OUR RATING:
Look, there’s absolutely no shortage of movie review podcasts. In fact, next to true crime, it’s probably the most singularly oversaturated podcast genre in existence. After all, there’s no shortage of, let’s face it, mostly dudes, that think their opinion on the latest movies hitting the theatres is something they need to inflict upon the world.
With that said, when you find a wonder like Blank Check with Griffin & David and it somehow manages to be both intellectually stimulating and absolutely unhinged, you know you’ve discovered a gem.
Picture this: two grown men spend anywhere from two to four hours dissecting whether Mars Attacks! is actually a misunderstood masterpiece, or if Nancy Meyers’ kitchen sets deserve their own spot in the Louvre. It’s exactly as ridiculous as it sounds, and that’s precisely why it works.
The podcast’s premise is deceptively simple: hosts Griffin Newman (you might know him as Arthur from The Tick, or as he’d prefer, that guy who got punched in the face in Draft Day) and David Sims (The Atlantic’s film critic who somehow maintains his sanity while co-hosting this chaos) examine the filmographies of directors who have essentially been handed a “blank check” by Hollywood to make whatever passion project they want. Sometimes these checks clear, and sometimes they bounce so hard they create a sonic boom.
Standing out from the endless void of film commentary podcasts is no small feat, and so Blank Check’s unique combination of genuine film analysis and what can only be described as premium bits have secured a sizable audience for this podcast. Where else can you hear a detailed examination of James Cameron’s revolutionary CGI techniques immediately followed by a 20-minute tangent about whether the Na’vi from Avatar would enjoy eating at Shake Shack? The show’s recurring bits, including the infamous “Ben’s Choice” segments (featuring producer Ben Hosley, aka The Poet Laureate of Blank Check) and Griffin’s increasingly unhinged fictional restaurant orders, become their own sort of cinematic universe.
The real magic happens when the hosts dive deep into a director’s filmography, tracking their evolution from scrappy upstart to established auteur, often with a few spectacular failures along the way. Whether they’re exploring Nora Ephron’s perfectly crafted rom-coms or George Lucas’s descent into digital madness, Griffin and David bring equal parts enthusiasm and criticism to each film. They’re not afraid to call out a beloved director’s missteps, but they also find genuine joy in discovering hidden gems or defending unfairly maligned works. It’s like having a film theory class taught by your two funniest friends who just happened to consume a concerning amount of coffee.
Perhaps the most remarkable feat of Blank Check is how it manages to be simultaneously exhaustive and exhausting. Each episode is a marathon of film knowledge, Hollywood gossip, bizarre tangents, and running jokes that require their own Wiki to track (which, yes, fans have actually created). The show demands commitment – you try listening to three hours of discussion about Speed Racer – but rewards it with insights you won’t find anywhere else, plus enough inside jokes to make you feel like you’re part of some sort of deranged film club.
For newcomers to the podcast, jumping in can feel like walking into the middle of a party where everyone is already three drinks deep and debating the cultural impact of Rob Schneider’s filmography. But stick with it, and you’ll soon find yourself having strong opinions about Nancy Meyers’ character names and nodding sagely when someone mentions “the burger report.”
Blank Check isn’t just a film podcast; it’s a masterclass in how to be both thoroughly knowledgeable and completely silly about the things you love. Just don’t blame me when you start questioning whether you too should watch every movie Michael Mann has ever made, including Blackhat. Especially Blackhat. (I still love you Chris Hemsworth)
Where to listen to Blank Check with Griffin & David
Episodes.fm | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocket Casts | Castro