Blank Check with Griffin & David
Blank Check Productions
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. Produced by Ben Hosley.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 10, 2026 • 2h 58min
Fearless with Timothy Simons
Timothy Simons, an actor best known for Veep and diverse screen work, joins to riff on Peter Weir's Fearless. They dig into Jeff Bridges' eerie performance, Rosie Perez's rawness, the film's plane crash sequences, spirituality and 'pink cloud' rebirth, and how trauma and aerophobia play out on screen.
May 3, 2026 • 2h 46min
Green Card with Esther Zuckerman
Esther Zuckerman, rom‑com writer and author of Falling In Love at the Movies, joins to unpack Green Card and its oddball 1990 place alongside Pretty Woman. Short chats cover Gérard Depardieu as an unlikely romantic lead, Andie McDowell’s casting and career arc, Peter Weir’s quiet directing choices, rom‑com tropes like fake dating and lies, and standout supporting turns.
13 snips
Apr 26, 2026 • 2h 36min
Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
Nia DaCosta, film director and writer behind Hedda and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, joins to discuss Dead Poets Society. They dive into Robin Williams' awards arc, prep school roots, casting choices, Peter Weir's tonal decisions, and the film's visual style. Conversations touch on student storylines, the film's emotional beats, and how filmmaking choices shape its lasting legacy.
Apr 19, 2026 • 3h 6min
The Mosquito Coast with Sean Fennessey
Sean Fennessey, film critic and podcaster, joins to dissect Peter Weir’s The Mosquito Coast. They debate Harrison Ford’s risky persona and whether Allie Fox is sympathetic or monstrous. Conversation covers casting choices, screenplay tensions, the film’s nature-versus-collapse third act, and why the movie confused audiences yet still resonates.
12 snips
Apr 12, 2026 • 2h 57min
Witness with Amanda Dobbins
Amanda Dobbins, film writer and host at The Big Picture, joins to dissect Peter Weir's Witness. They talk Harrison Ford's restrained performance and Oscar nod. Conversations cover Amish portrayal, rumspringa myths, location shooting in Lancaster County, the film's visual style and barn-raising sequences. Expect talk of casting, child-actor work, and Weir's tight, painterly direction.
Apr 5, 2026 • 3h 22min
The Year of Living Dangerously with Tracy Letts
Tracy Letts, Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning playwright and actor who doubles as a voracious physical media collector. They dive into Peter Weir’s The Year of Living Dangerously, the film’s casting surprises and production troubles. Conversations jump to Linda Hunt’s breakthrough, Mel Gibson’s career arc, and obsessive disc collecting with carefully picked physical media gifts.
Mar 29, 2026 • 2h 6min
Gallipoli with Jennifer Kent
Jennifer Kent, Australian filmmaker behind The Babadook and The Nightingale, joins to unpack Peter Weir’s Gallipoli and the history of Australian cinema. They explore Gallipoli’s national resonance, Weir’s intimate anti-epic approach and visual style, Mark Lee’s underrated performance, and the film’s marketing and cultural legacy.
Mar 22, 2026 • 2h 36min
The Last Wave with BenDavid Grabinski
Ben David Grabinski, filmmaker (writer/director of Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice). He dives into Peter Weir’s soggy, mystic 1978 film The Last Wave. They talk colonial law clashing with Aboriginal Dreamtime, the film’s relentless wet imagery, striking blue cinematography, the ambiguous tidal ending, and on-set rain effects and practical filmmaking anecdotes.
8 snips
Mar 15, 2026 • 2h 33min
Picnic at Hanging Rock with Jane Schoenbrun
Jane Schoenbrun, filmmaker and director of I Saw the TV Glow, joins to unpack Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock. They explore the film’s eerie first act, dreamlike cinematography and frame-rate tricks, casting choices and dubbed voices, themes of repression and Australian dreamtime, plus the pan flute’s haunting score.
Mar 8, 2026 • 1h 55min
The Cars That Ate Paris
A romp through Peter Weir's debut and the roots of the Australian New Wave. They trace Weir's early shorts and influences, the film's strange tone and car-crash visual style, and the quirky town economy built on wrecks. Conversation covers casting, the climactic violent festival, and how this wild first film launched Weir toward Picnic at Hanging Rock.
