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.
The red-haired accomplice pulling Kevin Dunne away from the fight is nominated as a flashback.
The elevator chase and overhead view through the hotel rooms are nominated.
Julia telling Rick her story on the staircase, with split-screen staging, is nominated.
Rick discovering the hidden video of Kevin is nominated.
Kevin’s explanation of his conspiracy is praised while another participant calls it self-serving rationalization.
Kevin’s chest suicide and the title phrase are nominated.
The opening is selected as the strongest and most memorable scene.
All four point-of-view/flashback sequences are praised for changing the audience’s understanding.
Kevin revealing himself and executing accomplices is an alternate choice.
The panel questions whether Rick and Kevin’s old friendship has enough grounding.

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Rick and Lincoln screaming at each other is selected as an extreme overacting duet.

In the discussion (1)

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

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

The most "year the movie came out" thing

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.
A Columbo reference is proposed as period-specific and culturally faded.

What’s Aged the Best?

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.
The moment Kevin is revealed as the villain is nominated.
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.
Rick deciding he will no longer be bought is nominated.
The casino’s willingness to serve as a film location is proposed.

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.
The long view through a cracked door into the party is nominated for its voyeuristic effect.

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.
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.
The beach kiss is criticized as too tidy and too much like a romantic comedy.

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.
The fixed fight, disposable assassin, and Julia’s public handoff plan are criticized as unnecessarily complicated.

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-world role.

In the discussion (4)

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

The tidal-wave ending is again argued to be better.
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.

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.
The title is defended as referring to Kevin’s predatory deception and everyone losing to the system.
Fight Night is proposed and accepted as the better title.

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.
Fixed-boxing movies, Michael Rispoli, and Atlantic City as a film destination are proposed.

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.
The villain reveal and their combined star power are argued to make the pairing especially effective.
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.

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.
A prequel showing Kevin’s dark side while Rick fails to see it is proposed.

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.
Byron Mayo is proposed for a backstage role, though the usual contributor for the bit is absent.

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.

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.”

Who Won the Movie?

Nicolas Cage and Brian De Palma receive separate final choices; Carla Gugino is considered but not selected.

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