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Artwork for Blank Check with Griffin & David

Blank Check with Griffin & David

Blank Check Productions
David Lynch
Coen Brothers
Steven Spielberg
Hollywood
Twin Peaks
Martin Brest
Laura Palmer
Lynne Ramsay
Satoshi Kon
Jaws
Amy Heckerling
Twin Peaks the Return
Kevin Costner
Comedy
Western Genre
Beverly Hills Cop
Academy Awards
Anthony Hopkins
Joel and Ethan Coen
Identity

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 b... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes587Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsTV & FilmComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Blank Check with Griffin & David

Latest Episodes

We're talking about a very long walk this week as Alex Ross Perry joins us to discuss Peter Weir's final film, 2010's gulag escape drama The Way Back. Remember those couple of years when Jim Sturgess was everywhere? Remember when Peter Weir could bar... more

Beat to quarters, men..and nice Brazilian lady holding an umbrella! We're sailing the high seas with John Hodgman this week as we unpack one of David Sims' favorite films - 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. We're talking Crowe. ... more

The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first new Star Wars movie in 7 years. It was also directed by Jon Favreau while he was making grilled cheese sandwiches. What the heck is going on with our favorite franchise? "Bad Boy of Blank Check" Chris Gethard re... more

Good morning! And in case we don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! JD Amato - often the Christof of Blank Check - joins us for a super-sized episode about Peter Weir's The Truman Show. We're getting into the history of reality e... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Critical Darlings
Critical DarlingsBlank Check Productions
Doughboys
DoughboysHeadgum / Doughboys Media
The Big Picture
The Big PictureThe Ringer
Unspooled
UnspooledPaul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm
With Gourley And Rust
With Gourley And RustMatt Gourley and Paul Rust

Recent Guests

Chris Gethard
Comedian and actor, guest on this episode
Guest on Blank Check
Episode: The Mandalorian and Grogu with Chris Gethard
JD Amato
Writer of The Endless Game
The Endless Game
Episode: The Truman Show with J.D. Amato
Esther Zuckerman
Author and romcom expert
New York Times / Los Angeles Times contributor
Episode: Green Card with Esther Zuckerman
Nia DaCosta
Returning guest director
Director (Hedda, Bone Temple)
Episode: Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
Amanda Dobbins
Guest on episode, associated with The Big Picture
The Big Picture
Episode: Witness with Amanda Dobbins
Tracy Letts
Actor and playwright, guest on the episode
Episode: The Year of Living Dangerously with Tracy Letts
Jennifer Kent
Australian filmmaker behind The Babadook and The Nightingale
Episode: Gallipoli with Jennifer Kent
Ben David Grabinski
Writer/Director and guest on this episode
(guest on episode)
Episode: The Last Wave with BenDavid Grabinski
Timothy Chalamet
Mentioned as future potential host for a spin-off or future coverage
Actor
Episode: Critical Darlings: The 2026 Oscars Ceremony with Griffin Newman

Hosts

Griffin Newman
Host of the show / Blank Check Productions collaboration
David Sims
Co-host and film critic

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 12.3k ratings
  • The Best

    My Favorite Podcast for about 5 years now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NinrBean
    United Statesa month ago
  • Green Card Episode

    Griffin and David let Esther finish a sentence challenge.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    OhBro1985
    United Statesa month ago
  • Such a good podcast with great behind

    -the-scenes stories of the industry

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Go_dig_a_hole
    a month ago
  • Meh

    Listening to these people talk about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is worse than getting your heart ripped out by Mola Ram.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Booby Tuesdayyy
    United States2 months ago
  • Waffle and meandering content

    I have an interest in learning some background about directors of films or the movies that they made. Unfortunately I don’t have the time to listen to 15, 20, 30 or more minutes of unrelated preamble before the hosts settle down to discuss the topic which the podcast Ep is titled as. If you’re able to give them the two or more hours that they take to stumble through the process (as other reviewers seem to love!) then this is for you. If you prefer your film history delivered concise and on-topic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BookieWookiie
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A strong blend of criticism and humor, especially around awards and industry discourse.
Fans love the chemistry between hosts and the guest roster.
Long episodes can feel sprawling but rewards patient listeners with depth.
Sometimes guest selection or topic focus sparks debate but keeps conversation lively.
Clever, insightful film talk with great guests and banter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fearless with Timothy Simons
Q: What makes Fearless stand out as an adaptation and a film experience?
The hosts suggest its strength lies in a non-traditional structure for a plane-crash movie, using restrained but precise emotional storytelling, a formidable centerpiece performance by Jeff Bridges, and a haunting score that elevates the trauma into a spiritual rebirth.
Green Card with Esther Zuckerman
Q: Why was Green Card greenlit as a US-French co-production and how did that affect its reception?
It was financed through a mix of Australian-French cooperation and Disney-distributed backing, with final cut granted to Weir. This arrangement allowed a relatively modest budget and a more auteur-driven approach, but also tied it to the era's cross-border incentives and promotional strategies that shaped how audiences perceived the film.
Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
Q: What makes Dead Poets Society work as a drama rather than just a coming-of-age film?
The hosts argue that it's not simply about the poetry but about how the teacher's influence unlocks the students' inner lives, turning a claustrophobic boarding-school setting into a catalyst for authenticity, risk, and communal imagination.
Gallipoli with Jennifer Kent
Q: What do you think makes Gallipoli stand out in the Australian film landscape of its time?
Its intimate focus on two boys and the coming-of-age arc set against a monumental historical event, which reframes war as a personal tragedy rather than a traditional battle epic.
Critical Darlings: The Oscar Nominations Recap (And Also Some Talk About F1)
Q: How do the actual nominations happen?
The nominations process involves individual branches voting for specific categories, while everyone votes for Best Picture.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Blank Check with Griffin & David

What is Blank Check with Griffin & David about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A witty, in-depth look at directors' complete filmographies, episode by episode, blending rigorous cinephile analysis with playful banter. Hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims explore how auteur careers unfold after an early “blank check,” tracing themes, production histories, and the arc from ambition to influence across varied eras. Guests—from actors and writers to contemporary directors—offer insider perspectives, shaping lively debates about craft, industry dynamics, and the cultural impact of each filmmaker's body of work. The show stands out for its exhaustive filmography deep-dives, humorous chemistry between hosts, and a willingness to weigh prestige against accessibility in cinema history.

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Which podcasts are similar to Blank Check with Griffin & David?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blank Check with Griffin & David:

1. Critical Darlings
2. Doughboys
3. The Big Picture
4. Unspooled
5. With Gourley And Rust

How many episodes of Blank Check with Griffin & David are there?

Blank Check with Griffin & David launched 11 years ago and published 587 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Blank Check with Griffin & David?

Recent guests on Blank Check with Griffin & David include:

1. Chris Gethard
2. JD Amato
3. Esther Zuckerman
4. Nia DaCosta
5. Amanda Dobbins
6. Tracy Letts
7. Jennifer Kent
8. Ben David Grabinski

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