The Fourth Annual Blank Check Awards

Angels and devils

**The Fourth Annual Blank Check Awards** (also known as **The Blankies** - not to be confused with "blankies" who are fans of the podcast) is episode 204 and the fourth entry in the series of standalone Blankies episodes, where Griffin, David, and guest Joe Reid get to "pick the Oscars!" and reveal their picks for the best in film in 2018. Posted February 17, 2019.

## Summary

> Griffin and David welcome back Joe Reid for the 4th annual Blankie Awards where together they present their own personal nominations and winners for the upcoming 91st Academy Awards. This roundtable discussion looks at all the major categories, as well as, references deep cut cinema from 2018 you may have missed.
>
>

These guys.... there is so much far-ranging and freewheeling discussion of all these films and performances. Give it a listen for all the details.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* the long-awaited return of a nickname for Producer Ben: The Booker
* No bit is retired forever, says Reiding RainJoe
* One more year until Joe makes the Five Timers Club!
* Check out Joe's podcast **This Had Oscar Buzz**, it's right up Blankies' alley. Twitter, webpage, iTunes
* More information to be filled in over time with re-listens
* Several movies were nominated that have been previously covered on the show:
	+ *A Star Is Born*, a Standalone episode
	+ *Mission: Impossible - Fallout*, part of the Mission: Impossible commentaries
	+ *Black Panther*, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe commentaries
* Nominee *The Old Man and the Gun* was directed by past and future guest David Lowery

## More Awards

**2018 Putterers and Murmurers Award**

* Bradley Cooper, *A Star Is Born*

**Honorable Mentions:**

* Jennifer Jason Leigh, *Annihilation*
* Jeffery Wright, *Hold The Dark*
* Christian Bale, *Vice*
* Helena Marcos, *Suspiria*
* Kirin Kiki, *Shoplifters*

**Joe's Scumbum Awards**

* Joaquin Phoenix, *You Were Never Really Here*
* Richard E Grant, *Can You Ever Forgive Me?*
* Nicole Kidman, *Destroyer*

## Ben's Awards

*Editorial Note: As ever, we remind listeners that no typed-out description can ever do justice to Ben. Ever. Do yourself a favor and (re-)listen to the episodes!*

**Films That Should Be Remade With Babies, Animals, Puppets, Fruit, Clowns, or Maybe Throw A Couple Robots In There**

* Widows, with babies
* Isle of Dogs, but the problematic humans are also dogs, and the main dogs are big
* Mid90s, with puppets
* Crazy Rich Asians, with fruit
* Ready Player One, with clowns
* Mary Poppins Returns, with a couple robots

**The Wetties, Slickest Flicks of the Year**

* Serenity, Salty Dogs
* Venom, he's sticky
* The Favourite, gross wet
* A Star Is Born, Jackson Maine is so drunk, he's wet with booze

**Should've Had Jared Leto In It**

* Category removed this year, because blech

**He Thicc Award**

* Christian Bale, Vice

**Ummm... No Thank You**

* Bohemian Rhapsody, bloated biopic directed by a rapist
* Roma, \*snoring sound effects\*
* Green Book, lost him at "Book"
* At Eternity's Gate, sounds too long
* Can You Ever Forgive Me? NO! Thank You!

### Sponsors

* Bruce Willis with all his trademark flair and style talks about the male health and wellness outfit **Hims** (promo code CHECK) in exchange for his standard fee of several suitcases of cash. Then he dies in a puddle.
* Bruce Willis comes back, and this time he does a dynamic ad read for **Talkspace**. (promo code: CHECK) Then he dies in a puddle again.
* It's Checkie! What a relief! He whirls in for a high-energy.... introduction of Bruce Willis and immediately departs while Bruce does a freebie endorsement of **Away luggage**. (promo code: CHECK) Then Producer Ben pushes Bruce down into a puddle.

## References

1. ↑ The Fourth Annual Blank Check Awards on Audioboom