‘Man on Fire’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
December 6, 2022 · Man on Fire (2004) · Action · Crime · Drama · 1:21:41 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Great Shot Gordo Award
Bill SimmonsAgrees with SPEAKER_01's assessment that Tony Scott 'goes for it the most of any Tony Scott movie' and specifically highlights 'the last 15 minutes of this movie are among my favorite of this century'▶ 9:37
Chris RyanArgues the entire movie deserves recognition - 'It's Great Frame Tony through this entire movie' - comparing Tony Scott's visual style to Jason Williams where 'every shot is a trick'▶ 9:18
Big Kahuna Burger Award
Chris RyanThe lunch scene after swim practice/meet with the double date including Christopher Walken▶ 40:46
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Bill SimmonsInitially said no weak link because loves every part, but then suggested the ending with Creasy dying followed by the date/other guy dying▶ 42:36
Chris RyanThe title card showing 'John Creasy, 1964 to 2004' - called it the worst part of the movie▶ 42:44
Best Quote
Bill SimmonsYou said forgiveness is between them and God. That's my job to arrange a meeting.▶ 45:43
Chris RyanThis is a man could be an artist in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at a cruise. He's artist death. He's about to paint his masterpiece.▶ 45:59
Picking Nits
Bill SimmonsThe plan where the kid gets kidnapped in a bloody shootout is unrealistic - how stupid do you have to be to green light that plan?▶ 47:18
Bill SimmonsIf Creasy survives, you have to take him out in the hospital - don't let that guy live▶ 47:55
Chris RyanAgrees with the kidnapping plan criticism - they know Creasy will kill people if pressed but still proceed with grabbing the kid▶ 47:47
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsRussell Crowe — Discusses Russell Crowe being offered Creasy role but turning it down, mentions Will Smith would have been good but not as good as Denzel, notes various other casting possibilities including De Niro, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis for Creasy and Marlon Brando for Rayburn▶ 49:46
Chris RyanRussell Crowe — Suggests the movie should have been a Proof of Life sequel with Russell Crowe's Terry Thorne character, proposes adding Caruso and Walken to create 'Proof of Life 2: Mexico City', mentions Will Smith as intriguing casting option▶ 50:00
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsMickey Rourke and Denzel didn't get along; Dakota missing front teeth was kept; Denzel did 10 days weapons training; Mexico City crew targeted for kidnapping; original ending had Denzel with butt bomb blowing up voice's house▶ 56:36
Chris RyanDeleted scenes include original ending with Denzel's butt bomb revenge on the voice, and cut sex scene between Denzel and Radha Mitchell that explains weird chemistry/dialogue▶ 58:06
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsDakota Fanning — No for Denzel, Tony Scott, and Walken. Yes for Dakota Fanning - argues she was going toe-to-toe with Denzel and seemed like a generational actor▶ 1:00:16
Sequel/Prequel/Limited Series/Remake
Bill SimmonsPrequel - exploring Denzel's character through counterterrorism in the 80s and 90s▶ 1:07:34
Chris RyanAgrees prequel would be awesome but raises concerns about pacing for prestige TV format▶ 1:07:38
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsWayne Jenkins, Danny Trejo, Catherine Han, Steve Buscemi, Sam Jackson, JT Walsh, or Philip Baker Hall▶ 1:08:13
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsDid John Wick rip off this movie? Does Devante Adams tribute this movie with his walk? Why wouldn't Creasy kill everyone at the end? How many fingers could you lose before telling the truth?▶ 1:10:42
Chris RyanJohn Wick has Creasy vibes - damaged ex-assassin who wants to be retired. Creasy knows he's dying from gunshot wounds, explaining why he made the deal.▶ 1:10:50
Coach Finstock Life Lesson
Chris RyanIf your lawyer tells you that your wife is a sweet piece of ass, get a different lawyer▶ 1:16:32
Who Won the Movie
Bill SimmonsDenzel Washington — Denzel Washington - calls it his favorite Denzel movie, though acknowledges Dakota Fanning, Tony Scott, and Watkins all benefited▶ 1:17:54
Chris RyanTony Scott — Tony Scott - calls this his favorite hallucinatory Tony Scott movie and probably the best example of his style▶ 1:17:51
Movies Referenced (44)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proof of Life (2000) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 49:55 |
| Training Day (2001) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 6:16 |
| John Wick (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 11:41 |
| He Got Game (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 6:48 |
| Brazil (1985) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 34:56 |
| Fast Five (2011) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 2:36 |
| 2012 (2009) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:02 |
| Total Recall (1990) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 53:58 |
| Unforgiven (1992) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 7:58 |
| American Gangster (2007) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 14:31 |
| Crimson Tide (1995) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 6:02 |
| Deja Vu (2006) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 6:02 |
Directors Referenced (7)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Scott | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 26 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Unstoppable, True Romance | ▶ 2:43 |
| Jack Daniels | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 28:15 | |
| Antoine Fuqua | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | The Magnificent Seven, The Equalizer | ▶ 20:56 |
| Michael Bay | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Armageddon | ▶ 51:34 |
| Ben Affleck | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Argo, Gone Girl, The Town | ▶ 48:05 |
| Clint Eastwood | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven | ▶ 7:57 |
| John Colorado | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Hancock | ▶ 1:21:09 |
Actors Referenced (57)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denzel Washington | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 76 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 2:43 | |
| Dakota Fanning | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 27 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | War of the Worlds, I Am Sam, Man on Fire | ▶ 3:04 |
| Christopher Walken | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 14 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Catch Me If You Can, The Deer Hunter | ▶ 7:19 |
| Mickey Rourke | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 14 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Sin City, The Wrestler, Angel Heart | ▶ 35:49 |
| Caroline Bible | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 1:15:06 | |
| Crazy Town | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Something's Gotta Give | ▶ 1:02:48 |
| Laura Linney | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:09:26 | |
| Radha Mitchell | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | Man on Fire | ▶ 35:52 |
| The Game | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Street Kings, The A-Team, Coach Carter | ▶ 6:48 |
| David Caruso | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | First Blood, Proof of Life | ▶ 49:36 |
| Natalie Portman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons | Black Swan | ▶ 19:06 |
| Russell Crowe | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons | Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind | ▶ 49:46 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm X | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | Malcolm X | ▶ 5:34 |
| Joan Didion | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | A Star Is Born | ▶ 16:45 |
| Julie Siege | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 14:00 |
Cinematographers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Creasy | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 30 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Terminator Genisys | ▶ 1:41 |
| Adam Macbeth | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 14:52 |