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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
Is This Movie Better With…?
Wayne Jenkins as an astronaut
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:14Read transcript
- Some participants are content to skip without Chris Ryan
- A Wayne Jenkins reaction to Jack landing is imagined
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:03:03Read transcript
- Chris chooses Die Hard and two others agree — Bill Simmons
- Transformers is the fourth choice — Bill Simmons
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Would Harry as villain improve the movie, and who commands the bomb squad?
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:42Read transcript
- The panel prefers the finished version over the reported Harry-villain script
- Who is the most important Jan? De Bont is compared with Jan Hammer and others
- What is the bomb squad’s hierarchy when Jack and Harry keep improvising?
- When does Jack’s attraction to Annie become another motivation?
- The fictional Chris Ryan obituary tangent is not treated as a fact about him
Jesse Eisenberg “That’s good. You should be proud of that right there. Don’t worry if you don’t make it any further” Award for Best Line Reading
A bomb that does not explode is a cheap gold watch
Flex pick · Bill Simmons
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:13Read transcript
- A second flex picker chooses Hopper’s gold-watch line — Sean Fennessey
- The picker links it to Chris’s earlier quote choice but their own identity is not explicit in this text — Sean Fennessey
The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot
The bus explosion behind Jack and the scale of the practical action
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:06Read transcript
- The Jaguar-door shot is recalled
- Chris’s pick centers on the camera panning around Jack as the bus explodes behind him
- Flames reflected in the ringing payphone are admired
- The low helicopter shot of the police escort is nominated
- The bus hitting the jet is nominated
- The rescued passengers watching Jack and Annie from the other bus is an emotional alternative
The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot
The speed-bag image, purposeful ramp walk, Foreman-fight entrance, dark Zaire arrival, and overhead-to-behind running shot are nominated.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:44Read transcript
- CR chooses the camera behind the speed bag, synchronized with the music.
- The fast ramp walk and Ali’s Foreman-fight entrance are nominated.
- The dark Zaire arrival and running shot that closes in behind Ali are praised. — Van Lathan
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.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:06Read transcript
- That Guy choices split between Harve Presnell as Wade and Larry Brandenburg as Stan, with Chris choosing Brandenburg; Presnell’s return from obscurity is admired. — Bill Simmons
Most Rewatchable Scene
Mike Yanagita; roadside triple homicide; driveway witness
In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:05:43Read transcript
- The Mike Yanagita scene is defended as the clue that makes Marge revisit Jerry and as a thematic study of false appearances; a further interpretation suggests she briefly wants to feel noticed beyond domestic routine. — Chris Ryan
- Marge’s discomfort during the Yanagita encounter is praised as precise facial acting.
- The opening bar meeting is a scene candidate; empty bottles are criticized as a hacky drunkenness cue, countered by the bar’s possible lack of staff.
- The kidnapping setup’s domestic knitting and local morning show are enjoyed, particularly its incongruous Nile-cruise promotion. — Chris Ryan
- Young Adult is a regional comparison; Jean’s frozen response and then terror during the kidnapping are praised, with the sequence proposed for the Dan Campbell escalation category.
- The failed financing request, ice-scraper breakdown and rehearsed ransom call form a favorite run, exposing Jerry’s catastrophic planning; small cold-weather behavior adds authenticity. — Kyle Brandt
- The roadside murders are a scene candidate for shocking violence mixed with comedy; the physical effect of the headshot is questioned without a settled answer.
- Marge’s escort interviews and the repeated funny-looking description of Carl are praised; McDormand’s account says even the tiny verbal beats were scripted.
- Carl’s parking-attendant argument, Shep beating and Wade confrontation are scene candidates, with Buscemi’s mounting fury singled out.
- The snow-shoveling witness’s monotone account is a favorite scene, including his recollection of Carl threatening the last person who called him a jerk. — Bill Simmons
- The second Jerry interview, woodchipper approach, drive afterward and three-cent-stamp ending are scene candidates; abrupt death and Marge’s rare anger are praised.
- Kyle chooses the Mike Yanagita scene, including its alarming greeting and awkwardness. — Kyle Brandt
- Chris chooses the roadside triple homicide; another participant agrees on its filmmaking but personally prefers the driveway witness monologue, so the final scene preferences remain split. — Chris Ryan
Is This Movie Better With…?
Zane Lowe advising Ted
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:11Read transcript
- Chris chooses Zane Lowe encouraging Ted before the bar for Better With; Wayne Jenkins is jokingly put in the bullpen rather than declared permanently retired.
Displaying discussions 1 - 12 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