Ebert gives two stars for too much material packed into the running time; the hosts agree with that diagnosis while wanting at least two-and-a-half stars.

Music taste; chokehold officer; Keitel/De Niro swap; De Niro’s casting; podcasters; unseen cocaine use

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 00:39:12Read transcript

Freddy’s Gould records, opera recommendations and Springsteen taste invite speculation about hearing loss or loneliness; future online music and conspiracy interests are imagined.
More background on the imprisoned chokehold officer and his potential to expose Ray would help, especially when other events already receive flashbacks.
Switching Keitel and De Niro could improve the larger Ray role but would lose the iconic tirade.
De Niro's reason for taking the small part is unknown; liking the script is suggested.
Figgsy’s cocaine use is inferred throughout despite never being shown directly; the allergy excuse is recalled.

Ages; moving-car shooting; rooftop fight; affair clarity; news photo; fugitive/napkin/pool logistics; arson; voiceover

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 00:43:55Read transcript

The actors do not look like contemporaries despite their characters growing up together.
Superboy landing so many shots into a moving car is doubted, with the collision offered as part of what confused responders.
The rooftop fight’s rounds, assistants and prolonged brawl look like a boxing match or comic-book-villain encounter rather than an arrest.
Whether Ray’s deliberate failure to save Randone clearly communicates retaliation for the affair is debated; the producer says he understood it.
The conveniently published, sinister-looking photograph of the corrections officer is too obvious.
Superboy is an incompetent fugitive who cannot stay hidden beneath the blanket.
The drink-and-napkin warning is questioned because the glass could smear the ink; simply taking him aside seems easier.
A remote murder would make more sense than killing Superboy in Ray's backyard pool.
Burning his own house down seems an unnecessarily difficult way for Figgsy to raise money, with debts offered as context.
The opening voiceover lacks an ongoing point-of-view function; the hosts reconsider whether the ending actually uses a title card instead.
Figgsy’s abrupt full-stop freeway turnaround is criticized as a movie trope that would be dangerous and implausible in ordinary driving.

Ten De Niro pantheon performances

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:53:08Read transcript

The ten immediate pantheon choices are The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, Raging Bull, Midnight Run, Casino, Heat, The King of Comedy, The Deer Hunter and Goodfellas.
This Boy’s Life, Cape Fear, Awakenings, The Irishman, The Intern, Jackie Brown and The Mission are additional debated comparisons; Midnight Run is placed first for rewatchability.

Liotta and Stallone sought opposite roles; Gary Sinise offered Freddy

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:57:31Read transcript

Liotta reportedly wanted Freddy and Stallone wanted Figgsy; switching them is judged likely to weaken the movie.
Sinise was reportedly offered Freddy and would bring gravity but a smaller, more stepped-on presence than Stallone’s gentle giant.

Swap Falco and Garofalo; Rock as Freddy, Downey as Figgsy

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:02:19Read transcript

Switching Falco into the deputy role and Garofalo into Falco’s role is the proposed fix.
A modern version with the Rock as Freddy and Downey as Figgsy appeals, though both may now be too old.
Selena Gomez as the deputy is floated.
The Rock's physique makes casting him as Freddy difficult.

Washingtonville inspiration; deleted racism scenes; residency disclaimer; motorcycle; De Niro mustache

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:14Read transcript

Mangold’s hometown Washingtonville, especially Worley Heights with current/former NYPD residents, reportedly inspired Garrison.
Two deleted scenes concern chasing Black motorists and disproportionate ticketing; the hosts wish both had remained.
The end-credit disclaimer about officers living outside New York conflicts with the fictional transit-authority loophole, while real Long Island cop enclaves seem plausible.
Randone’s motorcycle is identified as a 900 cc Hinckley Triumph Thunderbird.
De Niro’s longer mustache in the final handoff reportedly comes from Jackie Brown filming continuity.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:19:27Read transcript

Prince of the City is proposed first, followed by Cop Land as the underrated second film.
Pride and Glory is an alternative double-feature choice.
The Place Beyond the Pines is preferred as a later-period Liotta pairing outside the 1990s.

Loved the movie, especially Stallone

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:31Read transcript

The invited producer enthusiastically praises the film and heavier Stallone as his favorite element.