‘The Karate Kid’ With Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo
March 26, 2020 · The Karate Kid (1984) · Action · Drama · Family · 1:51:40
Categories
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill Simmons▶ 29:43First beach fight scene and Halloween fight scene - discusses both in detail as rewatchable moments
What's Aged the Best
Bill Simmons▶ 1:00:13Bill Conti's music, decision not to use original ending, golf and stuff entertainment complex/date montage location, Mrs. LaRusso on Mount Rushmore of 80s pop culture moms, and 'get him a body bag' line
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:04:28Agrees with 'get him a body bag' line and Tommy's performance, appreciates the sincere mother-son restaurant scene with Mrs. LaRusso
Joey Pants Award
Bill Simmons▶ 1:16:47Randee Heller — Randy Heller (who plays the mom) - citing her roles in Fast Break, The White Shadow, The Karate Kid, and Melrose Place
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:17:42Chad McQueen — Mentioned Dutch (Chad McQueen) as most psychotic Cobra Kai guy, but Bill noted he's Steve McQueen's son so not really 'that guy' category
Dion Waiters Award
Bill Simmons▶ 1:21:05Martin Kove — Narrowed down to three nominees: John Crease, Dutch (Chad McQueen), and the karate tournament announcer. Initially favored the announcer but agreed to give it to Crease
Casting What-Ifs
Bill Simmons▶ 1:26:29Sarah Jessica Parker — Sarah Jessica Parker as the best friend - suggests the movie needed at least one 'semi smoking hot friend' for the Cobra Kai guys to pursue
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:26:52Sarah Jessica Parker — Agrees with Sarah Jessica Parker casting - supports the idea that Dutch, Tommy, and Bobby would complain about the current friends and want better options
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill Simmons▶ 1:27:01Extensive trivia including: movie backstory as Rocky ripoff, Bananarama's Cruel Summer chart success, Ralph Macchio keeping the yellow car, Pat Morita's drinking scene almost cut, deleted cafeteria fight scenes, product placement issues, and various production facts
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:28:02Added details about the 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Club convertible, praised William Zabka's athleticism and footwork, discussed deleted scenes showing Daniel's maturity confronting Johnny, and emphasized Zabka's impressive martial arts abilities despite being a wrestling background
Picking Nits
Bill Simmons▶ 1:37:35Ralph Macchio's awkward kissing where he attacks her upper lip, though he defends it as character-appropriate for an awkward kid
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:37:14Ralph Macchio's kissing scene is so bad it makes you think he's a bad kisser in real life
Best Quote
Bill Simmons▶ 1:37:56Mentions several quotes including 'man who can catch fly with chopsticks can do anything' and 'what's the matter? Mommy not here to address you,' but identifies 'sweep the leg' or 'get him a body bag' as the top contenders, with 'sweep the leg' being most culturally enduring
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill Simmons▶ 1:39:11Multiple questions: Daniel went to Cal Fullerton, Johnny went to Duke (friends with Danny Ferry), Allie went to USC, Dutch's first name was probably Bob/Alex/Kenny Dutch, crane kick led to thousands getting beat up, Miyagi could have saved Kevin Durant in 2019
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:40:24Allie went to Wisconsin then transferred to USC or went to Wheaton College in Mass, LaRusso might have peaked at the tournament and only made it to junior college, thousands tried the crane kick over 30+ years
Who Won the Movie
Bill Simmons▶ 1:49:13William Zabka — William Zabka - acknowledges cases could be made for Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio, but ultimately decides Zabka won the movie as the best and hardest part that could have gone wrong in many ways
Ryen Russillo▶ 1:47:46William Zabka — Supports William Zabka for his incredible staying power and how well he's handled his career, also mentions Elizabeth Shue as a winner since she avoided complications with Daniel
Movies Referenced (31)
Directors Referenced (2)
Actors Referenced (59)
William Zabka
25 mentions · Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo · Known for The Karate Kid, Hot Tub Time Machine▶ 5:21IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Vincent LaRusso
21 mentions · Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo · Known for The Mighty Ducks▶ 2:56IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Ralph Macchio
17 mentions · Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo · Known for The Karate Kid, My Cousin Vinny▶ 23:57IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Pat Morita
9 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for The Karate Kid▶ 17:59IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Robert Downey Jr.
5 mentions · Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo · Known for Iron Man▶ 1:11:34IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Chad McQueen
4 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for The Karate Kid▶ 1:17:51IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Matt Dillon
4 mentions · Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo · Known for There's Something About Mary, Crash, Drugstore Cowboy▶ 27:40IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Charlie Sheen
3 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Wall Street▶ 1:11:37IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Sarah Jessica Parker
3 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Sex and the City▶ 1:13:50IMDb ↗Lb ↗
Writers Referenced (3)
Bruce Springsteen
3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo · Known for The Wrestler, Philadelphia▶ 9:13IMDb ↗Lb ↗