‘Wild Things’ With Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin
February 3, 2026 · Wild Things (1998) · Crime · Drama · Mystery · 2:15:21 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
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Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsDiscussed the impact of seeing the nudity on a large movie theater screen versus at home▶ 17:37
Mallory RubinKevin Bacon's contract stated no nudity, but he claimed he didn't realize he'd be naked in the movie and agreed to use the full nudity take when asked▶ 16:41
Van LathanKevin Bacon shows full frontal nudity - 'butt to penis' - and this was the pioneering dick scene in movies▶ 16:55
Watch Party
Mallory RubinEmphasized the movie's inherent watchability and entertainment value, calling it 'so watchable' regardless of quality▶ 22:55
Picking Nits
Craig HorlbeckThe famous pool scene where she takes her top off wasn't in the original theatrical cut, only in later unrated versions▶ 47:19
Van LathanQuestions whether Neve Campbell's character is hero or villain - she's mistreated for being from wrong side of tracks but also kills people▶ 45:43
Teddy KGB Award
Bill SimmonsSandra — Considers Sandra for the Jed Nelson award (different movie) but concludes she's actually in this movie▶ 1:00:38
Great Shot Gordo Award
Mallory RubinDiscussed the motel threesome scene as most cinematic and meaningful, with genuine plot importance▶ 1:04:44
Van LathanMatt Dillon as evil Superman - the shot of him with curly hair going 'yeah' with evil Superman Elvis look▶ 1:04:01
Butch's Girlfriend Award
Mallory RubinStates this is her candidate for weakest link but the statement is cut off mid-sentence▶ 1:12:35
Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Mallory RubinSouth Florida is used very well as atmosphere and setting but not really underutilized for plot, though disappointed that alligators don't actually eat anybody▶ 1:12:43
Van LathanAgrees the South Florida backdrop works well for the neo-noir sexiness and atmosphere, comparing it to how heat amplifies tension in movies like A Time to Kill▶ 1:13:23
Den of Thieves Benihana Award
Mallory RubinVan Ryan home - praised the house, balcony, guest house, gun cabinet, and boat dock▶ 1:15:49
What's Aged the Worst
Bill SimmonsA teacher accused of sleeping with multiple students - the entire plot premise and how it's handled▶ 1:24:55
Van LathanHow the school handles the accusations - allowing the teacher to remain while investigating instead of immediate consequences▶ 1:25:07
Overacting Award
Bill SimmonsKevin Bacon — Kevin Bacon flipping out in the police station and going 'yeah you want to say that to my face?'▶ 1:33:01
Van LathanMade a comment about 'balls to the nearest wall' but unclear if this was his pick or just a reaction▶ 1:33:17
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsRobert Downey Jr. — Discusses Robert Downey Jr. being originally cast as Sam but couldn't do it due to drug issues and injuries▶ 1:37:45
Craig HorlbeckRobert Downey Jr. — Robert Downey Jr. couldn't pull off seeming like a clean teacher - you would know he's dirty immediately▶ 1:37:55
Van LathanRobert Downey Jr. — Robert Downey Jr. wouldn't work as Sam - his reputation would precede him and he's not dashing enough; would make more sense in the Kevin Bacon part▶ 1:38:01
Is This Movie Better With
Mallory RubinWayne Jenkins as either the Ray Duquette character or another dirty cop looking into Ray▶ 1:59:47
Who Won the Movie
Craig HorlbeckDiscussed the movie's entertainment value, twists, and praised famous actors doing B-movies, but didn't give a specific person as winner▶ 2:11:09
Movies Referenced (55)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scream (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 20:36 |
| Basic Instinct (1992) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:12 |
| Angel Heart (1987) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 44:52 |
| Fatal Attraction (1987) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:02 |
| Hollow Man (2000) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Van Lathan | ▶ 2:06:51 |
| A Time to Kill (1996) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Van Lathan | ▶ 1:13:29 |
| American Pie (1999) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Mallory Rubin, Bill Simmons | ▶ 6:04 |
| Blade Runner (1982) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Mallory Rubin, Bill Simmons | ▶ 3:45 |
| Crank (2006) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Mallory Rubin | ▶ 1:22:39 |
| Saltburn (2023) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 2:04:53 |
| Steve Jobs (2015) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Van Lathan | ▶ 25:46 |
| Superman (2025) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Van Lathan, Craig Horlbeck | ▶ 1:04:01 |
Directors Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John McNaughton | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | Wild Things, Mad Dog and Glory | ▶ 40:58 |
| Ken Russell | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Van Lathan | ▶ 57:20 | |
| Iyi Tubi | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Ex Machina, World War Z | ▶ 49:45 |
Actors Referenced (82)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neve Campbell | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 33 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin | Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3 | ▶ 5:24 |
| Kevin Bacon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 30 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin | Footloose, Hollow Man | ▶ 13:01 |
| Denise Richards | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 22 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin | The World Is Not Enough, Starship Troopers, Wild Things | ▶ 5:24 |
| Bill Murray | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 19 | Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan | Lost in Translation, Rushmore, Moonrise Kingdom | ▶ 37:52 |
| Matt Dillon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 19 | Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin, Craig Horlbeck | There's Something About Mary, Crash | ▶ 31:44 |
| Saint Motel | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 9 | Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin | ▶ 47:58 | |
| Mia Goth | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Van Lathan | Frankenstein | ▶ 1:11:07 |
| Phoebe Cates | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Mallory Rubin, Bill Simmons, Van Lathan | Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins | ▶ 31:01 |
| Bruce Willis | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin | Die Hard, Pulp Fiction | ▶ 13:15 |
| Charlie Sheen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin, Craig Horlbeck | Wall Street | ▶ 30:15 |
| Tom Hanks | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Van Lathan, Bill Simmons | Cast Away, Big, Forrest Gump | ▶ 32:29 |
| Walter Reed | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Van Lathan, Mallory Rubin | ▶ 1:40:29 |
Writers Referenced (3)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Turner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | Angels in the Outfield | ▶ 2:00:15 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 50:36 | |
| Robert Kraft | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Mallory Rubin | The Little Mermaid | ▶ 1:12:19 |
Cinematographers Referenced (1)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Pacey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Mallory Rubin | Den of Thieves: Pantera | ▶ 1:08:11 |