‘The Town’ With Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, and Chris Ryan
August 2, 2019 · The Town (2010) · Crime · Drama · Thriller · 1:53:15 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsMultiple scenes from the opening heist sequence including the pre-robbery meeting, bank robber masks, Claire working the safe, and Claire walking to the water blindfolded; also mentions the scene where Affleck asks Renner for help and the lunch scene with slow motion▶ 32:17
Chris RyanSupports the opening heist discussion and adds appreciation for specific shots like the title card with Claire and the water, plus details about character dynamics in various scenes▶ 34:05
Ryen RussilloAgrees with opening heist elements, particularly likes the technical aspects and the 'there goes college soccer' line from the scene where they beat up the Dominican guys▶ 32:24
What's Aged the Best
Bill SimmonsCharlestown setting, Jack Clark Red Sox joke, Affleck's Boston accent, Blake Lively's performance and character, decision not to use alternate ending where Doug dies, old Sully's/new Sully's concept, Jeremy Renner's performance, Fergie's bodyguards with 02129 tattoo, Pete the florist scene▶ 1:03:15
Chris RyanDecision not to kill Doug in alternate ending, Jeremy Renner's performance and how he carries himself as the character, the cop turning away scene▶ 1:05:09
Ryen RussilloJack Clark joke as deep Red Sox reference, Blake Lively's performance defense, realistic Boston dating scene portrayal, Jeremy Renner's casting and performance over Matt Damon▶ 1:03:28
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsJeremy Renner — Adrian Linn was almost director (would have meant more Chris Coughlin scenes), Mark Wahlberg was originally wanted for Jim but was busy with The Fighter, Casey Affleck suggested Jeremy Renner who got the role▶ 1:17:34
Chris RyanJeremy Renner — Added context about Renner being cast after Hurt Locker but before it came out, compared scheduling conflict to There Will Be Blood/No Country situation▶ 1:18:12
Joey Pants Award
Ryen RussilloSlaine — Agrees with Slane, noting he's also in Gone Baby Gone as the helpful drug dealer and doesn't overdo the Boston accent▶ 1:19:01
Dion Waiters Award
Bill SimmonsBlake Lively — Wake Lab - hits 11 threes, double-double, no turnovers, blocked seven shots in four scenes▶ 1:23:44
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsFormer Mass Bank branch in Melrose used for first robbery; Chris Cooper scene at MCI Cedar Junction prison; movie claimed 300 bank robberies per year in Boston but only 23 reported in MA vs 136 in CA; Charlestown had backlash over portrayal; was accurate in mid-90s when book was set but area gentrified (Johnny's Food Master became Whole Foods)▶ 1:27:55
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsBlake Lively — Not Rebecca Hall (suggests Iron Man 3 might be hers); Yes for Fenway Park (coming off two World Series, confident enough to allow movie shooting); Yes for Blake Lively▶ 1:29:32
Chris RyanIron Man 3 — Iron Man 3 for Rebecca Hall in terms of commercial peak; uncertain about Blake Lively's performance reception▶ 1:29:41
Ryen RussilloBlake Lively — Yes for Blake Lively - defends her performance passionately, says critics who knocked her have never hung out in that town▶ 1:33:18
Best Quote
Chris RyanDoug's quote about finding another truck with a driver who's a fat kid whose shit's untucked and doesn't think he's special forces▶ 1:39:04
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsMultiple questions: Where did gang get uniforms? How did Claire fix ice rink with stolen money? Why would Red Sox owners show how easy it is to rob Fenway? How good at hockey was Doug McRae (homeless man's Cam Neely)?▶ 1:43:10
Chris RyanWhether movie is better if Lively and Hall flip roles since Hall is objectively probably a better actress. Also questioned the $3 million cash sitting around at Fenway during Yankees series.▶ 1:44:44
Ryen RussilloDoes Chris go to jail? Shine probably living in New Hampshire with cousins after Chris died, tells stories about her mom stopping the Fenway heist. Doug would make money on signings so wouldn't need to rob banks.▶ 1:43:45
Who Won the Movie
Bill SimmonsBen Affleck — Ben Affleck - sets up his next four years, Argo, Batman, Gone Girl, completes the comeback▶ 1:46:56
Chris RyanJeremy Renner — Jeremy Renner - incredible performance, one of the best crime movie performances ever seen▶ 1:46:35
Ryen RussilloBoston - the city wins, supported by extensive historical context about Boston's character▶ 1:46:58
Movies Referenced (54)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gone Baby Gone (2007) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 3:47 |
| Nope (2022) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 29:11 |
| Spotlight (2015) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 18:50 |
| The Departed (2006) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 7:47 |
| Black Mass (2015) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Ryen Russillo | ▶ 21:26 |
| Argo (2012) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 3:44 |
| Good Will Hunting (1997) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 4:02 |
| Rushmore (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 17:35 |
| Batman (1989) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:39 |
| Gone Girl (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 3:37 |
| Reservoir Dogs (1992) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | ▶ 24:40 |
| Say Anything (1989) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | ▶ 16:52 |
Directors Referenced (1)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 12 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | Argo, Gone Girl, The Town | ▶ 2:59 |
Actors Referenced (50)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Renner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 44 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | The Hurt Locker, The Town, Wind River | ▶ 15:36 |
| Blake Lively | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 26 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | The Town | ▶ 3:12 |
| Matt Damon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 16 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | Good Will Hunting, The Martian, The Departed | ▶ 4:07 |
| Rebecca Hall | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Ryen Russillo | Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Town, The Prestige | ▶ 1:29:31 |
| Crazy Town | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Ryen Russillo | Something's Gotta Give | ▶ 0:10 |
| Jon Hamm | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Ryen Russillo, Bill Simmons | The Town | ▶ 7:37 |
| Will Smith | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | Men in Black, I Am Legend | ▶ 4:02 |
| AiNA THE END | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 39:04 | |
| Cam Neely | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | Dumb and Dumber, Stuck on You | ▶ 1:45:37 |
| Mark Wahlberg | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo | The Fighter, Boogie Nights, The Departed | ▶ 7:09 |
| Jennifer Garner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | Daredevil, 13 Going on 30 | ▶ 1:11:10 |
| Jimmy Fallon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 21:54 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brita McVeigh | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Ryen Russillo | Love at First Sight | ▶ 40:06 |
| Chuck Hogan | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Town | ▶ 22:07 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 30:26 |
Cinematographers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Scott | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Ryen Russillo, Chris Ryan | Speed, Twister, Donnie Darko | ▶ 32:58 |
| Mike Tribble | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:11:03 |