Blank Check with Griffin & David

In the final episode of the Pod Night Shyamacast mini series, Griffin and David discuss the SyFy Channel hoax documentary, 2004’s The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan. Why is Academy Award nominated documentarian Nathaniel Kahn involved in this project? What are #thetwofriends final thoughts on Shyamalan? Together they analyze Javier the pizza guy’s impact on cinema, Johnny Depp’s appearance, hanging outside of your favorite director’s property gates and pretending to commune with the spirt world.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 DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The discussion centers around M. Night Shyamalan's 2015 film, blending horror with humor. They dive into the effectiveness of found footage and the dynamics of family relationships depicted in the movie. Kathryn Hahn’s talent gets a well-deserved nod, while they critique horror film strategies from Blumhouse. Humor shines through as they tackle absurdities in children’s cinema and share funny anecdotes, including celebrity burger encounters. The conversation wraps up with insights into Shyamalan's evolving style and nostalgic gaming memories.

James III, a comedian and co-host of the Black Men Can’t Jump in Hollywood podcast, joins for a lively discussion on After Earth. They delve into Will Smith's multifaceted involvement in the film and its impact on his family dynamics, especially regarding Jaden's emancipation. The trio humorously critiques M. Night Shyamalan's career trajectory and the film's lackluster execution, revealing insights on character depth and the father-son narrative. Plus, they explore the pressures young actors face in Hollywood amid amusing anecdotes and commentary.

Seaton Smith, a gifted comedian and actor known for his roles in Mulaney and Late Night with Seth Meyers, joins the discussion on the infamous film adaptation of The Last Airbender. They dive into the film's casting missteps and narrative failures while contrasting it with the beloved animated series. Seaton shares humorous anecdotes from his career, including moments with Chris Rock and Woody Allen. The conversation touches on industry challenges, artistic integrity, and the hilarious perils of hair loss, blending comedy with insightful critiques of film adaptations.

The hosts dive into M. Night Shyamalan's R-rated film, tackling the absurdity of its premise. They muse over whether wind can be terrifying and if the cast is convincingly engaged. With humor, they analyze themes of memory loss and critique Mark Wahlberg’s cinematic journey. The conversation also takes a detour into the realm of B-movies and even dental health. Expect laughs over celebrity encounters and unexpected discussions on films releasing in February, all while questioning Shyamalan’s claim about making the best B-movie.

Film critic Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair joins for a deep dive into M. Night Shyamalan's ambitious yet chaotic 'Lady in the Water.' They ponder the film's peculiar narrative choices and its commentary on critics. The conversation is spiced up with humor about character quirks, including Giamatti's stuttering, before delving into the obscure themes that make the film unique. Expect playful banter about Hollywood dreams, and the introduction of fun segments like the Burger Report, packing the discussion with entertainment and insights.

David Ehrlich (Rolling Stone) joins Griffin and David for an analysis of 'The Village'. They discuss why the film was panned, Adrien Brody's role, Shyamalan's reputation, and the director's tendency to cast himself. They also explore the film's confusing relationships, fear and grief, Bryce Dallas Howard's performance, and the director's visual storytelling approach. Additionally, they analyze the film's secrets and symbolism, race and representation, leaked script and reshoots, and the box office performance of movies in 2004.

Guest Joe Reid from The Decider joins Griffin and David to discuss personal Oscar nominations. They debate performances, critiquing Kate Winslet in 'Steve Jobs', analyzing supporting actresses, and dissecting actor dynamics. The hosts delve into technical challenges in film making, admire movie scores in 'It Follows', and playfully discuss remaking movies with babies. The episode concludes with a discussion on Oscars fatigue and an announcement of an upcoming Union Hall event.

Real life lovers Murf Meyer and Diana Kolsky join the hosts to discuss the faith-biased alien invasion movie 'Signs.' They explore the movie's reception, Mel Gibson's filmography, and surprising dramatic acting. The hosts also delve into surreal moments, speculate on the existence of aliens, and discuss casting choices. They analyze themes of fatherhood and family in the filmmaker's movies and explore his Catholic background. Lots of interesting insights and anecdotes in this episode!

Film critic Matt Patches joins Griffin and David to discuss the film 'Unbreakable'. They explore its redeeming qualities, compare it to Marvel superhero movies, and analyze its visual language. They also touch on recurring themes in Shyamalan's films and the performance of Spencer Treat Clark. A twist? Listen as they unpack the making and reception of 'Unbreakable'.