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Podcast Manager, The Ringer
Craig Horlbeck
Producer who contributes to the discussion. In the Chicago live episode, he chooses Harrison Ford.
Also referred to as Craig, Bangkok Craig, Craig Grobeck, Craig Gahau
Stats
- Episodes credited in this archive
- 220
- Movies in this archive
- 217
- Producer credits
- 217
- Attributed podcast choices
- 13
Across the table
Appearing on these Rewatchables episodes
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
2018 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Craig Horlbeck
Aired December 27, 2022
Displaying episodes 133 - 144 of 220 in total
Mentioned in discussions
Producer review
Leo’s July 31-through-Labor-Day vacation seems too long for a psychiatrist with patients
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:03Read transcript
- The producer introduces the vacation length as an omitted Picking Nits answer. — Bill Simmons
- The period from July 31 through Labor Day is estimated at about thirty-five days.
- The hosts agree that a month away from active patients seems unusually long.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:19Read transcript
- The closing reaction says the synth music has become cool again and resembles what current listeners seek from electronic artists. — Craig Horlbeck
- He argues there is no current Kurt Russell equivalent and that Russell still improves any production.
- His viewing partner gives the movie two out of four and checks her phone, making it a middle-ground shared viewing.
Displaying discussions 109 - 110 of 110 in total
Flex picks
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:39Read transcript
- Craig introduced Christopher McDonald as a mini-version of the category and praised his timing, looks, humor, and versatility.
- The hosts agreed McDonald occupied an awkward space between leading man and character actor.
- His work as Jack Barry and his tape-viewing double take were praised.
The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location
San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:07Read transcript
- Chooses the location flex category and praises San Francisco’s varied landscape and cinematic range. — Craig Horlbeck
- Other Bay Area films, recognizable landmarks, and the city’s advantage over Boston are discussed as support. — Joanna Robinson
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:29Read transcript
- Romeo is a terrible caddy: drinking, broken equipment, abandonment and failure to stop disastrous choices undermine Roy; the needy bromance could be shortened. — Bill Simmons
The Rick Dalton Award for the Greatest Fucking Acting I’ve Ever Seen
Ledger’s distinct performances in10 Things, A Knight’s Tale, Brokeback and Dark Knight make the actor disappear.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:06Read transcript
- Ledger’s distinct performances in10 Things, A Knight’s Tale, Brokeback and Dark Knight make the actor disappear. — Craig Horlbeck
- Comparisons with Pattinson, Chalamet, DiCaprio and others emphasize unusually wide range at a young age; the point is accepted. — Wesley Morris
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:32Read transcript
- Architect, pediatrician, journalist, chef and a grounded rich heir are attractive romantic-comedy jobs; architecture combines creativity and practicality. — Craig Horlbeck
- Advertising evokes Don Draper’s womanizing; lawyer, businessman and widowed stay-at-home dad are considered, but unemployment is a barrier.
- Chef, vet, urban planner and sports doctor are considered; plastic surgeon is too vain. Architect remains favored, with oil billionaire dismissed.
- Realtor and marine biologist are added; marine research risks romantic unavailability.
- Female sportswriter examples lead to sideline reporter as the best ESPN rom-com job; Trainwreck’s sports-doctor role enabled comic athlete interactions. — Mina Kimes
I Used to Fuck Guys Like You in Prison Award for Craziest Quote
“Tits like a sparrow.”
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:33Read transcript
- “Tits like a sparrow” is unexpectedly crude in this otherwise PG movie. — Craig Horlbeck
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Babe misses clues and refuses to shoot Szell
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:35Read transcript
- Babe should recognize that being attacked by two older men in suits is unusual. — Craig Horlbeck
- He is criticized for ignoring the connections among his murdered brother, Szell, and Elsa’s concealed German identity. — Craig Horlbeck
- His refusal to shoot Szell is criticized as inconsistent after he shoots others at the farmhouse.
- The novel reportedly has Babe shoot Szell and discard the diamonds before police take him away. — Bill Simmons
The Tom Cruise Award for Most Valiant Attempt to Emulate a Normal Human
Seagal pretending to know how to play catch
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:40Read transcript
- Craig selects Seagal's attempt to look like he knows how to play catch with his son. — Craig Horlbeck
- The way Seagal holds the glove and inventories the bat and ball is treated as visibly inauthentic. — Craig Horlbeck
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
The five-note musical exchange works, but the extended mothership improvisation becomes awkward.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:36Read transcript
- Craig says the initial five-note exchange works but the extended musical improvisation becomes awkward. — Craig Horlbeck
- He argues that Spielberg and John Williams overextended the sequence once the brass and tuba-like sounds begin. — Craig Horlbeck
The Dan Campbell Scale for “Holy Shit, Are They Really Going for It Right Now?”
The apartment attack: an unexpectedly escalating trick play
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:58Read transcript
- The apartment invasion is compared to a trick play that escalates unexpectedly from vandalism into extreme violence. — Chris Ryan
Apex Mountain
Science-fiction movies, galaxy adventures, fictional mythology, Mark Hamill, 20th Century Fox, and Apex categories: yes
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:55Read transcript
- Lucas’s apex is placed around 1981 after Empire and Raiders, though selling Lucasfilm for four billion dollars is another candidate.
- Star Wars is judged an apex for science-fiction movies, galaxy adventures, and film-created fictional mythology.
- The movie is accepted as Mark Hamill’s apex and a possible early apex for Carrie Fisher. — Bill Simmons
- John Williams is difficult to pin to one apex, but Star Wars is preferred over later cultural competitors.
- James Earl Jones is placed closer to Field of Dreams, Coming to America, or Mufasa than to his uncredited Vader voice. — Bill Simmons
- Harrison Ford receives an explicit apex check and is rejected because his apex had already been named earlier. — Bill Simmons
- The movie is an apex for 20th Century Fox because profits and stock value rose sharply. — Bill Simmons
- The film is credited with beginning the cultural ascent of nerd fandom rather than representing its final apex in 1977. — Sean Fennessey
- Its sound effects remain exceptional, including Vader breathing, TIE fighters, droids, and lightsabers.
- The saga is called a leading story of absentee fathers because Vader reappears only after Luke becomes powerful. — Van Lathan
- The film is declared the apex of Apex Mountain categories because so many people, crafts, objects, and institutions peak around it. — Chris Ryan
Displaying flex picks 25 - 35 of 35 in total