Kim being taken through the phone-call instructions is one preferred scene
The dinner at Jean-Claude’s house became the other preferred scene after repeated viewings — Bill Simmons
The apartment raid and the extended ending are also named among five top-tier scenes — Bill Simmons

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32:06

What’s Aged the Best?

Liam Neeson’s action-star reinvention and the phone speech lead several praised elements

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 00:32:06Read transcript

The film knowing exactly what it is is praised — Bill Simmons
Liam Neeson’s filmography is said to have been reinterpreted after the role made him an action star — Bill Simmons
The phone speech is proposed as the best individual element but challenged because it was already perfect on release — Bill Simmons
Jean-Claude’s behind-a-desk decline is praised as a recurring thematic joke — Bill Simmons

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37:03

What’s Aged the Worst?

Foreign-villain stereotyping and the U2 premise lead a larger set of objections

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 00:37:03Read transcript

The film’s portrayal of nearly every foreign character as murderous or complicit is the strongest objection — Shea Serrano
Teenagers following U2 around Europe in 2008 is criticized as implausible — Shea Serrano
Bryan’s drinks-with-his-buddies scene is criticized as awkward — Bill Simmons
Kim’s rapid recovery without visible trauma is criticized — Bill Simmons
Taken 3 is rejected while Taken 2 receives a qualified defense — Shea Serrano

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43:38

Casting What-Ifs

Jeff Bridges (reportedly cast first)

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:43:38Read transcript

Jeff Bridges is reported as the first choice for the lead before dropping out over the physical demands — Shea Serrano
The alternate casting is viewed as plausible, though perhaps less effective than Liam Neeson — Bill Simmons

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44:31

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Marco, Jean-Claude, Jean-Claude’s wife, the club manager, the sheik, and Marco’s table are nominated

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:44:31Read transcript

Marco, Jean-Claude, Jean-Claude’s wife, the club manager, and the sheik are nominated — Bill Simmons
The men at Marco’s table are added for enthusiastically backing him — Bill Simmons

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46:31

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Jean-Claude

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:46:31Read transcript

Jean-Claude is the sole choice because the actor is recognized by that role rather than by name — Bill Simmons

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47:10

Half-Assed Internet Research

Jeff Bridges casting, Liam Neeson preparation, Famke Janssen advocacy, map continuity, travel warnings, Maggie Grace’...

Jeff Bridges casting, Liam Neeson preparation, Famke Janssen advocacy, map continuity, travel warnings, Maggie Grace’s running, and body count

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 00:47:10Read transcript

Liam Neeson is reported to have expected a straight-to-video release and trained in Paris for four months — Bill Simmons
Famke Janssen is reported to have become a UN anti-corruption goodwill ambassador — Bill Simmons
The airport map is reported to show dissolved European states — Bill Simmons
Liam Neeson is reported to discourage parents from treating the film’s danger as realistic travel guidance — Bill Simmons
Maggie Grace is reportedly said to have trained with Alberto Salazar to run younger, though the hosts explicitly doubt the claim — Bill Simmons
Bryan is first said to kill 31 people, then corrected to 35 — Bill Simmons

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55:09

Apex Mountain

Liam Neeson: yes

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 00:55:09Read transcript

Liam Neeson is treated as an unequivocal apex because the role made him an action star in his mid-fifties — Bill Simmons
Maggie Grace is judged permanently identified with the daughter role — Bill Simmons
The Albanian traffickers are jokingly assigned an apex as screen villains — Shea Serrano

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56:40

Is This Movie Better With…?

Steve Buscemi as the auction manager

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:56:40Read transcript

Steve Buscemi is independently chosen by both participants for the auction-manager role — Bill Simmons

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57:28

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

The sex-trafficking club manager

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:57:28Read transcript

The club manager’s wounded appeal that it was only business is selected as overacting — Shea Serrano
An overacting performance in Alive is raised as a possible namesake for the category — Bill Simmons

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58:30

Picking Nits

Apartment wealth, discarded phone, voice recognition, failed execution, baguette shorthand, and improvised phone-rout...

Apartment wealth, discarded phone, voice recognition, failed execution, baguette shorthand, and improvised phone-routing technology

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 00:58:30Read transcript

The unusually luxurious fifth-floor apartment is questioned — Bill Simmons
Leaving the destroyed phone behind and then locking the door is questioned — Bill Simmons
Recognizing Marco from a repeated two-word phrase is challenged — Bill Simmons
The captors’ failure to shoot their captive after questioning him is challenged — Bill Simmons
Jean-Claude’s wife’s survival and later life are questioned — Bill Simmons
Jean-Claude carrying an unwrapped baguette is mocked as generic French shorthand — Shea Serrano
The ease of buying a transmitter and sending a phone signal to another location is questioned — Bill Simmons

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1:01:53

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

The loaded-gun weight line

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:01:53Read transcript

The loaded-versus-unloaded gun line is selected — Bill Simmons
The flesh-wound and stepfather put-down lines are also nominated — Bill Simmons

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1:02:54

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Kim’s lesson, the auction’s realism, and Jean-Claude’s wife

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:02:54Read transcript

Whether Kim learned to trust her father is asked and answered by reference to the sequels — Bill Simmons
Whether the elaborate auction exists as portrayed is debated and rejected — Bill Simmons

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1:06:15

Who Won the Movie?

An unnamed sole winner, credited with reviving action movies

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:15Read transcript

An unnamed sole winner is said to win the film and action movies while reviving the form — Bill Simmons

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More from the conversation

The film is called the quintessential “five o’clocker”: simple, satisfying action that can be watched after work without much mental effort.

Approx. transcript time · 00:02:24Read transcript

The role is credited with reviving an action-star tradition after a weak 2000s stretch and launching Liam Neeson’s second career.

Approx. transcript time · 00:05:31Read transcript

A parenting anecdote recounts accidentally colliding two young sons while throwing one in the air, changing later risk decisions.

Approx. transcript time · 00:48:19Read transcript

A separate parenting anecdote recounts a toddler leaving through an open door while a basketball game held attention, ending safely after a driver stopped.

Approx. transcript time · 00:49:26Read transcript

Streaming services are predicted to revive straightforward action films and romantic comedies through audience-data-driven commissioning.

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:43Read transcript