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Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
There Will Be Blood
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick
F1
Two for the Money
Snake Eyes
Minority Report
Blue Chips
Blue Chips
Rocky
Wayne's World
Founder and Managing Director, The Ringer
Bill Simmons
Founder of The Ringer and a regular voice on The Rewatchables. Appears in all ten episodes selected for this pilot.
Also referred to as Bill, Simmons
Stats
- Episodes credited in this archive
- 437
- Movies in this archive
- 419
- Attributed podcast choices
- 99
Across the table
Appearing on these Rewatchables episodes
Forrest Gump
1994 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Mallory Rubin
Aired February 13, 2024
Displaying episodes 133 - 144 of 437 in total
Mentioned in discussions
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Hackman’s greatest role
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:05Read transcript
- Popeye Doyle is offered as Hackman’s greatest role, difficult to separate from Little Bill.
- Crimson Tide is a personal favorite Hackman role.
- The Conversation is another candidate. — Chris Ryan
- Hoosiers is proposed but its appeal is reduced by reports Hackman disliked making it. — Bill Simmons
- Behind Enemy Lines is proposed and immediately doubted. — Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:05Read transcript
- Wayne Jenkins as Little Bill is enthusiastically imagined. — Chris Ryan
The Vincent Chase Award: Are We Sure This Character Is Actually Good at Their Job?
Skinny; Little Bill debated
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:28Read transcript
- Little Bill is proposed but his governing philosophy is provisionally defended. — Bill Simmons
- Skinny is criticized for poor brothel management and inadequate security, though the no-guns rule partly explains being unarmed. — Bill Simmons
- Employing the one-armed deputy as a doorman is suggested as a security improvement. — Chris Ryan
- Skinny should have collaborated more effectively with Strawberry Alice rather than alienating a useful ally.
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
Killing a man takes away all he has and will have; Deserves got nothing to do with it
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:40Read transcript
- The line about arming himself before decorating the saloon with Munny’s friend is praised. — Sean Fennessey
- I was building a house is a favorite line, paired with the denial that Little Bill deserves death. — Bill Simmons
- Deserves got nothing to do with it is praised as concise Western dialogue.
- The statement about killing a man taking away all he has and will ever have is favored as the most remembered and probably best line. — Sean Fennessey
- Deserves got nothing to do with it is the competing formal quote choice. — Bill Simmons
- Munny’s declaration of killing women, children, and other living things before avenging Ned is another favorite.
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Heat parallel; Little Bill’s rules; alternate perspective; deserved Eastwood Oscar
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:18Read transcript
- The film is compared with Heat through a reluctant criminal drawn back into action and a reckless lawman, with the two men as counterparts. — Bill Simmons
- Little Bill’s no-firearms and no-assassins policy is defended as coherent, then challenged as authoritarian and incapable of preventing human cruelty. — Sean Fennessey
- A Little Bill-centered version would portray Munny as the mysterious intruder destroying a town, with Forgiven proposed as a title. — Chris Ryan
- This is argued to be the film for which Eastwood actually deserved his directing Oscar, unlike some career-compensation wins. — Sean Fennessey
What’s Aged the Best?
Westerns; photography; premise; Big Whiskey; dialogue; sheriffs; Beauchamp; Harris’s accent; score; title; Hackman
In the discussion (16)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:06Read transcript
- The beautiful landscapes and brothel photography contrast with Munny’s brutality. — Chris Ryan
- The romantic Claudia theme lends unexpected tenderness to the filmmaking. — Chris Ryan
- The opening title and grave-and-tree image establish a classical, romantic storytelling frame. — Sean Fennessey
- Westerns remain appealing and avoid the same sense of datedness as contemporary-set films; the setting is compared with the era before There Will Be Blood. — Bill Simmons
- The lean revenge premise remains effective. — Bill Simmons
- Big Whiskey is praised as a town name. — Bill Simmons
- Young and full of beans is an appealing phrase. — Bill Simmons
- The sheriff’s apparently unchecked authority is enjoyed as a dramatic device, compared with a fantasy commissioner and dominant coaches. — Bill Simmons
- Beauchamp is interpreted as expressing Eastwood’s hostility toward journalists; the pants-wetting is speculatively imagined as Eastwood’s addition. — Bill Simmons
- Harris dropping his cultivated accent for Cockney when leaving exposes English Bob’s pretensions. — Bill Simmons
- The score and Eastwood’s guitar theme are praised, with Lennie Niehaus also credited. — Chris Ryan
- Leaving very young children alone for weeks is jokingly called an appealing bygone freedom while also acknowledged as troubling. — Chris Ryan
- Unforgiven is praised as a superior title and powerful marketing for an Eastwood Western.
- Hackman’s performance has grown in stature, with the Beauchamp conversations giving the movie its heartbeat. — Chris Ryan
- Munny’s farming and Little Bill’s civic order and house-building are interpreted as competing attempts at redemption. — Chris Ryan
- Hackman makes morally compromised men enjoyable without erasing their humanity, compared with No Way Out, The Firm, Crimson Tide, and The Royal Tenenbaums. — Bill Simmons
Most Rewatchable Scene
Final saloon massacre
In the discussion (25)
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:31Read transcript
- Munny and Ned at the fire discussing being farmers rather than bad men is nominated for its worn-out outlaw perspective. — Bill Simmons
- The fire conversation’s recollection of shooting a man through the mouth is singled out. — Bill Simmons
- English Bob meeting Little Bill is nominated as a dismantling of Bob’s bravado and a revelation of the sheriff’s brutality. — Bill Simmons
- Little Bill resolving the mutilation through payment to Skinny rather than the victim establishes the film’s moral ambiguity. — Sean Fennessey
- English Bob’s train argument for monarchy, later mocked by Little Bill, is praised.
- Little Bill explaining how to judge killers to Beauchamp is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The three rules are to remain calm under fire, not prioritize draw speed, and kill the best shooter first. — Bill Simmons
- The climax is read as fulfilling Little Bill’s lesson, except that Munny kills Skinny first.
- Skinny-first is defended because he has the most invested in protecting the saloon. — Bill Simmons
- The competing interpretation is that killing unarmed Skinny announces that Munny will kill without hesitation. — Sean Fennessey
- Munny and Delilah’s conversation is praised for working despite seeming potentially mawkish.
- Killing the first cowboy is nominated as awkward and deliberately unlike a heroic Western shootout. — Bill Simmons
- Ned cannot shoot and the Kid is ineffective, undermining the image of expert gunmen. — Bill Simmons
- The killers negotiating water for their victim adds to the scene’s unsettling awkwardness. — Bill Simmons
- Davey’s prolonged dying and request for water underline the awkward, unheroic killing; the distress is jokingly compared with Will Ferrell in Austin Powers.
- The Kid’s repeated question about whether the man is dead would exhaust a companion’s patience. — Chris Ryan
- The Kid’s outhouse killing is nominated as a well-written scene that could benefit from a stronger actor. — Bill Simmons
- The saloon massacre is called the obvious most-rewatchable scene. — Bill Simmons
- The slow first stretch is defended retrospectively as preparation for an exceptionally strong ending. — Sean Fennessey
- Munny drinking whiskey upon hearing Ned is dead signals his return to violence. — Chris Ryan
- The saloon blocking keeps entrances and everyone’s positions legible, helping explain why the crowd fails to shoot Munny. — Bill Simmons
- Munny’s reputation seems to fill the saloon and transform him into an avenging figure, compared with Curry silencing an arena. — Chris Ryan
- The misfire and awkward pause reveal the other men’s inability to act, leaving Munny and Little Bill as the real killers. — Sean Fennessey
- Eastwood’s stiffness as a reformed farmer contrasts with his fluency when becoming the killer again, making the return both thrilling and sad.
- Munny’s threat while leaving is completely convincing because Eastwood has decades of authority with such dialogue.
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Is Day-Lewis cinema’s greatest facial-hair actor? Why does Daniel hate Standard Oil so intensely?
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:57:02Read transcript
- Mustaches, Bill the Butcher hair, and Lincoln’s chin strap demonstrate Day-Lewis’s range. — Bill Simmons
- The Standard executive’s mild advice about H.W. seems insufficient to explain Daniel’s throat-cutting threat, implying missing backstory. — Sean Fennessey
The Ron Burgundy Flute Award for the Best Time for a Pee Break
Penny and Maverick’s bedroom sequence — on a rewatch
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:52Read transcript
- Bill recommends leaving once Maverick takes Penny home — Bill Simmons
- Chris cautions that the sequence explains important backstory for first-time viewers — Bill Simmons
The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film
The underused supporting pilots; Phoenix divides the room
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:14Read transcript
- Bill wants more from Jay Ellis and Manny Jacinto
- Bob’s characterization and second-seat duties are questioned
- Bill considers Phoenix underdeveloped and imagines a Michelle Rodriguez-like presence
- Chris likes Phoenix and values her relationship with Rooster
- Craig is explicitly invited to break the tie and says she was good
- The discussion distinguishes the performance from the amount of character development
- The lack of a larger comic supporting personality is noted
The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot
The sailing scene, Darkstar flyby and aircraft launch
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:28Read transcript
- Chris offers the final-mission aircraft launch and receding carrier — Bill Simmons
- He also offers the twin vortices during the demonstration run — Bill Simmons
- The Darkstar flyby lifting the roof behind Ed Harris is a shared favorite — Bill Simmons
- Bill chooses the sailing scene with Connelly — Bill Simmons
- The hosts admire the physical realism of the sailing — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:43Read transcript
- The Darkstar opening and diner arrival are nominated — Bill Simmons
- The Hard Deck introduction through Rooster playing piano is praised for economical character work and emotional flashbacks — Bill Simmons
- Maverick defeating the trainees is nominated — Bill Simmons
- The Iceman visit is praised for restraint, typing, frustration, vulnerability and the closing joke — Bill Simmons
- The hosts question how deep the old rivals’ friendship became — Bill Simmons
- Dogfight football prompts detailed doubts about two balls, scoring, defensive pressure and strategy — Bill Simmons
- Maverick demonstrating the impossible training route is nominated — Bill Simmons
- The full final mission through the carrier reunion is a major choice — Bill Simmons
- Penny with the Porsche and the final flight provide an especially satisfying coda — Bill Simmons
- Bill favors the Kilmer scene leading into football — Bill Simmons
- Chris praises the extended finale and the lack of music during part of the mission — Bill Simmons
Displaying discussions 73 - 84 of 143 in total
Flex picks
Top Five List
Old guys schooling young guys scenes
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:06Read transcript
- The invited top-five flex ranks Joe Clark confronting Sams on the Lean on Me roof fifth, with the dangerous method questioned.
- Fourth is Rocky beating Tommy Gunn, whose provocation is said to justify the confrontation. — Van Lathan
- Third is Shep beating Kyle Watson one-on-one in Above the Rim; the deceased-friend subplot prompts a tangent. — Van Lathan
- Second is a tie between Yoda teaching Luke at Dagobah and Obi-Wan defeating Anakin in Revenge of the Sith. — Van Lathan
- After the rank is clarified as second rather than first, the top slot goes to the park-bench speech in Good Will Hunting, contrasting experience with intelligence. — Van Lathan
The most GIFable moment
I’m gambling again
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:55Read transcript
- The gambling-again declaration is proposed as an underused Pacino GIF or meme, alongside his established memorable screen moments. — Bill Simmons
- The choice is confirmed as Most GIFable Moment; Best Line is floated as another possible home for it. — Bill Simmons
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
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:30Read transcript
- Jackson and Irons each dial up their performances at times. — Bill Simmons
Best Dick Ever: Best Philip K. Dick Movie Adaptations
Blade Runner best; Total Recall most rewatchable
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:03Read transcript
- An invited flex asks for the best Philip K. Dick adaptations: Minority Report, Total Recall, A Scanner Darkly, Blade Runner and The Adjustment Bureau are nominated. One ordering begins Blade Runner and Total Recall; another specifies Blade Runner, Minority Report and Total Recall, while Scanner is especially faithful in spirit. — Bill Simmons
- The Adjustment Bureau is defended by its proposer but rejected by two responses. Blade Runner is agreed to be best, whereas Total Recall is preferred for desert-island entertainment and rewatchability.
Kevin Spacey Limo Scene Award for Craziest Foreshadowing of a Real-Life Event
Pete’s tirade and San Diego State’s UNC loss
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:38Read transcript
- Craig’s flex compares Pete berating the team at halftime to San Diego State’s coach against UNC; the ensuing discussion says SDSU lost by 27 after trailing by about 38. — Bill Simmons
Best Possible Starting Five from the Actual Players in the Movie
Penny, Houston, Lynch, Cheaney, Shaq; Hurley sixth man
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:01Read transcript
- The flex asks for the best starting five from the actual basketball players appearing in the film, clarifying that the players rather than their fictional characters are eligible. — Bill Simmons
- An initial lineup includes Shaq, Penny, Bobby Hurley and Calbert Cheaney; Allan Houston joins the core. Pre-accident Hurley is praised, but wanting Penny to handle the ball pushes Hurley out.
- The final proposed five is George Lynch, Allan Houston, Penny, Shaq and Calbert Cheaney, with Hurley as sixth man. The lack of a conventional power forward is defended because Shaq anchors the team. — Van Lathan
- Ricky is suggested as a floor-spacing reserve; the lineup is criticized for insufficient shooting without Hurley, and Ricky is jokingly called a locker-room liability.
Steven Seagal Hard to Kill Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Intimacy Coordinator?
Yes: Rocky and Adrian’s first kiss
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:00Read transcript
- Steven Seagal Hard to Kill Award for needing better intimacy coordinator: first kiss feels mauling, Adrian trapped, phone request refused; saying going to kiss not sufficient freedom to decline.
Is There a Porn Parody of This Movie?
Zane’s World
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:30Read transcript
- Zane’s World is reported as an existing parody, featuring Biff Malibu, Tom Byron, Madison and Trixie Tyler. — Bill Simmons
- A fourteen-minute plot-only edit with the sex removed is described as unexpectedly entertaining; the Peter North casting question is a joke rather than a reported credit. — Bill Simmons
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:25Read transcript
- The newly introduced category is explicitly selected as a flex choice. — Bill Simmons
- The listening-booth scene is the winner and is called a successful test drive for the category. — Bill Simmons
Displaying flex picks 13 - 22 of 22 in total