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Sicario
Sicario
Sicario
GoldenEye
GoldenEye
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Heaven Can Wait
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Die Hard with a Vengeance
Marathon Man
Heaven Can Wait
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Death Wish
Star Wars: A New Hope
Someone to Watch Over Me
Minority Report
Blue Chips
Editorial Director, The Ringer
Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan is listed by The Ringer as editorial director.
Also referred to as Chris, CR, Christopher Ryan, Sierra
Stats
- Episodes credited in this archive
- 286
- Movies in this archive
- 271
- Attributed podcast choices
- 46
Recently watched on Letterboxd
Across the table
Appearing on these Rewatchables episodes
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Mallory Rubin
Aired May 17, 2022
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey
Aired May 3, 2022
Displaying episodes 145 - 156 of 286 in total
Mentioned in discussions
Franchise Tag: Should This Movie Have Sequels?
Protect Sicario from sequels; continuation disputed
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:20Read transcript
- Craig introduces a Movie Franchise Tag flex proposing that a small annual group of films, including Sicario and The Devil Wears Prada, be protected from sequels.
- Chris counters that once Sicario’s sequel exists the series should continue, while a prestige television version is discussed and Del Toro’s participation doubted.
- The franchise-tag proposal expands to Sinners, Barbie and Oppenheimer with disagreement; Limitless is explicitly exempted and its television series recalled.
What’s Aged the Worst?
Kate’s smoking; sequel differences; supposed unattractiveness; Alejandro’s cartel connections; Reggie Wayne name; period-specific Juárez
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:11Read transcript
- Three adult films competing in 2015 is an early aged-worst comparison with current releases; a genre movie exceeding expectations makes Chris return to theaters immediately.
- Kate’s smoking is criticized under aged-worst and a Tom Cruise bad-smoking award, with disagreement that she smokes convincingly. — Bill Simmons
- The sequel is judged acceptable but different and unusually evil; an initial claim that it changed screenwriter is explicitly corrected to Sheridan. — Bill Simmons
- Aged-worst objections include treating Blunt as unattractive, insufficient detail on Alejandro’s cartel connections and the script naming Reggie Wayne. The geopolitical premise is defended as plausible. — Chris Ryan
- Juárez’s portrayal is discussed as tied to the writing period rather than the later city, with contemporary crime claims presented as the hosts’ reported research. — Sean Fennessey
“OK, Motherfucker” Award for When the Movie Goes Up a Notch
The border-operation escalation
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:12Read transcript
- Chris explicitly selects the Okay Motherfucker flex and describes seven escalation beats around the border operation: Cartagena, folding the jacket, trucks over bumps, spotter warning, drawing weapons, gun warning and shooting. — Chris Ryan
Is This Movie Better With…?
Zane Lowe interviewing Bond
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:55Read transcript
- Chris introduces Zane Lowe for Better With, imagining a reverent interview with Bond; the hosts enthusiastically endorse the impression and recall Lowe renting the Heat house. — Chris Ryan
Most Memorable Death by a Security Guard or Other Bystander
The train driver
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:18Read transcript
- Chris explicitly selects the Rick Trichet guard-death flex for the train driver forced toward the tank, imagining the forgotten bystander’s life. — Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:54Read transcript
- Whole Lotta Love wins needle drop; the Chris Stapleton practice-race song is also liked.
Recasting Couch
Chris Ryan as the commercial director; Al Pacino as backup
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:13Read transcript
- Chris Ryan is proposed as the commercial director, with Al Pacino as the backup. — Bill Simmons
Is This Movie Better With…?
A faux Bob Costas-style narration
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:38Read transcript
- The candidate list includes Wayne Jenkins, Danny Trejo, Mad Dog Russo, Doris Burke, Samuel L. Jackson, Nora Byer, Tony Romo, Chris Collinsworth, Daniel Plainview, Longlegs, Bangkok Craig, and Wilford Brimley — Bill Simmons
- A mock historical-sports narration about Frank and Blue Magic is performed as the choice — Chris Ryan
Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?
Grodin and Cannon sex scene
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:34Read transcript
- An explicit CR flex invitation introduces the need for a Grodin/Cannon scene, contrasting her appeal with his full-pajama never-nude presentation. — Chris Ryan
- The film’s PG restraint and chaste central kiss are noted; a PG13 assumption is corrected as anachronistic. The film is said to cry out for a sex scene, with jokes about Beatty’s restraint. — Chris Ryan
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:46Read transcript
- An explicitly invited CR flex selects Peter Stormare’s surgeon for the Teddy KGB Award for Actor Doing His Own Thing; earlier memorable roles are recalled.
- Stormare is praised for improving small roles and dominating the anesthetized Cruise’s scene with his own eccentric performance.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:31Read transcript
- An explicitly invited CR flex questions Pete’s recruiting and coaching despite two titles: household-object demonstrations, indignation about expected payments and a simplistic defensive adjustment are criticized. — Bill Simmons
- The rigid offense fails to adapt to Hardaway’s gifts; pick-and-rolls and alley-oops are suggested instead of forcing players into the system. — Van Lathan
- Poor conditioning compounds the lack of tactical sophistication. — Bill Simmons
When I Would Have Died
Hotel explosion or mall collision
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:37Read transcript
- The explicitly invited CR flex chooses either the hotel explosion and collapsing room or being hit by an Oldsmobile while shopping in the mall. — Chris Ryan
Displaying discussions 13 - 24 of 119 in total
Flex picks
Ratso Rizzo I’m Walking Here Award for Most New York Quote
“They don’t allow dump trucks on the FDR”
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:25Read transcript
- A new Ratso Rizzo I’m Walking Here award for most New York quote is proposed as a second flex. — Chris Ryan
- Candidates include Zeus rejecting Jesus, the cab passenger’s medallion threat, and Zeus’s refusal to handle a white man’s problems above 110th Street. — Chris Ryan
- The exchange ending with dump trucks being prohibited on the FDR is the favorite. — Chris Ryan
When I Would Have Died
Water-jug puzzle; St. Ives riddle
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:00Read transcript
- The water-jug puzzle would be fatal to the flex picker; another response finds that manageable but doubts remembering St. Ives after one fast recital. — Chris Ryan
When I Would Have Died
The bathroom entrapment and revelation of dental tools
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:22Read transcript
- One participant says the bathroom entrapment would be the likely death point, possibly by drowning or self-harm to avoid torture. — Chris Ryan
- Another participant also chooses the bathroom because the window offers no escape. — Chris Ryan
- The dental tools and Szell’s accent are said to be enough to cause a fatal panic or prompt a request for immediate death.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:24Read transcript
- The explicitly invited first-name contributor chooses the firing award: Joe bikes on the freeway, Warden misses game day, the lovers cannot conceal the affair or kill Joe effectively, Christie abandons principles, and the angels kill Joe twice.
- Responses agree broadly and add the coach ignoring a clinically dead quarterback. The angels-as-demons remark recalls the earlier horror theory.
Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?
Grodin and Cannon sex scene
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:34Read transcript
- An explicit CR flex invitation introduces the need for a Grodin/Cannon scene, contrasting her appeal with his full-pajama never-nude presentation. — Chris Ryan
- The film’s PG restraint and chaste central kiss are noted; a PG13 assumption is corrected as anachronistic. The film is said to cry out for a sex scene, with jokes about Beatty’s restraint. — Chris Ryan
The Sean Penn “I Brought My Own Pack” Award for Excellence in On-Screen Smoking
The segment proposes that Ronnie or Jillian should have smoked to fit 1977 Indiana.
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:46Read transcript
- The flex proposal argues that Ronnie smoking constantly would make her more period-authentic and relatable. — Chris Ryan
- Jillian is also proposed as a smoker because smoking would have been common in 1977 Indiana.
I Used to Fuck Guys Like You in Prison Award for Craziest Quote
Jeff Goldblum's shouted threat and demand for money
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:36Read transcript
- A censored threat shouted by Goldblum's attacker is the first quote candidate. — Chris Ryan
- The attacker's shouted demand for money is the alternate quote candidate. — Bill Simmons
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
Han Solo’s rejection of an all-powerful Force
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:46:47Read transcript
- The selected line says the speaker has crossed the galaxy without seeing proof that a mystical field controls destiny. — Chris Ryan
- The quotation was used as a senior yearbook quote at a Quaker school.
The Vincent Chase Award: Are We Sure This Character Is Actually Good at Their Job?
The New York police are the flex choice.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:59Read transcript
- Knowing the killer yet failing to detain him or protect Claire makes the department look incompetent; the bathroom assault should itself prompt action. — Bill Simmons
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Pre-cogs for gambling; prevent the affair first; restore pre-crime despite errors
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:24Read transcript
- The pre-cogs are proposed as cinema’s ultimate gambling tool; exploiting markets or taking Agatha to a casino is imagined instead of using the gift only to prevent murder.
- Preventing the triggering affair rather than waiting to interrupt murder is proposed from Howard’s perspective, while ordinary emotional freedom complicates that argument.
- An explicitly invited Craig flex becomes a hottest take defending restoration of pre-crime despite a proposed two-percent error rate; civil-liberty costs and utilitarian reasoning are debated.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:46Read transcript
- An explicitly invited CR flex selects Peter Stormare’s surgeon for the Teddy KGB Award for Actor Doing His Own Thing; earlier memorable roles are recalled.
- Stormare is praised for improving small roles and dominating the anesthetized Cruise’s scene with his own eccentric performance.
Cruise or Hanks?
Hanks initially; Cruise reconsidered as Pete or Happy
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:46Read transcript
- Hanks receives the initial choices; Cruise is doubted as someone who would be involved in college basketball. — Chris Ryan
- Cruise could instead play Happy with Les Grossman or evil Jerry Maguire energy. — Bill Simmons
- A further flex invitation leads to jokes about Cruise teaching Neon footwork in hidden platform shoes and being lifted to dunk. — Bill Simmons
- Cruise as Pete with Jerry Maguire energy is reconsidered favorably, especially for the final broken-man speech; present-day Cruise becomes a possible choice. — Bill Simmons
Displaying flex picks 25 - 36 of 41 in total
From other episodes
Sourced picks from episodes not yet fully included in the archive.
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
Han Solo’s speech rejecting a mystical force controlling his destiny
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
Transcript excerpt · Targeted transcript check; recording not verified
Star Wars: A New Hope — Part Two
· May 6, 2025