composing a complicated T9 message in his pocket is called implausible and dated.
- The Chinese-microchip subplot is dismissed as confusing.
- Scorsese’s third use of “Gimme Shelter” is criticized as overuse despite other strong Stones choices.
Mark Rolston and Kevin Corrigan remain split choices after nominees Ray Winstone, James Badge Dale, Anthony Anderson, and David O’Hara.
In the discussion (7)
- Ray Winstone is nominated as Mr. French, with debate over whether the role should have gone to an even bigger actor.
- James Badge Dale is nominated as Trooper Barrigan.
- Anthony Anderson is nominated as a 2006 That Guy who later became a name.
- David O’Hara is nominated as Fitzy.
- Mark Rolston is one host’s winner because of his Shawshank identity as Boggs.
- Kevin Corrigan is the other host’s winner as the perfect Costigan cousin.
- The hosts end by agreeing to disagree rather than naming co-winners.
Leonardo DiCaprio wins through three explicit choices; Wahlberg is described as the immediate first-viewing heat check, Damon is praised, and Nicholson is said to lose the movie.
In the discussion (4)
- Three audible choices ultimately select Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Mark Wahlberg is described as overwhelming on early viewings before the preference shifts to DiCaprio.
- Matt Damon is praised for his creep performance and as the structural counterpart.
- Nicholson is said to lose the movie because of excess.
Podcast choices
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- Leonardo DiCaprio
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- Leonardo DiCaprio
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Most Rewatchable Scene
