Blank Check continues its mini-series covering the films of director Tim Burton with the alien invasion comedy, Mars Attacks! But what are the origins of development for this 1960's trading card IP? How does this movie compare to Independence Day 20 years later? Does David have a half-sister, and if so, why has she never been mentioned before? Joined by comedian, Paul F. Tompkins (BoJack Horsman), they discuss the various performances of this stacked ensemble cast, the unusual billing, face g...
2019-02-10 05:00:00 +0000 UTC
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John Hodgman Judge John Hodgman podcast joins Griffin and David to discuss 1994's celebration of Hollywood's greatest outcast, Ed Wood. Was this Burton's finest film? What is the history of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff careers portraying monsters? Is 'octopus motor' the greatest two words put together? Together they examine the legacy of director Ed Wood, attending one of the Property B...
2019-02-03 05:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Tony Stark is at it again! And so are Griffin, David and Producer Ben! Join them for another live MCU commentary on 2010’s Iron Man 2. But why is Tony Stark such a drunken jerk in this movie? Is 'creaming it up' Griffin’s new catchphrase? Which is better: a bird whip or a whip made of birds? Together they examine Mickey Rourke looking completely normal and trustworthy, Sam Rockwell playing catch and stupid, shitty drones.
2019-02-01 05:01:00 +0000 UTC
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At the end of the Bartman Returns episode it was revealed that Producer Ben had texted Griffin during the recording. The message was to sign off the episode by singing Seal's "Kiss from a Rose". Ben believed that this was the wildly popular single from this movie. It is actually from Batman Forever. Either way they still sing along to a karaoke version and here is that b-b-b-bonus audio checkmates!
2019-01-27 05:00:01 +0000 UTC
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Emily Yoshida Night Call podcast is back to discuss 1992's demented superhero sequel, Batman Returns. But was this the first movie to notice Christopher Walken talks kind of funny? Is The Penguin's black mouth ooze attractive? Who are your favorite cloud villains? Together they examine the iconic performances from Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer, Batman as the love interest, parental backlash, and chubby digit...
2019-01-27 05:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Another installment of Blank Check's commentary series on the MCU! This time the boys discuss The Incredible Hulk. But who are the various snacks in this film? Does Hulk have a van? Could you equate this film to dog pubes on a plate? Together #thetwofriends and Producer Ben examine set dressing with salami, Planet Hollywood, quad fighting and more!
2019-01-21 05:01:00 +0000 UTC
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On the week of it’s release in January of 2019, Griffin and David discussed M. Night Shyamalan’s latest offering, Glass. But did the hosts find this film to be a “glassterpiece”? What is Papa executive privilege time? If you had to guess what would you say Samuel L. Jackson’s age would be? Together they try to make sense of why M. Night wanted to tell this particular story, recent Bruce Willis straight to Redbox movies and get retrospective on their two hundredth episode! Plus, a sp...
2019-01-21 00:06:00 +0000 UTC
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This week on Blank Check Julio Torres (Saturday Night Live) discusses 1990’s proto-Tumblr Frankenstein remake fantasy, Edward Scissorhands. But is Cole Sprouse the young Johnny Depp of 2019? Should one aspire to create an esoteric Halloween costume with their movie? Why won't they leave the clowns alone? Together they examine the career of legendary costume designer Colleen Atwood, Winnie the Pooh’s acting and joke writing in Christopher Robin, gorgeous improv and constructs.
2019-01-13 09:00:00 +0000 UTC
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In this month's grab-bag bonus episode #thetwofriends answer patron submitted questions, as well as, present a special interview with screenwriter and producer James Schamus for the 15th anniversary of Hulk live from Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn! But does David have an extensive spreadsheet of every Oscar ballet in cinema history? Who is surprisingly a big fan of Deadpool? Is it true Shrike, the resurrected man (from Mortal Engines) will be appearing in the upcoming Con Moon? Together w...
2019-01-11 05:00:02 +0000 UTC
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On Jan 11th, we'll be posting our first Patreon-only mailbag episode of the year (bundled with our James Schamus interview)! Subscribers, submit your questions below, and we'll try to answer as many as we can!
(also, feel free to leave a voicemail Q at our hotline: 802-8-BURGER)
2019-01-07 17:21:36 +0000 UTC
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Blank Check continues it’s mini series covering the films of director Tim Burton with the genre defining 1989 superhero movie, Batman. What was this film's impact on the industry for years to come? What other actors were in the running to play the Joker? Should Bruce Wayne wear jeans and turtlenecks? Joined by K. Austin Collins (Vanity Fair) together they examine the performances of Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton, the history of the iconic character's intellectual property in film and te...
2019-01-06 09:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Welcome to 2019 and to Blank Check: Special Features! In our first premium episode, #thetwofriends and Producer Ben begin their commentary series on the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2008's Iron Man. But what is the "Big Nice"? What is the nickname for our Patreon listeners? Where were the boys living in 2008? Watch with us to find out!
2019-01-01 05:00:02 +0000 UTC
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On the week of its release in December of 2018, Griffin and David discussed the latest offering in the DCEU: Aquaman. But how many Oscars did David throw at the screening? is Orm a name? Did Ben’s brain break? Together they examine director James Wan’s career, sea crime and the legacy of Aquaman over the years. This episode is sponsored by Robinhood and The /Film...
2018-12-23 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Griffin and David activate this exclusive Patreon RSS feed with a holiday greeting.
2018-12-18 10:34:52 +0000 UTC
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Friend and host of Classroom Crush podcast, Rebecca Bulnes, joins Griffin and David to discuss 1988's masterpiece, Beetlejuice! But was this film nearly called Scared Sheetless? Is this Alec Baldwin at his most handsome? Does Rebecca want to date Beetlejuice? Together they examine the careers of Geena Davis, Catherine O'Hara and Michael Keaton, growing up as a goth snake girl and the greatness of pre-CGI Burton speci...
2018-12-16 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week Griffin and David begin a new mini-series on the films of Tim Burton! Together they discuss the origins of the character Pee-wee and Burton's background in animation and being a goth boy from Burbank, California.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on 2018-12-09 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week on Blank Check is a discussion of Wreck-it-Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet. Together, Griffin, David and Producer Ben examine the history of Disney Animation sequels, Chekhov’s Mentos, types of metals and the origins of Spies in Disguise. Plus, John Hodgman (Vacationland) leaves a voicemail!
2018-12-02 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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In the final special bonus episode of our mini-series on the films of Nancy Meyers, Griffin and David invite Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) to weigh in on her daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s directorial debut: Home Again. But what if boys were nice? Was this movie filmed exclusively inside a bottle of white zinfandel? What is the future of the romantic comedy in the major studio system? Together they discuss alternate realities, finding the next Sam Smith, Nancy Meyers’ involvement in invent...
2018-11-25 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Comedian, writer and actor Jamie Lee (HBO's Crashing) joins Griffin and David to discuss Meyers’ most recent offering, 2015’s The Intern. But what was Griffin and Jamie’s experience auditioning for this movie? Why is the husband so lame and unlikable? Is there a bombshell in this edition of Romilly’s Kitchen Corner? Together they examine why Anne Hathaway rules, avoiding posterboard bits and what Nancy thinks of millennial men.
Crashing Season 3 returns to HBO in January.
2018-11-18 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Writer/director Sarah-Violet Bliss (Search Party) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2009’s masterpiece, It's Complicated. But what are the two things everyone knows about Alec Baldwin? Who has the name Agnes anymore? Is it really complicated tho? Together they examine Meryl Streep’s singing voice, web cam flim flams and what this new kitchen fortress is going to look like.
Music selection:
“Bushwick Tarentella” by 2018-11-11 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Writer, Fran Hoepfner joins Griffin and David to discuss 2006’s house swap rom-com, The Holiday. But Is foreplay really overrated? Was John Krasinski in The Holiday the Adam Driver of Lincoln of 2006? Is Garden State the most iconic New Jersey movie because they go to Medieval Times and yell at a ditch? Together, they examine the careers of Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude “Daddy” Law; Christmas in England; loving movie scores enough to make gibberish sounds in public pla...
2018-11-04 22:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Bobby Finger (Who? Weekly podcast) returns to Blank Check for a discussion of 2003’s aging romance, Something's Gotta Give. Together they examine Bobby’s passion for Meyers’ films, Crazy Town’s “Butterfly” and the careers of Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.
Music Selection:
“BossaBossa” by Kevin MacLeod
Licensed under 2018-10-28 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Actress and singer-songwriter, Lola Kirke (Mozart in the Jungle) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2000’s high-concept rom-com, What Women Want. Together they examine the careers of Helen Hunt and Mel Gibson, the other benefits of electrocution and how this film holds up 18 years later after its release.
And check out Lola Kirke’s new album Heart Head West and her starring role in the feature film,
2018-10-21 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week Blank Check begins our first ever “fans choice” mini series reviewing the filmography of director Nancy Meyers. Film critics, models and IDENTICAL TWINS Elena and Mani Lazic join Griffin and David to discuss the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. Together they discuss prank wars, Randy rosé and flying on the Concorde.
Music Selection:
“Swinging in the 7th” by Dana Boulé
2018-10-14 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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On the week of it’s release in October of 2018, Griffin and David discussed A Star Is Born.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2018-10-08 01:07:00 +0000 UTC
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This week, James Newman joins Blank Check for another family edition episode to discuss the 1996 Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes crossover, Space Jam.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2018-09-30 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Griffin and David review the Ang Lee directed short film, Chosen, created as part of the BMW film series "The Hire," rank Lee’s filmography and briefly examine Clive Owen’s career trajectory in 2001. This episode is sponsored by Storm of Spoilers.
Learn more about your ad c...
2018-09-27 08:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Blank it, thank it! J.D. Amato (The President Show) returns, in the last episode of our mini series devoted to the filmography of director Ang Lee, to discuss 2016’s high frame rate Iraq War drama, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. But what makes this movie so revolutionary? What is the evolution of frame rates in film? Who are the shortest and the tallest actors according to IMDB? Together they examine the history of cameras from film to digital, the BIG3 basketball league and never do...
2018-09-23 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Filmmaker Ray Tintori joins Griffin and David to discuss 2012’s Oscar award winning drama, Life of Pi. But was Tobey Maguire in an early cut of the movie wearing a terrible wig? Did Ray’s mother work as a script supervisor on this film? Does Ang Lee know about this podcast? Together, they examine the early stages of development for this project, working with VR technology and Griffin sets the record straight about his father.
2018-09-16 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Writer and director Alex Ross Perry (Christopher Robin) returns to Blank Check to discuss 2009’s Taking Woodstock. But is this a comedy tho? Did this film win AARP’s Movies for Grownups Award for Best Grownup Love Story? Is the portrayal of an LSD experience accurate? Together they examine the career of Demetri Martin, a mysterious bucket of glitter, Sha Na Na and straight trippin’ boo. Plus, Griffin shares a Martin Scorsese Woodstock story and Alex brings the chocolate milk!
And ...
2018-09-09 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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