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Sicario
Sicario
Sicario
GoldenEye
GoldenEye
Rocky II
American Gangster
Heaven Can Wait
The Blues Brothers
Speed
Obsession
The Good Son
The Good Son
Basic Instinct
To Live and Die in L.A.
To Live and Die in L.A.
Sicario
GoldenEye
Another 48 Hrs.
Another 48 Hrs.
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
Broadcast News
1987 film
Bill Simmons · Chuck Klosterman · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey
Aired March 12, 2019
Displaying episodes 241 - 252 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
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
Poor people are crazy; Howard calls himself eccentric
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:15Read transcript
- The distinction between crazy poor people and eccentric wealthy people is selected
- The panel enjoys Hopper’s delivery and the villain’s class consciousness
Sean Fennessey Award for Stealth Homage That Gives Every Movie Nerd a Criterion Orgasm
Nikki’s movement as an homage to Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Pulse.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:33Read transcript
- Nikki’s possessed movement is compared with the haunted movement in Pulse. — Chris Ryan
The Sean Penn “I Brought My Own Pack” Award for Excellence in On-Screen Smoking
Henry smoking at the well
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:37Read transcript
- Henry brings cigarettes to the well and dismisses cancer because everyone dies. — Chris Ryan
“OK, Motherfucker” Award for When the Movie Goes Up a Notch
Henry holding his hand just out of Connie’s reach beneath the ice is the moment the movie rises another level.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:11Read transcript
- The segment is introduced by asking for a flex selection. — Chris Ryan
- The shot first suggests Henry might save Connie, then reveals his deliberate refusal. — Chris Ryan
Did This Movie Need a Random Sports Scene?
A 49ers connection: George Seifert, Young or Montana, Gus’s bets, or Jerry Rice
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:07Read transcript
- The sports-scene flex proposes 49ers connections: George Seifert, practice with Young or Montana, Gus losing bets, or Catherine’s former lover Jerry Rice being interviewed. — Bill Simmons
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:31Read transcript
- Chris’s Vincent Chase flex questions Frank’s lyrics, musicianship, betrayal of a bandmate and contribution to the disastrous artistic direction; his class affectation is also mocked.
The Dennis Peck Relationship Test
Masters, Bianca and Serena’s openness
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:12Read transcript
- Chris’s Dennis Peck relationship test concludes that Masters, Bianca and Serena’s openness would defeat Peck’s usual destructive power. — Chris Ryan
Did This Movie Need a Random Sports Scene?
Masters joining the pickup basketball game
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:12Read transcript
- Chris’s random-sports flex proposes Masters joining the pickup basketball game; a possible White Shadow court connection remains uncertain.
“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
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
Most Memorable Death by a Security Guard or Other Bystander
The female cop; hotel bystander alternative
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:03Read transcript
- The female cop shot through the car window is the selected inconsequential death. — Chris Ryan
- The hotel guest who steps outside and is shot is another candidate; the award’s namesake pronunciation remains uncertain. — Van Lathan
Sean Fennessey Award for Stealth Homage That Gives Every Movie Nerd a Criterion Orgasm
Once Upon a Time in the West
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:03Read transcript
- The bikers arriving at the opening bar echo Once Upon a Time in the West. — Chris Ryan
Displaying flex picks 1 - 12 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