Stay ConnectedNot just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors’ complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail. Produced by Ben Hosley.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Copyright: © 2026
This week Griffin and David, whilst yelling into microphones, dive right into the river of ham that is Anakin’s origin story and the main crux of the Phantom Menace series: turning to the dark side and becoming Darth Vader. Also, the MANY mistakes the Jedi council make, killing children, a space holocaust, and choking your wife because your trying to save her from your dreams where she dies. And of course, as always, fuck George Lucas.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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?
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.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1992, the original Fantastic Four movie was produced by Constantin Film solely to retain the rights of the franchise. Shot in 22 days, the low budget film was never to be officially released (unbenounced to the crew and the mostly Canadian cast.)
Fast forward to early aughts and superhero films are all the rage. 20th Century Fox having acquired the licensing, after years of numerous scripts being thrown around, finally begin production on the second Fantastic Four movie in 2004. Though considered a failure among critics and fans, box office sales proved enough for 2007’s sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer. Again, it was not good.
But then in 2015 a reboot directed by Josh Trank was released among rumors of fighting and reshoots and guess what guys IT’S ALSO BAD!
In this week’s special episode, join hosts Griffin and David as they discuss and rank all four films and why this may be the end for Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Invisible Woman (Susan Storm), The Human Torch (Johnny Storm) and The Thing (Ben Grimm).
Music courtesy of John Ottman “Main Titles” & The Fantastic Four “The Whole World Is A Stage”
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Once again, Griffin and David in a very special bonus episode watched Attack of the Clones (for probably the last time) and recorded their commentary. So cue up that blu-ray and listen along with the hosts as they offer up their thoughts in real time.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Griffin and David welcome another amazing guest this week, Chase Mitchell (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon). Together, they discuss deleted scenes like: Anakin hanging out with Padmé’s father (who is some bum), Jocasta Nu may have had a fling with Count Doku and the Galactic Senate discussing the option to militarize or “the Binks bill.”
Griffin also reads more fan fiction this time about Dexter’s diner (OK and maybe a erotic scene between Anakin and Padmé). Plus, the gang shares their final thoughts on the film.
Is it another case solved? Did they reach any kind of conclusions? Is there some kind of huge revelation exposed in this episode? Listen and find out all these answers and more!
Music by: Lee Rosevere “Cosmic Tingles”
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Joining Griffin and David this week is special guest J.D. Amato to discuss the behind-the-scenes making of this film, including, a featurette entitled: “Star Wars State Of The Art: The Pre-Visualization Of Episode II” (found in the initial DVD release of Attack of the Clones.)
Together, they examine the process of pre-visualization, why the CGI technology of its time compared even with today’s still makes this film ambitious, the uncanny valley and reasons why most of the special effects didn’t enhance or contribute to the overall story.
Though, George tried his best, why did Lucas put himself into a situation where no one could help him or this movie? Why did actors perform to no one in a blue room? Was there ever even a bigger picture or cohesive plan? Find out these answers and more!
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 episodes in and hosts David and Griffin are waning. This week, while attempting to discuss Senator Palpatine’s rise to power as Darth Sidious (the titular Phantom Menace), Count Doku pulling strings for the separatists, and just exactly what the Galactic Senate does for the universe they hit a major detour: Griffin reads from his awful 6th grade paper about the movie Beauty Shop.
Is the Galactic Senate like the United Nations? Or more like NATO? Why did Griffin think Amos ’n’ Andy had funny jokes?
Don’t expect any answers!
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the sixth installment of the only podcast that exclusively talks about Attack of the Clones (formally just the Phantom Menace until discovering this sequel), Griffin and David once again examine the film’s entire cast and rate all the major players–actor by actor. From Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi as most improved to Christopher Lee killing it as Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus to the amazing voice acting of Ron Falk as THE BEST CHARACTER IN THE ENTIRE MOVIE: DEXTER JETTSTER!
How do the boys rankings of some actors compare to the last review? Do their critiques take into account the once again overwhelming criticism that revolved around this film?
Plus, assessing director’s body of work such as Joel Schumacher, apparently Michael Jackson wanted to be Jar Jar Binks and remember thespians don’t blink!
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Griffin and David with special guest Morgan Evans pick up where they left off last episode (right after Anakin murders men, women and children) and take you, the listener, off to the bug planet of Geonosis!
Together, they examine the revelation of Count Dooku, the comic fodder of C3PO, assembly line sequence antics, fighting beasts for entertainment, dark force lightning and please remember everyone pop-ups are for kids!
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Joining Griffin and David this week is friend of the show, Rachel Lang, to discuss the steamy romance that develops between Anakin and Padmé. Playing a major part in a film thats about a war happening in space, the scenes of going out to eat at a restaurant, innocently rolling around in fields, and a secret wedding are this episode’s focus.
Together, they look at why the Jedi can’t have sex, writing fan fiction, Anakin’s feelings towards sand, and Rachel recounts meeting composer John Williams after a concert while he was very sweaty.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X!
Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord
For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
