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The Rewatchables ·

Out for Justice

year 1991decade 90sdirector John Flynngenre Crimegenre Action
host Bill Simmonshost Kyle Brandtproducer Craig Horlbeck theme Three-Word Titles
All 36 categories

The film

Out for Justice (1991)

Directed by John Flynn · Crime

91

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Steven Seagal Det. Gino Felino
William Forsythe Richie Madano
Jerry Orbach Capt. Ronnie Donziger
Jo Champa Vicky Felino
Sal Richards Frankie
Gina Gershon Pattie Madano
Shareen Mitchell Laurie Lupo
Ronald Maccone Don Vittorio
Anthony DeSando Vinnie Madano
Dominic Chianese Mr. Madano
Vera Lockwood Mrs. Madano
George Vallejo Picolino
Jay Acovone Bobby "Arms"
Nicky Corello Joey "Dogs"
Jerry Clauri Bennie "The Book"
Jorge Gil Chas "The Chair"
Thomas F. Duffy Det. O'Kelly

Everything from the episode

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

14:58

“OK, Motherfucker” Award for When the Movie Goes Up a Notch

Richie murdering a random driver marks the movie's escalation.

Richie murdering a random driver marks the movie's escalation.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:58Read transcript
  • Richie dragging a random driver from her car and shooting her is selected as the moment that establishes him as an unpredictable psychopath. — Kyle Brandt
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23:40

The Tom Cruise Award for Most Valiant Attempt to Emulate a Normal Human

Seagal pretending to know how to play catch

Seagal pretending to know how to play catch

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:40Read transcript
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24:04

Did This Movie Need a Random Sports Scene?

A police softball game

A police softball game

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:04Read transcript
  • The abandoned father-son baseball setup is judged an unnecessary tease because the movie never shows Seagal playing. — Kyle Brandt
  • The panel imagines that a police softball game would have improved the movie. — Bill Simmons
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25:29

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Had Steven Seagal ever held or thrown a baseball?

Had Steven Seagal ever held or thrown a baseball?

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:29Read transcript
  • The panel asks whether Steven Seagal had ever held a baseball or thrown one before filming the scene. — Kyle Brandt
  • A police softball game with Seagal is imagined as a scene the film should have included. — Bill Simmons
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35:22

Most Rewatchable Scene

The pool-hall fight

The pool-hall fight

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:35:22Read transcript
  • The opening pimp confrontation and title-card freeze frame are praised as an immediately rewatchable introduction. — Bill Simmons
  • Gino's unrestricted response to Bobby's death and the police force's deference are treated as part of the film's appeal. — Bill Simmons
  • The Arthur Miller epigraph is contrasted with the violence that follows seconds later. — Kyle Brandt
  • The puppy rescue and car chase are nominated while the panel questions the dog's safety. — Bill Simmons
  • The Italian-store fight is discussed as another rewatchable action sequence. — Bill Simmons
  • The pool-hall confrontation is selected as the movie's best scene and Seagal's best fight.
  • Gina Gershon and Shannon Whirry's information-giving scenes are praised for their colorful dialogue and supporting performances. — Bill Simmons
  • Richie's bar rampage and the final shootout are the remaining scene candidates. — Kyle Brandt
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35:58

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The opening freeze-frame of Seagal peering into the car

The opening freeze-frame of Seagal peering into the car

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:35:58Read transcript
  • The title-card freeze frame of Seagal peering into the car after the opening fight is selected as the best shot. — Kyle Brandt
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1:00:39

The most 1991 thing

A Joe Montana billboard at Bobby's murder scene

A Joe Montana billboard at Bobby's murder scene

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:39Read transcript
  • The Joe Montana LA Gear billboard over Bobby's murder scene is selected as the defining 1991 detail. — Kyle Brandt
  • Young Shannon Whirry and the early-1990s rap cues are proposed as alternatives. — Bill Simmons
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1:01:43

Steven Seagal shitting on himself award for most unbelievable anecdote from the actual film shoot

The Gene LeBell story about choking Seagal unconscious is discussed with uncertainty around its most notorious detail.

The Gene LeBell story about choking Seagal unconscious is discussed with uncertainty around its most notorious detail.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:43Read transcript
  • The story begins with Seagal allegedly claiming that his martial-arts training made him impossible to choke unconscious. — Bill Simmons
  • Stunt coordinator Gene LeBell is reported to have accepted the challenge and choked Seagal unconscious. — Bill Simmons
  • The story further claims Seagal lost bladder and bowel control, a detail that Seagal denied and LeBell did not directly confirm. — Bill Simmons
  • Another stunt performer reportedly confirmed a confrontation and described LeBell sweeping Seagal after Seagal struck toward his groin. — Bill Simmons
  • The panel repeatedly distinguishes the likely confrontation from the unverified defecation claim and ultimately chooses to believe the story.
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1:07:50

What’s Aged the Best?

Margulies, the supporting cast, Orbach's career, and the director's blunt Seagal assessment

Margulies, the supporting cast, Orbach's career, and the director's blunt Seagal assessment

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:50Read transcript
  • Julianna Margulies is praised for conveying fear and talent in an early film role. — Bill Simmons
  • Director John Flynn's blunt account of Seagal's lateness and production delays is quoted as durable production context. — Bill Simmons
  • The supporting cast, including Jerry Orbach and the actors around the mob family, is praised as unusually strong for the vehicle. — Bill Simmons
  • Orbach's run across Dirty Dancing, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Someone to Watch Over Me, and Last Exit to Brooklyn is discussed as career context. — Bill Simmons
  • Orbach's move from Out for Justice and Toy Soldiers into Law & Order and Beauty and the Beast is credited as evidence of his standing. — Bill Simmons
  • The line describing Richie as killing people as if it were free is praised as a memorable piece of dialogue. — Bill Simmons
  • Gino's warm access to mob boss Don Vittorio is praised as an entertaining relationship. — Bill Simmons
  • Seagal and the actress playing Vicky giving flat reactions to Bobby's murder are cited as inadvertently durable comedy. — Bill Simmons
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1:11:38

The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink

The pool-hall hot dog

The pool-hall hot dog

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:38Read transcript
  • The pool-hall hot dog wins best use of food or drink. — Bill Simmons
  • A six-pack of seltzer bought from a child is the alternate choice. — Bill Simmons
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1:11:38

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

No Sleep Till Brooklyn

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:38Read transcript
  • No Sleep Till Brooklyn wins because it accompanies the puppy rescue and matches Gino's hunt for Richie. — Bill Simmons
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1:12:22

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Out for Justice

Out for Justice

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:22Read transcript
  • The director's preferred title The Price of Our Blood is rejected as incompatible with the established three-word Seagal title formula. — Bill Simmons
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1:12:44

The Vincent Chase Award: Are We Sure This Character Is Actually Good at Their Job?

The police and mob pursuers

The police and mob pursuers

Flex pick · Kyle Brandt

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:44Read transcript
  • Kyle selects the mobsters for failing to find Richie in their own neighborhood. — Kyle Brandt
  • The mob is also criticized for tolerating Gino's defiance and failing to control Richie or its streets. — Kyle Brandt
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1:14:09

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

Gino’s wife and the unexplained handling of the puppy

Gino’s wife and the unexplained handling of the puppy

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:09Read transcript
  • Gino's adoption of the puppy is criticized because the film ignores its safety, care, feeding, and medical needs. — Bill Simmons
  • Gino's thinly written wife is selected as the other weak link. — Bill Simmons
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1:16:08

Steven Seagal Hard to Kill Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Intimacy Coordinator?

The Polaroids and Seagal's earlier screen behavior produce another yes.

The Polaroids and Seagal's earlier screen behavior produce another yes.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:08Read transcript
  • The posed Polaroids prompt questions about who took them and whether a camera timer was used. — Bill Simmons
  • The scene with the nude dead dancer is said to warrant an intimacy coordinator because of concern about Seagal's conduct. — Bill Simmons
  • A prior Hard to Kill scene in which Seagal appeared to improvise intimate contact is given as the reason for that concern. — Kyle Brandt
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1:18:05

What’s Aged the Worst?

Seagal's later reputation and Richie's crew's period fashion

Seagal's later reputation and Richie's crew's period fashion

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:05Read transcript
  • Seagal's later reputation and allegations are identified as the most poorly aged aspect of the film. — Kyle Brandt
  • Richie's crew's mall-derived early-1990s clothes are proposed as a lighter alternative. — Kyle Brandt
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1:19:02

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Seagal

Seagal

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:02Read transcript
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1:19:24

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Seagal as Tony Soprano or a Brooklyn CSI lead

Seagal as Tony Soprano or a Brooklyn CSI lead

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:24Read transcript
  • A hypothetical more-collaborative Seagal is proposed as Tony Soprano, with his physicality and screen presence cited. — Kyle Brandt
  • James Gandolfini is proposed for Johnny Sack in the same alternate casting. — Kyle Brandt
  • A second proposal imagines Seagal carrying a Brooklyn CSI spinoff built around unintentional one-liners. — Bill Simmons
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1:22:02

Best IMDb Stat Padding

The episode examines actors whose credits or brief appearances pad the cast.

The episode examines actors whose credits or brief appearances pad the cast.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:02Read transcript
  • The cast listing is said to look stronger because Julianna Margulies, John Leguizamo, and Shannon Whirry appear only briefly. — Bill Simmons
  • Whirry's subsequent run of Animal Instincts, Body of Influence, Mirror Images II, and Animal Instincts II is cited as career context. — Bill Simmons
  • Margulies later recalled that Seagal demanded respect when they crossed paths at Warner Bros. — Bill Simmons
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1:23:30

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Dominic Chianese as Mr. Madano

Dominic Chianese as Mr. Madano

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:30Read transcript
  • Dominic Chianese wins for his familiar identity as Uncle Junior and his serious one-scene performance. — Kyle Brandt
  • The panel lists The Godfather Part II, The Sopranos, Dog Day Afternoon, and And Justice for All as his better-known credits. — Bill Simmons
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1:25:29

Recasting Couch

Annabella Sciorra or Mia Sara as Gino’s wife; Paul Sorvino as the mob boss

Annabella Sciorra or Mia Sara as Gino’s wife; Paul Sorvino as the mob boss

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:29Read transcript
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1:26:45

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Sticks

Sticks

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:45Read transcript
  • Sticks wins for waiting in the pool hall until his specialized stick fight is required.
  • The opening pimp, Shannon Whirry, Gina Gershon, and Tattoos are considered as alternatives. — Bill Simmons
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1:29:35

Half-Assed Internet Research

The dog's name, Richie's inspiration, deleted scenes, rough stunt work, and a Shannon Whirry anecdote

The dog's name, Richie's inspiration, deleted scenes, rough stunt work, and a Shannon Whirry anecdote

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:35Read transcript
  • The German Shepherd puppy's name Coraggio is translated as courage or bravery. — Bill Simmons
  • Richie is reported to have been inspired by Bonanno associate Gus Farace, who was pursued in a manhunt and killed by a mob hitman. — Bill Simmons
  • Trailer footage is reported to show deleted clothing-store and police-captain scenes that explain Richie's shirt change and Gino's body count. — Bill Simmons
  • Further deleted footage is reported to show Richie breaking into Gino's wife's house before neighbors arrive. — Bill Simmons
  • John Leguizamo and William Forsythe are reported to have said Seagal hurt performers by working rough in fight scenes. — Bill Simmons
  • An anecdote recounts Shannon Whirry answering Seagal's question about her ribbon with a joke about directing his eyes upward. — Bill Simmons
  • Whirry says she and Seagal got along after he appreciated her response. — Bill Simmons
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1:31:25

Apex Mountain

Forsythe

Forsythe

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:25Read transcript
  • Seagal's apex is deferred to Under Siege because it was his next and biggest movie and received a sequel. — Kyle Brandt
  • William Forsythe is placed at his apex here as his profile rises after Dick Tracy. — Bill Simmons
  • Gina Gershon is rejected because later work including Face/Off and Bound is favored. — Bill Simmons
  • Brooklyn as a movie location and mob movies are both rejected as being at their apex here. — Bill Simmons
  • The pool-hall fight and improvised weapons are each proposed as being at their apex. — Bill Simmons
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1:32:58

Cruise or Hanks?

Cruise

Cruise

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:58Read transcript
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1:34:24

Scorsese or Spielberg?

Scorsese

Scorsese

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:24Read transcript
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1:34:38

Picking Nits

The unsearched desk, widow's Polaroid, undersized baseball glove, and child-level sword

The unsearched desk, widow's Polaroid, undersized baseball glove, and child-level sword

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:38Read transcript
  • The panel questions why no one searched Bobby's desk before Gino found drugs, money, and Polaroids. — Bill Simmons
  • The widow's choice to carry an intimate Polaroid in her purse is criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • The undersized baseball glove is recalled as another objection before the sword is discussed. — Kyle Brandt
  • A samurai sword stored at a child's eye level is criticized as unsafe. — Kyle Brandt
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1:36:03

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

Untouchable

Untouchable

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:03Read transcript
  • The movie is declared untouchable across sequel, prequel, television, all-Black-cast, and remake options. — Bill Simmons
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1:36:03

Is This Movie Better With…?

Daniel Plainview and Doris Burke in the Richie hunt

Daniel Plainview and Doris Burke in the Richie hunt

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:03Read transcript
  • Daniel Plainview is proposed for Gino's pool-hall confrontation and search for Richie. — Kyle Brandt
  • Doris Burke is proposed to narrate Richie's rampage and set the scene around the supporting characters. — Bill Simmons
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1:37:26

Just One Oscar

William Forsythe gets the Oscar for supporting actor.

William Forsythe gets the Oscar for supporting actor.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:26Read transcript
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1:37:44

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Richie's motive for killing Bobby remains unresolved.

Richie's motive for killing Bobby remains unresolved.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:44Read transcript
  • The panel cannot determine whether drugs, an affair, childhood resentment, or missing footage explains why Richie killed Bobby. — Bill Simmons
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1:38:02

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The beret and the cue ball wrapped in a towel

The beret and the cue ball wrapped in a towel

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:02Read transcript
  • Seagal's baseball glove is proposed because it may be the only one he has used. — Bill Simmons
  • Gino's beret is a leading memorabilia choice. — Kyle Brandt
  • The cue ball and towel used in the pool hall are selected together as another leading choice. — Kyle Brandt
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1:39:06

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Tell Gino where Richie is and why he killed Bobby.

Tell Gino where Richie is and why he killed Bobby.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:06Read transcript
  • The selected lesson is to tell Gino where Richie is and why Richie killed Bobby. — Kyle Brandt
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1:39:06

Best Double Feature

Marked for Death and Hard to Kill
Out for Justice
Marked for Death
Hard to Kill
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:06Read transcript
  • Marked for Death is selected as one pairing because it immediately precedes this film and continues the Seagal persona. — Kyle Brandt
  • Hard to Kill is selected as the other pairing to compare Seagal's normal accent with his Gino voice. — Bill Simmons
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1:39:49

Who Won the Movie?

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:49Read transcript
  • The final vote awards the movie to Steven Seagal for creating another number-one film and remaining impossible to look away from. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
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1:42:39

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Unchecked movie-star control should return because singular stars can create unusually memorable movies.

Unchecked movie-star control should return because singular stars can create unusually memorable movies.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:39Read transcript
  • Craig argues for restoring singular movie-star control because it can create memorable unintentional comedy. — Craig Horlbeck
  • He contrasts that approach with market-tested films whose failures feel polished and predictable. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel imagines giving Jason Momoa a blank-slate police movie with no notes or audience testing. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The opening beret, freeze frame, and hot dog are cited as choices that modern focus groups would likely remove. — Craig Horlbeck
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More from the conversation

The episode positions this as the least restrained Seagal vehicle and compares it with the previously covered Hard to Kill and Under Siege.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:35Read transcript
The movie's clipped running time is attributed to studio pressure, explaining montages and visibly deleted Forsythe material.
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:47Read transcript
The hosts repeatedly distinguish admiration for the supporting craft from criticism of Seagal's ego and offscreen conduct.
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:50Read transcript