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‘Rudy’ With Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt

August 22, 2024 · Rudy (1993) · Biography · Drama · Sport · 1:44:00 · ▶ Listen on Spotify

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Hall of Fame Plaque

Bill SimmonsRon Dean - Chicago movie royalty, appeared in multiple Seagal movies and was essential to Chicago cop movies of the 80s and 90s▶ 19:46
Kyle BrandtRon Dean - First ballot Hall of Fame, belongs with Chicago legends like Michael Jordan and Walter Payton, appeared in films from Breakfast Club to The Dark Knight▶ 19:44

Who Won the Movie

Bill SimmonsJerry GoldsmithJerry Goldsmith and the score - argues the score does more heavy lifting than any other movie and is essentially a co-lead with Sean Astin▶ 21:09
Kyle BrandtRon DeanRon Dean (the white assistant coach who goes to bat for Rudy)▶ 20:49

Most Rewatchable Scene

Bill SimmonsSays there's no completely rewatchable scene until 64 minutes, but gives honorable mention to Pete's bar fight with Frank and the subsequent explosion scene with Sean in slow motion▶ 30:29

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Bill SimmonsWas he guilty of manslaughter or unintentional manslaughter - referring to some character's potential legal culpability▶ 31:15
Kyle BrandtDiscussed the workplace safety issues - how the location looked like the most unsafe place in history, like Terminator 2's final act, with workplace accident counters at zero▶ 31:28

Big Kahuna Burger Award

Bill SimmonsThe birthday cupcake▶ 59:27
Kyle BrandtThe pub beers in classic pub mugs▶ 59:42

Butch's Girlfriend Award

Bill SimmonsThe real life Rudy and how he's overshadowed the movie through his post-movie behavior, motivational speaking career, legal troubles, and exploitation of his story▶ 1:01:14
Kyle BrandtAgrees with Bill's pick about real life Rudy, adding that his abrasive personality and inappropriate behavior (like lecturing Manti Te'o about knowing Notre Dame history) supports this choice▶ 1:01:17

Is There a Better Title?

Coach Finstock Life Lesson

Kyle BrandtHaving dreams makes life tolerable▶ 1:07:49

Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Bill SimmonsIf they were going to take liberties with the true story, they should have gone further - having Rudy mentor Joe Montana, create the college football playoff, NIL, or even ESPN▶ 1:09:33
Kyle BrandtRudy'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▶ 1:08:21

Casting What-Ifs

Bill SimmonsMatt DamonMatt Damon was considered for Rudy instead of Sean Astin - casting director said Damon had the most exciting audition but was rejected for being too tall▶ 1:11:46
Kyle BrandtMatt DillonGuessed Matt Dillon was considered for Rudy role, then suggested they could have written in a scene where Matt Damon takes the letter to his [cuts off]▶ 1:11:33

Movies Referenced (35)

Title (year)LinksMentionsMentioned byFirst
All the Right Moves (1983)IMDb ↗Lb ↗3Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 17:15
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)IMDb ↗Lb ↗3Bill Simmons▶ 11:51
Field of Dreams (1989)IMDb ↗Lb ↗2Kyle Brandt, Bill Simmons▶ 14:24
He Got Game (1998)IMDb ↗Lb ↗2Bill Simmons▶ 13:30
Interview with the Vampire (1994)IMDb ↗Lb ↗2Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 25:30
Remember the Titans (2000)IMDb ↗Lb ↗2Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 13:48
The Exorcist (1973)IMDb ↗Lb ↗2Bill Simmons▶ 18:21
Alien (1979)IMDb ↗Lb ↗1Bill Simmons▶ 21:57
Any Given Sunday (1999)IMDb ↗Lb ↗1Bill Simmons▶ 13:30
Back to the Future (1985)IMDb ↗Lb ↗1Kyle Brandt▶ 22:59
Basic Instinct (1992)IMDb ↗Lb ↗1Bill Simmons▶ 21:57
Chariots of Fire (1981)IMDb ↗Lb ↗1Bill Simmons▶ 24:16

Directors Referenced (1)

NameLinksMentionsMentioned byKnown ForFirst
Spike LeeIMDb ↗Lb ↗1Bill SimmonsDo the Right Thing, Malcolm X, She's Gotta Have It▶ 18:11

Actors Referenced (38)

NameLinksMentionsMentioned byKnown ForFirst
Bill ContiIMDb ↗Lb ↗14Kyle Brandt, Bill SimmonsFor Your Eyes Only, Rocky▶ 1:38
Ron DeanIMDb ↗Lb ↗11Kyle Brandt, Bill SimmonsThe Fugitive, The Breakfast Club, The Dark Knight▶ 19:18
Joe MontanaIMDb ↗Lb ↗10Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 47:11
Sean AstinIMDb ↗Lb ↗10Kyle Brandt, Bill Simmons▶ 17:38
Vince VaughnIMDb ↗Lb ↗10Kyle Brandt, Bill SimmonsWedding Crashers, Couples Retreat▶ 39:01
Charles S. DuttonIMDb ↗Lb ↗8Bill Simmons, Kyle BrandtA Time to Kill▶ 18:07
Jamie O'HaraIMDb ↗Lb ↗8Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 17:57
Matt DamonIMDb ↗Lb ↗6Bill Simmons, Kyle BrandtGood Will Hunting, The Martian, The Departed▶ 1:11:33
Ned BeattyIMDb ↗Lb ↗5Kyle Brandt, Bill SimmonsNetwork, Deliverance, Shooter▶ 17:52
Anthony Michael HallIMDb ↗Lb ↗3Bill Simmons, Kyle BrandtLive by Night▶ 18:59
Caleb WilliamsIMDb ↗Lb ↗3Kyle Brandt▶ 14:30
Michael JordanIMDb ↗Lb ↗3Bill Simmons, Kyle BrandtSpace Jam, He Got Game▶ 19:56

Writers Referenced (4)

NameLinksMentionsMentioned byKnown ForFirst
Angelo PizzoIMDb ↗Lb ↗4Bill SimmonsHoosiers, Rudy▶ 26:23
Jon FavreauIMDb ↗Lb ↗2Bill SimmonsChef, Iron Man, Swingers▶ 17:46
Roger EbertIMDb ↗Lb ↗2Bill Simmons▶ 29:00
Lily TaylorIMDb ↗Lb ↗1Bill Simmons▶ 19:02