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Film credit
Michael Peña
Also referred to as Peña, Michael Pena
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 3
- Movies in this archive
- 3
Rewatchables episodes featuring Michael Peña’s films
The Martian
2015 film
Bill Simmons · Sean Fennessey · Chris Ryan · Van Lathan
Aired October 13, 2020
Displaying all 3 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
Apex Mountain
Paul Haggis; Scientology influence; disputed Terrence Howard
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:53Read transcript
- Bullock, Fraser, L.A. race relations and undercover cops shooting each other are floated without a clear affirmative conclusion. — Bill Simmons
- Howard’s 2005 with Hustle and Flow has a strong case, challenged by Empire’s first season. — Bill Simmons
- Dillon is rejected; St. Christopher statues and human trafficking are floated without affirmative resolution. — Bill Simmons
- Cheadle, Peña, Phillippe, Newton, Tate and Esposito are rejected; Cruel Intentions and Westworld or Mission: Impossible II are alternatives for Phillippe and Newton. — Bill Simmons
- Ludacris’s peak is placed in an unspecified Fast film. — Bill Simmons
- Paul Haggis receives a definite yes. — Bill Simmons
- Scientology’s influence is placed at 2005, combining Haggis’s Oscar and Cruise’s Oprah appearance.
The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
Chop-shop operator; Esposito; locksmith-office woman
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:06Read transcript
- Jennifer Esposito is eligible and praised; the discussion imagines a longer career leading a police series. — Bill Simmons
- The chop-shop operator is a personal choice, especially the Discovery Channel line. — Joanna Robinson
- The smoking, heavily made-up locksmith-office woman who refuses to disclose Peña’s name is another choice. — Joanna Robinson
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
Peña scream; wife; Beverly Todd; Newton crying
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:22Read transcript
- Peña’s ten-second scream is nominated, but defended as more effective than his wife’s prolonged reaction; editing is blamed.
- Beverly Todd as Cheadle’s mother is another choice.
- Newton’s crying at Howard’s workplace is criticized, while the bedroom fight is praised and drunkenness partly explains the performance. — Van Lathan
The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot
Peña reverse zoom; car rescue; Phillippe burning car
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:25Read transcript
- Dillon extracting Newton from the car is grudgingly nominated, despite criticism of the film’s low-budget appearance. — Joanna Robinson
- The reverse zoom on Peña believing his daughter was shot is the film’s notable visual flourish.
- Phillippe burning the car and removing his gloves is another candidate, echoing Dillon’s warning about corruption. — Van Lathan
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:39Read transcript
- Michael Peña’s breakout and continuing appeal are praised, with a wish for more roles. — Bill Simmons
- The MCU benefits from both Rhodey actors, Peña and the Iron Man helper appearing in this ensemble. — Van Lathan
- The indictment of the LAPD is a choice, with discussion of its stronger association with 1990s controversy. — Van Lathan
- The health-insurance critique has aged well. — Bill Simmons
- Recognizing Shaniqua as the woman in the final collision is a newly noticed detail. — Bill Simmons
- Keith David and the ensemble are praised; his career-protecting authority figure provides a more convincing systemic-corruption scene. — Van Lathan
- Bullock’s attempts to stretch beyond rom-com casting are admired, including angry roles, The Blind Side and Gravity. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:29Read transcript
- The carjacking is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The locksmith scene exposes Bullock’s racism and Peña’s distress, followed by a second difficult call at the shop.
- Fraser confusing Black and Iraqi identities is singled out as an underrated racist moment. — Bill Simmons
- The Dillon/Newton assault is affecting rather than pleasurable to rewatch; Newton and Howard’s performances are praised. — Bill Simmons
- Howard’s Hustle and Flow role is said to counter the weakness associated with this character; Orlando Bloom in Troy is the comparison. — Van Lathan
- The Tony Danza scene works, and his unexpected casting is praised; Howard’s oral-history recollection explains the workplace pressure behind it. — Bill Simmons
- The rescue is well filmed but morally nauseating; one response would rather the character die than be saved by her assailant. — Bill Simmons
- Howard resisting the carjacking and police has implausible logistics but recognizes someone dangerously asserting dignity after enduring humiliation. — Van Lathan
- Peña and his daughter’s invisible cloak scene is a final choice. — Van Lathan
- Fichtner and Cheadle’s negotiation is another final choice, watched three times and praised as a legitimately great scene. — Bill Simmons
- The mother protecting her troubled son and blaming her responsible son is effective, including the Whole Foods bags detail. — Van Lathan
Recasting Couch
Paul Rudd as the cop
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:17Read transcript
- It is unclear whether Doug was cut as superfluous. — Bill Simmons
- The cop is the recast: it is clearly a Paul Rudd part; Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader are other options, and this participant would personally go with Paul Rudd, never having felt O'Dowd was the good guy. — Bill Simmons
- This participant would never say no to adding Paul Rudd, and suggests Tom Cruise as the douchebag boyfriend in Hamm's role. — Mallory Rubin
- Pushback: it can only be Hamm because the film came out at peak Mad Men. — Mallory Rubin
- Michael Peña is another option for the cop. — Mallory Rubin
Displaying all 7 discussions
