the phantom podcast

The year was 1999. It had been twenty-two years since George Lucas last directed a feature film. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was highly anticipated. But then why did the majority of audiences and critics hate it so much? Sixteen years later, Griffin and David started this podcast with one question in mind: "what is The Phantom Menace REALLY about?" Here in their debut episode, the hosts set out to do just that by beginning their investigation with the first eight minutes of the movie. Join them as we meet Jedi's Qui-Gon Jinn and protegé Obi-Wan Kenobi, the very sexual TC-14, learn about the trade federation and get some insight into how a fourteen year old girl could be elected queen of a planet. Also, Griffin talks merch where he spotlights the CommTech Communicator that mad...

Queen elect, high school dropout, hand maiden? This week Griffin and David look at Queen Amidala and the history of the royalty of Naboo. Why was actress Natalie Portman widely trashed for her performance in this movie? With the complicated costumes, the extravagant hair, the memorable make up, was it the strange choice to speak like a Canadian from South Park? Was Keira Knightley acting as Queen Amidala’s double supposed to be a surprise? These questions and more are answered in our next installment. Plus, Griffin talks merch where he spotlights the separately sold hyperdrive repair kit and the boys restate their hypothesis: Was if this movie is about Trade Regulations? Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook...

This week Griffel and Simsbert discuss the Jedi Order. What are these mystical warriors all about? What is the Force? Why is Qui-Gon Jinn rigging chance cubes so that he can steal a child and casually take his blood? Their ongoing investigation reveals new insights into many aspects of these robed street people, including: explaining the ridiculousness of midichlorians, the poorly designed “revolving-restaurant” headquarters, and why love is forbidden for all Jedi. “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” - Yoda, confusing everyone 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 o...

Joining Griffin and David this week is host of the George Lucas Talk Show, Connor Ratliff, to discuss the commentary special feature included with the initial DVD release of the Phantom Menace. Together they review what members of the production crew (including director George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, sound designer Ben Burtt, animation director Rob Coleman and more) have to say about the filming of this movie and discover new evidence of what went wrong. Do we agree Phantom is like the act one of a play or should the focus have been on making a better stand alone movie? Why is revealing that 85% of the dialogue had to be ADR or reshooting 45 more minutes of footage a year later after principal photography not embarrassing? Could Phantom hold up as a silent film? Also, Griffin ta...

In the fifth installment of the only podcast that exclusively talks about the Phantom Menace, Griffin and David look to the movie’s cast and rate all the major players–actor by actor. From finding Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi weak to Natalie Portman performance as the split roles of Queen Amidala/Padmé not horrible (and she goes on to future successes okay!) to even Tony award winning Ian McDiarmid as Senator Palpatine just really having fun and bringing it. Also, Poor poor Jake Lloyd. How do the boys rankings reflect on the film overall? Does their critiques live up to the overwhelming criticism that revolves around this movie? Plus, Griffin’s chance encounter with Liam Neeson, who brings an authority called for in the role as Qui-Gon Jinn and has got gravitas for days. Join our Patreon...

This week Griffin and David delve into the character we all know and love: Jar Jar Binks. How does an outcast of the Gungan society go on to save his people? The answer might just be tasteless comedy and a dash of racism. Would Jar Jar Binks’ character be less offensive if developed as a noble savage rather than a goof that exclusively speaks in broken english? Did George Lucas really think he was gonna get away with it? Remember Jar Jar is for kids, right? Plus, Griffin talks merch where he spotlights the Jar Jar Binks Pez “handler” and why Gragra is more deserving of our attention. And dear listeners, if you have your own theory on what the Phantom Menace is really about, please send an audio recording explanation (1-3 mins) to griffinanddavidpresent@gmail.com and it might get played on ...

The podrace sequence is the one part of this movie viewers seem to complain about the least. Griffin and David this week tackle all the elements of the Boonta Eve Classic including who are these racers and their backstories, discuss Watto and the Hutts, as well as gambling for ownership of a boy. Watch along with the hosts and discover new details you may have missed. Also, quick shout out to David Schwimmer (Friends) and vegetables. 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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toys. Kids love them. And so do Griffin and David. This movie’s entire production was funded by the sale of exclusive rights to the merchandising. And manufacturer Hasbro, pulled out all the stops including introducing technology that allowed the products to “talk like never before,” capturing some of the most exciting moments in toy form like a seated Jabba the Hutt watching the pod race along with color commentators Fode and Beeb, and a product (made for children) that allows someone to suck on Jar Jar Bink’s candy tongue. So join your hosts to find out whats in Watto’s box, does Griffin buy something on Ebay he will regret and a look back at their younger selves to REMEMBER THE TOYS. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, T...

It’s week nine into the investigation and the case is not coming together. Sooo, Griffin and David have decided to dig deep and explore the strange world of Phantom Menace fan fiction. Perhaps these stories will help them better understand the relationship between lets say Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn? Selections include “Cards on the Table” by Emilia-Wan Kenobi, “Glory Glory Hallelujah ” by Dr. Gonzo and other entries. [Warning: This episode includes sexually explicit content] Also, Griffin checks in with the merch corner finding a hologram Darth Sidious action figure at CVS. Music Selections: “Gentle Whispering” and “Happy Little Clouds” by Lee Rosevere (freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0creativecommons.org/licens...

All great investigations must at some point come to an end, and the case study of the Phantom Menace has (finally) reached it’s conclusion. Listen in as hosts Griffin and David share some last thoughts, read and play clips of fan’s own interpretations and even Produer Ben shares some of his own #hottakes. Also, Griffin unveils a surprise item in this week’s merch corner, what to look forward to in future episodes of Griffin and David Present and lastly a mysterious revelation is uncovered. 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 choices. Visit megaphone....

Griffin and David in a bonus episode for all you GDP die hards, watched the Phantom Menace (one more time!) and recorded their commentary. So get out that blu-ray and listen along with the hosts as they offer up their thoughts in real time. You won’t regret it? 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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices