Blank Check with Griffin & David

Chris Gethard, comedian and self-proclaimed "Bad Boy of Blank Check Guests," dives into the whimsical world of 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.' The conversation explores hilarious themes like father-son dynamics and the absurdity of Indy as an archaeologist. Gethard and the hosts ask if Kazim might be the Kit Fisto of this film, while reflecting on whether Elsa’s allure is a peculiar Spielberg psychosexual experiment. They also dig into the film’s nostalgic elements and the evolution of adventure storytelling, making for a rollicking discussion!

Our Spielbergian journey takes us to new dramatic heights with 1987’s Empire of the Sun, the film that brought us Christian Bale (discovered by Amy Irving!), unexpected Joey Pants and Ben Stiller appearances, and a perfect use of John Malkovich. Bilge Ebiri joins us (and the Five Timers Club) to chat about how underrated this film is within the Spielberg canon, and how this movie evolves Spielberg’s perception as a serious dramatic artist.Read Bilge's writing at VultureSign 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 on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After inventing the Hollywood blockbuster with Jaws, creating the world’s most loveable alien with E.T., and resurrecting the classic adventure serial with the Indiana Jones franchise, of course the next logical step in Steven Spielberg’s career was to…adapt Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the survival and strength of queer black women in the American south? Duh! Obviously! Comedian Kenice Mobley joins us to talk about 1985’s truly baffling and seismically important The Color Purple in our latest episode. We want to thank Quincy Jones for discovering Oprah and producing this movie. We want to yell at Quincy Jones for his awful, treacly score.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 on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

👑👑 A LIVE SHOW OF MAJESTIC PROPORTIONS 👑👑 Podcasters, cinephiles, and freaks—rejoice! Blank Check will be returning to Town Hall this summer to commemorate our 10th anniversary with a long-promised tribute to one of the greatest films in cinema history.To honor our “Decade of Dreams,” we cordially invite you to a royal audience with King Ralph, the 1991 John Goodman/Peter O’Toole comedy that dared to ask, “What if there was a King Ralph?”It will be an evening of reflection, analysis, elaborately produced (and adequately executed) royalty-themed bits, and an entire court of special guests. God save our gracious podcast!Get your tickets HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olivia Craighead, a film expert and frequent guest, dissects the turbulent behind-the-scenes story of *Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom*. They explore how George Lucas's divorce and Spielberg's traumatic experiences shaped the film's darker tone. Olivia highlights the complexities of character relationships and critiques the portrayal of Willie Scott. The conversation humorously addresses Harrison Ford's elephant mishap and reflects on the film's legacy, touching on nostalgia and its unsettling cultural themes.

It’s a wonderful night for Blankies! Join us and This Had Oscar Buzz’s Joe Reid as we survey the year that was 2024 in cinema. Not to spoil too much, but some things that happen in this episode: Griffy Crystal sings a tribute to The Brutalist to the tune of “Bootylicious,” Nosferatu wins zero awards but shows up to present every category, Griffin is obsessed with Hundreds of Beavers, David hates The Bikeriders, Joe invents an incredible new bespoke category, and as always - Ben ranks his wettest films of the year. 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 on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This discussion dives into the nostalgic charm of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial', highlighting unforgettable child performances and Spielberg's emotional storytelling. The hosts analyze the cultural shifts prompted by the film's alterations, explore the whimsical E.T. Adventure ride, and reflect on the deeper themes of childhood loneliness and family connections. They also delve into its groundbreaking creative process, the enduring impact of John Williams' score, and the film's ability to evoke rich emotional experiences, all while mixing humor with heartfelt anecdotes.

Brian Michael Bendis, the acclaimed comic book writer known for revamping Marvel titles like Daredevil and Avengers, joins the discussion to explore the monumental influence of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' He shares how 1981 felt electric with Spielberg and Lucas teaming up, recounting unforgettable scenes filled with Jewish mysticism and humor. Delightful anecdotes include Alfred Molina's spider scene and the surprising casting choices, like nearly casting Danny DeVito. The conversation dives deep into character dynamics, particularly Marion's evolution, and the collaborative magic behind creating Indiana Jones.

Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger, co-hosts of The Doughboys podcast, dive into the chaos of Steven Spielberg's infamous comedy '1941.' They humorously dissect why a film packed with comedic talent falls flat, pointing out its chaotic narrative and ineffective dialogue. The discussion includes a critique of Spielberg's comedic ambitions and reflections on audience experiences. They also explore bizarre anecdotes, like Eddie Deezen's restaurant bans, and wonder if inserting 'Dumbo' could improve this strange cinematic misfire.

Delve into the production dramas and innovative effects behind 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' Explore Steven Spielberg's hidden trauma reflected in his directorial choices. Discover the emotional depths of alien encounters and the complexities of adult behavior in the film. The dynamic interplay between casting and industry pressures unfolds as anecdotes set the stage for cinematic artistry. Plus, engage in a cheeky critique of human-alien dynamics, revealing the quirks of 1970s cinema. It's a nostalgic trip through timeless themes and creative challenges!