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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
Most Rewatchable Scene
The Jonathan–Bartholomew argument during the tree-burning party
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:17Read transcript
- Producer Craig selects Jonathan's argument with Bartholomew during the tree-burning party as his most rewatchable scene. — Craig Horlbeck
- Craig also praises the party as the film's most interesting sequence. — Craig Horlbeck
Who Won the Movie?
Olivier
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:48Read transcript
- Olivier is chosen for bridging an older acting tradition and giving a brave performance.
- The third participant praises the film’s suspense, delayed explanations, and Diamond District sequence but does not state a winner choice. — Craig Horlbeck
Podcast choices
- Speaker not identified
- Laurence Olivier
- Speaker not identified
- Laurence Olivier
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Unchecked movie-star control should return because singular stars can create unusually memorable movies.
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:42:39Read transcript
- Craig argues for restoring singular movie-star control because it can create memorable unintentional comedy. — Craig Horlbeck
- He contrasts that approach with market-tested films whose failures feel polished and predictable. — Craig Horlbeck
- The panel imagines giving Jason Momoa a blank-slate police movie with no notes or audience testing. — Craig Horlbeck
- The opening beret, freeze frame, and hot dog are cited as choices that modern focus groups would likely remove. — Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:58Read transcript
- The panel splits over Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, with Hanks supported by Road to Perdition and Cruise questioned for the accent.
- Craig breaks the tie for Cruise because his unintentional comedy and willingness to attempt the accent fit the role. — Craig Horlbeck
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
Producer review
Craig enjoyed the unfamiliar film and especially Rogers.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:53Read transcript
- The invited viewer says the hosts have converted him: this movie hits love triangle, twangy guitar and dance-club squares in80s movie bingo. — Bill Simmons
- The hair is praised but the lack of a strong sex scene or nudity is a miss.
- Rogers’s performance impresses a viewer who knew her name but not her face or work.
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Venza may save the marriage; the film could have been a great erotic thriller.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:05Read transcript
- The crisis might reinvigorate Mike and Ellie, though divorce within a year is an alternative. — Bill Simmons
- The strong premise could support a much more erotic film, with several additional intimacy scenes imagined. — Chris Ryan
- Buying Ellie a Claire-like dress is suggested as another way to dramatize the triangle; Craig compares the detailed pitching to sports analysis. — Bill Simmons
Producer review
Craig’s first viewing is mostly negative, with William and Tripp McNeely exceptions.
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:21Read transcript
- Introduced as producer Craig, the first-time viewer finds the earnest romance dated, the archetypes and casting weak, and the film caught between Say Anything and American Pie. — Craig Horlbeck
- He likes William getting drunk and especially Jerry O'Connell’s warning about peaking in high school, likened to Mike seeing his future. — Craig Horlbeck
- He wants a college follow-up with Mike and Tripp.
- He concludes that the apparent archetype satire instead feels sloppy. — Craig Horlbeck
- The other speakers call this a time capsule and a movie where you had to be there. — Joanna Robinson
- The others defend the film’s modest ambitions, cheap production, young cast and humorous execution as characteristic of the era.
What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?
Loveburger shirt, love kit, signed yearbook and goggles.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:29Read transcript
- The Loveburger band shirt is a personal favorite. — Bill Simmons
- The love kit and signed yearbook are also wanted; the goggles are jokingly assigned to Craig rather than claimed as his own spoken choice. — Joanna Robinson
Cruise or Hanks?
Young Hanks as Preston is the final stated choice.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:47Read transcript
- Young Hanks as Preston and Risky Business-era Cruise as Preston or Mike are considered; Craig supports Hanks leading and Cruise as Mike. — Joanna Robinson
- Cruise’s size is questioned for football player Mike; the final Hanks choice mistakenly says Mike and is immediately corrected to Preston. — Joanna Robinson
Just One Oscar
Catherine O’Hara; editing; Fred Willard
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:33Read transcript
- Guest’s directing and writing are considered for the single Oscar before editing receives support; improvisation is raised as a concern about choosing screenplay. — Mallory Rubin
- O’Hara is proposed for the Oscar because her comparatively understated performance grounds the more extreme caricatures, with the limp jokingly offered as her ceremony clip. — Mallory Rubin
- The contemporary supporting-actress nominees are compared, with disagreement over Kate Hudson versus Frances McDormand in Almost Famous. — Bill Simmons
- Willard is proposed for supporting actor, then reconsidered against O’Hara after reviewing a strong field; another response agrees with Craig’s editing pick, and the O’Hara case gains support. — Mallory Rubin
- O’Hara is separated as the Oscar choice from Willard as an anticipated movie winner; Posey, Levy, Coolidge and Lynch are also considered difficult to replace. — Mallory Rubin
Displaying discussions 37 - 48 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