EPISODES

John Carter with Matt Singer

John Carter with Matt Singer

We are going to Barsoom with 2012's John Carter - a film that bounced almost as much as the titular hero bounced around on Mars! Matt Singer joins us to talk about this legendary flop - the cursed marketing campaign, the year of Taylor Kitsch, and Disney's acquisition of Marvel and Star Wars, which effectively made John Carter irrelevant almost immediately. Plus, we spend a lot of time talking about X-Men Origins: Wolverine, for some reason. Read Second-Act Twist By Tad Friend and The Untold Story of Disney’s $307 Million Bomb ‘John Carter’: ‘It’s a Disaster’ by Drew Taylor Pre-Order Matt's Book Read Matt's Writing Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and e...

WALL-E with David Ehrlich

WALL-E with David Ehrlich

Put on your pod-day clothes, there's lots of world out there! We're joined by David Ehrlich to discuss WALL-E this week - a film many consider to be Stanton's (and Pixar's) crowning achievement, and a film David Ehrlich's son has watched upwards of a million times. Join us for a long-ranging conversation that includes context around Disney's 2006 acquisition of Pixar, discussion about the film's depiction of humans, and speculation about the mental health of robots. Read: Frankie Muniz Hasn’t Spoken to Hilary Duff in 22 Years, Says Her Mom Interfered in ‘Agent Cody Banks’ Casting and ‘It Pissed Me Off’: ‘I Regret Not Staying Friends With Her’ Check out Erlich’s Review of Lee Cornin’s The Mummy Listen to Griffin on Podcast Like It’s Talking About Monsters Inc. Read Ehrlich’s Interview with ...

Finding Nemo with Rebecca Alter

Finding Nemo with Rebecca Alter

Welcome to PODD-C, our series on the films of Pixar stalwart Andrew Stanton! This week, we're kicking off with 2003's Finding Nemo, a film that ushered in nearly two decades of Ellen DeGeneres supremacy and made millions of children remember the exact address of one "P. Sherman." Writer Rebecca Alter joins us to chat about Nemo's immaculate screenplay, the Finding Nemo attractions within Disney Parks, and the under-the-sea craze that had Nemo, Spongebob, and Shark Tale all hitting at the same time. Pixar obsessives - rejoice! Griffin really gets to nerd out here. Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out...

Disclosure Day

Disclosure Day

This is "Spielberg Face: The Movie." This is radical empathy. This is Emily Blunt Supremacy. This is DISCLOSURE DAY. Griffin, David, Ben, and Marie break down Steven Spielberg's latest offering, his first sci-fi film and his first contemporary-set film since War of the Worlds in 2005. It's bound to be divisive. We mostly love it. We've got trains, Fableman dynamics, car chases, Janusz Kaminski pools of light, expressions of awe and wonderment - all of Steve's greatest hits! Join us for a wide ranging discussion about aliens, cynicism, and Michael Caine riding a giant bee (completely unrelated to this film). Listen to Regina Hall on Good Hang with Amy Poehler.Check out who is getting this year’s Honorary Oscars. Watch the Close Encounters SNL Sketches. Listen to The Rewatchables in ‘2001: A...

The Way Back with Alex Ross Perry

The Way Back with Alex Ross Perry

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 barely get distribution for his follow-up to Master & Commander? Dire times. As is the case with most ARP episodes, expect some wild takes about everything from the Coen brothers to World War II movies, plus a very detailed rundown of the National Geographic Films slate. Check out Videoheaven on the Criterion Channel Buy some Pavements Merch / Blu-Ray Listen to Critical Darlings discuss Train Dreams Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film bi...

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World with John Hodgman

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World with John Hodgman

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. We're talking Bettany. We're talking James Cameron's Mexican water tank. We're talking soused hog and we're talking Saluting Day. And yes, we are talking BOATS. Is Ben about to enter his Salty Dog Era? He should! If you wish to inquire about Ship Happens, shiphappensbrooklin@gmail.com. Check out the rest of Patrick O’Brian’s work. Read New 'Master and Commander' Film In The Works, But Russell Crowe And Paul Bettany Probably Won't Be Back BY Ben Pearson. Listen to The Lex G Podcast. Pop over to the Sunken Harbour Club if you’re in NY. Watch Medi...

The Mandalorian and Grogu with Chris Gethard

The Mandalorian and Grogu with Chris Gethard

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 returns to the pod to discuss The State of Star Wars: the deal with Dave Filoni, the Male Loneliness Epidemic, how watching Andor felt like texting your ex, and the complete and utter catastrophe of Rotta the Hutt. It's a cathartic three hours, so grab your Grogu Nilla Nummies and buckle up. Listen to Hits Different Listen to Beautiful Anonymous Watch TCGS #28 | Ruin This Show Watch Chris Gethard: Career Suicide Read The Bracing Authenticity of Chris Gethard's Career Suicide Check out Dave Filoni’s “Plan” Read Star Wars: Thrawn Series by Timothy ...

The Truman Show with J.D. Amato

The Truman Show with J.D. Amato

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 entertainment, the implications of Christof's methods, the insanity of this movie's Oscar snubs, Jim Carrey's historic 1990s, and Matt Gaetz's childhood. Did you know that Matt Gaetz grew up in the Truman Show house? Really makes you think. Anyway - we hope you join us for a spirited conversation, but not before you pour yourself a mug of Mococoa Cocoa. ⁠Read David's article with Ed Harris - A New Way of Looking at To Kill a Mockingbird ⁠ ⁠Buy J.D.'s Book The Endless Game⁠ ⁠Watch The Undercovers ⁠ Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newslett...

Fearless with Timothy Simons

Fearless with Timothy Simons

Peter Weir's Fearless is about a man who survives a plane crash and finds that he is no longer allergic to strawberries. It's also a deeply affecting, soulful exploration on what it means to be alive. And, as David Sims says - it's the "final boss" of plane crash movies. "Hitmaker" Timothy Simons joins us to chat about Jeff Bridges, Rosie Perez, "pink cloud syndrome," and aerophobia in this episode, so fasten your seatbelts and brace for impact! With a limited-time offer, get Huel today with an exclusive offer of 15% off online with the code CHECK at https://www.huel.com/check. New customers only. Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive...