Blank Check with Griffin & David - podcast cover

Blank Check with Griffin & David

Blank Check Productionsaudioboom.com
Not just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors' complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail. Produced by Ben Hosley.

Episodes

When Harry Met Sally... with Dana Stevens

It laid the groundwork for her entire film career. It set the mold for every rom-com that followed. Though it wasn’t her directorial debut, you just don’t do Nora Ephron without covering When Harry Met Sally. We invited Slate critic and podcast host Dana Stevens (Culture Gabfest, Flashback) to discuss the 1989 classic and ask the big questions. How is Billy Crystal so damn charming? Which Meg Ryan hairstyle is best? And most importantly...can men and women be friends??? Join our Patreon for fran...

Jun 07, 20202 hr 24 minTranscript available on Metacast

Stargate

It's a Ben's Choice bay-bee! Dry, dusty tombs ✓ Crazy convoluted tech ✓ Vast intergalactic conspiracies? ✓✓✓ 1994's Stargate really does have it all. This week Ben gets to makes his case for this Egyptian/Sci-Fi Roland Emmerich cult favorite, and why it's best viewed from a porch. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anythi...

May 31, 20202 hr 2 minTranscript available on Metacast

Twilight Zone: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

You're entering a world of a b-b-b-bonus ep! We couldn't wrap up George Miller series without covering the totally bizarre Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). We specifically dive into Miller's remake of the Serling/Shatner classic, his talent for chaotic action, and Lithgow's oddball career. Stay tuned as we announce the director for our next series! Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy m...

May 28, 20201 hr 7 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mad Max: Fury Road with Emily Yoshida

Emily Yoshida (Night Call podcast) joins #thetwofriends to discuss George Miller's magnum opus Mad Max: Fury Road. Together they examine the masterful world building, the flawed leadership of Immortan Joe, lumps, the performances of Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult and so much more! SFX: "VVZ-A#3-2.wav" by sorohanro; "Vuvuzela-04.wav" by theTone; "horror ambience 07.wav" by klankbeeld. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. Join our Patreon for franchise commentar...

May 24, 20202 hr 8 minTranscript available on Metacast

Happy Feet Two with Sara Rubin

Visual artist Sara Rubin joins BC this week to discuss Miller’s second dancing penguin movie! Together with #thetwofriends they breakdown the billing order, question if krill are sea monkeys and try to guess the tagline to movie Surf’s Up. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn...

May 17, 20202 hr 44 minTranscript available on Metacast

Happy Feet with Caitlin Durante

Caitlin Durante (The Bechdel Cast) joins #thetwofriends to discuss Miller's first foray into animation with 2006's Happy Feet. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 20202 hr 52 minTranscript available on Metacast

Babe: Pig in the City with Travis McElroy

Who is 1998's Babe: Pig in the City for? Is it for kids? Stoners? Four grown adults attempting to navigate a national pandemic? This is the question Travis McElroy (My Brother, My Brother and Me, Adventure Zone, Run: A Doctor Who Fancast) poses to the BC crew this week. We defend and analyze another George Miller death city, robot chimp babies, and why Siskel went out on a high note. That'll do. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram...

May 03, 20202 hr 58 minTranscript available on Metacast

Lorenzo's Oil with Bilge Ebiri

Hard to believe we're already halfway through our George Miller series! This week Bilge Ebiri (Vulture) returns to talk about one of his favorite films, 1992's Lorenzo's Oil. Starring Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte...with an Italian accent that somehow works...Oil may have disappointed at the box office but still got a screenplay and best actress Oscar nomination. Turns out medical dramas really work when they're made by actual doctors...who happen to be as talented as George Miller. Join our Pat...

Apr 26, 20202 hr 15 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Witches of Eastwick with K. Austin Collins

Film critic K. Austin Collins (Vanity Fair) returns to Blank Check for an episode covering 1987’s fantasy comedy, The Witches of Eastwick. Together with #thetwofriends they discuss author John Updike’s original novel, how producer Jon Peters tried shoehorning an alien into the film, assign themselves which witch they would be and Griffin defines what a ‘movie movie’ is. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!...

Apr 19, 20202 hr 2 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with David Ehrlich

Together, #thetwofriends and returning guest David Ehrlich (IndieWire) talk about not just the Thunderdome, but go beyond to examine Tina Turner’s filmography, why the children of the wasteland are 10x better than the Lost Boys of Hook, the Toy Story 3 song “We Belong Together” and more! Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For...

Apr 12, 20202 hr 12 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior with Jon Gabrus

Comedian, Jon Gabrus (High and Mighty) returns to discuss 1981’s sequel effort Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Together with #thetwofriends they examine the similarities between the Evil Dead and Mad Max franchises, dystopian future fashion justification, the career of actor Bruce Spence and American Gladiators. Plus, Ben has a shocking revelation. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merc...

Apr 05, 20202 hr 21 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mad Max

Witness Blank Check because this week, Griffin and David ride towards Valhalla and into a new mini series on the films of George Miller! Together they examine Miller’s medical background, the early camera and stunt work of Mad Max that Miller would continue to develop and refine, and more. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord F...

Mar 29, 20202 hr 54 minTranscript available on Metacast

5th Anniversary Special

Griffin, David, Ben and Ang each from their own apartments celebrated Blank Check’s anniversary with a look back at some favorite moments and reflect upon these past five years. Plus, messages from past and future guests of the show! Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more ...

Mar 22, 20202 hr 23 minTranscript available on Metacast

Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids

B-b-b-bonus Jonas, David and Griffin do a Jonathan Demme wrap-up with his last full-length music documentary. What is David's extensive background with Timberlake concerts? How much does Griffin dislike Timberlake? Is he actually funny or is that all Andy Samberg? And how do musicians keep from exhausting themselves on stage? Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with othe...

Mar 19, 20201 hr 13 minTranscript available on Metacast

Ricki and the Flash with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber

Who? Weekly hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber talk about Demme's last film, written by Diablo Cody. But they really just want to talk about Tully. It's a film about dead beat [get it? BEAT??] Moms with Meryl's real daughter, and Griffin is so laid back he has his microphone in his lap. What works for Wild Rose that doesn't work for this film? Can we talk about her INSANE TATTOO FOR A SECOND? And what's the best place to watch this movie? Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus e...

Mar 15, 20202 hr 2 minTranscript available on Metacast

A Master Builder with John Hodgman

David, Griffin, and self-made man of letters John Hodgman have to deal with Ragnar in this weird weird weird adaptation of a Henrik Ibsen play - and by adaptation, we mean they just took the play and filmed it in a house in Nyack. But instead of talking about the not so great film, get ready for more rants about Cars 2 (WHAT IS MONEY HOW DOES THIS WORK?) and the explanation of how Playmobil the Movie happened without anyone noticing. Also, in no way was this episode accidentally deleted and hast...

Mar 08, 20202 hr 10 minTranscript available on Metacast

Rachel Getting Married with Ayo Edibiri and Olivia Craighead

From Iconography, Ayo Edibiri and Olivia Craighead join Griffin and special guest the crypt keeper that is gravelly-voiced David. Get ready for a movie surprisingly starring Sebastian Stan, and a 20-minute long story about the saga of Marc Summers. How many sitcoms were about dads that are also another thing? How much family trauma comes out at a wedding? How muddy is this film? Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebo...

Mar 01, 20202 hr 13 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Manchurian Candidate with the Flop House: Dan McCoy, Stuart Wellington, and Elliott Kalan

The Flop House joins Blank Check to talk about this remake that was like okay, but definitely better than the last Demme remake. Is Meryl good or weird? Why is a pack of cards so sexy? How many films and TV shows are there about last men? How do you get rid of ants? What mysteries are still left unanswered? And what does the Flop House think about Trolls the Experience? SFX: "Organ" by caquet; "movietheatreambience" by NoiseCollector; "curtain on rail" by Khanyi_190188; and "COUCH - falling on c...

Feb 23, 20202 hrTranscript available on Metacast

Birds of Prey with Ang Ferraguto, Emma Stefansky, Ashleigh Heaton, and Preeti Chhibber

No boys allowed, although gender is a construct. It's an all-women special! Ang Ferraguto is joined by Emma Stefansky, Ashleigh Heaton, and Preeti Chhibber. This PodSkwad is NOT here to complain about Star Wars, but to talk about this women-powered DC movie full of hammers and hair ties, fun guns and fun outfits, and women helping women by kicking ass. How can you tell this was made by a woman? And which psychopaths are Griffin and David? #Let men have nipples. Join our Patreon for franchise com...

Feb 16, 20202 hr 9 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Truth About Charlie with David Lowery

Director and filmmaker David Lowery joins the two friends to talk about a weird remake of an Audrey Hepburn movie, except bad, starring Mark Wahlberg in his self-described worst role. There are insane hat choices and a very long ballroom scene. What was the last video game that Lowery played? Why is Tom Cruise wearing Ugg boot? How does Ted Levine die? And what film did Lowry review and later realize he hadn't actually seen? THIS MOVIE HONKS! Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus...

Feb 09, 20202 hr 13 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Fifth Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid

Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid for the 5th annual Blankie Awards where together they present their own personal nominations and winners for the upcoming 92nd Academy Awards. This roundtable discussion looks at all the major categories, as well as, references deep cut cinema from 2019 you may have missed. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on...

Feb 02, 20202 hr 46 minTranscript available on Metacast

Beloved with Jourdain Searles

Co-host of the bad romance podcast , freelance writer for thrillist and bitch media Jourdain Searles joins the cast to talk about the team-up that no one saw coming, Oprah and Demme. The two friends and guest talk about the sexiness of the pepper beard and facial ombre, the Fifty Shades series, and thandie newton again (for the first time?) Plus, what might another Toni Morrison adaptation look like? Why was Ryan Gosling fired from The Lovely Bones? What are the 21 bridges in 21 Bridges? And why...

Jan 26, 20202 hr 8 minTranscript available on Metacast

Philadelphia with Richard Lawson

Writer Richard Lawson joins the boys to talk about this WEIRD but poignant film that is actually streaming on Netflix. Why didn't they just make Tom Hanks whole family hate him? And who better to sing about the streets of Philadelphia than Bruce Springsteen? Plus a >>special...

Jan 19, 20202 hr 18 minTranscript available on Metacast

Silence of the Lambs with Emily St. James

The two friends are joined by prolific writer Emily St. James to talk about the most influential movie that BC has covered - except for Fletch of course. It's so influential there are TOO MANY BITS! What's Emily's take on what all Demme movies are about? What could Hannibal lector have looked like if it was a different actor? And a special shoutout to all our cannibal psychologist listeners! Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Th...

Jan 12, 20203 hr 39 minTranscript available on Metacast

Married to the Mob with Ang Ferraguto

She's MARRIED to the MOB. Now that we have that out of the way, get ready for 25 minutes of discussion about the Kids Choice Awards. Which Marvel movie would work directed by Scorsese? Why in the world is everyone fighting over Ed Begley, Jr. when Michelle Pfeiffer is so much better? What was everyone's shit job in New York? And find out why Ang is so perfect to guest on this episode. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, ...

Jan 05, 20202 hr 24 minTranscript available on Metacast

The Rise of Skywalker

On the week of its release in December of 2019, Griffin, David, and special guest Ang Ferraguto discussed Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 22, 20193 hr 30 minTranscript available on Metacast

Something Wild with Scott Aukerman

From Comedy Bang Bang and the new film Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Scott Auckerman joins the two friends to talk about people who talk funny and that's their job now. What films did Ray Liotta think were stupid? Where did Sue Tissue, the original Manic Pixie Dream Girl, disappear to? Does Blue Velvet make sense if you miss the first few minutes? And how much did Jeff Daniels get paid to be in Dumb and Dumber? Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheck...

Dec 15, 20192 hr 19 minTranscript available on Metacast

Stop Making Sense with Demi Adejuyigbe

Everyone wants to get to the pod with guest Demi Adejuyigbe, where The Blank Check Boys talk about Demme's Concert Film with the Talking Heads. What shows should get gritty reboots? Why did concert films stop existing? What is the song Heaven about (what isn't it about?) Have you seen DJ Khaled's Slack channel? And what would David Byrne sound like ordering a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese? One of the great things is that there's no talking heads about the Talking Heads, it's just a great show. SFX: "Lo...

Dec 08, 20192 hr 20 minTranscript available on Metacast

Swing Shift

What in the world is going on with this film that has two versions - of which the good one is not available anywhere? What is the titular "Shift" actually referring to? What happens when two stars - gasp - fall in love? And why are Griff and Dave so off their game in a strange new studio? Find out all this and more in this episode of DEMME CONFESSIONALS. SFX: "SL50 Focus Lock" by sonoplastico; "Audio Cassette Tape Open Close Play Stop" by Bertrof; and "One Beep" by kwahmah_02. Licensed under Cre...

Dec 01, 20192 hr 46 minTranscript available on Metacast

Melvin and Howard (and Jordan Hoffman)

Finally, we get to the good Demme movies with film critic Jordan Hoffman. The partially true story of a guy who thinks Howard Hughes is gonna leave him money. What made Griffin almost cry (and not in frustration)? What is an animated movie actually and is it for children? What game shows attracted the weirdest contestants. Why isn't there a good movie where someone's telling someone to go get their shine box? And what's your favorite Airplane joke? Music selection: "Night on the Docks" by Kevin ...

Nov 24, 20192 hr 9 minTranscript available on Metacast