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Blank Check with Griffin & David

Blank Check with Griffin & David

Author: Blank Check Productions

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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.
470 Episodes
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Medicine Man with Jamie Lee

Medicine Man with Jamie Lee

2024-03-1702:19:491

Oh baby, this one’s a STINKER! Sean Connery finds the cure for cancer but then he loses it (??). Lorraine Bracco delivers all of her dialogue like someone making a comment and not asking a question at a Q&A. They’re both playing scientists - but where’s the CHEMISTRY?? Comedian and writer Jamie Lee returns to Blank Check to talk about John McTiernan’s attempt at a serious adult drama, 1992’s MEDICINE MAN. We spend most of the episode trying to recast this movie to make it somewhat palatable. But the musical score is great! This episode is sponsored by: Burrow (Burrow.com/check) Indochino.com (CODE: CHECK) MUBI (mubi.com/blankcheck) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com
We love da submarinesh! Host of “Unclear and Present Danger” Jamelle Bouie joins us this week to talk about middle aged white guys, airport novels, and naval recruitment propaganda. That’s right - we’re talking about John McTiernan’s adaptation of Tom Clancy’s THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER! Come for our thesis on why Alec Baldwin played the best version of Jack Ryan, stay for Ben and Jamelle’s impassioned pleas for a Highlander patreon series. And of course, there will be Connery impressions. This episode is sponsored by: AuraFrames.com (CODE: CHECK) ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN.com/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com
The pomp. The pageantry. The awkwardness of trying to shoehorn any of this year’s Oscar nominees into “Moon River” - that’s right, folks. The Blankies (and host Griffy Crystal) are back! Joe Reid of “This Had Oscar Buzz” joins us once again to celebrate the momentous year in cinema that was 2023. We’re handing out fake awards, making outrageous claims, and we’ve got a special musical performance that brings the house down. Enjoy! This episode is sponsored by: Mubi (mubi.com/howtohavesex) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com
Die Hard with Kevin Smith

Die Hard with Kevin Smith

2024-02-2503:08:293

Thirty-six floors. Thirteen (fake) terrorists. One perfect action movie. Kevin Smith - who was in a Die Hard movie AND directed Alan Rickman in DOGMA -  joins us again for a supersized episode on McTiernan’s signature film. We’re getting into Bruce's wine cooler commercials. We reveal the surprising Shakespeare play that influenced McTiernan’s direction of this story. We’re nerding out about the spatial and organizational PERFECTION that makes it such a classic. And we’re paying loving homage to two screen presences whose careers ended tragically too soon.  This episode is sponsored by: Factor (factor.com/check CODE: CHECK) Mubi (mubi.com/howtohavesex) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com
Predator with Jon Gabrus

Predator with Jon Gabrus

2024-02-1802:53:545

GET TO THE CHOPPA! Griffin attempts his best (actually, worst) Arnold voice this week as we head to the jungle with Jon Gabrus and some bic razors. For almost three hours, we’re dissecting every little bit of PREDATOR - the glow-stick goo alien blood, the Alan Silvestri score, Arnold’s calves, Arnold’s biceps, Arnold’s long red polo shirt, Arnold’s chiseled cheekbones, the way Arnold says KILL ME!!! - you can expect lots of Arnold talk.  The filmed special of Blank Check on Broadway Live at The Town Hall will be available on VOD! The premiere will be on March 23rd 8pm ET. Get your ticket to watch it at: bit.ly/bconbway Video can be viewed on your phone / tablet / laptop or stream it via Airplay / Chromecast to your compatible devices. Purchase allows for a 7 day access window. This episode is sponsored by: Indochino.com (CODE: CHECK) Zocdoc (zocdoc.com/check)  Mubi (mubi.com/howtohavesex) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com
Nomads

Nomads

2024-02-1101:54:38

Okay, action freaks! We’re kicking off our John McTiernan miniseries - POD HARD WITH A VENGECAST - with a film that is not at all indicative of the greatness to come. Nomads! A movie where Pierce Brosnan attempts a garbage French accent and is terrified by some punks in a van. That’s kind of the whole thing. Anyway - get ready for a spirited conversation about plenty of other topics, like: the filmography of Tom Shadyac! John McTiernan’s super cool dad! Gerard Depardieu’s face! The strict rules of Julliard! The 1976 Academy Awards! And more!  This episode is sponsored by: Bombas (bombas.com/check CODE: CHECK) ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN.com/check) Burrow (Burrow.com/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com
If Yentl was about connecting with her absent father, and The Prince of Tides was about forgiving her difficult mother, The Mirror Has Two Faces is just about BARBRA! Who Weekly’s Bobby Finger and Lindsay Weber join us as we close out our Streisand series with her final film, a strange Frankenstein of a Judd Apatow, Albert Brooks, and Nora Ephron romcom. Should Lauren (“Betty”) Bacall have won the Oscar that year? Should Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Bridges have swapped roles? Is “the perfect bite” the ideal romcom concept? Is Barbra Streisand actually lazy, as she claims she is? Do we have any listeners who keep snoballs in their drawers? Listen to Who? Weekly  Read Bobby’s book The Old Place Subscribe to Not Broadway This episode is sponsored by: Green Chef (greenchef.com/60blankcheck CODE: 60blankcheck) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
Can you hear the crawdads sing? Or is that just our Nick Nolte impression? Our favorite Carolinian Katey Rich joins us to chat about Streisand’s 1991 adaptation of Pat Conroy’s bugnuts novel, a story that includes some serious ethical breaches made by alluring therapist Susan Lowenstein. Listen along as Katey shares some tidbits from the book that did NOT make the screen adaptation (a tiger, for example), Griffin relates to Jason Gould’s attempts to be sporty, and David offers his hot take that this is a better 90s therapy movie than Good Will Hunting.   Read Katey’s writing Listen to Little Gold Men This episode is sponsored by: Miracle Made (trymiracle.com/check CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
Announcing our BIGGEST live show ever! On Friday, March 8th at The Town Hall in NYC, Blank Check will celebrate its nine year anniversary. Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 26th @ 12PM ET. Follow this link to get yours!
Surprise! In a first for Blank Check, we're dropping a bonus main-feed episode featuring a conversation with an Academy Award-nominated star of the film we just covered. The great Amy Irving joins us for a fun conversation about her career highs and lows, the behind-the-scenes YENTL gossip, and Ben's buried jeans. That's right, we have to explain Ben's denim thing to Amy Irving. Follow Amy on IG @amyirvingofficial AND checkout her album "Born In A Trunk" on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp or wherever you get music! To witness the Buried Jeans™ in 3D and the rest of the 2024 collection goto congratyoulations.com Plus, it's never too late to check out the Slow Xmas 2023 holiday music compilation now on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp or wherever you get music! Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
Yentl with Jordan Hoffman

Yentl with Jordan Hoffman

2024-01-2102:20:091

Podcast, can you hear me?” We certainly can, Barbra! The very menschy Jordan Hoffman joins us to chat about Streisand’s official directorial debut, a marvel of a film that makes anyone describing it sound insane. Yes, Barbra wrote, directed, produced, and starred in a period piece about a shtetl girl who crossdresses in order to study the Talmud. Yes, the film is a musical with songs composed by Michel Legrand. Yes, Barbra is the only person who sings in it, despite the male lead being Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin. Yes, Steven Spielberg called this movie “the greatest directorial debut since CITIZEN KANE.” Yes, we think Barbra should enter the MCU and direct Ant Man 4. Wait, what? Read Jordan’s writing This episode is sponsored by: Zocdoc (zocdoc.com/check)  Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
Hello Gorgeous! We’re kicking off our Barbra Streisand series (titled “Podcastl,” naturally) with a look at her version of the classic Hollywood cautionary tale - 1976’s A STAR IS BORN. And who better to join us than our own songbird superstar - the lovely Rachel Zegler! While Babs didn’t technically direct this one, she and her partner Jon Peters (Bradley Cooper in LICORICE PIZZA, duh) exacted supreme creative control over the project - to mixed results. Join us as we trace the beginning of Streisand’s career, go down several rabbit holes of who else was considered for this movie (Elvis, Sonny and Cher), and speak fondly about Mariah Carey’s GLITTER. Because, why not?! This episode is sponsored by: ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN.com/check) Burrow (Burrow.com/check)  The Late Show Pod Show Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
Ferrari with Bilge Ebiri

Ferrari with Bilge Ebiri

2024-01-0702:34:331

Vroom vroom! Michael Mann is BACK. Bilge Ebiri is BACK. How do you say “we’re so back” in Italian? Join us as we talk about cars that go fast (Ferraris), hair that grows long (Adam Driver’s, normally), faces that have seen smart phones (Shailene Woodley’s) and character actors that could have been in this movie (Paul Giamatti, but specifically as Pig Vomit). Masculinity is a cage, machines that work the best are the most beautiful, and we all think that the Mille Miglia seems like a bad idea. No grazie! This episode is sponsored by: Read Bilge’s writing  This episode is sponsored by: Masterclass (masterclass.com/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
We’re closing out 2023 with two words - Wet. Chocolate. Join us as we bid farewell to the DCEU, say “hello fennel” to Timothée Chalamet, and bring our craziest unhinged, “end of school year” energy to two very different new releases. Orm. Check out Matt Singer’s Wonka Themed IHOP menu article. This episode is sponsored by: Eye of the Duck Hello fresh (HelloFresh.com/checkfree CODE: CHECKFREE) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
The music! The makeup! The MAESTRO! We’re diving into Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic, the result of his post-A STAR IS BORN Blank Check, and we’re getting personal, emotional, and pretty ridiculous. Who does Griffin’s Bernstein impression sound like (because it certainly doesn’t sound like Bernstein)? What is Ben’s familial connection to the Maestro? Will Marie ever forgive Griffin for inviting Bobby Wagner on a date to visit Bradley Cooper’s Philly cheesesteak truck instead of her? Will David ever forgive Griffin for comparing the Maestro to Will Smith? This episode is sponsored by: ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN.com/check) Bombas (bombas.com/check CODE: CHECK) Theme music by Alex Barron Music selection "We Three Kings" by Amy Irving, Goolis, Aaron Is Your Friend from Slow Xmas 3. Check out the Slow Xmas 2023 holiday music compilation now on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp or wherever you get music! Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
It took seven years for Hayao Miyazaki and the artists at Studio Ghibli to make THE BOY AND THE HERON. What better way to honor that lengthy process than to invite JD Amato back for another clockbusting, context-loaded episode?! For a rather bit-free THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS, we are diving into Miyazaki’s personal history, his creative process, the differing animation styles between the Ghibli greats, and the thematic implications of this beautiful new film. Because this is Blank Check, we’ve also got lots of thoughts on Robert Pattinson’s vocal performance, and a lot to say about some other, less-successful animated films released this year. This episode is sponsored by: Stamps.com (CODE: CHECK) Mubi (mubi.com/blankcheck) Masterclass (masterclass.com/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
I Love You to Death

I Love You to Death

2023-12-0302:04:553

Mamma mia! We’ve got-a some-a sleepy pasta for-a you to taste-a this-a week! In our latest, much-awaited installment of PORCH CLASSICS, we’re handing the reins to Producer Ben, who has chosen to spotlight a forgotten comedy about “the world’s horniest pizza man who cannot die.” Lawrence Kasdan’s I LOVE YOU TO DEATH is a feast of bizarre performances (Italian-face Kevin Kline, Serb-face Joan Plowright, Stoner-face William Hurt) and tonal miscalculations. All this to say - it’s a very FUN movie to talk about. This episode is sponsored by: Uncommon Goods (uncommongoods.com/check) MONSTER by Hirokazu Kore-eda (wellgousa.com) AuraFrames.com (CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
The Killer with Marie Bardi

The Killer with Marie Bardi

2023-11-2602:21:002

We’re wrapping up our Fincher series with his latest release - a stripped-down, gig-economy hitman thriller - THE KILLER. Is Michael Fassbender’s unnamed hitman actually good at his job, or a total goober? How do your friends at Blank Check feel about The Smiths? Where do the Two Friends put MANK in their final Fincher rankings? And - is Griffin okay, or has he fallen too deep inside the Gaylor Swift rabbit hole? This episode is sponsored by: AuraFrames.com (CODE: CHECK) Uncommon Goods (uncommongoods.com/check) Hatch (hatch.co/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
Mank with Sean Fennessey

Mank with Sean Fennessey

2023-11-1902:33:052

Nerts! Are you folks ready to get MANK-PILLED? We advise that you start by “mankro-dosing” David Fincher’s 2020 exploration of the life and times of cantankerous screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. The Big Picture’s Sean Fennessey joins us to chat about Fincher’s first Netflix feature, and we’re asking all the important questions. Would this film have a better reputation if it had been titled “manK!” ? Will there be a film made 40 years from now entitled “SORK” about Aaron Sorkin, David Fincher, Mark Zuckerberg, and the making of THE SOCIAL NETWORK? Is Mank the “Jabba the Hut of cynicism”? Will Griffin use this episode as another excuse to talk about The Offer? Guest Links:  Listen to The Big Picture This episode is sponsored by: Zocdoc (zocdoc.com/check)  Bombas (bombas.com/check CODE: CHECK) Uncommon Goods (uncommongoods.com/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
“Amazing Amy” meets “Awkwardly-Smiling Affleck” in Fincher’s darkly comic masterpiece - an instant classic from that first shot of Rosamund Pike’s pretty head. The delightful Esther Zuckerman (who will definitely NOT “gone girl” her boyfriend) joins us to discuss this impressive work of adaptation. We’re asking all the big questions - is “Amazing Amy” actually a good children’s book? Did Tyler Perry take any directing tips from David Fincher when he made BOO! A MADEA HALLOWEEN? Would this movie work as well with Reese Witherspoon and Jon Hamm as the two leads? Why haven’t we gone long on the career of one Benjamin G. Affleck yet? Guest Links:  Buy Esther’s Book Beyond the Best Dressed Pre-Order Esther’s Book Falling in Love at the Movies This episode is sponsored by: Masterclass (masterclass.com/check) Stamps.com (CODE: CHECK) Mubi (mubi.com/blankcheck) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com or at teepublic.com/stores/blank-check
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Comments (66)

Chris

58:17 Thank you David!

Jan 1st
Reply

Chris

26:45 Force-dyed

May 13th
Reply

Larry Oliver

I guess I misunderstood this podcasts mission statement. Boyz In the Hood put Singleton on the map. Wouldn't Higher Learning be his blank check feature?

Oct 18th
Reply (1)

Alan King

Couldn't agree more.

Jul 22nd
Reply

Spring Succeeds

az

Jan 25th
Reply

Chris

1:15:19 is the magic moment.

Dec 29th
Reply

Morphy Us

Incredible movie. Just rewatched it and did a what if... When Mac talks to Bromley when he's about to be locked in the shed. He drinks some vodka and leaves the bottle. What if Mac's the Thing and transfers it to Bromley through the vodka? Not a new take I guess but it made me reevaluate it, again which is always good.

Sep 18th
Reply (1)

Mayhem

it's hilarious because as they were wrapping up i was thinking, "aw what a shame this is such a short episode..." false. it's just shorter than 3 hours

Aug 8th
Reply

Morphy Us

John Carpenter next!

Apr 29th
Reply

James L

I'm not quite sure if you guys read comments from this app but thank you so so much for everything you guys are heroes. Been listening for years and Elaine May is a favourite of mine. Love. the. two. friends. and. the. hoz.

Apr 11th
Reply

eric madison

Frumist -If you are new to vaping then the How to Vape Guide will probably assist you from Best starter kits for vaping to how to vape guide. For more information visit www.frumist.com

Mar 26th
Reply

Mayhem

right around that 20min mark griffin really submitted his best try at giving me a fucking heart attack... i kept switching whether I thought it was a real apology or an ad read (and thank god it was ad )

Feb 28th
Reply

ID20762593

Blank it. Thank it.

Jan 13th
Reply

Toby F

Funny story from this episode! My daughter played the Samantha Mathis character in the Johnny Depp episode of The Price of Fame! I guess the song is right!! It's a small world after all....... 😂😂

Nov 2nd
Reply

Toby F

My vote for "Ben's Choice" is Joe Dirt!! That movie is my "guilty pleasure" movie. It is one of the movies that made me laugh the hardest with "I'm your sister". And that movie never fails to bring a tear to my eye. When a movie can claim those three milestones, it has to be covered by Ben, Griffin and David!!!! You may have already done it but I am late to the party and am listening in order. I think that might make me a completist......... 😁😁

Nov 1st
Reply

Toby F

Wait!! Didn't they make the Road Rash movie!?!? They just named it Torque instead....... 😂😂😂

Oct 29th
Reply

Toby F

I have been listening to this podcast from the very first episode and it is one of my very favorites! I don't listen because the content speaks to me in every episode. I listen because I love the energy between Griffin and David, and I love the energy that they bring to speaking about movies. I can only hope to find a friend that I mesh with as well as these "two friends" mesh. If I do, I will consider myself a very lucky person! This episode brought a tear to my eye when Griffin was talking about what it meant to him when people wrote in. It is what inspired me to share my thoughts. Please keep on making episodes! Like I said, I don't actually listen for the content. I listen to hear two "soul mates" share the same space and energy. I am truly envious........

Oct 29th
Reply

Michael Martin

Pow! Griff does it again!!!

Oct 8th
Reply

Michael Martin

Another Griff classic!!!

Sep 29th
Reply

Darwin Radke

why the beep?

Sep 22nd
Reply
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