EPISODES

We're talking about a very long walk this week as Alex Ross Perry joins us to discuss Peter Weir's final film, 2010's gulag escape drama The Way Back. Remember those couple of years when Jim Sturgess was everywhere? Remember when Peter Weir could barely get distribution for his follow-up to Master & Commander? Dire times. As is the case with most ARP episodes, expect some wild takes about everything from the Coen brothers to World War II movies, plus a very detailed rundown of the National Geographic Films slate. Check out Videoheaven on the Criterion Channel Buy some Pavements Merch / Blu-Ray Listen to Critical Darlings discuss Train Dreams Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film bi...

Beat to quarters, men..and nice Brazilian lady holding an umbrella! We're sailing the high seas with John Hodgman this week as we unpack one of David Sims' favorite films - 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. We're talking Crowe. We're talking Bettany. We're talking James Cameron's Mexican water tank. We're talking soused hog and we're talking Saluting Day. And yes, we are talking BOATS. Is Ben about to enter his Salty Dog Era? He should! If you wish to inquire about Ship Happens, shiphappensbrooklin@gmail.com. Check out the rest of Patrick O’Brian’s work. Read New 'Master and Commander' Film In The Works, But Russell Crowe And Paul Bettany Probably Won't Be Back BY Ben Pearson. Listen to The Lex G Podcast. Pop over to the Sunken Harbour Club if you’re in NY. Watch Medi...

The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first new Star Wars movie in 7 years. It was also directed by Jon Favreau while he was making grilled cheese sandwiches. What the heck is going on with our favorite franchise? "Bad Boy of Blank Check" Chris Gethard returns to the pod to discuss The State of Star Wars: the deal with Dave Filoni, the Male Loneliness Epidemic, how watching Andor felt like texting your ex, and the complete and utter catastrophe of Rotta the Hutt. It's a cathartic three hours, so grab your Grogu Nilla Nummies and buckle up. Listen to Hits Different Listen to Beautiful Anonymous Watch TCGS #28 | Ruin This Show Watch Chris Gethard: Career Suicide Read The Bracing Authenticity of Chris Gethard's Career Suicide Check out Dave Filoni’s “Plan” Read Star Wars: Thrawn Series by Timothy ...

Good morning! And in case we don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! JD Amato - often the Christof of Blank Check - joins us for a super-sized episode about Peter Weir's The Truman Show. We're getting into the history of reality entertainment, the implications of Christof's methods, the insanity of this movie's Oscar snubs, Jim Carrey's historic 1990s, and Matt Gaetz's childhood. Did you know that Matt Gaetz grew up in the Truman Show house? Really makes you think. Anyway - we hope you join us for a spirited conversation, but not before you pour yourself a mug of Mococoa Cocoa. ⁠Read David's article with Ed Harris - A New Way of Looking at To Kill a Mockingbird ⁠ ⁠Buy J.D.'s Book The Endless Game⁠ ⁠Watch The Undercovers ⁠ Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newslett...

Peter Weir's Fearless is about a man who survives a plane crash and finds that he is no longer allergic to strawberries. It's also a deeply affecting, soulful exploration on what it means to be alive. And, as David Sims says - it's the "final boss" of plane crash movies. "Hitmaker" Timothy Simons joins us to chat about Jeff Bridges, Rosie Perez, "pink cloud syndrome," and aerophobia in this episode, so fasten your seatbelts and brace for impact! With a limited-time offer, get Huel today with an exclusive offer of 15% off online with the code CHECK at https://www.huel.com/check. New customers only. Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive...

Most filmmakers dream of making ambitious, big-budget epics once they're able to cash in their "blank check." Peter Weir wanted to make Green Card. Writer and romcom expert Esther Zuckerman joins us to talk about this 1990 oddity, released the same year as Pretty Woman, but centered around the star persona of Gérard Depardieu instead of Julia Roberts. We're talking about the romcom genre, the many attempts to bring international stars to Hollywood, the golden age of Andie MacDowell movies, and the undeniable smokeshow that was early 90s Bebe Neuwirth in this episode. Pardon our French. Literally. Get Esther's Book Falling In Love at the Movies Read FILM VIEW; 'Green Card' Apes 'Pretty Woman' Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed yo...

Boys and girls, please open your textbooks. Rip out the pages. Carpe Diem. We're seizing the day and talking about 1989's Dead Poets Society with filmmaker Nia DaCosta in this episode, but don't get too wild and change your name to Nuwanda or anything! This week, we discuss House MD, prep schools, the fact that David Sims played Puck in a high school production, and Robin Williams' Oscar legacy. O Podcast, my podcast! Read about Franny's weirder cut Check out Jack Black's YouTube Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blank...

We all have those moments where we just want to disengage from conventional society. We often yearn to go "off the grid." But, would we ever want to go to the Mosquito Coast? HELL NO. Sean Fennessey joins us to chat about Peter Weir's 1986 film that tests the limits of Harrison Ford's likability to the extent that Ben Hosley would describe it as "anti-smile." Allie Fox is a bad hang. The Mosquito Coast? GOOD MOVIE. Listen to Griffin and David on the Big Picture Watch Harrison Ford on Conan spoil Star Wars 7 The Great Railway Bazaar Read Roger Ebert’s review of Paul Blart Mall Cop Read Rembert Explains America: Burning Man Forever Listen to The A24 Podcast: A Bigger Canvas with Martin Scorsese & Joanna Hogg Dive into the Hogg-verse with Davis piece on Joanna Hogg Watch Ham Hat Sign up for C...

Strap in, DobMob...we're going to Amish Country! The Big Picture's Amanda Dobbins joins us to talk about Peter Weir's Witness, perhaps the zenith of Harrison Ford's hotness, and the film that garnered him his sole Oscar nomination. We're talking Rumspringa, birds and birdhouses (Amanda is not a fan), Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, and young Viggo (which naturally lends itself to LOTR discussion). Listen up, or else you'll be shunned from the Blankie community! Listen to Griffin and Ben on The Daily Zeitgeist⁠ ⁠Check out the Kyle Chandler Men's Health Cover mentioned ⁠ ⁠Watch Tracy Letts talk shit about Star Wars⁠ ⁠Read Roger Ebert's Review⁠ ⁠Listen to The Big Picture⁠ ⁠Listen to Jam Session⁠ Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to fe...