The Rewatchables' awards

The categories, most rewatchable scenes, and double features from the episodes read for them so far: 95 films and 1 episode about no one film. Every pick is a host's opinion, with who said it and when.

Apex Mountain: 518 picks in 92 episodes

Every film and category

Friday the 13th (1980) · ‘Friday the 13th’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a performance or film sits at the top of its type.

pick Adrian King as Alice
“Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 1:29:16
pick Meatballs: Offered as the top summer camp movie.
“meatballs, yeah.”
unknown · 1:30:33
pick Friday the 13th: The top Halloween ripoff movie.
“Halloween ripoff movies, this definitely.”
unknown · 1:30:35

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) · ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where parts of the film sit on the mountain of their genre.

winner The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Blair Witch Project, as indie horror
“Indie horror movies?”
unknown · 1:14:10
pick Laurie Strode as the most iconic final girl; Sally the most underrated
“I think Lori's a more iconic final girl, ultimately.”
unknown · 1:14:19
winner Michael Myers as top movie murderer: Leatherface called a schedule merchant by comparison.
“I think the answer is probably Myers because of the body of work.”
unknown · 1:16:11
winner The 1972 Ford Club Wagon van
“I'm going to say Apex man for that.”
unknown · 1:16:45

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) · 'Talladega Nights' With Craig Horlbeck, Danny Heifetz, and Danny Kelly

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career sits on the mountain.

pick Will Ferrell: The apex window is roughly Elf through Talladega Nights and Step Brothers.
“The point is, the 2 year window, it's probably right here.”
unknown · 1:42:26
pick John C. Reilly: Apex now, right after Walk Hard.
“I would say yes, because I believe this movie Greenlit, him getting his own star role in a movie, which is Walkhart.”
unknown · 1:42:32
pick Sacha Baron Cohen as Jean Girard
“I mean, it has to. I mean, Bora, 3 months later, it has to be right now.”
unknown · 1:44:41
pick NASCAR
“You could argue 2006 was the apex for NASCAR.”
unknown · 1:42:57
pick Jack McBrayer as Kenneth
“This is the 1st year of 30 Rock. And he became Kenneth.”
unknown · 1:46:26
pick Gary Cole as Reese Bobby: Hard to pinpoint the apex.
“I had a great run in Veep.”
unknown · 1:46:39
pick Jane Lynch
“I'd probably say glee for Jane Lynch?”
unknown · 1:46:50
pick Amy Adams as Susan: No, she was not at her apex here.
“Um, Amy Adams, no.”
unknown · 1:44:36
pick Shake and Bake
“Got to be Apex Mountain for Shake and Bake.”
unknown · 1:44:57

The Italian Job (2003) · ‘The Italian Job’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a person's or thing's career or run peaks.

pick The Mini Coopers
“Cooper's.”
unknown · 1:31:32
pick Seth Green: Said to be the only person here whose peak this was, after the last Austin Powers.
“This might have been the peak for Seth Green.”
unknown · 1:31:38
pick 2003 Los Angeles / Hollywood
“Is 03 21st century apex for Los Angeles?”
unknown · 1:32:07

Domestic Disturbance (2001) · ‘Domestic Disturbance’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where the movie's stars and elements sit on the mountain; here, mostly where nothing does.

pick John Travolta: Travolta is floated and then dismissed along with the rest.
“Travolta?”
unknown · 1:17:41
pick Vince Vaughn: Not on the mountain.
“No, Vaughn no.”
unknown · 1:17:42
pick Steve Buscemi: Not on the mountain.
“Boshemi, no.”
unknown · 1:17:43
pick Wooden boat company movies: The only thing that gets a tentative sure, since lots of yachting movies are better.
“Wooden boat company movies?”
unknown · 1:17:51
pick Cinematic depiction of the DePaul men's basketball program: The movie has Rick watch DePaul because he is from Chicago; the 80s teams are the real peak.
“Is this Apex Mountain for the cinematic depiction of the DePaul men's college basketball program?”
unknown · 1:18:21
pick Huge embarrassing bar fights during filming: Rated about a 7 on the mountain; Oliver Reed and Richard Harris stories likely beat it.
“Huge embarrassing bar fights during filming.”
unknown · 1:19:18

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) · ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ With Bill Simmons, Steven Spielberg, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career had the most juice.

pick Steven Spielberg: 1982, E.T. and Poltergeist.
“I would say, so for you, you have multiple apexes, but in 82, when you have ET and poltergeist, At that point, you could have probably gone into any any studio on the planet, been like, I'd like to do this.”
Bill Simmons · 2:04:06
pick Stanley Kubrick: 2001 is Kubrick's apex, and the Big Bang for serious science-fiction movies.
“This is a movie that made Stanley famous, not just among critics and and and journalists and people that write about film. But this is the movie where the public discovered him.”
Steven Spielberg · 2:04:45

Fargo (1996) · ‘Fargo’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Kyle Brandt

Apex Mountain · Where something or someone peaked, on the mountain.

pick Swedish meatballs (IKEA cafes)
“Well, for Apex Mountain, certainly Swedish meatballs, because when you think about what IKEA was doing.”
unknown · 1:36:13
pick GMAC financing plans
“I would also say GMAC financing plans.”
unknown · 1:36:31
pick The Coen Brothers: Apex is No Country for Old Men.
“I'd say no country is going, brother.”
unknown · 1:36:42
pick William H. Macy: Not at Fargo yet, maybe after Boogie Nights.
“Macy, it's not yet, but maybe after boogie nights were getting there.”
unknown · 1:36:45
pick Minnesota sports (the late-80s and early-90s World Series teams, the 98 Vikings)
“Minnesota, probably the World Series in 88 or 87?”
unknown · 1:37:04
pick Steve Buscemi: Con Air, as his apex as a movie star.
“I think Con Air is probably like his apex.”
unknown · 1:37:37
pick Steve Buscemi: An alternate: The Sopranos, because he was also directing.
“I'd probably say, I'm not right, but I would probably say sopranos because he was also directing.”
unknown · 1:37:43
pick Frances McDormand: No apex; her career was designed not to have one.
“I think her career was pretty intentionally designed not to have an apex.”
unknown · 1:38:05
pick Peter Stormare
“Storm air, I'm still going, Dino velvet.”
unknown · 1:39:00

Zodiac (2007) · ‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career or a body of work peaks.

pick The Social Network: Argues Fincher needed The Social Network to prove he was also a commercial director.
“I think it's social network for Fincher.”
unknown · 2:19:34
pick Zodiac: Makes the case for Zodiac as a creative apex for Fincher.
“I think this is him just like combining some of the deep artistry of his early work”
unknown · 2:20:19
nominee Fight Club
“I think Fight Club is his 1st apex mountain”
unknown · 2:20:34
nominee Gone Girl
“there's never been higher moment for him than Gone Girl”
unknown · 2:20:52
pick Zodiac: Ruffalo as a detective: picks Zodiac over Collateral or Task.
“I think it's this.”
unknown · 2:21:53
pick Jake Gyllenhaal as Robert Graysmith
“So maybe it's this because this allows him to kind of springboard it.”
unknown · 2:22:58
winner Dirty Harry: San Francisco movies.
“No, it's probably the one from the 70s, yeah.”
unknown · 2:23:17
winner The Last Days of Disco: Chloe Sevigny.
“Last Days of Disco?”
unknown · 2:23:26
nominee Mark Zuckerberg as Mark Zuckerberg: Fincher villains.
“Mark Zuckerberg and Social Network.”
unknown · 2:23:38
nominee Arthur Lee Allen as Arthur Lee Allen: Fincher villains.
“Or Arthur Lee Allen in this movie.”
unknown · 2:23:41
winner John Doe as John Doe: Fincher villains; Seven.
“I'd probably go John Doe.”
unknown · 2:23:47
winner Goodfellas: Donovan's music in movies.
“Because it's Donovan when Tommy beats up Billy Batts, right?”
unknown · 2:25:48
winner Zodiac: A bonus question: the best Fincher movie.
“I think this is the best Fincher movie.”
Bill Simmons · 2:26:38

Weird Science (1985) · ‘Weird Science’ With Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt

Apex Mountain · Whether the movie is the peak of a star's career or a performance.

pick Anthony Michael Hall: Yes, this was his peak.
“This this weird science breakfast club combo is right when it happened.”
Kyle Brandt · 1:22:18
pick Ilan Mitchell-Smith: Yes.
“Elon Mitchell Smith definitely is.”
Kyle Brandt · 1:22:22
pick Kelly LeBrock: Yes.
“Kelly LeBrock also a yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:22:23
pick Bill Paxton: No as a career peak, yes as an asshole older brother in a comedy.
“Paxton no.”
unknown · 1:22:27
pick John Hughes at Breakfast Club: Heat check: Breakfast Club is Hughes's peak, not Weird Science.
“Either way it's Breakfast Club.”
unknown · 1:23:14
pick The Weird Science party: Yes.
“This is number one high school party movie in any decade.”
unknown · 1:24:46

The Truman Show (1998) · ‘The Truman Show’ With Bill Simmons, Glen Powell, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where this role sits on the star's career mountain.

pick Jim Carrey as Truman: Third act of his seven-year run; his first well-received drama and he is arguably the most powerful actor in Hollywood.
“I think this is right in the middle of this crazy run that he had.”
Chris Ryan · 1:19:27
pick Laura Linney as Meryl: Not yet; probably the early 2000s with You Can Count on Me.
“Probably somewhere in the early 2000s, though, right?”
unknown · 1:20:07
pick Ed Harris as Christoph: Probably early 90s.
“Probably early 90s.”
unknown · 1:20:21
pick Peter Weir: He thinks the vision of this movie is more complex than Dead Poets Society.
“I think the vision of this movie is way more complex than Dead Fox.”
Glen Powell · 1:20:56
pick Noah Emmerich as Louis Coltrane: Probably still Beautiful Girls.
“Uh, Noah Emrek, probably still beautiful girls.”
Bill Simmons · 1:21:14

RoboCop (1987) · ‘RoboCop’ (1987) With Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt

Apex Mountain · Where a person, place or thing sits on the career or cultural mountain.

pick Detroit as 1987 sports and culture peak, with early 90s Bad Boy Pistons and Barry Sanders named as the real apex: Floated early (87 peak) and settled later on the early 90s.
“Early 90s, Bad Boy Pistons, Barry Sanders, Lions.”
unknown · 1:29:31
pick Lisa Gibbons as TV anchor in the film: Not yet; getting her own daytime talk show for seven years is probably the apex.
“No, I think getting your own daytime talk shows, probably Apex.”
unknown · 1:29:19
pick Peter Weller as Murphy / RoboCop: This is his apex.
“I love Weller, but this is all I got.”
unknown · 1:29:42
pick Paul Verhoeven: Basic Instinct, five years later, is his peak.
“But I think it's basic instinct for him.”
unknown · 1:29:47
pick Ronny Cox as Dick Jones' rival at OCP: RoboCop plus Beverly Hills Cop 2 in the same year.
“This is this is this is Ronnie Cox Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 1:30:50
pick Kurtwood Smith as Clarence Boddicker: Probably That 70s Show.
“Probably that 70s show.”
unknown · 1:31:13
pick Blade Runner as futuristic cop movies: Still the apex of futuristic cop movies.
“I think it's Blade Runner still.”
unknown · 1:31:45
pick Characters named Dick: The 80s and 90s were the heyday for dicks.
“This was the heyday for dicks.”
unknown · 0:54:06
pick Ford Taurus as the film's police cars: The 86 Tauruses are probably the peak for the Taurus.
“Probably the peak from Fort Taurus, I guess we'll cover an apex ball.”
unknown · 1:28:05
pick Murphy's execution as a hard-to-watch violent scene: Offered a list of comparison scenes (Casino, Saving Private Ryan, True Romance, American History X, Irreversible).
“For violent scenes that are hard to watch.”
unknown · 1:34:15
pick Worst new technology rollout ever as Ed 209: Asked whether Ed 209 is the apex of bad tech rollouts, alongside Google Glass and Quibi.
“Is that 209 Apex Mountain for worst new technology rollout ever?”
unknown · 1:39:34

Species (1995) · ‘Species’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where the performance sits on the mountain

winner Natasha Henstridge
“Apex Mountain, clearly Natasha.”
unknown · 1:14:16
pick Michael Madsen: Debate between Reservoir Dogs and this movie, which made over $100 million
“Uh, I would say probably Reservoir.”
unknown · 1:14:23
pick Marg Helgenberger
“Marge it's CSI.”
unknown · 1:15:09
pick Ben Kingsley
“Ben Kingsley, no.”
unknown · 1:15:13
pick Forrest Whitaker
“Whitaker, no.”
unknown · 1:15:33
pick Mid 90s BMW convertibles: This is a really good one
“Mid 90s BMW convertibles.”
unknown · 1:15:36

After Hours (1985) · ‘After Hours’ with Bill Simmons and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Whether this was the peak of someone's career, and where it sits.

pick Griffin Dunn: Yes, After Hours is his peak.
“Yes, without question.”
unknown · 1:27:56
pick Rosanna Arquette: Yes, hard cap.
“Rosanna Arcade, 100%, 1985.”
unknown · 1:27:58
pick Linda Fiorentino: Argued the peak is The Last Seduction rather than Men in Black.
“Linda Firentino, last seduction 1994, which she should have gotten nominated for an Oscar, but they had released it on HBO first.”
unknown · 1:28:03
pick Henry Miller
“Maybe the publication of Tropic of Cancer?”
unknown · 1:29:35
pick John Heard: Cutter's Way also comes up.
“I think Home Alone.”
unknown · 1:29:40
pick Cheech and Chong
“It's probably somewhere in late 70s.”
unknown · 1:29:58
pick Teri Garr
“Terry Guard, it's no, because I think it's probably Tootsie era”
unknown · 1:31:58
pick Soho
“At some, it's somewhere in the last 15 years.”
unknown · 1:32:20
pick Dominick Dunne: His 1994-95 OJ coverage, said in an aside about Griffin Dunn's family.
“was like the Apex Mountain for me”
unknown · 1:17:18

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) · ‘Die Hard With a Vengeance’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career, or a thing in the movie, sits on the mountain.

pick Bruce Willis: One side argues 1995 is his peak, when he is a first call alongside Hanks and Cruise, with Denzel probably fourth.
“Then he has pulp in 94 and this in 95.”
unknown · 1:41:03
nominee Samuel L. Jackson: No firm answer; maybe when he gets Star Wars in 99.
“maybe when he gets Star Wars, that's 99.”
unknown · 1:42:49
nominee Jeremy Irons: Probably the Oscar win.
“Jeremy Irons probably winning the Oscar.”
unknown · 1:42:57
pick the Wall Street school system
“The Wall Street school system?”
unknown · 1:43:58
pick the gold reserve and Bonwit Teller: Probably the first and last time Bonwit Teller was mentioned in a film.
“Gold reserve. Bondwit teller, 100%, for sure.”
unknown · 1:44:05
pick Zeus as McLean's sidekick
“So this is bigger than Bill Johnson, bigger than Justin Long.”
unknown · 1:44:32

Working Girl (1988) · ‘Working Girl’ With Bill Simmons, Amanda Dobbins, and Joanna Robinson

Apex Mountain · Whether this was the peak of a person's or thing's career.

winner Melanie Griffith as Tess: Her career goes downhill quickly after this.
“I going to say yes for Melanie Griffith.”
unknown · 1:37:04
nominee Harrison Ford
“I mean, me too, but, you know. Harrison Ford, no.”
unknown · 1:37:23
nominee Sigourney Weaver: Argues she never had more juice than in 1988, two years after Aliens and just before Ghostbusters 2.
“I think there's a Sigourney Weaver case.”
unknown · 1:37:28
nominee Mike Nichols: The group lands on The Graduate as his peak, not this film.
“Mike Nichols Apex Mountain? No. No. Graduate?”
unknown · 1:39:52
nominee Carly Simon: Her peak was the 70s with You're So Vain.
“Carly Simon, I'm going to say no.”
unknown · 1:40:04
winner The Staten Island Ferry
“It is, it is totally the Apex Mountain for Christmas. 100%.”
unknown · 1:40:27

Rocky (1976) · ‘Rocky’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career or a thing's peak sits on the mountain.

pick Sylvester Stallone: Rocky III and First Blood, 1982; Bill says the peak has been litigated many times.
“I think his Apex Mountain was that Rocky 3, Rambo.”
unknown · 1:28:20
pick A woman taking her glasses off and getting hotter (Adrian): Is this the apex of the glasses-off transformation; the group says yes for Talia Shire.
“Is this apex mountain for a woman taking her glasses off and getting that much hotter?”
Bill Simmons · 1:28:26
pick Talia Shire as Adrian, the shy girlfriend
“It might be.”
Chris Ryan · 1:30:11
pick Withholding sex while training for a fight: Asks if this or Bull Durham is the apex; the group disputes whether Rocky actually abstained.
“I was also going to ask, is this Apex Mountain for withholding sex while training and or competing in sports? Is it this or Bull Durham?”
Chris Ryan · 1:30:13
pick John G. Avildsen: Even with the Oscar for this, a case that his peak is The Karate Kid.
“John Ableton, even though he won the Oscar for this? You can make a case that's karate kid.”
unknown · 1:31:34
pick Philadelphia: 1776, with Rocky's raised-arms image near the top
“You know, I think the founding of our nation, probably 1776 is a pretty big one.”
Chris Ryan · 1:32:04
pick Burt Young: Probably Rocky 3 when the character is more tolerable; best Burt Young is Back to School.
“Probably Rocky 3 when this character becomes more tolerable.”
unknown · 1:32:36

Friday Night Lights (2004) · ‘Friday Night Lights’ With Bill Simmons and Mallory Rubin

Apex Mountain · Whether this is the peak of someone's career or of a property.

winner Friday Night Lights as a property, the TV series: The movie is not the apex of the franchise; the TV series is.
“Yeah, the property.”
Mallory Rubin · 1:27:19
winner Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris in Landman: The apex is Landman, not the movie, Sling Blade or Monster's Ball.
“With apologies to this and sling blade and monsters ball, let's just let's just carve out the necessary turf here for lamb man.”
Mallory Rubin · 1:25:34
winner Michael B. Jordan as Vince Howard: His apex is the TV show.
“I still, I would think he would agree that the show is the apex.”
Bill Simmons · 1:27:08
winner Garrett Hedlund as Don Billingsley: His peak is Country Strong, which they covered on the show.
“I think his Apex Mountain was the country's strong rewatchables.”
Bill Simmons · 1:28:40
winner Lucas Black as Mike Winchell: His apex is Tokyo Drift, not this movie.
“It's probably Tokyo Drift, yeah.”
unknown · 1:29:18
winner Sports movie coin tosses: The movie's coin toss scene takes the apex of all sports movie coin tosses.
“I'm gonna say yes.”
Mallory Rubin · 1:29:13

Pulp Fiction (1994) · ‘Pulp Fiction’ (Part 2) With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person, performance or thing sits on the mountain

pick Samuel L. Jackson: Agreed yes; cements him as a leading man.
“Sam Jackson?”
unknown · 1:58:46
pick Quentin Tarantino
“Tarantino, I say yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:59:04
pick John Travolta: Apex is Saturday Night Fever, not this.
“I think it's Saturday Night Fever.”
unknown · 2:00:54
pick Uma Thurman: Apex is Kill Bill.
“Probably kill Bill, right?”
unknown · 2:02:05
pick Ving Rhames: Yes.
“It's definitely Ving.”
unknown · 2:02:43
pick Harvey Keitel: Says no; Bad Lieutenant and Taxi Driver.
“Keitel?”
unknown · 2:04:06
pick Jimmy's coffee, and coffee in general
“This is probably Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 2:04:47
pick Christopher Walken monologues
“I say yes for walking monologues.”
unknown · 2:03:47
pick Conversations about pigs
“I can't remember a better one.”
unknown · 2:07:04
pick Mexican standoffs: Still True Romance / Reservoir Dogs.
“Reservoir dogs.”
unknown · 2:03:14

Notting Hill (1999) · ‘Notting Hill’ With Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Whether this is the peak of a star's or writer's career.

winner Hugh Grant as William Thacker: Both agree; it sets up his early 2000s rom-com run.
“This is an Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 0:51:00
nominee Julia Roberts: Both say no; My Best Friend's Wedding is her better performance, though they prefer this movie.
“I think that she is better in my best friend's wedding, though I prefer this movie.”
unknown · 0:52:31
winner Richard Curtis: Settled on Love Actually being his apex rather than this movie.
“Um, I think this is an apex.”
unknown · 0:52:58

Twister (1996) · ‘Twister’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where something's peak sits on the mountain.

pick Bill Paxton
“Paxton, I'm going to say yes.”
unknown · 1:27:16
pick Helen Hunt
“Helen Hunt probably winning an Oscar year later.”
unknown · 1:27:19
pick Philip Seymour Hoffman
“Hoffman, no.”
unknown · 1:27:21
pick The Dodge Ram
“Uh, I feel like it's had pretty sustained success.”
unknown · 1:27:25
pick The tornadoes
“Yeah, in the movie for sure.”
unknown · 1:28:15
pick The gravy: No.
“Fuck no.”
unknown · 1:28:20
pick Jamie Gertz: Her peak is guessed as Lost Boys or Less Than Zero.
“Maybe it's the Lost Boys.”
unknown · 1:28:59
pick Flying cows
“Flying cows, yes.”
unknown · 1:29:04
pick The Shining
“The shining, no.”
unknown · 1:29:07
pick Independence Day: Apex of 90s disaster movies if invasion movies count.
“So to me, to me, if you count Independence Day, it's definitely Independence Day.”
unknown · 1:30:40

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) · ‘Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me’ With Bill Simmons and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Who or what hit their career peak with this movie.

winner Jay Roach: Hosts agree and trace his run from Austin Powers to Meet the Parents to Trumbo and the HBO political movies.
“Ooh. J. Roach is on a Pex Mountain.”
unknown · 0:48:10
winner Verne Troyer
“Vern Troyer, no question.”
unknown · 0:49:34
winner Heather Graham: Hosts agree it is the most successful movie she was in.
“I think this is Ariapex Mountain.”
unknown · 0:50:07
nominee Lenny Kravitz: His cover of American Woman; Heather Graham was in the video.
“Is this also Lenny Kravitz's Apex Mountain?”
unknown · 0:51:23
nominee The Volkswagen Beetle relaunch
“Um, the VW bug.”
unknown · 0:50:28
nominee Random songs thrown on a soundtrack
“I think this is also Apex Mountain for, um, let's just throw all these random songs in a soundtrack.”
unknown · 0:51:11
nominee Rob Lowe: Floated that this could have been his peak; another host doubts it.
“West Wing and Austin Powers, same year.”
unknown · 0:58:29

Breaking Away (1979) · ‘Breaking Away’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person or thing in the film sits on the mountain of their career.

pick Indiana in 1979: Bill reels off Indiana sports and pop-culture peaks of 1979.
“Apex Mountain for Indiana right here.”
unknown · 0:42:04
winner Dennis Christopher: Star of an Oscar-nominated movie who never got the career you would expect.
“Dennis Christopher unquestionably.”
unknown · 1:16:29
nominee Dennis Quaid: Dismissed as the peak.
“Dennis Quaid, no.”
unknown · 1:17:31
nominee Robyn Douglass: Probably, citing The Lonely Guy.
“Probably, lonely guy, she's really good.”
unknown · 1:17:35
pick Jackie Earle Haley as Moocher: Highest peak, in Little Children, then Watchmen.
“I think Little Children is number two.”
unknown · 1:17:53
nominee Daniel Stern: No on his peak; Home Alone and City Slickers floated.
“Daniel Stern?”
unknown · 1:18:33
pick Dave's 1978 Masi Grand Criterion bike: Apex Mountain for the bike.
“His bike was a 1978 Masi Grand Criterion, so I'm going to say Apex Mountain for that.”
unknown · 1:19:00
pick Peter Yates: Bullet is the peak of his career.
“It's got to be bullet, right?”
unknown · 1:19:10
pick Hart Bochner: His peak is Die Hard, or PCU, which he directed.
“No, it's Die Hard.”
unknown · 1:19:27
pick Rod: A villain name that belongs up with Hans.
“Villain, villain name that's really up there.”
unknown · 1:28:39

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) · ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Mallory Rubin

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career or a genre sits on the mountain.

pick Sean Penn as young Sean Penn, Taps to Bad Boys: The hosts decide this is bigger than Bad Boys.
“I'm not giving Sean Penn, but what about young Sean Penn?”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:35
pick Phoebe Cates
“Phoebe Cates.”
unknown · 1:25:55
pick Jennifer Jason Lee: A hard one; guesses Single White Female, Rush and Backdraft, with the early 90s as her moment.
“Early 90s, I felt like, was her moment.”
unknown · 1:26:27
pick Mall Rats: Apex mall movie, with Boogie Nights floated for Valley movies.
“It's this mall rats.”
unknown · 1:26:49
pick Dazed and Confused: Apex of high school movies; Fast Times is the most influential, the Dr. J to Dazed's Jordan, with Breakfast Club also argued for.
“I mean, I think days is still my apex bound for high school movies.”
unknown · 1:46:31

The War of the Roses (1989) · ‘The War of the Roses’ With Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin, and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Where this movie sits on the career or genre mountain.

pick Michael Douglas as Oliver Rose: Not his apex: Fatal Attraction and Wall Street came earlier.
“Michael Douglas, I'm going to say no because he had Fatal Traction on Wall Street in the city, which is...”
Bill Simmons · 1:12:33
pick Kathleen Turner as Barbara Rose: Not her apex; this is the tail end, with the peak around the mid 80s.
“Turner, probably not.”
Bill Simmons · 1:12:41
pick Danny DeVito as Gavin: Notes Twins came out around the same time.
“So I think we are like around the DeVito apex.”
unknown · 1:14:07
pick Kramer vs. Kramer: Says it, not this, is the apex of divorce movies.
“It's Kramer versus Kramer.”
unknown · 1:14:38
pick The War of the Roses: Asks whether this or The Money Pit is the best movie about a house that ruins a marriage.
“Is this the best we got this house that have ruined our lives movie or would you go the money?”
unknown · 1:15:01
pick The piss on the fish: The apex of pissing on a fish.
“Uh, the piss fish? Without question.”
unknown · 1:15:24

Internal Affairs (1990) · ‘Internal Affairs’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career or performance, or a movie trope, sits on the mountain.

pick Richard Gere: Pretty Woman is his apex but it's the same year; this is the hottest he's ever been.
“I mean, Pretty Woman is Richard Gears, Apex.”
unknown · 1:15:42
pick Andy Garcia: Signature roles floated: The Untouchables, Godfather 3, Black Rain, Ocean's 11, When a Man Loves a Woman.
“What are the signature Andy Garcia roles?”
unknown · 1:16:00
pick Billy Baldwin: Backdraft or the film transcribed as 'Thief of Hearts' (likely Three of Hearts).
“I think it might be Thief of Hearts.”
unknown · 1:16:26
pick the Valley (San Fernando Valley): Argues it's the apex Valley movie, rather than Boogie Nights or Magnolia.
“Is there a world in which this is Apex Mountain for the valley, and in fact, it's not boogie nights or Magnolia?”
unknown · 1:16:37
pick Faye Grant: Offered as the actress for whom this is the apex, after dismissing Lori Metcalf and Annabella Sciorra.
“Fay Grant, probably.”
unknown · 1:18:43
winner Indecent Proposal: Apex of a man imagining his wife with another man; The Best Man and Unfaithful were also floated.
“Yeah. Oh, indecent. That's probably the, that's probably the winner.”
unknown · 1:20:42
pick slapping in movies: Peck slaps Billy Baldwin repeatedly; Nancy Travis slaps Andy Garcia for real.
“Slapping in movies.”
unknown · 1:20:56

The Insider (1999) · ‘The Insider’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a performance or career sits on the mountain.

pick Al Pacino: Not for anybody; Pacino's apex is elsewhere.
“Is it Pacino's the Apex Mountain?”
unknown · 1:20:47
pick Russell Crowe: Crowe's apex is Gladiator, not this.
“I think crows is gladiator.”
unknown · 1:20:52
pick The golfing henchman
“The golfing henchman guy, definitely.”
unknown · 1:20:53
pick Christopher Plummer: Plummer's apex is The Sound of Music, not this.
“Yeah, sound of music.”
unknown · 1:21:14
pick Michael Mann: Floated as Mann's apex for getting this made; countered that Heat is his apex.
“Is this man's apex mountain just in terms of his ability to do”
unknown · 1:21:24

The Big Chill (1983) · ‘The Big Chill’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where each actor's or thing's career or run sits against this movie.

pick Glenn Close as Sarah: Not her apex.
“Apex Mountain, no for close.”
unknown · 1:30:29
pick Kevin Kline as Harold: Not his apex.
“No for Kevin Quine.”
unknown · 1:30:32
pick Meg Tilly as Chloe: Masquerade comes up first, then they land on this movie because nobody has heard of Masquerade.
“I think it's this because I've never heard of masquerade.”
unknown · 1:30:53
pick Mary Kay Place as Meg: This movie.
“This is definitely Mary Kay Place, right?”
unknown · 1:30:59
pick Platoon: Tom Berenger's apex.
“Probably platoon, right?”
unknown · 1:31:06
pick Broadcast News: William Hurt's apex, along with winning the Oscar.
“Probably winning Oscar, right?”
unknown · 1:31:13
pick Poltergeist: JoBeth Williams, 1981 to 1983.
“Poltergeist, right? Right before this?”
unknown · 1:31:19
pick The Santini house: The house, rather than the movie, as its own apex.
“Probably the Santini.”
unknown · 1:31:31
nominee Nick's 1972 Porsche 911 Targa
“How about the Porsche, 1972, 911 Targa?”
unknown · 1:31:33
nominee Sleeping with your wife's friend because she is ovulating that weekend
“How about, um, sleeping with your wife's friend because she is avulating that weekend?”
unknown · 1:31:42
pick Lawrence Kasdan: Yes, this is his apex, coming off the Star Wars films and directing it too.
“I think it is coming off all the Star Wars.”
unknown · 1:32:40
nominee The backyard football game, against the one in Wedding Crashers
“What about backyard football?”
unknown · 1:32:46

A Bronx Tale (1993) · ‘A Bronx Tale’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career or a thing sits on the mountain.

pick Chazz Palminteri: Debated against The Usual Suspects; the speaker lands on A Bronx Tale as his peak.
“Chaz, it's this our usual suspects, but it's probably this, right?”
unknown · 1:25:40
pick Lillo Brancato Jr. as Calogero
“Broncado, yes.”
unknown · 1:25:53
pick Joe Pesci
“Pesci no.”
unknown · 1:25:55
pick Craps scenes
“Crap scenes.”
unknown · 1:26:27
pick Bus drivers in movies: Between this and Speed.
“Apex Mountain for bus drivers.”
unknown · 1:27:14

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) · ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Mallory Rubin

Apex Mountain · Where something in the film sits on the mountain.

nominee The Eyes Wide Shut party / orgies in general
“Hmm. I guess this is Apex better for the eyes wide shut party.”
unknown · 1:14:03
nominee Movies filmed in London pretending to be New York
“How about movies filmed in London pretending to be in New York?”
unknown · 1:14:20
pick Tom Cruise: Asked whether the film was a good career move for Cruise.
“It is part of the weird cruise Apex legacy, but at the same time, I just wish he had done a different movie.”
unknown · 1:22:26

A Few Good Men (1992) · ‘A Few Good (Re)Men’ Live From L.A. With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Whether a person or thing is at the peak of their career or reputation here.

pick Demi Moore: No.
“Apex Mountain, Demi More, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:23
pick Jack Nicholson: No; his peak is somewhere around Cuckoo's Nest and Chinatown.
“Apex bound for Nicholson, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:15
pick Kevin Pollak as Sam Weinberg: Yes.
“Kevin Pollock, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:46
pick Rob Reiner: Yes; Seinfeld just got picked up.
“Rob Reiner. Seinfeld, it just got picked up. Castle Rock. I'm going to say yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:26:04
pick Tom Cruise: Already decided: his apex is Jerry Maguire.
“I think it was Jerry Maguire.”
Bill Simmons · 1:26:35

My Cousin Vinny (1992) · ‘My Cousin Vinny’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Wesley Morris

Apex Mountain · Where a person or thing sits on the career or cultural mountain.

pick Joe Pesci: This era is his apex.
“This is the era.”
unknown · 1:09:15
pick Marisa Tomei: Yes, at the apex.
“Marissa, I would say, yes.”
unknown · 1:09:27
pick Ralph Macchio: No.
“Machio, no.”
unknown · 1:10:04
pick Grits: Yes, at the apex.
“Grits 100%.”
unknown · 1:10:21
pick Automotive and mechanical intelligence (the tire tracks)
“It's Apex Mountain for... like automotive intelligence, right?”
unknown · 1:10:46

This Is the End (2013) · ‘This Is the End’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Craig Horlbeck

Apex Mountain · Where this movie sits in each person's career.

pick Seth Rogen: This Is the End or Neighbors.
“So it's either this is the inner neighbors.”
unknown · 0:58:54
pick Jonah Hill: Probably Moneyball.
“Wolves, I would say it's probably worth money ball, yeah.”
unknown · 0:59:18
pick James Franco: Around 127 Hours and getting nominated.
“Franco, it's probably right around here.”
unknown · 0:59:22
pick Danny McBride: Last year of Eastbound and this movie.
“This is last year of Eastbound.”
unknown · 0:59:35
pick Craig Robinson
“It's right around here for him too.”
unknown · 0:59:42
pick Michael Cera: Backwards; probably Superbad.
“It's probably super bad.”
unknown · 0:59:50
pick Emma Watson: Harry Potter is still the apex.
“Yeah, I'm going to say Harry Potter.”
unknown · 0:59:57
pick This Is the End: Not the apex for comedies, but the apex for movie pitches.
“I think it's Apex Mountain for just movie pitches.”
unknown · 1:00:26

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) · ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person, thing or type of scene sits on the mountain.

pick The Cross of Coronado: Apex for crosses from Coronado.
“No, well, I mean, like for the cross of Coronado, probably Apex Mountain for crosses from Coronado, you know”
unknown · 0:41:25
pick Harrison Ford: Not at the first apex here, but a second-apex guy.
“I do I think that he's a 2nd apex guy, though.”
unknown · 1:22:56
pick The Holy Grail: Second apex for the Grail itself; the first is catching the blood of Christ.
“This is the 2nd apex mountain for the holy grail itself.”
Bill Simmons · 1:23:18
pick Anaconda: Apex for rats and snakes in a movie; First Blood's rat stuff also comes up.
“Uh, well, I would say Anaconda.”
unknown · 1:23:39
pick Indy meeting Walter Donovan at a black-tie party in the middle of the day: Second-best midday black-tie party, behind Pulp Fiction's Winston Wolf.
“And is this the 2nd best black tie party in the middle of the day next to Pulp Fiction?”
unknown · 1:25:44

Blood Diamond (2006) · ‘Blood Diamond’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a performance sits on the career mountain.

pick Leonardo DiCaprio as Danny Archer: Titanic is still the peak; this is a second apex, The Revenant a third.
“It's Titanic, but this is kind of a 2nd apex mountain, friend.”
Chris Ryan · 1:03:16
pick Jennifer Connelly as Maddie Bowen: Top Gun: Maverick over this film.
“I mean, it's really hard for me to pick anything but her standing in front of a fucking Porsche and Top Gun Maverick.”
unknown · 1:03:38
pick Djimon Hounsou as Solomon Vandy: Chooses this film over Amistad and Gladiator because he has the arc.
“I would say it's this just because like this is like a real part.”
unknown · 1:04:20

Iron Man (2008) · ‘Iron Man’ With Bill Simmons and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Whether this film is the peak of someone's career, with more juice after it than ever.

winner Robert Downey Jr.: Rejects Van's push for Endgame as his apex because this movie gave him the juice for everything after.
“Okay, so you have more juice after you do this.”
Bill Simmons · 1:21:16
winner Jon Favreau: Went from small movies to an A-plus-list director.
“And I say the same for Favreau.”
Bill Simmons · 1:21:22
nominee Terrence Howard: Probably earlier, in the mid-2000s (Hustle & Flow, Crash).
“Terrence Howard?”
Bill Simmons · 1:21:59

Catch Me If You Can (2002) · ‘Catch Me If You Can’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career peak sits.

winner Leonardo DiCaprio as Titanic: Not this movie; after Titanic he could work with any director he wanted.
“Leo's Apex Mountain is Titanic?”
unknown · 1:24:49
winner Christopher Walken as 1993-94 era: True Romance and Pulp Fiction era; Deer Hunter also floated.
“I feel like he had the most juice in like the 9394 range when he was like an unbelievable SNL host.”
unknown · 1:25:36

Alive (1993) · ‘Alive’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Craig Horlbeck

Apex Mountain · Where the movie sits on the mountain of its genres.

pick Plane crash movies: Definitely in the top three.
“Yeah, plane crashes. It said definitely in the top three.”
unknown · 1:07:24
pick Survival movies: Up there, but Cast Away wins.
“Castaway wins, but it's it's it's brought up.”
unknown · 1:07:32
pick Cigarette-smoking movies: Apex for smoking in filmed entertainment is Mad Men.
“Apex Mountain for cigarette smoking and filmed entertainment is probably Mad Men for me.”
unknown · 1:08:54

The Edge (1997) · ‘The Edge’ With Bill Simmons and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career or performance sits on the mountain.

pick The Edge: Best mainstream bear movie; Hopkins and Baldwin are not at their apex here.
“this is the best mainstream bear movie.”
Bill Simmons · 1:16:52
pick Elle McPherson: Her apex was a few years earlier with the swimsuit issue.
“I think it's probably a few years earlier with the swimsuit issue.”
Bill Simmons · 1:16:57
pick Harold Perrineau: Apex is probably Oz, though Lost is the argument for the largest audience.
“Actually, Oz is probably Harold Per News, Apex Mountain.”
Bill Simmons · 1:17:14
pick The name "the edge" (U2's guitarist)
“Probably U2 is the guitarist, this apex mountain for the edge, right?”
unknown · 1:18:04
pick The Omega Seamaster Chronograph 2296 watch: Called the James Bond watch.
“How about the Omega CMaster Chronograph 2296.”
unknown · 1:18:10

Scent of a Woman (1992) · ‘Scent of a Woman’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether a thing from the movie sits at the top of its mountain.

pick Pacino movies built around a blind character
“Movies built around a blind character?”
unknown · 1:10:03
pick Chris O'Donnell: He felt like the biggest young actor in the world after this movie.
“It felt like he was the biggest young actor in the world after this movie.”
Chris Ryan · 1:10:10
pick Rebhorn: A big scene in a pretty big movie, probably his biggest part in a big movie.
“This is probably his biggest part in a big movie.”
unknown · 1:10:24
pick The 1989 Ferrari Mondial
“The 1989 Ferrari Monday LT Cabriolet.”
unknown · 1:10:56
pick Horrible Thanksgivings in a movie
“Horrible Thanksgivings in a movie.”
unknown · 1:11:08
pick The Ranger chokehold
“Apex Mountain for the Ranger chokehold?”
Bill Simmons · 1:11:43
pick 90s hunk actors crying (McConaughey in A Time to Kill)
“That made that him crying in that courtroom scene made him an A plus listener.”
unknown · 1:12:01
pick The Oak Room
“Might actually be apex bound for the oak room.”
Chris Ryan · 1:12:29

Unforgiven (1992) · ‘Unforgiven’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career or a genre peaked.

pick Unforgiven as Apex for post-prime Clint Eastwood: Better than Million Dollar Baby; Unforgiven, In the Line of Fire and A Perfect World all within 13 months.
“It's a better movie than Million Dollar Baby.”
unknown · 1:25:36
pick Unforgiven as Apex for post-prime Gene Hackman (Crimson Tide the alternative)
“I think it's probably this for post-prime apex because then it sets out the next 7 years of Hackman just crushing it.”
unknown · 1:27:15
pick The Shawshank Redemption as Apex for Morgan Freeman
“Yeah, it's not even close.”
unknown · 1:27:24
pick True Romance as Apex for Saul Rubinek (same year)
“Let's get this in true romance same year.”
unknown · 1:27:28
pick Westerns peaked in the mid-60s with the great directors working at once: Searchers, High Noon, Liberty Valance, Rio Bravo and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly named; the speaker says he is no Western historian.
“Somewhere in the mid 60s, right?”
unknown · 1:28:36

Misery (1990) · ‘Misery’ With Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman

Apex Mountain · Where this performance sits among crazy obsessed fans in movies and among Stephen King movies.

pick Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes: Bates is the answer with no question; the debate then moves to King of Comedy and the best Stephen King movie.
“Apex Mountain, Bates, no question.”
Bill Simmons · 1:09:30

Knocked Up (2007) · ‘Knocked Up’ With Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, and Craig Horlbeck

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career sits on the mountain at this movie.

winner Katherine Heigl: Bill compares it to Vinny Chase in Aquaman territory; the others agree.
“Heigel's got to be, yes, right?”
Bill Simmons · 1:07:45
winner Seth Rogen: Bill argues the apex is right now, with Superbad coming two months later and anything greenlit.
“It's probably that 2 months later.”
Bill Simmons · 1:09:54
nominee Leslie Mann: Probably her peak as lead actress in a big movie, in This Is 40.
“I think it's probably leading, this is 40.”
Bill Simmons · 1:10:05

Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) · ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether this was the peak of someone's career.

pick Eddie Murphy: No; the first Cop was his apex.
“I think we decided cop one was his apex mode.”
Bill Simmons · 0:55:40
pick Brigitte Nielsen: Yes, apex; no long career after.
“Brigitte Nielsen, I would say yes.”
Bill Simmons · 0:55:43
pick Judge Reinhold as Rosewood: Yes, parts came after this.
“Judge Reinhold, I would say yes.”
Bill Simmons · 0:55:49
pick Tony Scott: No.
“Tony Scott, no.”
Chris Ryan · 0:56:35
pick Hugh Hefner: No; his apex was earlier, probably the late 70s.
“Hugh Hefner, I'm going to say no.”
Chris Ryan · 0:56:38
pick Harold Faltermeyer: No.
“Harold Faltamara, I would say no.”
unknown · 0:56:54

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) · ‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person's or thing's career sits on the mountain.

pick Mike Myers: Argues Austin Powers 2 is his apex, though others say Shrek or the first Austin Powers.
“No, I think the 2nd movie is his Apex.”
unknown · 0:59:57
pick New Line Cinema: Sentimental pick is Boogie Nights, then Bill agrees on 1997.
“Well, my sentimental pick is one year later for boogie nights.”
Sean Fennessey · 1:01:55
pick New Line Cinema
“I agree with Sean.”
Bill Simmons · 1:02:55
pick Elizabeth Hurley
“Apex month for Elizabeth Hurley.”
Bill Simmons · 1:03:57
pick Bond parodies
“Apex Mountain for bond parodies, yes.”
unknown · 1:03:54
pick I Touch Myself
“Apex Mountain for that.”
unknown · 1:04:03
pick Long movie pisses as a comedy gag: This movie and A League of Their Own are the finals.
“Long movie pisses.”
unknown · 1:04:36
pick Mindy Sterling as Frau Farbissina
“I don't that the Frau Farbisna woman had like, this is probably Apex Mountain for her.”
unknown · 1:05:13

The Player (1992) · 'The Player' With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Wesley Morris

Apex Mountain · Where this movie sits on a star's or filmmaker's career mountain.

pick Whoopi Goldberg: Her apex-mountain moment: dropped in for a few scenes and stealing the movie, right after Ghost.
“This is definitely the Apex Mountain of the era of Whoopi Goldberg coming in hot for a few scenes and just stealing.”
Bill Simmons · 0:49:41
pick Tim Robbins: Not his apex.
“Tim Robbins, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:30
pick Vincent D'Onofrio: Not his apex; asks what his apex was.
“Vincent DiNofrio, no, that does raise a good question of what his Apex Mountain was.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:33
pick Vincent D'Onofrio: Answer: probably the Law and Order seasons.
“Um, probably Law and Order, right?”
unknown · 1:25:40
pick Robert Altman: Nashville is his apex, in his view.
“It's Nashville, it's got to be Nashville, right?”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:56
pick Robert Altman: Argues for his post-MASH run (Brewster McCloud) as the peak of pure power.
“I mean, peak of his powers is post-mash, I think.”
unknown · 1:26:00
pick Cynthia Stevenson
“Syntony Stevenson, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:26:20
pick Peter Gallagher: Not his apex, but he calls him wildly underrated.
“Peter Gallagher, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:30:07
pick Oversized, double-breasted suits: The apex of the era's fashion, which the hosts hate; Wesley calls it his least favorite era.
“Oversized, double breasted suits.”
Bill Simmons · 1:30:45
pick Lisa Gibbons: Her cameo as an Entertainment Tonight host.
“Lisa Gibbons, I'm going to say yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:31:21
pick Whoopi Goldberg: Unsure; the others say Ghost or Sister Act was higher, and 1992 was a great year for her.
“Whoopi Goldberg, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:31:34
pick Greta Scacchi: Her apex was Presumed Innocent.
“I think it's presumed innocent for her.”
unknown · 1:32:24
pick Randall Batinkoff: It never got better: School Ties, Buffy and The Player.
“Randall Batcock. It never got better.”
Bill Simmons · 1:32:42

Die Hard 2 (1990) · ‘Die Hard 2’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person, genre or element of the movie sits on the mountain.

pick Commando: Apex Mountain for the fictional country of Val Verde: Commando, where they actually go there.
“All right, so Apex Mount for Val Verde, to me, is still commando.”
Bill Simmons · 0:59:54
pick Bruce Willis: Case made for Die Hard 2 as his peak because it made more money than the first; Sean is thinking Die Hard.
“Bruce Willis for Apex Mountain.”
Bill Simmons · 1:00:05
pick The Living Daylights: Apex for snowmobile chases.
“There a great one in the living daylights.”
unknown · 1:01:25
pick NYPD Blue, as Dennis Franz's apex
“NYPD Blue has to be that for him.”
unknown · 1:01:30
pick Die Hard 2: Renny Harlin's apex: Die Hard 2, his most successful; Sean thinks The Long Kiss Goodnight is the coolest film he made, while Harlin may be best known for Deep Blue Sea.
“My favorite is Long Kiss Good Night. That's, I think, the coolest movie he made, but this has got to be his Apex Mountain.”
Sean Fennessey · 1:01:37
pick Colonel Stuart as an Oliver North-style rip-off villain
“Oliver Stone, rip off villains.”
unknown · 1:03:48
pick Bonnie Bedelia: The case: she is in two of 1990's top 12 films and this is as good as it got for her.
“So here's the case for Bonnie Bedelia.”
unknown · 1:04:36
pick Airplane: Movies set in an airport: it is either this or Airplane.
“Set in an airport movies. It's either this or airplane, right?”
unknown · 1:05:05
pick Single White Female: Icicle eye stabbing is a yes, but the heel in the eye in Single White Female is still the best eye stabbing.
“I still think single white female, the heel and the high is the number one eye stabbing that I can remember.”
unknown · 1:05:31
pick Sadler's fully nude Tai Chi versus Swayze's half-nude Tai Chi in Roadhouse: Proposes a debate.
“I think we should have the debate as to whether Sadler's fully nude Tai Chi, tops Swayze's half nude Tai Chi in Roadhouse.”
unknown · 1:06:26
pick The Hangover: Apex for the comedic taser.
“Apex Mountain is a hangover.”
unknown · 1:16:53

Panic Room (2002) · ‘Panic Room’ (Plus a Mini Will Smith–Oscars Recap) With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person or thing sits on the mountain for this film.

nominee David Fincher: Not an apex.
“Apex Mountain, Fincher?”
Bill Simmons · 1:22:55
nominee Jodie Foster as Meg Altman: Not an apex; her peak is Silence of the Lambs.
“Foster, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:22:59
nominee Kristen Stewart as Sarah: Not an apex.
“Kristen Stewart, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:23:01
nominee Diabetes in a movie: Not clearly the best use; Dog Day Afternoon floated as better.
“Diabetes in a movie?”
Bill Simmons · 1:23:19
nominee Forrest Whitaker: Not an apex.
“Forrest Whitaker?”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:22
winner The panic room itself: Apex because the whole movie is built around it.
“I mean, whole movie's built around a panic room.”
unknown · 1:24:24
nominee Girl power in a movie: Not apex, but in the discussion; the women underestimated, though Whitaker saved them.
“Girl power in a movie?”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:31
nominee Dwight Yoakam as Raul: Not an apex.
“Dwight Yoakam?”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:54
winner Propane explosions in movies: Judged pretty good.
“Movie propane explosions.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:47

The Batman (2022) · ‘Batman’ (1989) With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Whether this movie was the peak of juice for someone's career.

winner Michael Keaton: Yes: enough juice to get Pacific Heights made.
“I think, yes, because it's supposed to be when you had the most juice and the whole thing.”
Bill Simmons · 1:09:54
nominee Kim Basinger: Arguably yes, about to meet Alec Baldwin; others point to L.A. Confidential.
“You could argue, yes.”
unknown · 1:10:26
nominee Jack Nicholson: No: his apex was elsewhere.
“Nicholson, no.”
unknown · 1:10:59
winner Jon Peters and Peter Guber: Yes: Batman gave them the juice to take over Sony.
“Peters and Goober as a combo, I would say yes.”
unknown · 1:11:07
pick Batman Returns: Burton's apex is probably Batman Returns rather than this one, since he made the movie he wanted.
“I would say it's Batman Returns, because that's a better movie, and he had more of a stranglehold on that movie.”
Sean Fennessey · 1:11:49

The Ice Storm (1997) · ‘The Ice Storm’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career sits on the mountain.

pick Kevin Kline
“Klein, no.”
unknown · 1:08:41
pick Sigourney Weaver
“Weaver has this movie and Alien Resurrection same year, but I still would say no.”
unknown · 1:08:44
pick Ang Lee: Brokeback Mountain is his apex.
“Angley no.”
unknown · 1:09:05
winner Joan Allen: Contested against The Bourne Supremacy and The Contender.
“For the sake of this pot, I'll say this is her apex.”
Chris Ryan · 1:12:08
pick Tobey Maguire
“Toby McGuire no.”
unknown · 1:13:19
pick Katie Holmes
“Katie Holmes, no.”
unknown · 1:13:20
pick Key parties: Joke category.
“Key parties, 100%, yes.”
unknown · 1:13:22
pick Premature ejaculation scenes
“I'm still going Forrest Gump.”
Bill Simmons · 1:14:08

Miracle (2004) · ‘Miracle’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether this is the peak of someone's career, or where the peak sits.

pick Kurt Russell: Not his apex; Tombstone is.
“Kurt Russell, I'm going to say no.”
unknown · 0:58:09
pick Gavin O'Connor: No.
“Gavin O'Connor, no.”
unknown · 0:58:48
pick Olympic hockey, as a sport: Yes, the real game is the apex.
“Olympic hockey, yes.”
unknown · 0:58:51
pick Noah Emmerich: Possibly The Americans.
“No, I'd probably say, I would probably say maybe the Americans for him.”
unknown · 0:59:13
pick Al Michaels: 1980 no, but 2004 yes: voice of Monday Night Football returning for Miracle.
“Al Michaels, so 1980, no.”
unknown · 0:59:35
pick Sports Illustrated: 1980 and this cover as the apex.
“I actually think this was the Apex of Sports Illustrated in 1980”
unknown · 1:00:39

The Godfather Part II (1974) · ‘The Godfather Part II’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Chris Ryan, and Brian Koppelman

Apex Mountain · Who or what is at the peak of its career or run.

winner Francis Ford Coppola
“I mean, he literally had never had more power than this.”
unknown · 1:55:43
winner Gordon Willis: Paired with Coppola.
“It's Copeland Gordon, I'm not to be and Gordon Willis.”
unknown · 1:56:22
winner John Cazale
“I would give it to him for this, Kazale?”
unknown · 1:56:30
nominee Lake Tahoe
“Lake Tahoe?”
unknown · 1:56:38
nominee Troy Donahue as Merle
“Apex Mountain for Troy Donahue, or whatever this guy's name is?”
unknown · 1:57:06
winner G.D. Spradlin as Senator Geary
“Even though he was amazing in... Apex Mountain for Spradley.”
unknown · 1:57:18
winner Paramount: For its Oscar results with this movie.
“Terrific Oscar results, yes.”
unknown · 1:57:47
winner Mafia movies
“Apex Mountain for Mafia movies.”
unknown · 1:58:05

Father of the Bride (1991) · ‘Father of the Bride’ With Bill Simmons and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Whether this movie is the peak of a person's or thing's career.

pick Steve Martin: True apex is around 1978-79, but this starts mainstream Steve Martin and counts as the apex of that second career.
“Yeah, mainstream Steve Martin.”
Bill Simmons · 1:02:05
pick Diane Keaton: No; her apex is Annie Hall, and mainstream peak is later (Something's Gotta Give, circa 2003).
“Yeah. Like 13, 14 years before this movie.”
unknown · 1:02:34
pick Kimberly Williams: Yes.
“Kimberly Williams, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:02:38
pick Father-daughter movies: Undeniably yes.
“Father daughter movies, undeniably, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:02:40
pick Nancy Meyers: No.
“Nancy Myers, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:02:44
pick San Marino: Yes, 100%.
“San Marino, 100%, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:02:45
pick Wedding movies: Yes; it is the happy wedding-movie apex and started the 90s wedding movie explosion.
“Even though we have nitpicks, I still think it's the wedding movie Apex.”
Bill Simmons · 1:03:02

Saturday Night Fever (1977) · ‘Saturday Night Fever’ With Bill Simmons and Jimmy Kimmel

Apex Mountain · When a person or thing was at the peak of its powers.

winner John Travolta as Grease era: Says the apex is just after Grease opens, not Saturday Night Fever itself.
“I would actually say Greece was probably his apex mountain because Greece follows Saturday Fever.”
Jimmy Kimmel · 1:09:20
winner Karen Lynn Gorney as Stephanie: Joke: she never acted again for 14 years and never got better.
“Karen Lingourney, Apex Mountain.”
Bill Simmons · 1:11:12
winner Disco, which peaks around this movie: Disco was dying when the movie came out and it revived it.
“But, um, but yeah, I think disco peaks right around here.”
unknown · 1:12:25
winner The Brooklyn Bridge in the movies: Woody Allen is the only competitor, but his movies were made at the same time.
“Well, Woody Allen's making his movies right at the same time as this, so I would say this is Apex Mountain for the Brooklyn Bridge.”
unknown · 1:11:56
winner Barry Miller, Paul Pape and Joseph Cali as Tony's friends: The friends were at their career apex in this movie.
“Barry Miller, Paul Pape, and Joseph Callie.”
unknown · 1:13:06

The Color of Money (1986) · ‘The Color of Money’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Whether the person or thing is at the peak.

pick Paul Newman: Not apex.
“Apex Mountain, Newman, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:01:42
pick Tom Cruise: Not apex.
“Cruise, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:01:44
pick Martin Scorsese: Not apex.
“Scorsese, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:01:45
pick Billiards: Probably a yes, since it was on ESPN.
“Billiards, I think we're probably a yes for this because it's on ESPN too.”
Bill Simmons · 1:01:49
pick Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio: Not apex here; her peak is the Abyss or Perfect Storm, though she is a five-alarm fire in this movie.
“So I don't think so.”
unknown · 1:03:40
pick Sweater vests: Newman killing the sweater vest game.
“I think we could all agree that it's Apex Mountain for sweater vests.”
Bill Simmons · 1:07:46

Trainspotting (1996) · ‘Trainspotting’ With Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald

Apex Mountain · Where a performer's or filmmaker's career peaks.

pick Jonny Lee Miller as Sick Boy: This is probably his peak.
“Johnny Lee Miller, I'd probably say this is his Apex Mountain”
Chris Ryan · 1:08:02
pick Ewen Bremner as Spud: This is probably his peak.
“you and Brenmer, I would probably say this is his Apex Mountain.”
Chris Ryan · 1:08:02
nominee Robert Carlyle as Begbie: A phenomenal career, though Chris points out T2 also gives him a great showing.
“One is Robert Carlisle.”
Andy Greenwald · 1:09:57
winner Born Slippy: His bending of the rules: the best needle drop of all time; Chris agrees and they settle on it as Apex Mountain for needle drops.
“that Bourne Slippy in train spotting is the greatest needle drop of all time.”
Andy Greenwald · 1:10:20

Fight Club (1999) · ‘Fight Club’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where each person's career or work peaked, yes or no.

pick Brad Pitt: No, because the movie was not that successful.
“Because the movie wasn't that successful.”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:34
pick Edward Norton: Yes: it rounds out his six-movie run.
“Ed Norton, I'm gonna say yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:36
pick David Fincher: No: still The Social Network.
“Fincher, I'm going to say still social network.”
Bill Simmons · 1:24:57
pick Rosie O'Donnell: Maybe.
“Rosie O'Donnell, maybe.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:03
pick Helena Bonham Carter: Yes, though he still does not love her in this movie.
“Helena Bottom Carter, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:39
pick The Pixies: No, probably not.
“No, probably not.”
unknown · 1:25:45
pick IKEA: Yes: great job in the late 90s, maybe not eventually.
“IKEA, I think Apex Mountain.”
Bill Simmons · 1:26:41
pick Actual fight clubs: Yes: they sprang up everywhere.
“Fight clubs, definitely.”
unknown · 1:27:25
pick Meat Loaf: No: he peaked in the 70s.
“Meatloaf, I still say 70s, he probably peaked.”
unknown · 1:27:36

Boyz n the Hood (1991) · ‘Boyz n the Hood’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, Van Lathan, and Logan Murdock

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career sits on the mountain relative to this film.

pick Ice Cube: Puts 1991 Ice Cube in context: provocative musician plucked for movies, one of the most successful movie stars of the last 30 years. Later the table says Friday is his apex.
“I was going to do it for Apex Mountain.”
Sean Fennessey · 1:05:53
pick John Singleton: Reluctantly yes: this debut is the peak, though he did make some clunkers and his early films are being reevaluated.
“John Singleton. Unfortunately, I think yes.”
unknown · 1:30:12
pick Ice Cube: Concludes his apex is Friday.
“So it's got to be Friday then.”
unknown · 1:31:05
pick Laurence Fishburne: The Matrix.
“It's got to be the Matrix.”
unknown · 1:31:09
pick Cuba Gooding Jr.: Winning the Oscar.
“No, I would say winning the Oscar.”
unknown · 1:31:35

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) · ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career or a thing sits on the mountain.

winner Harrison Ford: At the summit with Star Wars, Raiders and Blade Runner.
“Ford.”
unknown · 1:34:53
winner Karen Allen
“Karen now in Apex Mountain, yes.”
unknown · 1:35:46
winner Denholm Elliott
“Denholm Elliott had trading places the following year.”
unknown · 1:35:49
winner Nazis as movie villains
“Nazis is movie villains.”
unknown · 1:36:17
winner Monkeys in comedy movies
“Monkeys as, uh, comedy movie things that go badly.”
unknown · 1:36:50
winner John Williams: The apex is a 50-year plateau; Jurassic Park and Indy sit near the top.
“And it seems like his apex just lasted for 50 years.”
unknown · 1:38:45
winner Fedoras
“I think, like, being an American man in the 1940s and 50s is Apex Mountain for Fedorus.”
unknown · 1:39:39

What About Bob? (1991) · ‘What About Bob?’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Van Lathan

Apex Mountain · Whether this movie is the peak of someone's career.

pick Bill Murray: Not his apex.
“Bill Murray, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:06:46
pick Richard Dreyfuss: Not his apex.
“Dreyfus, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:06:48
pick Charlie Korsmo: Yes as an actor, though his post-acting career may top it.
“Charlie Korsma, I'm going to say, I'm going to say yes as an actor.”
Bill Simmons · 1:06:50
pick Julie Hagerty: Not her apex.
“Julie Haggerty?”
Bill Simmons · 1:07:03
pick Death therapy / patient-shrink movies: Maybe the apex of the genre idea, though Analyze This is probably the apex.
“This was probably the apex of death therapy.”
unknown · 1:07:10

Predator (1987) · ‘Predator’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Shea Serrano, and Kyle Brandt

Apex Mountain · Whether this is the peak of a person's career or performance.

pick Arnold Schwarzenegger: Apex for Arnold movies, not for Arnold himself.
“I would say that this is Apex Mountain for Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, but not for Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
Chris Ryan · 1:11:58
pick Carl Weathers: No: he has four Rockies and Action Jackson.
“He's put down 4 Rockies.”
unknown · 1:12:16
pick Jesse Ventura: Yes.
“Jesse the Body Ventura, I think, yes.”
unknown · 1:12:34
pick Sonny Landham: Yes; the first movie people think of for him.
“This is the 1st movie I think of when I hear the name Sonny Lamb.”
unknown · 1:13:04
pick Bill Duke: No; points to Deep Cover.
“No, deep cover?”
unknown · 1:13:08
pick Guys dropping from a helicopter in camouflage: Yes: the best version of it, scarier than usual.
“Um, guys dropping from a helicopter and camouflage.”
unknown · 1:13:12
pick Elpidia Carrillo: Yes.
“Alpedia Carrillo, I'm going to say yes.”
unknown · 1:13:44
nominee Carl Weathers's death scene in Predator: Nominee against Rocky IV and Happy Gilmore; Bill leans Predator.
“I feel like this is the winner.”
Bill Simmons · 1:15:47
winner Carl Weathers's death scene in Rocky IV: Wins for emotion; Kyle agrees.
“I, I, I have to, I have to go with Rocky 4 because you expect everybody to die.”
unknown · 1:15:49
pick Carl Weathers's death scene in Rocky IV
“But when they end the Rocky 4 scene and there's chaos, you think that the next scene is going to be in a hospital, it's at a cemetery.”
Kyle Brandt · 1:16:29
pick Alabama ticks line
“It's got to be an apex amount for Alabama ticks.”
Shea Serrano · 1:17:10
pick Billy's self-sacrifice (with Bruce Willis in Armageddon)
“Those are those are my two.”
Shea Serrano · 1:17:23

Thief (1981) · ‘Thief’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether a person, performance or thing sits on the apex mountain.

nominee James Caan: Not on the mountain.
“Jimmy Khan, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:06:13
nominee Tuesday Weld: No, even though she is really good.
“Tuesday weld, I would say no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:06:16
nominee Michael Mann
“Michael Mann no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:06:19
nominee Robert Prosky: A hell of a debut, but he became Prosky in the early 90s.
“He became Prosky in the early 90s.”
unknown · 1:06:34
winner Chicago diners
“Chicago Diners?”
unknown · 1:06:37
winner Illegal adoption: Prosky cut out the middle man.
“Illegal.”
unknown · 1:06:59
nominee Willie Nelson
“Apex Mountain, Willie Nelson, no.”
Bill Simmons · 1:07:46
winner Robert Prosky's death scenes
“I'm going to say yes.”
unknown · 1:07:51
winner Joliet prison
“Maybe Blues Brothers, but somewhere in here is the Joliet Prison Apex Mountain, I think.”
unknown · 1:08:15
winner Ferris Bueller's Day Off: Picked as the Chicago movie that uses the city best.
“But I think Ferris Bueller uses the city of Chicago the best.”
Chris Ryan · 1:09:14

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) · ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ With Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald

Apex Mountain (renamed Mount Wilson) · Where a performance or career peaks.

winner Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson as Eli Cash and Richie Tenenbaum: Renamed Apex Mountain Mount Wilson for this episode.
“I mean, this is this is Mount Wilson, as far as I'm concerned.”
Andy Greenwald · 0:48:39
pick Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenenbaum: Floated as her peak; the hosts settle on Mount Wilson.
“This might be Gwyneth Apex Mountain as far as I'm concerned.”
Chris Ryan · 1:11:34

Home Alone (1990) · ‘Home Alone’ With Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Mina Kimes

Apex Mountain · Where this performance or movie sits on the mountain of the performer's career or of its genre.

winner Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McAllister: Home Alone is his apex, with Sean's caveat about the Black or White video and the run that continued.
“No, I guess we'll go Apex Mountain Macaulay Culkin with Sean's caveat that the run continued.”
Chris Ryan · 1:05:09
nominee Joe Pesci as Harry: The hosts note Pesci came off Goodfellas and became a leading man after this, but Chris skipped over him.
“Yeah, I guess I skipped over him for Apex Mountain.”
Chris Ryan · 1:09:17
pick Home Alone, among Christmas movies: Not the peak of Christmas movies; A Christmas Story probably tops it, though Home Alone is top 10.
“Home Alone is definitely a classic. It is in the top 10 Christmas movies. But it's probably not Apex Mountain for Christmas movies.”
unknown · 1:03:34

The Game (1997) · ‘The Game’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a performance or location sits on the mountain.

pick Deborah Kara Unger: Peak of her career.
“Deborah Carr, Unger.”
unknown · 0:50:10
nominee Johnny's Coffee Shop, the diner used as a movie set
“Apex Mountain for Johnny's coffee shop or would you go with another movie?”
unknown · 0:50:57
nominee The cheeseburger James Rebhorn is about to eat for his birthday
“That might be a cheeseburger on film Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 0:51:43

Seven (1995) · ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether this was the height of someone's powers.

pick Morgan Freeman: Argues he had the most juice after Se7en, not Shawshank; Sean is dubious.
“I think he has the most juice after this movie, not Shawshank.”
Bill Simmons · 1:10:00
nominee Kevin Spacey: Suggested his apex is American Beauty.
“I still feel like, no, I think it's American Beauty.”
unknown · 1:11:38

Easy A (2010) · ‘Easy A’ With Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins, and Shea Serrano

Apex Mountain · Whether this film is Emma Stone's peak.

pick Emma Stone as Olive: Not technically her apex, but she does not reach it without this movie; she should have been nominated for an Oscar.
“So I think ultimately it's not technically her Apex Mountain, but she doesn't get to her Apex Mountain without this movie.”
Amanda Dobbins · 1:26:57
pick Emma Stone as Olive: Not close to apex; her apex is La La Land.
“Um, I just don't think you can make the case that this is anywhere close to Apex Mountain.”
Juliet Litman · 1:27:40

Fletch (1985) · ‘Fletch’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career or peak sits relative to Fletch.

pick Chevy Chase: Two apexes: SNL, then around 1985-86 when he reclaims A-list stardom.
“Center live, clearly apex.”
unknown · 1:02:22
pick Dana Wheeler-Nicholson
“For Chris, her apex has been going for 35 years.”
unknown · 1:02:53
pick Harold Faltermeyer
“So I would say here, this leads to Top Gun.”
unknown · 1:03:12
pick Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Another host argues 1980 is the real apex.
“I think this year, and this era is maybe his apex.”
unknown · 1:04:21
pick Chick Hearn as Arnold J. Pants, Esquire
“Fletch pushed it over the top.”
unknown · 1:05:34
pick Cans of Coors
“My only other apex mountain here is cans of cores.”
unknown · 1:05:59
pick Investigative newspaper reporting
“Apex Mountain for investigative reporting?”
unknown · 1:06:10

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) · ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a person, place or thing sits on the career mountain.

pick Mia Sara as Sloane Peterson
“Mia Sarah.”
Bill Simmons · 1:16:56
pick Ferrari the corporation
“How about the Ferrari Corporation?”
unknown · 1:17:03
pick Shermer High School and Chez Louis
“Shermer High School, I feel like, yes.”
unknown · 1:17:08
pick Matthew Broderick: No clear single apex; The Producers on Broadway is floated.
“Broderick's a tough one.”
unknown · 1:17:13
pick Jennifer Grey: Her apex was Dirty Dancing.
“Jennifer Gray Hearst was dirty dancing.”
unknown · 1:18:15
pick Chicago in movies
“I was going to say, is this is this Apex Mountain for Chicago in movies.”
unknown · 1:18:20
pick The all-in-one-day movie
“Do you guys think this is the this is Apex Mountain for the all in one day movie?”
unknown · 1:18:39

Edge of Tomorrow (2014) · 'Edge of Tomorrow' With Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a career peak sits.

pick Emily Blunt: Edge of Tomorrow or Sicario.
“I would say this or Sicario is probably apex for me.”
Chris Ryan · 1:20:14
pick Doug Liman: Speaker unclear.
“So I think Bourne would probably be his Apex Mountain”
unknown · 1:19:15

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) · ‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ Live From Sundance With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a performance or career sits on the mountain; here, post-prime Brad Pitt and the year 1969.

nominee Moneyball: Offered as Pitt's post-prime apex; Bill pushed back that it didn't make much money.
“Probably Moneyball.”
unknown · 1:07:54
winner Ocean's Eleven: Bill settles on Ocean's Eleven because Pitt was dating Jennifer Aniston and the biggest couple in the world.
“I think I think... You're right, it is Ocean's 11.”
Bill Simmons · 1:08:12

Skyfall (2012) · ‘Skyfall’ With Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Where the movie sits on the mountain of a star's or filmmaker's career.

winner Daniel Craig as James Bond: Opens the Olympics and stars in the billion-dollar best Bond; in terms of actual power, it has to be Skyfall.
“But in terms of actually having power, I think it has to be Skyfall.”
Chris Ryan · 1:00:52
nominee Sam Mendes as director: Argued that Mendes's apex was earlier, right after American Beauty.
“Yeah, Daniel Craig Apex Mountain, Sam Mendes, I would probably say this was an earlier point for Mendes, like coming out of American Beauty doing jarhead.”
unknown · 1:00:58
nominee Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva: Hard to call it his apex after No Country for Old Men; the joke is that The Counselor is the true apex.
“And then to the wonder and then the counselor, which is the greatest performance in the history of movies.”
unknown · 1:02:05

The Holiday (2006) · ‘The Holiday’ With Juliet Litman, Amanda Dobbins, and Kari Simmons

Apex Mountain · Whether this is the peak of a star's career, objectively, given the movie and its context.

nominee Cameron Diaz as Amanda: Firm no: her peak runs from Something About Mary to Shrek; this film marks the start of her slowing down.
“I would say this is the very beginning of the slowing down of Cameron Diaz.”
Juliet Litman · 0:43:51
winner Jack Black as Miles: Peak of his School of Rock-to-Holiday run, though one host would still say School of Rock is his apex.
“I think this is Jack Black's Apex Mountain.”
Juliet Litman · 0:45:11
nominee Kate Winslet as Iris: Too many peaks to say; nobody thinks this is her best work.
“I don't think anyone thinks the holiday is her best work.”
unknown · 0:46:53
winner Jude Law as Graham: His apex is The Talented Mr. Ripley, both for hotness and for power, not this film.
“I would say Mr. Ripley is his apex mountain now.”
unknown · 0:50:00
winner Nancy Meyers: Her apex is Something's Gotta Give, a critical breakthrough with Keaton, Nicholson and Reeves; not this film.
“It's not something he's got to give.”
unknown · 0:52:22

The Shining (1980) · ‘The Shining’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career peak sits.

pick Shelley Duvall: The apex is in the 70s, around Nashville and maybe Annie Hall, not The Shining.
“Apex Mountain. Shelley Duvall?”
Bill Simmons · 1:25:35
pick Stanley Kubrick: The Shining didn't put his career in a better place; 2001 is his apex.
“I would say 2001 is.”
unknown · 1:26:37

Beverly Hills Cop (1984) · ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ With Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · What was at its peak in this movie, in the hosts' terms.

pick Eddie Murphy: Covered earlier in the episode.
“Apex Mound.”
Bill Simmons · 1:09:43
pick Lisa Eilbacher as Jenny Summers: Emphatically at her apex.
“Lisa Elbacher, 100,000%.”
Bill Simmons · 1:09:44
pick LA cops: A joke that this was the apex for LA cops, which turned dramatically downhill after.
“Possible Apex Madden.”
unknown · 1:10:13
pick Mumford High School: The Mumford apparel at its peak.
“Mumford High School, definitely.”
unknown · 1:10:34
pick Harold Faltermeyer: The composer at his peak.
“Harold Faltimeyer, yes.”
unknown · 1:10:38
pick Kent cigarettes: Kent at its peak.
“And then Kent Cigarettes, for sure.”
unknown · 1:10:40

Do the Right Thing (1989) · ‘Do The Right Thing’ With Sean Fennessey and Wesley Morris

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career or performance sits on the mountain.

winner Spike Lee: Says the screenplay is perfect, making it the peak of his fiction filmmaking.
“I mean, I think the thing, the reason that I'm saying do the right thing is the apex of his filmmaking.”
Wesley Morris · 1:17:44
nominee 4 Little Girls: Sean argues Spike's peak is his nonfiction work; speaker inferred from the following exchange.
“Because the peak that he, the Apex, about 4 little girls.”
Sean Fennessey · 1:16:51
pick Danny Aiello: Sean offers the name; Wesley answers.
“Yeah, I mean, it's best performance he ever gave in a movie.”
Wesley Morris · 1:18:44

Gone Girl (2014) · 'Gone Girl’ With Bill Simmons, Shea Serrano, Mallory Rubin, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a star's or filmmaker's work sits on the mountain.

pick Rosamond Pike as Amy Dunne: The definition of Apex Mountain.
“Rosemont Pike, I think, is definition of Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 1:16:00
pick The Social Network: Their Fincher apex, though it changes depending on the last one watched.
“We decided social network, right?”
unknown · 1:16:06
pick Mountain Dew product placement: The one product placement the movie lingers on.
“Is this the Apex Mountain for Mountain Dew?”
unknown · 1:16:32

Collateral (2004) · ‘Collateral’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whose career peak this is.

pick Mark Ruffalo as Fanning: Only half-seriously, the goatee, since he shaved it off afterward.
“Because Ruffalo's goatee could have done so many different things from there and instead he shaved it off.”
unknown · 1:07:40
pick The 105 freeway: The hosts conclude no one in the film is at their apex.
“The 105 Apex Mountain for the 105.”
unknown · 1:08:04

Reservoir Dogs (1992) · ‘Reservoir Dogs’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where this performance sits on the actor's career mountain.

pick Michael Madsen as Mr. Blonde: Argues this was his apex mountain.
“I think this was his apex mountain.”
unknown · 1:13:40
pick Tim Roth as Mr. Orange: His apex is Pulp Fiction, not this movie.
“I think pulp for him.”
unknown · 1:13:49
pick Chris Penn as Nice Guy Eddie: Somewhere between this and Shortcuts; others say Footloose.
“Chris Penn, it's somewhere between here and Shortcuts.”
unknown · 1:13:57

When Harry Met Sally (1989) · ‘When Harry Met Sally’ With Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Whether the movie was the high point of a person's career.

pick Billy Crystal: Not the apex; City Slickers puts him at a higher level.
“I don't think so, Billy Crystal.”
unknown · 1:05:43
pick Meg Ryan: Not the apex; she ruled the 90s, with a lower batting average than remembered.
“Meg Ryan definitely not.”
unknown · 1:05:50
pick Rob Reiner: One host says yes, another says no because Misery and Castle Rock and Seinfeld come two years later.
“I'm going to go no, and here's why.”
unknown · 1:06:30

Mean Girls (2004) · ‘Mean Girls’ With Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Where a cast member's career peaked relative to this movie.

winner Lindsay Lohan: Unanimous: the highest peak anyone may have reached.
“It's the highest peak anyone may have ever reached on their apex mountain.”
Bill Simmons · 1:03:28
pick Tina Fey: Mean Girls gave her the power to do 30 Rock and Sarah Palin.
“Writes Mean Girls has an incredible amount of power that then allows her to do 30 rock.”
unknown · 1:03:46
pick Rachel McAdams: Suggested her peak was Wedding Crashers, the end of a trilogy with this and The Notebook.
“I would say wedding crashers because this is so much bigger than...”
unknown · 1:04:16

The Natural (1984) · ‘The Natural’ With Bill Simmons and Mallory Rubin

Apex Mountain · Where a career or performance sits on the mountain.

nominee Darren McGavin as Gus Sands: Floated as possibly his apex.
“Although Darren McGavin, if he had been credited.”
Bill Simmons · 1:15:40
nominee Kim Basinger: Rejected: L.A. Confidential is later and bigger.
“You could make us, there's a small case to be made for Kim Basinger.”
Mallory Rubin · 1:15:46
winner Wilfred Brimley as Pop Fisher
“I think you make a case, this is Brimley's Apex Mountain.”
Mallory Rubin · 1:16:04
nominee Wilfred Brimley's chest hair
“I think his chest hair was Apex Mountain.”
Bill Simmons · 1:16:22

Reality Bites (1994) · ‘Reality Bites’ 25th Anniversary With Bill Simmons, Chuck Klosterman, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether this movie is the peak of that person's career.

winner Winona Ryder as Lelaina Pierce: Chuck agrees; the ruling is Winona yes.
“Apex Mountain, Winona Ryder.”
Bill Simmons · 1:03:36
nominee Ethan Hawke as Troy Dyer: Bill rules no, pointing to Training Day as the bigger moment.
“I mean, it's also, it is the apex of Ethan Hawk, though.”
Chris Ryan · 1:04:08
nominee Janeane Garofalo as Vickie: Ruled no.
“Uh, I would say no.”
unknown · 1:07:31
winner Lisa Loeb
“Uh, this was definitely Lisa Love's apex.”
unknown · 1:08:03

Old School (2003) · ‘Old School’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where a person's career peak sits relative to this movie.

pick Craig Kilborn: Apex as the first season of Kilborn on The Daily Show; another host says Kilborn probably thinks this movie was his apex.
“I think 1st year Daily Show was what I would go for.”
unknown · 0:46:15
pick Will Ferrell: Not this movie; making Anchorman and having it succeed, a movie-career apex.
“Having that movie succeed, which is it's insane.”
unknown · 0:46:50
pick Vince Vaughn: One host says this movie and the Dodgeball and Wedding Crashers run; another picks Wedding Crashers, when he was one of the biggest stars we have.
“I'm gonna go wedding crashers, which I think was a year later.”
unknown · 0:47:22
pick Luke Wilson: The mainstream run from Legally Blonde to Charlie's Angels to this, when he was getting lead roles; leads into the Harrison Ford argument.
“I think so, because it's right around here is the run for him that is actually like the mainstream run where it's like legally blonde to Charlie's Angels, this.”
unknown · 0:47:48
pick Elisha Cuthbert: 24 season one era; this feels about as good as it got.
“It feels like this is about as good as it got.”
unknown · 0:50:52
pick Patrick Cranshaw as Blue: He went out high.
“He went out high.”
unknown · 0:52:50

Tombstone (1993) · ‘Tombstone’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where a star's career peak sits.

nominee Kurt Russell as Tombstone: Argued as his LeBron 2018 Finals, getting the movie financed.
“This, to me, is more like a LeBron, the 2018 finals for Kurt Russell.”
unknown · 0:46:41
nominee Kurt Russell as Tango and Cash: The end of the 80s, an A-list star after Tequila Sunrise; the case is that it opened Backdraft and Tombstone.
“I'm going controversial, Tango and Cash.”
unknown · 0:46:48
winner Kurt Russell as 1982-83: The Thing, Silkwood: Nominated for the Oscar for Silkwood; the group conceded the point.
“He was nominated for best supporting actor, four, Silkwood, which is why it's his Apex Mountain around the thing.”
Sean Fennessey · 0:48:08
nominee Val Kilmer as Heat: De Niro's wingman in the biggest movie of the mid 90s.
“I'm going heat.”
unknown · 0:49:39
nominee Val Kilmer as Top Gun: Offered, then rejected as a Cruise movie.
“I would imagine that Top Gun is his Apex Mountain”
unknown · 0:49:18
nominee Val Kilmer as The Doors: A personal apex.
“I mean, for me, my personal apex with him is the Doors because I thought he was out of control in that movie.”
unknown · 0:50:24
winner Jason Priestley: At the height of 90210 and in a movie with Russell and Kilmer.
“1000% apex amount for Priestley.”
unknown · 0:51:24
pick Dana Delany as China Beach era
“Dana Delaney, I feel like it's got to be when she was on China Beach, which I think was still was gone at this point.”
unknown · 0:52:07
pick George Cosmatos as ghost director: Offered as the only other Apex Mountain in the movie.
“I don't really have any other Apex Mountains other than George Cosmatos, ghost director.”
unknown · 0:52:14
pick Bill Paxton: Not a Mount Rushmore Paxton performance; the question is whether it is his sweet spot.
“I don't think that this is a Mount Rushmore Paxton performance.”
unknown · 0:52:37

Taken (2008) · 'Taken' With Bill Simmons and Shea Serrano

Apex Mountain · Where a performer's career peaked.

pick Liam Neeson as Brian Mills: Apex is Taken, over Schindler's List, for becoming an action star in his mid-50s.
“Liam Neeson, Liam Neeson, 100%, yes.”
Bill Simmons · 0:55:14
pick Maggie Grace as Kim: Says it never got better for her than Taken.
“I'm going to say it never got better for after this.”
Shea Serrano · 0:55:40

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) · 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' With Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, Micah Peters, and Jason Concepcion

Apex Mountain · Where a star's or director's career or performance sits on the mountain.

pick Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (George Miller): Calls Road Warrior Miller's best film, ahead of Babe, Happy Feet and Lorenzo's Oil.
“I think Road Warrior is his best film and in some ways laid out this carpet for him to become one of the sort of the Spielbergian directors where he could take action, could do drama.”
unknown · 0:45:12
winner Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller): Concedes Road Warrior is better in story and pacing but calls Fury Road a singular achievement.
“I do think this is his apex mountain, even though I agree that... The road warrior is a better film.”
unknown · 0:48:16
pick Warrior (Tom Hardy): Hardy's best performance, with Inception rated higher as a movie he has been in.
“Uh-huh. I think my pick, this might be Warrior.”
unknown · 0:46:50
pick Monster (Charlize Theron): Prefers Monster over Fury Road for Theron.
“I think this, I think Monster is, for me, her apex mountain.”
unknown · 0:48:11
winner iOTA as Doof Warrior
“Easily. Easily.”
unknown · 0:49:57

Mission: Impossible (1996) · 'Mission: Impossible' With Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Jason Concepcion

Apex Mountain · Whether this is the peak of anyone's career.

pick Tom Cruise: Not his apex.
“Do you think this is Apex Mountain for Tom Cruise?”
Chris Ryan · 1:01:17
pick Brian De Palma: Not his apex; the group settles on The Untouchables.
“I'm going untouchables.”
Chris Ryan · 1:02:39
pick Ving Rhames: Not his apex; Pulp Fiction and Baby Boy are higher.
“No, no, Pulp Fiction.”
unknown · 1:01:29
pick Henry Czerny: The only one this might be, though Clear and Present Danger is better.
“I guess it's Zerney.”
unknown · 1:01:53
pick Danny Elfman: Not his apex; Batman or Beetlejuice.
“That's got to be Beetlejuice, right?”
unknown · 1:02:08

Midnight Run (1988) · 'Midnight Run' With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Where each performer's career sits on the mountain.

pick Charles Grodin as the Duke: No debate; this is Grodin's apex.
“I didn't even think that's a debate.”
unknown · 0:53:39
pick Robert De Niro as Raging Bull: One host says Raging Bull; another floats Taxi Driver and says Goodfellas is up there.
“I would say his apex has to be Raging Bull.”
unknown · 0:54:05
pick Robert De Niro as Jack Walsh: Midnight Run as De Niro's apex for the speaker personally; Casino argued as another.
“It's weird because he's had multiple apexes because for me personally, Midnight Run as his apex.”
unknown · 0:54:18
pick Dennis Farina as Jimmy Serrano
“Dennis Farina, yes.”
unknown · 0:55:00
pick John Ashton as Beverly Hills Cop II: His apex is Beverly Hills Cop II over Midnight Run.
“John Ashton, I still think Beverly Hills cop two.”
unknown · 0:55:03
pick Joe Pantoliano as Eddie Moscone: This is his apex because he becomes Joey Pants.
“I think this was his apex because he becomes Joey Pants.”
unknown · 0:55:32

Jaws (1975) · 'Jaws,' With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where the performer's career peak sits, as the hosts define it: the recognizable-but-not-A-list star whose big movie sets him up.

pick Roy Scheider as Jaws: Frames apex as the career peak that Jaws gave him, not his best-ever work.
“Apex is like he's a guy who's not an A-lister, but a recognizable star who's been in some good things, and now is in this movie that becomes the biggest movie of all time and sets him up.”
Bill Simmons · 1:09:06
pick Roy Scheider as All That Jazz: Argues All That Jazz, where he carries the whole film and was nominated.
“You're all that jazz.”
Chris Ryan · 1:08:50
pick Robert Shaw as no clear apex: Candidates floated: A Man for All Seasons, From Russia with Love, The Sting; no settled answer.
“The Man for All Seasons is his best from Russia with love.”
unknown · 1:10:17
pick Richard Dreyfuss as Close Encounters: Close Encounters is the lean; one host rides for Mr. Holland's Opus and The Goodbye Girl is floated.
“I think it's close encounters.”
unknown · 1:11:33

Forrest Gump (1994) · ‘Forrest Gump’ With Bill Simmons and Sean Fennessey

Apex Mountain · Where this performance or filmmaker's career sits on the mountain.

winner Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump: His most commercial movie, a second Oscar, and the point where he became the alpha dog in Hollywood.
“This is the most commercial movie he ever made.”
Sean Fennessey · 0:43:51
winner Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan Taylor: Few great Sinise performances compare; this is his peak.
“This is definitely Apex Mountain.”
unknown · 0:45:13
winner Robert Zemeckis: His peak is Back to the Future, not Forrest Gump.
“No, back to the future.”
Sean Fennessey · 0:45:16
winner Robin Wright as Jenny Curran: Her most complete performance, with the most to do.
“It's, I think it's her most complete performance.”
unknown · 0:45:55
winner Mykelti Williamson as Bubba
“Michael T. Williamson absolutely.”
unknown · 0:46:09

The Social Network (2010) · 'The Social Network' With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan

Apex Mountain · Whether this movie was the peak of someone's career.

winner Jesse Eisenberg: Chris agrees; hard to imagine a more impactful role.
“That is my vote.”
Bill Simmons · 0:49:54
winner David Fincher: Bill says yes, a peak of his powers; Sean says Zodiac is the masterpiece, and others say he may still have an apex ahead.
“I think this was his apex for this reason.”
Bill Simmons · 0:50:46
nominee Aaron Sorkin: Says no: The West Wing is his apex, and A Few Good Men is a more entertaining script.
“Sorkin, I'm going to say no unless you guys disagree.”
Chris Ryan · 0:52:58
nominee Andrew Garfield: Most interesting Garfield role, but they doubt he has had his apex yet.
“This is by far the most interesting Andrew Garfield role.”
unknown · 0:53:47
nominee Justin Timberlake: Argued to be 2006-07, the album and the Lonely Island sketches, not this movie.
“JT's Apex was when that album came out, like, 06”
unknown · 0:54:39
nominee Mark Zuckerberg: Probably 2015, not this movie's moment.
“I think 15 was probably his apex.”
unknown · 0:55:42
nominee Armie Hammer: No: Call Me by Your Name is his apex.
“No, I think call me by your name is Army's Apex.”
Chris Ryan · 0:55:58

You've Got Mail (1998) · 'You’ve Got Mail' With Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins

Apex Mountain · Is this the peak of the star's or filmmaker's career?

pick Tom Hanks as Joe Fox: Not his apex, though the streak is; the performance is effortless.
“It's not his apex.”
unknown · 0:42:18
pick Nora Ephron: Not the peak film, but the one watched and quoted most; When Harry Met Sally changed everything.
“It's not the peak, Nora, but it's peak to me.”
unknown · 0:43:12
pick Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly: One host says this is her peak with a precipitous drop-off after; the other gives the edge to When Harry Met Sally.
“I do think, however, this is peak Meg Ryan.”
unknown · 0:43:19