

Harden vs. Giannis, Wizards Pain, a Colin Farrell Interview, and 'WrestleMania' Predictions With Joe House, Chris Ryan, and "The Wild Animal" Ben Simmons | The Bill Simmons Podcast
Apr 5, 2019
Dive into the chaotic world of the Wizards as they process the fallout from firing Ernie Grunfeld. Explore the intense MVP showdown between Harden and Giannis, uncovering their strengths and media narratives. Enjoy an entertaining chat with Colin Farrell about his rise in Hollywood, filmmaking, and memorable accents. And get hyped for WrestleMania 35 with predictions and insights alongside heartfelt family banter, making for a vibrant mix of sports, cinema, and wrestling enthusiasm.
01:57:21
Ernie Grunfeld's Long Tenure
- Ernie Grunfeld's 16-year tenure as Wizards GM was marked by questionable decisions like the Gilbert Arenas contract extension.
- This was despite early calls for his firing, symbolized by free "Fire Ernie" t-shirts circulating over 10 years ago.
Lowered Expectations
- The Wizards' consistent struggles lowered fan expectations, creating satisfaction with the mere illusion of success.
- This made them prioritize reaching the playoffs over long-term team building and title contention.
Wizards' Lack of 50-Win Seasons
- The Wizards have not achieved 50 wins in 40 years, a testament to their long-term struggles.
- Their most significant moments include John Wall's buzzer-beater and Gilbert Arenas' playoff battles with LeBron James.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
The Wizards' Turbulent Legacy
05:16 • 17min
The Financial and Competitive Challenges of the Wizards
22:32 • 11min
Brewed Insights and Golf Gags
33:20 • 3min
MVP Showdown: Harden vs. Giannis
36:21 • 19min
Nostalgia and Press Tours: An Engaging Conversation
55:38 • 5min
Nostalgia, Fame, and Film Insights
01:00:27 • 28min
Nuances of Film and Accents
01:28:28 • 16min
Television vs. Film: The Art of Character Development and WrestleMania Excitement
01:44:18 • 4min
WrestleMania 35 Predictions & Passion
01:48:01 • 7min
Dreams of Wrestling: A Humorous Journey to WWE
01:54:42 • 3min

The Minority Report
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As Anderton navigates this complex situation, he uncovers the concept of a 'minority report', which challenges the infallibility of the Precrime system and raises questions about free will and the nature of justice.

Magnolia
Diana Palmer
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Total Recall
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Lady Bird
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Fight Club
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James Colby
Jordi Cussà Balaguer
Javier Calvo Perales
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He finds relief by attending cancer support groups, but his life changes when he meets Tyler Durden, a mysterious and charismatic figure.
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There Will Be Blood
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Eyes wide shut
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null
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The Commitments
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In Bruges
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McDonagh's work combines dark humor with deep character development, set against the backdrop of Bruges' medieval charm.

Ondine
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Elle met en scène la tragédie qui résulte de leur union, soulignant la séparation entre le monde naturel et le monde humain.
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Mustang
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Marguerite Henry
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The book chronicles her life, from her childhood in Reno to her activism, which culminated in a dramatic testimony before a Congressional committee.
It highlights the contributions of mustangs to the settlement of the West and serves as a testament to grassroots activism.

My Left Foot
Christy Brown
My Left Foot is Christy Brown's inspiring autobiography, published in 1954, detailing his early life in Dublin, his battle with cerebral palsy, and his remarkable achievements in writing and art.
The book recounts his struggles and triumphs, supported by his mother, and explores themes of disability, perseverance, and self-expression.
It was later adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Daniel Day-Lewis.

Escape to victory
Yabo Yablonsky
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Blaze
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Her
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Under Fire
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William Novak
Oliver North
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North reflects on his actions, the political climate of the time, and how his faith helped him navigate challenging situations.
Miami vice
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Nurit Seewi
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The killing of a sacred deer
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Efthimis Filippou
Yorgos Lanthimos

The Rider
Tim Krabbé
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Pride and glory
Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng
Edited by Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, 'Pride and Glory: Black Stars in Germany '06' chronicles the journey of Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, during their participation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to discuss the Wizards firing Ernie Grunfeld, a revitalized Gordon Hayward, MVP check-in and more (4:53). Then Bill sits down with Chris Ryan and Colin Farrell to talk about Farrell's meteoric rise in the early 2000s, sports movies, accent work, and some of Farrell's movies, including 'In Bruges,' 'Total Recall,' 'Minority Report,' and 'Miami Vice' (57:00). Finally, Bill talks with his son, Ben, to preview 'WrestleMania 35' (1:47:18).
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