Blank Check with Griffin & David

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'.

Katey Rich, a film critic for Vanity Fair, joins the discussion to dissect M. Night Shyamalan's influential film, The Sixth Sense. She explains how the unknown director secured a $3 million deal with Disney and touches on the significance of the color red throughout the film. The group dives into Toni Collette's standout performance and the nostalgia of 1999's cinematic landscape, while also teasing the director's later works. They explore box office stats and the evolution of twist endings, reflecting on the cultural impact that The Sixth Sense left on Hollywood.

Join the hosts as they delve into the early works of M. Night Shyamalan, particularly 'Praying with Anger' and 'Wide Awake.' They explore how these films shaped his career and discuss themes of cultural identity, family influences, and the tension between art and commercial success. With anecdotes from their own experiences at NYU and humorous takes on Valentine's Day gifts, they also highlight the nostalgic impact of 90s icons like Rosie O'Donnell. Enjoy a mix of deep analysis and lighthearted banter!

Blank Check is a podcast about filmographies - specifically, the filmographies of directors who've achieved massive success early on, and then were given a series of "blank checks" by the Hollywood establishment to make whatever crazy passion projects they wanted. Sometimes those checks clear (think James Cameron and "Avatar"), and sometimes they bounce, baby (like M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water"). Join hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims each week as they trace the arcs of the most intriguing directorial careers with hilarious guests and a wealth of inside knowledge. You'll never watch movies the same way again.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