Oh my god. Oh my god. It's HERE. It's HAPPENING!
Welcome to the first day of Blank Check March Madness, the only tournament-style competition happening this month, and the only film-related event happening this weekend!
Our first Patreon matchup brings us a battle of literary adaptations (technically). It also brings us smoldering movie stars in iconic trench coats.
It's PHILIP K. DICK vs PULP HEROES.
2025-03-01 19:00:08 +0000 UTC
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We’ve been hearing that Resistance….. it might be futile. Help us find out as we beam up again to cover Jonathan Frakes’s 1996 Borg-forward film Star Trek: First Contact.
Topics include: Best SNL Actor, frogs breathe coffee, Ben’s dream apartment, Cromwell drip, Gen Z BORGs, Ben statues and more.
Movie Begins at: 20:48
2025-03-01 05:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post
Join us (and definitely NOT Chip Smith) as we preview this year’s MARCH MADNESS Tournament!
Topics include: the status of Roundball Rock! Should David be embarrassed about something?? NBA broadcast/streaming rights machinations, a checklist of atrocities, and more!! Oh, and we’ll also go through the matchups!
Main-feed voting will take place each day in March starting tomorrow (3/1/2025) at 12 PM ET on 2025-02-28 05:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
It’s a wonderful night for Blankies! Join us and This Had Oscar Buzz’s Joe Reid as we survey the year that was 2024 in cinema. Not to spoil too much, but some things that happen in this episode: Griffy Crystal sings a tribute to The Brutalist to the tune of “Bootylicious,” Nosferatu wins zero awards but shows up to present every category, Griffin is obsessed with Hundreds of Beavers, David hates The Bikeriders, Joe invents an incredible new bespoke category, and as always - Ben ranks ...
2025-02-23 05:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Blank Check is celebrating A DECADE OF DREAMS with a special anniversary art show—presented in partnership with CODA Gallery and Mutant—and you’re invited!
Join us from March 21st to March 23rd at CODA Gallery, located at 210 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002.
The show is open to the public Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM
This special event will showcase exclusive prints from MURUGIAH, Ryan Gadja, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Kevin Wilson...
2025-02-21 22:05:52 +0000 UTC View Post
We’re beaming up once more as we kick off our commentary series covering the “Picard Treks”; That is to say all the Star Trek feature films staring Sir Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, commanding officer of the Federation starship USS Enterprise, with the 1994 David Carson film Star Trek: Generations.
Topics include: New York Film Critic Circle dinner post-mortem, Vilanch, prestige TV discussion, is Ben a Worf guy? What’s Ben’s nexus and more!
<... 2025-02-21 05:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post
Hi friends - we're looking to flesh out our event on Thursday with some more questions. Even if you won't be able to attend in person, we'd still like to A your Qs!
Shoot your shot in the comments section below.
xoxo,
Marie + co
We’re putting out a bit of a throwback episode for the most iconic (literal) blankie in film history - this week’s E.T. episode is guestless, with Griffin going rogue off the dossier, David making fun of Griffin for being an adult who likes toys and animation, and Ben getting emotional over a family film…decade of dreams, baby! Join us as we gush over the child performances, creature creation, and authentic emotionality of Spielberg’s canonical hit. Did you know that the Italian guy ...
2025-02-16 05:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Blank Check, in partnership with Patreon, is doing a LIVE! Mailbag Episode taping as part of On Air Fest! This free event will be exclusive to Patreon members.
Thursday, February 20th
Doors at 6:30 PM
Wythe Hotel - Private Screening Room
80 Wythe Ave
Brooklyn, NY
Together, Griffin, David, Marie, and I will be answering “burning Blank Check questions” and reflecting on the podcast’s ...
2025-02-12 21:07:46 +0000 UTC View Post
We’ve reached the halfway point in our Steven Spielberg related bonus episodes but also have kind of gone backwards? We’re tackling his episode of the NBC television series The Name of the Game.”L.A. 2017” as well as his TV Movies Something Evil and 2025-02-11 05:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
You’re a young movie fan. It’s 1981. STEVEN SPIELBERG is teaming up with FREAKING GEORGE LUCAS (!?!?!) to make a movie with HAN SOLO…can you imagine how hyped you’d be?? Marvel Comics legend Brian Michael Bendis joins us to recount the colossal impact of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK in this rollicking adventure of an episode. Jewish mysticism and weird Nazi stuff! Alfred Molina getting covered with a bunch of live spiders! Karen Allen coming up with an incredibly detailed backstory for Mar...
2025-02-09 05:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post
He invented the summer blockbuster. He inspired millions of people around the world to “watch the skies.” And now, he has sent Griffin Newman into an existential crisis over the question “what is comedy?” Our friends Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger of The Doughboys join us to talk about Steven Spielberg’s infamously unfunny 1941. Why IS this film - loaded with so many comedic superstars - boring as shit? Is the opening scene one of the most embarrassing exercises in hubris ever committ...
2025-02-02 05:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
We are putting the cap back on the jar, opening the fridge, placing the jar on the shelf, and maybe never revisiting the jar ever again as we wrap up our first commentary series of 2025 and say goodbye to Jelly with the EPIC conclusion to the Viterelli ternion; our watch-along of Harold Ramis’ 2002 film Analyze That.
Topics include: David’s Fear, Billy’s Lie, The Roganverse, alternative Porn titles, Friend pairings, Torre face, Friends Emmy trivia,
Movie st...
2025-02-01 05:00:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Five curious tones. A mountain of mashed potatoes. Bob Balaban with a beard speaking french. After the industry-changing success of JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND feels like a classic “blank check.” But it’s a little more nuanced than that! JD Amato returns for his 10th mainfeed appearance this week, and we’re getting into all of the production drama, real nerdy practical effects shit (cloud boxing!), and the complicated feelings we have towards the behavior of the adults in...
2025-01-26 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Would you like some peanut butter between your Jellys? Well then we have got just the movie for you. Sit back, relax and practice your best stereotypical Italian accent as we cover 1999’s Kelly Makin film Mickey Blue Eyes (featuring Joe Vitarelli).
Topics include: Griff’s connection to an actor in the film, witty business cards, potential fast-forwarding, Tonight Show IMDBing and more ...
2025-01-21 05:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Dunnnh dun. Dunnnh dun. Never before had two notes provoked such terror as they did in JAWS, the 1975 classic that invented the summer blockbuster, catapulted Steven Spielberg to Hollywood legend status, and inspired generational trauma about water. Actor and recognizable famous person Timothy Simons joins us to talk about this classic shark tale, and we go long on Scheider, Dreyfuss, Shaw, and the career of journeyman director Joseph Sargent (?). Which member of the Blank Check crew would be...
2025-01-19 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Young whippersnapper Steven Spielberg continues his run of dusty, road-centric films with 1974’s THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, and we’re along for the (surprisingly chill) ride. Writer Esther Zuckerman joins us to discuss the cinematic persona of Goldie Hawn, William Atherton’s strange period of leading-man roles, the harmonica stylings of Belgian jazz legend Toots Thielemans, and Spielberg’s brief but fruitful collaboration with cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. Note - we recorded this episo...
2025-01-12 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
In our first of 4(??) Steven Spielberg related bonus episodes we are tackling his short film and TV works as we discuss his short film Amblin’, Columbo (S1E3, Murder by the Book), and Night Gallery ((Pilot) Eyes and...
2025-01-11 05:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
2025! Blank Check Year 10! Year of Miracles! In honor of our record 10th year of podcasting, we’re doing something we’ve never done before - going back to fill in the gaps on a filmography we’ve previously only partially covered. And what a filmography it is - folks, welcome to PODRASSIC CAST. We’re starting our exploration of the first half of Steven Spielberg’s career with his remarkable 1971 debut feature DUEL, a movie that was originally made for TV but later released with extra...
2025-01-05 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
2025 is upon us. And if we are being honest… we don’t think you’re ready for this Jelly. But nonetheless, we must proceed. We are kicking off 2025 with the first installment of the long promised “Jelly Trilogy” as we cover Harold Ramis’ 1999 Joe Viterell vehicle Analyze This.
Topics include: Joe vs. Joey, how it came to this?, huge Griffin lore, What about Mob?, bein F***kin weird, and more.
Movie starts at 7:57
2025-01-01 05:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Performed / recorded Live at The Town Hall in New York, NY on March 8, 2024, Blank Check takes on Broadway. Your favorite movie podcast stepped out of the studio and into the big city lights for a very special engagement at Town Hall.
Joined by a chorus line of special guests, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims put on Blank Check's BIGGEST SHOW EVER. Relive a playbill full of silly bits for the podcast's NINE YEAR ANNIVERSARY - and some songs and/or dances.
Starrin...
2024-12-25 05:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post
What year is it? Well, it’s 2024 - but not for long. It’s our last episode of the year! Director of this year’s I SAW THE TV GLOW Jane Schoenbrun joins us to talk about the conclusion of Twin Peaks: The Return, and, by default, the conclusion of our David Lynch series. In a show that intentionally defies the very concept of resolution, how do we put a bow on things? Well, we try! Shout out to Freddie and his glove. Oh, and Merry Christmas. Trauma is originary and unending.
2024-12-22 05:00:00 +0000 UTC
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TALKING THE WALK has vanished (for now??). In its absence, the sittister new / old bit has risen from the ashes of its Empire and will not rest until Blankies everywhere, the real present-heads, have rejoiced.
J.D. Amato returns for his yearly catch-up episode. What even is this going to be? Tune in (sit down) and find out....
Topics include: Transit talk, urban spelunking, “The Decade of Dreams”, Myrtle Ave. crime report, a new Blank Check Challenge and more. ...
2024-12-21 05:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Dougie gets it on (or, more accurately, Naomi Watts gets HER Dougie on), guest Fran Hoepfner pitches her artisanal slime for adults (don’t steal the idea), and we relitigate LOST for the hundredth time in this penultimate episode of our Twin Peaks: The Return coverage. Can adults get mono? Why is it so hard for Lucy and Andy to buy a chair? THAT is the Audrey Horne plot? Will someone please have sympathy for David Sims, who isn’t going gray yet and desperately wants a cool subway-themed v...
2024-12-15 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
😺😸😹😻😼😽🙀😿Memory, all alone in the moonlight!!! But we are not alone! We are joined by Grizabella, Mr. Mistoffelees, Bombalurina, Rumpleteazer, Jellylorum, Demeter, Mungojerrie and the rest of the Jellicle Cats as we wrap up our ALW commentary series and discuss Tom Hooper’s 2019 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of the Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot.😺😸😹😻😼😽🙀😿I
Topics include: Hangin with Mr. Hooper, 2024-12-11 05:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
This is the podcast. These are the (two) friends. Drink full, and descend. The famous “Atomic Bomb” episode of The Return stands as one of David Lynch’s most defining works, an “origin story” for Twin Peaks, and one of the most experimental hours ever to air on narrative television. In a rare moment of “double dipping,” Twin Peaks S2 guest Connor Ratliff joins us again to discuss this landmark episode, offering a David Lynch impression that is superior to Griffin’s, which you ...
2024-12-08 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
“CRASH! A Chandelier drops from the ceiling!” Our ALW commentary series continues as we discuss the music movie of the night, Joel Schumacher’s 2004 film The Phantom of the Opera.
Topics include: Gerry B’s trajectory, a Hollywood mandate!, would Ben go see Phantom if it reopened? Can you buy the set? Super timely Biden updates, a definitely needed unboxing session and more.
Movie starts at 4:02
2024-12-01 05:00:02 +0000 UTC View Post
It is happening again - we’re covering TV! Or is it an 18-part movie? Much to ponder. We’re heading back to the Pacific Northwest (and Vegas…and New York…and the Red Room…and outer space?) in our first of four episodes covering Showtime’s 2017 series “Twin Peaks: The Return.” So far, we’ve got tulpas, Caleb Laundry Bag, three distinct versions of Dale Cooper, Dr. Jacobi’s gold shovels, Michael Cera doing a bad Marlon Brando impression, creamed corn barf, Matthew Lillard, a...
2024-12-01 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Only on Blank Check would an episode about David Lynch’s deeply destabilizing INLAND EMPIRE turn into a heartfelt celebration of creativity and the human experience. David Rees joins us and brings receipts - including literal receipts for every movie ticket he purchased in 2007 and his high school newspaper review of Twin Peaks (a pan) - as we gush about David Lynch’s singular position in American culture. Plus, we delve into tons of Laura Dern context, discuss dreams where you inhabit a ...
2024-11-24 05:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
😢😢😢🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷I wanna be a part of B.C., Special Features, Big Nice!!! (RIP). Continuing our ALW commentary series we head to Argentina between 1934 and 1952 as we discuss and try and focus on Alan Parker’s 1996 Madonna-led film Evita. 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷😢😢😢
Topics include: Retiring a bit, A NON-GRIFFIN vomit, philatelists, Madonna V. Gaga, world politics, public memorial recaps and more!
Movie starts at 4:04
2024-11-21 05:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post