‘True Lies’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
July 16, 2024 · True Lies (1994) · Action · Comedy · Thriller · 1:56:06 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Van LathanThis is Cameron's finest directing work ever, better than Terminator 2, because of his versatility in directing multiple genres within one film▶ 7:40
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsArnold Schwarzenegger — True Lies is Arnold's acting Apex Mountain, his best performance as one of the great popcorn actors▶ 16:44
Chris RyanArnold Schwarzenegger — Agrees it's Arnold's best performance but notes it's not saying much given Arnold's limited acting range▶ 16:49
Van LathanArnold Schwarzenegger — True Lies over Total Recall because it asks Arnold to do more - charm, emotional range, and coolness▶ 17:11
Hall of Fame Plaque
Bill SimmonsThe truth serum scene with Arnold and Tia Carrere, including the fight scene where Arnold fights a hundred terrorists▶ 51:53
Van LathanJamie Lee Curtis's striptease scene - the metamorphosis where she pulls the dress, does lipstick, and gets out of the dress▶ 48:48
What's Aged the Best
Bill SimmonsArnold getting top billing in his contract and then Cameron calling to move Jamie Lee Curtis up in the credits, which Arnold agreed to▶ 1:04:43
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsJodie Foster — Discussed Jodie Foster rumor for Helen role (doesn't believe it), Arnold's initial opposition to Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tom Arnold's audition story▶ 1:20:50
Chris RyanMentioned confusion between Blue Steel and Blue Thunder, participated in general discussion without specific casting picks▶ 1:21:51
Van LathanParticipated in discussion about Blue Steel and other movies but didn't offer specific casting alternatives▶ 1:22:33
Dion Waiters Award
Bill SimmonsBill Paxton — Agreed this is one of the easiest selections of all time, quoted Simon's lines about lying to get women and having 'a little dick'▶ 1:25:26
Chris RyanBill Paxton — Said it's so good it's in conversation for changing the name of the award to 'The Simon from True Lies Award', mentioned the fantasy punch scene▶ 1:25:28
Van LathanBill Paxton — Said it's so good 'it's almost written for me', mentioned Simon with blood everywhere in the Corvette▶ 1:25:43
Picking Nits
Bill SimmonsArnold would be one of the most recognizable counterterrorism spies - he's not blending in anywhere. Also the scuba diving suit with dry tuxedo underneath is impossible▶ 1:38:55
Chris RyanWhat is Omega Sector's remit and authority? How can they call in Harrier strikes on American soil? Arnold can marshal the surveillance state to follow his wife - there should be a congressional inquiry▶ 1:37:11
Van LathanZero chance Jamie Lee Curtis doesn't recognize that it's Arnold - he's massive. That's my biggest nitpick. Also, after 17 years of marriage she wouldn't figure out he's a spy▶ 1:39:11
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsBill Paxton — Lists the standard utility players and adds 'Simon Hudson' as the full name for the new addition▶ 1:44:51
Chris RyanBill Paxton — Says not better directed by JDB, but proposes adding Bill Paxton's Hudson character from Aliens to the utility player list▶ 1:45:03
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsIs not being able to do the tango a top ten thing you're jealous of? Yes, watching people tango makes you feel like they have the power of ten men▶ 1:46:06
Chris RyanTango jealousy only occurs when watching movies - never been in a real life situation that calls for tango▶ 1:46:19
Van LathanDid Harry ever have to sleep with another woman for a mission? Yes, but Bill thinks he did it for fun because Arnold is very horny▶ 1:48:02
Best Double Feature
Van LathanThe Bourne Identity — The Borne Identity and Speed - calls True Lies the spiritual prequel to Mr. And Mrs. Smith▶ 1:48:40
Coach Finstock Life Lesson
Bill SimmonsEither 'you're a sick bitch if you steal the ice cube trays out of the freezer' or 'it's okay to lie to your spouse because it will all work out'▶ 1:50:52
Movies Referenced (74)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juno (2007) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 35:49 |
| Skyfall (2012) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | ▶ 14:42 |
| Total Recall (1990) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 17:28 |
| The Rock (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | ▶ 18:05 |
| Casino Royale (2006) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 14:42 |
| Cube (1997) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 46:38 |
| Titanic (1997) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 4:40 |
| Trading Places (1983) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 31:35 |
| Halloween (1978) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 31:35 |
| Last Action Hero (1993) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 10:31 |
| Pretty Woman (1990) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 11:05 |
| Twister (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 8:36 |
Directors Referenced (7)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iyi Tubi | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 17 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | Ex Machina, World War Z | ▶ 50:09 |
| Oliver Stone | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | Born on the Fourth of July, Platoon, JFK | ▶ 43:50 |
| Ben Affleck | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | Argo, Gone Girl, The Town | ▶ 24:19 |
| Jim Rome | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | The Longest Yard, Space Jam | ▶ 1:18:43 |
| Michael Bay | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Armageddon | ▶ 19:13 |
| Michael Mann | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Insider, Collateral, The Last of the Mohicans | ▶ 42:25 |
| Woody Allen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Annie Hall | ▶ 30:38 |
Actors Referenced (86)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Lies | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 34 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | ▶ 2:34 | |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 19 | Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Terminator | ▶ 3:03 |
| Tom Arnold | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 18 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | True Lies | ▶ 7:32 |
| Jamie Lee | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 17 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | Cold Mountain | ▶ 31:23 |
| Bill Paxton | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 15 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | Aliens, Apollo 13 | ▶ 16:04 |
| Jamie Lee Curtis | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 12 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | True Lies, Everything Everywhere All at Once | ▶ 3:05 |
| Gene Hackman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 10 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | The French Connection, The Royal Tenenbaums, Unforgiven | ▶ 1:24:14 |
| Eli Manning | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 8 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 33:11 | |
| Charlton Heston | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | Ben-Hur | ▶ 1:10:05 |
| Tom Cruise | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | Top Gun, Minority Report | ▶ 19:06 |
| Laura Harrier | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 5:32 | |
| Brett Hundley | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 34:49 |
Writers Referenced (6)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cameron | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 46 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | Avatar, Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day | ▶ 3:07 |
| Jihad Hojeily | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 9:02 | |
| Andy Greenwald | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 0:30 | |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 28:50 | |
| Michael Cimino | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | The Deer Hunter | ▶ 20:41 |
| Julie Siege | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Van Lathan | ▶ 1:09:11 |