‹ All people
Before Sunrise
No Way Out
Twister
The Longest Yard
Manchester by the Sea
Road House
Road House
Creed
Creed
Creed
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
The Godfather Part II
1974 film
Bill Simmons · Sean Fennessey · Chris Ryan · Brian Koppelman
Aired December 17, 2019
The Wolf of Wall Street
2013 film
Sean Fennessey · Chris Ryan · Ryen Russillo
Aired December 3, 2019
Beverly Hills Cop
1984 film
Bill Simmons · Wesley Morris · Sean Fennessey · Chris Ryan
Aired September 17, 2019
Displaying episodes 229 - 240 of 286 in total
Mentioned in discussions
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:40Read transcript
- Julie Delpy wins the explicit Chris Ryan flex for smoking at the cafe, though more actual puffs are desired. — Bill Simmons
- Jesse taking a drag, getting his own cigarette and lighting it from hers is admired as authentic smoker behavior. — Bill Simmons
Jesse in Before Sunrise Award for the Character Who Should Have Smoked but Didn’t
Jesse; probably Céline too
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Chris Ryan
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:37Read transcript
- Chris explicitly selects the category as his flex after Bill invites him to restore a cut category. — Chris Ryan
- Chris remembers Jesse as a smoker and argues that Hawke's real-life smoking makes the omission puzzling. — Chris Ryan
- The 1995 European setting and the smoking poet make the absence of cigarettes especially conspicuous.
- The lack of smoking now makes the movie feel unexpectedly modern.
- Julie Delpy is also proposed as someone who would plausibly smoke. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:49Read transcript
- A Chris Collinsworth call is performed using Patrick Mahomes-style praise for Gumb’s preparation. — Chris Ryan
- A Tony Romo call is performed around the tuck and “Goodbye Horses.”
- Doris Burke is explicitly selected for an analytical call of Gumb’s long preparation. — Bill Simmons
- Joe Buck is proposed for five-word scene descriptions. — Bill Simmons
What Would Tony Romo’s Director’s Commentary for This Movie Sound Like?
Chris Collinsworth; Tony Romo; Bill Raftery; Doris Burke
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:01Read transcript
- Chris Collinsworth and Tony Romo are imagined narrating the flirtation and twist; Bill Raftery is also proposed.
- Doris Burke is added as another imagined commentator.
Casting What-Ifs
Spielberg; Hanks; Sorvino; Brooks
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:56Read transcript
- Spielberg was reportedly attached to direct before executive-producing; de Bont arrived after leaving Godzilla over creative differences. — Bill Simmons
- Hanks reportedly prepared for the Bill role before passing and recommending Paxton.
- Sorvino reportedly declined Melissa because she would not dye her hair. — Bill Simmons
- A Garth Brooks-as-Jonas possibility is raised with explicit uncertainty about its credibility. — Chris Ryan
- Dwight Yoakam or Chris Gaines is imagined as stunt casting for Jonas.
What Would Tony Romo’s Director’s Commentary for This Movie Sound Like?
Chris Collinsworth is favored over Tony Romo.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:45Read transcript
- Tony Romo and Chris Collinsworth are proposed for football commentary over the movie. — Bill Simmons
- Collinsworth is favored for explaining the repeated success of Split Right on Two. — Bill Simmons
Is This Movie Better With…?
Chris from The Town, Vincent Hanna or Sergeant Dignam.
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:55Read transcript
- Thanos is jokingly offered while the hosts test-drive the add-one-character category; he is not accepted as the result. — Bill Simmons
- Chris from The Town is imagined meeting Lee at a bar.
- Vincent Hanna is imagined conducting the police interview.
- Wayne Jenkins is retained as a named candidate in the recurring better-with prompt. — Bill Simmons
- “Danny Treo” is retained exactly as rendered by the machine transcript as a named candidate; the possible identity is not independently normalized. — Bill Simmons
- Sam Jackson is retained as a named candidate in the recurring better-with prompt. — Bill Simmons
- J. T. Walsh is retained as a named candidate in the recurring better-with prompt. — Bill Simmons
- Byron Mayo is retained exactly as rendered by the machine transcript as a candidate; the identity is not independently normalized. — Bill Simmons
- Harley Mays is retained exactly as rendered by the machine transcript as a candidate; the identity is not independently normalized. — Bill Simmons
- The machine transcript renders another entry as “evil laughing, Ramon Raymond”; that uncertain candidate wording is preserved without inferring an identity. — Bill Simmons
- “Philip Bakerall” is retained exactly as rendered by the machine transcript as a named candidate; the possible identity is not independently normalized. — Bill Simmons
- Sergeant Dignam from The Departed is proposed as the hockey coach and enthusiastically accepted. — Chris Ryan
- Chris from The Town is considered for addition to the recurring fictional-character pool. — Bill Simmons
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Dalton gentrifies the bar; the greatest villain line ever; Wesley may have a point.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:06Read transcript
- Chris prefers the dangerous old Double Deuce and calls Dalton a gentrifier whose cleanup turns it into a family chain restaurant. — Chris Ryan
- Kyle calls Jimmy's prison taunt the greatest villain line ever: a few words suddenly establish a terrifying history. The group wants a Jimmy prison prequel. — Kyle Brandt
- A deliberately contrarian defense credits Wesley with building Jasper's businesses and asks whether Dalton is the villain; the protection-money objection is answered by calling it Wesley's town. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Best?
Famous bouncers, caged bands, recruiting the best, extravagant destruction, Swayze, Elliott, Healey and the throat rip.
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:57Read transcript
- Chris chooses the apparently cocaine-fueled men at the opening bar and their 'moose lips' dialogue. — Chris Ryan
- Kyle loves the pre-internet fame of bouncers, imagining trading cards, Cooler Illustrated and a fantasy league despite the premise's implausibility. — Kyle Brandt
- Bands protected by cages and the action-film premise of recruiting 'the best' share a top preference. — Bill Simmons
- The gratuitous monster-truck destruction of the dealership exemplifies beloved expensive action excess, even though Wesley's villainy is already clear. — Kyle Brandt
- Sam Elliott's hair is another choice. — Bill Simmons
- Elliott's timeless appearance and ability to call someone 'mijo' remain appealing; Swayze himself is missed, and Kevin Tighe's shift from Emergency! lead to character actor is appreciated. — Bill Simmons
- The closing song When the Night Comes Falling and swimming-hole ending are praised; the singer is clarified as Jeff Healey rather than Swayze. — Kyle Brandt
- Shirtless tai chi, Jimmy Reno, uncertainty about whether Dalton is a first or last name, 'Nobody wins a fight' and the nipple-to-nipple invitation all retain appeal.
- The hero's hidden Memphis past is an appealing trope, though his shame needs explanation; the hosts imagine a missing confession scene. The throat-rip move still shocks. — Bill Simmons
- Julie Michaels's stunt background and later Point Break fight, the Family Guy tribute and Jeff Healey's performance are additional pleasures. — Bill Simmons
- Swayze's effortless cigarette flick and drifting smoke are praised as hall-of-fame movie smoking, despite the real-life tragedy discussed. — Bill Simmons
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Apollo’s third fight; Adonis’s job; Rocky’s son; Tone Trump photo; Mary Anne’s wealth
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:56Read transcript
- Rocky says Apollo won their private third fight. Bill doubts whether he is sparing the son’s feelings; Van thinks Apollo probably won. The uncertainty remains unresolved. — Bill Simmons
- Nitpicks/unanswerable: Adonis’s financial-services job and work history are unclear, and weekend Tijuana boxing seems incompatible with managing clients’ money; Don Johnson is an appealing adviser-name joke.
- Unanswerable: would Creed’s breakthrough uplift Philadelphia during poor Eagles and Sixers seasons? His Los Angeles–Philadelphia–Liverpool route is jokingly the reverse of Chris’s family migration.
- Unanswerable: why does Rocky’s son not visit during chemotherapy, and did Tone Trump retain or post his photograph with Adonis after their fight? — Bill Simmons
- Unanswerable: Adonis as the success of Philadelphia’s Process is a sports joke; Mary Anne’s wealth and his privileged upbringing are discussed without a firm financial answer.
Mount Rushmore for Philadelphia Movies
The Sixth Sense; Rocky; Blow Out; Trading Places; Super Bowl 52 joke addition
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:50Read transcript
- Chris’s Philadelphia movie Mount Rushmore names The Sixth Sense, Rocky, Blow Out and Trading Places, then adds Super Bowl 52 as emphatic number one, a sports-event joke beyond the four-film set. — Chris Ryan
The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink
Cheesesteak first date
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:37Read transcript
- Chris chooses the Meek Mill training montage and adds the cheesesteak first date as a particularly Philadelphia scene; the date also wins the food award.
Displaying discussions 25 - 36 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