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Sicario
Sicario
Sicario
GoldenEye
GoldenEye
Rocky II
American Gangster
Heaven Can Wait
The Blues Brothers
F1
The Truman Show
Halloween II
Halloween II
The Legend of Billie Jean
The Legend of Billie Jean
Species
Jaws 2
Jaws 2
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
Good Will Hunting
1997 film
Bill Simmons · Ryen Russillo · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey
Aired April 1, 2025
Before Sunset
2004 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Mallory Rubin
Aired February 4, 2025
Displaying episodes 49 - 60 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
When I Would Have Died
Clearing gravel from the track
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:31Read transcript
- The death flex imagines being distracted while clearing gravel from the track rather than dying as a driver. — Bill Simmons
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:01Read transcript
- The Green Mill is identified during Rob’s breakup confession and selected for its prominent use in Thief. — Chris Ryan
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:35Read transcript
- An explicitly invited flex awards onscreen smoking to Pacino, especially smoking through heart problems. — Cousin Sal
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
The line that no camera was ever inside Truman’s head
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:23Read transcript
- The line that no camera was ever inside Truman’s head is selected for placing a limit on surveillance. — Chris Ryan
- The control-room exchange explaining that the show never depicts the couple’s intimacy is another favorite. — Glen Powell
Steven Seagal Hard to Kill Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Intimacy Coordinator?
Yes: Pamela Susan Shoop’s reported experience with an inadequately closed set and pressure for more nudity establishes the need.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:05Read transcript
- Shoop reportedly expected a closed set, encountered many male crew members, and was protected by Debra Hill from pressure to perform full-frontal nudity. — Chris Ryan
“OK, Motherfucker” Award for When the Movie Goes Up a Notch
Loomis’s “you don’t know what death is” and the score kicking in
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:05Read transcript
- Loomis’s “you don’t know what death is” and the score kicking in mark the chosen step-up moment. — Chris Ryan
Picking Nits
Billie Jean may not need a love interest; a love-triangle revision is suggested.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:11Read transcript
- Craig’s addressed contribution questions immediate romance with the first man she meets as weakening empowerment and preventing an exploration of fame’s loneliness. — Chris Ryan
- A revision gives Billie Jean prior history with Hubie and a triangle with Lloyd; his souvenir-store inheritance is mocked. — Bill Simmons
The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?
Modern celebrity speculation is followed by imagined futures for Lloyd, Binks, Hubie and Billie Jean.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:16:27Read transcript
- In 2025 she might appear on the Hawk Tua podcast, join the Unwell network and release music; in 1985 she might return to Corpus Christi and become a schoolteacher. — Chris Ryan
- Lloyd is imagined entering VHS pornography with equipment, capital and experience of crime. — Bill Simmons
- Binks is imagined moving to Burlington, working at Ben & Jerry’s and getting beaten up after selling bad acid at a Dead show. — Chris Ryan
- Lloyd’s father is imagined with a minor role in the David Koresh standoff; Hubie becomes lieutenant governor, and Billie Jean faces lengthy copyright litigation. — Chris Ryan
- Hubie’s governorship and Binks becoming Doug McCray’s father in The Town are additional jokes. — Bill Simmons
- Hubie using the Billie Jean episode to claim he learned his lessons and launch a Texas political career is endorsed. — Bill Simmons
Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?
The flex proposes a missed Madsen–Sil sexual encounter, citing her visions and suggesting a triangle with Dr. Baker.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:56Read transcript
- The flex proposes a missed Madsen–Sil sexual encounter, citing her visions and suggesting a triangle with Dr. Baker. — Chris Ryan
- Sil coming into bed while Marge is away is proposed; Madsen is imagined as the best mate and Molina as the hurried substitute. — Chris Ryan
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:14Read transcript
- Fitch is nominated for excessive autonomy, inadequate containment and killing plans, and hiring civilians instead of military specialists. — Chris Ryan
- Plainclothes special forces are proposed as a better response, and the absence of supervisory scrutiny is criticized.
The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location
Hog’s Breath Saloon
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:35Read transcript
- Hog’s Breath Saloon in Florida convincingly resembles a Massachusetts bar. — Chris Ryan
The Sean Penn “I Brought My Own Pack” Award for Excellence in On-Screen Smoking
Roy Scheider’s breakfast cigarettes
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:19Read transcript
- Scheider’s three cigarettes with coffee before breakfast are elite on-screen smoking. — Chris Ryan
Displaying flex picks 13 - 24 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