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The Rewatchables ·

Ali

year 2001decade 00sdirector Michael Manngenre Sportsgenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Van Lathanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 32 categories

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:44:41

“Free ain’t easy

Bill Simmons: The line is stated and accepted as the life lesson.

The film

Ali (2001)

Directed by Michael Mann · Sports

159 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Will Smith Cassius Clay Jr. / Muhammad Ali
Jamie Foxx Drew Bundini Brown
Jon Voight Howard Cosell
Mario Van Peebles Malcolm X
Ron Silver Angelo Dundee
Jeffrey Wright Howard Bingham
Jada Pinkett Smith Sonji Roi
Nona Gaye Belinda Boyd / Khalilah Ali
Michael Michele Veronica Porché
Joe Morton Chauncey Eskridge
Paul Rodriguez Dr. Ferdie Pacheco
Bruce McGill Bradley
Barry Shabaka Henley Herbert Muhammad
Giancarlo Esposito Cassius Clay Sr.
Laurence Mason Luis Sarria
LeVar Burton the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr
Albert Hall Elijah Muhammad
David Cubitt Robert Lipsyte
Michael Bentt Sonny Liston
Robert Sale Jerry Quarry
James Toney Joe Frazier
Charles Shufford George Foreman
David Haines Rudy Clay / Rahaman Ali
Leon Robinson Brother Joe
Ted Levine Joe Smiley
Malick Bowens Joseph Mobutu
Victoria Dillard Betty Shabazz
David Elliott Sam Cooke
Brad Greenquist Marlin Thomas
Graham Clarke a Reporter in Zaire

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

55:45

Most Rewatchable Scene

The opening through the Liston weigh-in

The opening through the Liston weigh-in

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:45Read transcript
  • The opening Sam Cooke montage through Bundini’s entrance and the Liston weigh-in is treated as the winner.
  • The Liston fight and its disputed glove contamination are discussed as a strong alternative. — Bill Simmons
  • Malcolm X’s hotel-room scene with Ali is praised for its camera angle and length. — Bill Simmons
  • Ali turning his back on Malcolm X in Africa is a scene choice. — Bill Simmons
  • The sequence of Malcolm X’s murder and Ali reacting in the car is praised as great filmmaking. — Bill Simmons
  • The second Liston fight is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Ali’s Vietnam phone statement is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Smith’s courthouse speech is selected as his best scene. — Bill Simmons
  • The Bundini belt-sale scene is nominated. — Van Lathan
  • Ali watching Foreman stop Frazier is independently nominated. — Van Lathan
  • The Terrell weigh-in is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Frazier taking Ali for a ride is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Ali finishing Foreman in the eighth round is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The Cosell material is selected by one speaker, while the opening and Kinshasa arrival remain other favorites.
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1:06:50

The most 2001 thing

Will Smith’s commercial peak, the ascending-and-veteran ensemble, Ron Silver, and young Will Smith and Jada Pinkett S...

Will Smith’s commercial peak, the ascending-and-veteran ensemble, Ron Silver, and young Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:50Read transcript
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1:10:32

What’s Aged the Best?

Jamie Foxx and Giancarlo Esposito together, James Toney’s acting, the Foreman heavy-bag image, sports-media cameos, “...

Jamie Foxx and Giancarlo Esposito together, James Toney’s acting, the Foreman heavy-bag image, sports-media cameos, “The Champ Is Here” sample, Smith’s fighting credibility, the Malcolm X structure, and the opening music staging

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:32Read transcript
  • Foxx and Esposito sharing the screen is the first candidate. — Bill Simmons
  • James Toney’s acting and the Foreman heavy-bag shot are separate choices. — Bill Simmons
  • Jim Gray and Bill Plaschke cameos are enjoyed. — Bill Simmons
  • The “Champ Is Here” sample is selected. — Chris Ryan
  • Smith’s credible fighting and the film functioning partly as a Malcolm X movie are praised. — Chris Ryan
  • The Sam Cooke performance recreation and call-and-response staging are praised. — Chris Ryan
  • The actors playing fighters were allowed to hit Smith hard short of knocking him out.
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1:14:44

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The speed-bag image, purposeful ramp walk, Foreman-fight entrance, dark Zaire arrival, and overhead-to-behind running...

The speed-bag image, purposeful ramp walk, Foreman-fight entrance, dark Zaire arrival, and overhead-to-behind running shot are nominated.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:44Read transcript
  • CR chooses the camera behind the speed bag, synchronized with the music.
  • The fast ramp walk and Ali’s Foreman-fight entrance are nominated.
  • The dark Zaire arrival and running shot that closes in behind Ali are praised. — Van Lathan
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1:16:35

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Ali

Ali

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:35Read transcript
  • Political education or awakening and redemption formulations are floated.
  • The Champ Is Here is suggested, but the group returns to Ali. — Chris Ryan
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1:19:05

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The three-year narrative jump; the relationship material; Belinda’s confrontation before the Foreman fight

The three-year narrative jump; the relationship material; Belinda’s confrontation before the Foreman fight

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:05Read transcript
  • The movie skipping three years and many fights is the first answer. — Bill Simmons
  • A different answer says bringing in all the female relationships weakens the movie.
  • Belinda raising the relationship crisis immediately before the Foreman fight is questioned, with a defense based on her needs. — Van Lathan
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1:23:43

What’s Aged the Worst?

R. Kelly’s soundtrack presence and Ali remembering a woman from when she was an 11-year-old student

R. Kelly’s soundtrack presence and Ali remembering a woman from when she was an 11-year-old student

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:43Read transcript
  • The original soundtrack’s extensive R. Kelly presence is identified. — Van Lathan
  • The exchange recalls that she was 11 years old when he came to her school, which is called a tough detail.
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1:27:13

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Three separate takes propose a Chauncey Eskridge film, praise Smith’s silent acting, and recenter the biopic on Ali a...

Three separate takes propose a Chauncey Eskridge film, praise Smith’s silent acting, and recenter the biopic on Ali and Frazier’s three fights.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:13Read transcript
  • A film about attorney Chauncey Eskridge representing both Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali is proposed.
  • Another take says Smith is at his best here when acting without dialogue.
  • The third proposes a co-lead Ali/Frazier film focused on their three fights. — Bill Simmons
  • The Frazier-centered discussion stresses the lasting harm from Ali’s public attacks and Frazier’s bitterness. — Van Lathan
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1:32:19

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Tentatively, Barry Shabaka Henley

Tentatively, Barry Shabaka Henley

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:19Read transcript
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1:32:30

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Mykelti Williamson as Don King

Mykelti Williamson as Don King

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:30Read transcript
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1:36:24

Apex Mountain

No affirmative selection

No affirmative selection

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:24Read transcript
  • Ali is proposed as Smith’s apex, with Independence Day and Men in Black as the main counterclaim.
  • Hitch is argued as Smith’s purest movie-star peak.
  • The Insider is preferred as Mann’s apex, while the surrounding run is treated as his imperial phase.
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1:38:56

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks as Howard Cosell

Tom Hanks as Howard Cosell

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:56Read transcript
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1:41:20

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A ten-hour prestige series

A ten-hour prestige series

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:20Read transcript
  • The panel chooses prestige television with a large budget.
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1:41:43

Is This Movie Better With…?

Pete Postlethwaite as Bundini Brown and Ted Levine as the FBI agent

Pete Postlethwaite as Bundini Brown and Ted Levine as the FBI agent

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:43Read transcript
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1:42:51

Just One Oscar

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:51Read transcript
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1:43:53

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The signed hand tape, first-Liston-fight robe, and vintage gloves

The signed hand tape, first-Liston-fight robe, and vintage gloves

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:53Read transcript
  • Signed hand tape is the first choice.
  • The robe from the first Liston fight is another choice.
  • Vintage or Smith-used gloves are proposed. — Bill Simmons
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1:44:41

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

“Free ain’t easy; free is real”

“Free ain’t easy; free is real”

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:41Read transcript
  • The line is stated and accepted as the life lesson. — Bill Simmons
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1:44:58

Who Won the Movie?

Michael Mann (over time); immediate vote split among Mann, Jamie Foxx, and Will Smith

Michael Mann (over time); immediate vote split among Mann, Jamie Foxx, and Will Smith

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:58Read transcript
  • The first choice is Michael Mann because his visual style drives rewatches.
  • Jamie Foxx is proposed for his performance and the career springboard it provided. — Van Lathan
  • A final view gives the contemporary moment to Will Smith but the lasting win to Mann.
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