blankcheck posts
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Elle with Emily Yoshida
In the final installment of our ‘Paul Verhoeven in Hollywood’ mini series, Emily Yoshida (Night Call Podcast) returns for a special bonus episode on 2016’s pitch black French dramedy, Elle. But what other actresses were considered for the lead role even though Isabelle Huppert is clearly the p...
Hollow Man with Alex Ross Perry
Writer/director Alex Ross Perry (Nostalgia, Golden Exits) returns to Blank Check to discuss 2000’s invisible sci-fi slasher, Hollow Man. But why is this not your grandfather’s invisible man movie? What was the running Joey Slotnick bit on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn? Does this film lac...
Starship Troopers with J.D. Amato
J.D. Amato (The Chris Gethard Show) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1997’s bug war sci-fi, Starship Troopers. 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 o...
Showgirls with Caroline Framke
Caroline Framke (Vox) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1995’s iconic erotic drama Showgirls. But was screenwriter Eszterhas’ original pitch scribbled on a cocktail napkin? Is this film a parable for Hollywood? Where is the character Nomi from? Together they examine Caroline’s experience seei...
The Third Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid
Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid (The Decider) for the 3rd annual Blankie Awards where together they present their own personal nominations and winners for the upcoming 90th Academy Awards. This roundtable discussion looks at all the major categories, as well as, references deep cut cinema fr...
Basic Instinct with Miriam Bale
Film critic Miriam Bale joins Griffin and David to discuss 1992’s sexy thriller, Basic Instinct. But what about the dialogue gives away this is a Eszterhas script? Does Jeanne Tripplehorn always play herself? Where are there cowboy bars in San Francisco? Together they examine the careers of Michae...
Total Recall with Andrew Jupin and Stephen Sajdak
Joining Griffin and David this week is Andrew Jupin and Stephen Sajdak, 2 of the 4 co-hosts of the We Hate Movies podcast. Together they discuss 1990’s twisted sci-fi thriller, Total Recall. But how much creative control did Arnold have over this film? What is Michael Ironside actual first name? A...
RoboCop
Griffin and David discuss dystopian action satire, 1987’s RoboCop. But is old Detroit a cancer and the cancer is crime? Was this film a deconstruction of the American hero mythology? Is it true that Verhoeven initially read half a page of the script and threw in the trash only to have his wife ret...
Flesh+Blood
This week’s episode begins a new mini series (Podship Casters) covering the Hollywood films of director Paul Verhoeven. Already an accomplished filmmaker in the Netherlands, 1985 marked his American debut with the unpleasantly realistic period piece, Flesh+Blood. But how gross was the medieval tim...
The Post
In November of 2017, Griffin and David attended the first screening of Nixon era political thriller, The Post. But did it really only take 9 months to make this film after Spielberg first read the script? Was there intention to make a movie about the freedom of the press in our current political cli...
The Last Jedi
On the day of it’s release in December of 2017, Griffin and David discussed Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. 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 Blankie...
Avatarland/The Second Blank Check Mailbag
#thetwofriends once again answer listener submitted questions! Plus, Griffin discusses his recent trip to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. But how would Griffin and David fix Men in Black II? Does Avatar work better as a theme park or movie? Will beloved acto...
Lost in Space with Joey Sims
This week is a special family edition episode with brother of David, Joey Sims, who picked a favorite film of the Sims’ boys youth: 1998’s failed sci-fi adaptation Lost in Space. When did the age of nostalgic reboots begin in American cinema? What is getting ‘blarped’ mean? How is this a mov...
Justice League
On the week of it’s release in November of 2017, Griffin and David discussed the newest film in DC Extended Universe: Justice League. But is Superman still gone even though Henry Cavill is second billed? Just how many times was this movie reshot and is it very noticeable? Will the seven be united?...
Detroit with Black Men Can’t Jump In Hollywood
Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan and James III, hosts of Black Men Can’t Jump In Hollywood podcast, join Griffin and David to discuss 2017’s period crime drama, Detroit. But was this a story that needed to be told? Is the racist white cop technically the lead? Were sections of this movie purpos...
Zero Dark Thirty with Demi Adejuyigbe
Demi Adejuyigbe (The Good Place, Gilmore Guys) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2012’s American revenge political thriller, Zero Dark Thirty. But is the CIA agent this movie is based on somewhat problematic? Can either host do a decent Gandolfini? Will Jason of Friday the 13th fame begin hosting...
The Hurt Locker with Sonia Saraiya
Sonia Saraiya (Variety) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2008’s bomb action-drama, The Hurt Locker. But will filming in 120 degree desert heat affect a production? How does this movie score with audiences and critics for its portrayal of the Iraq War? What about the cinematography helps to conve...
K-19: The Widowmaker with Richard Lawson
Co-host of the Little Gold Men podcast and friend of the show, Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2002’s submarine disaster K-19: The Widowmaker. But how was National Geographic involved in this production? What was the impact of this film bombing at the box office? Ar...
The Weight of Water with Karen Han and Emma Stefansky
Karen Han (Slashfilm) and Emma Stefansky (ScreenCrush) join #thetwofriends to discuss 2001’s confused thriller, The Weight of Water. But what is the weight of water exactly? Was Elizabeth Hurley really ever a punk? Does Producer Ben get annoyed during the recording of this episode? Together they d...
Strange Days with Emily Yoshida
Emily Yoshida (Vulture) returns this week to discuss 1995’s neo-noir, Strange Days. But why is Kathryn Bigelow so hardcore? Was Bono a potential candidate for a role in this film? When was Emily’s mother on Wheel of Fortune? Together they discuss Ray Fiennes, Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis ca...
Point Break with Lux Alptraum
Writer/Performer Lux Alptraum joins Griffin and David to discuss 1991’s iconic surf heist, Point Break. But is this one of the sexiest boy films of all time? Is Bigelow a nihilist or a realist? Is Bodhi’s ultimate plan really just death by giant wave? Together they discuss the career trajectorie...
Blue Steel with Jordan Hoffman
Jordan Hoffman (Engage: The Official Star Trek podcast) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1989’s crime thriller, Blue Steel. Would Jamie Lee Curtis and Bigelow’s careers been different if this film had been more successful? Does it pass the Bechdel test? Is Kevin Dunn one of our most frustrated...
Near Dark with Mani Lazic
Mani Lazic (Little White Lies) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1987’s western meets vampire thriller, Near Dark. But why is this film out of print? Can a normal blood transfusion heal a person of vampire? Is this movie very sexy? Together they examine Bigelow’s stylistic choices, James Le Gro...
The Loveless
Introducing a new mini series on the complete filmography of director Kathryn Bigelow! This week Griffin and David begin with her 1982 debut feature, The Loveless, about a wild 1950’s motorcycle gang in small-town America. But who is co-director Monty “Old Timey” Montgomery? How did Bigelow’...
The Devil Wears Prada with Romilly Newman
This week’s special episode is our first ever family edition with sister of Griffin, Romilly Newman, who picked one of her favorite films: 2006’s fashionable dramedy, The Devil Wears Prada. But is Runway magazine an accurate interpretation of Vogue magazine? Whatever happened to movies debuting ...
Here Today Gone Trevorrow - An Emergency Minisode
In a special bonus emergency minisode, Griffin and David call in remotely to weigh in/celebrate the firing of director Colin Trevorrow from Star Wars: Episode IX. But are the reports true that Colin is a bit arrogant? Did Kathleen Kennedy see The Book of Henry and not like it? Should director Rian J...
Dunkirk with Bilge Ebiri
In the final episode of our mini series devoted to the filmography of Christopher Nolan, Bilge Ebiri (Village Voice) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2017’s war thriller, Dunkirk. But how do the movie’s different temporalities align? What are other ways to conceal Tom Hardy’s face and body? ...
Interstellar
This week, a tired Griffin and a rested David discuss 2014’s time traveling space odyssey, Interstellar. But how are gravity and love intertwined? Is spinning during space travel the new normal? How is Spielberg involved in this film? Together they examine Matthew McConaughey’s performance, the ...
Talking Maul Live @ DCM19 with Peter Serafinowicz
Live from the 19th annual Del Close Marathon in New York City, Peter Serafinowicz (The Tick) joins Griffin and David for a serious conversation about Peter’s role as the voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. This special episode marks a return to the podcast’s early...
The Dark Knight Rises
Griffin and David complete Nolan’s Batman Trilogy with a discussion of 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. But is it true the director’s brother and frequent collaborator, Jonathan Nolan, presented Christopher with a 400 page script? Were there any other rumors not about Killer Croc? Have we started...
