recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Memento

"Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe, and as always, PODCAST!"

**Memento** is episode 115 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the The Pod Knight Casts miniseries covering the filmography of Christopher Nolan. Posted 2 Jul 2017.

## Summary

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> Amy Nicholson (MTV News) joins Griffin and David this week to discuss 2000’s fractured crime drama, *Memento*. But how was Christopher’s brother, Jonathan Nolan, involved in this project? What is it about this strange art film that enabled it to crossover into the mainstream? Are there any tangents about Tom Cruise during the conversation? Together, they examine Guy Pearce’s career, the movie's brilliant storytelling devices, their mutual joy for some great Pants and share gym class stories from growing up. Also, be sure to listen to Amy’s podcast The Canon on Earwolf!
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Griffin and David go high-concept right away. Can Ben help maintain the bits through the whole episode?

#TheTwoFriends welcome Amy Nicholson (LA-area film critic, Tom Cruise expert, and host of *The Canon* movie podcast) to discuss a Christopher Nolan movie she actually likes. But why does she like it? What is it about the con artists and the dead wives in this Nolan movie that make it different than the con artists and dead wives in every other Nolan movie?

First, lots of discussion of Griffin's weird grade schools, David's playground experiences on roofs, and Amy's recollection of parachutes in gym class. But despite appearances and reputation, this is no digression - they're talking about memory!

How is this movie like fun modern art made by a robot? Does Nolan exhibit a talent for literally awesome spectacles/visuals even in this low-budget small-town character story? How amazing is the tattoo artist that can do freehand serif fonts?

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Looks like a grown-up shrunken Ken Doll: Guy Pearce
* Looks like a proto-Marion Cotillard: Carrie-Ann Moss
* Looks like an alley cat dipped in dirty water: Joey Pants
* Looks like a compelling baby-faced stork: Katherine Waterston
* *Don't* seat Amy next to Jewel on a plane!!
* Americans talk through their noses, Brits talk through their poopy butts.
* Morris dancing
* Blank-check architect of the awesome old playground at New York's P.S. 87: Robert Leathers
* Amy brings up the high frame rate in Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. If she only knew what was coming...
* Box-Office Game: Weekend of March 16, 2001

### Quotes

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> | Ben,our finestfilm critic: |  This movie's like a term paper.
> | David: |  Go on.
> | Ben: |  It's so hard to follow. I feel like I had to work at it.
> | David: |  Had you see it before?
> | Ben: |  Yeah I'd seen it, but, I dunno, I didn't retain any of it. So... It's fine but it's just like, like why? Why make it so confusing?
> | David: |  You just wish it was a straight shot, start to finish.
> | Ben: |  This is my thing: Make movies easier to follow!
> | David: |  Great. Thank you, Ben.
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Howl's Moving Castle

**Howl's Moving Castle** is episode 238 focusing on the film of the same name as part of the Howl's Moving Podcastle miniseries. Posted October 6, 2019.

## Summary

> David Ehrlich (IndieWire) returns for our mini-series' namesake episode on 2014's walking castle fantasy, *Howl's Moving Castle*! Together they examine analog versus digital animation effects, a talking fire, being a bird warrior and more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Talkin’ steelbooks. Ehrlich isn’t a fan because they don’t line up with the rest of his collection.
* Some spoilers for Angel has Fallen, particularly regarding Jada Pickett Smith getting shot in the face.
* They’re giving Ghostbusters back to the fans!
* Ben nicknames @ 0:14:02
* The titular episode! Also when they first mention future miniseries nickname **Hosicaä of the Ditch of the Jersey**
* Ehrlich: not in the Five-Timers Club yet. Sorry, bud.
* Sims goes “full Chalamet” on a clementine.
* **BREAKING NEWS!!!** There is going to be a new  Matrix sequel!
* Box office game: Weekend of June 10, 2005

## Quotes

**Intro**

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> | Griffin: |  It's time to put an end to this idiotic podcast.
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## References

1. ↑ Howl's Moving Castle on Audioboom. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
National Treasure Commentary

**National Treasure** is episode 156 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary for the 2004 feature film of the same name. Posted December 1, 2022.

## Summary

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> BC:SF begins December with a gift: a very special National Treasure commentary series! Marie Bardi joins! Topics include: wood teeth, Cage's different toupees, Liberty Bell reviews, early aughts fashion and more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* The first Nicolas Cage movie covered on either the main feed or Patreon and it's mostly a discussion of his hairpieces?
* TONS of Bruckheimer career talk. He's produced a lot of movies, but only two covered on the pod (Gemini Man, Thief)
* The most rapt #TheTwoFriends have seen Ben since Toruk: The First Flight
* Capt. James Hosley
* Congrats to Marie on her engagement!
* Some Bardi family pushback to the Benedetta episode: they ARE that Catholic (mass every week, etc.) but still democrats.
* Possible future Bardi's Choice: Madonna's Truth or Dare
* The only movie with a coffin flop?!?!
* Box Office Game: Weekend of November 19, 2004

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. National Treasure. Patreon. Retrieved on December 1, 2022.
K-19: The Widowmaker

**K-19: The Widowmaker** is episode 133 focusing on the 2002 movie of the same name, as part of the Pod-19: The Widowcaster miniseries covering the filmography of Kathryn Bigelow. Posted October 29, 2017.

## Summary

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> Co-host of the Little Gold Men podcast and friend of the show, Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) joins Griffin and David to discuss 2002’s submarine disaster K-19: The Widowmaker. But how was National Geographic involved in this production? What was the impact of this film bombing at the box office? Are any of the Russian accents convincing? Together they examine Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson’s careers, too many drills and sad food delivery metaphors. Also, check out Richard’s debut novel ‘All We Can Do Is Wait’ due out on February 6th.
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Richard Lawson makes his way back to "Blank Check with Griffin and David" to talk about another military movie! Last time was army, this time it's navy; just needs an air force movie next time. Or possibly Coast Guard.

This was a blockbuster, or at least it was supposed to be. But what an odd story to put in front of American summer-time audiences. And Bigelow has done fun movies before, but woof, this one is the polar opposite of fun.

Harrison Ford - what happened to his sense of humor in this movie, and was this a turning point in his career? National Geographic provided a lot of financing for this project - should this have been one of their TV channel specials instead? Right in front of our eyes, Bigelow is shifting to a detail-oriented, austere impartial approach to hyper-realistic stories - should this script have gotten the River of Ham treatment instead? The plot has no twists, and everyone knows the ship is doomed but we just watch them keep re-committing to the boat - why didn't the characters understand the concept of sunk costs? (Get it? *Sunk???* Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.)

This was the first $100 million budget for a woman director, a fact that the studio really pushed hard in promotion. Bouncing this high-profile blank-check nearly killed Bigelow's career. Could she rebuild by doubling down on the serious? It'd be a short Blank Check miniseries otherwise... tune in next time to see what happens!

### Milestones and Ephemera

* *Road To Perdition*: a summer movie
* The midpoint between John Goodman and Tom Hanks: Jim Belushi
* Featured in this movie: #TheTwoKinseys
* Something Shailene Woodley eats: clay
* Box office game: Weekend of July 19, 2002

## References

1. ↑ K-19: The Widowmaker on Audioboom. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
GoldenEye Commentary

**GoldenEye** is episode 189 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary for the 1995 feature film of the same name. Posted September 21, 2023.

## Summary

> Bond…the James Bond franchise will, moving forward, be an annual topic of discussion! Specifically, framed around each lead actor. BC:SF picks up this year with Pierce Brosnan in 1995’s GoldenEye. Topics include: the cusp of ‘dame’ status for Judi Dench, spy craft, personal history riding on various forms of transportation, childhood injuries, and more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Lunch order chat: NO EGGS. Because of a future guest 😉
* Box office game: Weekend of November 17, 1995

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. GoldenEye. Patreon. Retrieved on September 21, 2023.
March Madness 2019 Recap - Round 2

**March Madness 2019 Recap - Round 2** is episode 10 of Blank Check: Special Features about the second round of the year's March Madness tournament. Posted March 19, 2019.

## Summary

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> Another b-b-b-b-bonus episode recapping Blank Check’s March Madness bracket! Joined by commentator, Chip Smith, they examine the winners and losers (so far), make predictions and consult a blood scroll.
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> Vote everyday in March starting at noon EST: https://twitter.com/blankcheckpod!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Griffin gets big dogged, not by The Dawg but by Chip Smith! Chip looks, sounds, and acts *completely* different from David.
* Chip's famous catchphrase: Another pickle!
* Chip went to high school with a Squid-eating-baby crest?
* **Round 1**
	+ Keaton was Griff's chaos pick and he got creamed. He can't be too upset about it because
	+ David wrote in blood: "How could you not vote for Weir?" Ben predicts Carpenter wins the whole thing!
	+ Chip is a Friedkin-head.
	+ Ben: We don't talk about Milk Boys enough!
* **Round 2**
	+ Griffin is a little Depp'd out so he put his finger on the scale against Verbinski.
	+ Chip's a real Gore-head.
	+ Ben: 5 Transformers movies is too many movies. Vote for Raimi!
	+ Griffin: hold off on Bay until he does a sixth.
	+ Coppola v. Brooks -- a couple of 70's punchers.
* David's mug: squid baby crest? Made in England?? Caution may chip if dropped??? Produced by the Smith Mfg. Co.????

### Predictions

 Miller goes to the Final Four
 Del Toro takes Friedkin
 Demme or PTA makes it to the final four, depending on the outcome of that matchup
 Penny Marshall makes the Final Four (chaos pick)

## Quotes

Disclaimer: Due to the unknowable, uncapturable nature of Chip Smith's speech/anecdotes, listening to the episode is really the only way to fully appreciate him.

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> | Griffin: |  See there's something-- I can't figure out what he's hinting at, but I feel like Chip Smith is always tipping his hat toward something very insidious.
> | Chip: |  Let me just say, *Brawl in Cell Block 99* -- very documentary-like.
> | Griffin: |  Weird.
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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. March Madness 2019 Recap - Round 2. Patreon. Retrieved on March 24, 2021.
Julie & Julia

**Julie & Julia** is episode 283 and the final main feed episode of You've Got Podcast. Posted on August 2, 2020.

## Summary

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> Alas, our Nora Ephron series has come to an end! For our last ep, we’re happy we get to end on a high note and a touch of the Tucc… with 2009’s *Julie & Julia*. Returning to not only offer her chef expertise but share but how this movie molded her life is noted sister, Romilly Newman! We talk Meryl Streep’s Oscar nomination, why Amy Adams’ half works just as well, and why this film encapsulates Nora’s career so perfectly. Stay tuned ‘til the end for our rankings and announcement about our next series!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Box office game: Weekend of August 7, 2009

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Julie & Julia with Romilly Newman. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 5, 2022.
Mani Lazic

**Manuela "Mani" Lazic** (@ManiLazic on Twitter) is a film critic/columnist for Little White Lies and other publications. Her work can be found here. She is from France but currently resides in London with her sister.

She was a guest on the Near Dark episode of Blank Check. She was interested in the sexual overtones that Kathryn Bigelow's vampire thriller provided. She is a big fan of other similarly themed thrillers such as *Basic Instinct*, *Body Double* and *Fatal Attraction*.

#TheTwoFriends were also lucky enough to have Mani as a guest on The Parent Trap episode of Something's Podda Cast, along with her identical twin sister Elena Lazic. What perfect thematic synergy with the film under discussion!

Mani and Elena sound enough alike that even their own mother has mistaken them for one another on the phone, so don't feel bad if you can't tell them apart on the podcast - just think of it as a bargain where we get to hear twice as many interesting things said by the same voice.
Mike Ryan

**Mike Ryan** (@mikeryan on Twitter) lives in New York City and has been a staff member at *The Huffington Post*, *Movieline* and *Screencrush*. He's written for VanityFair.com, GQ.com, *Wired* magazine and *New York Magazine*, and is senior entertainment writer at Uproxx. He is co-host of the Random Movie Night podcast.

Mike was a guest for the More Deleted Scenes episode of Revenge of the Podcast.
John Hodgman

Vacationland, now out in paperback

**John Kellogg Hodgman** is an American author, actor, and humorist. Known for his roles in the famous set of "I'm a Mac and I'm a PC" series of Apple ads, a correspondent on the Daily Show and a number of guest and featured roles. He is the host of the podcast Judge John Hodgman.

Hodgman was a guest on the Ed Wood episode of Podward Scissorcast, a film which he is a big fan of. He previously featured on the podcast in the form of a voicemail that he sent Griffin that was played during the Ralph Breaks the Internet episode issuing a correction regarding the actress Ashley Johnson. Griffin and Hodgman came to know each other through working together on Season 2 of The Tick (now available on Amazon Prime).

He was a voice in Coraline which makes him one of the guests to have appeared in, or worked on, a film covered by the podcast. He is also one of the even smaller few to appear on the episode of the film which they worked on.
March Madness 2019 Recap - Round 1

**March Madness 2019 Recap - Round 1** is episode 8 of Blank Check: Special Features about the first round of the year's March Madness tournament. Posted March 10, 2019.

## Summary

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> Once again, Griffin and David have unleashed another March Madness bracket pitting directors against one another. The filmmaker deemed the champion will decide a future mini series coming in the fall of 2019. Mostly abandoning the drivetime sports talk radio satire, the hosts walk through the recent match-ups and discuss all the drama! To get in on the daily action go to https://twitter.com/blankcheckpod and vote everyday in March starting at noon EST.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Mixed it up, tried to keep the Blankies on their toes!
* David *begged* for Paul W.S. Anderson, and Griffin stipulated that it would have to be against Paul Thomas Anderson.
* The Amy Heckerling NYT piece: ‘Clueless’ Was Amy Heckerling’s Masterpiece. Is She Done With It? As If.
* Rosewood -- a blank check.
* They introduce the idea of sliding in a little May!
* Ben is a little head on spider legs cheering for Carpenter.
* David didn't *mean* to put two of the four women against each other (but he did). Optics aren't great. David got a Bad Card.

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> | Griffin: |  Has there *ever*, ***ever*** been a more apt song title than Roundball Rock? Silence begins now.
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## References

1. ↑ March Madness 2019 Recap - Round 1, Patreon. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
March Madness 2018

**March Madness 2018** was the inaugural March Madness event held daily on the Blank Check twitter for Blankies to determine a director to be covered. The winning director was Nancy Meyers and the resulting miniseries, Something's Podda Cast, began in October 2018.

## Summary

The inaugural March Madness event in 2018 was an intensely fought contest. During the month-long battle royale, passions ran high on the reddit forums and on twitter. Past guests of the show got involved too by running public campaigns in support of their favored candidates, or occasionally even going negative.

As the weeks went on, Blankies began to vote en masse in strange and unexpected ways, and as the field narrowed certain directors picked up support from voters who had championed vanquished candidates. The two midweek minisodes March Madness 2018 Recap - Round 1 and March Madness 2018 Recap - Round 3 serve as a good record of those developments as they happened.

Eventually Nancy Meyers emerged as the champion! Notably she increased her margin of victory in every single round, with more and more voters jumping onto the bandwagon. The 18th seed turned into a juggernaut, and steamrolled the #1 seed in the Finals.

### MARCH MADNESS RULES

* polls post on Twitter @blankcheckpod at or around 10PM EST/ 7PM PST
* polls are open for 24 hours, new poll daily through 3/31/2018
* winner = we cover this fall! (~October 2018)
* loser ≠ we never cover them
* missing your fave director? they might be 1 of the 2 we have lined up through September.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* In addition to the victor, Nancy Meyers, several other directors were eventually covered on the podcast: George Miller (March 2020), Nora Ephron (June 2020), Michael Mann (May 2019), Elaine May (April 2021), and John Singleton (May 2021), Sam Raimi (March 2022), Bob Fosse (July 2022), Danny Boyle (January 2023), and David Fincher (September 2023).

## Tournament

### Semifinals

twitter -- 3,342 total votes

twitter -- 3,350 total votes

## Statistics

 Round 2
 Round 3
 Round 4
 Round 5
Mad Max: Fury Road

**Mad Max: Fury Road** is episode 272 focusing on the film of the same name as part of the Mad Pod: Fury Cast miniseries. Posted May 24, 2020.

## Summary

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> Emily Yoshida (Night Call podcast) joins #thetwofriends to discuss George Miller's magnum opus Mad Max: Fury Road. Together they examine the masterful world building, the flawed leadership of Immortan Joe, lumps, the performances of Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult and so much more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* This movie was a multiple nominee and winner at The First Annual Blank Check Awards including:
	+ Griffin: #1 in his top 10 for the year
		- Best Director - George Miller - Winner
	+ David: #3 in his top 10 for the year
		- Best Director - George Miller
	+ Joe Reid: #9 in his top 10 for the year
		- Best Supporting Actor - Nicholas Hoult
		- Best Director - George Miller
* This movie was a multiple nominee and winner at the Best of the Decade Blankies Awards including:
	+ Griffin: #3 in his top 10 for the decade
		- Best Director - George Miller - Winner
	+ David: #8 in his top 10 for the decade
	+ Joe Reid: #8 in his top 10 for the decade
		- Best Director - George Miller
* Box Office Game: Weekend of May 15, 2015
* Future guest Kyle Buchanan literally wrote the book on this movie! *Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road*, published by HarperCollins in 2022.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Mad Max: Fury Road with Emily Yoshida. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 5, 2022.
Mission: Impossible 2 Commentary

**Mission: Impossible 2** is episode 65 of the Blank Check: Special Features, and a Mission: Impossible commentary episode. Posted July 20, 2020 and released from behind the paywall on July 21, 2023.

## Summary

> Tommy’s back for M:i-2! John Woo's bird and mask reveal-filled sequel is notoriously always ranked at the bottom of the Mission franchise. But can it be redeemed by Limp Bizkit, motorcycle jousting, glowing virus tubes, and Thandie Newton’s screen presence alone? Maybe not, but we had fun figuring it out. For context, we also recorded this commentary before that Vulture Thandie interview dropped (keep an eye out for that zit!) because you know Blank Check... we gotta keep on rollin, baby. You know what time it is.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* In Conversation: Thandie Newton by E. Alex Jung
Matt Patches

**Matt Patches** is a writer and journalist. Currently he is Entertainment Editor at *Thrillist*, and has also written for *Grantland*, *Esquire.com*, *Vulture*, *The Hollywood Reporter*, and *The Guardian*.

Matt is a co-host of the movie podcast Fighting in the War Room, together with Katey Rich, Dave Gonzales, and David Ehrlich. He can be found on Twitter, @misterpatches.

He was a guest on the Unbreakable episode of Blank Check.
Jordan Fish

**Jordan Fish** is a filmmaker and interactive director. He is a frequent director of music videos, he has worked with bands and artists such as Arcade Fire, 2 CHAINZ, and MGMT.

Jordan was a guest on the Patreon Exclusive Frankenweenie episode of Podward Scissorcast. He was a guest on this episode due to his interest on the topic of filmmakers remaking their own films, Frankenweenie is a remake of Tim Burton's own calling card live action short film from 1984.
Miriam Bale

**Miriam Bale** (@mimbale on Twitter) is a writer, and film programmer & critic, based in the New York City area. She has written for *New York* magazine, *The New York Times*, *The New Republic*, *Indiewire*, *Sight and Sound*, and any number of other publications. She has also organized film programs for several establishments including Anthology Film Archives, Film Society of Lincoln Center, the 92nd Street Y, the Yerba Buena Arts Center, and the upcoming Indie Memphis Film Festival. She is the founding director of the La Di Da Film Festival in New York City.

Miriam appeared in the Basic Instinct episode of Blank Check, and as a native Californian she puzzled out where the various filming locations were in northern CA - in addition to dissecting some of Sharon Stone's thoughts regarding her star-making part in this movie.
Josh Ruben

**Josh Ruben** is an actor and director, known for *Lee's Kill List*, "One Life to Live," and *Freddy Derryl,* as well as the feature films *Scare Me* and *Werewolves Within.* He is also a UCB performer and has contributed on the site CollegeHumor.

He was a guest for The Abyss episode of Blank Check. At the time of recording, he was working on the television series "Thanksgiving" with Griffin. "Thanksgiving" also starred Chris Elliott, cast member on *The Abyss*, and his daughter Bridey Elliott. The timing worked out perfectly as Josh and Griffin were able to get stories from Bridey about the famously troubled production of *The Abyss*.
Jordan Hoffman

**Jordan Hoffman** (@jhoffman on Twitter) is a writer and critic based in New York City. His work has appeared in the New York Daily News, VanityFair.com, the Times of Israel, and Mashable. He is also the host of *Engaged,* the official Star Trek podcast.

Jordan was a guest on the Blue Steel episode of Blank Check. He was initially considered for the Near Dark episode, though he said he did not personally have any connection to that film. By contrast, with *Blue Steel* he did connect emotionally with Ron Silver's performance as a psychopath, as well as relate to its depictions of gender politics and the culture of New York City police in the 1980's.

With his appearance on Yentl, Jordan became the 15th member of the Five-Timers Club.
Iron Man 3 Commentary

**Iron Man 3** is episode 13 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary episode on the Marvel Cinematic Universe film of the same name. Posted April 1, 2019.

## Summary

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> More live MCU commentary recorded at Big Nice studios in New York City! This time, Griffin, David and Producer Ben discuss 2013's *Iron Man 3*.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* **Movie starts at 0:17:25.**
* The episode was released from behind the paywall on April 1, 2022.
* Ben pitches witch hackers. A million dollar idea, either for a movie or just to exist in the world.
	+ Hacker witches could exist in Night Eggs
* David humblebrags about sharing a meal with Chris Weitz.
* Griffin and David's favorite MCU film.
* New Ben nickname: **Sir Ben**.
* Ben inquires about moisturizing. David is a dry guy. Griffin is sometimes a dry guy, sometimes an oily boy. Ben has started using night creams. Night eggs, night creams.
* Box office game: Weekend of May 3, 2013.

## References

1. ↑ Iron Man 3 on Patreon. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
Hoai-Tran Bui

**Hoai-Tran Bui** is a writer, editor and film critic.

## Biography

Hoai-Tran Bui is the Entertainment Editor at Inverse. She previously was an editor and film critic at SlashFilm, and her work has appeared in USA Today and The Washington Post. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-certified critic and co-hosts a Doctor Who/Star Trek podcast called Trekking Through Time and Space.

## References

1. ↑ Hoai-Tran Bui. Inverse. Retrieved on August 14, 2023.
Lincoln

**Lincoln** is episode 107 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the Pod Me If You Cast miniseries covering the filmography of Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks era.

## Summary

> "Griffin and David look to Spielberg’s 2012 historical drama, Lincoln. But exactly how many Abraham Lincoln biographies did screenwriter Tony Kushner read? Does this movie remind one of a long winded story about an old mill? Was Liam Neeson really considered for the lead role? Together they examine the great facial hair, Hal Holbrook’s wet eyes, Dan Lewis’ process for getting into character and the many blankets used in this movie."
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* In the Best of the Decade Blankies Awards David nominated the film for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Lola Kirke

**Lola Kirke** (@lolakirke on Instagram) is an actor and singer-songwriter from New York City. Film credits include supporting roles in *Gone Girl*, *Gemini,* and *Free the Nipple* (that last, of course, also featured one Griffin Newman).

## Biography

On television, Lola starred in "Mozart in the Jungle" from Amazon Prime - I hear they're a great company. Meanwhile in 2018 she embarked on a concert tour in support of her debut LP "Heart Head West."

#TheTwoFriends invited Lola to appear on the What Women Want episode of the show, part of the Something's Podda Cast miniseries on Nancy Meyers. Griffin and David both seemed rather down on the merits of the film at the beginning, but Lola managed to convince them of the film's importance - for its function as a bridge bringing female perspectives and viewpoints into Hollywood mainstream filmmaking. Also during the show it was revealed that she and Griffin are longtime Manhattan compatriots, going back to the teenaged days when they went to St. Ann's School and Buck's Rock Performing Arts Summer camp together. See this article in *Believer* magazine for more conversation between these two old friends. While at Buck’s Rock, they were both pupils of Rebecca Drysdale, alongside luminaries like Ezra Koenig, Sara Rubin, and former friend of the show, the Flash themself, Ezra Miller.
Lorenzo's Oil

**Lorenzo's Oil** is episode 268 focusing on the 1992 film of the same name as part of the Mad Pod: Fury Cast miniseries. Posted April 26, 2020.

## Summary

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> Hard to believe we're already halfway through our George Miller series! This week Bilge Ebiri (Vulture) returns to talk about one of his favorite films, 1992's *Lorenzo's Oil*. Starring Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte...with an Italian accent that somehow works...Oil may have disappointed at the box office but still got a screenplay and best actress Oscar nomination. Turns out medical dramas really work when they're made by actual doctors...who happen to be as talented as George Miller.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Sully talk! Chappie talk!
* Box office game: Weekend of January 1, 1993

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Lorenzo's Oil with Bilge Ebiri. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 5, 2022.
Live at the Barclays Center

**Live at the Barclays Center** is episode 17 of Blank Check: Special Features where Griffin, David, and Ben recorded audio during a basketball game at Brooklyn's Barclay Center. Posted May 11, 2019 and released from behind the paywall on May 11, 2022.

## Summary

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> APRIL 10, 2019 - BARCLAYS CENTER - BROOKLYN NETS vs. MIAMI HEAT: Griffin, David and Producer Ben attended a basketball game. Why? Because the Checkmates chose it! Griffin is not a sports boy. David LOVES basketball. Producer Ben snuck in a recording device. This is CONTENT!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* A Patreon stretch goal for reaching 3,000 checkmates! The text of the stretch goal was: "Griffin will agree to attend a Brooklyn Nets game with David and record a live color commentary."
* Watch out for those SBs!
* The game was the Brooklyn Nets vs. the Miami Heat
	+ While Griffin leaves to get food David explains basketball, thank god.
* Gabrielle Union's husband's last game
* David's basketball podcast recommendations: The Lowe Post.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Live at the Barclays Center. Patreon. Retrieved on September, 2020.
2. ↑ Basketball Reference. Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets Box Score, April 10, 2019. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on January 9, 2023.
Kiki's Delivery Service

**Kiki's Delivery Service** is episode 234 focusing on the film of the same name as part of the Howl's Moving Podcastle miniseries. Posted September 9, 2019.

## Summary

> Caroline Framke (Variety) joins #thetwofriends to discuss 1989's coming-of-age witch tale, *Kiki's Delivery Service*. Together they examine fish in pies, being a delivery witch, the *Jumanji: The Next Level* trailer (spoilers!) and that time Griffin met Lorne Michaels.
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Kirsten Dunst at the Box Office Game: Her top grossing films

## References

1. ↑ Kiki's Delivery Service on Audioboom. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

**Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind** (also known as **Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind**) is episode 231 focusing on the film of the same name as part of the Howl's Moving Podcastle miniseries. Posted August 18, 2019.

## Summary

> Writer/director Lulu Wang joins #thetwofriends to discuss *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind*, as well as, her recent film The Farewell.
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Monster alla vodka.
* Some excellent sandwich talk! Anthony & Sons -- a fixture of the Special Features lunch orders. Griffin is chasing the sublime sandwich he can never get back again.
* David admits he's only a medium Engies boy. Griffin and Ben are very pro-Engies. **EVERYONE** stans Shrike the bionic man. It's embarrassing he didn't get best supporting Shrike. Meryl swooped in and stole it!
* Rob Marshall, stop getting in your own way!
* Lots of DUNE (book) talk
* David breaks out the Miyazaki tome and Griffin doesn't hit a bit too hard.
* Box office game: May 17, 2019 (rerelease)
	+ Griffin bought tickets to see it with Ramona Head, but didn't go because he had... uh... tummy/butt trouble.

## References

1. ↑ Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on Audioboom. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
2. ↑ u/TheBuckIsHot, I am late to this but..., reddit. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
Mixed Nuts

**Mixed Nuts** is episode 278 focusing on the 1994 film of the same name as part of the You've Got Podcast miniseries. Posted June 28, 2020.

## Summary

> The friends are joined by Search Party director Charles Rogers to discuss this mixed bag of mixed messages of a Christmas movie that shows maybe Norah Ephron can't do black comedies. Don't worry if you haven't seen it, because this is mostly an extensive discussion about Steve Martin's career, Liev Schreiber being great in drag, and the Sondheim musical Assassins.
>
> Check out Search Party Season 3 on HBO Max, RIGHT NOW!
>
>
> ***For the month of June we will be spotlighting groups dedicated to and run by Black trans and non-binary people who need our help.***
>
>
> **This week's organization is:**
>
> The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
>
> marshap.org/donate/
>
> twitter.com/MPJInstitute
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* The last episode recorded in person in the Before Times.
* Box office game: Weekend of December 23, 1994.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Mixed Nuts with Charles Rogers. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 5, 2022.
Mission: Impossible

Fan art from Blankie redditor u/Ioncelostashoe

**Mission: Impossible** is a series of episodes, primarily on Blank Check: Special Features covering the Mission: Impossible franchise. The franchise was selected by Checkmates during the Special Features March Madness 2020 tournament.

## Summary

The Mission: Impossible franchise was a juggernaut of its March Madness tournament. It defeated the Fast & Furious, Indiana Jones, The Muppets, John Wick, and Alien franchises. The Mission: Impossible commentary series was started on the Blank Check: Special Features Patreon in June 2020.

During the course of the podcast, #TheTwoFriends covered one Mission: Impossible movie on the main feed: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol as part of the Brad Bird miniseries. They also plan to cover Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part I when it is released in July 2023.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Christopher McQuarrie is notable as the key player who shaped the later films, writing Ghost Protocol and directing Rogue Nation and Fallout. They had already covered Jack Reacher: Never Go Back as a standalone episode, so on the patreon the covered McQuarrie's remaining film, The Way of the Gun, to complete a Stealth McQuarrie Miniseries.

## 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.

## Refereces

1. ↑ u/Ioncelostashoe, Something I whipped together for the upcoming commentaries., reddit.
2. ↑ u/mi-16evil, What is your Mission: Impossible rankings?, reddit. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
Men in Black: International Commentary

**Men in Black: International** is episode 172 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary for the 2019 feature film of the same name. Posted April 1, 2023.

## Summary

> BC:SF has reached the final installment of the Men in Black franchise!
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Lots of stories from Griff's time at the *Disney Store* and David's time making soup at *Eat.*
* The culmination of the Rich Little promise from the previous episode- Fan-O-Rama
* What is High Tea?
* Top 10 Countries by listenership: USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Netherlands, Mexico
* Justice for Ben on the canal locks!
* Another of Ben's contenders for worst movie covered along with Naqoyqatsi, Men in Black II, and The Mummy (2017).
* Funko's destroying $30 million worth of product - presumably mostly Pawny funkos.
* Box Office Game: Weekend of June 14, 2019

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Men in Black: International. Patreon. Retrieved on April 1, 2023.
2. ↑ Ethan Gach (2023-03-02). Over $30 Million Worth Of Funkos Are Headed To The Landfill. Kotaku. Retrieved on April 3, 2023.
Ghostbusters II Commentary

**Ghostbusters II** is episode 122 of Blank Check: Special Features and about 1989 film of the same name as part of the Ghostbusters commentary miniseries. Posted January 21, 2022.

## Summary

>
> Our Ghostbusters commentary continues with the long anticipated 1989 follow up! Topics include: alternate plots, the main cast's standing in the industry coming into the sequel, the improbability of leaving a baby at 8 months, the urban legends of Bill Murray and more!
>
>
> **Movie starts at...9:40**
>
>
>
>

## References

1. ↑ Ghostbusters II on Patreon. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
Olivia Craighead

**Olivia Craighead** is a writer, comedian, and podcaster. She cohosts the Iconography podcast with Ayo Edebiri.

With her appearance on Steve Jobs, Olivia became the 13th member of the Five-Timers Club. In that episode she also revealed she filed a Burger Report about Danny Boyle, which was featured in The Third Annual Blank Check Awards.
John Trowbridge

**John Trowbridge** is a comedian, producer writing comedy videos for *Elle*, *Esquire*, *Harper's Bazaar*, and *HuffPost*. He performs all around NYC but mainly at *NIGHT LATE* at UCB and *INNER BEAUTY* at Beauty Bar NYC. He has written and performed for CollegeHumor, Above Average, IFC, and Adult Swim's "*THE JACK AND TRIUMPH SHOW!*".

John was a guest for the Denim Invasion live show episode of Blank Check. He expressed confusion as to whether this was really a necessary part of Cameron Crowe's filmography to discuss. He has been on both a Lloyd team and a Maude team.
The Last Jedi

The Cast Podi

*For the Patreon episode, see The Last Jedi Commentary*
**The Last Jedi** (also known as **The Cast Podi**) is episode 140 focusing on the film *Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi*, posted 17 Dec 2017. It is part of the podcast's continuing coverage of the Star Wars Sequels.

## Summary

>
> On the day of it’s release in December of 2017, Griffin and David discussed *Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi*.
>
>
>
>

Griffin and David have lots to say in this one, that is for sure. Should Leia have died on-screen in this movie? Luke, why so serious? How cool is blue milk, and where it comes from? Are the casino scenes and pretty much Rose and Finn's whole plots good, or are they unnecessary as a vocal fan minority believes? Is Adam Driver shaping up as this generation's greatest actor, or is he using too much paprika? And of course, SPACE DERN.

David takes the role of proselytizing fan of this movie, having seen it three times already before the recording. Griffin has seen it just once going in, and that seems to be a big factor in why he is still uncertain about the merit of several elements of the movie. David does his level best to make his own enthusiasm contagious.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* This episode set a new record for, shall we say, lack of brevity. The 2:40 recording time surpassed each of the "Watch With Us" episodes during the first three miniseries' on the Phantom Menace trilogy, and in addition is longer than the film itself.
* The movie was a multiple nominee at The Third Annual Blank Check Awards including:
	+ Griffin:
		- Best Adapted Screenplay
	+ David: #7 in his top 10 for the year
		- Best Supporting Actor - Adam Driver
	+ Honorable mention - the fish nuns
* In the Best of the Decade Blankies Awards Griffin nominated Adam Driver for Best Supporting Actor.

## Performance Review

They briefly start a performance review before deciding that everyone was a pass and Griffin still wants to take Daisy Ridley out for dinner. Lobster probably.

## Ranking the Filmography

The hosts give their rankings, but David trails off before fully filling in his lower rankings. The full rankings were given at the end of The Rise of Skywalker and on the miniseries page.
In the Cut

**In the Cut** is episode 363 focusing on the 2003 film of the same name as part of The Podcastiano miniseries on the films of Jane Campion. Posted February 20, 2022.

## Summary

>
> Want to hear us talk about how hot Mark Ruffalo is for two hours? Oooh boy, do we have a treat for you! Wikipedia-cited “In The Cut” stan Jourdain Searles joins us to unpack Jane Campion’s unjustly maligned erotic thriller. What happens to actresses once they turn 40? Would this movie have fared better with audiences if - instead of America’s Sweetheart Meg Ryan - it starred an edgier Nicole Kidman as originally planned? Do you remember the SCANDAL when Meg Ryan cheated on Dennis Quaid with Russell Crowe? Why did we care so much about that?
>
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Jourdain's documented *In the Cut* love:
	+ Her letterboxd reviews
	+ Meg Ryan's 'In the Cut' Is the Most Underrated Erotic Thriller of the 21st Century, *Thrillist*.
* Was that a Wilhelm?
* The second F Cinemascore film covered on the pod after Lucky Numbers.
* Campeen count: 🍆🍆 (if you watch the unrated cut)
* Stephanie Zacharek's good negative review: "In the Cut", *Salon*.
* Box-Office Game: Weekend of October 24, 2003 (limited).
	+ Weekend of October 31, 2003 (wide).
* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) trailer that "chilled [Griffin] to his core."
* Past guest and friend of the show Ray Tintori worked as an Art Intern on the film!

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. In the Cut. Audioboom. Retrieved on February 20, 2022.
Joey Sims

**Joseph (Joey) C. Sims** is David Sims' younger brother. He is a New York theater aficionado, and manages theater professionals' services at PlaybillPro. He currently resides in Brooklyn.

## Biography

Joey was a guest for the #138 Lost In Space episode of Blank Check as part of its occasional Family Choice series of episodes. Originally David thought that they would be talking about the movie *S.W.A.T.* which is a movie he had memories of watching together, but later realized that it was more of a college movie for him. Joey suggested *Lost In Space* as a more suitable choice, as they both often quoted lines from the movie during childhood as inside jokes and bits. Griffin noted that the movie even features another Joey. Sold!
Ghostbusters Commentary

**Ghostbusters** is episode 120 of Blank Check: Special Features and about 1984 film of the same name as part of the Ghostbusters commentary miniseries. Posted January 1, 2022.

## Summary

>
> 3…2…1…BUSTIN’ MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!
>
>
> BC:SF is kicking off 2022 with a new Ghostbusters commentary series starting with the 1984 original. Topics include: everyone’s personal history with the franchise, the Tribeca firehouse, the landmark special effects, Bill Murray’s career, and more!
>
>
> **Movie starts at…29:17**
>
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* It's not a bit. David really does *love* when people smooch and thinks a lot of people are hot!
* In the Spreadmaster's Delight episode, Griffin and David nominated it for Best Makeup 1984.

## References

1. ↑ Ghostbusters on Patreon. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

**Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior** is episode 265 focusing on the film of the same name as part of the Mad Pod: Fury Cast miniseries. Posted April 5, 2020.

## Summary

>
> Comedian, Jon Gabrus (High and Mighty) returns to discuss 1981’s sequel effort Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Together with #thetwofriends they examine the similarities between the Evil Dead and Mad Max franchises, dystopian future fashion justification, the career of actor Bruce Spence and American Gladiators. Plus, Ben has a shocking revelation.
>
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben is going on record as being pro-dry. He’s thinking about rebranding as a Dry Guy at the end of 2019. Dry Guy 2020: here to stay.
	+ Dune is gonna be huge for him. A dry flick about loving water.
* Dry Bones, Dry Bowser
* Peak Hot Mad Max
* Box office game: Weekend of May 21, 1982

## Quotes

>
>
>
>

—————

>
>
> | David: |  It’s been five years since Fury Road.
> | Grifffin: |  It’s been five years and he’s supposed to be starting production on a movie in 2020 starring Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba that’s apparently a romance about a genie.
> | Rachel: |  [off mic] Which one of them is the genie?!
> | Griffin: |  THAT’S THE QUESTION!!!!!
>
>

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior with Jon Gabrus. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 5, 2022.
2. ↑ @ 0:04:16
3. ↑ @ 2:10:33
March Madness 2021 Recap - Round 2

**March Madness 2021 Recap - Round 2** is episode 90 of Blank Check: Special Features. Posted March 17, 2021.

## Summary

>
> Another b-b-b-b-bonus episode recapping Blank Check’s March Madness brackets!
>
>
>
>

While this episode is called March Madness 2021 Recap - Round 2, it is still recapping the first round of the tournament. It picks up where the last episode left off at the Cassavetes/70's Altman.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Chip Smith's zoom invite got lost.
* Griffin reveals that Scary Terry winning over Buster Keaton bummed him out, and the episode was released on the day of the next Malick match up wherein he won by only 38 votes.
* David predicted it would be Brest v. Dante (wrong).
* Accidental second year in a row of a Dante v. Sturgess blowout! Whoops.
* Ben originally had Richard Linklater instead of Harmony Korine!

## Quotes

>
>
>
>

## References

1. ↑ March Madness 2021 Recap - Round 2 on Patreon. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
Men in Black Commentary

**Men in Black** is episode 164 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary for the 1997 feature film of the same name. Posted February 21, 2023.

## Summary

>
> After almost 8 years of promising, the boys have finally made good! Today begins our Men in Black commentary series! Topics include: all the MVPs involved in this film, the impressionist algorithm, the mechanics of the VFX and practical effects, TLJ rocking the house, and more!
>
>
> **Movie starts at...25:39**
>
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* #TheTwoFriends think Hot Tub Time Machine 2 > Hot Tub Time Machine
* David does a better Nixon than Cusack
* Rich Little on Carson
* Frank Caliendo's Seinfeld
* The Great Pablo Ferro
* Possible Special Features March Madness 2023 inclusion: SNL movies!
* Box Office Game: Weekend of July 4, 1997

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Men in Black. Patreon. Retrieved on February 21, 2023.
Joe Dirt

* Joe Dirtbike Benny
* Porch Classics

**Joe Dirt**, also known as **Joe Dirtbike Benny**, is episode 332 focusing on the 2001 film of the same name and a Ben's Choice episode. Posted July 11, 2021.

## Summary

>
> Dust off your mullets, because it’s the return of PORCH CINEMA with another Ben’s Choice Blank Check Spectacular! The boys talk David Spade, Kid Rock, and Direct-to-Crackle sequels, as they determine the secret ingredient to Ben-approved content - carry a mop on the poster.
>
>
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Box Office: Weekend of April 13-15, 2001

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Joe Dirt. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 11, 2021.
Life of Pi

**Life of Pi** is episode 182 focusing on the 2012 movie of the same name as part of the Podback Mountcast miniseries on the films of Ang Lee. Posted August 26, 2018.

## Summary

> Filmmaker Ray Tintori joins Griffin and David to discuss 2012’s Oscar award winning drama, *Life of Pi*. But was Tobey Maguire in an early cut of the movie wearing a terrible wig? Did Ray’s mother work as a script supervisor on this film? Does Ang Lee know about this podcast? Together, they examine the early stages of development for this project, working with VR technology and Griffin sets the record straight about his father.
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Halon Entertainment - Life of Pi Previs Highlight Reel
* Dennis Hopper reading “If” by Rudyard Kipling on the Johnny Cash Show
* Box office game: Weekend of November 23, 2012

## References

1. ↑ Life of Pi on Audioboom. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
Hercules

**Hercules** is episode 313 focusing on the 1997 animated film of the same name as part of The Poddle Mercast miniseries on the films of Musker & Clements. Posted February 28, 2021.

## Summary

>
> BC welcomes multi-hyphenate Larry Owens (*A Strange Loop*) for a discussion on 1997's *Hercules*!
>
>
>
>

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Hercules with Larry Owens. Audioboom. Retrieved on February 28, 2021.
Patrick Willems

**Patrick Willems** is an American podcaster and YouTuber. He appeared on the I Wanna Hold Your Hand episode, an appearance partly precipitated by his YouTube video "The Sad Story of Robert Zemeckis & His Wonderful Toys".

Griffin Newman appeared in Patrick's Discussion of the Future of Superhero Movies video.