STOP MAKING PODCASTS: The Films of Jonathan Demme

Nov 10, 12:00 AM
It’s the first episode of a new mini-series. You voted for him, you’ve only yourself to blame for JONATHAN DEMME. Probably one of the directors with the most range of films - from rom coms to serious dramas - Griffin and David start with the first three of his films, each a strange genre movie: Caged Heat about a prison break; Crazy Mama about women doing crimes; and Fighting Mad which pits farmers vs coal companies. What is the appeal of women’s prison movies? Literally what is Michael Richards doing all day? Can art be non-political nowadays? And what exactly makes Demme SO iconic that he’s such an influencer?

Blank Check with Griffin & David

Caged Heat/ Crazy Mama/ Fighting Mad

Guest Justin McElroy is gonna be mad he volunteered to do any film when Griff and David talk about Demme's first two tries at "real" movies after his Roger Korman saga. The trio talk about CB, or "Citizen's Band," and Last Embrace, a surprisingly Judaic Thriller. The films contain oddly touching birthday party scenes, IMDB spoilers,  children named Blood, and the introduction of heavy concepts that are never dealt with. Did Ben Kingsley win an Oscar?  What's Justin's 30-second Tim Robbins story? Also what is Mandy Patinkin, the Patinkiest, doing in this movie?

Citizens Band/ Last Embrace with Justin McElroy

Finally, we get to the good Demme movies with film critic Jordan Hoffman. The partially true story of a guy who thinks Howard Hughes is gonna leave him money. What made Griffin almost cry (and not in frustration)? What is an animated movie actually and is it for children? What game shows attracted the weirdest contestants. Why isn't there a good movie where someone's telling someone to go get their shine box? And what's your favorite Airplane joke? 

Music selection: "I Knew a Guy" by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Melvin and Howard (and Jordan Hoffman)

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.

SFX: "SL50 Focus Lock" by sonoplastico; "Audio Cassette Tape Open Close Play Stop" by Bertrof; and "One Beep" by kwahmah_02. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Swing Shift

Everyone wants to get to the pod with guest Demi Adejuyigbe as the Blank Check Boys talk about Demme's Concert Film with the Talking Heads. What shows should get gritty reboots? Why did concert films stop existing?  What is the song Heaven about (what isn't it about?) Have you seen DJ Khaled's Slack channel? And what would David Byrne sound like ordering a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese? One of the great things is that there's no talking heads about the Talking Heads, it's just a great show.

SFX: "Lock: Unlock" by cemagar. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Stop Making Sense with Demi Adejuyigbe

From Comedy Bang Bang and the new film Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Scott Auckerman joins the two friends to talk about people who talk funny and that's their job now. What films did Ray Liotta think were stupid? Where did Sue Tissue, the original Manic Pixie Dream Girl, disappear to? Does Blue Velvet make sense if you miss the first few minutes? And how much did Jeff Daniels get paid to be in Dumb and Dumber?

Something Wild with Scott Aukerman

She's MARRIED to the MOB. Now that we have that out of the way, get ready for 25 minutes of discussion about the Kids Choice Awards. Which Marvel movie would work directed by Scorsese? Why in the world is everyone fighting over Ed Begley, Jr. when Michelle Pfeiffer is so much better? What was everyone's shit job in New York? And find out why Ang is so perfect to guest on this episode.

Blank Check with Griffin and David

Married to the Mob with Ang Ferraguto

The two friends are joined by prolific writer Emily St. James  to talk about the most influential movie that BC has covered  - except for Fletch of course. It's so influential there are TOO MANY BITS!  What's Emily's take on what all Demme movies are about? What could Hannibal lector have looked like if it was a different actor? And a special shoutout to all our cannibal psychologist listeners!

Silence of the Lambs with Emily St. James

Writer Richard Lawson joins the boys to talk about this WEIRD but poignant film that is actually streaming on Netflix. Why didn't they just make Tom Hanks whole family hate him? And who better to sing about the streets of Philadelphia than Bruce Springsteen? Plus a >>special<< merch spotlight.

Philadelphia with Richard Lawson

Co-host of the bad romance podcast , freelance writer for thrillist and bitch media Jourdain Searles joins the cast to talk about the team-up that no one saw coming, Oprah and Demme. The two friends and guest talk about the sexiness of the pepper beard and facial ombre, the Fifty Shades series, and thandie newton again (for the first time?) Plus, what might another Toni Morrison adaptation look like? Why was Ryan Gosling fired from The Lovely Bones? What are the 21 bridges in 21 Bridges? And why doesn't this movie have more ghost stuff?

Beloved with Jourdain Searles

Director and filmmaker David Lowery joins the two friends to talk about a weird remake of an Audrey Hepburn movie, except bad, starring Mark Wahlberg in his self-described worst role. There are insane hat choices and a very long ballroom scene. What was the last video game that Lowry played? Why is Tom Cruise wearing Ugg boot? How does Ted Levine die?  And what film did Lowery review and later realize he hadn't actually seen? THIS MOVIE HONKS!

The Truth About Charlie with David Lowery

The Flop House joins Blank Check to talk about this remake that was like okay, but definitely better than the last Demme remake. Is Meryl good or weird? Why is a pack of cards so sexy? How many films and TV shows are there about last men? How do you get rid of ants? What mysteries are still left unanswered? And what does the Flop House think about Trolls the Experience?

SFX: "Organ" by caquet; "movietheatreambience"  by NoiseCollector;  "curtain on rail" by Khanyi_190188; and "COUCH - falling on couch" by Jay6Waza. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

The Manchurian Candidate with the Flop House: Dan McCoy, Stuart Wellington, and Elliott Kalan

From Iconography, Ayo Edibiri and Olivia Craighead join Griffin and special guest the crypt keeper that is gravelly-voiced David. Get ready for a movie surprisingly starring Sebastian Stan, and a 20-minute long story about the saga of Marc Summers. How many sitcoms were about dads that are also another thing? How much family trauma comes out at a wedding? How muddy is this film?

Rachel Getting Married with Ayo Edibiri and Olivia Craighead

David, Griffin, and self-made man of letters John Hodgman [@hodgman] have to deal with Ragnar in this weird weird weird adaptation of a Henrik Ibsen play - and by adaptation, we mean they just took the play and filmed it in a house in Nyack. But instead of talking about the not so great film, get ready for more rants about Cars 2 (WHAT IS MONEY HOW DOES THIS WORK?) and the explanation of how Playmobil the Movie happened without anyone noticing. Also, in no way was this episode accidentally deleted and hastily re-recorded at the last minute.

SFX: "Sizzling" by JasonElrod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

A Master Builder with John Hodgman

Who? Weekly hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber talk about Demme's last film, written by Diablo Cody. But they really just want to talk about Tully. It's a film about dead beat [get it? BEAT??] Moms with Meryl's real daughter, and Griffin is so laid back he has his microphone in his lap. What works for Wild Rose that doesn't work for this film? Can we talk about her INSANE TATTOO FOR A SECOND? And what's the best place to watch this movie?

Ricki and the Flash with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber

B-b-b-bonus Jonas, David and Griffin do a Jonathan Demme wrap-up with his last full-length music documentary. What is David's extensive background with Timberlake concerts? How much does Griffin dislike Timberlake? Is he actually funny or is that all Andy Samberg? And how do musicians keep from exhausting themselves on stage?

Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids

Not 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.

STOP MAKING PODCASTS: The Films of Jonathan Demme

Blank Check Podcast