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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

Focus

2015 film

Bill Simmons · Wesley Morris

Aired November 16, 2021

Ransom

1996 film

Bill Simmons · Van Lathan

Aired November 9, 2021

Heat

1995 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Michael Mann

Aired November 2, 2021

Halloween

1978 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan

Aired October 26, 2021

The Color of Money

1986 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey

Aired October 19, 2021

Cobra

1986 film

Bill Simmons · Kyle Brandt

Aired October 12, 2021

The Departed

2006 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey

Aired October 5, 2021

Trainspotting

1996 film

Chris Ryan · Andy Greenwald

Aired September 28, 2021

Dirty Work

1998 film

Bill Simmons · Sean Fennessey

Aired September 21, 2021

Warrior

2011 film

Bill Simmons · Ryen Russillo

Aired September 14, 2021

Hardball

2001 film

Bill Simmons · Van Lathan

Aired August 31, 2021

Rain Man

1988 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey

Aired August 24, 2021

Displaying episodes 193 - 204 of 220 in total

Mentioned in discussions

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:41Read transcript
Tropic Thunder

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Platoon parody effect; two qualified reactions to the portrayal; two proposed role swaps and Craig's response

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:49Read transcript
  • Tropic Thunder is said to affect later viewing of Platoon in the way Walk Hard affects music biographies because many shots closely parody Platoon. — Chris Ryan
  • One answer says the blackface performance has never personally offended him, while emphasizing that blackface outside this satirical context is objectionable. — Van Lathan
  • A separate qualification agrees that it had to be as good as it was to meet that bar.
  • A second answer says he is not offended by the blackface at all, understands the joke, and can laugh at material like it. — Joel Anderson
  • Matthew McConaughey is proposed for Tug because Ben Stiller's version feels too similar to his Zoolander mode, with Stiller moving to Rick Peck. — Bill Simmons
  • Bill Hader is proposed for Jeff Portnoy because he would have brought fresher improvisation than the already-established Jack Black. — Bill Simmons
  • McConaughey as Tug is explicitly endorsed when Craig is asked, but the Jack Black replacement is challenged because Black's physicality and Chris Farley-like energy enliven the jungle passages. — Craig Horlbeck
Ghostbusters

Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?

A more explicit encounter between possessed Dana and Louis Tully

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:26Read transcript
  • The selected answer pairs the possessed gatekeeper with the actual Keymaster rather than Venkman. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The film is understood to imply that Dana and Louis had sex, but the flex asks to see more of their physical mismatch without requiring nudity. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel then reiterates that Venkman cannot ethically sleep with Dana while she is possessed. — Bill Simmons
Fargo The Rewatchables
Fargo

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

VHS snow globe; Lou’s jacket; Gustafson Motors sign; Carl’s gloves

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:21Read transcript
  • The collectible VHS snow globe with a dead body prompts a video-store memory and a memorabilia suggestion. — Kyle Brandt
  • Memorabilia choices include Lou’s fur-hooded police jacket and the Gustafson Motors sign.
  • Carl’s driving gloves are another memorabilia choice, with discussion of their purpose and a spoken Craig Horlbeck mention. — Bill Simmons
Sicario The Rewatchables
Sicario

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Alternate ending; soccer aftermath; Halloween costume; Kate’s future

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:34Read transcript
  • The interrogation’s unseen actions are debated, including a Reddit sexual-assault interpretation raised by Craig; the hosts remain uncertain and do not establish what occurred.
  • Kate killing Alejandro is rejected as an improvement. The Mexico soccer ending is defended for showing nothing has changed and ordinary people bear the cost, despite a joking objection to the children’s play. — Chris Ryan
  • An unanswerable question imagines the concealed bodies as an awful Halloween costume, with horror-film alternatives. — Bill Simmons
  • The Watney next-day question considers Kate’s future relationships and work, with police, desk job, post office and crafts suggested; no outcome is established. — Sean Fennessey
Sicario The Rewatchables
Sicario

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.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

References You Missed as a Child

Love Boat; Crying Game; Star Trek; Binaca; Claude Rains; Poltergeist; Tone Lōc; Miami Vice; Connery

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:29Read transcript
  • Craig introduces the Millennial Missed Reference Power Ranking flex, beginning with Love Boat, Crying Game, Star Trek and Binaca references; it is not yet a numbered ten-entry list. — Craig Horlbeck
  • Craig’s missed-reference flex continues with Binaca, Claude Rains, Poltergeist, Tone Lōc, Miami Vice and Connery. Zach dislikes the exorcised-demons punchline and also missed several references when young. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The hosts defend dated cultural references as entertaining later discoveries, contrasting Wayne’s World 2 relying on a whole-film Doors parody. — Bill Simmons
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Carrey Oscar nomination; Marino fourth among athlete cameos

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:04Read transcript
  • Craig’s hottest take calls for an Oscar nomination for Carrey’s irreplaceable performance; the hosts discuss a comedy-performance award or annual multi-film MVP.
  • Bill ranks Marino fourth among athletes playing themselves, behind Kareem, Reggie Jackson and Tyson. The choice is disputed with Jeter, Favre and Griffey alternatives; Space Jam is excluded. — Bill Simmons
Displaying discussions 13 - 24 of 110 in total

Flex picks

Quiz Show The Rewatchables

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.
Sneakers The Rewatchables

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
Brokeback Mountain

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
Marathon Man

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

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:40Read transcript
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

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
Star Wars: A New Hope

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