‘Hardcore’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
April 23, 2024 · Hardcore (1979) · Crime · Drama · 1:36:39
Categories
Hall of Fame Plaque
Sean FennesseyAn actor's career including Taxi Driver, Joe, Young Frankenstein, and Eddie Coyle - 'you're in the Hall of Fame'▶ 26:11
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsThe theater scene where Andy Mass shows Jake the pornographic film of his daughter - calls it the best scene in the movie▶ 34:22
Chris RyanEngages with the theater scene discussion, noting the theatricality and creepy aspects of Andy's approach▶ 33:00
Sean FennesseyDiscusses the theater scene extensively, focusing on the dramatic impact and questioning the logistics of how Andy found the film▶ 33:32
Great Shot Gordo Award
Bill SimmonsThe funhouse mirror shot of George C. Scott at the tail end of the scene - goes sideways up high and gets blurry as he's losing his mind▶ 36:42
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsBig Dick Black was being honest - he was a name, he was a guy, they would have thrown him the car keys▶ 42:16
Chris RyanDiscussed George C. Scott's quick transformation and the logic of Jake's disguise, but didn't directly answer the Big Dick Black question▶ 42:43
Sean FennesseyDo you think Big Dick Black's claims that he had worked with Harry Reams and Johnny Watt - was he being honest or lying to get a gig?▶ 42:05
What's Aged the Best
Bill SimmonsThree 1970s elements: Hollywood hotel apartments, middle America kitchens/living rooms/wallpaper, and the late 1970s as fertile ground for kidnapping/runaway movie premises due to lack of technology to find people▶ 50:25
Chris RyanJake standing in front of the 'For Those Who Think Pink' hustler billboard - showing his transition from gray/brown Grand Rapids to technicolor Los Angeles▶ 56:36
Big Kahuna Burger Award
Bill SimmonsThe big, heavy Calvinist dinners in Grand Rapids - the big turkey on the table with stuffing, vegetables, cake, and big portions▶ 57:04
Chris RyanSupported the Midwest food theme, describing Chicago portions as 'a pure heart attack' compared to East coast ordering▶ 57:28
Sean FennesseyAgreed with the Midwest dining experience, noting they missed out on that 'pile it on' approach as East coasters▶ 57:18
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Bill SimmonsThe creepy vibe between Jake and his daughter in early scenes, and Warren Beatty's involvement/departure from the project▶ 59:00
Sean FennesseyThe casting of Ila Davis as Kristen and the father's unrealistic calm reaction to learning his daughter is missing▶ 58:08
Overacting Award
Bill SimmonsAll the people who audition like Jizz and Jim - terrible actors that Schrader was enjoying how bad they were, plus the guy who says 'do you want to see my stuff'▶ 1:02:36
Chris RyanRobert De Niro — De Niro's volcanic moment - 'don't you call me lady' scene, though notes it's actually really good acting but he's going for it▶ 1:02:24
Is There a Better Title?
Bill SimmonsNo, keeps 'Hardcore' - likes the double meaning and thinks it works better than the original title 'The Pilgrim'▶ 1:04:49
Sean FennesseySuggests joke title 'Hardcore 2: Big Dick Black's Revenge' but doesn't give serious alternative▶ 1:05:11
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Chris RyanJake Van Dooren left a lot on the table as a porn producer and could have been successful in that industry▶ 1:06:13
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsMelanie Griffith — Discussed Diana Scarwid originally cast but studio said not attractive enough; suggested Melanie Griffith as recast but acknowledged timing issues and that current actress has innocence Griffith lacks▶ 1:08:38
Chris RyanMelanie Griffith — Defended current actress saying she's fine in beginning of movie and problems come from added ending scene; noted Melanie Griffith seems too worldly and savvy▶ 1:09:32
Sean FennesseyMelanie Griffith — Explained Heila Davis was cast partly for comfort with porn scenes; noted Melanie Griffith would work but lacks the innocence of current actress; mentioned Marilyn Chambers was considered for Nicky role▶ 1:09:58
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsJohn Milius called it a wonderful script but lousy movie blaming Paul's direction; Schrader based it on a missing Grand Rapids girl found in porn; filmed in actual sex shops and strip clubs with real adult stars in Season Hubley's scene▶ 1:14:39
Chris RyanCommented on how locals in Grand Rapids weren't happy during filming and joked about explaining the movie's plot to locals at Cracker Barrel▶ 1:15:00
Sean FennesseyAgrees with theory that Season Hubley's Nikki character is essentially older Jodie Foster from Taxi Driver in the Schraderverse - same world weariness, comfort with sex, brightness, and ability to make scenes come alive▶ 1:15:54
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsPeter Boyle — Peter Boyle - Not this movie, but Everybody Loves Raymond is probably his apex mountain▶ 1:17:18
Sean FennesseyPaul Schrader — Paul Schrader - First Reformed, though discusses American Gigolo and Taxi Driver as contenders▶ 1:16:47
Is This Movie Better With
Chris RyanChris Ryan primarily performed impressions of Byron Mayo's character, referencing lines like 'Goddamn, Jizz and Jim' and a scenario involving a daughter, rather than directly stating Byron would improve the movie.▶ 1:29:15
Movies Referenced (23)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi Driver (1976) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan | ▶ 3:15 |
| The Father (2020) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan | ▶ 4:56 |
| Bright (2017) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey | ▶ 37:38 |
| Changeling (2008) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 19:13 |
| Mystic River (2003) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:24 |
| Sideways (2004) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 26:02 |
| The Mask (1994) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 20:11 |
| Boogie Nights (1997) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:17:31 |
| Chappie (2015) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 25:12 |
| Die Hard (1988) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 1:33:07 |
| Easy Rider (1969) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Sean Fennessey | ▶ 7:34 |
| Escape from New York (1981) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 16:31 |
Directors Referenced (5)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Beatty | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey | Heaven Can Wait | ▶ 1:00:48 |
| Iyi Tubi | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey | Ex Machina, World War Z | ▶ 51:28 |
| Mike Nichols | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | The Graduate | ▶ 18:51 |
| John Houston | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 22:44 | |
| Paul Thomas Anderson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Punch-Drunk Love, Licorice Pizza, There Will Be Blood | ▶ 37:59 |
Actors Referenced (35)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George C. Scott | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 34 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan | Patton | ▶ 2:10 |
| Peter Boyle | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey | Taxi Driver | ▶ 25:42 |
| Jack Nicholson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Sean Fennessey, Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Chinatown, As Good as It Gets, The Departed | ▶ 7:34 |
| Erik Porn | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | Pineapple Express | ▶ 1:44 |
| Hal Williams | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | Private Benjamin, Flight | ▶ 1:11:25 |
| Jodie Foster | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey | The Silence of the Lambs, Taxi Driver | ▶ 1:15:54 |
| Liam Neeson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey | Schindler's List, The Grey | ▶ 4:13 |
| Neil Young | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Sean Fennessey | Dead Man, Philadelphia | ▶ 26:11 |
| The Soul Searchers | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey | Bride Wars, Meet the Spartans | ▶ 12:30 |
| Vincent Schiavelli | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | Ghost | ▶ 1:17:04 |
| Andy Massey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Ad Astra, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | ▶ 54:36 |
| Anthony Michael Hall | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Live by Night | ▶ 25:50 |
Writers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Schrader | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 23 | Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan | First Reformed | ▶ 3:02 |
| Andy Greenwald | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:39 |
Cinematographers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shivam Rattan | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | Sonic the Hedgehog 2, House of Gucci | ▶ 54:42 |
| Theo Spearman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Sean Fennessey | Heart of Stone | ▶ 9:41 |
| Tom Rolfe | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Sean Fennessey | ▶ 25:29 |