Blank Check with Griffin & David: Trap on DeepCast

Topics

DeepSummary

This episode features a discussion on M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller film 'Trap' with insights from David Sims who interviewed Shyamalan while working on a profile piece. They delve into the film's plot, characters, Shyamalan's career trajectory, and his approach to filmmaking. The conversation covers topics like Shyamalan's family involvement in his projects, the marketing strategy for 'Trap', and dissecting specific scenes and performances.

A significant portion is dedicated to analyzing Josh Hartnett's performance as the film's protagonist, the challenges Shyamalan faced in making the movie, and the overall reception of the film. The group also touches upon Shyamalan's previous works, his shift from prestige dramas to genre films, and the evolution of his filmmaking sensibilities over time.

The episode includes digressions into tangentially related topics like the group's thoughts on concerts, live events, the New York Liberty's mascot Ellie the Elephant, and the current state of the box office. They also discuss the challenges faced by major studios like Warner Bros. in marketing and distributing certain films.

Key Episodes Takeaways

M. Night Shyamalan's new film 'Trap' is a return to his thriller/horror roots, with a focus on exploring the psyche of a serial killer protagonist.
The film features strong performances, particularly from Josh Hartnett in the lead role, and showcases Shyamalan's distinct filmmaking style and sensibilities.
Shyamalan's career has seen a resurgence in recent years, as he has shifted back to making lower-budget, genre-focused films after a period of struggling with bigger-budget studio projects.
The discussion touches upon the challenges faced by major studios like Warner Bros. in effectively marketing and distributing certain types of films, particularly in the post-pandemic era.
The hosts engage in tangential discussions on topics like concerts, live events, the New York Liberty's mascot Ellie the Elephant, and the current state of the box office.
David Sims' insights from his interviews with Shyamalan and time spent on the set of 'Trap' provide a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the director's creative process and approach to the film.
The group critiques certain aspects of recent films like 'Twisters' and speculates about unconventional projects like the Lego-animated Pharrell Williams documentary.
The episode highlights the hosts' deep knowledge and passion for film, as they engage in detailed analyses of various aspects of filmmaking, from performances to marketing strategies.

Top Episodes Quotes

“His dialogue is so obvious.“ by Griffin Newman
― This quote highlights a recurring criticism of Shyamalan's writing style, which the hosts discuss in relation to 'Trap'.
“Look, the whole point of Deadpool is him going like, that is what it is.“ by David Sims
― This quote reflects the hosts' discussion of the meta-awareness and self-referential nature of the 'Deadpool' films, which they contrast with Shyamalan's more earnest approach.
“I saw someone say, like, is the movie not better if you swap ramos and corn sweat in their roles? And it probably is.“ by Griffin Newman
― This quote highlights the hosts' critique of the casting choices in 'Twisters', suggesting that swapping the roles of certain actors could have improved the film.

Chapter Details

Chapter 1: Introduction and Initial Thoughts on M. Night Shyamalan's 'Trap'

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Griffin, David, Marie, and Ben begin by discussing their initial reactions to M. Night Shyamalan's new film 'Trap' and setting up the context for the episode, including David's experience interviewing Shyamalan for a profile piece.

The episode discusses M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller film 'Trap' in detail, with insights from David Sims who interviewed Shyamalan for a magazine profile piece.
The hosts establish the premise of the Blank Check podcast, which is to review the complete filmographies of directors who were given creative freedom ('blank checks') after early successes.

1. “Obviously, so when I first, when he first shows me just the first chunk of the movie in his little screening room.“ by Speaker David Sims

― It hints at David's behind-the-scenes access to Shyamalan while working on his profile piece.

Entities

Person

M. Night Shyamalan//Josh Hartnett//Saleka Shyamalan//Ishana Shyamalan//Esther Zuckerman//Michael DeLuca//Bryce Dallas Howard//Hayley Mills//Alison Pill//Keanu Reeves//Glenn Powell//Anthony Ramos//Sean Wan//John Carpenter//Brian De Palma//Shawn Levy//Kevin Costner//Taylor Swift//Celine Dion//Helen Hunt//Daveed Diggs//Ben Affleck//Nicole Kidman//Lars von Trier//Joaquin Phoenix//Adrian Brody//Bruce Willis//Donnie Wahlberg//Oz Perkins//Jordan Peele//Robert Rodriguez//Mike Myers//Pharrell Williams//Snoop Dogg//Michel Gondry//Zachary Levi//Robert F.

Episode Information

Podcast Title

Blank Check with Griffin & David

Host

Blank Check Productions

Publish Date

8/11/24

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