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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
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
2006 film
Craig Horlbeck · Danny Heifetz · Danny Kelly
Aired September 8, 2026
Displaying episodes 1 - 12 of 220 in total
Mentioned in discussions
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:51Read transcript
- Hanks goes in the Philadelphia shadow sequel with Denzel as Nick, and Cruise would be a phenomenal Clyde, a dark role he should have done more after Collateral.
- Cruise would have crushed the hyper-fixated Clyde and learned tunneling and bomb-making; running would have been added in the parking garage. — Bill Simmons
- A speaker says Craig thought Cruise would make a good Rewatchables guest and they argued; the other thinks Cruise would not answer a single category and dares him to come on. — Bill Simmons
The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop
"Eminence Front" by The Who
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:06Read transcript
- 'Eminence Front' by The Who, remembered from Craig's favorite show Entourage.
- A tangent covers the recent Jake Paul gambling ad with Piven and Grenier playing thinly veiled Entourage characters, which the hosts describe the Entourage creator objecting to; hosts enjoyed seeing them and would watch a relaunch. — Bill Simmons
What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?
Armor, Vasquez’s headband and a prop gun
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:07:17Read transcript
- Armored vest
- Vasquez’s headband
- A heavy prop gun; Craig is explicitly asked and chooses a gun
Marion Cobretti Pizza Cutting Award: Why Didn’t They Stop This on Set?
Ripley’s unchanged clothing style
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:00Read transcript
- Craig questions why Ripley’s clothing style is unchanged after 57 years
- The group offers fashion-cycle and personal-style explanations
Willem Dafoe: This Creepy-Looking Guy Turned Out to Be Nice Award
Bishop — Craig’s proposed award
The panel proposes a new category here.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:34Read transcript
- Craig proposes an award for a suspicious-looking character who turns out to be kind
- Bishop is the example
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Franchise direction, Vietnam comparison and Ripley’s final line
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:53Read transcript
- Aliens may be the best entry while constraining the franchise around Ripley
- Aliens may be a better Vietnam film than Full Metal Jacket, without necessarily being a better movie
- Ripley’s famous final line delivery is criticized; another participant defends it
- Craig is invited to prepare for this category in future and has no prepared take here
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:55Read transcript
- Craig reports not having seen it in ten to fifteen years — Craig Horlbeck
- He praises the practical Los Angeles production and the warmth of Hanks and Howard — Craig Horlbeck
- The last hour had him standing and pacing despite knowing the ending — Craig Horlbeck
- Family scenes and the child’s door question land more strongly now — Craig Horlbeck
- He comes away with renewed appreciation for Hanks — Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:37Read transcript
- First Man is proposed as a contrasting portrait of ambition, marriage and reaching the moon
- Gravity is another double-feature choice
- The Martian is chosen for another problem-solving survival story
- Craig adds Rocky IV for the Cold War/American-competition theme
Todd Parker Award for Best Character Entrance
Buzz and Neil arriving at the Lovell home
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:34Read transcript
- Craig chooses the understated arrival of Armstrong and Aldrin — Craig Horlbeck
- Their first names alone establish their stature — Craig Horlbeck
- Their silent presence raises the stakes — Craig Horlbeck
Who Won the Movie?
Mini Coopers; Edward Norton also proposed.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:57Read transcript
- Edward Norton is proposed because the performance is captivating on rewatch.
- Mini Coopers are selected emphatically as the movie winner. — Craig Horlbeck
Podcast choices
- Craig Horlbeck
- Mini Coopers
Best Race Horse Name from This Movie
One Wish Willow.
Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:01Read transcript
- One Wish Willow is selected as a racehorse name. — Craig Horlbeck
The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film
Ian’s performance; Nikki screaming through the wish-service call.
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:01Read transcript
- The performance of Ian is proposed as capable of improvement.
- Ian being written as a dirtbag is offered as a defense of the performance. — Chris Ryan
- Nikki screaming through the wish-service call is criticized as unnecessary.
- The screaming is defended as evidence of her entrapment and of Bear’s moral obligation.
- The scene is said to work without the screaming. — Joanna Robinson
- The screaming is retained by a two-to-one vote, with Craig explicitly supporting it. — Craig Horlbeck
Displaying discussions 1 - 12 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