‘Cruising’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Wesley Morris
November 8, 2022 · Cruising (1980) · Crime · Drama · Mystery · 1:51:26
Categories
Best Quote
Bill SimmonsThis is Policeman Night. You have the wrong attitude. I'm going to have to ask you to leave.▶ 37:04
Wesley MorrisDiscussed the character's inadequacy, saying 'He's not cop enough to be a fake cop' but didn't offer a specific quote pick▶ 37:13
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsThe Sorvino briefing scene where he explains the case to Pacino, the 'Pacino hits the scene' sequence including stops at Ramrod and Wolf's Den, and the Powers Boothe hanky code scene▶ 45:00
Chris RyanSupports the Powers Boothe hanky code scene, specifically mentions the 'blue hanky means blowjob' exchange and Pacino's 'I'm gonna go home and think about it' response▶ 49:08
Wesley MorrisAgrees with the Powers Boothe hanky code scene and discusses the yellow hanky follow-up scene where Pacino returns with a hanky and gets told off▶ 49:49
Great Shot Gordo Award
Chris RyanTwo shots: Pacino's silhouette walking into the 712 bar under a bridge to meet Sorvino, and the wrestling magazines spread at the guy's feet with their boots next to each other during the first kill▶ 1:10:23
Wesley MorrisThe big sex montage on precinct night with the Crisco on the forearm and night stick scene - describes it as 'a moving painting' that would be extraordinary in a museum▶ 1:11:09
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Bill SimmonsSuggests Ted as a possibility but doesn't commit; also discusses the sting operation scene as confusing▶ 1:11:56
Chris RyanDefends Ted as necessary character/narrator; doesn't give a clear pick but expresses dislike for the award going to actual girlfriends▶ 1:11:57
Is There a Better Title?
Wesley MorrisNo, there is no better title - 'Cruising is cruising' and works both as nautical and vehicle reference▶ 1:18:53
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Bill SimmonsThis would have been the greatest Tom Cruise part ever - Tom Cruise circa 1993 would have been perfect for this role▶ 1:22:57
Chris RyanPaul Sorvino sucks at pool - he makes terrible shots during the bar meeting scene and it doesn't inspire confidence in your commanding officer▶ 1:19:53
Wesley MorrisAl Pacino's character Steve is not attractive in this movie - he looks sad, tired, unhealthy, covered in nicotine, and scared. Nobody would pick him at the Eagle bar over the other guys▶ 1:21:37
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsTom Berenger — Discusses Richard Gere was signed but agrees he's too handsome; suggests young Tom Berenger could have worked▶ 1:24:59
Chris RyanSteven Spielberg — Notes Gere was signed and ready to go; pivots to discuss Spielberg circling the director role as major what-if▶ 1:25:03
Wesley MorrisRichard Gere — Against Richard Gere - he's too handsome and wouldn't last 10 minutes, they would eat him alive▶ 1:25:15
Teddy KGB Award
Wesley MorrisAgrees with the shirtless cop pick, discusses how the scene works despite being tonally odd▶ 1:28:00
Dion Waiters Award
Bill SimmonsGene Davis — Listed nominees: Bruno Kirby, Powers Booth, James Remar, Willie DeVille, Gene Davis as Da Vinci; highlighted Gene Davis particularly for his prostitute character performance▶ 1:28:55
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsPresents multiple research facts: Friedkin worked with mafia who owned NYC gay bars, first movie to shoot in a morgue (chief examiner Michael Baden was fired but became famous on HBO autopsy shows), Karen Allen never saw complete script, Arthur Bell led protests with 1000 protesters, movie initially had X rating with 40 minutes cut, internet theory that Pacino's character is the killer▶ 1:30:18
Chris RyanNotes that Pacino's character essentially stalks Stuart and agrees with discussion about the killer theory▶ 1:34:06
Wesley MorrisDiscusses the disclaimer controversy at the beginning of the movie, notes he never thinks Pacino's character is a killer but might have gone home with guys, rejects the internet theory about Pacino being the killer because we see other murders▶ 1:30:27
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsGoes through multiple actors (Pacino, Servino, Remar, Fried, Karen) and says 'no' to all as apex mountain, uncertain about Crisco▶ 1:34:34
Racehorse Name Award
Bill SimmonsSuggested multiple options: 'hips or lips', 'party size', 'picking nets', and 'the killer shooting blanks'▶ 1:35:26
Just One Oscar
Bill SimmonsWillie DeVille — Initially suggests 'freaking' then mentions Willie DeVille as alternative▶ 1:41:36
Best Double Feature
Wesley MorrisThe Warriors — Agrees with The Warriors and Cruising pairing, noting that cruising acknowledges the energy in The Warriors▶ 1:43:26
Coach Finstock Life Lesson
Bill SimmonsThere might be better ways to becoming a detective than going undercover and losing your mind - maybe take smaller cases and get promoted▶ 1:46:01
Chris RyanAgrees with taking the job because pathways to advancement in that environment aren't great, so you have to do what you have to do▶ 1:47:47
Wesley MorrisTake the job - for a repressed Catholic kid, this undercover work was a gift from God and the right pathway to advancement in the 1979-1980 NYPD▶ 1:46:19
Who Won the Movie
Bill SimmonsWilliam Friedkin — Agreed with Friedkin choice, highlighting how he cared about basketball scenes, got real players and coaches, and knew how to make movies feel real▶ 1:47:22
Chris RyanWilliam Friedkin — Supported the Friedkin choice by emphasizing how he shot in real places and made the movie feel authentic▶ 1:49:10
Wesley MorrisWilliam Friedkin — Friedkin - praised his nerve to care, method directing approach, and ability to make movies feel real by being immersed in the American moment▶ 1:47:07
Movies Referenced (44)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Killer (2023) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Wesley Morris | ▶ 6:39 |
| Eyes Wide Shut (1999) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | ▶ 43:28 |
| Murder Mystery (2019) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 12:09 |
| Sing (2016) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Wesley Morris, Chris Ryan | ▶ 34:15 |
| Fargo (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 31:36 |
| Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 8:41 |
| Jerry Maguire (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 1:24:02 |
| Psycho (1960) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 1:05:02 |
| Scarface (1983) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 43:13 |
| The Exorcist (1973) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 35:01 |
| The French Connection (1971) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 34:59 |
| The Shining (1980) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 43:15 |
Directors Referenced (5)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Friedkin | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | To Live and Die in L.A., The French Connection, The Exorcist | ▶ 3:02 |
| Woody Allen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Annie Hall | ▶ 7:50 |
| Clint Eastwood | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven | ▶ 5:05 |
| George Roy Hill | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Slap Shot | ▶ 20:22 |
| John Waters | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 4:35 |
Actors Referenced (48)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Pacino | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 81 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Dog Day Afternoon, The Godfather | ▶ 2:29 |
| Paul Sorvino | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 18 | Wesley Morris, Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 10:02 | |
| Steve Burns | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 15 | Wesley Morris, Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 6:13 | |
| James Remar | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Oppenheimer | ▶ 1:05:32 |
| Karen Allen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Raiders of the Lost Ark, Starman | ▶ 19:10 |
| Tom Cruise | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Top Gun, Minority Report | ▶ 21:00 |
| Bruno Kirby | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | City Slickers, When Harry Met Sally... | ▶ 29:17 |
| James Franco | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | Spring Breakers, The Disaster Artist, 127 Hours | ▶ 13:49 |
| Nathan Lee | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris, Chris Ryan | ▶ 17:31 | |
| Randy Crisco | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | To the Bone | ▶ 18:11 |
| Jon Bernthal | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | The Wolf of Wall Street, King Richard | ▶ 1:29:56 |
| Richard Gere | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | Pretty Woman, An Officer and a Gentleman | ▶ 1:24:59 |
Writers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 31:03 | |
| William Goldman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men, The Princess Bride | ▶ 20:50 |
Cinematographers Referenced (1)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janusz Kaminski | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Schindler's List, Minority Report | ▶ 1:45:29 |