Blank Check with Griffin & David
Episodes
The Secret Life of Bees with Jourdain Searles
16 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A coming-of age story. Racism in America. Complex connections to motherhood. The Secret Life of Bees adaptation had a lot of themes to tackle. This we...
Love & Basketball with Carl Tart
09 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s rare we get to start a mini-series with a classic. 20 years after its release, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s directorial debut still stands the tes...
Julie & Julia with Romilly Newman
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Alas, our Nora Ephron series has come to an end! For our last ep, we’re happy we get to end on a high note and a touch of the Tucc… with 2009’s ...
Bewitched with Dana Schwartz
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Years were spent trying to figure out the perfect way to bring back the 60s sitcom, Bewitched. The result was a confusing, critical bomb. How do you g...
Lucky Numbers with Alex Ross Perry
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s an extra-sized episode featuring director Alex Ross Perry for this strange film about lotteries or something. Which Seinfeld characters are the...
You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
AOL may have aged out but has this classic rom-com? We invited Who? Weekly's very own Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger to discuss another Nora Ephron bo...
Michael with Kevin Porter
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Blank Check tackles one of film’s greatest mysteries, John Travolta’s career in the 90s. In Michael (1996), he plays an angel who visit...
Mixed Nuts with Charles Rogers
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The friends are joined by Search Party director Charles Rogers to discuss this mixed bag of mixed messages of a Christmas movie that shows maybe Norah...
Sleepless in Seattle with Katey Rich
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Only Nora Ephron could make a rom-com where the leads interact for 2 minutes an instant classic. The BC crew makes a Tom and Meg inspired long distanc...
This Is My Life with Michelle Collins
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Everything is copy." is the code Ephron lived by and no film fit that better than her directorial debut, This is My Life (1992). After the success of...
When Harry Met Sally... with Dana Stevens
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It laid the groundwork for her entire film career. It set the mold for every rom-com that followed. Though it wasn’t her directorial debut, you just...
Stargate
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Ben's Choice bay-bee! Dry, dusty tombs ✓ Crazy convoluted tech ✓ Vast intergalactic conspiracies? ✓✓✓ 1994's Stargate really does hav...
Twilight Zone: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You're entering a world of a b-b-b-bonus ep! We couldn't wrap up George Miller series without covering the totally bizarre Twilight Zone: The Movie (1...
Mad Max: Fury Road with Emily Yoshida
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Yoshida (Night Call podcast) joins #thetwofriends to discuss George Miller's magnum opus Mad Max: Fury Road. Together they examine the masterful...
Happy Feet Two with Sara Rubin
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Visual artist Sara Rubin joins BC this week to discuss Miller’s second dancing penguin movie! Together with #thetwofriends they breakdown the billin...
Happy Feet with Caitlin Durante
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Caitlin Durante (The Bechdel Cast) joins #thetwofriends to discuss Miller's first foray into animation with 2006's Happy Feet. Join our Patreon for ...
Babe: Pig in the City with Travis McElroy
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who is 1998's Babe: Pig in the City for? Is it for kids? Stoners? Four grown adults attempting to navigate a national pandemic? This is the question T...
Lorenzo's Oil with Bilge Ebiri
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hard to believe we're already halfway through our George Miller series! This week Bilge Ebiri (Vulture) returns to talk about one of his favorite film...
The Witches of Eastwick with K. Austin Collins
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Film critic K. Austin Collins (Vanity Fair) returns to Blank Check for an episode covering 1987’s fantasy comedy, The Witches of Eastwick. Together ...
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with David Ehrlich
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Together, #thetwofriends and returning guest David Ehrlich (IndieWire) talk about not just the Thunderdome, but go beyond to examine Tina Turner’s f...
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior with Jon Gabrus
05 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian, Jon Gabrus (High and Mighty) returns to discuss 1981’s sequel effort Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Together with #thetwofriends they exam...
Mad Max
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Witness Blank Check because this week, Griffin and David ride towards Valhalla and into a new mini series on the films of George Miller! Together they...
5th Anniversary Special
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin, David, Ben and Ang each from their own apartments celebrated Blank Check’s anniversary with a look back at some favorite moments and reflec...
Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
B-b-b-bonus Jonas, David and Griffin do a Jonathan Demme wrap-up with his last full-length music documentary. What is David's extensive background wit...
Ricki and the Flash with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber
15 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who? Weekly hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber talk about Demme's last film, written by Diablo Cody. But they really just want to talk about Tully. ...
A Master Builder with John Hodgman
08 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
David, Griffin, and self-made man of letters John Hodgman have to deal with Ragnar in this weird weird weird adaptation of a Henrik Ibsen play - and b...
Rachel Getting Married with Ayo Edibiri and Olivia Craighead
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From Iconography, Ayo Edibiri and Olivia Craighead join Griffin and special guest the crypt keeper that is gravelly-voiced David. Get ready for a movi...
The Manchurian Candidate with the Flop House: Dan McCoy, Stuart Wellington, and Elliott Kalan
23 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Flop House joins Blank Check to talk about this remake that was like okay, but definitely better than the last Demme remake. Is Meryl good or weir...
Birds of Prey with Ang Ferraguto, Emma Stefansky, Ashleigh Heaton, and Preeti Chhibber
16 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
No boys allowed, although gender is a construct. It's an all-women special! Ang Ferraguto is joined by Emma Stefansky, Ashleigh Heaton, and Preeti Chh...
The Truth About Charlie with David Lowery
09 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Director and filmmaker David Lowery joins the two friends to talk about a weird remake of an Audrey Hepburn movie, except bad, starring Mark Wahlberg ...
The Fifth Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid
02 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid for the 5th annual Blankie Awards where together they present their own personal nominations and winners for t...
Beloved with Jourdain Searles
26 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host of the bad romance podcast , freelance writer for thrillist and bitch media Jourdain Searles joins the cast to talk about the team-up that no ...
Philadelphia with Richard Lawson
19 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Richard Lawson joins the boys to talk about this WEIRD but poignant film that is actually streaming on Netflix. Why didn't they just make Tom H...
Silence of the Lambs with Emily St. James
12 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The two friends are joined by prolific writer Emily St. James to talk about the most influential movie that BC has covered - except for Fletch of ...
Married to the Mob with Ang Ferraguto
05 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
She's MARRIED to the MOB. Now that we have that out of the way, get ready for 25 minutes of discussion about the Kids Choice Awards. Which Marvel movi...
The Rise of Skywalker
22 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the week of its release in December of 2019, Griffin, David, and special guest Ang Ferraguto discussed Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker....
Something Wild with Scott Aukerman
15 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From Comedy Bang Bang and the new film Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Scott Auckerman joins the two friends to talk about people who talk funny and tha...
Stop Making Sense with Demi Adejuyigbe
08 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to get to the pod with guest Demi Adejuyigbe, where The Blank Check Boys talk about Demme's Concert Film with the Talking Heads. What s...
Swing Shift
01 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What in the world is going on with this film that has two versions - of which the good one is not available anywhere? What is the titular "Shift" actu...
Melvin and Howard (and Jordan Hoffman)
24 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, we get to the good Demme movies with film critic Jordan Hoffman. The partially true story of a guy who thinks Howard Hughes is gonna leave hi...
Citizens Band/ Last Embrace with Justin McElroy
17 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Guest Justin McElroy is gonna be mad he volunteered to do any film when Griff and David talk about Demme's first two tries at "real" movies after his ...
Caged Heat/ Crazy Mama/ Fighting Mad
10 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first episode of a new mini-series. You voted for him, you’ve only yourself to blame for JONATHAN DEMME. Probably one of the directors wi...
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
07 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On a special b-b-b-b-bonus episode, Griffin and David review the 2013 documentary that offers a rare look into the behind-the-scenes of Studio Ghibli....
The Wind Rises
03 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the final episode of our mini series devoted to the filmography of Hayao Miyazaki, #thetwofriends discuss 2014's The Wind Rises. Together they exam...
Ponyo on the Cliff with Shirley Li
27 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Shirley Li (The Atlantic) joins Griffin & David to discuss 2008's better Little Mermaid, Ponyo on the Cliff! Together they examine Ponyo's lov...
Gemini Man
20 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the week of its release in October of 2019, Griffin and David discussed Gemini Man. Together they examine the performances of old and young Will Sm...
Joker
13 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
HA HA HA! On the week of its release in October of 2019, Griffin and David discussed Joker. Together they examine all the unearned controversy surroun...
Howl's Moving Castle with David Ehrlich
06 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
David Ehrlich (IndieWire) returns for our mini-series' namesake episode on 2014's walking castle fantasy, Howl's Moving Castle! Together they examine ...
Spirited Away with David Rees
29 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Humorist, David Rees, returns to Blank Check discuss one of the greatest animated films of all time, Spirited Away. Together they examine dream logic,...
Princess Mononoke with Griffin McElroy
22 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin McElroy (My Brother, My Brother and Me, The Adventure Zone) joins #thetwofriends to discuss 1997's eco-friendly adventure, Princess Mononoke! ...
Porco Rosso with Justin Charity
15 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Justin Charity (The Ringer) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1992's flying pig, Porco Rosso. Together they examine fascism, Space Camp, turning into...
Kiki's Delivery Service with Caroline Framke
08 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline Framke (Variety) joins #thetwofriends to discuss 1989's coming-of-age witch tale, Kiki's Delivery Service. Together they examine fish in pies...
My Neighbor Totoro with J.D. Amato
01 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
J.D. Amato returns to discuss the 1988's acclaimed childhood tale, My Neighbor Totoro. Together they examine subs vs dubs, collecting limited edition ...
Castle in the Sky with Emily Yoshida
25 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Yoshida returns to discuss 1986's Castle in the Sky! But what is the appeal of a Miyazaki film? Is 'chaotic good' a Miyazaki character type? A k...
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind with Lulu Wang
18 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer/director Lulu Wang joins #thetwofriends to discuss Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, as well as, her recent film The Farewell. Join our P...
The Castle of Cagliostro
11 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week marks the beginning of a new series on the films of director Hayao Miyazaki! Together they present a brief background of Miyazaki, explore t...
Blackhat with Bilge Ebiri
04 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Film critic, Bilge Ebiri, joins #thetwofriends to discuss 2015's hacker flop Blackhat. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episod...
Miami Vice - Pilot Episode
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David review the 1984 Miami Vice television series pilot entitled "Brother's Keeper" in a special b-b-b-b-bonus episode, reference the ter...
Public Enemies with Fran Hoepfner
28 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Fran Hoepfner joins #thetwofriends to discuss 2009's gritty bank robber romance, Public Enemies. Together they examine the merits of the phras...
The Lion King
21 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the week of its release in July of 2019, Griffin and David discussed The Lion King. Together they examine the photorealism angle, Disney’s legacy...
Miami Vice
14 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a fiend for mojitos? We are. Grab your shades and grease back your hair cause Blank Check is discussing 2006’s film remake of Miami Vice! To...
Collateral with Katey Rich
07 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
#thetwofriends welcome back Katey Rich (Vanity Fair) to discuss 2004's Cruise/Foxx thriller Collateral. Together they examine the initial casting of A...
Ali with Jamelle Bouie
30 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jamelle Bouie (The New York Times) joins to discuss 2001’s unorthodox biopic, Ali. Together they examine the relationship between Ali and...
The Insider with Andy Levy
23 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Andy Levy joins Griffin and David to discuss 1999's 60 Minutes biopic, The Insider. Together they examine the performances of Al Pacino, Ru...
Heat with Jon Gabrus
16 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Jon Gabrus joins Griffin and David for an epic conversation on 1995's Cops and Robbers aren't so different movie, Heat. But what did director...
The Last of the Mohicans with Dana Stevens
09 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dana Stevens (Slate) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1992's new world frontier adaptation, The Last of the Mohicans. Together they examine Mann and...
Manhunter with Chris Cabin and Eric Szyszka
02 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Chris Cabin and Eric Szyszka of the We Hate Movies podcast joins Griffin and David to discuss the original Hannibal Lecter film: 1986's Man...
The Keep with Alex Ross Perry
26 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell) returns to Blank Check to discuss 1983's The Keep. But is this technically a movie? Why is there an extended tangent about...
Thief
19 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Five months ago Blank Check began the Tim Burton mini-series. This week, though, marks a new director and a NEW mini-series with the filmography of on...
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu with Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit
12 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the week of it's release in May of 2019, Blank Check invited screenwriters of Detective Pikachu, Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit, to offer a behind-the...
Assassin's Creed
05 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week is a special Ben's Choice episode. He selected 2016's excellent video game adaptation, Assassin's Creed. But is it very good? Yes. Do they t...
Dumbo with Karen Han
28 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Karen Han (Polygon) returns to discuss 2019’s Dumbo! But what member of Blank Check likes a bossy girl? Was actor Brendan Hines insecure about the f...
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children with Emma Stefansky
21 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Emma Stefansky (Thrillist), joins Griffin and David to talk about 2016's fantasy flop: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Together t...
Big Eyes with Richard Lawson
14 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Lawson returns to discuss the late-Burton effort: 2014's Big Eyes. But why are the eyes so big? Should Christoph Waltz be the star of his own ...
Dark Shadows with Jamie Loftus
07 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Blank Check, comedian Jamie Loftus The Bechdel Cast discusses 2012's goth soap opera, Dark Shadows. But has Timmy "the boy from Burbank" ...
Alice in Wonderland with Emily St. James
31 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David welcome back Emily St. James (Vox) to discuss 2010's CGI fantasy Alice in Wonderland! Together they examine Burton's greatest failur...
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with Michael Cerveris
24 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tony award winning actor, Michael Cerveris, joins Griffin and David to discuss 2007's film adaption of the renowned Stephen Sondheim musical, Sweeney ...
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Pilot Viruet
17 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Pilot Viruet returns to Blank Check to discuss 2005's remake, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But, at one point, were Al Pacino and Robert ...
Big Fish with Chris Gethard
10 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Gethard Beautiful/Anonymous podcast returns to Blank Check to discuss 2003's father and son fantasy, Big Fish. And also, to talk about Star Wars...
Planet of the Apes with Matt Singer
03 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Film critic, Matt Singer (ScreenCrush.com), joins Griffin and David to discuss 2001's universally maligned franchise reboot, Planet of the Apes. Toget...
Sleepy Hollow with David Lowery
24 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and director, David Lowery (The Old Man & the Gun, A Ghost Story) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1999's procedural horror, Sleepy Hollow. B...
The Fourth Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid
17 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid for the 4th annual Blankie Awards where together they present their own personal nominations and winners for t...
Mars Attacks! with Paul F. Tompkins
10 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ed Wood with John Hodgman
03 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
John Hodgman Judge John Hodgman podcast joins Griffin and David to discuss 1994's celebration of Hollywood's greatest outcast, Ed Wood. Was this Bu...
Batman Returns with Emily Yoshida
27 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Yoshida Night Call podcast is back to discuss 1992's demented superhero sequel, Batman Returns. But was this the first movie to notice Christoph...
Glass
21 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Edward Scissorhands with Julio Torres
13 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Blank Check Julio Torres (Saturday Night Live) discusses 1990’s proto-Tumblr Frankenstein remake fantasy, Edward Scissorhands. But is C...
Batman with K. Austin Collins
06 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Aquaman
23 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Beetlejuice with Rebecca Bulnes
16 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Friend and host of Classroom Crush podcast, Rebecca Bulnes, joins Griffin and David to discuss 1988's masterpiece, Beetlejuice! But was this film nea...
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
09 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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'...
Ralph Breaks the Internet
02 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 histor...
Home Again with Richard Lawson
25 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Intern with Jamie Lee
18 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
It's Complicated with Sarah-Violet Bliss
11 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Writer/director Sarah-Violet Bliss (Search Party) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2009’s masterpiece, It's Complicated. But what are the two thin...
The Holiday with Fran Hoepfner
04 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Fran Hoepfner joins Griffin and David to discuss 2006’s house swap rom-com, The Holiday. But Is foreplay really overrated? Was John Krasinsk...
Something's Gotta Give with Bobby Finger
28 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby Finger (Who? Weekly podcast) returns to Blank Check for a discussion of 2003’s aging romance, Something's Gotta Give. Together they examine Bo...
What Women Want with Lola Kirke
21 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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. To...
The Parent Trap with Elena Lazic and Mani Lazic
14 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week Blank Check begins our first ever “fans choice” mini series reviewing the filmography of director Nancy Meyers. Film critics, models and...
A Star Is Born
08 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...