‘Twister’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
July 9, 2024 · Twister (1996) · Action · Adventure · Thriller · 1:55:36 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Picking Nits
Bill SimmonsJoe's dad deserved to die because the lock wasn't good enough and he made terrible decisions protecting his family - should have let the door go and run with his family instead▶ 32:52
Chris RyanDr. Melissa being incredibly naive about tornadoes despite potentially being from Dallas/tornado-prone areas doesn't make sense▶ 37:12
Van LathanDr. Melissa should have realized she was going tornado chasing after the first tornado instead of sticking through four of five tornadoes▶ 36:53
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Bill SimmonsTwo options: the last 18 seconds with the weird final kiss, or the unconvincing relationship between Bill and Dr. Melissa Reeves▶ 1:01:19
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsTom Hanks — Discussed Spielberg initially attached to direct, Tom Hanks read for Bill Paxton's role but passed, Mira Sorvino considered for Dr. Melissa Reeves but wouldn't dye her hair, and Garth Brooks for Jonas▶ 1:16:20
Chris RyanGarth Brooks — Thought Garth Brooks or Dwight Yoakam would have been awesome stunt casting for Jonas▶ 1:17:17
Van LathanGarth Brooks — Suggested Chris Gaines (Garth Brooks' alter ego) could have played Jonas▶ 1:17:24
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsDiscussed various apex mountain questions including Paxton (yes), Helen Hunt (probably), Hoffman (no), Dodge Ram (uncertain), tornadoes (yes), gravy (definitely no), and Jamie Gertz (Lost Boys or Less Than Zero)▶ 1:27:00
Chris RyanJDB was a staunch vegetarian, hated the ant mech scene, and was a huge Tori Amos fan who personally appealed to her to appear on the soundtrack▶ 1:26:30
Van LathanArgued that invasion movies are not disaster movies - disaster movies must be natural occurrences, and if Independence Day counts as disaster movie then it's apex mountain, otherwise it's Twister▶ 1:29:17
Hanks or Cruise
Bill SimmonsTom Hanks — Against Denzel - says he's too cool, audience would never be scared of him losing to the tornado, similar to Charlton Heston being rejected for Jaws▶ 1:33:37
Van LathanTom Hanks — Proposes adding Denzel Washington to the comparison, suggesting Denzel as the lead in this movie▶ 1:33:26
Sequel/Prequel/Limited Series/Remake
Bill SimmonsPrequel called 'The Extreme' about Bill going sideways, like 'Leaving Las Vegas with tornadoes'; HBO show 'After the Storm' about Dr. Melissa as sex therapist who gets involved with clients▶ 1:38:40
Chris RyanPrequel about Jonas, Jill and Bill at the lab where they all came up working; sequel about Dr. Melissa Reeves' life after Twister called 'After the Storm'▶ 1:38:34
Van LathanFor prequel casting, suggested Tobey Maguire as young Bill Paxton; sequel where Melissa has a radio call-in show but is completely changed after being dumped▶ 1:38:48
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsBill Paxton — Lists utility players (Wayne Jackets, Danny Trejo, Sam Jackson, JT Walsh, Byron Mayo, Harley Mays, Evil Laughing, Ramon Raymond) and suggests Bill Paxton playing Hudson character would 'fucking rule'▶ 1:40:23
Chris RyanBill Paxton — Bill Paxton doing his Hudson character from Aliens ('Game over man, game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now?')▶ 1:40:39
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsTodd Field would be the backup driver if Bill Paxton's character doesn't show up; tsunamis are the scariest disaster because you can't understand or predict them▶ 1:41:18
Chris RyanJonas likely has private company backing to sell early tornado detection tech to government for profit; earthquakes are scariest because of the helpless rolling sensation▶ 1:42:56
Van LathanJoe would die on that day without Bill Paxton's character saving her from her trauma-driven decisions; tornadoes are scariest because they're unpredictable and violent▶ 1:42:09
Who Won the Movie
Bill SimmonsPhilip Seymour Hoffman — The tornadoes, but notes that Hoffman's performance becomes most fascinating over time as he became one of the greatest actors of the last 40 years▶ 1:48:45
Chris RyanPhilip Seymour Hoffman — Focuses on praising Hoffman's performance and specific character choices, highlighting key moments where Hoffman delivers expository dialogue really well▶ 1:49:16
Van LathanSeems to agree with the tornadoes pick and discusses how the movie changed tornado perception, but also suggests consideration for other elements▶ 1:48:51
Movies Referenced (61)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jurassic Park (1993) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | ▶ 2:06 |
| Independence Day (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Van Lathan, Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 8:46 |
| The Shining (1980) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | ▶ 43:33 |
| Boogie Nights (1997) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 25:13 |
| Out of Sight (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 19:36 |
| Deep Impact (1998) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | ▶ 1:29:16 |
| Apollo 13 (1995) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 15:16 |
| As Good as It Gets (1997) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 21:41 |
| Carrie (1976) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 54:41 |
| Forrest Gump (1994) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:21:04 |
| Jaws (1975) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 54:23 |
| The Cable Guy (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 8:51 |
Directors Referenced (6)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Clooney | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | The Ides of March, Michael Clayton | ▶ 18:39 |
| Kevin Costner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves | ▶ 18:59 |
| Steven Spielberg | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan | Schindler's List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Saving Private Ryan | ▶ 5:56 |
| Todd Field | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | Tár, Little Children | ▶ 23:46 |
| Roland Emmerich | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Van Lathan | Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow | ▶ 1:31:13 |
| Sean Penn | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Mystic River, 21 Grams, Dead Man Walking | ▶ 19:06 |
Actors Referenced (40)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Paxton | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | Aliens, Apollo 13 | ▶ 13:20 |
| Helen Hunt | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan | As Good as It Gets, Twister | ▶ 4:10 |
| Alan Ruck | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | Twister, Speed, Ferris Bueller's Day Off | ▶ 23:44 |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 4:08 | |
| Jami Gertz | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | Twister, The Lost Boys | ▶ 6:59 |
| Van Halen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Spaceballs, Ready Player One, Mission to Mars | ▶ 3:13 |
| Chris Cooper | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | American Beauty | ▶ 23:37 |
| Ice Cube | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | ▶ 14:18 | |
| Matthew McConaughey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club, Magic Mike | ▶ 18:39 |
| Biden Hall | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 13:09 | |
| Bryan Cranston | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | ▶ 21:06 | |
| Gerard Butler | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Van Lathan, Chris Ryan | Law Abiding Citizen, The Phantom of the Opera | ▶ 1:31:12 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joss Whedon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan | The Avengers | ▶ 28:15 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 30:14 | |
| Michael Crichton | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Jurassic Park, Twister | ▶ 28:11 |
Cinematographers Referenced (1)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Grantland | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | The Other Guys | ▶ 27:45 |