‘Margin Call’ With Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, and Brian Koppelman
September 20, 2022 · Margin Call (2011) · Drama · Thriller · 1:33:59
Categories
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsCouldn't come up with an answer for recasting - likes movies that catch people at awesome points of their career▶ 12:39
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsMultiple scenes including Eric Dale getting laid off with Bettany's shoulder slap, Bettany explaining the model to Spacey, the balcony scene where Bettany talks about fear of jumping and breaks down his salary, the first Irons scene with 'biggest bag of odorous excrement' and music stopping speech, Irons vs Spacey confrontation, and Spacey tries to quit scene▶ 39:58
What's Aged the Best
Bill SimmonsThe storytelling and impressive body of work that came after - books, movies, magazine articles, documentaries that captured the event correctly; the incredible use of the custodian in the elevator scene; Penn Badgley's career post-You▶ 54:36
Brian KoppelmanMovies that take place in one night with massive decisions being made while people sleep as a metaphor for how we're unaware of decisions that will affect us; the three-dimensional portrayal of Demi Moore's character; Zachary Quinto's career transformation and credibility gained from this movie▶ 55:01
Ryen RussilloGoldman Sachs' share price performance (from $50 in 2008 to $426 peak, closed at $340) and the deeper conversation about Goldman as a bank that made the right calls before 2008▶ 56:51
Den of Thieves Benihana Award
Bill SimmonsThe corporate dining room when Irons is eating his steak - the big, empty, awesome dining room with views of the entire city and one guy eating by himself▶ 59:36
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Bill SimmonsKevin Spacey's baggage from real-life controversies affecting the viewing experience, and The Big Short overshadowing this film's impact▶ 1:01:17
Brian KoppelmanAgrees with Spacey being problematic due to real-life baggage, though notes it somewhat fits since he's playing a morally bankrupt character▶ 1:03:45
Ryen RussilloThe overnight driving through the city scene where Penn says 'these people have no idea' - feels weaker compared to how The Big Short handled similar themes▶ 1:02:42
Ron Burgundy Flute Award
Bill SimmonsWhen Penn Badgley is crying - can leave for about 75 seconds during the crying and shaving scene▶ 1:04:03
Brian KoppelmanAgrees with Bill's pick but likes the shaving part of the scene, acknowledges it's a valid 75-second bathroom break▶ 1:04:13
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Bill SimmonsI like this movie more than The Big Short - it's a better, more satisfying, more rewatchable movie▶ 1:07:46
Ryen RussilloIf this movie comes out in 2022, Demi Moore's character becomes Jeremy Irons (the hero), not the scapegoat - they wouldn't make the one woman the head that rolls▶ 1:08:19
Overacting Award
Brian KoppelmanNo overacting - performances are perfect, even big moments are earned because of the stakes▶ 1:10:45
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsShot in 17 days, 80% on 42nd floor of One Penn Plaza vacated by trading firm, Jeremy Irons visa issues required U.S. senators' help during July 4th weekend (thanked in credits), and Eric Dale made math error saying 559,020 days instead of 5.59 million days▶ 1:15:49
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsZachary Quinto — Kinto (producer/star) and possibly Paul Bettany, but notes Bettany's Avengers work might be his actual peak▶ 1:16:44
Brian KoppelmanPaul Bettany — Paul Bettany (became a true leading man) and J.C. Chandor (became A-list director)▶ 1:17:08
Ryen RussilloZachary Quinto — Discusses difficulty of the category, mentions Kinto played Spock well but doesn't definitively commit to any pick▶ 1:17:42
Racehorse Name Award
Bill SimmonsDiscussed multiple options: Margin Call, Picky Nets, and liked Brian's 'John Told' suggestion▶ 1:18:51
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsPhilip Baker Hall — Philip Baker Hall as a new character in the background during the layoff scene at the beginning▶ 1:25:46
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Brian KoppelmanHow long does Spacey stay at the firm? He thinks Spacey stays for 10 years and never leaves, dies at his desk▶ 1:27:13
Ryen RussilloHow long does Spacey stay? At least five years, because his options are worthless now so he'll build them back up▶ 1:27:15
Best Double Feature
Brian KoppelmanThe Wolf of Wall Street — Either Wolf of Wall Street or Sweet Smell of Success▶ 1:27:34
Who Won the Movie
Bill SimmonsJ.C. Chandor — J.C. Chandor (director) wins, with Jeremy Irons as runner-up/silver medalist▶ 1:30:31
Movies Referenced (30)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Street (1987) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 17 | Brian Koppelman, Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 1:54 |
| The Big Short (2015) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Ryen Russillo, Brian Koppelman, Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:10 |
| Limitless (2011) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman | ▶ 31:04 |
| Michael Clayton (2007) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman | ▶ 24:21 |
| Fargo (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:06:15 |
| Jumper (2008) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 38:38 |
| Match Point (2005) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Brian Koppelman, Bill Simmons | ▶ 11:36 |
| Very Bad Things (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 2:59 |
| A Beautiful Mind (2001) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 1:18:06 |
| All Is Lost (2013) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Brian Koppelman | ▶ 33:14 |
| Basic Instinct (1992) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Brian Koppelman | ▶ 1:29:53 |
| Before We Go (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:32:22 |
Directors Referenced (6)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Ryen Russillo, Brian Koppelman, Bill Simmons | Argo, Gone Girl, The Town | ▶ 24:52 |
| Ben Younger | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Brian Koppelman | Boiler Room | ▶ 26:04 |
| J.C. Chandor | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Brian Koppelman | Margin Call, All Is Lost | ▶ 5:34 |
| Kevin Costner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Brian Koppelman | Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves | ▶ 24:59 |
| Michael Berry | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Brian Koppelman | ▶ 1:20:38 | |
| Oliver Stone | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Brian Koppelman | Born on the Fourth of July, Platoon, JFK | ▶ 26:10 |
Actors Referenced (41)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Spacey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 28 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman, Ryen Russillo | L.A. Confidential, The Usual Suspects, American Beauty | ▶ 9:38 |
| Stanley Tucci | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 20 | Brian Koppelman, Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | Spotlight | ▶ 6:02 |
| Penn Badgley | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 16 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman, Ryen Russillo | Easy A | ▶ 6:18 |
| Jeremy Irons | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 15 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman, Ryen Russillo | The Lion King, Assassin's Creed | ▶ 9:10 |
| Paul Bettany | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 15 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 7:00 | |
| Simon Baker | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 15 | Brian Koppelman, Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | Margin Call, The Devil Wears Prada | ▶ 7:30 |
| Demi Moore | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | Striptease, Indecent Proposal | ▶ 53:44 |
| Jared Cohen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman | ▶ 10:49 | |
| Philip Baker Hall | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman | Magnolia, Boogie Nights | ▶ 1:25:17 |
| Tom Hanks | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman | Cast Away, Big, Forrest Gump | ▶ 1:12:23 |
| John Wells | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Brian Koppelman | For Your Eyes Only | ▶ 24:59 |
| Matthew McConaughey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club, Magic Mike | ▶ 25:35 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Koppelman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Bill Simmons | Runaway Jury, Michael Clayton | ▶ 1:42 |
| Mark Bulow | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Molly's Game | ▶ 1:15:31 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 37:09 |
Cinematographers Referenced (1)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Willis | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Godfather Part II | ▶ 59:52 |