‘The Karate Kid’ With Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo
March 26, 2020 · The Karate Kid (1984) · Action · Drama · Family · 1:51:40 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsFirst beach fight scene and Halloween fight scene - discusses both in detail as rewatchable moments▶ 29:43
What's Aged the Best
Bill SimmonsBill Conti's music, decision not to use original ending, golf and stuff entertainment complex/date montage location, Mrs. LaRusso on Mount Rushmore of 80s pop culture moms, and 'get him a body bag' line▶ 1:00:13
Ryen RussilloAgrees with 'get him a body bag' line and Tommy's performance, appreciates the sincere mother-son restaurant scene with Mrs. LaRusso▶ 1:04:28
Joey Pants Award
Bill SimmonsRandee Heller — Randy Heller (who plays the mom) - citing her roles in Fast Break, The White Shadow, The Karate Kid, and Melrose Place▶ 1:16:47
Ryen RussilloChad McQueen — Mentioned Dutch (Chad McQueen) as most psychotic Cobra Kai guy, but Bill noted he's Steve McQueen's son so not really 'that guy' category▶ 1:17:42
Dion Waiters Award
Bill SimmonsMartin Kove — Narrowed down to three nominees: John Crease, Dutch (Chad McQueen), and the karate tournament announcer. Initially favored the announcer but agreed to give it to Crease▶ 1:21:05
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsSarah Jessica Parker — Sarah Jessica Parker as the best friend - suggests the movie needed at least one 'semi smoking hot friend' for the Cobra Kai guys to pursue▶ 1:26:29
Ryen RussilloSarah Jessica Parker — Agrees with Sarah Jessica Parker casting - supports the idea that Dutch, Tommy, and Bobby would complain about the current friends and want better options▶ 1:26:52
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsExtensive trivia including: movie backstory as Rocky ripoff, Bananarama's Cruel Summer chart success, Ralph Macchio keeping the yellow car, Pat Morita's drinking scene almost cut, deleted cafeteria fight scenes, product placement issues, and various production facts▶ 1:27:01
Ryen RussilloAdded details about the 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Club convertible, praised William Zabka's athleticism and footwork, discussed deleted scenes showing Daniel's maturity confronting Johnny, and emphasized Zabka's impressive martial arts abilities despite being a wrestling background▶ 1:28:02
Picking Nits
Bill SimmonsRalph Macchio's awkward kissing where he attacks her upper lip, though he defends it as character-appropriate for an awkward kid▶ 1:37:35
Ryen RussilloRalph Macchio's kissing scene is so bad it makes you think he's a bad kisser in real life▶ 1:37:14
Best Quote
Bill SimmonsMentions several quotes including 'man who can catch fly with chopsticks can do anything' and 'what's the matter? Mommy not here to address you,' but identifies 'sweep the leg' or 'get him a body bag' as the top contenders, with 'sweep the leg' being most culturally enduring▶ 1:37:56
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsMultiple questions: Daniel went to Cal Fullerton, Johnny went to Duke (friends with Danny Ferry), Allie went to USC, Dutch's first name was probably Bob/Alex/Kenny Dutch, crane kick led to thousands getting beat up, Miyagi could have saved Kevin Durant in 2019▶ 1:39:11
Ryen RussilloAllie went to Wisconsin then transferred to USC or went to Wheaton College in Mass, LaRusso might have peaked at the tournament and only made it to junior college, thousands tried the crane kick over 30+ years▶ 1:40:24
Who Won the Movie
Bill SimmonsWilliam Zabka — William Zabka - acknowledges cases could be made for Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio, but ultimately decides Zabka won the movie as the best and hardest part that could have gone wrong in many ways▶ 1:49:13
Ryen RussilloWilliam Zabka — Supports William Zabka for his incredible staying power and how well he's handled his career, also mentions Elizabeth Shue as a winner since she avoided complications with Daniel▶ 1:47:46
Movies Referenced (39)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beach (2000) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 12 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 14:02 |
| Revenge of the Nerds (1984) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 9:49 |
| Better Off Dead (1985) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 5:21 |
| Halloween (1978) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 25:47 |
| Just One of the Guys (1985) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 12:33 |
| Police Academy (1984) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 9:37 |
| Rushmore (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 33:12 |
| Set It Up (2018) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 1:32:11 |
| Sucker Punch (2011) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 51:26 |
| Sunshine (2007) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 13:43 |
| The Longest Yard (2005) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 4:25 |
| Transformers (2007) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 1:14:47 |
Directors Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Hughes | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck, The Breakfast Club | ▶ 10:01 |
| Sean Penn | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Mystic River, 21 Grams, Dead Man Walking | ▶ 1:12:35 |
Actors Referenced (59)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Zabka | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 25 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | The Karate Kid, Hot Tub Time Machine | ▶ 5:21 |
| Vincent LaRusso | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 21 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 2:56 | |
| Ralph Macchio | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 17 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | The Karate Kid, My Cousin Vinny | ▶ 23:57 |
| Pat Morita | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons | The Karate Kid | ▶ 17:59 |
| Bill Cosby | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:03:16 | |
| Robert Downey Jr. | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | Iron Man, Iron Man 3 | ▶ 1:11:34 |
| Chad McQueen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | The Karate Kid | ▶ 1:17:51 |
| Matt Dillon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | There's Something About Mary, Crash | ▶ 27:40 |
| Charlie Sheen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | Wall Street | ▶ 1:11:37 |
| LeBron James | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:01:16 | |
| Michael Jackson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 9:13 | |
| Sarah Jessica Parker | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | Sex and the City | ▶ 1:13:50 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Springsteen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | The Wrestler, Philadelphia | ▶ 9:13 |
| Andrew Cosby | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:03:16 | |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 28:31 |