Blank Check with Griffin & David The Ladykillers with Connor Ratliff
Sep 21, 2025
Connor Ratliff, an actor and podcaster known for creating 'Dead Eyes,' dives into the quirky world of Tom Hanks and the Coen Brothers' 'The Ladykillers.' They discuss Hanks' transformative 'Weird Hanks' phase and how this film marks the end of his box-office success. Ratliff also introduces the term 'mooseporting,' a concept for reassessing flops, sparking conversations about the film's controversial humor and its impactful performances. Get ready for a blend of insights, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Racial Content Dates The Film
- The hosts and guest agree The Ladykillers contains uncomfortable racial depictions that age poorly.
- They stress Marlon Wayans' character reads as written into a stereotype rather than emerging from nuance.
Hanks' Career Inflection Point
- Tom Hanks' early‑2000s films marked a turning point from consistent blockbusters to riskier choices.
- Ladykillers and Terminal broke his decade-long $100M domestic streak and signaled his shift toward 'Weird Hanks'.
Fired By Tom Hanks
- Connor Ratliff recounts being recast from Band of Brothers after a re-audition requested by Tom Hanks.
- The firing became a long personal trauma and the subject of Ratliff's podcast Dead Eyes.
