Nick Cage’s opening performance is rated near the top of his intensity scale, and his synchronization with the crowd is praised.
The assassination and the replay that exposes the pulled punch are nominated.
Julia Costello cleaning blood off herself in the bathroom is nominated.
Rick Santoro and Lincoln Tyler screaming at each other is nominated for its overacting. — Bill Simmons
The red-haired accomplice pulling Kevin Dunne away from the fight is nominated as a flashback. — Bill Simmons
The elevator chase and overhead view through the hotel rooms are nominated. — Bill Simmons
Julia telling Rick her story on the staircase, with split-screen staging, is nominated. — Bill Simmons
Rick discovering the hidden video of Kevin is nominated. — Bill Simmons
Kevin’s explanation of his conspiracy is praised while another participant calls it self-serving rationalization. — Bill Simmons
Kevin’s chest suicide and the title phrase are nominated. — Bill Simmons
The opening is selected as the strongest and most memorable scene. — Sean Fennessey
All four point-of-view/flashback sequences are praised for changing the audience’s understanding. — Sean Fennessey
Kevin revealing himself and executing accomplices is an alternate choice. — Van Lathan
The panel questions whether Rick and Kevin’s old friendship has enough grounding. — Van Lathan

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56:05

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Rick and Lincoln screaming at each other

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:56:05Read transcript

Rick and Lincoln screaming at each other for two minutes is selected. — Bill Simmons

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56:22

Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?

The overhead hotel-room sequence prompts a wish for a more provocative background encounter.

Flex pick · Bill Simmons

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:56:22Read transcript

The overhead hotel-room sequence prompts a wish for a more provocative background encounter. — Bill Simmons

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59:43

The Sean Penn “I Brought My Own Pack” Award for Excellence in On-Screen Smoking

Nicolas Cage

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:59:43Read transcript

Nicolas Cage is praised for letting a cigarette dangle convincingly. — Bill Simmons

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1:03:40

The most 1998 thing

Atlantic City heavyweight fights; Rick’s gold flip phone; public excitement about the defense secretary; a Columbo re...

Atlantic City heavyweight fights; Rick’s gold flip phone; public excitement about the defense secretary; a Columbo reference.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:03:40Read transcript

A major heavyweight fight in Atlantic City is the leading 1998 marker.
Rick’s large gold flip phone is proposed.
Spectators applauding the defense secretary is proposed. — Bill Simmons
A Columbo reference is proposed as period-specific and culturally faded. — Bill Simmons

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1:06:56

What’s Aged the Best?

The fixed athlete; De Palma’s craftsmanship; villain reveal; innocent bystander; recurring visual clues; a compromise...

The fixed athlete; De Palma’s craftsmanship; villain reveal; innocent bystander; recurring visual clues; a compromised cop choosing integrity.

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:56Read transcript

An athlete driven by debt into fixing a contest is called newly topical.
Brian De Palma’s control of a modest thriller is praised as increasingly rare. — Sean Fennessey
The moment Kevin is revealed as the villain is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The random hotel guest who expects sex is shot despite ending the encounter after the woman says she is in trouble.
De Palma’s clues that gain meaning on replay are nominated. — Bill Simmons
Rick deciding he will no longer be bought is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The casino’s willingness to serve as a film location is proposed. — Bill Simmons

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1:15:11

Sean Fennessey Award for Stealth Homage That Gives Every Movie Nerd a Criterion Orgasm

The overhead staircase composition echoes Vertigo.

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:15:11Read transcript

The staircase shot is identified as a direct visual homage to the disorienting chapel stairs in Vertigo. — Sean Fennessey

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1:16:27

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Overhead hotel rooms; Julia’s glasses on the floor; the cracked-door party shot.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:16:27Read transcript

The long overhead view through adjoining hotel rooms is nominated.
The floor-level image of Julia’s glasses before they are stepped on is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The long view through a cracked door into the party is nominated for its voyeuristic effect. — Van Lathan

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1:18:18

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Lincoln Tyler, “the Atlantic City Executioner”; Rick Santoro; Commander Kevin Dunne.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:18:18Read transcript

Lincoln Tyler and his “Atlantic City Executioner” nickname are selected. — Bill Simmons
Rick Santoro and Commander Kevin Dunne are also praised, with confusion noted because actor Kevin Dunn is in the film. — Sean Fennessey

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1:18:49

I Used to Fuck Guys Like You in Prison Award for Craziest Quote

“Fat, fabulous, fantastic” and “skinny, mean, expensive.”

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:18:49Read transcript

Rick’s paired descriptions of his wife and girlfriend are selected, with the line reading praised. — Sean Fennessey

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1:19:24

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

Removing the filmed tidal-wave ending.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:19:24Read transcript

The omitted tidal wave is selected because the storm is set up without payoff. — Bill Simmons
A participant says the existing tidal-wave footage would make the ending substantially better.
Another explanation is that De Palma decided the movie was about intrigue rather than spectacle. — Sean Fennessey
The beach kiss is criticized as too tidy and too much like a romantic comedy. — Craig Horlbeck

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1:21:26

What’s Aged the Worst?

The assassination plot depends on a 1998 lack of ubiquitous cameras and is needlessly elaborate.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:21:26Read transcript

In 2025, cameras would expose many parts of the arena conspiracy. — Bill Simmons
The fixed fight, disposable assassin, and Julia’s public handoff plan are criticized as unnecessarily complicated.

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1:23:14

How Would Van Lathan Get Out of This One?

Rick separately reframes Kevin’s betrayal to his wife and sets boundaries with his girlfriend.

Flex pick · Van Lathan

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:23:14Read transcript

The speaker chooses Rick and tells his wife that Kevin’s betrayal proves her prior suspicions right. — Van Lathan
For Monique, the speaker proposes reasserting that their time apart is separate and offering a later hotel visit. — Van Lathan
The panel questions why Rick must arrange the late-night pizza and jokes about how both women might resist his framing. — Van Lathan

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1:26:50

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Restore the tidal wave; De Palma is better with lurid material; swap the leads; Nicolas Cage can play any casino-worl...

Restore the tidal wave; De Palma is better with lurid material; swap the leads; Nicolas Cage can play any casino-world role.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:50Read transcript

The tidal-wave ending is again argued to be better. — Sean Fennessey
The Untouchables is called less interesting than De Palma’s less respectable, more lurid films; others partly disagree.
Swapping Gary Sinise and Nicolas Cage is proposed as a more interesting version.
Nicolas Cage is proposed as uniquely able to play nearly any Las Vegas or Atlantic City role. — Bill Simmons

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1:28:41

Casting What-Ifs

Al Pacino; Will Smith; swapped Sinise and Cage.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:28:41Read transcript

Al Pacino is identified as an offered alternative for Kevin Dunne, with the need for an older Rick discussed.
Will Smith is identified as another offered alternative, and his choosing Enemy of the State is defended. — Bill Simmons
The panel says Smith as Kevin would have let him play an unusual villain. — Bill Simmons
Swapping Gary Sinise and Nicolas Cage remains an alternate recasting idea.

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1:35:45

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Fight Night.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:35:45Read transcript

Snake Eyes is questioned because the movie has no dice game. — Craig Horlbeck
The title is defended as referring to Kevin’s predatory deception and everyone losing to the system. — Sean Fennessey
Fight Night is proposed and accepted as the better title.

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1:36:47

Apex Mountain

Fixed-boxing movies; Michael Rispoli; Atlantic City as a thriller setting.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:36:47Read transcript

Nicolas Cage and Brian De Palma are rejected for personal Apex Mountain. — Bill Simmons
Fixed-boxing movies, Michael Rispoli, and Atlantic City as a film destination are proposed.

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1:42:57

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Cruise as Rick Santoro and Tom Hanks as Kevin Dunne.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:42:57Read transcript

Tom Cruise as Rick and Tom Hanks as Kevin is proposed. — Sean Fennessey
The villain reveal and their combined star power are argued to make the pairing especially effective. — Sean Fennessey
A Cruise-and-Will-Smith alternative is raised, but their age difference is offered as an objection.
The panel invents a hallway sprint for Cruise.

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1:44:28

Scorsese or Spielberg?

Martin Scorsese.

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:44:28Read transcript

Martin Scorsese is the immediate choice and is said to fit the material. — Bill Simmons

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1:44:28

What role would Philip Seymour Hoffman play?

Gilbert Powell; alternatively Kevin Dunne.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:44:28Read transcript

Gilbert Powell is proposed because his forceful conspiracy speech fits the role.
The Sinise part is also briefly proposed.

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1:45:09

Picking Nits

Pre-fight party; ignored blood; weak security; implausible fighters; Julia’s plan and glasses; ignored assault; abrup...

Pre-fight party; ignored blood; weak security; implausible fighters; Julia’s plan and glasses; ignored assault; abrupt romance.

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 01:45:09Read transcript

A model-and-drug party immediately before a heavyweight fight is questioned, with a possible Tyson-era defense. — Van Lathan
Almost nobody reacting to Julia being covered in blood is criticized. — Van Lathan
Rick reaching the defense secretary without a security screening is criticized. — Van Lathan
The fighters’ physiques are questioned relative to elite 1990s heavyweights. — Van Lathan
Julia’s public whistleblowing plan is criticized as incoherent, while fear of interception and the secretary’s public standing are offered as explanations.
The crowd becoming impatient in the first minute is criticized.
José Pacifico Ruiz’s performance and confused execution of the fixed fight are criticized, while participants disagree about whether he understands the plan. — Sean Fennessey
Julia relying on glasses rather than contacts is questioned; her collision with the wall is praised, and the lenses are said to look too weak for her impairment. — Bill Simmons
Nobody noticing the heavyweight champion punch a police officer is criticized. — Bill Simmons
Carla making a move on Nick at the end is criticized as unearned, though his earlier advance offers minimal setup.
Other 1990s movies are criticized for forcing romantic energy between the male and female leads. — Van Lathan

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1:52:33

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

A prequel about Rick and Kevin growing up.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:52:33Read transcript

Prestige television is briefly considered, then rejected because the movie is only judged fine. — Bill Simmons
A prequel showing Kevin’s dark side while Rick fails to see it is proposed. — Sean Fennessey

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1:52:59

Is This Movie Better With…?

Joe Davis and John Smoltz calling the fight; Byron Mayo in the backstage role.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:52:59Read transcript

Joe Davis and John Smoltz are proposed as deliberately low-energy fight announcers. — Bill Simmons
Byron Mayo is proposed for a backstage role, though the usual contributor for the bit is absent. — Bill Simmons

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1:55:02

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Why do villains ever skip silencers?

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:55:02Read transcript

Using a silencer every time is proposed.
A silencer is described as bigger, bulkier, longer, and harder to conceal; attaching it is praised as movie magic.

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1:55:55

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Serena’s ruby-red ring; the bloody $100 bill; Rick’s jacket; the fight poster.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:55:55Read transcript

The bloody bill, Rick’s jacket, and a fight poster are offered.
Serena’s ring, visible in the concrete at the end, is selected as another option. — Sean Fennessey

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1:56:43

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Do not be naive.

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:56:43Read transcript

Rick’s statement that being naive is not the worst failing becomes the lesson, reframed as “do not be naive.” — Bill Simmons

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1:56:57

Best Double Feature

Face/Off; alternatively No Way Out.

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:56:57Read transcript

Face/Off is the immediate choice for another Nicolas Cage pairing. — Bill Simmons
Dress to Kill, JFK, In the Line of Fire, No Way Out, and L.A. Confidential are offered as alternatives. — Sean Fennessey
No Way Out is favored as the closest sleazy political-crime pairing.

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1:58:22

Who Won the Movie?

Nicolas Cage; Brian De Palma

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:58:22Read transcript

Nicolas Cage is chosen on the theory that he has never lost a movie in which he is the lead.
Brian De Palma is an alternate winner because this was his last memorable commercial success.
Carla Gugino is considered but not selected.

Podcast choices

Speaker not identified: Nicolas Cage
Speaker not identified: Brian De Palma

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More from the conversation

Nicolas Cage’s performance style, action-star run, and career arc.

Approx. transcript time · 00:01:49Read transcript

Brian De Palma’s authorship, voyeurism, and changing career position.

Approx. transcript time · 00:15:13Read transcript

Gary Sinise, Carla Gugino, and the supporting cast are discussed in career context.

Approx. transcript time · 00:23:17Read transcript

Budget, box office, and Roger Ebert’s one-star review are discussed.

Approx. transcript time · 00:52:26Read transcript

The group discusses older films disappearing from streaming and recommends physical media.

Approx. transcript time · 01:37:28Read transcript