recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Something's Gotta Give

**Something's Gotta Give** is episode 189 focusing on the 2003 film of the same name as part of the Something's Podda Cast miniseries. Posted October 28, 2018.

## Summary

>
> Bobby Finger (Who? Weekly podcast) returns to Blank Check for a discussion of 2003’s aging romance, *Something's Gotta Give*. Together they examine Bobby’s passion for Meyers’ films, Crazy Town’s “Butterfly” and the careers of Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Box office game: Weekend of December 12, 2003

## References

1. ↑ Something's Gotta Give on Audioboom.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

**Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb** (also known as simply **Dr. Strangelove**) is episode 395 focusing on the 1964 film of the same name as part of Pods Wide Cast miniseries on the films of Stanley Kubrick. Posted October 2, 2022.

## Summary

>
> Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, Sean Fennessey is finally on our podcast! The Big Picture Pod host joins Griffin and David to talk about Kubrick’s razor-sharp satire, the Peter Sellers tour-de-force that is “Dr. Strangelove”. We’re asking all the questions - Could Sellers have played \*every\* character in this movie? Is the film paradoxically funnier because Kubrick isn’t really a comedy guy? Would George C. Scott hate this podcast? Would you give “Tom Jones” a middling three stars on Letterboxd? And more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Laughs
* Some Tim Robinson talk, and they teased more to come!
* Jiminy Glick interviews Nathan Lane about George C. Scott
* As promised, #TheTwoFriends were on The Big Picture talkin 'Tar

#### Box Office Game

1964

1. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
2. Tom Jones
3. Dr. Strangelove
4. Seven Days in May
5. The Cardinal

* Other movies in the top 10: Man's Favorite Sport?, Love with the Proper Stranger, The Victors, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, Sunday in New York

### Sponsors

* BC fave MUBI is back, specifically about the upcoming Park Chan-Wook film *Decision to Leave*!
* A surprise second sponsor?? Congratulations!

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Dr. Strangelove. Audioboom. Retrieved on October 2, 2022.
Point Break

* Pod break!
* Pod-19

**Point Break** is episode 130 focusing on the 1991 movie of the same name, as part of the Pod-19: The Widowcaster miniseries covering the filmography of Kathryn Bigelow. Posted October 8, 2017.

## Summary

>
> Writer/Performer Lux Alptraum joins Griffin and David to discuss 1991’s iconic surf heist, *Point Break*. But is this one of the sexiest boy films of all time? Is Bigelow a nihilist or a realist? Is Bodhi’s ultimate plan really just death by giant wave? Together they discuss the career trajectories of Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves and Lori Petty, the Fast and the Furious franchise basically being a carbon copy and how the directing of this movie makes everyone want to move to California, learn to surf and eat 2 meatball subs.
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Lux Alptraum is on board for this episode, about the movie that earned Kathryn Bigelow her blank check.

Sexy sexy sexy movie! But is this movie sexual, erotic, or romantic? Why in the world did Bigelow insist on putting Keanu Reeves in an action movie role, which he'd never done before? Is John C. McGinley a secret ingredient for everything he's in? What influence might James Cameron have had on this project, subconsciously and/or overtly? What is a blue flame special? How much of an homage to (or ripoff of) this movie is *The Fast and the Furious*?

To review: this movie is hot, it's a star-making role for Keanu, a career highlight for Swayze, a blank check earner for Bigelow. Everyone on the mic in this one was all in on this one. And even those not on the mic were excited - check out Pat Reynolds with the episode-specific artwork.

Stay tuned at the end after the Box Office Game: a special bonus "flip-the-script" Box Office Game!

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben's thoughts: Wait, Lori Petty is Tank Girl? Awesome 90's girl.
* Lux knowingly doing Blank Check bits: TWISTED
* Meatball subs: delicious
* The most Griffin role in the film: the security guard who tells everyone to don't do anything, just let them go
* Ben's 90's Technology Corner: MS-DOS-based computers, that video thing which isn't VHS but even Ben doesn't know what it is
* Box office game: Weekend of July 12, 1991
	+ Same game as Boyz n the Hood! What a weekend!
* In the Spreadmaster's Delight episode, Griffin and David nominated it for Best Sound 1991.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Point Break. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 26, 2021.
Showgirls

* Pod Boys
* Podship Casters

**Showgirls** (also known as **Podboys**) is episode 147 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the Podship Casters miniseries covering the Hollywood years of Paul Verhoeven. Posted February 11, 2018.

## Summary

>
> Caroline Framke (Vox) joins Griffin and David to discuss 1995’s iconic erotic drama *Showgirls*. But was screenwriter Eszterhas’ original pitch scribbled on a cocktail napkin? Is this film a parable for Hollywood? Where is the character Nomi from? Together they examine Caroline’s experience seeing this movie for the first time at a screening in a Hollywood cemetery with Elizabeth Berkley, really aggressive dry humping and different places!
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Caroline Framke joins #TheTwoFriends to discuss the first studio-funded NC-17 movie (and huge flop on initial release), Showgirls. Caroline also related her unique experience of seeing the film for the first time: at a screening in a Hollywood cemetery with 4000 drunk people, on the 20th anniversary of the movie's release, with Elizabeth Berkeley as an introductory speaker. Can't beat that!

"This movie starts at the bottom, and goes lower." Griffin and David began this miniseries with the basic building block of 'Paul Verhoeven is Goldmember from Austin Powers.' By this point, however, he is more of a trickster imp who makes a basic pitch to studios, takes their money, and then cackles devilishly and scampers off to make movies about the most base and terrible aspects of human nature.

Poor earnest Elizabeth Berkley. Listen to the list of actors who turned down her part - did they all foresee how poorly Verhoeven would represent them on screen? Berkley got a lot of blame for this financial flop, maybe undeservedly so - did she ever get her career back on track, and were Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, and Paul Verhoeven affected at all? This is movie is NC-17 with a ton of sex and nudity - in what ways does it subvert the titillation to a point where even teenage boys are aghast? This is another insane Joe Eszterhas script - what was he on?

Will Sarah Huckabee Sanders or Elizabeth Berkley be the president of the USA by the time this recorded-far-in-advance episode is released? (spoiler alert)

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Eating on-mic: yes (Griffin with a white cheddar bagel twist, Caroline with skittles).
* David's celebrity lookalike, according to a random woman on the subway: Blake Shelton.
* David's sex philosophy: do whatever you like to do, as long as everyone's happy and warm.
* Box office game: Weekend of September 22, 1995

## Sponsors

Sponsored by Blue Apron. The ghost of Julia Child rings the doorbell and visits the studio - she is tormented by being unable to go shopping for food with her ghost hands. David offers up the idea of Blue Apron, which sends fresh ingredients for recipes right to your door. $30 off for listeners, blueapron.com/check. And with that, Ghost Julia departs with her friend Casper. Twist! (Jon Favreau's character in *Chef*, not the friendly ghost one. Double twist!)

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Showgirls. audioboom. Retrieved on May 21, 2022.
Wonder Woman 1984

Blank Check 1984

**Wonder Woman 1984** (also known as **Blank Check 1984** or **BC84**) is episode 305 focusing on the 2020 film of the same name, as part of the podcast's continuing coverage of the The PodDCEU Cast. Posted January 3, 2021.

## Summary

>
> On the week of its release in December of 2020, Griffin and David discussed *Wonder Woman 1984*. Together they examine the heated online discourse, Wiig's film career post-SNL, the state of the superhero movie and of course wish stones and how they work!
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> Special thanks to The Great American Novel for the new studio version of the theme song! Please check out their music on Bandcamp and Spotify.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* This is the first episode as a newly independent podcast and with the new re-recorded theme song.
* The rules don't make sense and Griffin *doesn't* like it.
* Box office game: Weekend of December 25, 2020

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Wonder Woman 1984. Audioboom. Retrieved on January 3, 2021.
Stoker

**Stoker** is episode 439 focusing on the 2013 film of the same name as part of the I'm a Podcast, But That's OK miniseries on the films of Park Chan-wook. Posted August 20, 2023.

## Summary

> Remember when the star of TV’s Prison Break (Wentworth Miller, “human map”) wrote a screenplay that landed on the Black List and ended up serving as the material for Park Chan-Wook’s only English film to date? What a time to be alive! Mia Wasikowska superfan Emily St. James returns to Blank Check to offer her take on 2013’s Stoker, a movie that is not NOT about vampires. Join us as we fawn over Park’s stunning directorial choices (that shot where Nicole Kidman’s hair transitions into grass!), go long on 2000s TV series (Prison Break obviously, but also In Treatment), and listen with delight as Emily shares some crucial David Sims lore.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Stoker: (*n.*) one who stokes.
* Emily breaks her good, bad, good, bad streak by becoming Blank Check's resident Mia Wasikowska expert!
* David's first child: The International Cinephile Society
* Box Office Game: Weekend of March 1, 2013

### Sponsors

* More Griffin-less ad reads! Likely recorded while he was in Edinburgh with the George Lucas Talk Show.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Stoker. Audioboom. Retrieved on August 21, 2023.
Starlee Kine

**Starlee Kine** is a podcaster and writer.

## Biography

Starlee has worked for NPR on shows like *This American Life*, created the podcast *Mystery Show*, and most recently co-hosts *Election Profit Makers* alongside fellow guest David Rees.

Starlee also wrote for *Search Party* on televison created by Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers. Currently she is writing a podcast series for Audible and for season 3 of *Dave*.

She is a Blankie.

## Appearances

### Main Feed

She acknowledged during The Gift that her brand on the pod seems to be attempted semi-prestige thrillers.
Rachel Jacobs

Rachel and The Pro-doer

**Rachel Jacobs** is a producer emerita of Blank Check. She worked at Audioboom on the show with Producer Ben.

## Biography

Rachel Jacobs aka "Other Rachel" is a podcaster and radio enthusiast who resides in Brooklyn, NY. She currently works as an associate producer at a podcast corporation that you've heard of, but she does many side projects, including puzzle rooms, fermenting, and the occasional design work.

In her free time, Rachel is an avid Zombie Runner, reader, and coffee drinker.

Currently she produces shows for Big Giant Head, aka the production company of the McElroy Family.

## References

1. ↑ Audioboom on Twitter: "Meet the producers! Rachel Jacobs and @benhosley are the folks behind some of your favorite #AudioboomOriginals like @blankcheckpod, #Covert,
@inboxpodcast, #ItsHappening with @snooki & @joeycamasta, #Mafia and @nightcallpodcast!" Retrieved April 6, 2022.
2. ↑ Rachel Jacobs, About. Rachel-Jacobs.com. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
Talking the Walk (Episode)

**Talking the Walk** is episode 1 of the secret Talking the Walk podcast hosted by JD Amato. Posted December 27, 2020, the same day as The Walk.

## Summary

>
> MISTE BLANKIE
>
> YOU COULD HAVE STOPPED
> ME. I GAVE YOU ALL THE
> CLUES. I recorded a secret hour
> long interview w/ Kevin Baillie
> VFX Supervisor for The Walk. The
> only way to access it is via
> the clues left in your podcast
> XOXO,
> GOSSIP MAN
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* One of a few episodes to have specific merchandise based on it. A Talking the Walk 2020 t-shirt is available through the podcast's shop and features an edited version of JD's Gossip Man note.
* His *first gig* was The Phantom Menace
* The effects budget was in the mid- to high-teens!!

## References

1. ↑ Talking the Walk. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
Planet of the Apes (miniseries)

*This article is a stub. You can help Blank Check with Griffin and David Wiki by expanding it.*
*This article is about the commentary miniseries on the Planet of the Apes series from 1968-1973. For the 2001 Tim Burton film see Planet of the Apes (2001). For other uses see Planet of the Apes (disambiguation).*

## Planet of the Apes (miniseries)

### Followed By

Ocean's

**Planet of the Apes** (also known as **Classic Planet of the Apes**) is a commentary miniseries as part of the Blank Check: Special Features covering the *Planet of the Apes* films made between 1968 and 1973.

## Summary

*Planet of the Apes* appeared three times in the Special Features March Madness tournaments in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In its first two years it lost in the first round, in the final year it lost in the championship round to the Roger Moore Bonds.

## Ranking The Franchise

At the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies rankings will compiled from a voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit.
The Beginning of the End

**The Beginning of the End** is episode 24 and the first part of the Revenge of The Podcast miniseries. Posted 21 September 2015.

## Summary

>
> The year was 2005. George Lucas returned with the third (and final) film in the Star Wars series: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Again, taking in the criticism from the previous two productions, has the director finally found a focus? Is this a good conclusion to the Phantom Menace series?
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> Griffin and David begin their investigation with the opening battle sequence. And as is tradition of stunning off screen action, the movie starts at the END of the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are in space fighters, R2D2 is basically Inspector Gadget now and every 45 seconds a new droid is introduced with the intention of later being merchandised. Also, we meet new characters General Grievous (the limping, coughing leader of the droid army) and a surfer Gungan. Plus, discover Chancellor Palpatine has been kidnapped by Count Dooku (who may have lost his head.) Join your hosts in this week’s episode as they try to take it all in.
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How is this movie's editing like Spielberg's *1941*? What is going on with R2 - why is he suddenly like Inspector Gadget, and why is he disquietingly violent all of a sudden? Did this movie's f/x eventually lead to the bunny ears filters on Facetime and Instagram? Jar Jar Binks got all the worst publicity, but is General Grievous worse? (Find out for sure in Our Performance Review 3.0.)

### Milestones and Ephemera

* 5-star reviews: 24
* 1-star reviews: 1
* New policy: if you're a Sith Lord, you're not allowed to listen to this show anymore. Done!
* Eating on-mic: yes, and purposefully (peanuts, by Griffin)
* *Transformers: Dark of the Moon* - not a masterpiece, but really good
* Hit the center eye!

## Quotes

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> | David: |  This beginning is like a cartoon. It's like an episode of Samurai Jack.
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> | Griffin: |  There are two different Clone Wars shows, one directed by Genndy Tartakovsky who's one of, I would contend, our finest living filmmakers.
> | David: |  I mean... he doesn't make films, but sure.
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> | Griffin: |  Metal gets cold! Grievous needs a cape. This all tracks for me.
> | David: |  Ugh. You're my least favorite person.
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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Beginning of the End. Audioboom. Retrieved on August 29, 2022.
The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan

**The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan** is episode 51 focusing on the TV "documentary" of the same name, as part of the Pod Night Shyamacast miniseries covering the filmography of M. Night Shyamalan. Posted 12 Apr 2016.

## Summary

> "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."
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This was made for the Sci-Fi Channel, back when it had a cool logo and didn't have a silly name like Syfy. This "documentary" was embroiled in controversy from the very start... just not for the right reasons. When it aired, the over/under on viewership was probably around two people; and to give you some idea of its status today, well, you can find it split into segments on Youtube.

The multiple-Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn directed this. What? How?! Why?!?!

On TV it was *three hours* *long*?

Wait a minute... Griffin was IN this thing when he was a newly formed teenager? What's the story on that?

Which megastar appears in this special, out of nowhere, and actually turns in the best "acting" performance?

Was this an unparalleled exercise in narcissistic publicity?

So many questions about this piece of content... Griffin and David do their best to answer them.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* new nickname for the producer: Ben Night Shyamalan
* Blocked Griffin on Twitter: Lights Camera Jackson
* Go watch the documentary "My Architect" to see Nathaniel Kahn put his talents to better use. You'll learn a little bit about the best architect of modern times.

## References

1. ↑ The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan on Audioboom.
The Holiday

**The Holiday** is episode 190 focusing on the 2006 movie of that same name, as part of the Something's Podda Cast miniseries on the filmography of Nancy Meyers. Posted 4 November 2018.

## Summary

At one point in the show's history, apparently Griffin and David were shopping the show around to see what was out there for podcast networks, and met with someone who went over the listener metrics to see what kind of numbers Blank Check got on various episodes. This person asked, 'Hey, who was your guest for this episode you did on Aliens? You should get them in every week, because that one got great ratings.' And because #TheTwoFriends are great businessmen who are so great at business things, they took two and a half years to have that person back on the show.

Welcome back, Fran Hoepfner! She's situated in NYC for the first time, so now she's a superfan of the Yankees. And also a fan of trash everywhere.

So here we go with The Holiday. A movie that David watched in theaters, on a date, and he thought it was so bad that it made him upset and angry. That date must've gone well.

Was this the last appearance of Jude Law, Leading Man, and is he Daddy? Has Cameron Diaz played all mean characters in the past 15 years of her career? Did Kate Winslet regret her decision to make The Holiday her first big role in a studio movie since Titanic? Why didn't Eli Wallach ever get an Oscar? How did Ed Burns get his career jumpstarted, and is he from Brooklyn? Does anyone in the Audioboom Studio agree with anyone else about any of the performances in this thing?

Is John Krasinski.... in *The Holiday*.... the Adam Driver of Lincoln.... of 2006?

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Griffin watched this movie with his girlfriend ~~(humblebrag)~~ (Retired bit.)
* Eating on-mic: yes (Griffin, with a white cheddar bagel twist)
* Yelling at a ditch: a very Jersey thing to do
* this installment of "Kitchen Corner with Romilly Newman": transitioned into via discussion of suicide by oven
* the diametric types of all British people, according to this movie: complete sops, or complete jerks
* wish they could have gotten a Nancy Meyers rom-com vehicle, if not for the death of the genre: Jennifer Lawrence, John Krasinski, Gal Godot, Chris Pine, or any of the Chrises really
* CGI budget: half for snow, half for touchups to extend Eli Wallach's earlobes
* Venom: got a rude 'tude. Or he's a li'l stinker. Or basically Poochie. Or a Bernie Bro.
* Box office game: Weekend of December 8, 2006
Spider-Man 2

*This article is about the main feed episode on Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2. For other episodes about the friendly, neighborhood superhero, see Spider-Man.*

## Spider-Man 2

### Audio link

Soundcloud
 Audioboom

### Sponsors

Indeed
Stamps.com
Brooklinen

**Spider-Man 2** is episode 377 focusing on the 2004 film of the same name as part of Podcast Me to Hell miniseries on the films of Sam Raimi. Posted May 29, 2022.

## Summary

>
> For a while, “Spider-Man 2” was considered the high water mark for superhero movies - but does it hold up 14 years deep into the MCU? We’ve got two words for you - ALFRED MOLINA. Self-professed “Blank Check rabble rouser” Chris Gethard returns to the pod (and apologizes to the Blankie Community) as we trace the history and legacy of this iconic Spidey sequel. We love this movie so much, David doesn’t even care that the subway sequence isn’t accurate to New York! Other topics covered - why Aunt May should always be elderly and fragile, Tobey’s near-firing from the franchise, Mr Ditkovich Memes, our comic book villain rankings, and more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Mr Ditkovich Memes
* Griffy has COVID.
* Geth apologizes for his last appearance and then he drops it! Never once brings it up again.
* Box-Office Game: Weekend of July 2, 2004

### Sponsors

* J. Jonah Jameson calls in to try and hire Spider-Man so he can fire Spider-Man. He also disagrees with established canon, and claims is full name is Jonah Jonah Jameson.
* JJJ calls back and claims to be Spider-Man?!
* JJJ calls back again. Wow he’s got an axe to grind with this spidery fellow.

## Quotes

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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Spider-Man 2. Audioboom. Retrieved on May 29, 2022.
The Mummy (2017) Commentary

**The Mummy (2017)** is episode 114 of Blank Check: Special Features and about 2017 film of the same name as part of the The Mummy commentary miniseries. Posted November 1, 2021.

## Summary

>
> BC:SF is kicking off November with the 2017 Mummy reboot, the first (and probably last tbh) release in Dark Universe franchise. Topics include: Tom Cruise hanging on to being a leading man, favorite celebrity kids, good sirens, the Jekyll and Hyde Club and more!
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> **Movie starts at…22:50**
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## References

1. ↑ The Mummy (2017) on Patreon. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
Poetic Justice

**Poetic Justice** is episode 324 focusing on the 1993 film of the same name as part of the Podz n the Cast miniseries on the films of John Singleton. Posted May 16, 2021.

## Summary

>
> Jourdain Searles (Bad Romance Pod) joins The Two Friends to discuss “Poetic Justice” - a film that is NOT about Janet Jackson teaching a poetry class, contrary to Griffin’s assumption. The episode also features a delightful Billy Zane tangent and includes probably the most Maya Angelou poetry of any Blank Check installment yet.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* K. Austin Collins' In Memoriam piece for Vanity Fair: What Hollywood Owes to John Singleton
* Tank Girl!!
* More Billy Zane talk!
* A Thin Line Between Love & Hate poster
* Box office game: Weekend of July 23, 1993

## Quotes

>
>
> | Griffin: |  —on this episode of... Blank Check with Griffin and David. I'm Griffin.
> | David: | *DAVID* ... I'm David.
> | David: |  I tried to get in so quickly I forgot to say *I'm*.
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> | David: |  Were you a high school poet, Ben?
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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Poetic Justice with Jourdain Searles. Audioboom. Retrieved on May 16, 2021.
2. ↑ K. Austin Collins. What Hollywood Owes to John Singleton. Vanity Fair. Retrieved on May 16, 2021.
Stephen Sajdak

**Stephen Sajdak** (@stephensajdak on Twitter) is a founding member of the Private Cabin comedy troupe and has been writing and performing with them since 2004. He's been improvising since 2008 and has trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade and Magnet theaters in New York. He performs regularly with the improv troupe, Swartzlander, at venues in New York and all around the east coast. He is also one of the co-hosts of the podcast We Hate Movies with Andrew Jupin, Chris Cabin, and Eric Szyszka.

Stephen is a guest on the Total Recall episode, together with one of his WHM co-hosts Andrew Jupin.
Sully

**This article is a disambiguation page for Sully**

The following is a list of links to pages that might share the same title.

Please follow one of the disambiguation links below or search to find the page you were looking for if it is not listed. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

* For the live show, see Sully - Blank Check LIVE!
* For the glossary term, see Sully
Podship Casters

Look at this artwork by Pat Reynolds. Behold the beauty.

**Podship Casters** is a miniseries focusing on the English-language films of Paul Verhoeven; i.e. the films made in Hollywood.

## Summary

Paul Verhoeven was an accomplished film director in his native Netherlands. So why did he move to Hollywood mid-career, and what did he learn about filmmaking while in America? How does he keep managing to get funding for his projects, which seemingly grow increasingly bonkers as time goes on? What's up with his seemingly sour view on most parts of humanity, and how is he different from other filmmakers with some similar traits, say, Lars von Trier or Werner Herzog? Many of his films have had strong satirical elements, but did he lose touch with how that satire would be received by audiences or was it his own directorial touch that he lost - essentially, whose fault was it when some of his later movies flopped critically and popularly?

#TheTwoFriends note that Verhoeven's movies have some very difficult and uncomfortable material in them - often of a sexual and violent nature - so be warned. Producer Ben was noticeably shaken by watching the first movie in this miniseries, so it can have an effect even on the most unflappable of professionals.

This miniseries is preceded by Pod-19: The Widowcaster miniseries on the films of Kathryn Bigelow. It is followed by the Podcast News miniseries, on the films of James L. Brooks.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* ***Again, please proceed with caution if sexual violence is a trigger for you!***
* The Dutch Verhoeven films were part of the 20th Century Bracket in March Madness 2022, but he got absolutely poleaxed by early Spielberg in round 1.
* Producer Ben nickname: **RoboHoz**

## Ranking His Filmography

* Griffin and David shared their rankings towards the end of the *Elle* episode. As a guest on that episode, Emily Yoshida also offered her list though she did so with the caveats that she had not seen two of the films, and that her rankings were off-the-cuff.
* Only the films watched during the miniseries were ranked - no Dutch films, no *Black Book*.
* After the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies rankings were compiled from the Reddit voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit, where the results were also later posted.
The Beach

**The Beach** (also known as **Da Beach**) is episode 413 focusing on the 2000 film of the same name as part of Trainspodcasting miniseries on the films of Danny Boyle. Posted February 19, 2023.

## Summary

>
> Mother is back, and she’s taking us all to THE BEACH! Emily Yoshida makes her long-awaited return to the pod to speak about her experience in the writer’s room of the still-unproduced TV version of Alex Garland’s titular novel. We’re asking all the big questions - when did Leonardo DiCaprio stop being “baby” and become a big boy on screen? Why is no one practicing ethical non-monogamy or doing heroin on this island? Is it cool to like Moby again after that weird Natalie Portman thing? How would starring in this movie have affected Ewan McGregor’s career? Why stay in a commune with a bunch of dirty European hippies when you could just go to a resort with real bathrooms?
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Welcome to the Five-Timer's Club, Leonardo DiCaprio!
* Leo: still baby
* Favorite DiCaprio performances: Griffin - *Catch Me If You Can*, David - *Shutter Island*, Emily - *Romeo + Juliet*, Ben - *The Wolf of Wall Street*
* Emily's appearance on The Keep RPG episode is out from behind the paywall! Listen to it!!
* NOT A RECURRING CHARACTER: Griffin's Naked Neighbor
* Movie: Not nearly as gnarly as the novel
* Alex Garland Knows You Might Hate *Men*
* Asterix might be in the Special Features March Madness 2023 bracket!!
* Box office game: Weekend of February 11, 2000.

### Sponsors

* David's Gut calls on behalf of Indeed. Sounds a bit like Peter Lorre/Watto/Ren.
* MUBI recommendations: To Sleep with Anger, Diamantino, Tangerine, Away from Her, Modern Romance!

## Quotes

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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Beach. Audioboom. Retrieved on February 19, 2023.
2. ↑ David Sims. Alex Garland Knows You Might Hate *Men*. The Atlantic. Retrieved on February 19, 2023.
Singles

**Singles** is episode 64 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the We Pod A Cast miniseries covering the filmography of Cameron Crowe. Posted June 30, 2016.

## Summary

>
> Griffin and David look to Crowe’s next film, 1992’s Grunge-tinged romcom Singles. But how realistically does this movie, set in Seattle, portray yuppie culture? Who the hell is actor Campbell Scott and why is he in a leading role? What’s with Producer Ben’s fascination with 90’s technology? Together, they examine making out with Paul Giamatti, various grunge musician cameos, “super” trains and terrible 90’s fashion. Also, a very special edition of Burger Report/Orange Twist Files.
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## References

1. ↑ Singles on Audioboom. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
Stuart Wellington

{
**Stuart Wellington** is a podcaster and bar-owner, and cohost of The Flop House with Dan McCoy and Elliott Kalan

## Biography

Stuart and his wife Sharlene own several bars in Brooklyn including Mini's Bar and Hinterlands. He's a fan of horror movies, particularly ones where someone's ding dong gets ripped off. Or not?
Podcast Me to Hell

**Podcast Me to Hell** is a miniseries covering the films of Sam Raimi beginning in March 2022.

## Summary

The miniseries was announced during March Madness 2022.  Raimi had twice appeared in March Madness tournaments. In 2018 he beat Warren Beatty in the first round, Joe Dante in the second, and was eliminated by the bracket winner Nancy Meyers in the third. In 2019 he beat Elaine May in the first round, Michael Bay in the second, Francis Ford Coppola in the third, and was eliminated by the bracket winner Jonathan Demme in the fourth. At that point, the friends decided they'd cover him eventually (i.e. whenever he released a new movie).

The titular inspiration is the film *Drag Me to Hell*. The series was preceded by The Podcastiano on the films of Jane Campion. It is followed by Pod That Jazzcast on the films of Bob Fosse.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben's super sweaty miniseries name suggestion: Spider-Pod 3 Cast
* Lots of talk about the weirdest/most awesome housemates ever: Raimi, the Coen Brothers, Frances McDormand, Holly Hunter, Kathy Bates.
* Ben Nickname: **Hoz the Great and Powerful**.
	+ Rejected nickname based on Ben's sweaty miniseries name suggestion: Spider-Ben 3 Hosley.

## Ranking His Filmography

At the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies' rankings will be compiled from a voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit.  The host and guest rankings were given on the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness episode and everyone forgot Darkman. Whoops? Griffin and David's updated rankings are taken from their respective Letterboxd lists.

## References

1. ↑ @blankcheckpod. Tweet Mar 9, 2022. Twitter. Retrieved on March 10, 2022. “Taking a break from March Madness to announce...

PODCAST ME TO HELL: BLANK CHECK PRESENTS THE FILMS OF SAM RAIMI

We're gonna be talking Spider-Man and Bruce Campbell with some \*really\* fantastic guests over the next few months - get excited!”
2. ↑ u/mi-16evil. What is your Sam Raimi ranking?. reddit. Retrieved on June 26, 2022.
3. ↑ u/dm\_your\_thesis. Sam Raimi aggregated Ranking of Madness. reddit. Retrieved on July 26, 2022.
4. ↑ Griffin Newman. RAIMI LIST. Letterboxd. Retrieved on June 27, 2022.
5. ↑ David Sims. Sam Raimi Rankings. Letterboxd. Retrieved on June 26, 2022.
The Devil Wears Prada

**The Devil Wears Prada** (also known as **The Devil Casts Poda**) is episode 126 and a standalone episode and the first Family's Choice, as well as the first Romilly Newman's choice.

## Summary

>
> This week’s special episode is our first ever family edition with sister of Griffin, Romilly Newman, who picked one of her favorite films: 2006’s fashionable dramedy, *The Devil Wears Prada*. But is Runway magazine an accurate interpretation of Vogue magazine? Whatever happened to movies debuting the newest cell phones? What were other films the brother and sister watched together? Together they discuss, Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep’s career trajectory, Halloween costumes, email hustling, and the montages oh the montages. And check out Romilly’s writing at http://www.romillynewman.com/
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* The shot of the scarves is the definition of too much paprika on the sandwich.
* Box office game: Weekend of June 30, 2006.

## Quotes

>
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>
Romilly Newman

**Romilly Newman** is a food blogger from New York City and the younger sister of Blank Check co-host Griffin Newman.

## History

She was part of the inaugural Family's Choice episode of the show. She decided that she wanted to discuss The Devil Wears Prada, a movie she found professionally inspiring despite her young age at the release of the film.
Blank Check listeners can look forward to Romilly's insights on the opulent kitchens on display in March Madness winner Nancy Meyers' movies when the show tackles that filmography in October 2018.

According to long-time brother of hers Griffin, Romilly's favorite romantic comedy of her lifetime is the 2009 Sandra Bullock/Ryan Reynolds vehicle, *The Proposal*.
The Mummy

**The Mummy** (also known as **The MUMMP**) is a miniseries as part of the Blank Check: Special Features covering the Mummy movie franchise.

## Summary

The commentary miniseries began in September 2021. The franchise was featured in the Special Features March Madness 2021 tournament, losing in the final round to The Twilight Saga.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* In the round 1 poll on patreon, there was a typo and listed THE MUMMP instead of THE MUMMY.  Thusly for the rest of the tournament Mummy fans were part of the MUMMP Hive.

## Ranking The Filmography

At the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies rankings will compiled from a voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit.

## References

1. ↑ MARCH MADNESS 2021 - MATCHUP #9, Patreon. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
The error has since been corrected.
2. ↑ MARCH MADNESS 2021 - MATCHUP #10, Patreon. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
You can see it referenced in the announcement of the Mummy's victory on the subsequent day's poll.
Unrest In The Galactic Senate

**Unrest In The Galactic Senate** is episode 13 and the first installment of the Attack of the Podcast miniseries. Posted June 22 2015.

## Summary

>
> The year was 2002. It had been 3 years since the Phantom Menace. George Lucas returned with his second Star Wars release: *Episode II - Attack of the Clones*. But did ol’ George learn his lesson and adjust to some of the issues that critics and fans had with the previous film? Is there a clear answer to what this movie is about, or rather is this a good sequel to *The Phantom Menace*? Who are the clones anyway, and what are they attacking?
>
>
> Griffin and David (having discovered this sequel) are excited to return to their investigation, and in this week’s episode, they dive back in looking at the first 25 minutes - up until the first crazy edit (the 'hands of a clock' wipe). Join your hosts as they get reintroduced to Padmé, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jar Jar Binks, and a now grown-up Anakin Skywalker. #TheTwoFriends discuss the assassination attempts, why Anakin has become such a jerk, and what message Lucas has inserted in the film in regards to smoking cigarettes AKA 'death sticks.' Also: should Griffin’s merch spotlight continue as a segment, and #PadmeDolezal - Yes Or No?
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This is the episode when Griffin says that his agents advised him not to do a movie podcast because he is liable to say something that will cause him to miss out on potential acting roles. Thirty seconds later he states explicitly for the record that "*Jurassic World'*s a piece of shit and I hope Colin Trevorrow doesn't hire me." Nope, Ben, don't cut that out, keep it in.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Obi-Wan: Qui-Gon'd
* Anakin: Obi-Wan'd
* Suggested Anakins who would've been way better than those considered by Lucasfilm: Ryan Gosling, Heath Ledger

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Unrest In The Galactic Senate. Audioboom. Retrieved on August 30, 2022.
Tatiana Maslany

**Tatiana Maslany** is an actress.

## Biography

Tatiana is best known for her work on *Orphan Black* and *She-Hulk*. She is an Emmy winner and is helping the two friends obtain their guest EGOT. More importantly, she is a Blankie nominee for her work in *Stronger* at The Third Annual Blank Check Awards. She is married to fellow guest Brendan Hines.
Star Wars

**This article is a disambiguation page for Star Wars**

The following is a list of links to pages that might share the same title.

Please follow one of the disambiguation links below or search to find the page you were looking for if it is not listed. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

**Star Wars** may refer to:

* Star Wars Commentary, episode 46 of Blank Check: Special Features covering *Star Wars: A New Hope*.
* The Star Wars Sequels, ongoing miniseries.
* The Phantom Podcast miniseries covering *Star Wars: The Phantom Menace*.
* Attack of the Podcast miniseries covering *Star Wars: Attack of the Clones*.
* Revenge of the Podcast miniseries covering *Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith*.
Strange Days

**Strange Days** (pronounced str*AH*nge d*AH*s) is episode 131 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the Pod-19: The Widowcaster miniseries covering the filmography of Kathryn Bigelow. Posted October 15, 2017.

## Summary

>
> Emily Yoshida (Vulture) returns this week to discuss 1995’s neo-noir, Strange Days. But why is Kathryn Bigelow so hardcore? Was Bono a potential candidate for a role in this film? When was Emily’s mother on Wheel of Fortune? Together they discuss Ray Fiennes, Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis careers, the future of reality television, cage raves and SQUID discs.
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### Milestoles and Ephemera

* Box office game: Weekend of October 13, 1995

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Strange Days. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 26, 2021.
The Animatrix

**The Animatrix** is episode 61 focusing on the supplemental anime anthology of the same name, as part of the The Podchowski Casters miniseries covering the filmography of the Wachowskis. Posted June 10, 2016.

## Summary

>
> In the final episode of the Podchowski Casters mini series, Griffin and David discuss 2003’s collection of animated short films detailing the Matrix expanded universe, *The Animatrix*. Are Part I and Part II of Second Renaissance a successful prequel to the first Matrix? Does the short “World Record” set it’s own record for the most on-screen knee sweat? What are #thetwofriends final thoughts on the Wachowskis? Together they examine the nine short films featuring several collaborators writers and directors including Peter Chung (Aeon Flux), reasons why Keanu Reeves might not sound like himself, the pointlessness of Alice Through the Looking Glass and why “Kid’s Story” never pays off as intended. Also, a merch spotlight, a Burger Report and why you should check out the original Animatrix website: intothematrix.com
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## References

1. ↑ The Animatrix on Audioboom. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
Tenet

*For the bit-averse reader, a ~~boring~~ no bits version of this page can be found here: Tenet (no bits).*

### Audio link

Soundcloud
Audioboom

### Reddit thread

Link

**Tenet** (also known as **Benet**, Beneᗺ, and **teneT**) is episode 306 focusing on the 2020 film of the same name, as part of The Pod Knight Casts miniseries on the films of Christopher Nolan. Posted January 10, 2021.

## Summary

>
> Blank check revisits director Christopher Nolan with his new backwards action film, *Tenet*. Together #thetwofriends discuss the "Savior of Cinema's" unusual journey to VOD, spotlight the career of Robert Pattinson, the performance of John David Washington, and more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* The rules don't make sense and Griffin *does* like it..
* David saw it in alone in a theater rented for him by The Atlantic because he fancy.
* #thetwofriends saw it together in Secaucus, NJ in a theater rented for $150.
* The film has only 280 special effects shots.
* David's interview with Claire Denis and Robert Pattinson: Robert Pattinson and Claire Denis Talk *'High Life'*
* Multiple Nominee in The Sixth Annual Blank Check Awards
	+ Griffin: #7 in his top 10
	+ David: #5 in his top 10
		- Best Supporting Actor - Robert Pattinson
		- Best Director - Christopher Nolan
	+ Joe
		- Best Supporting Actor - Robert Pattinson
* Box-Office Game: Weekend of September 4, 2020

## References

1. ↑ Tenet on Audioboom. Retrieved January 10, 2020. .0202 ,01 yraunaJ deveirteR .mooboiduA no teneT

## ygolonorhC edosipE

### knil oiduA

mooboiduA
duolcdnuoS

### seiresiniM

stsaC thginK doP ehT

Beneᗺ ro teneB

## teneT

* '0202 4 rebmetpeS fo dnekeeW :emaG eciffO-xoB
* nosnittaP treboR - rotcA gnitroppuS tseB
* eoJ
* naloN rehpotsirhC - rotceriD tseB
* nosnittaP treboR - rotcA gnitroppuS tseB
* 01pot sih ni 5# :divaD
* 01pot sih ni 7# :niffirG
* sdrawA kcehC knalB launnA htxiS ehT ni eenimoN elpitluM
* *'efiL hgiH'* klaT sineD erialC dna nosnittaP treboR :nosnittaP treboR dna sineD erialC htiw weivretni s'divaD
* stohs stceffe laiceps 082 ylno sah mlif ehT
* 051$ rof detner retaeht a ni JN ,sucuaceS ni rehtegot ti was sdneirfowteht#
* ycnaf eh esuaceb citnaltA ehT yb mih rof detner retaeht a ni enola ni ti was divaD
* .ti ekil *seod* niffirG dna esnes ekam t'nod selur ehT

### aremehpE dna senotseliM

>
> !erom dna ,tsinogatorP eht sa notgnihsaW divaD nhoJ fo ecnamrofrep eht ,nosnittaP treboR fo reerac eht thgiltops ,DOV ot yenruoj lausunu "s'ameniC fo roivaS" eht ssucsid sdneirfowteht# rehtegoT .*teneT* ,mlif noitca sdrawkcab wen sih htiw naloN rehpotsirhC rotcerid stisiver kcehC knalB
>
>
>

## yrammuS

.1202 ,01 yraunaJ detsoP .naloN rehpotsirhC fo smlif eht no seiresinim stsaC thginK doP ehT fo trap sa ,eman emas eht fo mlif 0202 eht no gnisucof 603 edosipe si (**Tenet** dna **teneB** sa nwonk osla) **teneT**

*.(stib on) teneT :ereh dnuof eb nac egap siht fo noisrev stib on ~~gnirob~~ a ,redaer esreva-tib eht roF.*
Sully - Blank Check LIVE!

It was a forced water landing.

**Sully - Blank Check LIVE! at the Bell House** is episode 145 of Blank Check: Special Features focusing on the 2009 feature film of the same name. Posted June 11, 2022.

## Summary

>
> Passengers: this is your captain speaking. On June 8th, 300+ souls managed to sit through our Bell House live show dedicated to Clint Eastwood's *SULLY*, despite us experiencing dual laptop failure. The Blank Check crew - including Ben dressed as a sexy pilot and Marie dressed as a goose - still managed to safely convince all those in attendance that our love of *SULLY* is pointedly \*not\* a bit. The haters can go land at Teterboro Airport for all we care.
>
>
> A NOTE FROM THE NTSB INVESTIGATORS: Because of the tech issues experienced during this show, we recommend that you do NOT try to sync up this episode as a commentary. We also realize that we should have done this show in July.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Blankie u/gumpy5 on Reddit did the lords work and figured out the sync points:
	+ Pause: 00:33:50, Resume: 00:36:21
	+ Pause: 00:41:14, Resume: 00:49:07
	+ Pause: 00:55:43, Resume: 00:58:22
* Griffin is an excellent gift giver for the Boss Baby. Thus far, the Toy Story characters are the only ones she recognizes in the films as corresponding to her toys.
* Box Office Game: Weekend of September 9, 2016
* Bonus Box Office Game: January 19, 2009

## References

1. ↑ @davidlsims. Tweet Jun 8 2022. Twitter. Retrieved on August 11, 2022.
2. ↑ @blankcheckpod. Tweet Jun 8 2022. Twitter. Retrieved on August 11, 2022.
3. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Sully. Patreon. Retrieved on August 11, 2022.
4. ↑ u/gumpy5. “I'm a syncer and this isn't so bad to work with.”. Reddit. Retrieved on August 15, 2022.
Swing Shift

**Swing Shift** is episode 247 focusing on the film of the same name directed by Jonathan Demme as part of the Stop Making Podcasts miniseries. Posted December 1, 2019.

## Summary

>
> What in the world is going on with this film that has two versions - of which the good one is not available anywhere? What is the titular "Shift" actually referring to? What happens when two stars - gasp - fall in love? And why are Griff and Dave so off their game in a strange new studio? Find out all this and more in this episode of DEMME CONFESSIONALS.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* This is the episode during which Box Office Mojo changed. According to Griffin & David in the Contact episode, they were so thrown by that during Box Office Game that they thought the episode was unreleasable.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Swing Shift. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 5, 2022.
2. ↑ Contact on Audioboom. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Commentary

**Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country** is episode 96 of Blank Check: Special Features, and is a commentary track for the 1991 film of the same. Posted May 1, 2021.

## Summary

>
> Join Griffin, David, and Ben in the final installment of our Star Trek commentary series with 1991's Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Topics include: creator Gene Roddenberry's disdain for the script, the 90s CGI effects, ice jail, big egos, and more!
>
> **The movie starts at...15:57**
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* In the Spreadmaster's Delight episode, David nominated it for Best Sound 1991.

## References

1. ↑ Star Trek VI on Patreon. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
Street Fighter

**Street Fighter** is episode 163 of Blank Check: Special Features about the 1994 film of the same. Posted February 11, 2023.

## Summary

>
> 3…2…1…BEN’S CHOICE! For this month’s bonus Producer Ben Hosley selected *Street Fighter* to discuss. Topics include: how major studios approach video game adaptations, catching someone latter, SF2 setting the model, the channel five news team, and so much more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Universal Soldier coming in Special Features March Madness 2023.
* Forky asks a question: why is their camo blue? Are they blending into the ocean??
* Chris Klein supercut in *Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li*.
* Same Box office Game as Mixed Nuts: December 23, 1994.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Street Fighter. Patreon. Retrieved on February 11, 2023.
The Killer

**The Killer** is episode 453 focusing on the 2023 film of the same name as part of the The Curious Pod of Benjamin Buttcast miniseries on the films of David Fincher. Posted November 26, 2023.

## Summary

> We’re wrapping up our Fincher series with his latest release - a stripped-down, gig-economy hitman thriller - THE KILLER. Is Michael Fassbender’s unnamed hitman actually good at his job, or a total goober? How do your friends at Blank Check feel about The Smiths? Where do the Two Friends put MANK in their final Fincher rankings? And - is Griffin okay, or has he fallen too deep inside the Gaylor Swift rabbit hole?
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Box Office Game: Weekend of October 27, 2023

## Quotes

Intro:

> "*Stick to the podcast. Anticipate, no bits.*"
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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Killer. Audioboom. Retrieved on November 26, 2023.