Blank Check with Griffin & David

Matt Patches (Thrillist, Grantland) joins Griffin and David this week to discuss Shyamalan’s fourth feature, Unbreakable. This sad and muted superhero film where mostly nothing happens was seen by many critics and fans as a “sophomore slump” when released in 2000. But what are some of it’s redeeming qualities? How does it stand out among the Marvel superhero movie craze in the years that followed?

Oh and is there a twist you ask? Well listen along as the gang unpacks the making and reception of Unbreakable, together examine the stylistic choices incorporating the visual language of comic books, begin to notice a pattern of recurring themes related to loveless marriages and disturbed children, and try to shake the dead eyes of Spencer Treat Clark.

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Joining Griffin and David on this week’s episode is special guest Katey Rich (Vanity Fair) to help examine Shyamalan’s 1999 breakout, career defining film: The Sixth Sense. How did this unknown writer/director convince Disney to pay him 3 million dollars for the script with the clause to direct? What is the significance of red in the movie? How did this same filmmaker go on to make Lady in the Water? Are there any SIGNS of what is to come!?

Together, they discuss ghost logic, actor Toni Collette’s amazing performance, munchausen by proxy, the climate in cinema during 1999 and so much more! Plus, the gang nerds out on box office stats, Griffin revisits working with Trevor Moore on ‘Butt Whistle’ and Producer Ben presents his own original endings.

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In the debut episode of the newly rebranded ‘Blank Check’, Griffin and David look to another director of supersized ego and skill: M. Night Shyamalan. Similar to their investigation of George Lucas’ Star Wars, the hosts aim to discover where exactly in Shyamalan’s filmography did this artist lose touch with his unique vision and become the “twist” guy?

Starting with 1992’s Praying with Anger (set in India and filmed while he was still a student at NYU), as well as, his first major-motion picture Wide Awake, join the hosts as they try to understand how these early attempts would affect his future films and the recurring themes Shyamalan would continue to explore.

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Blank Check is a podcast about filmographies - specifically, the filmographies of directors who've achieved massive success early on, and then were given a series of "blank checks" by the Hollywood establishment to make whatever crazy passion projects they wanted. Sometimes those checks clear (think James Cameron and "Avatar"), and sometimes they bounce, baby (like M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water"). Join hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims each week as they trace the arcs of the most intriguing directorial careers with hilarious guests and a wealth of inside knowledge. You'll never watch movies the same way again.

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Emily Yoshida (The Verge, A/V Club) joins Griffin and David to revisit Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Together, they discuss Emily’s childhood Star Wars fan fiction, an origin story based around a shared love of Beetlejuice, address the Mary Sue controversy and officially announce the podcast renaming! Also, Griffin’s merchandise corner looks at a newly issued Monopoly and presenting Producer Ben’s Sno-corner.

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In 1978, CBS aired a two-hour Star Wars holiday special. Only a year prior, A New Hope had been released to critical success and with the Empire Strikes Back in production and to be released in a year and half, this was Lucasfilm’s opportunity to keep fans engaged with the franchise (and sell some merchandise of course) by developing a science fiction variety special using everyones favorite characters.

But it was terrible! So much so, that it has never been re-aired or made available for purchase ever. Nor should it be. Even George hates it, famously saying “If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of the show and smash it.”

Griffin and David, joined by Pilot Viruet (Flavorwire) discuss this truly insane piece of television history. Together, they examine a storyline involving Chewbacca and Han Solo trying to return to Kasyyyk to celebrate Life Day, a Wookie holiday, Chewbaca’s weird family and extended grunting, the first introduction to Boba Fett, bad french circus dancing, 1970’s cocaine use and so much more!

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One day after the release opening of Episode VII: The Force Awakens (SPOILER ALERT!), Griffin and David discussed their impressions on the first installment of the newly revamped franchise. Together, they examine the film’s similar story structure to A New Hope, who would take new characters Resistance pilot Poe Dameron and protagonist Rey out on a classy dinner date, Kylo Ren being an evil nerd and why director J.J. Abrams accomplished where George Lucas had failed with the prequels: making an actual Star Wars movie.

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Griffin and David return with an episode examining the 1983 conclusion to the ‘second’ trilogy Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Together, they discuss George Lucas’ former marriage, Princess Leia’s golden bikini, those lovable Ewoks, telling a dying Yoda to just get on with it already and more!

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This week, Griffin and David move onto the 1980 film Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Together, they discuss the sexual tension between Han Solo and Princess Leia, Vadar as a dad, C-3PO’s charm, Billy Dee Williams’ portrayal of the very sleazy Lando Calrissian and so much more!

Also, this is G & D fans last chance to submit your suggestions and receive your Griffmas cards! Email us at: [email protected]

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Griffin and David, having recently discovered Episode IV: A New Hope, discuss the 1977 film. Including, the rise of the rebel alliance, the children of Darth Vadar, the destruction of the Death Star and the biggest surprise of all: this film is amazing!

Also, a big announcement, request fans to send in suggestions for a new name and present Griffmas cards with a special holiday prize! Email us at: [email protected]

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