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- Episodes featuring their films
- 3
- Movies in this archive
- 3
Rewatchables episodes featuring Jan de Bont’s films
Speed
1994 film
Bill Simmons · Jason Concepcion · Shea Serrano · Donnie Kwak
Aired September 21, 2017
Displaying all 3 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
Just One Oscar
Jan de Bont for directing, with awards competition acknowledged
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:12Read transcript
- The existing sound win is mentioned — Bill Simmons
- De Bont is proposed for direction — Bill Simmons
- Hopper’s lack of a competitive Oscar is discussed as a panel claim — Bill Simmons
- The hosts agree Samuel L. Jackson deserved the supporting-actor Oscar that year — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
Damon or Bardem; Streep; McKellen; Blanchett; Elfman
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:48Read transcript
- Development reportedly began as a Schwarzenegger Total Recall sequel, changed after Carolco’s bankruptcy and later involved Jan de Bont.
- Reported offers included Damon or Bardem for Witwer, Streep for Iris, McKellen for Burgess, Blanchett for Agatha and Elfman for Lara; Streep declined and scheduling affected Damon and McKellen. — Bill Simmons
- Bardem reportedly declined because he did not want to chase Cruise through an entire film; his upcoming F1 appearance invites a joke. — Bill Simmons
Is This Movie Better With…?
Hudson from Aliens
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:20Read transcript
- The better-with discussion rejects Jan de Bont as an improvement and proposes Bill Paxton’s Hudson persona from Aliens, jokingly extending it into a Simon Hudson identity. — Chris Ryan
What’s Aged the Best?
The title, Jan de Bont’s cinematography, McTiernan’s spatial clarity, McClane’s character-rooted one-liners, and the widescreen renaissance
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:18Read transcript
- The title “Die Hard” is praised as compact, memorable, and descriptive. — Bill Simmons
- The incompetent 1980s LAPD, a surprisingly diverse villain crew, and distinctive minor henchmen are appreciated as period texture.
- John McTiernan, Jan de Bont, Michael Kamen, the cast, and the production team provide unusually coherent and sophisticated action filmmaking.
- McClane’s one-liners work because Willis underplays them and they arise organically from his personality. — Bill Simmons
- Modern widescreen televisions restored the intended compositions and created a home-viewing renaissance after cropped television broadcasts. — Bill Simmons
Displaying all 4 discussions
