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Blank Check with Griffin & David podcast

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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.

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.

 

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#488

Dances with Wolves

In a first for Blank Check, we’re covering a filmmaker who has acted alongside our own Griffin Newman! In our premiere episode covering the directorial career of Draft Day co-star Kevin Costner, we’re unpacking his 1990 Best Picture winner, DANCES WITH WOLVES. Costner as personal mythmaker, Costner as “movie sports guy,” Costner as “hot guy who women all want to sleep with (?)”, Costner as man who decided - at a crucial (and early!) point in his career - to take a huge risk by making a 3-hour epic in an old-fashioned genre. He’s a fascinating figure. Come west with us, listeners, as we discover the frontiers within ourselves and within Lieutenant John Dunbar. This episode is sponsored by: Quince ( [quince.com/check] (http://quince.com/check) ) 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

21 Jul 2024

2 HR 14 MINS

2:14:13

21 Jul 2024

#487

Gigli with Jen D'Angelo

The first "G" in "Gigli" is pronounced like the "J" in “Jacques,” the second “G” is silent. Rhymes with "really." Now that that’s out of the way - we conclude our Martin Brest series with the turkey of all turkeys. The Bennifer original sin, the project that should have gotten Justin Bartha put in prison. That’s right, folks. We’re talking about one of the canonical “Worst Movies Ever Made” - 2003’s GIGLI. Screenwriter Jen D’Angelo joins us to talk about this fascinating cultural object, and makes a case that Ben Affleck is “good in this movie, actually.” Griffin and David disagree. We’re going to Baywatch! [Read the Variety Article referenced in the episode] (https://variety.com/2023/film/features/martin-brest-director-beverly-hills-cop-gigli-1235672428/) [Watch Martin Brest’s First Interview in 20 Years ] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UcFux2wqH0) [Follow Jen on Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/jen_dangelo/?hl=en) This episode is sponsored by: Bombas ( [bombas.com/check ] (http://bombas.com/check) 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

14 Jul 2024

2 HR 53 MINS

2:53:10

14 Jul 2024

#486

Meet Joe Black with Richard Lawson

He’s hot. He’s got frosted tips. He loves peanut butter. His lil swimmers may or may not look like skulls. He’s death, baby! And we’re meeting him this week! Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson returns to the pod to chat about 1998’s three hour long “symphonic metaphysical romance” MEET JOE BLACK. How does this film play in a post-Succession, “eat the rich” context? How do we feel about the infamous Jamaican patois scenes? What are our memories of the weekend the Phantom Menace trailer came out in theaters? All that and more awaits you on the other side of the bridge. [Read Chad Hartigan’s article on Meet Joe Black ] (https://www.talkhouse.com/revisited-chad-hartigan-talks-discovering-his-true-self-through-jim-carrey-and-meet-joe-black/) [Read Richard’s work at Vanity Fair] (https://www.vanityfair.com/contributor/richard-lawson) [Listen to Little Gold Men] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/little-gold-men-by-vanity-fair/id1042433465) [Listen to Still Watching] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/still-watching-house-of-the-dragon-season-2/id1328561705) This episode is sponsored by: [DrinkTrade.com/Check] (http://drinktrade.com/Check) (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!  ... Read more

07 Jul 2024

2 HR 39 MINS

2:39:48

07 Jul 2024

#485

Scent of a Woman with David Krumholtz

Warning - this episode contains an ungodly amount of Pacino impressions. Listener discretion is advised. “Actor’s actor” and local boy from Queens David Krumholtz becomes the second cast member of Oppenheimer and first person immortalized in Griffin’s beloved Disney Emoji Blitz to guest on our Martin Brest series as we talk about 1992’s dire SCENT OF A WOMAN. Would this movie be less terrible if it were at least 40 minutes shorter? What if the original first choice for Lt. Col. Frank Slade - Jack Nicholson - had done this film instead of Pacino? What if we swapped Philip Seymour Hoffman for the charisma vacuum that is Chris O’Donnell? Sadly, we can only imagine these scenarios. Join us for lots of candid Krumholtz anecdotes, a scorching hot take regarding the diner scene in Heat, and more! [Check out David in Lousy Carter ] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27774989/) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!  ... Read more

30 Jun 2024

2 HR 10 MINS

2:10:37

30 Jun 2024

#484

Midnight Run with Alan Sepinwall

In a first for Blank Check, Ben Hosley produces an entire episode while handcuffed and under threat of legal action. What else would you expect from a MIDNIGHT RUN episode? The great Alan Sepinwall returns to the pod to talk about Martin Brest’s fantastic cross-country buddy caper, a film that proved that DeNiro could do comedy and that Charles Grodin might be the funniest man alive. We’re talking about the unofficial Larry the Cable Guy sequel (?), the famous casting what-ifs (Cher!), and the magic that went into making this movie so breezy, effortless, and fun. We didn’t how good we had it back in 1988, did we?l [Pre-order Alan’s book, “Saul Goodman V. Jimmy McGill: The Complete Critical Companion to Better Call Saul” ] (https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/saul-goodman-v-jimmy-mcgill-the-better-call-saul-critical-companion) [Subscribe to What's Alan Watching] (https://www.alansepinwall.substack.com/) This episode is sponsored by: MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) 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

23 Jun 2024

3 HR 00 MINS

3:00:15

23 Jun 2024

#483

Beverly Hills Cop with Adil & Bilall

An indelible synth theme by Harold Faltermeyer. A scene-stealing turn from Bronson Pinchot. A banana in a tailpipe. EDDIE FREAKING MURPHY. It’s no wonder that Martin Brest’s Beverly Hills Cop is one of the most beloved action comedies (and still the highest-grossing R-rated film adjusted for inflation). We couldn’t be more thrilled to have two of the hottest action directors in Hollywood - Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s Adil & Bilall - join us to talk about Brest’s blockbuster second feature, bringing all the expertise from their years spent developing Beverly Hills Cop 4. We’re getting into the Stallone of it all, the Simpson/Bruckheimer of it all, the Judge Reinhold of it all - while also taking some time to unpack the specific nuances that Brest brings as a director (as opposed to Tony Scott’s take on the sequel). And….yes. We talk about BATGIRL. This episode is sponsored by: Bombas ( [bombas.com/check ] (http://bombas.com/check) 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

16 Jun 2024

1 HR 47 MINS

1:47:29

16 Jun 2024

#482

Going In Style with James Urbaniak

After years of citing him as a potential series, we’re finally Brest men. In this inaugural episode of our “Podverly Hills Cast” series, we’re taking a look at Martin Brest’s debut feature, 1979’s understated and deeply enjoyable old man heist film “Going in Style.” James Urbaniak joins us to chat through the beginning of Brest’s career, and the storied personas of George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg. Cream cheese and jelly sandwiches on toasted rye for everyone!  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!  ... Read more

09 Jun 2024

1 HR 51 MINS

1:51:06

09 Jun 2024

#481

Furiosa with Kyle Buchanan

We return to the Wasteland this week with Furiosa, and we’ve got quite the tour guide. Kyle Buchanan - author of Blood, Sweat & Chrome, THE book on the making of Mad Max: Fury Road - joins us as we do a definitive post-mortem on George Miller’s latest. Going up against the reputation of Fury Road was always going to be an uphill battle for the Anya Taylor-Joy starrer, and we go into all the ways in which this film matches, exceeds, or misses the highs of 2015’s action classic. Kyle brings with him plenty of behind-the-scenes details and shrewd observations, and Ben and Griffin bring a visceral report from their 4DX screening. And yes - of course we talk about how Dementus looks just like Guru Pitka.   [Read Kyle’s writing at the New York Times] (https://www.nytimes.com/by/kyle-buchanan) [Check out his Oral History of Fury Road] (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/movies/mad-max-fury-road-oral-history.html) as well as his book; [Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road] (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/blood-sweat-chrome-kyle-buchanan?variant=39314534629410)  This episode is sponsored by: MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) 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

02 Jun 2024

3 HR 00 MINS

3:00:45

02 Jun 2024

#480

Paprika with Emily Yoshida

Come join the dream parade, folks - we’re talking about Paprika! Mother of the Blankies Emily Yoshida is with us to chat about Satoshi Kon’s final film - a film that FEELS like a swan song especially in hindsight. In this episode, we address the elephant in the room (those Inception comparisons), dive into the serialized story Paprika was based on, and Griffin makes the important connection between Paprika’s “DC mini” device and this being a “BC mini” (series). Plus, we establish 2024 as “The Year of Dreams” (Kon and Lynch on Blank Check!!), and Emily, Ben, and Griffin discuss their experience attending a special screening of Clifford with Martin Short himself.   [Check out Shogun on FX] (https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/shogun/viewers-guide) and listen to [Shogun: The Official Podcast] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-dream-of-a-dream/id1728708377?i=1000653287485) hosted by Emily   [Read Emily’s writing on Paprika ] (https://brightwalldarkroom.tumblr.com/post/972789854/paprika-2006) Please follow Hollywood Entertainment (the organizers of the Clifford screening mentioned on the episode)for upcoming screenings in LA (including a new residency at Heavy Manners Library), regular streaming programs (accessible everywhere), and a to-be-announced return to New York this fall.  [https://www.instagram.com/hollyw00dentertainment ] (https://www.instagram.com/hollyw00dentertainment) [https://www.hollywood-entertainment.com/ ] (https://www.hollywood-entertainment.com/) This episode is sponsored by:  Storyblocks ( [storyblocks.com/check] (http://storyblocks.com/check) )  Bombas ( [bombas.com/check ] (http://bombas.com/check) CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at <a href="http://patreon.com/blankcheck"> [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) </a> Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!   ... Read more

26 May 2024

2 HR 50 MINS

2:50:43

26 May 2024

#479

Tokyo Godfathers with Reece Feldman

They call them the Godfathers of Tokyo…and we call him the KING of TIKTOK (in an old man newscaster voice) - Reece Feldman joins us to chat about Satoshi Kon’s beautiful Christmas fable about a trio of unforgettable characters on the fringes of society. We talk about how animation is truly a medium and NOT a genre, as evidenced by this film. We talk about Ice Age (another animated movie where outsiders care for a baby). We talk about whether or not David might get roped into watching Ice Age a million times if his daughter finds out about it. And we talk about David’s pitch for a Cheaper by the Dozen spoof called “Cheaper by the Cousin”…? Follow Reece on his socials: [TikTok] (https://www.tiktok.com/@guywithamoviecamera?lang=en) - [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/guywithamoviecamera/?hl=en) 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

19 May 2024

2 HR 12 MINS

2:12:47

19 May 2024

#478

Millennium Actress with Hoai-Tran Bui

Our Satoshi Kon series continues with his 2003 film Millennium Actress, a moving exploration of memory, history, and the magic of da moviesh. Writer Hoai-Tran Bui returns to the pod as we discuss the strange history of Dreamworks’ arthouse animation arm (Go Fish pictures), the luminous screen presence of Setsuko Hara, and the added poignancy this film takes on in light of Kon’s untimely passing. Plus, Griffin publicly addresses the Penny Marshall debacle, and the gang contemplates a version of “Millennium Actor” with Clint Eastwood.   [Read Hoai-Tran’s work] (https://authory.com/HoaiTranBui) This episode is sponsored by: [Indochino.com] (http://indochino.com) (CODE: CHECK) ExpressVPN ( [ExpressVPN.com/check] (http://expressvpn.com/check) ) [RocketRx] (https://rebrand.ly/ce7c6d) (CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!  ... Read more

12 May 2024

2 HR 24 MINS

2:24:31

12 May 2024

#477

Perfect Blue with Bowen Yang

Welcome to the filmography of Satoshi Kon - a thrilling series of funhouse mirrors and puzzlebox narratives that proved what is possible in the animation form. The icon, the legend, the culturista himself Bowen Yang joins us to talk about Kon’s feature debut, the shocking and influential pop-idol thriller PERFECT BLUE. We’re talking about famous “bad girl” transitions in pop history. We’re talking about Digimon villains. We’re talking about obsessive fandoms. And, most crucially, we learn a new piece of Ben lore that involves a famous reality tv star. Listen to [Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang] (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-las-culturistas-with-matt-31090140/) This episode is sponsored by: MUBI ( [mubi.com/blankcheck] (http://mubi.com/blankcheck) ) [AuraFrames.com] (http://auraframes.com) (CODE: CHECK) Join our Patreon at [patreon.com/blankcheck] (http://patreon.com/blankcheck) Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram ... Read more

05 May 2024

1 HR 57 MINS

1:57:45

05 May 2024

#476

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 34 MINS

2:34:29

28 Apr 2024

#475

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! 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 23 MINS

2:23:12

21 Apr 2024

#474

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 (!). 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 18 MINS

2:18:30

14 Apr 2024

#473

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! 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 17 MINS

2:17:59

07 Apr 2024

#472

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/) 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 16 MINS

2:16:10

31 Mar 2024

#471

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.  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 36 MINS

3:36:14

24 Mar 2024

#470

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! 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 09 MINS

2:09:48

17 Mar 2024

#469

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. 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 13 MINS

2:13:09

10 Mar 2024

#468

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! 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 43 MINS

2:43:07

03 Mar 2024

#467

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.  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 03 MINS

3:03:12

25 Feb 2024

#466

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.  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 41 MINS

2:41:40

18 Feb 2024

#465

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!  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 45 MINS

1:45:53

11 Feb 2024

#464

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/) 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 35 MINS

2:35:55

04 Feb 2024

#463

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) 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

#462

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

24 Jan 2024

#461

Yentl with Jordan Hoffman

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] (https://themessenger.com/author/jordan-hoffman) 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

21 Jan 2024

2 HR 14 MINS

2:14:23

21 Jan 2024