Best Hoai Tran Bui Podcasts (2025)

1
Blank Check LIVE! at Town Hall (2025) 3:42

14h ago3:42

3:42

👑👑 A LIVE SHOW OF MAJESTIC PROPORTIONS 👑👑 Podcasters, cinephiles, and freaks—rejoice! Blank Check will be returning to Town Hall this summer to commemorate our 10th anniversary with a long-promised tribute to one of the greatest films in cinema history. To honor our “Decade of Dreams,” we cordially invite you to a royal audience with King Ralph, th…

1
Episode 165: "Clues" and "The Web Planet" (Parts 1-2) 57:12

3d ago57:12

57:12

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob search for "Clues" with a very fun Data-centric mystery episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Unfortunately, classic Doctor Who drops them into "The Web Planet," and... Uh... Doctor Who: The Web Planet (Parts 1-2) - 1:20 Star Trek: The Next Generation: Clues - 24:09 Epis…

1
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with Olivia Craighead 2:36:40

5d ago2:36:40

2:36:40

“Doom” isn’t just describing a Temple here, folks - it’s kind of the overarching vibe of this film! George Lucas is going through a bitter divorce. Steven Spielberg is dealing with PTSD from Twilight Zone: The Movie. Harrison Ford is suffering from a back injury from falling off an elephant or something. Kate Capshaw is there. A true cloud of doom …

1
Episode 164: "Devil's Due" and "The Romans" (Parts 3-4) 1:03:06

10d ago1:03:06

1:03:06

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob pay the "Devil's Due" with an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that feels awfully old-fashioned (maybe in a good way?). Over on classic Doctor Who, they wrap up "The Romans" and, well, it's certainly a Doctor Who storyline! Star Trek: The Next Generation: Devil's Due…

1
The Tenth Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid 2:58:02

12d ago2:58:02

2:58:02

It’s a wonderful night for Blankies! Join us and This Had Oscar Buzz’s Joe Reid as we survey the year that was 2024 in cinema. Not to spoil too much, but some things that happen in this episode: Griffy Crystal sings a tribute to The Brutalist to the tune of “Bootylicious,” Nosferatu wins zero awards but shows up to present every category, Griffin i…

1
Episode 163: "The Wounded" and "The Romans" (Parts 1-2) 1:14:12

18d ago1:14:12

1:14:12

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob visit "The Romans" as classic Doctor Who attempts to go full comedy with, uh, mixed results. Things are much stronger over on Star Trek: The Next Generation, as "The Wounded" introduces the Cardassians. Doctor Who: The Romans (Parts 1-2) - 1:35 Star Trek: The Next Generation:…

1
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 2:54:55

19d ago2:54:55

2:54:55

We’re putting out a bit of a throwback episode for the most iconic (literal) blankie in film history - this week’s E.T. episode is guestless, with Griffin going rogue off the dossier, David making fun of Griffin for being an adult who likes toys and animation, and Ben getting emotional over a family film…decade of dreams, baby! Join us as we gush o…

1
Episode 162: "Data's Day" and "The Rescue" (Parts 1-2) 1:16:28

25d ago1:16:28

1:16:28

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob sit in on "Data's Day" with one of the best episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation ever made. And then they're off to "The Rescue" as classic Doctor Who introduces a new companion. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Data's Day - 1:24 Doctor Who: The Rescue (Parts 1-2) - 42:3…

1
Raiders of the Lost Ark with Brian Michael Bendis 3:28:12

26d ago3:28:12

3:28:12

You’re a young movie fan. It’s 1981. STEVEN SPIELBERG is teaming up with FREAKING GEORGE LUCAS (!?!?!) to make a movie with HAN SOLO…can you imagine how hyped you’d be?? Marvel Comics legend Brian Michael Bendis joins us to recount the colossal impact of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK in this rollicking adventure of an episode. Jewish mysticism and weird …

1
Episode 161: "The Loss" and "Dalek Invasion of Earth" (Parts 5-6) 58:59

1M ago58:59

58:59

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob are on hand for the end of the "Dalek Invasion of Earth," and boy, they wish classic Doctor Who could always be this good. Things aren't nearly as shiny over on Star Trek: The Next Generation, where "The Loss" leaves just about everyone underwhelmed. Doctor Who: Dalek Invasio…

1
1941 with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger 2:50:01

1M ago2:50:01

2:50:01

He invented the summer blockbuster. He inspired millions of people around the world to “watch the skies.” And now, he has sent Griffin Newman into an existential crisis over the question “what is comedy?” Our friends Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger of The Doughboys join us to talk about Steven Spielberg’s infamously unfunny 1941. Why IS this film - lo…

1
Episode 160: "Final Mission" and "Dalek Invasion of Earth" (Parts 3-4) 1:14:57

1M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob embark on one "Final Mission" with Wesley Crusher as Star Trek: The Next Generation says goodbye (mostly) to Wil Wheaton. Meanwhile, the "Dalek Invasion of Earth" continues over on Doctor Who, as things go from bad to worse for the crew. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Final …

1
Close Encounters of the Third Kind with J.D. Amato 2:56:57

1M ago2:56:57

2:56:57

Five curious tones. A mountain of mashed potatoes. Bob Balaban with a beard speaking french. After the industry-changing success of JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND feels like a classic “blank check.” But it’s a little more nuanced than that! JD Amato returns for his 10th mainfeed appearance this week, and we’re getting into all of the prod…

1
Episode 159: "Future Imperfect" and "Dalek Invasion of Earth" (Parts 1-2) 1:17:37

2M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob witness the first stages of the "Dalek Invasion of Earth" as Doctor Who's greatest villains make their glorious comeback. And on Star Trek: The Next Generation, it's "Future Imperfect" with a big time jump episode ... or is it?! Doctor Who: Dalek Invasion of Earth (Parts 1-2)…

1
Jaws with Timothy Simons 2:59:08

2M ago2:59:08

2:59:08

Dunnnh dun. Dunnnh dun. Never before had two notes provoked such terror as they did in JAWS, the 1975 classic that invented the summer blockbuster, catapulted Steven Spielberg to Hollywood legend status, and inspired generational trauma about water. Actor and recognizable famous person Timothy Simons joins us to talk about this classic shark tale, …

1
Episode 158: "Reunion" and "Planet of the Giants" (Parts 1-3) 1:21:59

2M ago1:21:59

1:21:59

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob celebrate and mourn a major "Reunion" on Star Trek: The Next Generation and have a good time visiting the "Planet of the Giants" with classic Doctor Who. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Reunion - 1:37 Doctor Who: Planet of the Giants (Parts 1-3) - 46:10 Episode Rankings - 1:1…

1
The Sugarland Express with Esther Zuckerman 2:25:13

2M ago2:25:13

2:25:13

Young whippersnapper Steven Spielberg continues his run of dusty, road-centric films with 1974’s THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, and we’re along for the (surprisingly chill) ride. Writer Esther Zuckerman joins us to discuss the cinematic persona of Goldie Hawn, William Atherton’s strange period of leading-man roles, the harmonica stylings of Belgian jazz le…

1
Duel 2:10:10

2M ago2:10:10

2:10:10

2025! Blank Check Year 10! Year of Miracles! In honor of our record 10th year of podcasting, we’re doing something we’ve never done before - going back to fill in the gaps on a filmography we’ve previously only partially covered. And what a filmography it is - folks, welcome to PODRASSIC CAST. We’re starting our exploration of the first half of Ste…

1
Twin Peaks: The Return (Episodes 14-18) with Jane Schoenbrun 2:28:20

3M ago2:28:20

2:28:20

What year is it? Well, it’s 2024 - but not for long. It’s our last episode of the year! Director of this year’s I SAW THE TV GLOW Jane Schoenbrun joins us to talk about the conclusion of Twin Peaks: The Return, and, by default, the conclusion of our David Lynch series. In a show that intentionally defies the very concept of resolution, how do we pu…

1
Twin Peaks: The Return (Episodes 9-13) with Fran Hoepfner 2:38:18

3M ago2:38:18

2:38:18

Dougie gets it on (or, more accurately, Naomi Watts gets HER Dougie on), guest Fran Hoepfner pitches her artisanal slime for adults (don’t steal the idea), and we relitigate LOST for the hundredth time in this penultimate episode of our Twin Peaks: The Return coverage. Can adults get mono? Why is it so hard for Lucy and Andy to buy a chair? THAT is…

1
Twin Peaks: The Return (Episode 8) with Connor Ratliff 2:26:43

3M ago2:26:43

2:26:43

This is the podcast. These are the (two) friends. Drink full, and descend. The famous “Atomic Bomb” episode of The Return stands as one of David Lynch’s most defining works, an “origin story” for Twin Peaks, and one of the most experimental hours ever to air on narrative television. In a rare moment of “double dipping,” Twin Peaks S2 guest Connor R…

1
Twin Peaks: The Return (Episodes 1-7) 2:23:12

3M ago2:23:12

2:23:12

It is happening again - we’re covering TV! Or is it an 18-part movie? Much to ponder. We’re heading back to the Pacific Northwest (and Vegas…and New York…and the Red Room…and outer space?) in our first of four episodes covering Showtime’s 2017 series “Twin Peaks: The Return.” So far, we’ve got tulpas, Caleb Laundry Bag, three distinct versions of D…

1
Inland Empire with David Rees 3:08:24

3M ago3:08:24

3:08:24

Only on Blank Check would an episode about David Lynch’s deeply destabilizing INLAND EMPIRE turn into a heartfelt celebration of creativity and the human experience. David Rees joins us and brings receipts - including literal receipts for every movie ticket he purchased in 2007 and his high school newspaper review of Twin Peaks (a pan) - as we gush…

1
Mulholland Drive with Leslye Headland 3:50:41

4M ago3:50:41

3:50:41

Is it a dream? Is it about a dream? Is it a TV pilot? Is it the greatest film of the 21st century? In any case, Leslye Headland returns to the podcast to talk about David Lynch’s endlessly fascinating 2001 masterpiece MULHOLLAND DR. We may not have all the answers, but we do have a lot of thoughts about Hollywood, about Billy Ray Cyrus, about actor…

1
Here 1:56:00

4M ago1:56:00

1:56:00

We apologize in advance if you had a profound emotional experience with the new Robert Zemeckis joint - HERE felt like more of a “Here?? What???? Why?” to us. Dinosaurs, Benjamin Franklin’s cuck son, a man dying from laughter, a horny couple who invent the LA-Z Boy, airplane man (who does NOT die from airplane), and the double whammy of the Black L…

1
The Straight Story with Dana Stevens 2:17:03

4M ago2:17:03

2:17:03

Walt Disney Pictures Presents A Film By David Lynch. And what a beautiful, expectation-defying, G-rated, cold-glass-of-beer film it is. Dana Stevens joins us to talk about 1999’s The Straight Story, a film that showcases Lynch’s fascination with Americana and his deep empathy for characters on the margins. Join us on a journey through the Midwest (…

1
Lost Highway with David Lowery 2:44:15

4M ago2:44:15

2:44:15

1997’s Lost Highway - is it (as David Sims wrote on Letterboxd), “a movie about headache”? Is it David Lynch’s most visually beautiful film? Is it a dry run for Mulholland Dr? A radical reimagining of Bill Pullman’s screen presence? A psychogenic fugue? Lynch’s commentary on the OJ Simpson trial? An excuse for David Sims to go off on the concept of…

1
Joker: Hallie À Goodrich 2:20:27

5M ago2:20:27

2:20:27

What if they made a sequel to the Joker movie that was pretty much the finale of Seinfeld but it’s also a half-assed jukebox musical, and EVERYONE hated it? What if Michael Keaton had a 35-year-old pregnant daughter, but he also had precocious 9-year-old twins and a Los Angeles art gallery on the verge of financial collapse? Both scenarios lay the …

1
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me with Arkasha Stevenson 2:12:29

5M ago2:12:29

2:12:29

One of the more harrowing films we’ve covered on the podcast (and the second film we’ve covered in 2024 with a memorable “gobble gobble” line), 1992’s TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME was not the quirky, enjoyable plotline wrap-up fans of Twin Peaks wanted. David Lynch instead challenged the audience to identify with Laura Palmer’s humanity and pain, …

1
Wild at Heart with Tatiana Maslany 2:05:20

5M ago2:05:20

2:05:20

If we told you this was the first time we’d covered a Nicolas Cage movie on the podcast - would you believe us? Well, baby - it’s true. And what a movie it is! The luminous Tatiana Maslany returns to talk about David Lynch’s smokin’ hot outlaw romance WILD AT HEART - a film that won the Palme d’Or and took Lynch away from the set of Twin Peaks. Get…

1
Twin Peaks (Season 1) with Eva Anderson 3:09:49

5M ago3:09:49

3:09:49

For a brief shining moment, Middle America went crazy for the surreal soap opera stylings of David Lynch and Mark Frost. We’re talking ABC, primetime, airing against “Cheers”-level mainstream. And then it all came crashing down. Listen as we take our first step into the intoxicating world of Twin Peaks - one of the most influential television serie…

1
Blue Velvet with Jamie Loftus 2:53:27

6M ago2:53:27

2:53:27

Lend us your (severed) ears! This week, we’re jumping back into our Lynch series with a trip to Lumberton, USA, as our beloved Jamie Loftus joins us to chat about 1986’s BLUE VELVET. We’re going deep on the star persona of Kyle MacLachlan, David Sims’ obsession with Dean Stockwell, and David Lynch’s unironic obsession with Americana. How does a mov…

1
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2:12:40

6M ago2:12:40

2:12:40

We’re taking a break from David Lynch to answer one of the year’s biggest questions - Is Burton Back, Baby? Ummmm…kind of! Grab your “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” commemorative popcorn tin and join us as we attempt to untangle the very messy BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE. Which sequences wowed us with their sparkling ingenuity? Which plotlines wou…

1
Dune with John Hodgman 3:05:17

6M ago3:05:17

3:05:17

The sleeper must awaken. The filmography must contain a flop. We’ve arrived at the Planet Arrakis aka the Desert Planet aka DUNE (1984) - David Lynch’s attempt at wrangling Frank Herbert’s space epic into a single studio blockbuster. Did it work? Not really. Do we have fun talking about it? Hell yeah, we do! John Hodgman joins us to talk about all …

1
The Elephant Man with Alex Ross Perry 3:03:26

6M ago3:03:26

3:03:26

We’re getting in touch with our emotions this week, as Alex Ross Perry joins us to talk about Lynch’s deeply-felt, sensitively-rendered 1980 classic THE ELEPHANT MAN. Is this the most “normal” movie in Lynch’s filmography? What does “normal” mean, anyway? As with all Alex episodes, questions are posed and hotly debated, such as: What filmmakers, as…

1
Eraserhead 2:17:46

6M ago2:17:46

2:17:46

In heaven (and in podcasting), everything is fine. Welcome to TWIN PODS: FIRE CAST WITH ME, a series on the films of David Lynch - former Eagle Scout and totally normal human man. With his 1977 debut feature ERASERHEAD, Lynch burst on to the scene somewhat fully formed as an artist, confused by normal social interactions and motivated by a seething…

1
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 2:38:20

7M ago2:38:20

2:38:20

Welp, our Kevin Costner series ends not with a bang, but a whimper. With the pulling of Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 from theaters, we are left to only speculate what the future holds for Costner’s self-funded crazy passion project. What we can tell you is that Chapter 1 doesn’t really feel like its own self-contained movie. Plotlines are …

1
Trap 2:59:41

7M ago2:59:41

2:59:41

You know the Butcher? That freakin' nutjob that goes around just chopping people up? Well, we’re about to spend nearly three hours talking about him! Join us as we unpack TRAP - the devilishly entertaining new thriller from M. Night Shyamalan, with special insights from our own David Sims, who spent much of this year interviewing Night at his compo…

1
Open Range with Chris Ryan 2:04:21

7M ago2:04:21

2:04:21

Free-grazers and CR-heads - this is your week. The icon, the legend, the Ringer’s own Chris Ryan joins us to talk about Kevin Costner’s understated 2003 western OPEN RANGE. We’re finally doing a deep-dive on the Taylor Sheridan empire (aka Chris tells us what Mayor of Kingstown is actually about) as we set up the later part of Costner’s career in t…

1
The Postman with Emily St. James 2:33:52

7M ago2:33:52

2:33:52

This week’s movie has everything - fake teeth on Giovanni Ribisi, a mule performing Shakespeare, Tom Petty, Kevin Costner’s irresistible sperm…you read that correctly. This film has a major plot line that revolves around Kevin Costner’s sperm. Our beloved Emily St. James joins us to talk about Kevin Costner’s colossal 1997 flop, the post-apocalypti…

1
Dances with Wolves 2:15:20

8M ago2:15:20

2:15:20

In a first for Blank Check, we’re covering a filmmaker who has acted alongside our own Griffin Newman! In our premiere episode covering the directorial career of Draft Day co-star Kevin Costner, we’re unpacking his 1990 Best Picture winner, DANCES WITH WOLVES. Costner as personal mythmaker, Costner as “movie sports guy,” Costner as “hot guy who wom…

1
Gigli with Jen D'Angelo 2:56:11

8M ago2:56:11

2:56:11

The first "G" in "Gigli" is pronounced like the "J" in “Jacques,” the second “G” is silent. Rhymes with "really." Now that that’s out of the way - we conclude our Martin Brest series with the turkey of all turkeys. The Bennifer original sin, the project that should have gotten Justin Bartha put in prison. That’s right, folks. We’re talking about on…

1
Meet Joe Black with Richard Lawson 2:42:07

8M ago2:42:07

2:42:07

He’s hot. He’s got frosted tips. He loves peanut butter. His lil swimmers may or may not look like skulls. He’s death, baby! And we’re meeting him this week! Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson returns to the pod to chat about 1998’s three hour long “symphonic metaphysical romance” MEET JOE BLACK. How does this film play in a post-Succession, “eat the ric…

1
Scent of a Woman with David Krumholtz 2:17:50

8M ago2:17:50

2:17:50

Warning - this episode contains an ungodly amount of Pacino impressions. Listener discretion is advised. “Actor’s actor” and local boy from Queens David Krumholtz becomes the second cast member of Oppenheimer and first person immortalized in Griffin’s beloved Disney Emoji Blitz to guest on our Martin Brest series as we talk about 1992’s dire SCENT …

1
Episode 157: "Legacy" and "The Time of the Doctor" 2:17:43

9M ago2:17:43

2:17:43

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob celebrate the "Legacy" of Star Trek: The Next Generation as the series passes a major milestone with a pretty good episode. But they also bid a fond farewell to Matt Smith and the Eleventh Doctor over on Doctor Who with the messy but magnificent "The Time of the Doctor." Star…

1
Midnight Run with Alan Sepinwall 3:01:33

9M ago3:01:33

3:01:33

In a first for Blank Check, Ben Hosley produces an entire episode while handcuffed and under threat of legal action. What else would you expect from a MIDNIGHT RUN episode? The great Alan Sepinwall returns to the pod to talk about Martin Brest’s fantastic cross-country buddy caper, a film that proved that DeNiro could do comedy and that Charles Gro…

1
Episode 156: "Remember Me" and "The Day of the Doctor" 2:10:32

9M ago2:10:32

2:10:32

In this episode of Trekking Through Time and Space... Hoai-Tran and Jacob thrill to a pretty dang good Dr. Crusher adventure with "Remember Me" on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But it's "The Day of the Doctor" that they really, really, reeeeeally talk about in this episode as Doctor Who celebrates its 50th anniversary in style. Star Trek: The Nex…

1
Beverly Hills Cop with Adil & Bilall 1:49:46

9M ago1:49:46

1:49:46

An indelible synth theme by Harold Faltermeyer. A scene-stealing turn from Bronson Pinchot. A banana in a tailpipe. EDDIE FREAKING MURPHY. It’s no wonder that Martin Brest’s Beverly Hills Cop is one of the most beloved action comedies (and still the highest-grossing R-rated film adjusted for inflation). We couldn’t be more thrilled to have two of t…

1
Going In Style with James Urbaniak 1:52:20

9M ago1:52:20

1:52:20

After years of citing him as a potential series, we’re finally Brest men. In this inaugural episode of our “Podverly Hills Cast” series, we’re taking a look at Martin Brest’s debut feature, 1979’s understated and deeply enjoyable old man heist film “Going in Style.” James Urbaniak joins us to chat through the beginning of Brest’s career, and the st…

1
Furiosa with Kyle Buchanan 3:02:44

9M ago3:02:44

3:02:44

We return to the Wasteland this week with Furiosa, and we’ve got quite the tour guide. Kyle Buchanan - author of Blood, Sweat & Chrome, THE book on the making of Mad Max: Fury Road - joins us as we do a definitive post-mortem on George Miller’s latest. Going up against the reputation of Fury Road was always going to be an uphill battle for the Anya…

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