L.A. Confidential
1997 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Andy Greenwald
Aired March 31, 2026
‹ All people
L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidential
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
Film credit
Kim Basinger
Also referred to as Basinger
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 4
- Movies in this archive
- 4
Rewatchables episodes featuring Kim Basinger’s films
Displaying all 4 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:13Read transcript
- Casting reports include Kim Basinger, Meg Ryan, Geena Davis, Ellen Barkin and Mariel Hemingway declining; Demi Moore competing with Stone; and an uncertain Emma Thompson audition claim. — Van Lathan
- Reported alternatives include an early lesbian detective conceived for Kathleen Turner, Tom Berenger as Nick, Milos Forman directing, Linda Fiorentino as Beth and Brooke Shields as Roxy; confidence in the broad casting lists is qualified. — Bill Simmons
Producer review
Liked the three leads and story; disliked the film, DeVito, Basinger, and cheesy dialogue
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:21:44Read transcript
- The producer liked the lead three actors and story but did not love the film; DeVito, Basinger and the dialogue felt cheesy.
- The response acknowledges a clunky line, recommends a second viewing and emphasizes the period lexicon and noir influences. — Craig Horlbeck
- Gangster Squad and Live by Night illustrate similar films that struggle; Hollywoodland is offered as a pairing.
Picking Nits
Basinger’s resemblance and acting style are questioned against the more playful Veronica Lake.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:05:29Read transcript
- Basinger’s resemblance and acting style are questioned against the more playful Veronica Lake. — Bill Simmons
- The Lana Turner likeness works, but her Stompanato relationship is said to be shifted earlier. — Bill Simmons
- Minor anachronism hunting is dismissed; Dudley’s no-glasses assertion is contradicted by another cop at the party. — Sean Fennessey
Apex Mountain
No affirmative selection
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:54:12Read transcript
- Crowe is rejected; Spacey’s run is accepted, with this film versus American Beauty debated. — Bill Simmons
- Pearce’s Memento period is proposed; another view favors his post-Brutalist standing, with concern about his social-media activity. — Bill Simmons
- Chinatown wins for LA noir; Basinger’s Nine and a Half Weeks/Batman era is favored over this film.
- DeVito is rejected; evil Cromwell is praised, though Star Trek and Succession are other favorites. — Bill Simmons
- St. Elmo’s Fire and The Big Lebowski are raised for toilet dunking; dangling a man out a window is also considered.
- The Aviator’s Howard Hughes home is favored for Hancock Park movie houses. — Bill Simmons
- Heart-shot acting is nominated, especially the cartoon-watching victim and Jack; time to death is debated without medical certainty. — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
McConaughey reportedly regretted declining, Crowe was persuaded after refusing, and an Isabella Scorupco offer is explicitly doubted alongside reports Basinger was first choice.
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:28Read transcript
- McConaughey reportedly regretted declining, Crowe was persuaded after refusing, and an Isabella Scorupco offer is explicitly doubted alongside reports Basinger was first choice. — Bill Simmons
- A Michael Madsen as Bud report is rejected as implausible. — Bill Simmons
- A Pamela Anderson as Lynn report is also disbelieved; the hosts discuss unreliable trivia accumulating over time.
The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film
Basinger, reluctantly and without a firm argument
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:00Read transcript
- Basinger is written down reluctantly without a firm argument.
- DeVito is criticized as an unconvincing Italian actor playing a Jewish character.
- The unclear passage of years and heroin plot are raised, though the time issue is partly withdrawn. — Andy Greenwald
- DeVito’s familiar comic persona and broad acting distract, although his opening narration works. — Chris Ryan
Catherine Tramell Award: Would You Throw Your Life Away for This Obvious Stay-Away?
Kim Basinger’s character is endorsed as a strong obvious stay-away candidate.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:40Read transcript
- Kim Basinger’s character is endorsed as a strong obvious stay-away candidate. — Andy Greenwald
The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?
The reel’s public impact is questioned.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:22Read transcript
- They ask whether the film became a major story, then recall Basinger’s imprisonment but no liability for the companies. — Bill Simmons
Apex Mountain
Gosling’s2016 case leads a broad set of qualified apex arguments.
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:02Read transcript
- Crowe is an apex only for the participant defending that personal preference.
- Nice Guys plus La La Land support Gosling’s2016 apex, challenged by post-Barbie stature; a post-apex comeback interpretation is offered for Barbie.
- 1977 itself is praised as a great year, with Star Wars and Reggie Jackson cited. — Bill Simmons
- Keith David’s fight-scene apex remains They Live; a momentary Avery Brooks confusion is corrected.
- Black’s apex is rejected here: Iron Man3 is floated, then writing Lethal Weapon is preferred. — Bill Simmons
- Rice and Qualley are too early to judge; father-daughter movies and Basinger are rejected. The auto show receives support, while John Boy belongs to The Waltons. — Chris Ryan
- Window-breaking going wrong and the red1967 Mustang receive support.
- Retro porn is rejected in favor of Boogie Nights. — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
No additional casting what-ifs
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:11Read transcript
- The only recalled production story is the leads agreeing conditionally on each other; Basinger’s hypothetical replacements were discussed separately. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Worst?
Basinger’s tone and Atlanta standing in for Los Angeles.
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:32Read transcript
- Basinger’s tonal mismatch is nominated. — Bill Simmons
- The film mostly holds up, but narrow streets and foliage sometimes expose Atlanta locations rather than Los Angeles.
Recasting Couch
Andie MacDowell is the enthusiastically received Basinger replacement.
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:55Read transcript
- A performer with comic energy is wanted; Hunter and McDormand receive support, while Lane and an earlier Stone are considered. — Chris Ryan
- Moore is considered but her fit with comedy is questioned.
- MacDowell is greeted as an excellent idea, with the real mother/daughter connection noted and Qualley’s possible career preferences left speculative. — Chris Ryan
- Basinger’s straight approach is contrasted with other actors recognizing the film as funny; shooting-order explanations are guesses. — Rob Mahoney
Displaying discussions 1 - 12 of 30 in total
