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The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing
Above the Rim
Top Gun: Maverick
St. Elmo's Fire
The Karate Kid
Top Gun
Film credit
Anthony Edwards
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 4
- Movies in this archive
- 5
Rewatchables episodes featuring Anthony Edwards’s films
Displaying all 4 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
Recasting Couch
Reject Michael Keaton for Anthony Edwards; John Slattery for the ensemble
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 02:12:16Read transcript
- Michael Keaton is proposed for Anthony Edwards’s role. — Sean Fennessey
- The proposal is rejected because Keaton would be too large for the role’s assist function. — Sean Fennessey
- Fincher reportedly called Anthony Edwards the embodiment of an assist. — Sean Fennessey
- John Slattery is proposed for an unspecified supporting role.
What’s Aged the Worst?
The abrupt four-year title card, too little Downey–Gyllenhaal time, their fictionalized friendship, Anthony Edwards’s wig, and the film’s persuasive Arthur Leigh Allen framing
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:56:40Read transcript
- Replacing a planned two-minute musical time-passage montage with the abrupt “four years later” card is criticized. — Bill Simmons
- The film is judged about five minutes short on Downey and Gyllenhaal together. — Bill Simmons
- Their entertaining friendship is acknowledged as a movie invention rather than a real friendship. — Chris Ryan
- Anthony Edwards wearing a wig is criticized. — Bill Simmons
- The movie left one host certain Arthur Leigh Allen was the killer for years, a confidence later evidence unsettled. — Sean Fennessey
Cruise or Hanks?
Hanks and Spielberg
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:44Read transcript
- The choice is Hanks and Spielberg, while Tom Cruise is imagined in Anthony Edwards's role. — Bill Simmons
Apex Mountain
Shotgunning beers
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:07Read transcript
- Shotgunning beers is the affirmative Apex choice because it becomes a recurring story device. — Bill Simmons
- John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, road-trip movies, hitchhiking, and the roommate's contorted position are discussed without an affirmative consensus. — Bill Simmons
The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance
Vivica Lindfors
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:26Read transcript
- Vivica Lindfors as the professor is selected over Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards, and the teacher character. — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
Keep Daphne Zuniga as Allison
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:26Read transcript
- Anthony Edwards was considered for Gibb, Robin Wright for the title role, and mayor winning him for Allison; the discussion prefers Daphne Zuniga to those alternatives. — Bill Simmons
Recasting Couch
Aiello or Law & Order’s McCoy as coach; contemporary basketball and rap cast
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:00Read transcript
- Danny Aiello is proposed as coach, but his stature may make the role unrealistic. — Van Lathan
- The actor playing Jack McCoy in Law & Order is another coaching option. — Van Lathan
- Tyler Herro is the contemporary Montrose choice. — Bill Simmons
- Anthony Edwards is the Kyle choice after Hustle; using actual hoopers is favored. — Bill Simmons
- P.J.Tucker is a Motaw option.
- Snowfall’s Damson is considered for Birdie, but a rapper may better honor Tupac’s legacy.
- YG is a Birdie possibility, subject to acting ability.
- The Game is suggested for Birdie but rejected as too old; his team name Birdie’s Revenge is mentioned.
- Drake is a fallback suggestion met with incredulity.
- 21 Savage is a more warmly received Birdie choice.
What’s Aged the Best?
Jennifer Connelly, practical flying and measured callbacks
The panel is imagining how this might look in the future.
In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:07Read transcript
- Connelly is both hosts’ first choice — Bill Simmons
- The romance is praised as age-appropriate, warm and unusually convincing for later Cruise — Bill Simmons
- Making Penny the briefly mentioned woman from the first film is considered smart — Bill Simmons
- Teller’s resemblance to Anthony Edwards works — Bill Simmons
- The casting competition is echoed by Maverick choosing Rooster — Bill Simmons
- The score reuses familiar themes effectively — Bill Simmons
- The hosts praise the feeling of actors experiencing real flight — Bill Simmons
- The opening credits recall the original without making the whole film a remake — Bill Simmons
- Coyote’s G-lock scene is praised — Bill Simmons
- The trophy, Goose mannerisms, beach yell and carrier reunion are effective callbacks — Bill Simmons
- Bob’s simple call sign is funny — Bill Simmons
- Maverick tossing the manual away is appreciated — Bill Simmons
- Maverick and Iceman texting with punctuation is a good age detail — Bill Simmons
- An unnamed enemy allows streamlined action — Bill Simmons
- Jeans, leather jackets, Hawaiian shirts and aviators lend a timeless look — Bill Simmons
Casting What-Ifs
Anthony Edwards; Lea Thompson; Emilio Estevez as Billy; C. Thomas Howell as Kirby; Robert Downey Jr. as Billy; Charlie Sheen; Jenny Wright as Jules
In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:22Read transcript
- The hosts say hundreds were interviewed, with Anthony Edwards and Lea Thompson (transcribed 'Leah Thompson') coming close. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts say Schumacher had to push for the three Breakfast Club actors, and that Emilio wanted to play Billy (called a potential disaster) before settling for Kirby. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts say C. Thomas Howell (transcribed 'See Thomas Howe') auditioned for Kirby but was too young, and that Rob Lowe was only 20 when cast as Billy. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts say Robert Downey Jr. was considered for Billy before Lowe won it after three auditions; one host loves Lowe as Billy and still sees Downey as Kevin as the sweet spot. — Bill Simmons
- Emilio's Kirby is like his Breakfast Club character five years later, yet he had one of the better careers with Young Guns, his own films and Stakeout. — Chris Ryan
- Charlie Sheen is called a bit too young and reportedly skipped his audition; one host says he could have played Alec, as he basically does in Wall Street. — Chris Ryan
- The hosts say Demi Moore was cast after Schumacher saw her storm out of a John Hughes audition on the Columbia lot; she was on General Hospital, which one host watched. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts say that when Moore went to rehab, moving Jenny Wright into the role of Jules was discussed. — Bill Simmons
- Madonna stories are uncertain; Madonna as Jules is a good runner-up, but Moore was perfect, and Madonna may not have managed the Jeep scene, possibly Moore's best acting. — Chris Ryan
- Mid-80s ensembles seem to have had about 40 actors going up for the same eight parts. — Chris Ryan
- Linda Hamilton was rumored for a role, maybe Jules or the Ally Sheedy part. — Chris Ryan
Casting What-Ifs
Robert Downey Jr. and Charlie Sheen for Daniel; a Seven Samurai actor for Miyagi; Crispin Glover for Johnny; Helen Hunt and Demi Moore for Ali; Valerie Harper for the mom; Sarah Jessica Parker for Ali's best friend
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:08Read transcript
- The hosts say the character was originally named Danny Weber and renamed LaRusso once Macchio was cast; Macchio auditioned for Johnny because he did not want to play another good guy. — Bill Simmons
- Zabka is cited saying Robert Downey Jr. and Charlie Sheen were considered for Daniel; Downey might have made a better movie, but the counterpoint is that Macchio's odd combination is what makes it stand out, and a likable Downey would have muddied whether Johnny was the villain. — Bill Simmons
- Sheen is not seen as Daniel and would have fit Johnny better. — Bill Simmons
- Sean Penn, Emilio Estevez, Nicolas Cage, Anthony Edwards, Tom Cruise and Eric Stoltz are listed as only rumored; only Downey and Sheen are said to be confirmed. — Bill Simmons
- The studio originally wanted a famous Japanese actor from Seven Samurai for Miyagi (name garbled in the transcript), but he did not speak English; Bill Cosby is also said to have been mentioned, which would have aged worst. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts say Crispin Glover was considered for Johnny before Zabka, and Helen Hunt and Demi Moore for Ali before Shue, who reportedly got it partly from a Burger King commercial and took leave from Harvard. — Bill Simmons
- The hosts say Valerie Harper was almost the mom before Randee Heller and Sarah Jessica Parker was supposed to play Ali's best friend, which would have added depth. — Bill Simmons
What’s Aged the Best?
The soundtrack, rivalry, style and Tony Scott’s filmmaking
In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:24Read transcript
- Buzzing the tower became part of everyday vocabulary
- Charlie’s Porsche is admired
- The soundtrack and electric-guitar anthem retain their appeal
- Kenny Loggins’s run of movie-theme songs is discussed
- Meg Ryan and Anthony Edwards have convincing chemistry
- Maverick and Iceman’s rivalry is compared to Bird and Magic
- Tom Skerritt balances authority, warmth and intimidation
- The character-by-character end credits are praised
- The panel credits the low-priced Top Gun VHS release and Pepsi marketing with expanding home-video ownership
- Aviators, bomber jackets, jeans and mustaches remain iconic
- Cruise’s sex-symbol image and the forbidden romance are discussed
- Call signs and practical aerial effects hold up
- Tony Scott’s glossy blockbuster direction is praised
- Tim Robbins’s tiny role is a source of continuing surprise
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:18Read transcript
- Before the nominees, a moment in the credits is called possibly the best in the film: after Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo and Downey, the names Brian Cox, John Carol Lynch, Elias Codius, Dermot Malroney and Donal Loge (as transcribed) appear, a that-guy all-star team; Malroney as Captain Marty Lee is loved and Cox as Melvin Belli really makes the most of his moment.
- More favorites: Philip Baker Hall as Sherwood, the handwriting specialist who starts drinking a little; Clea Duvall, with a great heat-check scene; John Goetz (as transcribed), from Blood Simple, as the Chronicle editor; and Anthony Edwards, fantastic and unexpected.
- One pick gives the award specifically to Cox, with the Melvin Belli phone-call clip played, 'Is there something I can call you that's a little less ominous?', for making the most of his few moments, the television interview, the sincere attempt to offer the caller a lifeline, and the way he physically takes the incredible screaming sound.
- Jimmy Simpson (as transcribed), who plays the shooting victim at the start and returns at the end, prompts a detail: the character is Mike Mageau, and when the name is reported over the Vallejo PD wire it is said aloud in the newsroom as 'Mayhew', so the film intentionally misleads in a way that was probably true to how it was said, an obsessive Fincherism; James LeGroix (as transcribed) is good and weird, and Zach Granier (as transcribed), the boss in Fight Club, runs the Vallejo police department.
- A second pick is Elias Codius (as transcribed) as Detective Mullinax (as transcribed), a great real name: a that-guy who can shoot when given the ball, known to the hosts' generation as Casey from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a guy who looks like a cop and rarely gets a stage this large, and a great serial killer in Fallen with Denzel Washington, directed by Gregory Hoblitz (as transcribed).
- Asked directly for a winner, a third pick is John Carroll Lynch as Arthur Lee Allen, with the 'Nobody calls me Arthur' clip: the role basically made the second half of his career, he directed the last film starring Harry Dean Stan (as transcribed) this year, and he is a well-known theater actor remembered as Norm in bed with Francis McNormand (as transcribed) at the end of Fargo.
- Asked whether the film still works with a huge star like Anthony Hopkins as Arthur, the answer is not as well: it has to be a face whose physical presence unsettles because you feel you could have seen him without knowing why, since viewers bring previous films into the room and would read a famous actor as an important part; the misdirect succeeds because the only place to remember Lynch is Fargo, where Norm is a completely different, friendly disposition.
- Later, the Ioni Sky (as transcribed) roadside scene is called another Dion Waiters performance and the hardest scene for one host to watch.
Displaying all 12 discussions
