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Before Sunrise
No Way Out
Twister
The Longest Yard
Manchester by the Sea
Road House
Road House
Creed
Creed
Creed
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
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
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
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