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Top Directors

People who directed the most films covered on the show.

Expand a name for the films and the episodes about them.

  1. 01Michael Mann ▾9 films directed
  2. 02Steven Spielberg ▾9 films directed
  3. 03Tony Scott ▾9 films directed
  4. 04Martin Scorsese ▾8 films directed
  5. 05David Fincher ▾7 films directed
  6. 06Rob Reiner ▾7 films directed
  7. 07Robert Zemeckis ▾6 films directed
  8. 08James Cameron ▾5 films directed
  9. 09Ivan Reitman ▾5 films directed
  10. 10Brian De Palma ▾5 films directed

Top Actors

People who starred in the most films covered on the show.

Expand a name for the films and the episodes about them.

  1. 01Tom Cruise ▾17 films starred in
  2. 02Robert De Niro ▾14 films starred in
  3. 03Al Pacino ▾13 films starred in
  4. 04Sylvester Stallone ▾13 films starred in
  5. 05Denzel Washington ▾12 films starred in
  6. 06Tom Hanks ▾11 films starred in
  7. 07Matt Damon ▾10 films starred in
  8. 08Bill Murray ▾9 films starred in
  9. 09Brad Pitt ▾9 films starred in
  10. 10Kevin Costner ▾9 films starred in

Top Decades

Which decade the covered films come from.

1990s189
1980s107
2000s81
2010s58
1970s35
2020s4
1960s2

Top Genres

The genres of the films covered.

Drama291
Comedy160
Crime141
Action130
Thriller110
Romance86
Adventure63
Mystery44
Sport41
Horror31
Sci-Fi30
Biography21

Top Referenced Movies

Movies mentioned most across all episodes — usually films other than the one being discussed.

  1. 01Heat627 mentions
  2. 02Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope492 mentions
  3. 03Die Hard464 mentions
  4. 04Top Gun447 mentions
  5. 05Fargo429 mentions
  6. 06Rocky427 mentions
  7. 07Jaws421 mentions
  8. 08Goodfellas387 mentions
  9. 09Pulp Fiction370 mentions
  10. 10Boogie Nights364 mentions

Covered More Than Once

Films the show has come back to — 16 so far.

A two-part episode counts as one visit; every episode is listed.

Top Hosts

Who has appeared on the most episodes.

  1. 01Bill Simmons448 episodes
  2. 02Chris Ryan290 episodes
  3. 03Sean Fennessey174 episodes
  4. 04Van Lathan79 episodes
  5. 05Craig Horlbeck48 episodes
  6. 06Amanda Dobbins40 episodes
  7. 07Mallory Rubin39 episodes
  8. 08Shea Serrano33 episodes
  9. 09Kyle Brandt32 episodes
  10. 10Juliet Litman25 episodes

Top Host Combinations

The exact host panels that recur most often.

  1. 01Bill, Chris & Sean95 episodes
  2. 02Bill & Chris44 episodes
  3. 03Bill, Chris & Van30 episodes
  4. 04Bill & Kyle16 episodes
  5. 05Bill, Chris & Craig15 episodes
  6. 06Bill & Van13 episodes
  7. 07Bill & Sean9 episodes
  8. 08Bill & Mallory8 episodes
  9. 09Amanda, Bill & Juliet8 episodes
  10. 10Bill, Chris & Shea7 episodes

Host Patterns

Which hosts gravitate to which genres and directors.

When Bill’s away, the show gets younger and artier

2010s films 2.0× · Wes Anderson both times · Nolan 3/4 · sci-fi & rom-coms up, thrillers & ’90s dramas down.

Sean Fennessey owns auteur episodes

Tarantino 5/5 · PTA 4/4 · Scorsese 8/9 · Spielberg 8/9 · Fincher 7/8

Chris Ryan owns the action stylists

Michael Mann 10/10 · Tony Scott 9/9 · Friedkin 5/5 — they’ve done Heat three times

Juliet Litman owns rom-coms

Romance 4.8× the show’s rate · Comedy 2.6×

Amanda Dobbins owns rom-coms, too

Romance 3.6× · a Rob Reiner streak (3/8)

Jason Concepcion owns sci-fi & adventure

Sci-Fi 4.8× · Adventure 3.4× · Action 3.0×

Van Lathan owns James Cameron & fantasy

Cameron 3/5 films · Fantasy 3.2×

Mallory Rubin owns mysteries

Mystery 1.9× the show’s rate

Categories

Every recurring segment, by the numbers — open a category page for the full answer list.

Where a count comes from specific picks, expand the name to see them: the film, the episode, who said it.

Apex Mountain

Career peak debate for actors/directors.

Appears in 423 episodes.

Most-debated careers

  1. 01Eddie Murphy ▾14
    • 48 Hrs. (1982) · December 7, 2017 · Bill Simmons ▶ 47:02“Eddie Murphy yes (over Beverly Hills Cop), Nick Nolte no (North Dallas 40 likely his best), Walter Hill yes, James Remar 100% yes, Frank McRae yes”
    • December 7, 2017 · Chris Ryan ▶ 47:05“Eddie Murphy no (Beverly Hills Cop was his apex), Nick Nolte no clear apex, Walter Hill yes (though mentions Long Riders as alternative)”
    • Beverly Hills Cop (1984) · September 17, 2019 · Bill Simmons ▶ 2:16“Beverly Hills Cop is Eddie Murphy's Apex Mountain - suggests renaming the category 'Mount Foley' after this career peak performance”
    • Beverly Hills Cop (1984) · September 17, 2019 · Chris Ryan ▶ 2:49“Agrees this was Eddie's peak cultural moment, describing it as a youth obsession on the level of Madonna, Prince, and Bruce Springsteen”
    • September 17, 2019 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 6:23“Emphasizes Eddie's subtle, non-actorly performance and graceful transition to movie stardom, but doesn't explicitly confirm this as his peak”
    • September 17, 2019 · Wesley Morris ▶ 3:41“Focuses on Eddie's acting quality rather than career peak, praising his presence and naturalness in the role”
    • Boomerang (1992) · May 26, 2020 · Bill Simmons ▶ 6:46“Career launching/peak moment for multiple actors: launches Halle Berry's career, last good thing for Robin Givens, best movie for David Alan Grier, launches Martin Lawrence's TV and movie career, revives Eddie Murphy's career”
    • Boomerang (1992) · May 26, 2020 · Van Lathan ▶ 12:23“Launched Leela Rashawn's career and represents Eddie Murphy functioning in a new sphere of blackness, moving beyond his crossover appeal”
    • February 18, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:30:58“Eddie Murphy: No. Arsenio Hall: Yes (1989). James Earl Jones: Might be apex-less or possibly Sandlot as belated apex. Shari Headley and sister: Yes. Rick Baker makeup: Yes. Hot tubs, jerry curls in film, Queens NY: Yes for various items”
    • Beverly Hills Cop (1984) · May 10, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 59:17“No for Eddie Murphy (says Cop 1 was his apex), Yes for Brigitte Nielsen, Yes for Judge Reinhold, No for Tony Scott, No for Hugh Hefner, No for Harold Faltemeyer, No for Playboy Mansion”
    • Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) · May 10, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 59:26“Agrees Eddie Murphy's star power was at peak even though he thought the movie was mediocre, agrees Judge Reinhold looked happy reprising Rosewood role”
    • Trading Places (1983) · May 16, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 4:49“Eddie Murphy - Trading Places launches Eddie to the stratosphere, making him probably the biggest black movie/TV person after this movie”
    • May 16, 2023 · Chris Ryan ▶ 4:09“Eddie Murphy's 1980-1984 run as one of the great four-year runs in American pop culture”
    • Trading Places (1983) · May 16, 2023 · Van Lathan ▶ 7:16“Both Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd seem to be peaking - they're young, hungry, in their creative sweet spot”
  2. 02Tom Cruise ▾13
    • December 11, 2018 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:07:31“No for Tom Cruise, yes for Wilford Brimley, yes for Jeanne Tripplehorn, yes for Holly Hunter, yes for John Grisham”
    • Jerry Maguire (1996) · September 1, 2020 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:07:26“Argues case for Tom Cruise (Rain Man/Cocktail era) but accepts Sean's 1996 Jerry Maguire counter; gives definitive picks for Brian Brown (FX), Kelly Lynch (Three of Hearts, 1992), and various other topics”
    • Jerry Maguire (1996) · September 1, 2020 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:07:51“Tom Cruise: 1996 Jerry Maguire/Mission Impossible”
    • Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) · August 24, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:12:21“Tom Cruise - 1988 (but thinks 1996 is better), Dustin Hoffman - Kramer vs. Kramer, People's Court - late 80s, Barry Levinson - yes (Rain Man period), Valeria Golino - Hot Shots”
    • August 24, 2021 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:12:52“Tom Cruise - 1996 (agrees with SPEAKER_01), Valeria Golino - Hot Shots”
    • August 24, 2021 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:12:44“Tom Cruise - 1996 (Mission Impossible and Jerry Maguire)”
    • October 19, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:05:34“No for Newman, Cruise, Scorsese. Yes for billiards. No for Clapton (MTV Unplugged was bigger). Yes for Balabushka cue. Uncertain on Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio but leans toward this being her peak performance despite other bigger movies.”
    • Top Gun: Maverick (2022) · July 12, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:29:51“Post-prime Tom Cruise (yes), 1973 Porsche 911 (yes), Jennifer Connelly (possibly), Joe Kosinski (yes), Miles Teller (not yet), Glen Powell (not yet), San Diego (no, still Anchorman), Don Simpson (yes), Jon Hamm (no)”
    • Mission: Impossible (1996) · December 27, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:10:59“Mission Impossible 1 for franchise setup, this movie for Tom Cruise as insane person, skydiving stunt as craziest, bathroom fight scenes for this movie, John Wick for nightclub fights, First Blood for helicopter chases”
    • Jerry Maguire (1996) · May 14, 2024 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:40:56“Almost Famous might be overrated in 'ringer bubble', agrees this is apex for Tom Cruise as pure movie stardom - carrying a character-titled film through talking and emoting”
    • Jerry Maguire (1996) · May 14, 2024 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:39:23“Cameron Crowe - this is his apex because it's his biggest hit, Tom Cruise - this is the culmination of his 90s run with fifth consecutive $100 million hit”
    • Minority Report (2002) · April 22, 2025 · Van Lathan ▶ 1:28:46“Discusses Cruz/Spielberg collaboration being apex mountain, mentions this as better than War of the Worlds in their partnership”
    • F1: The Movie (2025) · December 23, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:27:47“F1 for Joseph Kosinski - back to back huge movies makes this his apex. Also thinks it's apex for Tom Cruise.”
  3. 03Keanu Reeves ▾12
    • August 24, 2017 · Bill Simmons ▶ 34:00“Lori Petty - A League of Their Own (Patty Mayonnaise); Gary Busey - The Buddy Holly Story; Keanu Reeves - Speed; Patrick Swayze - Point Break”
    • August 24, 2017 · Jason Concepcion ▶ 34:42“Lori Petty - Tank Girl (as display of ambition/starring role); Keanu Reeves - agreed he's had multiple apexes; Patrick Swayze - Point Break”
    • August 24, 2017 · Shea Serrano ▶ 42:43“Lori Petty - A League of Their Own (Patty Mayonnaise); Gary Busey - Surviving the Game; Keanu Reeves - The Matrix; Patrick Swayze - Point Break (agreed with Michael Douglas ideal role theory)”
    • September 21, 2017 · Bill Simmons ▶ 40:43“Discussed Keanu (not apex), Sandra Bullock (leaning toward Miss Congeniality as apex), Jeff Daniels (not apex, but 1994-5 combo with Dumb and Dumber could be)”
    • September 21, 2017 · Jason Concepcion ▶ 40:45“Agreed Keanu not apex, Sandra Bullock not apex (had higher to go), disagreed with Dennis Hopper (already had Easy Rider peak)”
    • The Matrix (1999) · May 14, 2019 · Bill Simmons ▶ 45:26“Believes Matrix 1 was Keanu's Apex Mountain, concludes this movie (Hardball) wasn't anybody's Apex Mountain”
    • The Matrix (1999) · May 14, 2019 · Chris Ryan ▶ 45:02“Thinks Matrix 1 or 2 had to be Keanu's Apex, mentions Diane Lane's would be Perfect Storm”
    • Speed (1994) · May 14, 2019 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 45:14“Speed for Keanu Reeves”
    • August 31, 2021 · Van Lathan ▶ 1:05:15“Keanu Reeves - agrees the funeral scene is probably his best single scene, though acknowledges he has other solid performances. Supports Devil's Advocate as a great movie.”
    • Dumb and Dumber (1994) · June 9, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 52:26“Yes for Jim Carrey (after three movies in a row), Yes for Keanu Reeves (Speed and this movie same year), No for Farrelly Brothers (There's Something About Mary was their apex), No for Aspen”
    • The Matrix (1999) · September 17, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:27:27“Matrix for Keanu; Yes for Fake Hotel Universe; Tyra/Friday Night Lights for Adrian Palicki; Yes for Russian boogeymen; Yes for burying/digging up former career; Yes for John Wick movies”
    • The Matrix (1999) · September 17, 2024 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:27:28“Matrix for Keanu (agreed with Bill)”
  4. 04Seth Rogen ▾12
    • Neighbors (2014) · February 23, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 57:09“Seth Rogen: Maybe, because it led to Sausage Party which requires star power. Zac Efron: Yes, led to bigger opportunities like Baywatch. Rose Byrne: Yes, combined with Insidious. Dave Franco: No, hasn't happened yet but coming.”
    • Neighbors (2014) · February 23, 2021 · Chris Ryan ▶ 57:16“Seth Rogen: Maybe, acknowledges Superbad/Knocked Up might be bigger but this $200M success was significant. Rose Byrne: This and Bridesmaids unlocked a decade of comedy work.”
    • February 23, 2021 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 57:42“Seth Rogen: The Knocked Up/Superbad/Pineapple Express run was his apex. Rose Byrne: No clear apex, she's consistently good but never had a peak moment. Dave Franco: This is probably it, can't remember much else he's done.”
    • January 4, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:04:47“Jonah Hill - 21 Jump Street; Michael Cera - Yes, this movie (Superbad); Christopher Mintz-Plasse - Yes; Emma Stone - No; Martha McIsaac - Yes; Bill Hader - No; Seth Rogen - Probably Neighbors”
    • January 4, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:09:20“For Seth Rogen, 2007 was probably his biggest year but what he's done since is arguably most impressive of the whole group”
    • January 4, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:04:35“Jonah Hill - 21 Jump Street (agrees with SPEAKER_00); Michael Cera - Yes, this is definitely Apex Mountain; Seth Rogen - 2007 was huge but he's done arguably more impressive work since”
    • Knocked Up (2007) · June 7, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:07:11“Katherine Heigl - absolutely yes, compares it to 'Vinny Chase Aquaman level'; Seth Rogen - probably yes, becomes leading man for next 15 years after this; Judd Apatow - maybe, due to his three-year run and having this plus Superbad two months apart giving him ultimate greenlight power; Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd - no”
    • Knocked Up (2007) · June 7, 2022 · Craig Horlbeck ▶ 1:08:11“Agrees on Seth Rogen's lasting power and career impact, notes uncertainty about whether Superbad pod already gave Rogen his apex mountain but suggests it's probably right now; expresses appreciation for Leslie Mann as underrated comedy actress”
    • Knocked Up (2007) · June 7, 2022 · Juliet Litman ▶ 1:08:25“Supports Seth Rogen as good actor and notes his producer credit showing he's industrious and smart; agrees Leslie Mann is underrated”
    • October 18, 2022 · Craig Horlbeck ▶ 1:22:41“No for Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride, Penny, Amber Heard; Yes for Uggs (2008); No for weed in movies initially but agreed with weed as substance; No for gun cocking montages; No for Gary Cole”
    • This Is the End (2013) · June 27, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 58:26“Discussed multiple actors - suggests 'This is the End' or 'Neighbors' for Rogen, 'Wolf of Wall Street' or 'This is the End' for Jonah Hill, '127 Hours' for Franco, agrees on McBride apex, 'Superbad' for Sarah, 'Harry Potter' for Emma Watson”
    • This Is the End (2013) · June 27, 2023 · Chris Ryan ▶ 58:01“Lists Rogen's run from '40-Year-Old Virgin' through 'Steve Jobs', suggests 'This is the End' or 'Neighbors' as apex, 'Wolf of Wall Street' or 'Moneyball' for Jonah Hill, agrees movie is apex for movie pitches”
  5. 05Robert Redford ▾11
    • All the President's Men (1976) · November 8, 2018 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:03:42“Yes for Redford - this is his apex mountain. No for Dustin Hoffman - Kramer vs Kramer is his peak. Yes for Jason Robards. Yes for William Goldman. Yes for Alan Pakula.”
    • All the President's Men (1976) · November 8, 2018 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:04:16“Yes for Redford - calls this 'maybe the dictionary definition of Apex Mountain' since he got the movie made off his name and was never as big as when he made this.”
    • All the President's Men (1976) · November 8, 2018 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:03:58“Agrees this could be Redford's last iconic movie. Uncertain about Jason Robards due to his many great moments including Iceman Cometh on Broadway. Discusses Alan Pakula's strong 1970s run.”
    • Ordinary People (1980) · February 1, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:39:12“Yes for Robert Redford - peak of bankable acting career, handsome powers, just directed Oscar winner and beat Scorsese”
    • Ordinary People (1980) · February 1, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:39:36“Yes for Robert Redford - Sundance Institute formed in 1981 after his Best Director Oscar win, peak of his power”
    • April 11, 2023 · Mallory Rubin ▶ 20:24“Robert Redford gives a compelling performance and looks incredibly handsome, as he does in every movie because he's one of the best-looking people who has ever lived; notes his later villain turn in Captain America as end-of-career move”
    • The Sting (1973) · September 30, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:31:02“Yes for Redford (this specific moment where he could do whatever he wanted), Yes for George Roy Hill (wins Best Director), Yes for Marvin Hamlisch, Yes for con movies (most successful one), No for Newman (Cool Hand Luke in mid-60s was his peak)”
    • September 30, 2025 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:31:49“Participated in discussion about Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio's first call status, noted Eileen Brennan just walks up and down hallway but has incredible presence”
    • The Sting (1973) · September 30, 2025 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:31:30“Yes for Redford (Way We Were and this movie same year, both top 10 biggest movies), discussed Leonardo DiCaprio's long-running first call status since Titanic”
    • Ordinary People (1980) · October 21, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:15:50“Redford directing: Ordinary People over A River Runs Through It; Ralph Fiennes: around Quiz Show/English Patient timeframe when he had the most juice; Chris McDonald: Happy Gilmore; Quiz show movies: yes, this is apex; Rob Morrow: no, was 1992 hosting SNL with Nirvana”
    • A River Runs Through It (1992) · October 21, 2025 · Brian Koppelman ▶ 1:15:46“Redford directing: prefers A River Runs Through It but acknowledges Ordinary People won Best Picture; Ralph Fiennes: Amon Goeth in Schindler's List is his high point performance”
  6. 06Tom Hanks ▾11
    • When Harry Met Sally... (1989) · August 31, 2017 · Amanda Dobbins ▶ 45:21“Not apex for Tom Hanks (despite his great streak), not apex for Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally had bigger impact), but gives Meg Ryan's edge to When Harry Met Sally over You've Got Mail”
    • Forrest Gump (1994) · June 21, 2018 · Bill Simmons ▶ 43:34“Tom Hanks - yes, this is his Apex Mountain due to back-to-back Oscars and becoming the alpha dog in Hollywood”
    • Forrest Gump (1994) · June 21, 2018 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 44:31“Tom Hanks - agrees this is probably his most iconic performance and Apex Mountain”
    • November 10, 2020 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:36:47“Tom Hanks in 1995 - won second Oscar for Forrest Gump, released Apollo 13 and Toy Story within five months, filming directorial debut That Thing You Do”
    • Toys (1992) · November 10, 2020 · Shea Serrano ▶ 1:37:14“Agrees Tom Hanks 1995 is historic Apex Mountain, highest ever on the show. For toys specifically, picks Robin Williams movie 'Toys' as Apex Mountain for toys”
    • Forrest Gump (1994) · February 13, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:16:42“Yes for Tom Hanks (this is his peak after back-to-back Oscars), Yes for Gary Sinise (over Apollo 13), No for Michael T. Williamson (Heat is his peak), Yes for 1994 Oscars ceremony, discusses multiple other subjects”
    • Bad Boys (1995) · May 28, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:25:21“Young Sean Penn (1981-85) - this movie over Bad Boys; Phoebe Cates - yes; Jennifer Jason Leigh - no, early 90s with Single White Female; Tom Hanks as Brad for Cruiser Hanks”
    • Bad Boys (1995) · May 28, 2024 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:25:32“Young Sean Penn - this movie over Bad Boys; agrees on Hanks for Cruiser Hanks; discusses mall movies and Valley movies”
    • January 14, 2026 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:20:13“Tom Hanks - argues this would be counter-programming against his image, like Harrison Ford did”
    • January 14, 2026 · Mallory Rubin ▶ 1:21:09“Against Tom Hanks due to scheduling conflicts with Castaway (weight loss/physical transformation incompatible)”
    • August 25, 2026 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:33:45“Tom Hanks: could take the Kevin Bacon 'seven jack' title; apex mountain is a broad peak somewhere between winning the Oscar for Forrest Gump and filming Apollo 13/voicing Toy Story. Also gives picks for Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, for the acclaim), Sinise (building toward Forrest Gump/CSI), Kevin Bacon (probably Footloose era in the 80s), and Ed Harris (somewhere between this movie and The Truman Show).”
  7. 07Leonardo DiCaprio ▾11
    • Titanic (1997) · December 3, 2019 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:54:43“Says Titanic is Leo's Apex Mountain because 'he's just the most popular person in the world', also suggests 'it might be for Jonah' (Hill)”
    • December 3, 2019 · Ryen Russillo ▶ 1:54:38“Argues against Leo having apex mountain, says there's 'not enough separation in the roles' and that Django is darker but not definitively better than other performances like Wolf of Wall Street”
    • December 3, 2019 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:55:01“Discusses Leo's career extensively, mentions his post-Beach filmography including Django, Wolf of Wall Street, but doesn't declare a definitive apex. Notes it's 'not clear enough' and considers business impact beyond just performance”
    • Titanic (1997) · March 15, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:23:55“Initially argues yes for Leo with Titanic making him biggest star in the world, but acknowledges 2006 (Blood Diamond/The Departed) as alternative. Says James Cameron has to be yes, Billy Zane yes, disaster movies yes, icebergs yes, heroes from Wisconsin goes with Jack”
    • The Departed (2006) · March 15, 2022 · Van Lathan ▶ 1:24:30“The Departed for Leonardo DiCaprio over Titanic, because people don't think of Titanic when they hear DiCaprio's name now”
    • Titanic (1997) · February 28, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:24:30“Leo's Apex is Titanic (could do anything after it, biggest star on planet), Walken's Apex is 1993-94 period (SNL hosting, True Romance, Pulp Fiction), conman movies is The Sting, Joe Garagiola is World Series, Aston Martin DBS is Goldfinger”
    • Titanic (1997) · February 28, 2023 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:24:18“Agrees Leo's Apex is Titanic, suggests Walken's could be Pulp Fiction or More Cowbell era, favorite Walken performance is Annie Hall”
    • Titanic (1997) · February 28, 2023 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:24:45“Agrees with Titanic for Leo's Apex Mountain, agrees with Catch Me If You Can as best resource name”
    • Titanic (1997) · June 14, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:02:18“Titanic for Leo”
    • September 30, 2025 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:31:49“Participated in discussion about Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio's first call status, noted Eileen Brennan just walks up and down hallway but has incredible presence”
    • The Sting (1973) · September 30, 2025 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:31:30“Yes for Redford (Way We Were and this movie same year, both top 10 biggest movies), discussed Leonardo DiCaprio's long-running first call status since Titanic”
  8. 08Sylvester Stallone ▾11
    • Rocky IV (1985) · January 4, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:16:18“Yes for Sylvester Stallone (1985-86), Yes for Dolph Lundgren, Rocky III for Survivor, Yes for Warner Wolf, Yes for Barry Tompkins, Yes for sit-ups off the ceiling, Maybe for Russian national anthem, Yes for wet blanket sports movie wives, Yes for Tony Burton, No for James Brown, Yes for eerie evil 80s synthesizer music”
    • January 4, 2022 · Cousin Sal ▶ 1:17:21“Agrees on Stallone's apex being 1985-86, prefers Nikolai Volkov/Iron Sheik for Russian national anthem over this movie, agrees on wet blanket wives and sit-ups”
    • January 4, 2022 · Kyle Brandt ▶ 1:16:42“Agrees Stallone's 1985-86 apex, prefers Cuban Missile Crisis over Cold War generally, mentions Hunt for Red October and Nintendo ice hockey for Russian anthem, strongly agrees on wet blanket wives”
    • Beautiful Girls (1996) · June 2, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:10:12“Says no for Stallone, Leota, James Mangold. Considers Rappaport but settles on Beautiful Girls over this movie. Suggests Noah Emmerich's apex is Truman Show. Proposes Pre-Sopranos Jersey Cop Scumbags as apex mountain category.”
    • Lock Up (1989) · August 30, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:07:37“Not Stallone or Kurt Russell for this movie; Lethal Weapon rip-offs apex mountain; Cross the beam moments very high; Lock Up over this for Stallone prison movies”
    • Lock Up (1989) · August 30, 2022 · Shea Serrano ▶ 1:08:17“Not apex mountain for anybody in the movie except maybe Face; Lock Up better than this for Stallone prison movies; Cross the beam moment might be apex mountain for meta moments”
    • Creed (2015) · February 19, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:29:02“Yes for MBJ (Michael B. Jordan) - 'Coming out of Creed, it's like he could make any movie he wants'; No for Ryan Coogler, Tessa Thompson, Stallone; Yes for Tony Blue (winning the title); Yes for HBO 24-7”
    • March 4, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:27:58“Stallone's apex was Rocky 3/Rambo era (1982), Talia Shire yes for Rocky, John Avildsen possibly this over Karate Kid despite Oscar win, shy girlfriends yes, Philadelphia among top moments”
    • December 2, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:29:42“Stallone: no, not this movie but mid-80s (1985) with Rambo II and Rocky IV being his peak when he had two top movies; Carl Weathers: no; Talia Shire: no, somewhere between Godfather/Godfather II and Rocky; Burt Young: mid-80s with Miami Vice, Rocky IV, and Back to School; Brent Musburger: yes for 1979; 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: yes”
    • December 2, 2025 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:29:48“Agrees on Carl Weathers being in the Rocky III/IV range; says Talia Shire is good in Rocky III as a redeeming quality; gives Burt Young no credit; argues Stallone forces his way into director's chair, makes $200 million, but gets trapped making action movies until Copland”
    • December 2, 2025 · Van Lathan ▶ 1:31:33“Agrees Stallone's peak is mid-80s when he could do whatever he wants; disagrees on Brent Musburger for 1979, suggests his peak was later with the AJ McCarron girlfriend comment”
  9. 09Robert De Niro ▾9
    • Raging Bull (1980) · July 20, 2018 · Bill Simmons ▶ 53:37“Charles Grodin - yes, this is his apex mountain. For De Niro, argues it's Raging Bull coming off Godfather 2, but also considers Midnight Run his personal favorite and Goodfellas as very high up there.”
    • July 20, 2018 · Chris Ryan ▶ 53:57“Charles Grodin - yes. For De Niro, picks Taxi Driver as his apex. For Joey Pantoliano, says this is his apex because 'he becomes Joey Pants' in this movie.”
    • January 4, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 25:57“Discusses multiple great De Niro moments but singles out the slow motion smoking scene where he decides to kill Maury as his personal favorite, calling it something only De Niro could pull off”
    • January 4, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 24:53“Highlights the phone booth scene after Tommy gets killed as De Niro's best explosive performance, also praises the slow motion smoking scene and the post-arrest scene”
    • Casino (1995) · January 25, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:45:28“De Niro - no (despite Heat and Casino within three weeks), believes Raging Bull is likely his apex but it's not rewatchable; Pesci - agrees it's Goodfellas; Kevin Pollack - yes for Casino; 1981 Cadillac Eldorado - yes; various other categories discussed”
    • January 25, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:45:44“De Niro - believes it's Raging Bull; Pesci - definitively says Goodfellas into My Cousin Vinny, agrees this is end of Pesci's leading movie run; Kevin Pollack - agrees it's his apex mountain”
    • Cop Land (1997) · June 2, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:10:53“Suggests this could be apex mountain for 'Just About to Sell Out De Niro' - the peak of post-Golden Age, pre-sellout De Niro”
    • Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) · June 23, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:07:27“No for Costner, De Palma (peak was Dressed to Kill/Blowout era), and De Niro. For older Connery chooses The Rock over this movie. For mid-80s Chicago movies agrees with Ferris Bueller.”
    • A Bronx Tale (1993) · September 19, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:29:17“No for De Niro and Pesci, Yes for Broncato, Yes for Chaz Palminteri (this movie), Yes for crap scenes and father-son movies, No for Kathleen Narducci and Italian movies”
  10. 10Arnold Schwarzenegger ▾9
    • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) · April 7, 2020 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:11:36“Arnold's apex is the stretch from Kindergarten Cop to T2 (14 months), culminating with T2. Also picks Rachel Ticotin for Man on Fire, Ronnie Cox for RoboCop, and Mars as a planet for Total Recall over The Martian”
    • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) · April 7, 2020 · Shea Serrano ▶ 1:11:11“Arnold's apex is T2 (Terminator franchise is what he's known for). Rachel Ticotin's apex is Total Recall as an action star. Michael Ironside's apex is Starship Troopers. Agrees Mars apex is Total Recall”
    • January 21, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:21:09“No for Arnold, James Cameron, Linda Hamilton. Yes for mid-80s Los Angeles and Tech Noir bar scene”
    • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) · January 26, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:13:14“Yes for Arnold Schwarzenegger - this was his apex mountain looking at his four movie run leading to this”
    • March 29, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:10:15“Arnold: No, Rae Dawn Chong: Yes, Alyssa Milano: debated between Who's the Boss and Charmed, Bill Duke: No, Vernon Wells: Yes (this movie over Mad Max or Weird Science), yellow Porsches: Yes, missile launchers/bazookas: Yes”
    • April 30, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:12:03“Arnold: not yet, closer to Terminator 2/Total Recall. Richard Dawson: no, peak was Match Game/Family Feud. Jesse Ventura: yes, announcing Wrestlemania 3 plus Predator/Running Man felt like bigger things coming”
    • True Lies (1994) · July 16, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 16:44“True Lies is Arnold's acting Apex Mountain, his best performance as one of the great popcorn actors”
    • True Lies (1994) · July 16, 2024 · Chris Ryan ▶ 16:49“Agrees it's Arnold's best performance but notes it's not saying much given Arnold's limited acting range”
    • True Lies (1994) · July 16, 2024 · Van Lathan ▶ 17:11“True Lies over Total Recall because it asks Arnold to do more - charm, emotional range, and coolness”

Films most often crowned someone’s apex

  1. 01Titanic ▾11
  2. 02Forrest Gump ▾8
  3. 03Back to the Future ▾7
  4. 04Terminator 2: Judgment Day ▾7
  5. 05La La Land ▾6
  6. 06Wedding Crashers ▾6
  7. 07Jerry Maguire ▾5
  8. 08The Bourne Identity ▾5
  9. 09The Social Network ▾5
  10. 10Ordinary People ▾5

Casting What-Ifs

Alternate casting possibilities.

Appears in 401 episodes.

Actors most often reimagined into another role

  1. 01Harrison Ford ▾8
  2. 02Robert Downey Jr. ▾8
    • Con Air (1997) · December 18, 2018 · Shea Serrano ▶ 42:57“Robert Downey Jr. would make it a better movie, he's just better than John Cusack for the Vince Larkin role”
    • Top Gun (1986) · July 23, 2019 · Mallory Rubin ▶ 1:17:12“Robert Downey Jr. would have been good as Maverick”
    • Sideways (2004) · January 10, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:12:57“George Clooney and Robert Downey Jr. for Miles - likes Downey as a challenge casting choice”
    • Sideways (2004) · January 10, 2023 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:12:30“Robert Downey Jr. for Miles - thinks it's doable and Downey could capture the addiction part, suggests his Zodiac journalist approach would work”
    • Sideways (2004) · January 10, 2023 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:12:34“Robert Downey Jr. for Miles - thinks it would probably be a better movie but notes Downey has too much energy for the depression aspect”
    • Zodiac (2007) · January 26, 2026 · Chris Ryan ▶ 2:10:03“Brad Pitt has more of a stoner energy whereas Downey has more of an uppers energy, supporting why Downey was better casting”
    • Wild Things (1998) · February 3, 2026 · Craig Horlbeck ▶ 1:37:55“Robert Downey Jr. couldn't pull off seeming like a clean teacher - you would know he's dirty immediately”
    • Wild Things (1998) · February 3, 2026 · Van Lathan ▶ 1:38:01“Robert Downey Jr. wouldn't work as Sam - his reputation would precede him and he's not dashing enough; would make more sense in the Kevin Bacon part”
  3. 03Denzel Washington ▾5
  4. 04Leonardo DiCaprio ▾5
    • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) · December 3, 2019 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:15:54“Supports DiCaprio - argues Leo uses his handsomeness as an acting tool and can push boundaries because he's good to look at, which works for Jordan Belfort's character.”
    • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) · December 3, 2019 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:16:52“Prefers DiCaprio over Brad Pitt - doesn't think Pitt can reach the unhinged intensity DiCaprio shows in the microphone scene. Also thinks Margot Robbie being an unknown was helpful, though Blake Lively would have been fine.”
    • Higher Learning (1995) · February 19, 2020 · Van Lathan ▶ 9:05“DiCaprio was rumored to be in for Remy role when Tupac was lost”
    • Primal Fear (1996) · July 4, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:12:17“DiCaprio was the original choice for Aaron but turned it down; thinks it would have been great casting at that point in his career”
    • Primal Fear (1996) · July 4, 2023 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:12:59“It has to be an unknown for it to work; DiCaprio was already too established after Gilbert Grape nomination”
  5. 05Kevin Costner ▾4
    • Blue Chips (1994) · March 25, 2025 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:28:31“Kevin Costner in the lead role - suggests this as the third film in a Shelton-Costner sports trilogy”
    • Sneakers (1992) · October 14, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:17:54“Agrees Costner would be really good in the role but thinks it's an important Redford catalog movie that he needs”
    • Sneakers (1992) · October 14, 2025 · Joanna Robinson ▶ 1:17:10“States there are no casting what-ifs for this movie because everyone wanted to work with Redford, but acknowledges Costner would have been great while preferring Redford did the movie”
    • Sneakers (1992) · October 14, 2025 · Kyle Brandt ▶ 1:17:30“Kevin Costner in the lead role instead of Redford, with Willem Dafoe as Cosmo to reunite the cast from another film”
  6. 06Mark Wahlberg ▾4
    • Ocean's Twelve (2004) · March 5, 2020 · Chris Ryan ▶ 50:51“Mark Wahlberg was lined up to replace Matt Damon if Damon had backed out after a demanding Bourne movie shoot, though uncertain if this was real or a publicity bit”
    • Ocean's Twelve (2004) · March 5, 2020 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 51:00“Questions whether the Mark Wahlberg story is real, noting it's not Soderbergh's tempo and mentions Wahlberg and Damon's later showdown in The Departed”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:42:17“Mark Wahlberg was great and the right choice - agrees it worked out better than if Leo had been cast”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:43:00“Wahlberg was the right choice over Leo - Leo couldn't have delivered the 'dumb guy quality' that Wahlberg brought to Dirk Diggler”
  7. 07Sean Connery ▾4
  8. 08Brad Pitt ▾4
  9. 09Richard Dreyfuss ▾4
  10. 10Meryl Streep ▾4

Who Won the Movie

Who benefits most from the film.

Appears in 402 episodes.

Most wins

  1. 01Tom Cruise ▾21
  2. 02Sylvester Stallone ▾10
  3. 03Steven Spielberg ▾9
  4. 04Al Pacino ▾9
  5. 05Quentin Tarantino ▾9
  6. 06Eddie Murphy ▾8
  7. 07Denzel Washington ▾8
  8. 08Martin Scorsese ▾7
    • The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) · December 3, 2019 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 2:11:27“Scorsese - because he's the author of the whole project and this was a reminder that he wasn't done yet, returning to his signature style after Hugo”
    • Taxi Driver (1976) · February 9, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:39:44“Martin Scorsese, because after this movie anything seemed possible with him and it became a go-to movie for future generations of filmmakers”
    • The Departed (2006) · October 5, 2021 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:52:03“Martin Scorsese - won Best Director and Best Picture at Academy Awards, made $300 million, got two biggest movie stars to work together, achieved what he'd wanted for 30 years”
    • Goodfellas (1990) · January 4, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 2:33:02“Martin Scorsese - this became his 'Tom Brady second three Super Bowls' era that allowed him to ascend and leave his generation behind”
    • Goodfellas (1990) · January 4, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 2:31:59“Martin Scorsese - this reset the trajectory of his career and made him the mascot of American movies, preventing him from becoming a relic like other 70s filmmakers”
    • After Hours (1985) · July 1, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:42:50“Scorsese”
    • After Hours (1985) · July 1, 2025 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:42:52“Scorsese - he was cooked and done for, but this movie getting made and acknowledged was enough to get him back on track and get his juices going again”
  9. 09Tom Hanks ▾7
  10. 10Leonardo DiCaprio ▾7

Dion Waiters Award

Best short screen-time performance (heat check).

Appears in 257 episodes.

Multiple-time winners (of 211 total)

  1. 01Andrew Dice Clay ▾3
  2. 02Leilani Sarelle ▾3
  3. 03John Witherspoon ▾3
    • Boomerang (1992) · May 26, 2020 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:39:17“John Witherspoon - calls it potentially the all-time Dion Waiters performance and suggests renaming the award after him”
    • Boomerang (1992) · May 26, 2020 · Van Lathan ▶ 1:39:26“John Witherspoon - says it belongs in the Dion Waiters Hall of Fame and could be the most memorable scene of the entire movie”
    • Boomerang (1992) · May 26, 2020 · Wesley Morris ▶ 1:40:42“John Witherspoon - agrees but suggests keeping the award name as 'Dion Waiters' for Dion's sake”
  4. 04Randy Quaid ▾3
  5. 05Alan Cumming ▾3
  6. 06Frank Vincent ▾3
    • Goodfellas (1990) · January 4, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 2:00:03“Frank Vincent as Billy Bats - agrees it has to be him because he comes in hot for four minutes and matches Pesci and De Niro's energy”
    • Goodfellas (1990) · January 4, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:59:20“Frank Vincent as Billy Bats - suggests renaming the award to 'the Frank Vincent award' or 'the Billy Bats award' because of this iconic performance”
    • Goodfellas (1990) · January 4, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:59:58“Frank Vincent as Billy Bats (winner), Chuck Lowe as Maury (second place), Debbie Mazar as Sandy (third place)”
  7. 07Devin Ratray ▾3
  8. 08Murray Hamilton ▾3
    • Jaws (1975) · July 4, 2018 · Bill Simmons ▶ 47:17“Murray Hamilton as the mayor - winner of the category”
    • Jaws (1975) · July 4, 2018 · Chris Ryan ▶ 47:26“Murray Hamilton as Mayor Vaughn - agrees with the pick and provides detailed analysis of his scenes”
    • Jaws (1975) · July 4, 2018 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 48:05“Murray Hamilton as the mayor - agrees and quotes his memorable lines”
  9. 09Sydney Pollack ▾3
  10. 10Christopher Walken ▾3

Joey Pants Award

Best character actor ('that guy' actor).

Appears in 216 episodes.

Multiple-time winners (of 200 total)

Joe Pantoliano won his own award 6×.

  1. 01Joe Pantoliano ▾6
  2. 02James Rebhorn ▾4
  3. 03Tracey Walter ▾3
  4. 04Nick Mazzola ▾3
    • Rain Man (1988) · August 24, 2021 · Bill Simmons ▶ 57:24“Nick Mazzola, the blackjack dealer at Caesars Palace who also appeared in Vegas Vacation and Casino and was a real blackjack dealer”
    • Rain Man (1988) · August 24, 2021 · Chris Ryan ▶ 57:37“Nick Mazzola, agreeing with the pick and praising his IMDB page showing Vegas Vacation, Rain Man, and Casino”
    • Casino (1995) · January 25, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:33:30“Nick Mazzola (the blackjack dealer) and John Menko (Nicky Eyes from Goodfellas)”
  5. 05Rick Aviles ▾3
  6. 06Leland Orser ▾3
  7. 07Cara Buono ▾3
  8. 08Balthazar Getty ▾3
  9. 09Benedict Wong ▾3
  10. 10Martin Balsam ▾2

Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Most controversial opinion.

Appears in 194 episodes.

The hottest takes

Hotness = how much debate a take sparked (reaction-window discussion) blended with an AI spiciness rating — recomputed as new episodes land.

01

“Tom Hanks is neither the GOAT movie star nor the GOAT actor - not even close. He's made too many movies that suck in the last 20 years”

Catch Me If You Can Sean Fennessey▶ 1:07:42

93hotness
02

“Jim Belushi is funnier than John Belushi has ever been in a movie”

About Last Night Chris Ryan▶ 1:29:33

92hotness
03

“Trading Places is the most underrated Christmas movie and is a better Christmas movie than Home Alone”

Trading Places Bill Simmons▶ 1:07:13

90hotness
04

“Animal House caused more copycat damage than any movie ever made — it was the 'gasoline and match' that wrecked two generations of college kids, giving them a blueprint for frat/party chaos and killing more brain cells than any film in terms of its influence on kids' expectations of college.”

National Lampoon's Animal House Bill Simmons▶ 1:04:07

89hotness
05

“This is Cameron's finest directing work ever, better than Terminator 2, because of his versatility in directing multiple genres within one film”

True Lies Van Lathan▶ 7:40

89hotness
06

“Rudy's brother Frank was right about everything - Rudy should have stayed with his wife, job, and stable life instead of pursuing his dream, which ultimately broke up his family and led to him being mocked”

Rudy Kyle Brandt▶ 1:08:21

89hotness
07

“Rollerball is better than The Parallax View — it more accurately makes you feel what a paranoid thriller is supposed to make you feel, because everyone watches sports and has felt the game was rigged; 'this movie makes you feel all that shit' (compares it to LJ's four-point play)”

Rollerball Brian Koppelman▶ 1:11:49

87hotness
08

“Are we sure this should have won Best Picture? He'd rather watch Out of Sight today, and argues The Truman Show was the most prescient, deserving movie of that year.”

Saving Private Ryan Sean Fennessey▶ 1:26:45

87hotness
09

“Two takes: 1) Kevin orchestrates being separated and wants to be alone, is bummed when his mom finds him. 2) Harry and Marv are lovers in a romantic relationship.”

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Kyle Brandt▶ 1:03:23

86hotness
10

“This movie (Jaws 2) is actually what killed the New Hollywood, not Jaws or Star Wars, because it proved movies don't even have to be okay to make money”

Jaws 2 Sean Fennessey▶ 1:01:49

86hotness

Is This Movie Better With

Hosts run through a growing list of recurring 'utility player' actors/characters and decide whether the movie would be improved by their inclusion.

Appears in 178 episodes.

Most-picked utility players

A name scores an episode when a host commits to it, by doing the impression or stating the pick. Reading the menu doesn’t count, and if nobody commits the episode has no pick.

Expand a name for the receipts.

  1. 01Wayne Jenkins ▾67 episodes
  2. 02Samuel L. Jackson ▾33 episodes
  3. 03Byron Mayo ▾17 episodes
  4. 04Philip Baker Hall ▾14 episodes
  5. 05Doris Burke ▾11 episodes
  6. 06Steve Buscemi ▾11 episodes
  7. 07Danny Trejo ▾10 episodes
  8. 08J.T. Walsh ▾10 episodes
  9. 09Kathryn Hahn ▾10 episodes
  10. 10Zane Lowe ▾9 episodes

Best Double Feature

Best companion film pairing.

Appears in 154 episodes.

Most-recommended pairing films

  1. 01The Warriors ▾5
  2. 02Cast Away ▾3
  3. 03Top Gun ▾3
  4. 04Die Hard ▾3
  5. 05No Country for Old Men ▾3
  6. 06Good Will Hunting ▾3
  7. 07Dumb and Dumber ▾2
  8. 08Fearless ▾2
  9. 09Waiting for Guffman ▾2
  10. 10Den of Thieves: Pantera ▾2

Just One Oscar

One award the movie deserves.

Appears in 142 episodes.

Multiple-time winners (of 104 total)

  1. 01Matt Damon ▾4
  2. 02Chazz Palminteri ▾3
  3. 03The Score ▾3
  4. 04Kathleen Turner ▾3
  5. 05Ryan Coogler ▾3
  6. 06Sean Connery ▾3
  7. 07Mike Myers ▾3
  8. 08Tom Hanks ▾2
  9. 09Brokeback Mountain ▾2
  10. 10Michael Rooker ▾2

Overacting Award

Most exaggerated performance.

Appears in 110 episodes.

Multiple-time winners (of 77 total)

  1. 01Saul Rubinek ▾4
  2. 02Al Pacino ▾4
  3. 03Will Patton ▾2
  4. 04Richard Crenna ▾2
  5. 05Kurtwood Smith ▾2
  6. 06Jeff Goldblum ▾2
  7. 07Bradley Whitford ▾2
  8. 08Woody Harrelson ▾2
  9. 09Richard Attenborough ▾2
  10. 10Julianne Moore ▾2

Great Shot Gordo Award

Most cinematic shot.

Appears in 96 episodes.

Cinematographers who earned the most great shots

  1. 01Robert Elswit ▾11
    • There Will Be Blood (2007) · July 26, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:18:08“Multiple shots including railroad scene with young son and the wordless shot of Daniel leaving his son behind on the train”
    • There Will Be Blood (2007) · July 26, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:16:06“The shot where Daniel decides to kill Henry and he's in the ocean, and the wave takes the camera into Daniel Day-Lewis”
    • There Will Be Blood (2007) · July 26, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:16:45“Beautiful Vista shots with the derrick on fire and intimate camera work in Eli's first church scene”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 4:30“The opening steadicam shot through the nightclub - three minutes long, introduces all seven main characters, starts at the Boogie Nights marquee and moves through the entire club”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:23:05“Built on Chris's Amber pick — cited the later callback of Amber stroking Dirk's head on the couch like a seven-year-old's, and her reaction when Dirk storms off ('she lost her kid again') — but stated no Gordo pick of his own in the window.”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 4:19“The opening steadicam shot, focusing on the complex choreography like when the camera follows Maurice and hits perfectly when Julianne Moore is lighting her cigarette”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:22:03“The shot of Amber (Julianne Moore), mid-coke, looking up when they can't find her for her son's phone call and watching Dirk cannonball into the pool as 'Lonely Boy' plays — 'just a shot of an actress' carrying the whole movie's emotion.”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 5:16“The opening steadicam shot, specifically praising the moment when the camera moves off the crane and starts moving through the club”
    • Boogie Nights (1997) · September 27, 2022 · Sean Fennessey ▶ 1:23:39“The first Amber/Dirk sex scene shot where the camera goes into the film camera itself and you watch the mag run out ('got in his Fincher bag').”
    • The Sure Thing (1985) · December 18, 2025 · Bill Simmons ▶ 32:40“The professor reading the short essay scene - 'Does God exist? Who invented liquid soap and why?' And then the answer was no.”
    • The Sure Thing (1985) · December 18, 2025 · Chris Ryan ▶ 34:25“The dive bar scene with the fat drunk guy and the waitress where he keeps giving her random facts”
  2. 02Janusz Kaminski ▾9
  3. 03Julio Macat ▾8
  4. 04Don Burgess ▾6
    • Flight (2012) · January 9, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 42:21“Discusses multiple shots including the early party scene with single camera from far away, the plane crash sequence, and various moments like waking up with bloodshot eyes, but doesn't settle on one definitive pick”
    • Flight (2012) · January 9, 2024 · Chris Ryan ▶ 43:07“Focuses on the nine-minute plane crash sequence as being harrowing and fantastic, calling it 'impossible to top' in the movie”
    • Flight (2012) · January 9, 2024 · Van Lathan ▶ 44:38“Discusses the plane crash sequence extensively, particularly praising the 'say I love you Trevor' moment and Denzel's wherewithal during the crisis”
    • What Lies Beneath (2000) · January 14, 2026 · Bill Simmons ▶ 45:42“Claire finds the buried chest leading into semi crying, confessing Harrison Ford”
    • 13 Going on 30 (2004) · September 29, 2026 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:19:55“The shot of the Brooklyn Bridge in the background”
    • 13 Going on 30 (2004) · September 29, 2026 · Juliet Litman ▶ 1:20:06“Agrees with Bill, noting they show both sides of the bridge shot - the Manhattan side at the beginning (eating Razzles) and the Brooklyn side later (at the playground)”
  5. 05Reynaldo Villalobos ▾6
  6. 06John Bailey ▾6
  7. 07Michael Chapman ▾6
  8. 08Gilbert Taylor ▾5
  9. 09Tom Priestley Jr. ▾4
  10. 10Bruce Surtees ▾4
    • Bad Boys (1983) · March 14, 2023 · Bill Simmons ▶ 47:52“Final scene - wide shot of Penn walking back to his cell and everyone reassembling the stuff and letting the guards out”
    • Bad Boys (1983) · March 14, 2023 · Chris Ryan ▶ 48:03“One take of Mick and the young kid getting introduced into the reform school - pans around to all the guys clapping”
    • Risky Business (1983) · March 12, 2024 · Bill Simmons ▶ 1:02:02“The shot from Joel's perspective when he's about to drop his parents off at the airport and realizes something's wrong with too much space”
    • Risky Business (1983) · March 12, 2024 · Chris Ryan ▶ 1:02:16“Joel calling Lana for the first time while putting on the catcher's mask with cash register checks flashing in the background”

Racehorse Name Award

Phrase that sounds like a racehorse name.

Appears in 67 episodes.

The 10 funniest

  1. 1.Bong Mitzvahfrom Pineapple Express
  2. 2.Screaming Irish Pigfrom The Untouchables
  3. 3.Historic Chili Dogfrom Singles
  4. 4.My Son and My Partner HWfrom There Will Be Blood
  5. 5.No Bullets Bitchfrom Cliffhanger
  6. 6.Pussy Without the Hairfrom Above the Rim
  7. 7.Shake and Bake
  8. 8.Giant Ass Pandafrom Adventureland
  9. 9.Lactic Acidosisfrom A Few Good Men
  10. 10.One on Bumfrom Above the Rim

Hanks or Cruise

Hosts debate whether Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise would have been better in lead roles, often comparing across multiple parts.

Appears in 45 episodes.

Tom Hanks

14

category wins

VS

Tom Cruise

25

category wins

Films Cruise was chosen for (12) →

A Few Good Men · Cocktail · Collateral · Days of Thunder · Edge of Tomorrow · Jerry Maguire · Magnolia · Mission: Impossible · Mission: Impossible - Fallout · Rain Man · Top Gun · Top Gun: Maverick

Films Hanks was chosen for (5) →

Big · Cast Away · Forrest Gump · Toy Story · What Lies Beneath

Horlbeck Runtime Scale

Runtime evaluation metric.

Appears in 9 episodes.

Over / just right / under

Minus 16 on the Horlbeck scale, likely the shortest movie they've done (84 minutes)

Borat

Notes an intro clip is longer than the movie, but says the short runtime is fine and could even be shorter

Borat

Movie was 107 minutes, rated a plus-7 on the Horlbeck scale, though it feels like a plus-14

Tropic Thunder

119-minute runtime, so plus-19; thinks you could shave 5-10 minutes to make it tighter, but defends keeping the Hitchhiker scene and Jonathan Richmond musical segments

There's Something About Mary

Would cut Jonathan Richmond and the Hitchhiker scene, joking it would get the movie down to 'like an hour,' but then walks it back saying the Hitchhiker scene is non-negotiable

There's Something About Mary

Doesn't propose cuts; says he loves the Jonathan Richmond stuff and thinks it's a great choice that feels very 90s

There's Something About Mary

Rates Ghostbusters's runtime as 'hour 45' on the Horlbeck scale, says it's 'kind of perfect' and he wouldn't cut anything

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters comes in plus-five over the 100-minute Horlbeck scale (~105 min) and that's fine — 'it's amazing'; anything in the hour-40s range is fine.

Ghostbusters

Says 'anything in the hour 40 is fine' runtime-wise

Ghostbusters

Agrees 95 minutes is a strength, noting it fit perfectly into HBO's schedule (done at 9:35 into a comedy special), reinforcing the runtime as a plus.

Eddie and the Cruisers