Blank Check with Griffin & David
Episodes
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...
Avatar
27 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week the BC crew discusses 2009’s 3D sci-fi epic Avatar. But are trees nature’s internet? Is this the ultimate cultural appropriation movie? ...
Aliens of the Deep/Ghosts of the Abyss
19 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David this week discussed two documentaries directed by James Cameron: 2003’s Ghost of the Abyss and 2006’s Aliens of the Deep. But wh...
Titanic with Emily Yoshida and Katey Rich - Part Two
12 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David continue their discussion of Titanic with Emily Yoshida (Spin Magazine) and Katey Rich (Vanity Fair). But are Cameron’s drawings b...
Titanic with Emily Yoshida and Katey Rich - Part One
04 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Yoshida (Spin Magazine) and Katey Rich (Vanity Fair) return to discuss 1997’s epic romance Titanic with special guest Charlie “the baby” R...
True Lies
29 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David this week discuss 1994’s action comedy remake, True Lies. But how does this film relate to Cameron’s marriages? Was the characte...
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
23 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Days before its official release, Griffin and David discussed 2016's action thriller sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. Join our Patreon for franchi...
Terminator 2: Judgement Day with Sam Rogal
16 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Rogal (Magnet Theatre) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1991 hit sequel Terminator 2: Judgement Day. But do the special effects still hold u...
The Abyss with Josh Ruben
07 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Josh Ruben (CollegeHumor) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1989 underwater alien thriller The Abyss. But why exactly is this movie impossible to...
Aliens with Fran Hoepfner
01 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Fran Hoepfner (ClickHole) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1986 horror/sci-fi sequel Aliens. But how did James go about pitching this project to...
The Terminator with Rachel Sanders
25 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Sanders (Buzzfeed) joins Griffin and David to discuss James Cameron’s 1984 game changing action sci-fi, The Terminator. But why did this movi...
Piranha II: The Spawning
18 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the debut episode of a new mini series examining the filmography of James Cameron, Griffin and David discuss 1981’s B horror, Piranha II: The Spa...
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
07 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin, David and guest host Producer Ben present a special episode this week: a discussion of 1995’s action thriller Under Siege 2: Dark Territory...
Roadies with Layne Montgomery
04 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Musician and Blank Check theme song creator Layne Montgomery (The Romantic Comedy) joins #thetwofriends to lock the gates in our final episode of the ...
Aloha with Esther Zuckerman
26 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Nearing the end of the Cameron Crowe mini series, Esther Zuckerman (The A.V. Club) joins Griffin and David to discuss the writer/director’s most rec...
We Bought a Zoo
22 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David this week discuss 2011’s zoo dramedy, We Bought a Zoo. But does the film live up to it’s title? Does someone actually buy a zoo?...
Elizabethtown
11 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Blank Check returns to Cameron Crowe’s filmography with an in-depth discussion of 2005’s tragic comedy, Elizabethtown. But how would one best desc...
Suicide Squad
06 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
On the day of it’s release in August of 2016, Griffin and David discussed DC Comic’s latest offering Suicide Squad. But did Jared Leto going so me...
Denim Invasion Live @ DCM18 with John Trowbridge
26 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Live from the 18th annual Del Close Marathon in New York City, John Trowbridge (Huffington Post) joins Griffin and David to discuss the Cameron Crowe ...
Vanilla Sky with Richard Lawson
22 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) returns to Blank Check this week to discuss 2001’s Vanilla Sky. But just how blue collar is actor Timothy Spall? Does T...
Almost Famous
15 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The BC crew sets their sights on the Academy Award winning, semi-autobiographical film, Almost Famous. But what are some of the differences between th...
Jerry Maguire
07 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David this week “show you the money” with 1996’s decade defining film Jerry Maguire. What was the impact of this movie? How many mem...
Singles
30 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David look to Crowe’s next film, 1992’s Grunge-tinged romcom Singles. But how realistically does this movie, set in Seattle, portray y...
Say Anything…
23 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the debut episode of a new mini-series examining the filmography of Cameron Crowe, Griffin and David discuss the iconic 1989 romcom: Say Anything…...
Fletch
17 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s special episode, guest host Producer Ben has been given his own “Blank Check” for selecting a one-off film to review and he’s c...
The Animatrix
10 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of the Podchowski Casters mini series, Griffin and David discuss 2003’s collection of animated short films detailing the Matrix...