Director, screenwriter and producer Chris Weitz (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2007’s extreme erotic espionage period thriller: Lust, Caution. But what makes this NC-17 rated film a blank check? How was Tang Wei’s career affected after the release of this movie? Did one of the hosts go through a Jessica Alba phase and can the listeners guess who? Together they examine green lights in Hollywood, scoring films, Wetflix and fore...
2018-09-02 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Comedians and the hosts of Las Culturistas podcast (foreverdogproductions.com) Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang join Griffin and David to discuss 2005’s western romance, Brokeback Mountain. Together they examine the careers of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, Oscar winners over the years and, of course, erasure.
Also help support Dresser Kittens at 2018-08-26 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week is all about 2003’s Hulk. The origins of this project. How Ang Lee played the Hulk on set. Our hosts favorite film genre: the bad dad Nick Nolte. The juxtaposition of serious and comic books in the filmmaking. How the hulk hands kid’s toy comes from a somber, meditative family drama about the way our fathers damage us. And the careers of Jennifer Connelly and Eric Bana. Music courtesy of "Night Court Theme" by Jack Elliott
2018-08-19 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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David Ehrlich (IndieWire) joins Griffin and David for an in-depth conversation on 2000’s Wuxia epic, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Together they examine the sweaty nature of the Police inspector Tsai and his daughter, eye performance, cave life and share James Schamus stories.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on 2018-08-12 21:54:00 +0000 UTC
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Peter Labuza (The Cinephiliacs podcast, Village Voice) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1999 Civil War epic, Ride with the Devil. But is Jim Caviezel a weirdo? Does Tobey get his nub back? What is a skuzzin? Together they examine the careers of Tobey Maguire, Jeffrey Wright and Jewel, the film theory of James Schamus and dumb people trying to one up each other.
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2018-08-05 21:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Emily Yoshida (Night Call podcast) returns to discuss 1997’s bleak drama, The Ice Storm. But what drew Ang Lee to this project? Is ‘HU’ a good shorthand for hook up? Is this one of the top films to portray the winter in the Northeast? Together they discuss key parties, being passed out in a bathroom, reminisce about the nineties and Griffin shares a Elliott Gould tale. And check out 2018-07-29 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Griffin and David present a special episode covering the Hotel Transylvania films and tv series. But how do the monsters pay for staying at the hotel and do they ever leave? What is the recent history behind Sony Pictures Animation? Do the hosts open toys on mic and there is a bunch of dead air? Together they discuss Genndy Tartakovsky’s career, zinging, blah blah blah and more. Plus, a Burger Report: Masterpiece Theater edition! 2018-07-22 21:10:00 +0000 UTC
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This week Shirley Li (Entertainment Weekly) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1995’s period drama, Sense and Sensibility. But how accurate are the hosts impressions of Alan Rickman? What were the circumstances behind Emma Thompson adapting this script? What is a vicar? Together they examine Kate Winslet’s career trajectory, peak mannerism, the Book of Benry and more.
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2018-07-15 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Alison Willmore (BuzzFeed) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1994’s family and food dramedy, Eat Drink Man Woman.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2018-07-08 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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In the debut episode of our new mini series devoted to the films of director Ang Lee, Griffin and David start with his first 2 feature films: Pushing Hands and The Wedding Banquet. Join the hosts as they try to understand how these early attempts would affect Lee’s future films, what kind of dynamic they would have in a marriage together and play back-to-back Box offices games.
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2018-07-01 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Griffin and David review an episode of the 1993 television series Amazing Stories directed by Brad Bird: Family Dog. This episode is sponsored by Never Seen It podcast.
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2018-06-28 08:00:00 +0000 UTC
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On the week of it’s release in June of 2018, Griffin and David discussed Incredibles 2. In the final episode of our mini series on the films of director Brad Bird we examine the record breaking box office hit sequel, a new card system, the fourth new new joker movie and more.
Sound effects from freesfx.uk.co. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2018-06-24 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week, Griffin and David discuss 2015's retrofuturist sci-fi flop, Tomorrowland.
Music selection:
"多くの巻き戻さVHSへ" by haircuts for men
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2018-06-17 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Griffin and David discuss the fourth installment of the popular franchise: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. But why was Tom Cruise’s whole career on the line? Did David Sims attend a red carpet event for this movie weirdly in Britain? Ofcourse we all know what a 'ghost protocol' is right? Together they discuss the stunts, Limp Bizkit, SNL pitches and more.
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2018-06-10 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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In another family edition episode, this week, siblings Romilly Newman and Joey Sims help discuss 2007’s rat foodie journey, Ratatouille. But what were the circumstances behind Bird being brought onto this project? What was the cultural impact of this movie and children’s relationships with food? Is it a coincidence that ‘rat’ is in the title? Together they discuss food culture, Paris, picky eating and more!
Music selection:
“Anxiety” by Kai Engel (2018-06-03 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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On the week of it’s release in May of 2018, Griffin and David discussed Solo: A Star Wars Story.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2018-05-27 19:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Writer and comedian Rebecca Drysdale (Key and Peele, High Maintenance) joins Griffin and David for a conversation on the animated superhero family adventure, The Incredibles. But what is Syndrome’s villainous motivations? Is Rebecca the Pixar of people? And, seriously, where is Frozone’s super suit? Together they discuss their favorite Pixar films, earning tears, turtlenecks and summer camp.
Music by Kevin MacLeod “Parisian” (2018-05-20 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week Blank Check begins a new mini series reviewing the filmography of director Brad Bird with a discussion of 1999’s critically acclaimed animated feature, The Iron Giant. But does the Iron Giant wear a shirt? Did the studio request this movie be set in present day and have a hip hop soundtrack? Should Griffin and David fight more? Together, in their worst episode ever, they examine Brad Bird’s origin story, the hotness of Harry Connick Jr. as beatnik industrial artist Dean McCoppin...
2018-05-13 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week is with special guest, Angela Ferraguto, associate producer and social media manager for this very podcast! And for this episode she picked 2001’s satirical rock comedy, Josie and the Pussycats. But was Griffin a big Rachael Leigh Cook fan growing up? Did Beyoncé audition for this film? Who misses Last Call with Carson Daly? Together they discuss the careers of Rosario Dawson, Alan Cumming and Tara Reid, the Muppet Baby versions of themselves, and why this is a pitch perfect send...
2018-05-06 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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In the final episode of our mini series devoted to the filmography of James L. Brooks, Griffin and David discuss the disastrous 2010 film How Do You Know. But why would Brooks at this moment in history sympathize with the business executives being held accountable for their corporate malfeasance? What does it mean when referring to a scene as a steam room? And also how do you know? Together they examine the careers of Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson, the Australian word for ‘gr...
2018-04-29 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Richard Lawson (author of All We Can Do Is Wait) returns to discuss 2004’s Spanglish. But is this movie really about James L. Brooks attempting to justify why he wants to sleep with his maid? Is it believable a character has never seen a man cry? Is this film available on blu-ray and will it’s value increase over time like bitcoins? Together they examine Adam Sandler’s career, Téa Leoni’s VERY big performance, using monologues from Spanglish for auditioning and birthdays at a themed ...
2018-04-22 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show on TruTV, Beautiful/Anonymous podcast) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1997’s OCD dramedy, As Good as It Gets. But is the dog the fourth lead of this film? Should the term ‘residuals’ be changed to ‘Ratzenbergers?’ Could a painter really afford to live in downtown Manhattan in the late 1990s? Together they examine the “but I like her” genre of movies, the careers of Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Nien Nunb and more!
2018-04-15 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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James L. Brooks had originally shot I’ll Do Anything as a musical. But in the test screening it was so disastrous the studio insisted he cut all the musical sequences out and reshoot new scenes to fill it in. Having reviewed that theatrical cut, Griffin and David revisit this film with returning guest Esther Zuckerman and discuss the lost, coveted musical cut of I’ll Do Anything in a special bonus episode. But what would the child of Albert Brooks and Julie Kavner sound like? Why does Gri...
2018-04-12 04:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Writer and friend of the show Esther Zuckerman joins Griffin and David to discuss 1994’s I'll Do Anything. But was this film originally developed and shot as a musical only to be reedited into a mostly non-musical? Were prolific musicians Prince, Sinéad O'Connor and Carole King brought on to write the songs for this movie? Did Nick Nolte really win People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1992? Together they examine the inside baseball dealings of Hollywood, the bad 90’s fashion, honest ...
2018-04-08 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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In March of 2018, Griffin and David discussed director Steven Spielberg’s new film Ready Player One. But did Griffin audition for a part? Was Gene Wilder rumored to have been considered for one of the roles? Will only 90’s and 2000’s kids understand the references? Together they examine Tye Sheridan’s career, Deadpool bits, author Ernest Cline’s novel and more!
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2018-04-01 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Another b-b-b-b-bonus episode recapping Blank Check’s March Madness bracket! Who were the winners and losers? Who will make into the final 4? Is this still a spot on drivetime sports talk radio parody? Tune in to find out and remember to get in on all the action over at https://twitter.com/blankcheckpod!
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Katey Rich (Vanity Fair) returns to discuss 1987’s dramedy masterpiece, Broadcast News. But what journalist and news producer helped inspire and advise Brooks? What actress was originally the female lead but backed out last minute? Who is Charlie? Together they examine the careers of Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks and William Hurt, the amazing screenwriting and more!
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2018-03-25 22:44:00 +0000 UTC
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This week Blank Check starts a new mini series reviewing the filmography of director James L. Brooks. And joining Griffin and David on today’s episode is Valorie Curry (The Tick) to discuss the 1983 Academy Award winning debut drama, Terms of Endearment. But what 2 movies made over 100 million dollars that year? How has John Lithgow aged? Is it true that when little boys are impatient they don’t get dessert? Together they examine the career’s of Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine, t...
2018-03-18 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Griffin and David unleashed a March Madness bracket pitting directors against one another. The filmmaker deemed the champion will decide a future mini series coming in the fall. In a spot on drivetime sports talk radio style, the hosts walk through the recent match-ups and discuss all the drama! To get in on the daily action goto https://twitter.com/blankcheckpod and vote!
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2018-03-15 08:00:00 +0000 UTC
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This week is with special guest Paul Scheer (How Did This Get Made? podcast) who picked a favorite film from his youth: 1986’s underrated buddy cop movie Running Scared. But should more films have an extended middle act where the main characters just go on vacation? Where does this Joey Pants fall in the pantheon of Pants? How weirdly hot is Billy Crystal in this film? Together they discuss Dan Hedaya’s back and chest hair, Director Peter Hyams’ relationship with his actors and Paul’s...
2018-03-11 21:00:00 +0000 UTC
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