Blank Check with Griffin & David

Film & TV News >

Griffin Newman is a comedian. David Sims is a film critic. Together they over-analyze directors' filmographies. Not just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors' complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail.

Griffin Newman is a comedian. David Sims is a film critic. Together they over-analyze directors' filmographies. Not just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors' complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail.

More Information

Location:

New York, NY

Genres:

Film & TV News

Description:

Twitter:

@blankcheckpod

Language:

English

Contact:

862-684-2408

Website:

https://audioboom.com/channel/Blank-Check

Email:

blankcheckpodcast@gmail.com

Episodes

It's Complicated with Sarah-Violet Bliss

11/11/2018

Writer/director Sarah-Violet Bliss (Search Party) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2009’s masterpiece, It's Complicated. But what are the two things everyone knows about Alec Baldwin? Who has the name Agnes anymore? Is it really complicated tho? Together they examine Meryl Streep’s singing voice, web cam flim flams and what this new kitchen fortress is going to look like. This episode is sponsored by [Green Chef](http://greenchef.com/check). Music selection: “Bushwick Tarentella” by [Kevin...

Duration:01:53:53

The Holiday with Fran Hoepfner

11/4/2018

Writer, Fran Hoepfner joins Griffin and David to discuss 2006’s house swap rom-com, The Holiday. But Is foreplay really overrated? Was John Krasinski in The Holiday the Adam Driver of Lincoln of 2006? Is Garden State the most iconic New Jersey movie because they go to Medieval Times and yell at a ditch? Together, they examine the careers of Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude “Daddy” Law; Christmas in England; loving movie scores enough to make gibberish sounds in public places...

Duration:02:25:56

Something's Gotta Give with Bobby Finger

10/28/2018

Bobby Finger ([Who? Weekly podcast](https://www.whoweekly.us/)) returns to Blank Check for a discussion of 2003’s aging romance, Something's Gotta Give. Together they examine Bobby’s passion for Meyers’ films, Crazy Town’s “Butterfly” and the careers of Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves. This episode is sponsored by [Brooklinen](https://www.brooklinen.com/) (CODE: CHECK), [Robinhood](http://check.robinhood.com/) and [Hims](https://www.forhims.com/blank). Music Selection: “BossaBossa” by [Kevin...

Duration:02:16:38

What Women Want with Lola Kirke

10/21/2018

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. Together they examine the careers of Helen Hunt and Mel Gibson, the other benefits of electrocution and how this film holds up 18 years later after its release. This episode is sponsored by [Talkspace](https://talkspace.com/check) (CODE: CHECK) and [Amazon Prime Video](http://tryprimechannels.com/check). And check out Lola Kirke’s new album [Heart...

Duration:01:41:34

The Parent Trap with Elena Lazic and Mani Lazic

10/14/2018

This week Blank Check begins our first ever “fans choice” mini series reviewing the filmography of director Nancy Meyers. Film critics, models and _IDENTICAL TWINS_ Elena and Mani Lazic join Griffin and David to discuss the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. Together they discuss prank wars, Randy rosé and flying on the Concorde. This episode is sponsored by [ZipRecruiter](https://www.ziprecruiter.com/blank) and [Storm of...

Duration:01:59:35

A Star Is Born

10/7/2018

On the week of it’s release in October of 2018, Griffin and David discussed A Star Is Born. This episode is sponsored by [Legacybox](https://legacybox.com/check), [RXBAR](https://www.rxbar.com/check) CODE: CHECK and [Dead Man Talking](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dead-man-talking/id1436700030?mt=2).

Duration:02:15:35

Space Jam with James Newman

9/30/2018

This week, James Newman joins Blank Check for another family edition episode to discuss the 1996 Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes crossover, Space Jam. This episode is sponsored by [Talkspace](https://talkspace.com/check) (CODE: CHECK), [Hims](https://www.forhims.com/blank) and [Robin Hood](https://check.robinhood.com/).

Duration:02:13:44

Chosen - The Hire

9/27/2018

Griffin and David review the Ang Lee directed short film, [Chosen](https://youtu.be/Z6azAviqGvs), created as part of the BMW film series "The Hire," rank Lee’s filmography and briefly examine Clive Owen’s career trajectory in 2001\. This episode is sponsored by [Storm of Spoilers](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-storm-of-spoilers-a-pop-culture-podcast/id952917333?mt=2).

Duration:00:47:00

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

9/23/2018

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 discuss 2016’s high frame rate Iraq War drama, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. But what makes this movie so revolutionary? What is the evolution of frame rates in film? Who are the shortest and the tallest actors according to IMDB? Together they examine the history of cameras from film to digital, the BIG3 basketball league and never doing an...

Duration:02:34:07

Life of Pi with Ray Tintori

9/16/2018

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 movie wearing a terrible wig? Did Ray’s mother work as a script supervisor on this film? Does Ang Lee know about this podcast? Together, they examine the early stages of development for this project, working with VR technology and Griffin sets the record straight about his father. This episode is sponsored by...

Duration:02:19:59

Taking Woodstock with Alex Ross Perry

9/9/2018

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 this film win AARP’s Movies for Grownups Award for Best Grownup Love Story? Is the portrayal of an LSD experience accurate? Together they examine the career of Demetri Martin, a mysterious bucket of glitter, Sha Na Na and straight trippin’ boo. Plus, Griffin shares a Martin Scorsese Woodstock story and Alex brings the chocolate milk! This episode is...

Duration:02:34:50

Lust, Caution with Chris Weitz

9/2/2018

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...

Duration:01:59:04

Brokeback Mountain with Las Culturistas

8/26/2018

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. This episode is sponsored by [Away](https://www.awaytravel.com/blank) CODE: BLANK. Go to [TeePublic](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/blank-check) for official Blank Check merch! Also...

Duration:01:56:29

Hulk

8/19/2018

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. This episode is sponsored by [Brooklinen](https://www.brooklinen.com/) CODE: CHECK and WeTransfer. Music courtesy...

Duration:02:19:15

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with David Ehrlich

8/12/2018

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. This episode is sponsored by WeTransfer.

Duration:02:09:08

Ride with the Devil with Peter Labuza

8/5/2018

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. This episode is sponsored by [Hims](https://www.forhims.com/blank).

Duration:01:50:58

The Ice Storm with Emily Yoshida

7/29/2018

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. This episode is sponsored by [RXBAR](https://www.rxbar.com/check) PROMO: CHECK and [Who? Weekly...

Duration:01:50:07

Hotel Transylvania Trilogy

7/22/2018

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! This episode is sponsored by WeTransfer and...

Duration:02:10:12

Sense and Sensibility with Shirley Li

7/15/2018

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. This episode is sponsored by Brooklinen.

Duration:01:57:26

Eat Drink Man Woman with Alison Willmore

7/8/2018

Alison Willmore (BuzzFeed) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1994’s family and food dramedy, Eat Drink Man Woman. This episode is sponsored by Casper (casper.com/savings) and Hims (forhims.com/check).

Duration:01:40:17