Blank Check with Griffin & David

Jen D'Angelo, a talented screenwriter known for her work in contemporary film and streaming, joins the discussion about the notorious flop, Gigli. The trio delves into the peculiar title pronunciation and explores how the film became a cultural shorthand for failure. D'Angelo champions Ben Affleck's performance, sparking a lively debate on casting and career arcs. They also tackle the film’s surreal ending, problematic portrayal of disability, and analyze its box office disaster against that summer’s hits. Expect humor, insight, and surprising opinions!

He’s hot. He’s got frosted tips. He loves peanut butter. His lil swimmers may or may not look like skulls. He’s death, baby! And we’re meeting him this week! Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson returns to the pod to chat about 1998’s three hour long “symphonic metaphysical romance” MEET JOE BLACK. How does this film play in a post-Succession, “eat the rich” context? How do we feel about the infamous Jamaican patois scenes? What are our memories of the weekend the Phantom Menace trailer came out in theaters? All that and more awaits you on the other side of the bridge.Read Chad Hartigan’s article on Meet Joe Black Read Richard’s work at Vanity FairListen to Little Gold MenListen to Still WatchingJoin our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch.Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Warning - this episode contains an ungodly amount of Pacino impressions. Listener discretion is advised.“Actor’s actor” and local boy from Queens David Krumholtz becomes the second cast member of Oppenheimer and first person immortalized in Griffin’s beloved Disney Emoji Blitz to guest on our Martin Brest series as we talk about 1992’s dire SCENT OF A WOMAN. Would this movie be less terrible if it were at least 40 minutes shorter? What if the original first choice for Lt. Col. Frank Slade - Jack Nicholson - had done this film instead of Pacino? What if we swapped Philip Seymour Hoffman for the charisma vacuum that is Chris O’Donnell? Sadly, we can only imagine these scenarios. Join us for lots of candid Krumholtz anecdotes, a scorching hot take regarding the diner scene in Heat, and more!Check out David in Lousy Carter Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch.Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Sepinwall, a renowned television critic with a knack for insightful commentary, joins the conversation to dive into the comedy classic 'Midnight Run.' They explore the film’s seamless blend of humor and tension, celebrating its influence on modern directors. The discussion also includes intriguing casting 'what-ifs,' including Cher, and the improvisational genius behind its memorable moments. Sepinwall shares his insights on character dynamics, the unique score, and the film's legacy, highlighting its nostalgic charm in 1988 cinema.

Action directors Adil & Bilall join the hosts to discuss Beverly Hills Cop. They talk about directing, Jerry Bruckheimer films, and the challenges of revitalizing the franchise. The conversation also delves into Eddie Murphy's impact, the 80s action movie formula, and comparisons to Bad Boys.

After years of citing him as a potential series, we’re finally Brest men. In this inaugural episode of our “Podverly Hills Cast” series, we’re taking a look at Martin Brest’s debut feature, 1979’s understated and deeply enjoyable old man heist film “Going in Style.” James Urbaniak joins us to chat through the beginning of Brest’s career, and the storied personas of George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg. Cream cheese and jelly sandwiches on toasted rye for everyone! Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch.Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Buchanan, author of Blood, Sweat & Chrome, joins the hosts to discuss Furiosa, the film's connection to Fury Road, and George Miller's filmmaking vision. They explore character dynamics, box office performance, marketing of R-rated movies, and the state of the movie business amidst evolving trends in the industry.

Emily Yoshida, a journalist and podcaster known for her work on "Shogun: The Official Podcast," dives into Satoshi Kon's iconic film, Paprika. They discuss its status as Kon's swan song and the intriguing comparisons to Inception. Emily unpacks the origins of Paprika and explores the themes of dreams, identity, and the film's unique animated medium. The conversation also touches on the film's emotional impact, the significance of its score, and the legacy of Kon's unfinished work—prompting reflections on storytelling and cultural growth.

They call them the Godfathers of Tokyo…and we call him the KING of TIKTOK (in an old man newscaster voice) - Reece Feldman joins us to chat about Satoshi Kon’s beautiful Christmas fable about a trio of unforgettable characters on the fringes of society. We talk about how animation is truly a medium and NOT a genre, as evidenced by this film. We talk about Ice Age (another animated movie where outsiders care for a baby). We talk about whether or not David might get roped into watching Ice Age a million times if his daughter finds out about it. And we talk about David’s pitch for a Cheaper by the Dozen spoof called “Cheaper by the Cousin”…?Follow Reece on his socials: TikTok - InstagramJoin our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch.Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Satoshi Kon series continues with his 2003 film Millennium Actress, a moving exploration of memory, history, and the magic of da moviesh. Writer Hoai-Tran Bui returns to the pod as we discuss the strange history of Dreamworks’ arthouse animation arm (Go Fish pictures), the luminous screen presence of Setsuko Hara, and the added poignancy this film takes on in light of Kon’s untimely passing. Plus, Griffin publicly addresses the Penny Marshall debacle, and the gang contemplates a version of “Millennium Actor” with Clint Eastwood.  Read Hoai-Tran’s workJoin our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch.Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices