L.A. Confidential
14 winners · 1 left open
Apex Mountain
DeclaredRussell Crowe
They pick Crowe as the film’s Apex Mountain because this breakout firmly launches him into star status.
Open the full ledger14 more categories, in podcast order↓
The Floyd Gondoli butter in my ass and lollipops in my mouth award
Declaredscared characters with a puddle of pee underneath them
The hosts define the custom award as a celebration of scared characters with pee under them, and cite the film’s two obvious examples.
What age the best?
Declaredthe movie’s handling of one-scene characters who feel like stars
They praise the film’s many scene-stealing supporting parts and Hanson’s knack for giving small roles outsized impact.
Great shot Gordo
Declaredthe interrogation setup with Jack in front, Dudley in the middle, Exley reflected in glass, and the kid visible in the booth
The winning choice is the layered interrogation composition, with other reflective and zoom shots discussed as strong alternatives.
Chad Rockwell, Brock Landers award for best character name
DeclaredPierce Morehouse Patchett
They agree Patchett’s name is the standout, while also praising several other colorful noir names.
Weak link of the film
DeclaredDanny DeVito
The room lands on DeVito as the weak link because his familiar comic persona is too distracting in the role.
The worst
DeclaredKevin Spacey
They identify Spacey as the film’s biggest problem area, while also criticizing a few story mechanics and plot deviations.
Casting what ifs
No consensusNo clear winner
They run through rumors and alternates like McConaughey, Isabella Scorupco, Pamela Anderson, and Michael Madsen without settling on one definitive missed cast.
The CR thinks Luke Wilson could have been Harrison Ford's hottest take award
DeclaredL.A. Confidential as the second-best Wizard of Oz adaptation
Sean’s hot take is that the movie works as an Oz allegory with Dudley as the wizard and the main cops mapped onto the archetypes.
The Pierce Patcher Award for most reprehensible movie plot idea that was actually pretty awesome
DeclaredPierce Patchett’s high-end call-girl makeover operation
They decide Patchett’s business of tailoring sex workers to resemble movie stars is morally awful but also a clever scheme in movie terms.
The that-guy category
Apparent consensusJohn Mahoney
The discussion settles most strongly on Mahoney as the archetypal reliable authority figure, while a bunch of other familiar faces are name-checked.
The Big Kahuna burger category
DeclaredNick’s Liquors and the era’s no-choice liquor shopping
They mostly celebrate the liquor-store scene and the old-timey drink-buying setup, with Reynolds’s grotesque last meal as another food mention.
Secret handshake club member Billy would want from this movie
Declaredthe Night Owl coffee mug
The room settles on the Night Owl mug as the best niche prop to signal fandom, with a few other collectible options mentioned.
Coach Finstock, Mr. Miyagi were best, worst life lesson
DeclaredSome guys get the world; others get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona
They choose the film’s closing line as the best life lesson, treating it as a blunt summation of the movie’s worldview.
Best double feature choice
DeclaredIn a Lonely Place
They favor In a Lonely Place, though several other noir-adjacent pairings are discussed as strong fits.