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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

Body Heat

1981 film

Bill Simmons · Mallory Rubin · Wesley Morris

Aired November 22, 2022

Cruising

1980 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Wesley Morris

Aired November 8, 2022

American Gigolo

1980 film

Bill Simmons · Sean Fennessey · Mallory Rubin

Aired November 1, 2022

The Edge

1997 film

Bill Simmons · Van Lathan

Aired October 25, 2022

Pineapple Express

2008 film

Craig Horlbeck · Danny Kelly · Danny Heifetz

Aired October 18, 2022

Boogie Nights

1997 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey

Aired September 27, 2022

Boogie Nights

1997 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey

Aired September 27, 2022

Margin Call

2011 film

Bill Simmons · Ryen Russillo · Brian Koppelman

Aired September 20, 2022

Singles

1992 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Van Lathan

Aired September 13, 2022

Saving Private Ryan

1998 film

Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey

Aired September 6, 2022

Tango & Cash

1989 film

Bill Simmons · Shea Serrano

Aired August 30, 2022

Displaying episodes 145 - 156 of 220 in total

Mentioned in discussions

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

What’s Aged the Best?

Cox; Carrey’s freedom and performance; twin premise; laces out; bad driving; Miami

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:54Read transcript
  • Cox’s reported crush on Carrey challenges doubt that her character could be attracted to Ace; Craig strongly defends her.
  • Cox, giving Carrey creative freedom, his performance, the twin premise, laces-out joke, bad driving and pre-glitz Miami are aged-best choices. — Bill Simmons
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Most Rewatchable Scene

Dolphin-pool Star Trek sequence; mansion party; police station

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:22Read transcript
  • The opening package-destruction sequence is praised for silent physical comedy and its practical dog-rescue setup. — Zach Lowe
  • Zach argues small throwaway gestures are funnier than the film’s big jokes. — Zach Lowe
  • Opening rescue and hidden pets are scene candidates; Tex Cobb’s boxing history is recalled, the animal ensemble admired and more apartment scenes desired. The monkey’s Friends identity is uncertain. — Bill Simmons
  • Zach selects the dolphin-pool Star Trek sequence, especially the five-minutes joke and the German-trainer material missing from the streaming cut; theatrical versus expanded-TV memories conflict. — Zach Lowe
  • The police-station routine and mansion party are scene candidates. The food-face gag and sunflower seeds in the ashtray are food-and-drink alternatives. — Bill Simmons
  • The unnecessary Mission: Impossible acrobatics, shark reveal and ring-search montage are praised. Needle-drop choices are Aerosmith’s Line Up and the Mission: Impossible theme.
  • Finkel’s mother and the Shady Acres slow-motion/backwards routine are scene candidates; the mother’s Marino line is an insult-award candidate. — Bill Simmons
  • The Einhorn fight, eagle-mascot fight and apartment investigation are additional scene candidates.
  • Craig chooses the mansion party; Zach keeps the pool first and party second, praising tiny gestures and expressive walks. — Zach Lowe
  • Carrey’s coordination prompts discussion of athletic comedians; Bill selects the police-station sequence, leaving three distinct scene choices. — Bill Simmons
Zodiac The Rewatchables
Zodiac

Is There a Porn Parody of This Movie?

The Zodiac Killer starring John Holmes

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:35Read transcript
  • The category asks whether the movie has a porn parody. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The title The Zodiac Killer and John Holmes are identified.
  • The premise casts Holmes as a cop hunting a killer.
  • Its 63-minute runtime is compared with the Century Club benchmark.
Zodiac The Rewatchables
Zodiac

The Craig Century Club

57 minutes over Craig’s 100-minute ideal; about 15 minutes could be cut

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:58Read transcript
  • The hosts explicitly introduce The Craig Century Club as a new category for 2026.
  • The award measures runtime against Craig Horlbeck’s 100-minute ideal.
  • Zodiac lands 57 minutes above that benchmark. — Craig Horlbeck
  • The panel believes roughly 15 minutes could be removed without imposing a 100-minute cut. — Craig Horlbeck
Halloween II

Unintentional Comedy Award

The paramedic making injured Laurie take a “big step” into the ambulance

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:47Read transcript
  • Laurie has been unable to walk, yet receives no stretcher and must put weight on the injured ankle.
  • Jimmy’s extreme injured acting is an additional low-key overacting joke; an alternate TV ending puts him beside Laurie in the ambulance. — Bill Simmons
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.
Tin Cup The Rewatchables
Tin Cup

The most 1996 thing

Craig Stadler’s clothes

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:02Read transcript
  • Period details include young Nantz, Nissan/Infiniti sponsorship, the Walkman, Fuji blimp, romantic montage and Ring magazine. — Bill Simmons
  • Russo's hairstyle and excited recognition of period golfers date the film; Stadler's clothes are the stated period winner, while golf clothing overall is admired and absent Hootie music regretted.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:38Read transcript
American Gangster

Most Rewatchable Scene

Frank killing Tango; the final Frank–Richie interview; Frank bringing his family to Harlem; the Bangkok material

In the discussion (26)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:09Read transcript
  • The opening, with Frank setting a man on fire and shooting him, is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Richie and Javier debating whether to turn in $987,000 is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Richie screaming during his custody dispute is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank’s Bangkok and Golden Triangle trip is nominated as material that could sustain a whole film
  • Jake’s unraveling, corpse transport, and leap from a moving vehicle are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The Blue Magic manufacturing montage is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Richie’s courtroom work and kitchen encounter with his lawyer are nominated
  • Frank killing Tango is the scene said to live on beyond the film
  • Stringer Bell’s death in The Wire is preferred as Idris Elba’s best screen death — Chris Ryan
  • The family audience and Tango’s refusal to pay are debated as reasons Frank shoots him — Van Lathan
  • Richie reclaiming the seized money from Trupo is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank’s party outburst and piano assault are nominated
  • Stevie choosing Frank’s life over baseball is praised for Frank’s conflicted reaction — Van Lathan
  • The Ali-Frazier event is nominated but criticized for its impersonators and brevity — Bill Simmons
  • Trupo ruining Frank’s wedding day is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank selling Blue Magic to Nicky Barnes is nominated and Cuba Gooding Jr.’s controlled performance is praised
  • The plane and coffin search is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The final police shootout and naked gunfight are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank leaving church into a mass arrest is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The final Frank-Richie interrogation is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Trupo’s suicide is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank killing Tango is selected as the most rewatched scene — Chris Ryan
  • The final Frank-Richie interview is selected as a favorite scene — Chris Ryan
  • Frank bringing his family to Harlem is selected as the most important scene — Van Lathan
  • Every Denzel Washington and Armand Assante exchange is praised — Van Lathan
  • The Bangkok material is producer Craig’s choice — Van Lathan
Displaying discussions 25 - 36 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