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 surrounding the film, Todd Phillips' career, the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro, the portrayal of a gritty 1970's New York City and more! 



Music Selection: "Entrance of the Gladiators" by Julius Fučík

Joker

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.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

TV & Film

Comedy

Film Reviews

What if there was a 13th Warrior? What if there was a version of Beowulf so grounded in reality that the climactic battle with Grendel just kind of felt like a shrug? What if Antonio Banderas was the lead in Gladiator instead of Russell Crowe? We’re just asking questions! Filmmaker David Lowery makes his long-awaited return to the podcast to talk about John McTiernan’s Michael Crichton adaptation, a movie that should have kept the title of the original book - Eaters of the Dead. Such a sick title! Anyway, prepare yourself for plenty of Banderas talk, a loving deep-dive into the famous “Banderas learns the Viking language” scene, and a reveal of some Blank Check-related easter eggs in Lowery’s filmography (!).



This episode is sponsored by:

Storyblocks (storyblocks.com/check)

Bombas (bombas.com/check CODE: CHECK)

Indochino.com (CODE: CHECK)



Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! 

The 13th Warrior with David Lowery

A Fiji water bottle. “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone. That Magritte painting with the bowler hat. A SCINTILLATING, AGE-APPROPRIATE ROMANCE WITH TWO OF THE GREATEST HEIST SEQUENCES IN MOVIE HISTORY. We’re talking Tommy C (1999), baby! The delightful Amanda Dobbins joins us for her long-awaited Blank Check debut, and this episode is about as fun as you’d expect. Do we think this movie is better than the Norman Jewison original? Yes. Do we go long on the filmography of Rene Russo? Yes. Do we explain how Pierce Brosnan fit the Monet canvas into his briefcase? Sort of. Does Amanda know the plot of “Wicked”? Surprisingly, no!



This episode is sponsored by:

ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN.com/check)

MUBI (mubi.com/blankcheck)



Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! 

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) with Amanda Dobbins

John McTiernan back with the Die Hard franchise after the spectacular flop of Last Action Hero. Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson back together after Pulp Fiction. Die Hard with a Vengeance is definitely part of the “we are so back” canon. Shea Serrano (who owns every McTiernan movie on VHS) joins us to chat about this explosive action threequel that features a surprising amount of New York theater actors and a bunch of childhood games and riddles. Also, you don’t need us to tell you this but - Jeremy Irons hot. Also cool.



Listen to Six Trophies with Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano

Check out Halfway Books



This episode is sponsored by:

FieldOfGreens.com (CODE: CHECK)



Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com


Die Hard with a Vengeance with Shea Serrano

You either love this movie or you hate it, and guess what - we’re landing all over the LOST ACTION HERO spectrum this episode! Paul Scheer & Jason Mantzoukas join us once again for a clock-busting, rip-roaring time, and we’re unpacking all of this movie’s meta madness.  Is John McTiernan able to parody his own work? Should the kid have actually killed people in this movie (as in the original, edgier script)? Will David have an aneurysm if this episode recording doesn’t end at a reasonable time?



Pre-order Paul’s Book



And if anyone has what Jason is looking for, email blankcheckpodcast@gmail.com and well get it to him. 



This episode is sponsored by:

MUBI (mubi.com/blankcheck)

FACTOR (Factormeals.com/check50)

Zocdoc (zocdoc.com/check) 



Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram!

Last Action Hero with Paul Scheer & Jason Mantzoukas

Oh baby, this one’s a STINKER! Sean Connery finds the cure for cancer but then he loses it (??). Lorraine Bracco delivers all of her dialogue like someone making a comment and not asking a question at a Q&A.; They’re both playing scientists - but where’s the CHEMISTRY?? Comedian and writer Jamie Lee returns to Blank Check to talk about John McTiernan’s attempt at a serious adult drama, 1992’s MEDICINE MAN. We spend most of the episode trying to recast this movie to make it somewhat palatable. But the musical score is great!



This episode is sponsored by:

Burrow (Burrow.com/check)

Indochino.com (CODE: CHECK)

MUBI (mubi.com/blankcheck)



Join our Patreon at patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter and Instagram! Buy some real nerdy merch at shopblankcheckpod.myshopify.com


Joker

Download our free app to listen on your phone