Blank Check with Griffin & David

Writer and comedian Avery Edison joins this week to discuss 1972’s The Heartbreak Kid! Topics include: how May’s directing elevated the Neil Simon screenplay, the performances from Cybill Shepherd, Jeannie Berlin, Charles Grodin, the delightful cringe of the comedy, and more!This episode is sponsored by:Ritual (ritual.com/blankcheck)Bombas (bombas.com/check)BetterHelp (betterhelp.com/check) Check out Avery's scripted podcast Swings And Roundabouts! Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

Heavens! It’s technically April, but we’re talking MAY! The guys kick off our Elaine May mini series with her debut feature A New Leaf, while also diving deep into her history as an improv and sketch comedy trailblazer. This episode also marks the return of Ben’s nicknames, and includes a wild ride through the top box office hits of 1971. Billy Jack, anyone? This episode is sponsored by:Indeed (indeed.com/check) Stamps.com (CODE: CHECK) Brooklinen (CODE: BLANKCHECK) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid for the 6th annual Blankie Awards Ceremony for Excellence in Films. Together they present their own personal nominations and winners for the upcoming 93rd Academy Awards. This roundtable discussion looks at all the major categories, as well as, references deep cut cinema you may have missed. This episode is sponsored by:Purple - (purple.com/check10 CODE: CHECK10)HelloFresh - (hellofresh.com/blankcheck12 CODE: CHECK12) 3CHI Cannabinoids - (CODE: BC2021) Check out Joe Reid's podcast This Had Oscar Buzz! Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

Griffin and David are finally doing it! They are CONSIDERING THE COCONUT! In addition to the coconut they also have an in-depth conversation about Musker and Clements’ final (and best?) film together, 2016's Moana. A departure from their typical 2D animation style, and a shift from Disney’s typical Princess / Prince structure, their first fully CG film delves into a Polynesian mythology AND makes everyone cry. They are joined this week by Lenika Cruz (The Atlantic) and discuss heavy topics like parental relationships and leaving home, as well as topics on the lighter side such as; what is the best use of The Rock, and will we be over Lin Manuel Miranda again this coming year. This episode is sponsored by:Noom - noom.com/check Mack Weldon - (CODE: CHECK) 3CHI -  (CODE: BC2021)Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

Just when they thought they were out, Musker & Clements are called back in to helm 2009's The Princess and the Frog. After 7 years in directorial semi-retirement, John and Ron bring Disney animated films back to its musical roots in this historic fairytale starring Disney's first Black princess.James III (Black Men Can’t Jump In Hollywood) joins this week to discuss the missteps, Keith David’s body of work, how cool Louis the jazz loving alligator is and more!This episode is sponsored by: Brooklinen - (CODE: BLANKCHECK) Bombas - bombas.com/check Ritual - ritual.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

This is the BOUNCE BABY!!! This week, the gang heads to 2002’s Treasure Planet. But what would the Phil Collins bump have done for this movie? Can a CGI character have a wig, when everyone’s hair is fake? Should this movie have been called “Poochie Planet”? They are joined by guest Emma “BOOKS” Stefansky (@stefabsky, entertainment staff writer @thrillist). Also, stick around until the end to hear what Ben thinks of all the Harry Potter movies, especially Dobby.  This episode is sponsored by: Stamps.com - (CODE: CHECK)BetterHelp - betterhelp.com/check Bloomscape - (CODE: BLANK)Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

BC welcomes multi-hyphenate Larry Owens (A Strange Loop) for a discussion on 1997's Hercules! This episode is sponsored by:Purple - purple.com/check10 HelloFresh - hellofresh.com/blankcheck10 MUBI - mubi.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

#thetwofriends try and stay one jump ahead of the breadline and one swing ahead of the sword on this week's Aladdin episode as part of the mini series on the animated films of John Musker and Ron Clements. Jerah Milligan (Black Men Can’t Jump In Hollywood) joins to discuss the influence of Aladdin, adult humor in kid's movies, what if Aladdin had a hoodie and which songs are bangers and which aren’t. This episode is sponsored by: Brooklinen - (CODE: CHECK)  Mack Weldon - (CODE: CHECK)Noom - noom.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

Esther Zuckerman (Thrillist) returns to discuss 1989’s massive hit, The Little Mermaid! Topics include: the musical contributions of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, the upcoming live action remake, Ursula in human form as Vanessa, and more! This episode is sponsored by:Ritual (ritual.com/blankcheck)Bombas (bombas.com/check)MUBI (mubi.com/check) Check out Esther's book: A Field Guide to Internet Boyfriends: Meme-Worthy Celebrity Crushes from A to Z Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

All new, all fun! Blank Check launches a brand new mini series on the animated films of John Musker and Ron Clements. Writer and Ratigan stan, Fran Hoepfner (Bright Wall/Dark Room), joins to discuss the duo’s first project together as co-directors of The Great Mouse Detective. Topics include: the Disney renaissance, Sing-Along Songs VHS tapes, Sherlock Holmes, Steampunk, frozen rats and more! This episode is sponsored by:Stamps.comHims (forhims.com/blank)BetterHelp (betterhelp.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

Over four months and 19 movies, we have finally reached the end of our mini series on the films of Robert Zemeckis! Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) joins to discuss 2020's The Witches and #thetwofriends offer up their filmography rankings. This episode is sponsored by:MUBI (mubi.com/check)HelloFresh (hellofresh.com/blankcheck10)Brooklinen (brooklinen.com/) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

Emily Yoshida is back to welcome you to Marwen! This episode is sponsored by:Noom (noom.com/check)Bombas (bombas.com/check)Purple (purple.com/check10) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

Now in the final stretch of the Zemeckis mini series, Chris Weitz returns to discuss 2016's WWII spy thriller, Allied. This episode is sponsored by:Betterhelp (betterhelp.com/Check)Ritual (ritual.com/BLANKCHECK) MUBI (mubi.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

!erom dna ,tsinogatorP eht sa notgnihsaW divaD nhoJ fo ecnamrofrep eht ,nosnittaP treboR fo reerac eht thgiltops ,DOV ot yenruoj lausunu "s'ameniC fo roivaS" eht ssucsid sdneirfowteht# rehtegoT .teneT ,mlif noitca sdrawkcab wen sih htiw naloN rehpotsirhC rotcerid stisiver kcehC knalBThis episode is sponsored by: Stamps.com (CODE: Check) Brooklinen (CODE: Check)Hims (forhims.com/blank) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

On the week of its release in December of 2020, Griffin and David discussed Wonder Woman 1984. Together they examine the heated online discourse, Wiig's film career post-SNL, the state of the superhero movie and of course wish stones and how they work!Special thanks to The Great American Novel for the new studio version of the theme song! Please check out their music on Bandcamp and Spotify. This episode is sponsored by:MUBI (Mubi.com/check)Hello Fresh (Hellofresh.com/blankcheck10 CODE: blankcheck10Mack Weldon (Mackweldon.com/check CODE: Check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch @ shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

In 1974 Philippe Petit performed his infamous walk between the Twin Towers. Director Robert Zemeckis many years later after discovering the story in a children's novel would create a 3D film based on this event. But most importantly in 2018, J.D. Amato appeared on Blank Check to discuss the motion picture technology of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. Continuing in that tradition, J.D. returns for the third annual Talking the Walk. But this time instead of high frame rate, J.D. explores The Walk's cutting edge use of visual effects.Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch including this year’s commemorative Talking the Walk design @ shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.comMusic selection: "Night Break" by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

After twelve years since releasing a live action film, Zemeckis comes back to the living with 2012's addiction drama, Flight. Olivia Craighead (Iconography podcast) joins #thetwofriends to discuss the misleading trailer and marketing, consider Melissa Leo, and help answer technical questions like how to roll a plane.This episode is sponsored by: Theragun (Theragun.com/check) Mack Weldon (Mackweldon.com/check CODE: Check) Brooklinen (Brooklinen.com CODE: Check)  Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch @ shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

What's today? Why its Christmas Carol day! Film critic Emily VanDerWerff (Vox) returns to discuss Disney's 2009 take on the classic holiday tale. The gang talks Jim Carrey's career, the best and worst Christmas movies, and Keeping up with the Clauses.Check out untitled slow christmas compilation volume 1!This episode is sponsored by:Stamps (stamps.com CODE: Check)Keeps (Keeps.com/check)Noom (noom.com/check) Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch @ shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

This is Beowulf! Yes, in 2007, Bobby Z took the Old English epic poem and, once again using cutting edge mo-cap technology, delivered a 3-D movie that this week's guest, Jordan Hoffman, aptly describes as "resembling a PlayStation 3 cut scene". Also discussed is Crispin Glover's performance as Grendel, Angelina Jolie's hatred for this film, the background behind the Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary screenplay, and the PG-13 rating despite all the violence and horniness. Check out Jordan's new podcast, The Dune Conversations with John and Jordan, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods! This episode is sponsored by: Legacy Box (legacybox.com/check) Indeed (indeed.com/check) Hims (forhims.com/blank)  Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch @ shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com

In the final days of 2020, Blank Check enters Zemeckis' motion capture technology period with The Polar Express. Joey Sims joins as we discuss the nuance of the Train Conductor character, North Pole logic and delve into everyone's personal relationship to the holiday season and Christmas. This episode is sponsored by: The New Yorker (newyorker.com/check) Mack Weldon (mackweldon.com/check CODE: Check)  Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!Buy some real nerdy merch @ shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com