pod-19: the widowcaster

Introducing a new mini series on the complete filmography of director Kathryn Bigelow! This week Griffin and David begin with her 1982 debut feature, The Loveless, about a wild 1950’s motorcycle gang in small-town America. But who is co-director Monty “Old Timey” Montgomery? How did Bigelow’s background in the fine arts and academia influence her films to come? How does the evolution of actors portraying the Joker eventually lead to a Vine star? Together they examine Willem Dafoe getting fired from Heaven’s Gate, DC supervillian’s relationship with vats of toxic waste, Marc Maron’s favorite seas and under ball. Plus, they present their Nolan filmography rankings.​ Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!...

Mani Lazic (Little White Lies) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1987’s western meets vampire thriller, Near Dark. But why is this film out of print? Can a normal blood transfusion heal a person of vampire? Is this movie very sexy? Together they examine Bigelow’s stylistic choices, James Le Gros’ career and honor Bill Paxton. Plus, United Kingdom shop talk and pitching Transylvania General Hospital.

Jordan Hoffman (Engage: The Official Star Trek podcast) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1989’s crime thriller, Blue Steel. Would Jamie Lee Curtis and Bigelow’s careers been different if this film had been more successful? Does it pass the Bechdel test? Is Kevin Dunn one of our most frustrated actors? Together they examine Ron Silver’s performance, tongue shtooping and share Richard Jenkins stories. This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon.

Writer/Performer Lux Alptraum joins Griffin and David to discuss 1991’s iconic surf heist, Point Break. But is this one of the sexiest boy films of all time? Is Bigelow a nihilist or a realist? Is Bodhi’s ultimate plan really just death by giant wave? Together they discuss the career trajectories of Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves and Lori Petty, the Fast and the Furious franchise basically being a carbon copy and how the directing of this movie makes everyone want to move to California, learn to surf and eat 2 meatball subs.

Emily Yoshida (Vulture) returns this week to discuss 1995’s neo-noir, Strange Days. But why is Kathryn Bigelow so hardcore? Was Bono a potential candidate for a role in this film? When was Emily’s mother on Wheel of Fortune? Together they discuss Ray Fiennes, Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis careers, the future of reality television, cage raves and SQUID discs. This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon.

Karen Han (Slashfilm) and Emma Stefansky (ScreenCrush) join #thetwofriends to discuss 2001’s confused thriller, The Weight of Water. But what is the weight of water exactly? Was Elizabeth Hurley really ever a punk? Does Producer Ben get annoyed during the recording of this episode? Together they discuss Karen’s boys, love rhombuses, faking birthdays and their thoughts on Mother!

Co-host of the Little Gold Men podcast and friend of the show, Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2002’s submarine disaster K-19: The Widowmaker. But how was National Geographic involved in this production? What was the impact of this film bombing at the box office? Are any of the Russian accents convincing? Together they examine Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson’s careers, too many drills and sad food delivery metaphors. Also, check out Richard’s debut novel ‘All We Can Do Is Wait’ due out on February 6th.

Sonia Saraiya (Variety) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2008’s bomb action-drama, The Hurt Locker. But will filming in 120 degree desert heat affect a production? How does this movie score with audiences and critics for its portrayal of the Iraq War? What about the cinematography helps to convey the feeling of being in combat? Together they discuss the significance of Bigelow winning for Best Picture, Jeremy Renner’s career and the difficulty of putting a straw into a Capri Sun.

Demi Adejuyigbe (The Good Place, Gilmore Guys) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2012’s American revenge political thriller, Zero Dark Thirty. But is the CIA agent this movie is based on somewhat problematic? Can either host do a decent Gandolfini? Will Jason of Friday the 13th fame begin hosting a new season of Celebrity Apprentice? Together they examine watching this movie in the current political climate, the brutal portrayal of enhanced interrogation techniques, Will Smith in Netflix’s Orc cop movie Bright and more.

Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan and James III, hosts of Black Men Can’t Jump In Hollywood podcast, join Griffin and David to discuss 2017’s period crime drama, Detroit. But was this a story that needed to be told? Is the racist white cop technically the lead? Were sections of this movie purposely shot like a horror movie? In the final installment of our mini series devoted to the filmography of Kathryn Bigelow, together, they discuss the many inconsistencies of this film, John Boyega, Blazing Saddles and more. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X! Buy some real nerdy merch. Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad ch...

Kathryn Bigelow is back. But are WE so back? Not quite. The gang discusses the recent release A House of Dynamite, a film in which the president listens to podcasts, Tracy Letts loves the Mets, and the city of Chicago may or may not be completely leveled by an atomic bomb. Do we kind of miss Mark Boal now? Are we praying Kathryn Bigelow directs something a little more in line with Strange Days or Point Break next? Would Ethan Hunt have saved this movie? Yes, yes, and yes. 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 on. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod...