This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Ben Stein Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Muppets Tonight (1996)
14
3
Muppets Tonight
14
3
Starring:
Frank Oz, Brian Henson, Kevin Clash, Jerry Nelson, Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz
Directed By:
Tom Trbovich, Brian Henson, Gary Halvorson, Greg V. Fera
2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
15
3
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
PG-13
15
3

Habitual slacker Ferris Bueller makes an elaborate plan to pull off a special day off from school pretending to be sick while he shares an adventurous ride through Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane and his friend Cameron in the prized Ferrari of the latter's father. Meanwhile, convinced that he is faking, his dean desperately attempts to expose him.

Directed By:
John Hughes
3. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
14
3
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
R
14
3

Marketing executive, Neal Page, is returning home from a business trip for thanksgiving when his flight is diverted to a distant town due to a blizzard. He comes in clash with co-passenger Del Griffith, an annoyingly talkative traveling salesman with whom he spends the night, but after being robbed, they must work together to reach their destinations.

Starring:
John Candy, Steve Martin, Kevin Bacon, Michael McKean, Dylan Baker, John Candy
Directed By:
John Hughes
4. The Mask (1994)
13
3
The Mask
PG-13
13
3

Stanley Ipkiss, a bank clerk too timid to handle confrontations, comes across a magical mask created by Loki, the Norse god of mischief, which turns him into a comical, trickster version of himself. With his newfound powers, he takes revenge on his tormentors, robs a bank, and attempts to win the affection of his crush, Tina Carlyle.

Starring:
Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Joely Fisher, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni
Directed By:
Chuck Russell
7. Ghostbusters II (1989)
12
2
Ghostbusters II
TV-PG
12
2

Despite saving New York City from demigod Gozer earlier, the Ghostbusters were forced to disband following myriads of property damage lawsuits. They come out of retirement to again help Dana Barrett after her son becomes the target of a demonic plot threatening the entire city, but they must first fight against the law and the government.

Directed By:
9. Casper (1995)
11
2
Casper
PG
11
2

Based on the Harvey Comics cartoon character, Casper the Friendly Ghost, this poignant and heartwarming film tells the story of Casper who becomes a ghost after his untimely death. The film’s visual effects and music score are spectacular, and its success spawned numerous sequels. 

 

Directed By:
Brad Silberling
11. Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)
11
2
Honeymoon in Vegas
PG-13
11
2

Honeymoon in Vegas is a romantic comedy film which tells the story of a commitment-phobic man, named Jack, who loses a significant sum of money to Tommy, in a game of poker which was rigged by the latter. Since he is unable to pay the debt, Tommy demands Jack to let him spend a weekend with Betsy, his fiancée.

Starring:
Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Bancroft, James Caan, Pat Morita
Directed By:
Andrew Bergman
12. House Arrest (1996)
11
2
House Arrest
PG
11
2

Grover and Stacy feel that their parents are acting immaturely as they are deciding to divorce after eighteen years of marriage. In order to prevent the divorce, the two children kidnap their parents and hold them prisoner in the basement until they reconcile. Meanwhile, their schoolmates decide to do the same thing because their parents are going through divorce.  

Starring:
Kevin Pollak, Jennifer Tilly, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Walston, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kyle Howard, Kevin Pollak
Directed By:
Harry Winer
13. Dennis the Menace (1993)
10
2
Dennis the Menace
PG
10
2

Dennis the Menace is a comedy-drama film which revolves around a mischievous child who wreck havoc on his next door neighbor, George Wilson, after his parents leave him with Mr and Mrs Wilson, while they have to go out of town.   

Starring:
Christopher Lloyd, Walter Matthau, Paul Winfield, Natasha Lyonne, Mason Gamble, Joan Plowright
Directed By:
14. Miami Rhapsody (1995)
10
2
Miami Rhapsody
PG-13
10
2
Starring:
Naomi Campbell, Carla Gugino, Donal Logue, Jeremy Piven, Mia Farrow, Antonio Banderas, Kevin Pollak
Directed By:
David Frankel
15. Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994)
10
2
Ri¢hie Ri¢h
PG
10
2

The film follows world’s richest boy Richie Rich as he tries to protect his family from a dreadful plot. Richie, along with loyal butler Cadbury, has to run the Rich business as his parents are missing. With the help of some unexpected friends, he sets out to find the person who devised the callous scheme to destroy Rich family and take over the empire.

Starring:
Macaulay Culkin, Claudia Schiffer, John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, Christine Ebersole, Jonathan Hyde
Directed By:
Donald Petrie
16. My Girl 2 (1994)
10
2
My Girl 2
PG
10
2

My Girl 2 is a romantic comedy drama film which tells the story of Vada Sultenfuss, who decides to go to Los Angeles, to do a little research on the life of her biological mother. Although her father initially opposes the idea, he eventually allows her. When she arrives in Los Angeles, she is greeted by a guy Nick, who has been asked by her uncle to help her in her investigation.

Starring:
Anna Chlumsky, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Austin O'Brien, Richard Masur
Directed By:
Howard Zieff
17. A Smile Like Yours (1997)
9
2
A Smile Like Yours
R
9
2
Starring:
Greg Kinnear, Joan Cusack, Lauren Holly, Shirley MacLaine, France Nuyen, Jill Hennessy, Christopher McDonald
Directed By:
Keith Samples
18. North (1994)
8
2
North
PG
8
2

North is a talented eleven year old boy, who doesn’t feel valued by his parents. Fed up of the daily quarrel of his parents, he sets out on a quest to explore the world,  to know himself, and to find the perfect parents.

Starring:
Abe Vigoda, John Ritter, Jason Alexander, Kathy Bates, Richard Belzer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Elijah Wood
Directed By:
19. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)
8
1
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
PG
8
1

Author, actor and political commentator Ben Stein poses an argument about the origin of life on Earth, stating that both intelligent design and evolution are legit explanations. He interviews several Darwinian scientists in the mainstream, and he further adds that Darwinism has led to ideologies such as Communism and Nazism. He uses clips of Hollywood movies and educational films to get his point across in a satirical way.

Role:
Himself - Host
Starring:
Lili Asvar, Peter Atkins, Hector Avalos, Doug Axe
Directed By:
Nathan Frankowski
20. Son of the Mask (2005)
4
1
Son of the Mask
PG
4
1

A standalone sequel to the 1994 film The Mask, the story centers on Tim Avery, a cartoonist and family man. He has been leading a peaceful life until his dog finds the Mask of Loki, which he wears to a Halloween Party.  Shortly, he conceives a child, who is born with the same power of the mask. Meanwhile, Odin has ordered Loki to find the mask. 

Starring:
Alan Cumming, Steven Alexander Wright, Bob Hoskins, Kal Penn, Traylor Howard, Magda Szubanski, Jamie Kennedy
Directed By:
Lawrence Guterman
21. Me and the Kid (1993)
10
2
Me and the Kid
PG
10
2
Starring:
Joe Pantoliano, Danny Aiello, Abe Vigoda, Alex Zuckerman, Cathy Moriarty
Directed By:
Dan Curtis
22. Easy Wheels (1989)
8
2
Easy Wheels
R
8
2
Starring:
Paul Le Mat, Eileen Davidson, Marjorie Bransfield, Jon Menick, Barry Livingston
Directed By:
David O'Malley
23. Frankenstein General Hospital (1988)
7
1
Frankenstein General Hospital
R
7
1
Starring:
Mark Blankfield, Leslie Jordan, Jonathan Farwell, Kathy Shower
Directed By:
Deborah Romare
24. Mr. Write (1994)
7
1
Mr. Write
PG-13
7
1
Starring:
Thomas F. Wilson, Jane Leeves, Paul Reiser, Jessica Tuck, Martin Mull, Thomas F. Wilson
Directed By:
Charlie Loventhal

TV Movie(s)

1. Men in White (1998)
5
2
Men in White
5
2
Starring:
George Harris Kennedy, Jr, Jennifer Coolidge, Thomas F. Wilson, M. Emmet Walsh, Brion James, Karim Prince
Directed By:
Scott P. Levy
2. Mastergate (1992)
14
3
Mastergate
PG
14
3
Starring:
James Coburn, Ed Begley Jr., Pat Morita, Richard Kiley, Buck Henry
Directed By:
Michael Engler
3. Murder in Mississippi (1990)
13
3
Murder in Mississippi
13
3
Starring:
Andre Braugher, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Grey, CCH Pounder, Blair Underwood, Tom Hulce
Directed By:
Roger Young
4. Breakfast with Einstein (1998)
7
1
Breakfast with Einstein
7
1
Starring:
Ben Foster, Priscilla Presley, Shia LaBeouf, Lin Shaye
Directed By:
Craig Shapiro
5. The Day My Parents Ran Away (1993)
7
1
The Day My Parents Ran Away
PG
7
1
Starring:
Seth Green, Matt Frewer, Brigid Brannagh, Robert Jayne
Directed By:
Martin Nicholson

Animation(s)

Family Guy (1999)
Family Guy
TV-14
Starring:
Bryce Dallas Howard, Liam Neeson, Ellen Page, Chevy Chase, Haley Joel Osment, Zachary Gordon, Wil Wheaton
Directed By:
Peter Shin, James Purdum, Dominic Bianchi, Pete Michels, John Holmquist
Pinky and the Brain (1995)
Pinky and the Brain
TV-Y
Starring:
Jim Cummings, Olivia Hussey, Pam Grier, Corey Burton, Frank Welker, Ernest Borgnine, John Rhys-Davies
Directed By:
Mike Milo, Rusty Mills, Audu Paden, Charles Visser, Liz Holzman
Animaniacs (1993)
Animaniacs
Starring:
Phil Hartman, Adam West, Ed Asner, Billy West, Bernadette Peters, George Dzundza, Christopher Guest
Directed By:
Alfred Gimeno, Dave Marshall, Rusty Mills, Audu Paden, Greg Reyna
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (1994)
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man
TV-PG
Starring:
Ron Leibman, Kim Cattrall, David Duchovny, Margaret Cho, Tim Curry, Eugene Levy, Ben Stiller
Directed By:
Jeff McGrath, Raymie Muzquiz, John Eng, Peter Avanzino, Norton Virgien
Freakazoid! (1995)
Freakazoid!
TV-G
Starring:
Bebe Neuwirth, Craig Ferguson, Dave Coulier, Elisabeth Moss, Corey Burton, Ed Asner, Tim Curry
Directed By:
Rich Arons, Jack Heiter, Scott Jeralds, Dan Riba, Dave Marshall
Rugrats (1990)
Rugrats
TV-G
Starring:
Jeremy Sisto, Drake Bell, Kenan Thompson, Busta Rhymes, Alyson Hannigan, Tom Bosley, Amanda Bynes
Directed By:
Jim Duffy, Jeff Scott, Norton Virgien, Rick Bugental, John Holmquist
Earthworm Jim (1995)
Earthworm Jim
TV-Y
Starring:
Jim Cummings, Billy West, Dan Castellaneta, Charlie Adler
King of the Hill (1997)
King of the Hill
TV-14
Starring:
Carl Reiner, Kyle Chandler, Sydney Pollack, Laura Dern, Pauly Shore, Mike Judge, Laurie Metcalf
Directed By:
Wesley Archer, Klay Hall, Tricia Garcia, Kyoung Hee Lim, Adam Kuhlman
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994)
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters
TV-PG
Starring:
Doris Roberts, Jim Belushi, Alex D. Linz, Pam Dawber, Jeffrey Tambor, Christina Milian, Lacey Chabert
Directed By:
Jim Duffy, Andrei Svislotski, Igor Kovalyov, Jeff McGrath, Zhenia Delioussine
The Secret Files of the SpyDogs (1998)
The Secret Files of the SpyDogs
TV-Y
Starring:
Soleil Moon Frye, Micky Dolenz, Tom Kenny, Patrick Warburton, Adam West, Jim Cummings, Billy West
Directed By:
Will Meugniot
The Fairly OddParents (2001)
The Fairly OddParents
Starring:
Frankie Muniz, Queen Latifah, Dana Carvey, Tom Arnold, Jason Bateman, Tara Strong, Brendan Fraser
Directed By:
Gary Conrad, Ken Bruce, Butch Hartman, Michelle Bryan, Sarah Frost
Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish (1999)
Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish
Starring:
Bernadette Peters, Tress MacNeille, Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Maurice LaMarche
Directed By:
Tom Ruegger, Rusty Mills, Greg Reyna, Charles Visser, Liz Holzman
As Told by Ginger (2000)
As Told by Ginger
TV-Y7
Starring:
Chris Parnell, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Pickles, Tom Kenny, Billy West, Jennifer Coolidge, Tress MacNeille
Directed By:
Anthony Bell, Carol Millican, Ron Noble, Michael Daedalus Kenny, Frank Marino
Santa vs. the Snowman (1997)
Santa vs. the Snowman
Role:
'Spunky' the Elf (voice)
Starring:
Jonathan Winters, Victoria Jackson, Don LaFontaine, Mark DeCarlo
Directed By:
John A. Davis
The Mask (1995)
The Mask
TV-Y7
Starring:
Tim Curry, Jim Cummings, Frank Welker, Rob Paulsen, Tim Curry
Directed By:
Juli Murphy
Lloyd in Space (2001)
Lloyd in Space
TV-Y
Starring:
Tony Jay, Brian Doyle-Murray, Tara Strong, Josh Peck, Brian George
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2002)
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
TV-Y7
Starring:
Mel Brooks, Phyllis Diller, Ving Rhames, Christian Slater, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jim Belushi, Corey Burton
Directed By:
Keith Alcorn, Mike Gasaway, Kirby Atkins
The Emperor's New School (2006)
The Emperor's New School
TV-Y7
Starring:
Noah Cyrus, Gilbert Gottfried, Brenda Song, Dylan Sprouse, John Goodman, Cole Sprouse, Fred Willard
Directed By:
Howy Parkins, Tony Craig, David Knott
Santa vs. the Snowman 3D (2002)
Santa vs. the Snowman 3D
Role:
'Spunky' the Elf (voice)
Starring:
Jonathan Winters, Victoria Jackson, Don LaFontaine, Dee Bradley Baker
Directed By:
John A. Davis
The Fairly OddParents in Fairy Idol (2006)
The Fairly OddParents in Fairy Idol
Starring:
Norm MacDonald, Tom Kenny, Tara Strong, Jason Marsden
Directed By:
Butch Hartman
Hercules (1998)
Hercules
TV-Y
Starring:
Keith David, William H. Macy, RuPaul, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Wayne Knight, Richard Lewis, George Takei
Directed By:
Eddy Houchins, Phil Weinstein, Bob Kline
Bruno the Kid (1996)
Bruno the Kid
TV-Y
Starring:
Bruce Willis, Ed Asner, Dave Coulier, Tim Curry, Tony Jay, Clyde Kusatsu
Osmosis Jones (2001)
Osmosis Jones
PG
Plot:

Careless zookeeper Frank DeTorre, who tends to overeat, become a cause of concern to his daughter, Shane. Eating a germ-infested egg, Frank contracts a deadly virus 'Thrax,' which plots to finish Frank in 48 hours. The ‘City of Frank’ inside Frank’s body is protected by enthusiastic white blood cell cop Osmosis ‘Ozzy’ Jones. Partnering with cold-pill Drix, now Ozzy must kill Thrax to save Frank. 

Starring:
Ron Howard, Laurence Fishburne, Molly Shannon, William Shatner, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, David Hyde Pierce
Directed By:
Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
101 Dalmatians: The Series (1997)
101 Dalmatians: The Series
TV-Y
Starring:
Don Knotts, Taye Diggs, Pam Dawber, Jim Cummings, Frank Welker, Tara Strong, Thomas F. Wilson
Directed By:
Victor Cook, Ken Boyer, Skip Jones, Tony Craig, Roberts Gannaway
The Lionhearts (1998)
The Lionhearts
TV-Y
Starring:
Betty White, Craig Ferguson, Joe Pantoliano, Jeffrey Tambor, Tom Kenny, William H. Macy, Tom Arnold
Directed By:
Byron Vaughns
Sunday Pants (2005)
Sunday Pants
TV-PG
Starring:
Donald Sutherland, Ed Helms, Tom Kenny, H. Jon Benjamin, Nick Balaban
Casper (1996)
Casper
Starring:
Tim Curry, Fred Willard, Jim Cummings, Dan Castellaneta, Rob Paulsen, Kath Soucie, Joe Alaskey
Directed By:
Alfred Gimeno, Marija Miletic Dail
Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain (1998)
Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain
Starring:
Ashley Tisdale, Tim Curry, Nancy Cartwright, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche, Tim Curry
Directed By:
Russell Calabrese, Nelson Recinos, Bob Davies
Casper Meets Wendy (1998)
Casper Meets Wendy
PG
Starring:
Alan Thicke, Hilary Duff, Teri Garr, Pauly Shore, Norm MacDonald, Cathy Moriarty, George Hamilton
Directed By:
Sean McNamara
Casper: A Spirited Beginning (1997)
Casper: A Spirited Beginning
PG
Starring:
Lori Loughlin, Sherman Hemsley, James Earl Jones, Pauly Shore, Brian Doyle-Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Michael McKean
Directed By:
Sean McNamara

TV Shows and Videos

Seinfeld (1989)
Seinfeld
TV-PG
Starring:
James Spader, Lloyd Bridges, Courteney Cox, Rob Schneider, Peter Stormare, Larry David, Raquel Welch
Directed By:
David Steinberg, Andy Ackerman, Jason Alexander, Tom Cherones, D. Owen Trainor
Toonstruck (1996)
Toonstruck
T
Starring:
Tim Curry, Corey Burton, Jim Cummings, Christopher Lloyd, Dom DeLuise, Dan Castellaneta, David Ogden Stiers
Directed By:
Keith Arem
The Wonder Years (1988)
The Wonder Years
TV-PG
Starring:
Alicia Silverstone, Juliette Lewis, Ben Savage, David Schwimmer, A. J. Langer, Eric Dane, Jonathan Brandis
Directed By:
Michael Dinner, Ken Topolsky, Peter Baldwin, Daniel Stern, Steve Miner
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005)
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
TV-14
Starring:
Dominic Monaghan, Barry Humphries, Lauren Graham, Chris Isaak, Kunal Nayyar, Alfred Molina, Mila Kunis
Directed By:
Brian McAloon, Tim Mancinelli, Joseph D. Reitman, Matt Powers, Ian Kornbluth
Do Over (2002)
Do Over
Starring:
Thomas F. Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge, Penn Badgley, Angela Goethals, Gigi Rice
Directed By:
Michael Lange, Lev L. Spiro
Married with Children (1987)
Married with Children
TV-PG
Starring:
Julie Benz, David Boreanaz, Tiffani Thiessen, Chris Langham, Milla Jovovich, Matt LeBlanc, Bill Maher
Directed By:
Gerry Cohen, Linda Day, Amanda Bearse, Sam W. Orender, Tony Singletary
Live Shot (1995)
Live Shot
Starring:
Naya Rivera, David Birney, Wanda De Jesus, Sam Anderson
Tales from the Crypt (1989)
Tales from the Crypt
Starring:
Blythe Danner, Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Michael Hall, Kirk Douglas, Michael J. Fox, Carroll Baker, Miguel Ferrer
Directed By:
Russell Mulcahy, Elliot Silverstein, Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner, Tom Holland
MacGyver (1985)
MacGyver
TV-PG
Starring:
Della Reese, Traci Lords, Robert Englund, Tia Carrere, Marion Ross, Cuba Gooding Jr., Patrick Wayne
Directed By:
Charles Correll, William Gereghty, Michael Vejar, Michael Caffey, Cliff Bole
The Marshal (1995)
The Marshal
Starring:
Brittany Murphy, Robert Mitchum, Ryan Reynolds, Joe Pantoliano, Pam Grier, Jeff Fahey, Kristina Lewis
Directed By:
Vern Gillum, Aaron Lipstadt, Roy Campanella II, Tucker Gates, Patrick R. Norris
Hearts Afire (1992)
Hearts Afire
Starring:
Debra Jo Rupp, Billy Bob Thornton, Rita Moreno, Harry Anderson, Mary Ann Mobley, Fabiana Udenio, Ed Asner
Directed By:
Harry Thomason, James Hampton, Steve Gerbson, Dennis Redfield
Love & War (1992)
Love & War
TV-14
Starring:
Sid Caesar, Ann Cusack, Adam Goldberg, Patrick Warburton, Christina Pickles, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David
Murphy Brown (1988)
Murphy Brown
Starring:
Anne Meara, Kate Mulgrew, John Ratzenberger, Jane Seymour, Rosie O'Donnell, Tony Goldwyn, Lily Tomlin
Directed By:
Peter Bonerz, Barnet Kellman, Lee Shallat Chemel, Joe Regalbuto, Alan Rafkin
The Drew Carey Show (1995)
The Drew Carey Show
TV-PG
Starring:
Joe Walsh, Henry Rollins, Kristen Wiig, Steve Buscemi, Kevin Federline, Jenny McCarthy, Kathy Griffin
Directed By:
Gerry Cohen, Sam Simon, Bob Koherr, Brian K. Roberts, Steve Zuckerman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
TV-PG
Starring:
William Devane, Denise Richards, Robert Carradine, Drew Carey, Ben Vereen, William Christopher, Dean Cain
Directed By:
Philip Sgriccia, Randy Zisk, Alan J. Levi, Michael W. Watkins, James R. Bagdonas
The Man Show (1999)
The Man Show
TV-MA
Starring:
Patton Oswalt, Jimmy Kimmel, Joanna Krupa, Adam Carolla
Directed By:
Bobcat Goldthwait, Dennis Rosenblatt, Jimmy Kimmel, Pete DeLasho, Tom Stern
Full House (1987)
Full House
Starring:
Sorrell Booke, Barry Van Dyke, Andrea Barber, Candace Cameron Bure, Danielle Fishel, Tahj Mowry, John Stamos
Directed By:
Joel Zwick, John Tracy, Bill Foster, Jeff Franklin, Tom Rickard
Charles in Charge (1984)
Charles in Charge
Starring:
Meg Ryan, Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Walker, Christina Applegate, Matthew Perry, Scott Baio, Pamela Anderson
Directed By:
Scott Baio, Alan Rafkin, Zane Buzby, Phil Ramuno, Bob Claver
Total Security (1997)
Total Security
Starring:
Bryan Cranston, Nathan Fillion, Jim Belushi, James Remar
The Hughleys (1998)
The Hughleys
Starring:
Tyra Banks, David Arquette, Jon Hamm, Isaac Hayes, Vivica A. Fox, Fred Willard, Ashley Tisdale
Directed By:
Steve Zuckerman, Mark Cendrowski, Brian K. Roberts, Mary Lou Belli, Peter Bonerz
Melrose Place (1992)
Melrose Place
Starring:
Alyssa Milano, Jennie Garth, Aaron Paul, Tori Spelling, Rae Dawn Chong, Marcia Cross, Alexandra Hedison
Directed By:
Paul Lazarus, Bethany Rooney, Victoria Hochberg, James Frawley, Charles Correll
Turn Ben Stein On (1999)
Turn Ben Stein On
Starring:
Carl Reiner, Hampton Fancher, Carl Bernstein, Alexander Payne, Patrick Bristow