Zodiac ("The Re-Zodiac")
18 winners · 4 left open
Who won the movie?
DeclaredFincher
They explicitly agree that Fincher won the movie, though they also note Zodiac’s myth got a boost from the film.
Most rewatchable scene
Apparent consensusthe Bluff murder
The room treats the Bluff murder as the film’s most rewatchable scene because it is the most unsettling and memorable sequence discussed.
Apex Mountain
No consensusNo clear winner
They debate whether Zodiac or The Social Network is Fincher’s peak, with no full consensus, though Zodiac is strongly defended as his best movie.
Open the full ledger19 more categories, in podcast order↓
Denethy's Benny Hannah award
Apparent consensusthe Bluff murder location
They settle on the Bluff murder location as the standout scene-stealing location, with Morty’s and the diner getting mentions as alternatives.
Next rewatchable scene
Apparent consensusMelvin Belli’s live TV appearance with fake Zodiac
They move to Melvin Belli’s TV appearance as the next standout scene because of Brian Cox’s over-the-top performance.
Amanda Dobbins award for best piece of real estate
Apparent consensusPaul Avery’s water-view place
Paul Avery’s waterfront place is singled out as the coolest piece of real estate in the movie.
Sean Fennessey award for stealth homage that gives every movie neared a criteria orgasm
Apparent consensusMemories of Murder
They identify the kid’s line “he looked normal” as a nod to Memories of Murder, while allusions to All the President’s Men are also acknowledged.
The Steven Seagal Shitting on Himself Award for Most Unbelievable Anecdote from the actual film shoot
Apparent consensusFincher’s obsessive take-counting and digital workflow stories
The behind-the-scenes anecdote chosen is Fincher’s extreme take-counting and digital precision, which the hosts treat as absurd but true.
Is there a porn parody for this movie?
DeclaredThe Zodiac Killer
They confirm a porn parody exists, starring John Holmes in a cop role in The Zodiac Killer.
The Vincent Chase award for Are We Sure This Character Was Good At His Job
Apparent consensusZodiac
They joke that Zodiac is a bad serial killer because he fails to finish murders and leaves too many identifying clues.
The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the weak link of the film
Apparent consensusthe Avery trip to Riverside
The Riverside trip is the main weak-link candidate, though they also note that the Donald Chaney material could have been handled more clearly.
What’s aged the worst?
Apparent consensusthe four-years-later time jump and missing montage
They think the movie’s blunt four-years-later transition is the worst-aged choice, with Armstrong’s wig also drawing criticism.
The Rose from Titanic award for character who sneaky sucks
No consensusNo clear winner
The hosts mostly reject the premise and do not settle on a clear character who secretly sucks.
The Rick Dalton award for the greatest fucking acting I’ve ever seen
Apparent consensusRobert Downey Jr.
Downey’s houseboat work is named the best acting in the movie, with Clea DuVall mentioned as another strong heat-check performance.
Hottest take award
DeclaredZodiac is the greatest American crime film ever made
One host says Zodiac is the greatest American crime film, while another goes further and calls Zodiac the greatest serial killer of all time.
Cruiser Hanks
No consensusNo clear winner
They land on Cruise for Graysmith/Toski-style casting discussion, but also argue Hanks could have played Toski and note multiple alternate configurations.
Best Tang, worst Tang
Apparent consensusPaul Avery
Paul Avery is chosen as the best tang, while Zodiac himself is jokingly identified as the worst tang.
Picky Nits
Apparent consensusthe movie’s handling of the Zodiac timeline and some dialogue details
They nitpick a few plausibility issues, especially the timeline explanations, the Avery meeting setup, and the anachronistic pasta order.
Unanswerable questions
No consensusNo clear winner
The hosts settle on “Who’s the Zodiac?” as the key unanswerable question, alongside broader questions about obsession and handwriting expertise.
What piece of memorabilia would you want or not want from this movie?
Apparent consensusthe I Am Not Paul Avery button
They most want the I Am Not Paul Avery button, while rejecting the wooden dildo as the least desirable artifact.
Coach Finstock, Mr. Miyagi award for best or worst life lesson
Apparent consensusit’s not finished until you type it up
The chosen lesson is that work isn’t finished until it’s typed up, with a second lesson about obsessive persistence also noted.
Best double feature
Apparent consensusDirty Harry
They pick Dirty Harry as the best companion film, with All the President’s Men as an obvious thematic reference point.