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Preconceived Notions About Movies And Movie Reviews: Let’s Answer Some Electronic Mail Questions

Mike Ryan

27 Feb 2026 — 4 min read

Warner Bros.

Before we answer some electronic mail from readers (and if YOU want to submit a question, please do at mikethehardpass@gmail.com) a couple of notes. First, I was born in St. Louis,* so of course I had to speak to Jason Bateman, Linda Cardellini and David Harbour about DTF St. Louis, a show I like a lot (even though it’s not a great show about St. Louis, something only I will care about).

*A popular question for St. Louis people is, “Where did you go to high school?” This is because, I think, everyone seems to know each other and there’s a good chance the question asker and question answerer will know someone in common. I went to high school in Kansas City, an answer that always disappoints St. Louis people.

Second, as I type this, we are at a New York City pet emergency room where our cat is hooked up to an IV and will be staying overnight until Saturday. Insurance will cover some of this, but the bill is expensive. If you’ve been on the fence about becoming a The Hard Pass paid subscriber, today wouldn‘t be a terrible day.

Okay, on to your questions…

Any movie someone REALLY pushed on you, that you knew you wouldn't like, that when you finally saw it, you were very impressed and wished you had seen it sooner? I ask because Vision Quest was this for me. My dad always said I'd love it, but it was about wrestling so I always blew him off. Seeing it in my mid twenties I regretted not seeing it in high school (a lot) and regret not wrestling (very little). — Ted R

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Jumping off the advice I have received to start weekly features that publish on the same day each week, I’ve decided to make “Let’s answer some electronic mail questions“ a Friday thing. If you would like to ask a question, about almost anything, please email me at mikethehardpass@

Read more

May The Bridges I Burn Light The Way: About That Time I Tried Not To Annoy Steven Spielberg

Here's An Oral History Of 'Scotty Doesn't Know' From 'EuroTrip'

The Gungans Were Right To Banish Jar Jar, He Is Just Too Clumsy

Film Festivals and ‘Melania’: Let’s Answer Some Electronic Mail Questions