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Blank Check with Griffin & David

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Blank Check Productions

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.

#475

Basic with BenDavid Grabinski

Our McTiernan series concludes with 2003’s BASIC - a film that Griffin thinks should instead be titled “COMPLICATED” - get it? Because there are so many plot twists?? The great BenDavid Grabinski joins us to chat about John Travolta’s run of big, skeezy characters post-FACE/OFF, McTiernan’s ultimate Achilles heel (getting too confident in his ability to fix impossible movies), the screenwriting career of studio wunderkind James Vanderbilt, and the truly terrible acting of Giovanni Ribisi. Plus, the return of Journalist Eddie Brock, our pitches for different versions of CHANGING LANES (which they should remake every five years), and our final McT filmography rankings. This episode is sponsored by: [AuraFrames.com] (http://auraframes.com) (CODE: CHECK) Burrow ( [Burrow.com/check] (http://burrow.com/check) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! ... Read more

28 Apr 2024

2 HR 38 MINS

2:38:16

28 Apr 2024

#474

Rollerball with Zach Cherry

Finally, we arrive at the film that helped put John McTiernan in both “director jail” and “jail jail” - the incoherent nu-metal fart that is 2002’s ROLLERBALL. Zach Cherry continues his trend of appearing on episodes covering movies that led to actual court cases, and we do our best to try to explain what happened (both on-screen and off). Why is this film set in Borat’s Kazakhstan? What was up with the extended nightvision scene? Is Griffin insane for being a Chris Kline apologist? Plus - Ben learns about the World Nomad Games of Central Asia! This episode is sponsored by: Zocdoc ( [zocdoc.com/check] (http://zocdoc.com/check) ) [FieldOfGreens.com] (http://fieldofgreens.com) (CODE: CHECK) MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! ... Read more

21 Apr 2024

2 HR 31 MINS

2:31:19

21 Apr 2024

#473

The 13th Warrior with David Lowery

What if there was a 13th Warrior? What if there was a version of Beowulf so grounded in reality that the climactic battle with Grendel just kind of felt like a shrug? What if Antonio Banderas was the lead in Gladiator instead of Russell Crowe? We’re just asking questions! Filmmaker David Lowery makes his long-awaited return to the podcast to talk about John McTiernan’s Michael Crichton adaptation, a movie that should have kept the title of the original book - Eaters of the Dead. Such a sick title! Anyway, prepare yourself for plenty of Banderas talk, a loving deep-dive into the famous “Banderas learns the Viking language” scene, and a reveal of some Blank Check-related easter eggs in Lowery’s filmography (!). This episode is sponsored by: Storyblocks ( [storyblocks.com/check] (http://storyblocks.com/check) ) Bombas ( [bombas.com/check] (http://bombas.com/check) CODE: CHECK) [Indochino.com] (http://indochino.com) (CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! ... Read more

14 Apr 2024

2 HR 26 MINS

2:26:33

14 Apr 2024

#472

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) with Amanda Dobbins

A Fiji water bottle. “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone. That Magritte painting with the bowler hat. A SCINTILLATING, AGE-APPROPRIATE ROMANCE WITH TWO OF THE GREATEST HEIST SEQUENCES IN MOVIE HISTORY. We’re talking Tommy C (1999), baby! The delightful Amanda Dobbins joins us for her long-awaited Blank Check debut, and this episode is about as fun as you’d expect. Do we think this movie is better than the Norman Jewison original? Yes. Do we go long on the filmography of Rene Russo? Yes. Do we explain how Pierce Brosnan fit the Monet canvas into his briefcase? Sort of. Does Amanda know the plot of “Wicked”? Surprisingly, no! This episode is sponsored by: ExpressVPN ( [ExpressVPN.com/check] (http://expressvpn.com/check) ) MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! ... Read more

07 Apr 2024

2 HR 22 MINS

2:22:34

07 Apr 2024

#471

Die Hard with a Vengeance with Shea Serrano

John McTiernan back with the Die Hard franchise after the spectacular flop of Last Action Hero. Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson back together after Pulp Fiction. Die Hard with a Vengeance is definitely part of the “we are so back” canon. Shea Serrano (who owns every McTiernan movie on VHS) joins us to chat about this explosive action threequel that features a surprising amount of New York theater actors and a bunch of childhood games and riddles. Also, you don’t need us to tell you this but - Jeremy Irons hot. Also cool. [Listen to Six Trophies with Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/six-trophies-with-jason-concepcion-and-shea-serrano/id1710236487) [Check out Halfway Books] (https://sheaserrano.gumroad.com/) This episode is sponsored by: [FieldOfGreens.com] (http://fieldofgreens.com) (CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

31 Mar 2024

2 HR 19 MINS

2:19:22

31 Mar 2024

#470

Last Action Hero with Paul Scheer & Jason Mantzoukas

You either love this movie or you hate it, and guess what - we’re landing all over the LOST ACTION HERO spectrum this episode! Paul Scheer & Jason Mantzoukas join us once again for a clock-busting, rip-roaring time, and we’re unpacking all of this movie’s meta madness. Is John McTiernan able to parody his own work? Should the kid have actually killed people in this movie (as in the original, edgier script)? Will David have an aneurysm if this episode recording doesn’t end at a reasonable time? [Pre-order Paul’s Book] (https://www.paulscheer.com/my-book) And if anyone has what Jason is looking for, email [blankcheckpodcast@gmail.com] (mailto:blankcheckpodcast@gmail.com) and well get it to him. This episode is sponsored by: MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) FACTOR ( [Factormeals.com/check50] (http://factormeals.com/check50) ) Zocdoc ( [zocdoc.com/check] (http://zocdoc.com/check) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! ... Read more

24 Mar 2024

3 HR 43 MINS

3:43:36

24 Mar 2024

#469

Medicine Man with Jamie Lee

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] (http://burrow.com/check) ) [Indochino.com] (http://indochino.com) (CODE: CHECK) MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

17 Mar 2024

2 HR 18 MINS

2:18:55

17 Mar 2024

#468

The Hunt For Red October with Jamelle Bouie

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] (http://auraframes.com) (CODE: CHECK) ExpressVPN ( [ExpressVPN.com/check] (http://expressvpn.com/check) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

10 Mar 2024

2 HR 16 MINS

2:16:56

10 Mar 2024

#467

The Ninth Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid

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] (http://mubi.com/howtohavesex) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

03 Mar 2024

2 HR 45 MINS

2:45:20

03 Mar 2024

#466

Die Hard with Kevin Smith

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] (http://bombas.com/check) CODE: CHECK) Mubi ( [mubi.com/howtohavesex] (http://mubi.com/howtohavesex) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

25 Feb 2024

3 HR 07 MINS

3:07:45

25 Feb 2024

#465

Predator with Jon Gabrus

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] (http://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] (http://stamps.com) (CODE: CHECK) Zocdoc ( [zocdoc.com/check] (http://zocdoc.com/check) ) Mubi ( [mubi.com/howtohavesex] (http://mubi.com/howtohavesex) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

18 Feb 2024

2 HR 53 MINS

2:53:38

18 Feb 2024

#464

Nomads

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] (http://bombas.com/check) CODE: CHECK) ExpressVPN ( [ExpressVPN.com/check] (http://expressvpn.com/check) ) Burrow ( [Burrow.com/check] (http://burrow.com/check) ) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) ... Read more

11 Feb 2024

1 HR 53 MINS

1:53:54

11 Feb 2024

#463

The Mirror Has Two Faces with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber

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 ] (https://open.spotify.com/show/4O0YwYhoEc16roFU22g2JL?si=7aa9e7c7f7af4363) [Read Bobby’s book The Old Place] (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/59764020) [Subscribe to Not Broadway] (https://notbroadway.substack.com/) This episode is sponsored by: Green Chef ( [greenchef.com/60blankcheck] (http://greenchef.com/60blankcheck) CODE: 60blankcheck) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) or at [teepublic.com/stores/blank-check] (http://teepublic.com/stores/blank-check) ... Read more

04 Feb 2024

2 HR 39 MINS

2:39:03

04 Feb 2024

#462

The Prince of Tides with Katey Rich

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] (https://www.vanityfair.com/contributor/katey-rich) [Listen to Little Gold Men] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interview-jerrod-carmichael-rothaniel-taika-waititi/id1042433465?i=1000567290641) This episode is sponsored by: Miracle Made ( [trymiracle.com/check] (http://trymiracle.com/check) CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) or at [teepublic.com/stores/blank-check] (http://teepublic.com/stores/blank-check) ... Read more

28 Jan 2024

2 HR 26 MINS

2:26:03

28 Jan 2024

#461

A Conversation with Amy Irving

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] (https://www.instagram.com/amyirvingofficial/) AND checkout her album "Born In A Trunk" on [Spotify] (https://open.spotify.com/artist/014ho5GT3tMz8pYEGwiHaD) , [Apple Music] (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/amy-irving/1671017407) , [Bandcamp] (https://amyirving.bandcamp.com/album/born-in-a-trunk) or wherever you get music! To witness the Buried Jeans™ in 3D and the rest of the 2024 collection goto [congratyoulations.com] (http://congratyoulations.com/) Plus, it's never too late to check out the Slow Xmas 2023 holiday music compilation now on [Spotify] (https://open.spotify.com/album/3EoVpWSWy21u5fYA5wvyue?si=GggGFevvQHi48aXdaMDpSw) , [Apple Music] (https://music.apple.com/us/album/slow-xmas-3/1720060549) , [Bandcamp] (https://bonesoundinc.bandcamp.com/album/slow-xmas-3) or wherever you get music! Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at [shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com] (http://shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com/) or at [teepublic.com/stores/blank-check] (http://teepublic.com/stores/blank-check) ... Read more

24 Jan 2024

1 HR 05 MINS

1:05:58