Blank Check with Griffin & David

Space Jam with James Newman

30 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, James Newman joins Blank Check for another family edition episode to discuss the 1996 Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes crossover, Space Jam....

Chosen - The Hire

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 brie...

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk with J.D. Amato

23 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Life of Pi with Ray Tintori

16 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Taking Woodstock with Alex Ross Perry

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 thi...

Lust, Caution with Chris Weitz

02 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Director, screenwriter and producer Chris Weitz (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2007’...

Brokeback Mountain with Las Culturistas

26 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Comedians and the hosts of Las Culturistas podcast (foreverdogproductions.com) Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang join Griffin and David to discuss 2005’s w...

Hulk

19 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with David Ehrlich

12 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

David Ehrlich (IndieWire) joins Griffin and David for an in-depth conversation on 2000’s Wuxia epic, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Together they e...

Ride with the Devil with Peter Labuza

05 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Cav...

The Ice Storm with Emily Yoshida

29 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Hotel Transylvania Trilogy

22 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Sense and Sensibility with Shirley Li

15 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Shirley Li (Entertainment Weekly) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1995’s period drama, Sense and Sensibility. But how accurate are the ...

Eat Drink Man Woman with Alison Willmore

08 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alison Willmore (BuzzFeed) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1994’s family and food dramedy, Eat Drink Man Woman. Join our Patreon for franchise ...

Pushing Hands/The Wedding Banquet

01 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Family Dog - Amazing Stories

28 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David review an episode of the 1993 television series Amazing Stories directed by Brad Bird: Family Dog. This episode is sponsored by Neve...

Incredibles 2

24 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 dire...

Tomorrowland

17 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

10 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David discuss the fourth installment of the popular franchise: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. But why was Tom Cruise’s whole ca...

Ratatouille with Romilly Newman and Joey Sims

03 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In another family edition episode, this week, siblings Romilly Newman and Joey Sims help discuss 2007’s rat foodie journey, Ratatouille. But what we...

Solo: A Star Wars Story

27 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On the week of it’s release in May of 2018, Griffin and David discussed Solo: A Star Wars Story. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and b...

The Incredibles with Rebecca Drysdale

20 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Writer and comedian Rebecca Drysdale (Key and Peele, High Maintenance) joins Griffin and David for a conversation on the animated superhero family adv...

The Iron Giant

13 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Blank Check begins a new mini series reviewing the filmography of director Brad Bird with a discussion of 1999’s critically acclaimed anim...

Josie and the Pussycats with Angela Ferraguto

06 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week is with special guest, Angela Ferraguto, associate producer and social media manager for this very podcast! And for this episode she picked ...

How Do You Know

29 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 K...

Spanglish with Richard Lawson

22 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 j...

As Good as It Gets with Chris Gethard

15 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ge...

I’ll Do Anything: The Musical Cut with Esther Zuckerman

12 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

I'll Do Anything with Esther Zuckerman

08 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

Ready Player One

01 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 W...

March Madness 2018 Recap - Round 3

29 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 thi...

Broadcast News with Katey Rich

25 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Katey Rich (Vanity Fair) returns to discuss 1987’s dramedy masterpiece, Broadcast News. But what journalist and news producer helped inspire and adv...

Terms of Endearment with Valorie Curry

18 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 episo...

March Madness 2018 Recap - Round 1

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David unleashed a March Madness bracket pitting directors against one another. The filmmaker deemed the champion will decide a future mini...

Running Scared with Paul Scheer

11 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Elle with Emily Yoshida

04 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the final installment of our ‘Paul Verhoeven in Hollywood’ mini series, Emily Yoshida (Night Call Podcast) returns for a special bonus episode ...

Hollow Man with Alex Ross Perry

25 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Starship Troopers with J.D. Amato

18 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

Showgirls with Caroline Framke

12 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Framke (Vox) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1995’s iconic erotic drama Showgirls. But was screenwriter Eszterhas’ original pitch scri...

The Third Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid

04 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid (The Decider) for the 3rd annual Blankie Awards where together they present their own personal nominations and...

Basic Instinct with Miriam Bale

28 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Es...

Total Recall with Andrew Jupin and Stephen Sajdak

21 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

RoboCop

14 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 deconstructi...

Flesh+Blood

07 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode begins a new mini series (Podship Casters) covering the Hollywood films of director Paul Verhoeven. Already an accomplished film...

The Post

31 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Last Jedi

18 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 franch...

Avatarland/The Second Blank Check Mailbag

10 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

#thetwofriends once again answer listener submitted questions! Plus, Griffin discusses his recent trip to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Walt Disn...

Lost in Space with Joey Sims

03 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Justice League

26 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 Superma...

Detroit with Black Men Can’t Jump In Hollywood

19 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 peri...

Zero Dark Thirty with Demi Adejuyigbe

12 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Demi Adejuyigbe (The Good Place, Gilmore Guys) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2012’s American revenge political thriller, Zero Dark Thirty. But ...

The Hurt Locker with Sonia Saraiya

05 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 aff...

K-19: The Widowmaker with Richard Lawson

29 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 disa...

The Weight of Water with Karen Han and Emma Stefansky

22 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Han (Slashfilm) and Emma Stefansky (ScreenCrush) join #thetwofriends to discuss 2001’s confused thriller, The Weight of Water. But what is the...

Strange Days with Emily Yoshida

15 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 can...

Point Break with Lux Alptraum

08 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Blue Steel with Jordan Hoffman

01 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jordan Hoffman (Engage: The Official Star Trek podcast) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1989’s crime thriller, Blue Steel. Would Jamie Lee Curtis...

Near Dark with Mani Lazic

24 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 prin...

The Loveless

17 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 Devil Wears Prada with Romilly Newman

10 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Here Today Gone Trevorrow - An Emergency Minisode

07 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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:...

Dunkirk with Bilge Ebiri

03 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of our mini series devoted to the filmography of Christopher Nolan, Bilge Ebiri (Village Voice) joins Griffin and David to discus...

Interstellar

27 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a tired Griffin and a rested David discuss 2014’s time traveling space odyssey, Interstellar. But how are gravity and love intertwined? I...

Talking Maul Live @ DCM19 with Peter Serafinowicz

20 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Dark Knight Rises

13 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Inception

06 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David present a very special episode on 2010’s dream heist, Inception. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. ...

The Dark Knight

30 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David this week discuss the second film in Nolan’s Batman Trilogy, The Dark Knight. How was Michael Mann’s Heat an influence on this m...

The Prestige with Alison Willmore

23 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Host of Filmspotting: SVU podcast, Alison Willmore (BuzzFeed), joins Griffin and David to discuss one of the three magician films of 2006, The Prestig...

Batman Begins

16 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David discuss the first film in Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman Begins. What happened behind-the-scenes at Warner Bros. post-Batman ...

Insomnia with Alex Ross Perry

09 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Writer and director, Alex Ross Perry (Golden Exits), joins Griffin and David to discuss 2002’s psychological thriller remake, Insomnia. But does thi...

Memento with Amy Nicholson

02 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Nicholson (MTV News) joins Griffin and David this week to discuss 2000’s fractured crime drama, Memento. But how was Christopher’s brother, Jo...

Following

25 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode of a new mini series focusing on the filmography of Christopher Nolan, Griffin and David discuss the 1998 debut feature, Followin...

The Book of Henry

18 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On the week of it’s release in June of 2017, Griffin and David discussed the new Colin Trevorrow film: The Book of Henry. Join our Patreon for fran...

The First Blank Check Mailbag

12 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

#thetwofriends use this episode to field questions from their listeners. Where do they get their bagels from? What did they think about Fate of the Fu...

Wonder Woman

05 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On the week of it’s release in May of 2017, Griffin and David discussed the newest release in DC Extended Universe: Wonder Woman. Recorded at the Si...

Clifford

29 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Our special episode this week: a discussion of 1994’s miscreant child portrayed by a grown man comedy, Clifford. Together, Griffin, David and Produc...

The BFG

21 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of our mini series devoted to Spielberg’s DreamWorks years, Blank Check reviews 2016’s animated giant adventure, the BFG. But...

Bridge of Spies

14 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David this week gush over 2015’s Cold War drama, Bridge of Spies. But how does this film fall into Tom Hanks’ beginning a new phase in...

Lincoln

08 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David look to Spielberg’s 2012 historical drama, Lincoln. But exactly how many Abraham Lincoln biographies did screenwriter Tony Kushner...

War Horse with Pilot Viruet

30 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Pilot Viruet (Vice) returns to Blank Check to talk about the WWI horse romance film, War Horse. But what is basically the main motivation for every ch...

The Adventures of Tintin with Joe Garden

23 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Garden (The Onion) joins Griffin and David this week to discuss the mo-cap animated action/mystery, The Adventures of Tintin. But what was Peter J...

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull with David Ehrlich

16 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

David Ehrlich (IndieWire) returns to Blank Check to discuss 2008's polarized franchise reboot, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. But...

Munich with Emily St. James

10 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Emily St. James (Vox) joins Griffin and David this week to discuss 2005’s Israeli espionage thriller, Munich. But is this movie’s lasting legacy b...

War of the Worlds with J.D. Amato

03 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

J.D. Amato (My Brother, My Brother and Me) makes his third appearance on Blank Check, this week discussing 2005’s sci-fi doomsday The War of the Wor...

The Terminal with Jerah Milligan

26 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guest, Jerah Milligan (Comedy Central), finally completes our trifecta of co-hosts from the excellent podcast Blank Men Can’t Jump In ...

Blank Check

18 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

For their 100th episode Griffin and David decided to celebrate the occasion and finally deliver on the their listeners pleas to get meta and review th...

Catch Me If You Can

11 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Griffin and David discuss 2002's coming of age scammer drama based on a true story: Catch Me If You Can. Join our Patreon for franchise co...

Minority Report with Joanna Robinson

06 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Joanna Robinson (Vanity Fair) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2002’s dystopian thriller: Minority Report. Join our Patreon for franchise comment...

A.I. Artificial Intelligence with David Rees

26 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

David Rees (Going Deep with David Rees) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2001’s robot boy sci-fi: A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Join our Patreon ...

The Second Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid

17 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's special episode, Griffin and David are once again joined by Joe Reid (The Decider) to present their personal nominations for the upcomi...

Saving Private Ryan with Richard Lawson

12 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In our third episode of Spielberg: The DreamWorks Years mini series, Griffin and David are joined by Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) to discuss 1998's wa...

Amistad

05 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Griffin and David look to Spielberg’s next film (also released in 1997) Amistad. But what are the glaringly problematic issues with this movie? Coul...

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

29 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The debut of our new mini series on the filmography of Steven Spielberg begins with 1997’s Lost World: Jurassic Park. Post-Oscar wins for Best Direc...

Split

22 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On the week of it’s release in January of 2017, Griffin and David discussed the new M. Night Shyamalan film: Split. Together they examine James McAv...

Best of the Revenge of the Podcast

16 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Presenting a best of episode with all the favorite moments from our mini series on Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Join our Patreon f...

Best of the Attack of the Podcast

09 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Presenting a best of episode with all the favorite moments from our mini series on Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Join our Patreon f...

Best of the Phantom Podcast

02 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Presenting a best of episode with all the favorite moments from our mini series on Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Join our Patreon for ...

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

17 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On the day of it’s release in December of 2016, Griffin and David discussed the highly anticipated spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Together th...

The Man Who Knew Too Little

10 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Our special episode this week: a discussion of 1997’s spy comedy The Man Who Knew Too Little. But how would you picture a Boris the Butcher to look?...

Toruk: The First Flight with Rachel Lang

04 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On September 11th, Blank Check & friends attended the Cirque du Soleil/Avatar crossover Toruk: First Flight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Bu...