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‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

March 17, 2026 · To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) · Action · Crime · Drama · 2:12:54 · ▶ Listen on Spotify

IMDb ↗Letterboxd ↗

Categories

Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Bill Simmons▶ 22:25Agrees with the take about Petersen's missed opportunities, citing specific roles he turned down: Henry Hill in Goodfellas (for Young Guns 2 and Kennedy's miniseries), a major role in Heat, and Platoon. Could have been Costner-level star
Bill Simmons▶ 1:37:44William Petersen and Don Johnson could have just switched careers in 1984 -- Petersen as Sonny Crockett, Johnson in these two Friedkin/Mann movies; Johnson wouldn't have been freaked out by them, it would have been better for him, and it all ends with him on a procedural anyway (Nash Bridges).
Chris Ryan▶ 23:08Supports the hottest take by acknowledging the missed opportunities in Platoon and other films, agreeing that Petersen had the potential for much bigger stardom
Chris Ryan▶ 1:38:26Two takes: (1) this movie is what Heat would feel like with no Natalie Portman character -- the LA crime saga with the fat trimmed; (2) it's a better movie than The French Connection.
Sean Fennessey▶ 21:59William Petersen is two movie choices away from being in the Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas, Jeff Bridges, Richard Gere, Bruce Willis tier of stardom - could have been in the Mel Gibson zone of fame if he had made different choices in 86-87 and 89-90
Sean Fennessey▶ 1:38:59Said he already did his hottest take earlier (outside this window); within the window backs Chris up -- The French Connection has not aged well as a watch, unlike The Exorcist.

Apex Mountain

Bill Simmons▶ 37:47Wang Chung — Wang Chung - suggests renaming the category to 'Wang Chung Apex Mountain' because they had both this movie and Breakfast Club in the same year
Chris Ryan▶ 38:21Wang Chung — Wang Chung - agrees with the assessment and discusses their career impact through these movies
Sean Fennessey▶ 41:21Discusses William Friedkin's talent for music selection across multiple films but doesn't explicitly state Wang Chung is at apex mountain

Bill's Mount Rushmore of car chases

Mount Rushmore · Bill Simmons · ▶ 46:12

  1. ·Bullitt (1968)▶ 46:12
  2. ·The French Connection (1971)▶ 46:16
  3. ·To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)▶ 46:12
  4. ·Ronin (1998)▶ 46:12

Categories, continued

Most Rewatchable Scene

Bill Simmons▶ 52:03Multiple scenes: opening credits with Wang Chung into Peterson Hotel Chase; opening credits into art burning and bungee jump; cops in bar scene; counterfeit money scene with Wang Chung music; Turturro almost getting killed in prison; Amtrak shooting and chase scene; Chance gets killed; final scene 'You're working for me now'
Sean Fennessey▶ 59:35Two additional scenes: murder of Max Waxman getting shot in the dick, and the sex scene

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Bill Simmons▶ 1:05:27Why does the character wear a Mike Webster Steelers jersey instead of more famous players like Terry Bradshaw or Mean Joe Greene
Chris Ryan▶ 1:06:00How did Chance have time to learn about Quentin Daily's game stats between arriving at Union Station at 4:45 PM and showing up at Ruth's house around 9-10 PM, especially given the timeline constraints

What's Aged the Best

Bill Simmons▶ 1:09:42Making counterfeit money as viewing experience, calling people 'amigo', Jane Leaves' hot girl run, bungee jumping, villains referring to themselves in third person, 80s movie lawyers with cocktails who look like they're about to play tennis, decision to show Peterson's face but not body in dumpster, having/losing a witness trope, Jimmy being 'too old for this shit/two days to retirement' trope
Chris Ryan▶ 1:10:08The 'Dr. George Victor' alias introduction, remnants of 1960s threading through movie (ex-hippie lawyer, Vietnam veteran cops), Rick being bisexual fine artist with psychotic killer, Dean Stockwell's defense attorney having beer during lunch break at trial, various cinematography shots including Ruth at topless bar in green/red lighting
Sean Fennessey▶ 1:11:29Being able to pretend to be businessman with glove box contents as proof, calling money 'paper', Willem Dafoe as villain, insane characters having artistic hobbies (like Rick's fine art), various cinematography including eye through windshield during car chase and Dafoe looking at burning painting

Butch's Girlfriend Award

Bill Simmons▶ 1:26:38Quentin Daly (with Pankow as backup choice)
Chris Ryan▶ 1:27:37Agrees Pankow is weak, suggests Andy Garcia would have been better casting
Sean Fennessey▶ 1:27:10Thinks Pankow is not interesting enough, provides casting backstory

Casting What-Ifs

Bill Simmons▶ 1:27:50John Malkovich — John Malkovich for the Pankow part, with additional suggestions of Stanley Tucci, Will Patton, and Michael Biehn
Chris Ryan▶ 1:29:40John Malkovich — Supports John Malkovich as a good recasting choice for the Pankow role
Sean Fennessey▶ 1:29:49Kelsey Grammer — Kelsey Grammer and Bill Paxton as alternative casting suggestions for the Pankow role

Best Quote

Chris Ryan▶ 1:40:58The check is in the mail, and I love you, and I promise not to come in your mouth
Sean Fennessey▶ 1:35:40I'm getting too old for this shit

Secret Service movies

Unranked list · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey · ▶ 1:45:43

  1. ·In the Line of Fire (1993) · Bill Simmons▶ 1:45:43
  2. ·Olympus Has Fallen (2013) · Sean Fennessey▶ 1:45:49
  3. ·The Interpreter (2005) · Sean Fennessey▶ 1:45:54
  4. ·The Sentinel (2006) · Bill Simmons▶ 1:45:57
  5. ·Along Came a Spider (2001) · Sean Fennessey▶ 1:46:01
  6. ·Guarding Tess (1994) · Sean Fennessey▶ 1:46:07
  7. ·The Bodyguard (1992) · Sean Fennessey▶ 1:46:13
  8. ·Dave (1993) · Bill Simmons▶ 1:46:27

Categories, continued

Is This Movie Better With

Bill Simmons▶ 1:55:02Introduces the category with Wayne Jenkins, Fergie the florist, and Zane Lowe as options; engages with Zane Lowe discussion but doesn't give a definitive answer; also test drives Ryan Rucco and Doris Burke calling the car chase
Chris Ryan▶ 1:55:09Zane Lowe — Enthusiastically supports Zane Lowe, does an extended Zane Lowe impression interviewing Chance and Rick Masters
Sean Fennessey▶ 1:56:02Zane Lowe — Expresses skepticism about the Zane Lowe concept, questions the idea of Zane Lowe inviting a local cop on his show to discuss what he's investigating

Who Won the Movie

Bill Simmons▶ 2:03:54William Petersen — Peterson - because this starts his career and eventually leads to CSI
Chris Ryan▶ 2:03:54Willem Dafoe — Freak

Movies Referenced (78)

Miami Vice (2006)

20 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 3:15IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Platoon (1986)

9 mentions · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan▶ 23:04IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Manhunter (1986)

5 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 18:40IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Spider-Man (2002)

5 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey▶ 30:28IMDb ↗Lb ↗

The French Connection (1971)

5 mentions · Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan▶ 11:21IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Body Double (1984)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 45:19IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Field of Dreams (1989)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 26:06IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Heat (1995)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 3:45IMDb ↗Lb ↗

In the Line of Fire (1993)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan▶ 1:45:44IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Lethal Weapon (1987)

3 mentions · Chris Ryan▶ 52:16IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Mississippi Burning (1988)

3 mentions · Sean Fennessey, Bill Simmons▶ 29:47IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Repo Man (1984)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 13:54IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Directors Referenced (17)

Rick Masters

37 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey · Known for Born on the Fourth of July▶ 14:25IMDb ↗Lb ↗

William Friedkin

13 mentions · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan · Known for To Live and Die in L.A., The French Connection, The Exorcist▶ 14:08IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Mel Gibson

6 mentions · Sean Fennessey, Bill Simmons · Known for Braveheart, Lethal Weapon 3, Conspiracy Theory▶ 21:59IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Tony Scott

4 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Domino, Unstoppable, True Romance▶ 1:09:22IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Michael Mann

2 mentions · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey · Known for The Insider, Collateral, The Last of the Mohicans▶ 42:31IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Walt Frasier

2 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 6:58IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Wes Anderson

2 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Royal Tenenbaums, Isle of Dogs▶ 32:10IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Abel Ferrara

1 mentions · Sean Fennessey · Known for Bad Lieutenant, King of New York▶ 32:21IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Boise Holmes

1 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for Greenland, Kiss the Girls▶ 1:51:53IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Clint Eastwood

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven▶ 1:36:33IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Frank Capra

1 mentions · Sean Fennessey · Known for It's a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night, You Can't Take It with You▶ 1:22:37IMDb ↗Lb ↗

John Boorman

1 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for Hope and Glory, Excalibur▶ 2:03:45IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Actors Referenced (95)

Wang Chung

34 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey · Known for To Live and Die in L.A., Innerspace, Deadpool▶ 6:38IMDb ↗Lb ↗

John Pankow

15 mentions · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan · Known for To Live and Die in L.A., The Secret of My Success▶ 7:10IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Anthony Defoe

13 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey · Known for The Sea Beast▶ 9:58IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Secret Service

10 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey · Known for Let the Right One In, Easy Money▶ 5:34IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Bill Paxton

8 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey · Known for Aliens, Apollo 13▶ 4:38IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Dean Stockwell

6 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey · Known for Married to the Mob, Dune▶ 1:11:54IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Don Johnson

6 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for A Boy and His Dog, Django Unchained▶ 1:35:47IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Gary Cole

6 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey · Known for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Office Space▶ 1:40:01IMDb ↗Lb ↗

John Turturro

6 mentions · Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan · Known for Barton Fink, O Brother, Where Art Thou?▶ 14:32IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Lidia Janjic Vukovic

6 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons · Known for Infinity Pool▶ 1:33:25IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Michael Jordan

6 mentions · Sean Fennessey, Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for Space Jam, He Got Game▶ 1:06:47IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Lionel Richie

5 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for The Color Purple, The Fifth Element, Super 8▶ 1:56:51IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Writers Referenced (7)

Roger Ebert

4 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 9:43IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Ted Jessup

3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for Ted 2, The Girlfriend Experience▶ 21:14IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Gerald Petievich

2 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for To Live and Die in L.A.▶ 18:02IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Andrew Cosby

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for 2 Guns▶ 12:15IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Andy Greenwald

1 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 2:10:54IMDb ↗Lb ↗

James Cameron

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Avatar, Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day▶ 35:46IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Ted Turner

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Angels in the Outfield▶ 7:28IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Cinematographers Referenced (2)

Justin Dombrowski

3 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for Thunderbolts*, Superman, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3▶ 2:11:26IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Martin Fuhrer

2 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Lord of the Flies▶ 1:41:38IMDb ↗Lb ↗