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
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
2004 film
Craig Horlbeck · Danny Heifetz · Danny Kelly
Aired August 6, 2024
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988 film
Bill Simmons · Kyle Brandt
Aired July 2, 2024
Mentioned in discussions
Producer review
Producer Craig loves the movie, its food content, social-media accuracy, parent-child dynamics, and grilled-cheese scene.
In the discussion (5)
- The producer says he has seen the movie many times and considers well-made food content exceptionally enjoyable. — Craig Horlbeck
- He calls Chef one of the most accurate social-media movies. — Craig Horlbeck
- The child understanding the emerging platform while the parent thinks Twitter is private is cited as especially accurate. — Craig Horlbeck
- Carl’s rushed child drop-off is praised as a realistic parenting detail. — Craig Horlbeck
- The cinematic grilled-cheese preparation and the kid’s understated approval capture the father-son relationship. — Craig Horlbeck
Producer review
About twenty-five minutes too long; dragging sex-worker scenes; Jesus’s unusually unprotected high-school life for a future top pick
In the discussion (8)
- The producer explains that his parents' child-rearing years left him with a gap in 1990s movie knowledge.
- He agrees that the film could be about twenty-five minutes shorter. — Craig Horlbeck
- The eight-minute Milo Jobovich stretch is his clearest example of the excess length. — Craig Horlbeck
- He is struck that a nationally known future top pick still attends school and plays in public without a protective structure. — Craig Horlbeck
- The hosts answer that this reflects the pre-AAU and pre-social-media era.
- LeBron is identified as the first high-school player whose fame felt nationally inescapable.
- The later mixtape and social-media eras are described as distinct stages in high-school-player celebrity.
- The closing explicitly credits producer Craig Horroback in the machine transcript. — Bill Simmons
Producer review
Fantastic and very rewatchable except the difficult Lewis scene; an overqualified genre director is like The Menu’s cheeseburger
In the discussion (2)
- Craig explicitly invited: fantastic and very rewatchable except difficult Lewis scene; overqualified director making genre film likened to cheeseburger in The Menu. — Craig Horlbeck
- Craig prefers De Niro here to Pacino in Scent of a Woman, because he disappears into the character despite fame. — Craig Horlbeck
The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?
Daughter imagined escaping to West Coast college or Seattle grunge; Cal, San Diego State and study-abroad / summer work possibilities.
In the discussion (3)
- Daughter imagined escaping to West Coast college or Seattle grunge; Cal, San Diego State and study-abroad / summer work possibilities.
- Parents expected to divorce within year, sell house and split proceeds, with some to maid’s survivors. — Bill Simmons
- Maid overnight presence explained by lack of ride home; how she was killed silently nearby remains unanswered, explicitly credited to Craig.
The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award
Joe Don Baker for Craig’s generation
In the discussion (1)
- Joe Don Baker selected though not technically a that-guy to older hosts; qualifies for Craig’s generation.
Producer review
Better than expected; effective 85-minute confinement
In the discussion (3)
- After Craig is invited to react, the discussion proposes staged Purge sports and acknowledges that spectators would also be at risk. — Chris Ryan
- The reaction is more positive than expected despite the genre not being a favorite, praising the short runtime and confined setting as a twisted Home Alone. — Chris Ryan
- The stranger’s presence is framed as a trolley problem, provoking competing responses about family protection and letting him stay. — Chris Ryan
What’s Aged the Best?
Action conventions, Paris, score and performers earn praise; Cavill and chemistry remain contested.
In the discussion (19)
- The fake threat to shoot Ethan’s friend is praised. — Bill Simmons
- An Eyes Wide Shut connection is raised. — Chris Ryan
- Alec Baldwin is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The mission message is praised. — Bill Simmons
- Paris is praised as a setting. — Bill Simmons
- Ving Rhames is praised.
- Ving Rhames’s wardrobe is praised.
- The tracker trick is praised. — Bill Simmons
- The theme and score are praised.
- Cruise’s ankle injury and the reported expensive delay are discussed; the cost is a podcast claim.
- The nuclear specialist is praised.
- The plutonium itself is praised.
- Baldwin’s lateral move is praised. — Chris Ryan
- The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood speech provides a contrast with Cruise refusing to yield. Reported Man from Uncle casting and a planned Renner transition feed speculative motives for choosing a large handsome opponent. — Chris Ryan
- Cavill is praised as awesome by some but Craig disputes his charisma and contribution, allowing that hidden identity may explain restraint. A defender values his sneaky presence and agrees to reconsider.
- Vanessa Kirby is praised as the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave’s earlier character. — Chris Ryan
- The nightclub sequence is praised.
- Rebecca Ferguson and Michelle Monaghan are praised. — Bill Simmons
- Cruise’s chemistry with the women is discussed favorably.
What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?
Pinball machine; powdered donut; doctor’s car
In the discussion (4)
- The actual pinball machine is a memorabilia choice.
- A1982 powdered donut is another choice.
- Modern powdered donuts’ continued availability is debated,with Craig identifying packaged ones.
- The doctor’s car is another memorabilia selection. — Chris Ryan
Picking Nits
Money and shared room, bathroom timing, driving duration, burnt-car safety, black eye and short overall ordeal.
In the discussion (7)
- Why spend75dollars on cab not own hotel room? Only-one-room and Neil pays correction debated; Craig correction acknowledged.
- Neil money unresolved,extra50dollars room argued despite no vacancies; one traveler should sleep on floor. — Van Lathan
- Dirty bathroom timing explained by deleted Del havoc after Neil enters shower. — Bill Simmons
- StLouis–Chicago drive only4–4.5hours questioned against apparent12hours. — Van Lathan
- Burnt car drivability/hot upholstery and freezing open vehicle/truck exposure implausible. — Bill Simmons
- Burglar explained earlier; black eye reportedly Neil punches Del in unshown deleted scene, removal appropriate to character. — Craig Horlbeck
- Craig invited nitpick:Tuesday–Thursday ordeal exaggerated,underwear since Tuesday is only day/36hours; leaving Monday would help. — Craig Horlbeck
Producer review
The producer is directly invited, likes LA ensemble striving and asks old-versus-new adult film depiction; hosts see nostalgia and filmmaking ambition versus meaner video.
In the discussion (3)
- The producer is directly invited, likes LA ensemble striving and asks old-versus-new adult film depiction; hosts see nostalgia and filmmaking ambition versus meaner video.
- Movie-house replica rentals proposed and liked with hypothetical cost/parties/wedding, not actual booking.
- The producer is thanked for producing, full name Craig Horleback explicitly supplied and Chris Ryan/Sean Fennancy/Dylan Burkey thanked; ending-show/Viking-funeral jokes remain jokes. — Bill Simmons
Producer review
Craig enjoys the distinct simplicity, cheese and stars of 1980s action films.
In the discussion (2)
- The addressed response finds older action films refreshing and treats Lethal Weapon as a favorite, unlike The Grey Man. — Craig Horlbeck
- The discussion contrasts distinctive older stars with interchangeable modern casting and films driven by intellectual property.
In the discussion (4)
- Producer Craig’s invited response finds Stallone’s comedy unsuccessful in contrast with his action roles; the other response strongly objects. — Craig Horlbeck
- Stallone’s awkward comedy may itself be entertaining. Willis is proposed, countered as another Cash rather than a Tango, then defended as capable of a rich suited character. — Bill Simmons
- Harrison Ford and Michael Douglas are proposed; Douglas lacks the desired physical size, while Ford has it.
- Schwarzenegger’s comic ability is disputed, and the final preference keeps Stallone. — Bill Simmons
Flex picks
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (3)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- “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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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