Podcast · 77 episodes
Blank Check with Griffin & David
by Blank Check Productions · English
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.
Latest episodes
After Hours with Alison SivitzThe podcast episode discusses Martin Scorsese’s After Hours (1985), focusing on its “one crazy night” premise, why it feels like a time capsule of 1980s downtown New York (especially Soho), and how…27 Sep 2026 · 2 h 29 min
The King of Comedy with Stavros HalkiasA discussion of Martin Scorsese’s King of Comedy (and related Scorsese/De Niro filmography), focusing on how the movie portrays aspiring comedians, fame, parasocial obsession, and the “De Niro moves”…20 Sep 2026 · 3 h 5 min
Raging Bull with David KrumholtzThe episode is a deep discussion of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull, focusing on Jake LaMotta’s self-destructive masculinity, ego, and the film’s craft (sound design, cinematography, performance, and…13 Sep 2026 · 2 h 19 min
All episodes
After Hours with Alison SivitzThe podcast episode discusses Martin Scorsese’s After Hours (1985), focusing on its “one crazy night” premise, why it feels like a time capsule of 1980s downtown New York (especially Soho), and how…27 Sep 2026 · 2 h 29 min · 63 chapters
The King of Comedy with Stavros HalkiasA discussion of Martin Scorsese’s King of Comedy (and related Scorsese/De Niro filmography), focusing on how the movie portrays aspiring comedians, fame, parasocial obsession, and the “De Niro moves”…20 Sep 2026 · 3 h 5 min · 91 chapters
Raging Bull with David KrumholtzThe episode is a deep discussion of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull, focusing on Jake LaMotta’s self-destructive masculinity, ego, and the film’s craft (sound design, cinematography, performance, and…13 Sep 2026 · 2 h 19 min · 56 chapters
New York, New York with Lin-Manuel MirandaA discussion of Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York (1977) and why it’s both fascinating and difficult to watch—centered on the film’s “fake” Hollywood sets versus a documentary-like approach, its…6 Sep 2026 · 2 h 2 min · 55 chapters
Taxi Driver with Tracy LettsA wide-ranging discussion centered on Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976), framed by the podcast’s “Blank Check” premise and an extended debate about the 1976 Oscars.30 Aug 2026 · 3 h 53 min · 95 chapters
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore with Katey RichThe hosts discuss the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and how its “second chance” marketing and poster imagery (Ellen Burstyn and Kris Kristofferson smiling/embracing) misleads viewers…23 Aug 2026 · 2 h 32 min · 62 chapters
Mean Streets with Miriam BaleThe hosts and guest discuss Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (their “first Scorsese session”), focusing on how the film blends personal autobiography with genre crime filmmaking, and how it helped…16 Aug 2026 · 2 h 35 min · 62 chapters
Who's That Knocking at My Door / Boxcar BerthaThe episode is a two-film primer on Martin Scorsese’s earliest features, Who’s That Knocking at My Door (1967) and Boxcar Bertha, framed as the “before Mean Streets” stage that sets up his later…9 Aug 2026 · 2 h 26 min · 56 chapters
A Conversation with Andrew StantonA wide-ranging conversation with Pixar director Andrew Stanton about Pixar’s creative process, authorship vs “they,” character/animation challenges, and how he found his path into animation and…6 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 42 chapters
Toy Story 5The hosts discuss Toy Story 5’s themes and reception, especially its “tech is here to stay” message, how toys operate around rules of being seen, and how the film fits (or doesn’t) as a fifth entry…2 Aug 2026 · 2 h 33 min · 73 chapters
In the Blink of an Eye with Joey SimsThe hosts discuss Andrew Stanton’s Hulu film In the Blink of an Eye (premiered at Sundance, released on Hulu Feb 27, 2026) and connect it to Stanton’s broader career, especially his shift from…26 Jul 2026 · 2 h 2 min · 52 chapters
The OdysseyThe hosts discuss Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey (and the podcast’s “Blank Check” framing), focusing on how Nolan adapts the epic’s structure and themes for a modern audience.19 Jul 2026 · 2 h 35 min · 66 chapters
Finding Dory with Zach CherryA discussion of Pixar’s Finding Dory (2016): how its marketing taglines connect to Dory’s short-term memory loss, why it emerged during Pixar’s “sequel boom,” how it performed commercially, and how…12 Jul 2026 · 2 h 43 min · 77 chapters
John Carter with Matt SingerThe episode is a long discussion of the 2012 film John Carter, focusing on its disastrous marketing/tagline and poster changes, why it underperformed, and how its adaptation choices differ from Edgar…5 Jul 2026 · 3 h 14 min · 85 chapters
WALL-E with David EhrlichBlank Check with Griffin and David’s miniseries episode on WALL-E (Andrew Stanton’s “true blank check”), focusing on how the film emerged from Pixar’s Disney-era transition, how its story/ending were…28 Jun 2026 · 3 h 26 min · 86 chapters
Finding Nemo with Rebecca AlterThe episode is a deep dive on Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003), focusing on why it’s such a perfect, emotionally effective “setup/payoff” film, how it achieves character emotion without anthropomorphizing…21 Jun 2026 · 3 h 22 min · 100 chapters
Disclosure DayThe hosts discuss Steven Spielberg’s film Disclosure Day, an alien/UFO “mystery box” thriller that escalates into an emotional, faith-and-empathy themed ending.14 Jun 2026 · 2 h 24 min · 69 chapters
The Way Back with Alex Ross PerryBlank Check hosts discuss Peter Weir’s 2010/2011 film The Way Back, focusing on its production difficulty, release/legacy, and how it fits into Peter Weir’s career (including his retirement…7 Jun 2026 · 3 h 9 min · 89 chapters
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World with John HodgmanBlank Check with Griffin and David discusses Peter Weir’s penultimate film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), focusing on why it became a “miracle” movie, its cult/reassessment…31 May 2026 · 3 h 13 min · 74 chapters
The Mandalorian and Grogu with Chris GethardChris Gethard joins Blank Check (Griffin and David Sims) to discuss The Mandalorian and Grogu, focusing on how the film feels like “TV episodes mushed into a movie,” whether it meets the cultural…24 May 2026 · 3 h 14 min · 96 chapters
The Truman Show with J.D. AmatoThe podcast episode discusses Peter Weir’s The Truman Show (1998) through the Blank Check lens of early-career success and “blank checks,” using the film’s premise (a man unknowingly living inside a…17 May 2026 · 3 h 38 min · 94 chapters
Fearless with Timothy SimonsThe Blank Check miniseries episode “Fearless with Timothy Simons” discusses Peter Weir’s 1993 film Fearless, focusing on its production context, casting choices (especially Jeff Bridges), and how…10 May 2026 · 2 h 58 min · 84 chapters
Green Card with Esther ZuckermanThe podcast discusses the 1990 romantic comedy Green Card, directed by Peter Weir, focusing on its “rom” vs “com” balance, why it feels charming but also oddly forgotten, and how it fits into…3 May 2026 · 2 h 46 min · 83 chapters
Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCostaThe episode is a deep dive into Dead Poets Society (1989), focusing on why it works emotionally and culturally, how Robin Williams’ Oscar win fits into his career arc, and how the film’s production…26 Apr 2026 · 2 h 36 min · 81 chapters