The Rewatchables: ‘Iron Man’ With Bill Simmons and Van Lathan

Published 2023-05-02; 1:45:14 by the feed.

Awards and segments (72)

Double feature

  1. pick The Dark Knight: Pair the two 2008 superhero movies that changed everything, the peak of the genre.
    “You could do a 2008 double feature. You could do Iron Man, Dark Knight.”
    unknown · 1:37:34

Most rewatchable scene

  1. pick The first six minutes: the truck in the Middle East, the Maxim montage, the ambush.
    “I love when movies just start and are really, really good right away.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:37:07
  2. pick The Mark I suit's first flight, when it takes out the Ten Rings captors.
    “I'm talking about the Mark one suit when that suit 1st comes out and fucks over these guys that are from the Ten Rings organization.”
    Van Lathan · 0:37:57
  3. pick Tony activating the Mark I suit to escape the cave, with Yinsen's sacrifice.
    “I had that scene that I called that the time to activate the Iron Man suit gimmick.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:38:24
  4. floated Pepper Potts sends the Vanity Fair reporter packing.
    “It's not the most rewatchable, but I do like when Pepper Pots sends the Vanity Fair reporter packing.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:40:03
  5. floated Pepper replacing the arc reactor in Tony's chest.
    “The Pepper replacing Tony's heart.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:41:36
  6. floated Tony test-drives the flying suit: the ice buildup, crashing through the house, crushing the car.
    “Tony test drives the flying the new suit thing.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:43:06
  7. floated Someone trying to download files on a computer with seconds left while a person walks by.
    “I like when people are trying to download something on a computer. And it's like 90 seconds left.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:43:30
  8. pick The entire sequence of Tony as a captive, where the Tony Stark of the MCU is created.
    “My most rewatchable scene is the entire sequence with Tony as a captive.”
    Van Lathan · 0:45:39
  9. floated The Nick Fury post-credits scene teasing the Avengers initiative.
    “That, to be honest with you, should be one of the most rewatchable scenes.”
    Van Lathan · 0:54:14

Roger Ebert review · The hosts read Roger Ebert's review of the film.

  1. pick Iron Man: Four stars; Ebert says Downey's performance powers the liftoff that separates it from other superhero movies.
    “Okay, Roger Ebert.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:36:39

What aged the best · What about the movie has held up best.

  1. pick The ad-libbed 'I am Iron Man' ending: Bill reads that the line was Downey's ad-lib that day.
    “I am Iron Man was ad-lib by Robert Diner Jr. that day.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:48:02
  2. pick The scenes between Downey and Terrence Howard: He believes in the friendship and doesn't see it as a shoehorned loyal friend.
    “I really like all the scenes with Downey and Terrence Howard, and I can't, we'll do we'll do it later.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:48:11
  3. pick Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts: Wishes he had a Pepper Potts in his life; calls the film a rom-com trapped in a superhero movie. Comes back to her a second time.
    “I wish I had a pepper pots in my life.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:48:28
  4. pick The Mad Money host selling weapons stocks
    “The Mad Money guy is really funny.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:50:36
  5. pick Tony Stark's Malibu house: Offered as the best superhero house, over Wayne Manor and the Batcave.
    “I mean, is that the best superhero house of any house?”
    Bill Simmons · 0:50:48
  6. pick Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane: The bald, bearded villain look; one of the few times Bridges plays a bad guy.
    “Bald bearded evil Jeff Bridges has aged the best.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:52:02
  7. pick The MCU itself: Aged perfectly as it grew in significance, then hit a rough patch; this is its first film. Named as both aged best and worst.
    “The MCU aged perfectly because it was able to like grow in significance and relevance and dominance, but then it hit some snacks.”
    Van Lathan · 0:56:14

Big Kahuna Burger Award · Best use of food and drink in the movie.

  1. winner The cheeseburger at the press conference after Tony gets back: Argues that the first thing anyone out of captivity wants is a cheeseburger.
    “He that he press conference and a cheeseburger.”
    Van Lathan · 0:57:59

Dennis Thieves Benny scene-stealing location / Great Shot Gordo Award · Best shot and best scene-stealing location, both the same here.

  1. winner The wide shot of the Malibu house as the Vanity Fair reporter wakes up
    “The Malibu House, when we see the when the Vanity Fair reporter wakes up and there's just windows and shit, and then we get the wide shot.”
    Bill Simmons · 0:59:23

Butch's Girlfriend Award · The weak link of the film.

  1. winner The final showdown with Jeff Bridges' Iron Monger: Fine but not great; the real villain is Tony's past.
    “It's the, the ending's fine.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:00:18

What aged the worst · What about the movie has held up worst.

  1. pick Being a billionaire is cool: Possibly the last movie where a billionaire is someone to root for.
    “This is one of the last movies where being a billionaire is cool.”
    unknown · 0:59:51
  2. pick Tony Stark's comic-accurate facial hair
    “Daddy's facial hair has aged the worse for me.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:01:06
  3. pick The MySpace reference
    “Um, but no, so MySpace aged the worst.”
    Van Lathan · 1:03:51
  4. pick Tony Stark's pre-MeToo behavior toward women and Pepper
    “Tony is definitely a pre-MeToo.”
    Van Lathan · 1:03:57
  5. pick The MCU itself: Same answer as aged best: it is now a chore getting through the movies.
    “And now it's kind of a chore getting through the movies.”
    Van Lathan · 0:56:25

Ron Burgundy Award (best time for a pee break) · The best moment to leave the room.

  1. pick No good break: the movie is lean and moves fast
    “I don't know, this movie moves pretty well.”
    unknown · 1:04:39

Best quote · Favorite line of the movie.

  1. winner Is it better to be feared or respected? Is it too much to ask for both?
    “And I say, is it too much to ask for both?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:04:54

SAS Hottest Take Award · The hottest take about the movie.

  1. pick After Terrence Howard, Marvel stopped casting light-skinned Black men in major roles: Bill calls it a fantastic hottest take.
    “For some reason, after this movie, Marvel refused to cast a light-skinned black man in a major role.”
    Van Lathan · 1:05:14
  2. pick George Clooney as Tony Stark: If Clooney had taken the $500K he'd have gotten Iron Man over Downey; Danny Ocean with toys.
    “George Clooney, mid 2000s.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:08:22

Vincent Hanna / Saul Rubinek Overacting Award · Best overacting in the film.

  1. winner The Ten Rings leader (Raza) dialing it up: A clip of a screaming rant plays; Van says the Ten Rings leader dials it up.
    “They knew.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:09:40

Best That Guy · Best that-guy performance.

  1. nominee Raza, the Ten Rings leader
    “The that guy's name is Raza.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:10:07
  2. winner Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson: Known now as Coulson but also definitely a that guy.
    “And then Clark Gregg, I think, is our winner?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:10:10

Casting what ifs · Almost-castings and recasts.

  1. pick Sam Rockwell as Tony Stark: Favreau's initial choice until Downey's screen test.
    “Fabro wanted Sam Rockwell initially because people like Sam Rockwell in the mid 2000s and then Downey killed it and the screen test and that was that.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:10:31
  2. pick Rachel McAdams as Pepper Potts: Favreau's first choice; she turned it down. Van says she should have played Pepper.
    “Favre's 1st choice for pepper pots was not. Quinn Paltrow.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:10:41
  3. pick Terrence Howard as James Rhodes: Highest paid in the cast, promised a three-picture deal, then replaced in the sequel.
    “Highest paid actor in the set, promised a 3 picture deal.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:11:05
  4. pick Scarlett Johansson as the Vanity Fair reporter: Recast the reporter role (played by Leslie Bibb) with a bigger star for three scenes.
    “Let's put Scarlet in there for 3 scenes.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:12:35
  5. pick Jessica Chastain as Pepper Potts
    “But Jessica Chastain would have been interesting for pepper pots.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:12:55
  6. pick Beth from Yellowstone as Pepper Potts: He is watching her in Flight while scouting it and likes the actress.
    “Beth from Yellowstone was dope.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:14:13

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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. nominee Terrence Howard: Probably earlier, in the mid-2000s (Hustle & Flow, Crash).
    “Terrence Howard?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:21:59

Hollywood comebacks · Whether this is the biggest Hollywood comeback of all time and what beats it.

  1. pick Ben Affleck: Argo winning best picture; Van calls him a homer for it.
    “I was thinking Affleck, getting the Argo, Argo being best film, winning the Oscar and making a ton of money.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:22:54
  2. pick Brendan Fraser
    “So Brandon Frazier?”
    unknown · 1:22:52
  3. pick Mickey Rourke as The Wrestler
    “Mickey Rort?”
    unknown · 1:23:16
  4. pick Marlon Brando: On the outs before The Godfather.
    “Wasn't Brando kind of like on the outs for a while before Godfather?”
    unknown · 1:23:45
  5. winner John Travolta as Vincent Vega: Pulp Fiction called the best comeback; Michael Keaton also mentioned.
    “Travolta is the best one, though.”
    unknown · 1:24:17

Malibu houses in movies · Best house in a movie, Malibu edition.

  1. winner Tony Stark's Malibu house: Like Dr. Evil's compound crossed with a beach house; its own character.
    “I think this has to be number one”
    unknown · 1:25:10

Best racehorse name · Which name from the movie would make the best racehorse.

  1. nominee Jericho
    “Jericho?”
    unknown · 1:25:25
  2. nominee Pepper Potts: A great filly name.
    “Pepper Pots is a great Philly name.”
    unknown · 1:25:31
  3. nominee Iron Monger: Too evil; might flip out with the other horses.
    “Iron Monger.”
    unknown · 1:25:33

Picking Nits · Nitpicks of a movie they love.

  1. pick Why Tony demonstrates the Jericho missile in Afghanistan in person
    “Why was Tony demonstrating the new Jericho missile in Afghanistan?”
    Van Lathan · 1:25:46
  2. pick Tony has no full beard after three months in the cave
    “Why doesn't Tony have like a full beard after 3 months?”
    Van Lathan · 1:26:15
  3. pick Tony never sees a doctor about his arc reactor heart
    “Like, not going to see a couple heart surgeons, like, hey, man.”
    Van Lathan · 1:27:06
  4. pick Tony speeds from Malibu to downtown LA with no traffic
    “Maybe sure he is, but he's the traffic is appalling in this movie.”
    Van Lathan · 1:27:38
  5. pick Tony gets cell calls in the suit at supersonic speed
    “Tony can get cell phones, cell phone calls in his Iron Man suit while I was going 890 miles an hour in the Middle East.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:29:12
  6. pick Tony's Malibu house has no security
    “Um, why didn't Tony's Malibu house have better security?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:29:42
  7. pick How the arc reactor and the chest hole work: Confused by whether Tony still has his heart and why the hole is so big.
    “Well, I was confused and I'm a relatively smart person.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:31:09
  8. pick Tony practices with the suit for weeks while Obadiah is ready to roll right away
    “So Tony learns how to use the suit for weeks just in the basement crashing around.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:31:27
  9. pick Giving the world's smartest engineer the chance to build a weapon for you: His biggest nit, also raised during the captive-sequence discussion.
    “That's always been the biggest knit that I would pick like with this movie.”
    Van Lathan · 1:31:59

Sequel, prequel, prestige TV, all Black cast or untouchable · Whether to make a sequel, prequel, prestige TV show, an all-Black cast version, or leave it untouchable.

  1. pick All-Black cast version, with Pepper Potts as a Black woman whose friends tell her to drop Tony: Bill notes there have been plenty of sequels already.
    “I did think with the all black casting, if Pepper Pots was black, how that would go.”
    Van Lathan · 1:32:11

Is this movie better with… · Whether a famous cameo makes the movie better.

  1. winner Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury: Better with Sam Jackson shoehorned into the last scene.
    “Sam Jackson. This movie was better with Sam Jackson.”
    unknown · 1:33:02

Just one Oscar · Who gets the one Oscar from this movie.

  1. winner Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark
    “Downey?”
    Van Lathan · 1:33:11

Unanswerable questions · Questions the movie leaves open.

  1. pick Where did Pepper Potts live?: Van argues for Cheviot Hills or Beverlywood so she can reach Malibu and downtown.
    “Where did pepper pots live?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:33:19
  2. pick How much money does Pepper Potts make a year?: Guesses range from half a million to five million.
    “How much money do you think Pepper Pots makes per year?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:34:26
  3. pick Did Jarvis create AI?: Van explains Jarvis becoming Vision in Age of Ultron.
    “Did Jarvis create a eye?”
    Bill Simmons · 1:35:34

Memorabilia · A prop they would own.

  1. pick The first arc reactor, framed with 'proof that Tony Stark has a heart'
    “What about the 1st electromagnetic heart jumper thing that's in the frame out, though?”
    Van Lathan · 1:37:50
  2. pick Obadiah's sonic incapacitating device
    “I like Obadiah's little device.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:41:37

Best life lesson · The best life lesson from the movie.

  1. pick Don't make weapons, and if you do, keep them to yourself
    “Don't make weapons.”
    Van Lathan · 1:42:02
  2. pick Figure out the Pepper Potts thing, Tony
    “My life last one would be, you got to figure out the pepper pots thing, Tony.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:42:16

Who won the movie · Whether Downey or Marvel came out ahead.

  1. pick Marvel, which built a whole universe out of it
    “It's probably Marvel, but he is so rich.”
    Bill Simmons · 1:42:44
  2. pick Robert Downey Jr.: Given where he started.
    “I mean, for like where he started, it's probably downy.”
    Craig Horlbeck · 1:42:57

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