Blank Check with Griffin & David Hail, Caesar! with Shirley Li
Nov 9, 2025
Shirley Li, a journalist at The Atlantic, joins to dive deep into the Coen brothers' film Hail, Caesar! The conversation explores the film's delightful Technicolor cinematography and the standout performances of Channing Tatum and Alden Ehrenreich. They discuss Tatum's impressive tap dance training for a musical scene, alongside insights into Alden's breakout role. Additionally, the complexities of the plot, including Hollywood politics and the character of Eddie Mannix, showcase the film's humorous yet profound reflections on the industry. Expect laughs and keen analysis!
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JJ's Charm Surprised The Hosts
- Shirley Li recounts attending JJ's wedding and not seeing him since.
- The hosts and Shirley riff on JJ's surprising IRL charisma versus online shyness.
Coens' Reflective Farewell To Movies
- Hail, Caesar! reads as a late-career, reflective film about why filmmakers care about movies.
- The Coens blend cynicism and romance to show both the mess and magic of moviemaking.
Movies Are Written Three Times
- The Coens emphasize that films are rewritten three times: on the page, on set, and in the edit.
- Griffin highlights a scene where editing reframes an awkward walk into meaningful nervousness.