Warner Bros.

Made films the shows talk about.

Counted as studio. The films the hosts said they were behind, which the two lists below run through too: Lolita (1962); 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); A Clockwork Orange (1971); Barry Lyndon (1975); Empire of the Sun (1987); Bird (1988); Batman (1989); Revenge (1990); Demolition Man (1993); Fearless (1993); Jurassic Park (1993); The Fugitive (1993); Seven (1995); You've Got Mail (1998); Eyes Wide Shut (1999); A Very Long Engagement (2004); Lady in the Water (2006); Zodiac (2007); The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008); Man of Steel (2013); The Judge (2014); Justice League (2017); King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017); The Lego Batman Movie (2017); Tenet (2020); Babylon (2022); Barbie (2023); Dune: Part Two (2024); A Minecraft Movie (2025); Mickey 17 (2025); Batman (franchise); Dogfight; Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson film.

Draws on

What the speakers say they, or a film of theirs, drew on. Each is a speaker's account: “the maker said so” when they report the maker's own words, “the host's read” when the read is theirs.

Singin' in the Rain (1952): 5 lines

  1. craft (scene mirror) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): Singin' in the Rain ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). Babylon's walk-on bar scene mirrors the flashback that opens Singin' in the Rain, where Don Lockwood gets a walk-on.
    “Um, Don Lockwood gets a walk on part in a bar in that like in that flashback to start the movie.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 0:48:21 · Sean Fennessey (0.40 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (homage) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): Singin' in the Rain ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). A speaker calls the sound-stage scene a direct Singin' in the Rain homage, 'on steroids times a 1000'.
    “Again, like a very, very direct homage.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 1:13:47 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)
  3. theme (echo) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): Singin' in the Rain ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). The silent-to-sound struggle scene in Babylon echoes Singin' in the Rain, down to the actress who cannot find the microphone.
    “And that is a huge echo of singing in the rain.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 1:14:54 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)
  4. craft (scene mirror) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): Singin' in the Rain ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). A Babylon moment is said to echo Don and Kathy Selden from Singin' in the Rain.
    “Also, echoes of Don and Kathy Selden.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 1:44:09 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)
  5. lineage (homage) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): Singin' in the Rain ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). The speaker says Babylon is deliberately built around Singin' in the Rain, with specific scenes mirrored on purpose.
    “But it is so intentionally built around singing in the rain that I do think the mirroring of the specific scenes are intentional.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 2:51:30 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Anthony Burgess: 2 lines

  1. unmapped (book vs film) · through A Clockwork Orange (1971), which they were behind as studio: Anthony Burgess ⇒ A Clockwork Orange (the host's read). Reading the novel again, the speaker finds it almost the same as the film, dialogue and all.
    “The dialogue is, it's just unbelievable how little he changed”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 1:17:42 · Alex Ross Perry (0.80 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (adaptation) · through A Clockwork Orange (1971), which they were behind as studio: Anthony Burgess ⇒ A Clockwork Orange (the host's read). The film adapts Burgess's novel, and Kubrick found he had to change very little.
    “Kubrick reads the book and is like, I didn't have to do much.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 1:20:24 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Arthur Schnitzler: 2 lines

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Arthur Schnitzler ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the host's read). Kubrick turned Schnitzler's Dream Story into Eyes Wide Shut 30 plus years later (per the dossier).
    “the Arthur Schnitzler book that he's going to turn into Eyes Wide Shut 30 plus years later.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Spartacus with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 1:10:40 · David Sims (0.50 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (source novella) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Arthur Schnitzler ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the host's read). The speaker says the novel is very close to the film, so close that its plot beats are nearly one to one.
    “And it is very similar to eyes wide shut.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 0:33:31 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Batman (1966 Adam West film) (1966): 2 lines

  1. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Batman (1966 Adam West film) ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The Joker's all-villains-together plan is the Adam West movie's plan.
    “it's essentially like the, the, uh, Adam West Batman movie plan, where it's like, I know to finally defeat Batman, call in everybody.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:12:49 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Batman (1966 Adam West film) ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). Robin's costume transition and the Kick Butler nameplate are Adam West-style text and costume jokes.
    “It's essentially like a doing the Adam West transition.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:44:07 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

F. Scott Fitzgerald: 2 lines

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): F. Scott Fitzgerald ⇒ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the host's read). The film is adapted from Fitzgerald's short story, though the speakers say it shares little with it.
    “It's quite, it's, it doesn't have too much in common with the film, right?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 0:01:30 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (adaptation distance) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): F. Scott Fitzgerald ⇒ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the host's read). By the time Roth finished, the film resembles the story in name only.
    “By the time he's done with it, the movie has no resemblance to Benjamin Button apart from, it's called Benjamin Button.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 0:42:01 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Forrest Gump (1994): 2 lines

  1. unmapped (anti-Gump answer) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): Forrest Gump ⇒ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the host's read). Griffin reads Benjamin Button as a pointed answer to Gump, showing the death behind the Americana.
    “But I think it's almost like pointedly an anti-gump.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 0:22:50 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)
  2. unmapped (attempt at a Gump) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): Forrest Gump ⇒ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the host's read). The speaker says the cultural narrative is that Benjamin Button is Fincher trying to do Gump.
    “but I do think this is like the cultural narrative of this movie is he's trying to do Gump, right?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 0:10:05 · Griffin Newman (0.40 sure it was them)

The Shop Around the Corner: 2 lines

  1. lineage (lineage) · through You've Got Mail (1998), which they were behind as studio: The Shop Around the Corner ⇒ You've Got Mail (the host's read). Warner Brothers inherited the Turner library and the producer picked The Shop Around the Corner to remake.
    “Lauren Schuler Donner looks at the library and goes, huh, shop around the corner.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber (Ad-Free) · 0:36:33 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)
  2. craft (craft) · through You've Got Mail (1998), which they were behind as studio: The Shop Around the Corner ⇒ You've Got Mail (the host's read). Three scenes appear almost verbatim in all three screen versions, including the friend's line about her coloring.
    “3 scenes that exist almost verbatim in all 3 movie versions, which are the scene with the friend, the Dave Chappelle scene where he takes a look at her.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber (Ad-Free) · 0:57:29 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): 1 line, within their own work

  1. unmapped (self-reference) · through A Clockwork Orange (1971), which they were behind as studio: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ A Clockwork Orange (the host's read). The record store scene shows the 2001 soundtrack, which the speakers read as Kubrick nodding at his own movie.
    “but he's kind of like being like, guys, I made that movie.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 1:44:54 · Alex Ross Perry (0.50 sure it was them)

Alfred Hitchcock: 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Alfred Hitchcock ⇒ Seven (the host's read). Se7en is a Hitchcock movie in its pulling-your-chain structure of mystery, reveal and anxiety, and Hitchcock is Fincher's biggest influence.
    “I think as much as this seems like a modern movie, it's also just completely a Hitchcock movie in so many ways.”
    The Rewatchables · ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan · 0:14:30 · Sean Fennessey (0.85 sure it was them)

Alien Resurrection (1997): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Alien Resurrection ⇒ Jurassic Park (the host's read). Aliens caged and taunted while hunting you feels like the raptors; raptors may be Alien rip-offs.
    “the raptors have a bit of an alien rip off vibe, honestly”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Alien: Resurrection · 0:46:01 · David Sims (0.50 sure it was them)

All That Jazz (1979): 1 line

  1. lineage (cited influence) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): All That Jazz ⇒ Seven (the maker said so). A host recalls a Fincher film the show covered where he cited All That Jazz as an inspiration for the look, maybe Seven.
    “where he cited how much of an inspiration all that jazz was for him for the look of the movie?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · David Fincher Music Videos · 1:13:07 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Barbie (2023): 1 line, within their own work

  1. unmapped (template) · through A Minecraft Movie (2025), which they were behind as studio: Barbie ⇒ A Minecraft Movie (the host's read). Barbie is the template: IP plus adult-pleasing stars bridging generations.
    “This movie has a lot in common with Barbie.”
    The Big Picture · ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Is the Most Important Movie of the Year So Far. And These Flicks Are the Best … · 0:14:13 · Sean Fennessey (0.55 sure it was them)

Batman (Burton/Keaton films): 1 line

  1. theme (theme) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Batman (Burton/Keaton films) ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The film shares the Burton/Keaton take that Batman is fully broken and has not processed his parents' deaths.
    “this movie sort of has the Burton Keaton take of like, he's fully broken by this fucking thing.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:40:08 · Griffin Newman (0.70 sure it was them)

Cabaret (1972): 1 line

  1. people (casting source) · through Barry Lyndon (1975), which they were behind as studio: Cabaret ⇒ Barry Lyndon (the host's read). Kubrick cast Berenson after loving her in Cabaret.
    “Yeah, he loved her in cabaret.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Barry Lyndon with Karina Longworth (Ad-Free) · 1:14:15 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Collateral (2004): 1 line

  1. people (casting) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): Collateral ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Fincher cast Ruffalo partly because he liked him in Collateral.
    “One, Fincher really liked him in collateral.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 1:24:06 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

David Lean: 1 line

  1. lineage (origin of project) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: David Lean ⇒ Empire of the Sun (the host's read). Lean asked Spielberg to check on the rights, then lost interest and handed the novel to him.
    “He asks Spielberg to check in on the rights for him.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 0:57:53 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Doctor Who: 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Doctor Who ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). A Dalek is an iron-lung garbage can with a plunger arm, and the Lego film's villains riff on such designs.
    “But his main villainous called the Dalek, and it's like this sort of like big garbage.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 1:31:45 · Griffin Newman (0.40 sure it was them)

Donnie Darko (2001): 1 line

  1. people (casting) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): Donnie Darko ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Fincher liked Donnie Darko and had Gyllenhaal pegged for a while.
    “unsurprisingly, Fincher liked Donny Darko”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 1:22:44 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Dream Story (Traumnovelle, the Schnitzler novella): 1 line

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Dream Story (Traumnovelle, the Schnitzler novella) ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the host's read). The speakers note the film's credit says inspired by, not adapted from, Schnitzler's novella.
    “It's not adapted from Schnitzler.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 0:37:01 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Galaxy Quest (1999): 1 line

  1. craft (craft) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Galaxy Quest ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The Phantom Zone security system gets the Galaxy Quest joke: who would ever build this?
    “It's like the Galaxy Quest joke of like, why would this ever be your security system?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:49:34 · Griffin Newman (0.70 sure it was them)

Gone with the Wind (1939): 1 line

  1. unmapped (scene reference) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: Gone with the Wind ⇒ Empire of the Sun (the host's read). Jim stands before the Gone with the Wind poster, echoing Spielberg's remark to Alice Walker that it is one of his favorites.
    “I mean, you have that moment where he's standing in front of the giant gone with the wind poster, right?”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 1:31:05 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

Grant Morrison: 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Grant Morrison ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The film's premise is Morrison's idea that every Batman era is canon, so the goofy and the grim must coexist.
    “which is he did his run where he was like, every single thing that Batman's ever done is canon.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:01:43 · Griffin Newman (0.70 sure it was them)

Hanna-Barbera cartoons and Mike Judge: 1 line

  1. craft (craft) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Hanna-Barbera cartoons and Mike Judge ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). Repeating slightly varied copies of a drawing makes still characters vibrate, and the Lego films use the same trick on flames and clouds.
    “if you want to have a character standing still, essentially trace the same drawing 3 times on 3 different pieces of paper.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:52:26 · Griffin Newman (0.70 sure it was them)

J.G. Ballard: 1 line

  1. lineage (source) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: J.G. Ballard ⇒ Empire of the Sun (the host's read). The novel is darker than the film, which sanitized it and condensed characters.
    “There is definitely a lot of sanitizing happening and a lot of kind of condensing of characters and turning them into more of a more of a Hollywoody plot element.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 1:01:53 · Bilge Ebiri (0.75 sure it was them)

Jaws (1975): 1 line

  1. craft (shot design) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: Jaws ⇒ Empire of the Sun (the host's read). Spielberg reveals Malkovich in pieces like Jaws and Indiana Jones, withholding the hero shot.
    “he introduces him both like he's Jaws and like he's Indiana Jones”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 1:38:17 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Jerry Bruckheimer: 1 line

  1. craft (craft) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Jerry Bruckheimer ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). Its action is played like a Bruckheimer movie, with jokes placed inside as character jokes.
    “Like the joke is kind of treating this all like it's a Bruckheimer movie.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:05:46 · Griffin Newman (0.80 sure it was them)

Jerry Maguire (1996): 1 line

  1. theme (theme) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Jerry Maguire ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). Batman's arc ends with him giving the Joker the Jerry Maguire speech, completing the film's running Jerry Maguire joke.
    “just like it's so good full circle to fucking have him realize I have to give Joker the Jerry Maguire speech.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 1:33:26 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

John Gilbert: 1 line

  1. unmapped (real-life basis) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): John Gilbert ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). Brad Pitt's character in Babylon is obviously based on John Gilbert.
    “John Gilbert, who Brad Pitt's character in Babylon, is very obviously based on”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Sherlock Jr. / The Navigator with James Urbaniak · 2:09:22 · David Sims (0.50 sure it was them)

Kirk Douglas: 1 line

  1. lineage (origin of the project) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Kirk Douglas ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the maker said so). Kirk Douglas claims he handed Kubrick the novella during their Paths of Glory or Spartacus fights.
    “Kirk Douglas claims he gave it to him during one of their like shared therapy sessions”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 0:33:04 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Klute: 1 line

  1. lineage (visual inspiration) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Klute ⇒ Seven (the maker said so). The speaker watched Klute because Fincher and DP Darius Khondji cited it as an inspiration for Se7en's dark look and flashlight-led framing.
    “I watched Clute over the weekend because I know that both Fincher and Darius Conji, the DP, had cited that as an inspiration”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Se7en with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger (Ad-Free) · 2:38:58 · Nick Wiger or Mike Mitchell (unresolved) (0.30 sure it was them)

L.A. Confidential (1997): 1 line

  1. lineage (structure / influence) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): L.A. Confidential ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Leslye says Zodiac feels like it follows in the footsteps of L.A. Confidential.
    “zodiac feels like it follows in the footsteps of that.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 0:50:16 · Leslye Headland (0.80 sure it was them)

La La Land (2016): 1 line

  1. craft (score reuse) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): La La Land ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). The Babylon score is said to reappropriate music from La La Land's dream ballet.
    “This is like very much from the dream ballet of La Land, this music and the score.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 0:57:59 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Lolita (1955 novel): 1 line

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through Lolita (1962), which they were behind as studio it was first at: Lolita (1955 novel) ⇒ Lolita (the host's read). The 1962 film is adapted from Nabokov's novel; the speaker reads Crowther's review saying the film keeps the names and a resemblance of plot.
    “They made a movie from a script in which the characters have the same name as the characters in the book, and the plot bears a resemblance to the original”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Lolita with Fran Hoepfner (Ad-Free) · 1:47:47 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Love Is Strong (Rolling Stones video): 1 line

  1. lineage (technique precursor) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): Love Is Strong (Rolling Stones video) ⇒ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the host's read). A host guesses the Stones' giant-scale effects helped Fincher on Benjamin Button.
    “Well, and I bet this helped for Benjamin Button eventually.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · David Fincher Music Videos · 1:59:12 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Man of Steel (2013): 1 line, within their own work

  1. lineage (homage) · through The Judge (2014), which they were behind as studio: Man of Steel ⇒ The Judge (the host's read). The tornado father-son fight echoes the father-son tornado scene in Man of Steel, another Warner Bros. film.
    “an homage to everyone's favorite father son scene from Man of Steel.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Judging The Judge · 1:20:04 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Michael Bay: 1 line

  1. craft (craft) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Michael Bay ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The camera work deliberately copies real rigs, down to a constant circling Michael Bay shot.
    “This sort of constant circling Michael Bay shot.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:09:11 · Griffin Newman (0.70 sure it was them)

Michael Crichton: 1 line

  1. unmapped (adapted) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Michael Crichton ⇒ Jurassic Park (the host's read). Named among the Crichton adaptations they could do another time.
    “we would not do Jurassic Park”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Game with Brendan Hines (Ad-Free) · 0:18:30 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Modern Romance: 1 line

  1. lineage (influence) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Modern Romance ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the maker said so: Kubrick's call to Albert Brooks, 'that famous story'). Kubrick reached out to Albert Brooks after Modern Romance because he wanted to bottle that dynamic of men and women.
    “if you like reached out to Albert Brooks after seeing modern romance and said, like, Brit, and he was like, how did you do this?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 0:38:46 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Ninotchka: 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through You've Got Mail (1998), which they were behind as studio: Ninotchka ⇒ You've Got Mail (the host's read). Ephron borrowed the idea of rivals who are two sides of one coin from a Lubitsch picture.
    “I mean she's pulling from like a different Lubich movie, which is here are 2 people who are opposite sides of the coin, don't realize they get along that way.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber (Ad-Free) · 0:38:59 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

Orville Redenbacher commercial (Fincher, Digital Domain): 1 line

  1. unmapped (proof of concept) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): Orville Redenbacher commercial (Fincher, Digital Domain) ⇒ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (the maker said so). Fincher used a Redenbacher commercial to test whether the film was makeable.
    “I'm basically stealing money from Orvell Redbocker to figure out whether this film is makeable or not.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 0:52:07 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Rafael Yglesias: 1 line

  1. lineage (source) · through Fearless (1993), which they were behind as studio: Rafael Yglesias ⇒ Fearless (the host's read). Weir loved the unpublished-novel first-draft script, adapted by its own author.
    “He adapts his own unpublished book.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Fearless with Timothy Simons · 1:11:17 · David Sims (0.50 sure it was them)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): 1 line

  1. craft (shot design) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: Raiders of the Lost Ark ⇒ Empire of the Sun (the host's read). Same slow reveal as Indiana Jones in pieces before the hero shot.
    “which similarly has the like Spielberg taking 5 minutes to show you Indiana Jones in pieces before you really get the hero shot”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 1:38:17 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Robert Graysmith: 1 line

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): Robert Graysmith ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). The Salerno script, which Vanderbilt took over, adapted Graysmith's nonfiction book (with a speculative sequel bolted on).
    “So it's sort of like an adaptation of Graysmith's nonfiction book and a speculative sequence.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 0:50:39 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Rumor Has It: 1 line

  1. people (casting) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): Rumor Has It ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Jennifer Aniston, on Rumor Has It with Ruffalo, helped him get the role.
    “So rumor has it kind of helps him get this.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 1:25:09 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Seven (1995): 1 line, within their own work

  1. unmapped (why Fincher was offered it) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): Seven ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Seven made Fincher the first choice for any serial-killer project, Zodiac included.
    “Ever since he makes seven, if there's some serial killer movie, is getting sent it”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 0:51:53 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

She Loves Me (stage musical): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through You've Got Mail (1998), which they were behind as studio: She Loves Me (stage musical) ⇒ You've Got Mail (the host's read). Griffin lists the earlier versions the story had been through, including the musical.
    “She loves me shop around the corner and in the summertime.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber (Ad-Free) · 0:38:09 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Superman (Christopher Reeve films): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Superman (Christopher Reeve films) ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The Phantom Zone comes from the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, though it is in the comics too.
    “Just from the Chris Reeves Superman movies.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:25:43 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)

Terry Southern: 1 line

  1. lineage (origin of an idea) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Terry Southern ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the host's read). A conversation Southern had with Kubrick about an erotic film that looks like a film is called a kernel of Eyes Wide Shut.
    “he basically had a conversation at one point with Kubrick that is a kernel of eyes wide shut.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 1:15:42 · Alex Ross Perry (0.60 sure it was them)

The Conversation (1974): 1 line

  1. craft (temp score) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): The Conversation ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). The Conversation's score was used as temp music while Zodiac was cut, then Shire scored it.
    “they use the conversation score as temp score.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 2:14:21 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

The Dancing Cavalier (film-within-Singin' in the Rain; heard also as 'link cavalier'): 1 line

  1. craft (scene mirror) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): The Dancing Cavalier (film-within-Singin' in the Rain; heard also as 'link cavalier') ⇒ Babylon (the host's read). The audience in Babylon's screening laughs at the same dialogue ('I love you') as in Singin' in the Rain's screening of The Dancing Cavalier.
    “They're literally laughing at the exact same dialogue in the screening that they do of the link cavalier.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 1:56:30 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Dark Knight (2008): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: The Dark Knight ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The Joker's need for Batman to see him as an enemy is read against the post-Dark Knight Joker.
    “It's this thing of like, right, especially post Dark Knight, right?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:15:06 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

The Lego Movie (2014): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: The Lego Movie ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). The Lego Movie is where the earnest-Batman bit started, and the hosts doubted it could sustain a whole movie.
    “It's the thing that the Lego movie lashes onto, but you felt unsustainable for a whole movie.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 0:03:41 · David Sims (0.50 sure it was them)

The Sentinel (short story): 1 line

  1. lineage (source story) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: The Sentinel (short story) ⇒ 2001: A Space Odyssey (the host's read). The film and companion novel drafted off Clarke's short story The Sentinel, which had the germ of the monolith idea.
    “So it's going off drafting off of the Sentinel.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 0:52:22 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Shining (1980): 1 line

  1. unmapped (stolen move) · through Zodiac (2007), which they were behind as studio (co-financed, foreign): The Shining ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Fincher steals the Steadicam move where the camera turns with the car and keeps it centered.
    “Fincher steals that move of like when the car turns a corner”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Shining with Timothy Simons (Ad-Free) · 2:05:09 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011): 1 line

  1. lineage (title origin) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ⇒ Eyes Wide Shut (the host's read). The speaker offers that the phrase 'eyes wide shut' may come from the le Carre novel.
    “It may have been inspired from Tinker Teal or Soldier Spy.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 0:40:51 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

When Harry Met Sally (1989): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through You've Got Mail (1998), which they were behind as studio: When Harry Met Sally ⇒ You've Got Mail (the host's read). The party scene where someone says they read the writer's piece is lifted from When Harry Met Sally.
    “Which is also, which is a scene that's ultimately like lifted from when Harry met Sally.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber (Ad-Free) · 0:30:40 · unknown (0.00 sure it was them)

William Friedkin: 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): William Friedkin ⇒ Seven (the maker said so). Fincher drew from Friedkin and wanted it to feel like an episode of Cops.
    “he's drawn from like Friedkin, but he's also, he's, he's referenced like how he wanted it to feel like an episode of cops.”
    The Rewatchables · ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan · 0:15:42 · Chris Ryan (0.50 sure it was them)

William Makepeace Thackeray: 1 line

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through Barry Lyndon (1975), which they were behind as studio: William Makepeace Thackeray ⇒ Barry Lyndon (the host's read). Kubrick adapted Thackeray's novel Barry Lyndon into the film.
    “versus just reading Barry Lindon once and then going, oh, I could just adapt this.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Barry Lyndon with Karina Longworth (Ad-Free) · 0:24:16 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Wreck-It Ralph (2012): 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through The Lego Batman Movie (2017), which they were behind as studio owned the Lego Batman characters: Wreck-It Ralph ⇒ The Lego Batman Movie (the host's read). Wreck-It Ralph began the modern IP-mashup movie, then The Lego Movie and this, then Space Jam-style follow-ons.
    “But it's also like Wreck-It Ralph was really the 1st of the modern Ralph, right?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Lego Batman Movie · 1:07:29 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021): 1 line

  1. lineage (series lineage) · through Babylon (2022), which they were behind as studio (lot built 1923 per speaker): Zack Snyder's Justice League ⇒ Babylon (the maker said so: the hosts' own account of the show). The Snyder Cut watch-along, born of a lost bet, started the show's watch-along concept that led to this one.
    “The Snyder, the Snyder Cut thing was a bet that we lost, that Sean was like, if that, that's how the watch along concept started.”
    The Big Picture · The ‘Babylon’ Watch-Along · 3:06:12 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Drawn on by

What the speakers say drew on them or a film of theirs, marked the same way.

2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984): 5 lines

  1. lineage (sequel) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the host's read). The film has a sequel, and Clarke wrote three sequel novels.
    “Obviously, the sequel exists.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 0:11:43 · Jordan Hoffman (0.70 sure it was them)
  2. contrast (contrast) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the host's read). 2010 tries to answer Kubrick's questions and is more loyal to Arthur C. Clarke's ideas.
    “it's much more... As I remember loyal to Arthur C. Clark's science fiction ideas”
    The Big Picture · ‘Gladiator II’ Is Here. Are We Not Entertained? · 1:26:18 · Chris Ryan (0.60 sure it was them)
  3. lineage (lineage) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the host's read). 2010 was made because the novel sequel existed, a movie made just because they had to.
    “Because Arthur C. Clark had come out with a 2010 novel.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 2:54:20 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)
  4. lineage (sequel) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the host's read). 2010 is the sequel to 2001; the speaker's reaction to the Kubrick film is the benchmark throughout.
    “And I said, oh, you know, 2010, the sequel to 2001 and they were like, the what?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2010: The Year We Make Contact · 0:02:34 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)
  5. craft (borrowed music) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the host's read). The only thing 2010 borrows from 2001, apart from plotting, is the music, including the Zarathustra drop at the end.
    “Yeah, is the music.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2010: The Year We Make Contact · 0:07:40 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Fight Club (1999): 2 lines

  1. career (career) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ Fight Club (the host's read). Without Se7en's power Fincher does not get to do The Game and Fight Club his way.
    “I think without this movie, he doesn't go on this run”
    The Rewatchables · ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan · 1:27:28 · Sean Fennessey (0.55 sure it was them)
  2. career (career lever) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ Fight Club (the host's read). Se7en's success is what let Fincher make the seemingly impossible Fight Club.
    “But the fight club is him more being like, okay, guys, I know this seems impossible, but I made seven.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Se7en with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger (Ad-Free) · 1:05:55 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Jack Kirby: 2 lines

  1. unmapped (led to Fourth World) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Jack Kirby (the host's read). Kirby's Fourth World is said to come out of his 2001 work.
    “Yeah, and I think like 4th world essentially comes out of it.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 2:12:31 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (comic adaptation) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Jack Kirby (the host's read). Kirby's Marvel series began by adapting the movie in its first three issues, then went its own way.
    “Like, the 1st 3 issues are the movie... and he went bananas with it.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 2:12:44 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Schindler's List (1993): 2 lines

  1. contrast (method contrast) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: Empire of the Sun ⇒ Schindler's List (the host's read). On Schindler Spielberg refused to storyboard, almost as a reaction to criticism of the puppet-show control in Empire.
    “Schindler, the infamous thing, is that he was like, I won't storyboard this.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 0:31:40 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)
  2. unmapped (dry run) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: Empire of the Sun ⇒ Schindler's List (the host's read). Schindler's List is the more successful grown-up film that erased Empire of the Sun from memory; it was seen as the dry run.
    “Look back as this was the dry run before he totally cracked it on Shell.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 0:30:35 · Griffin Newman (0.40 sure it was them)

Silent Running (1972): 2 lines

  1. lineage (lineage) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Silent Running (the host's read). 2001 spawned heady, serious, clean sci-fi like Silent Running.
    “2001 leads to a spat of things like silent running, you know, these movies that are like very heady.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 1:12:45 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)
  2. unmapped (wave of imitators) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Silent Running (the host's read). After 2001 came a wave of slower sci-fi imitators, naming Silent Running and Capricorn One.
    “But it is funny, like after this, there's a wave of imitators, right?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 0:42:30 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Game (1997): 2 lines

  1. unmapped (R-rated proof) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ The Game (the host's read). Se7en's hit status as an R-rated film convinced the backers to fund The Game.
    “I think convinced, um, people like, okay, like, you can make an R-rated movie a hit.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Game with Brendan Hines (Ad-Free) · 0:33:16 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)
  2. unmapped (commercial lead-in) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ The Game (the host's read). Se7en's success gave Fincher an absurd budget for The Game.
    “this is better for me because now I can make this movie at an absurd budget.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Game with Brendan Hines (Ad-Free) · 0:47:35 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)

2010 (1984): 1 line

  1. lineage (sequel) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2010 (the host's read). Peter Hyams made a film sequel to 2001, following the books.
    “But, like, he rolled up his sleeves and he was like, 2001?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 2:48:04 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

2069: A Sex Odyssey: 1 line

  1. lineage (influence) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ 2069: A Sex Odyssey (the host's read). The porn parody is said to be very influenced by 2001.
    “actually is actually very influenced by this film.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 0:42:56 · Jordan Hoffman (0.30 sure it was them)

8mm (1999): 1 line

  1. lineage (rip-off) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ 8mm (the host's read). Calls 8mm Schumacher ripping off Se7en.
    “8 millimeter is Schumacher ripping off seven.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Game with Brendan Hines (Ad-Free) · 0:41:48 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

A Clockwork Orange (1971): 1 line, within their own work

  1. unmapped (self-reference) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ A Clockwork Orange (the host's read). The record store scene shows the 2001 soundtrack, which the speakers read as Kubrick nodding at his own movie.
    “but he's kind of like being like, guys, I made that movie.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 1:44:54 · Alex Ross Perry (0.50 sure it was them)

A Minecraft Movie (2025): 1 line, within their own work

  1. unmapped (template) · through Barbie (2023), which they were behind as studio: Barbie ⇒ A Minecraft Movie (the host's read). Barbie is the template: IP plus adult-pleasing stars bridging generations.
    “This movie has a lot in common with Barbie.”
    The Big Picture · ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Is the Most Important Movie of the Year So Far. And These Flicks Are the Best … · 0:14:13 · Sean Fennessey (0.55 sure it was them)

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001): 1 line

  1. unmapped (technology showed it was possible) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Jurassic Park ⇒ A.I. Artificial Intelligence (the host's read). The speaker says Kubrick, who first asked Spielberg to build a robot, saw Jurassic Park and reconsidered.
    “And then he sees Jurassic Park and he's once again like, well, wait a second.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 0:31:56 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Ad Astra (2019): 1 line

  1. unmapped (cribbing) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Ad Astra (the host's read). Ad Astra is called the one other film that feels realistic about space travel, and it cribs from 2001.
    “is cribbing from it so much where like the way at Astra depicts space travel”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 1:41:09 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Anaconda (1997): 1 line

  1. lineage (ripple effect) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Jurassic Park ⇒ Anaconda (the host's read). Anaconda is called the final lapping of the Jurassic Park creature-feature wave.
    “that's like the final lapping of the Jurassic Park ripple, sort of washing up on the beach.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · The Lost World: Jurassic Park · 1:37:19 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Babygirl (2024): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Eyes Wide Shut ⇒ Babygirl (the host's read). The stoned late-night bedroom lecture after the rave echoes Eyes Wide Shut.
    “Nice callback to eyes wide shut and lecturing Tom Cruise in the bedroom while stoned out of their minds.”
    The Big Picture · The Nicole Kidman Hall of Fame, and ‘Babygirl’ · 0:24:49 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Being There (1979): 1 line

  1. theme (theme reused) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Being There (the host's read). Being There used a funky version of 2001's Zarathustra theme for its big moment.
    “they were going to play the also Sprack Zarathustra, but they did the funky version instead”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 1:37:23 · Jordan Hoffman (0.50 sure it was them)

David Fincher: 1 line

  1. unmapped (early commercial reference) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ David Fincher (the host's read). At 24 Fincher used a baby smoking, a 2001 reference, in an American Cancer Society ad.
    “a baby smoking a cigarette as a, as a, as a reference to 2001 is incredibly powerful iconography”
    The Big Picture · ‘The Killer’ Is Cold-Blooded Genius. And Something More · 1:17:15 · Adam Nayman (0.85 sure it was them)

Elvis Presley: 1 line

  1. craft (music borrowed) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ Elvis Presley (the host's read). Elvis took the Zarathustra overture from the film almost immediately and opened his concerts with it.
    “Almost immediately after the movie took this took the music.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 1:38:21 · Jordan Hoffman (0.40 sure it was them)

Gabby's Dollhouse (movie): 1 line

  1. unmapped (same play) · through A Minecraft Movie (2025), which they were behind as studio: A Minecraft Movie ⇒ Gabby's Dollhouse (movie) (the host's read). Gabby's Dollhouse will try the same kid-plus-bridging-parents trick with Kristen Wiig and Gloria Estefan.
    “Yes, Gabby's dollhouse is going to attempt to do the same thing.”
    The Big Picture · ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Is the Most Important Movie of the Year So Far. And These Flicks Are the Best … · 0:17:51 · Amanda Dobbins (0.60 sure it was them)

Gone Girl (2014): 1 line

  1. theme (character type (Desi)) · through Lolita (1962), which they were behind as studio it was first at: Lolita ⇒ Gone Girl (the maker said so: In the commentary). On the commentary Fincher says he wanted a Claire Quilty type for Desi and found it in Neil Patrick Harris.
    “Fincher said he wanted a Claire quilty type and he's like, what's a modern Claire quilty type?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Gone Girl with Esther Zuckerman (Ad-Free) · 2:18:15 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Her Smell (2018): 1 line

  1. lineage (inspiration) · through A Clockwork Orange (1971), which they were behind as studio: A Clockwork Orange ⇒ Her Smell (the maker said so: Alex Ross Perry, the writer of Her Smell, speaking on this episode). The speaker says the film's five-act structure was a huge inspiration while writing Her Smell.
    “This movie, I think, and this was a huge inspiration in when I was writing her smell.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 1:28:51 · Alex Ross Perry (0.80 sure it was them)

History of the World, Part I (1981): 1 line

  1. unmapped (parody) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ History of the World, Part I (the host's read). Monty Python and History of the World Part I did 2001 parodies.
    “they did 2001 of Space Odyssey parodies. History of the World Part one.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 0:28:00 · Jordan Hoffman (0.60 sure it was them)

House of Cards (TV series): 1 line

  1. career (career step) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ⇒ House of Cards (TV series) (the host's read). Fincher moved Mahershala Ali from Button into House of Cards.
    “But I mean, look, Fincher puts him from this into House of Cards, which is one of the things that definitely levels him up.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 1:05:36 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Juneteenth (Atlanta episode) (2016): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Eyes Wide Shut ⇒ Juneteenth (Atlanta episode) (the host's read). Donald Glover's character describes the party as a Spike-directed reboot of Eyes Wide Shut.
    “this is like a spikely directed reboot of eyes wide shut”
    The Big Picture · Janicza Bravo and Brett Gelman Channel Rejection and Anxiety to Make ‘Lemon’ | The Big Picture (Ep. 22) · 0:04:44 · Alison Herman (0.85 sure it was them)

Jurassic World (2015): 1 line

  1. unmapped (misreading) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Jurassic Park ⇒ Jurassic World (the host's read). Spielberg's line that the T-Rex is the hero of Jurassic Park was taken too literally by Trevorrow in Jurassic World.
    “Which Colin Trevor took way too literally in making Jurassic World.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · The Lost World: Jurassic Park · 1:08:10 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Jurassic Park ⇒ Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (the host's read). The sequels are a spinoff of Spielberg's imagination though he only executive produces them.
    “even though he's just an executive producer on those movies, it is this interesting spinoff of his imagination.”
    The Big Picture · Steven Spielberg's Top 5 Movies With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan | The Big Picture (Ep. 57) · 0:08:07 · Sean Fennessey (0.85 sure it was them)

MTV Movie Awards Se7en parody: 1 line

  1. unmapped (parody) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ MTV Movie Awards Se7en parody (the host's read). The MTV Movie Awards parodied the Se7en ending with William Shatner playing every role and the head in the box.
    “And then Shatner's head is in the box and then he sings a song.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Se7en with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger (Ad-Free) · 2:34:40 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Mission: Impossible (1996): 1 line

  1. unmapped (TV-to-film precedent) · through The Fugitive (1993), which they were behind as studio (The Fugitive 4K; Clint Eastwood's studio): The Fugitive ⇒ Mission: Impossible (the host's read). The Fugitive proved a classic TV property could be a big-screen box-office hit, which opened the door for Mission: Impossible.
    “the fugitive proved that there was box office potential and television IP on the big screen.”
    The Rewatchables · 'Mission: Impossible' With Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Jason Concepcion · 0:02:32 · Chris Ryan (0.50 sure it was them)

Nine Inch Nails: 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ Nine Inch Nails (the host's read). Se7en caught industrial rock at its peak and led to Fincher-Reznor scores.
    “Fincher and Rezner go on to make this incredible partnership”
    The Rewatchables · ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan · 0:55:04 · Sean Fennessey (0.45 sure it was them)

Phantom Thread (2017): 1 line

  1. unmapped (lesson learned) · through Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which they were behind as studio: Eyes Wide Shut ⇒ Phantom Thread (the host's read). The speaker feels PTA took lessons from visiting the Kubrick set about small crews.
    “Like, it feels like PTA sort of learned some lessons from being on the set that took years to see Ben.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Eyes Wide Shut with David Ehrlich (Ad-Free) · 1:06:03 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Saw (film series): 1 line

  1. unmapped (borrowing) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ Saw (film series) (the host's read). Rewatching the Saw movies, the speaker was struck by how much they lifted from Se7en.
    “I forgot how much saw stole.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Se7en with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger (Ad-Free) · 0:59:00 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (2026): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through A Clockwork Orange (1971), which they were behind as studio: A Clockwork Orange ⇒ Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (the host's read). The contrapuntal needle drop descends from Singin' in the Rain in Clockwork Orange and Stuck in the Middle with You in Reservoir Dogs.
    “all the way back to singing in the rain in Clockwork Orange or stuck in the middle with you in, in, in, in Reservoir dogs.”
    The Big Picture · The Final Girl Film Canon and ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ With Gillian Anderson, Hannah Einbinder, and Jane Schoenbrun! · 0:22:08 · Adam Nayman (0.55 sure it was them)

The Batman (2022): 1 line

  1. unmapped (borrowing) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ The Batman (the host's read). The speaker had forgotten how indebted The Batman is to Fincher, mostly to Se7en.
    “I had forgotten just how indebted the Batman is to...”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Se7en with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger (Ad-Free) · 1:28:34 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Judge (2014): 1 line, within their own work

  1. lineage (homage) · through Man of Steel (2013), which they were behind as studio: Man of Steel ⇒ The Judge (the host's read). The tornado father-son fight echoes the father-son tornado scene in Man of Steel, another Warner Bros. film.
    “an homage to everyone's favorite father son scene from Man of Steel.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Judging The Judge · 1:20:04 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997): 1 line

  1. lineage (sequel-comparison) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Jurassic Park ⇒ The Lost World: Jurassic Park (the host's read). The hosts judge the sequel as normalizing the dinosaurs too fast and dropping the wonder-before-terror structure of the original.
    “This movie normalizes the dinosaurs way too much.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · The Lost World: Jurassic Park · 1:03:46 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013): 1 line

  1. unmapped (parody) · through The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), which they were behind as studio (co-financed): The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ⇒ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (the host's read). The speaker says Walter Mitty parodies Benjamin Button, as if to say Button got the Gump wrong.
    “And Walter Mitty parodies Benjamin Button, almost as if to say, they fucked up.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Richard Lawson (Ad-Free) · 0:10:46 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Shining (1980): 1 line

  1. unmapped (led to Kubrick mythology) · through 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), which they were behind as studio behind the Nolan-branded IMAX re-release: 2001: A Space Odyssey ⇒ The Shining (the host's read). 2001 is the reason for Kubrick's godlike mythology, without which people would invest less in The Shining.
    “I don't think people would invest as much into The Shining if this movie didn't exist.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2001: A Space Odyssey with Jordan Hoffman (Ad-Free) · 1:01:49 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Simpsons (TV): 1 line

  1. unmapped (parodied) · through A Clockwork Orange (1971), which they were behind as studio: A Clockwork Orange ⇒ The Simpsons (TV) (the host's read). The Simpsons reference this film a lot.
    “But the Simpsons reference is clockwork orange. a lot.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 2:29:53 · Griffin Newman (0.40 sure it was them)

Tron: Legacy (2010): 1 line

  1. craft (visual reference) · through Fearless (1993), which they were behind as studio: Fearless ⇒ Tron: Legacy (the host's read). The 1993 Bridges look was the reference for the de-aged CGI Bridges in Tron: Legacy.
    “I believe that this was the main visual reference for creepy CGI Jeff Bridges and Tron Legacy.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Fearless with Timothy Simons · 0:52:17 · Tim Simons (0.40 sure it was them)

Tropic Thunder (2008): 1 line

  1. lineage (inspiration) · through Empire of the Sun (1987), which they were behind as studio holding rights / producer: Empire of the Sun ⇒ Tropic Thunder (the host's read). Ben Stiller, on the Empire set as a young actor, was inspired by actors playing at suffering to make Tropic Thunder two decades later.
    “Which, of course, this is one of this movie's greatest, like, lasting legacies is that this, this is what inspires Tropic Thunder.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Empire of the Sun with Bilge Ebiri · 1:49:05 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

True Detective (2014): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ True Detective (the host's read). Se7en's influence shows in True Detective from the title sequence to the characters, though True Detective's first season flinches at the dark ending.
    “you can see the influence of of 7 on things like True Detective from the title sequence to the characters.”
    The Rewatchables · ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan · 0:15:19 · Chris Ryan (0.55 sure it was them)

Twister (1996): 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Jurassic Park (1993), which they were behind as studio (bid for Jurassic Park): Jurassic Park ⇒ Twister (the host's read). Marketing a disaster around unknown leads follows Jurassic Park, where Sam Neill and Laura Dern were known but not famous.
    “coming off of Jurassic Park where it was like Sam Neil and Laura Dern were like well-known, but not famous.”
    The Rewatchables · ‘Twister’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan · 1:53:21 · Chris Ryan (0.40 sure it was them)

Zodiac (2007): 1 line, within their own work

  1. unmapped (why Fincher was offered it) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ Zodiac (the host's read). Seven made Fincher the first choice for any serial-killer project, Zodiac included.
    “Ever since he makes seven, if there's some serial killer movie, is getting sent it”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 0:51:53 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

later crime thrillers and crime TV (unnamed): 1 line

  1. lineage (genre influence) · through Seven (1995), which they were behind as studio that acquired New Line (1994, per speaker): Seven ⇒ later crime thrillers and crime TV (unnamed) (the host's read). As an adult the speaker is less shocked by Se7en because everyone since took a page out of its book.
    “I'm not as shocked by 7 because everyone took a page out of its book, of course.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Se7en with Mike Mitchell & Nick Wiger (Ad-Free) · 2:15:39 · Mike Mitchell (0.50 sure it was them)

What the speakers said they did

Studio (34) everyone in studio

Other (1) everyone in other

What was said about them, by kind

industry (2)

  1. industry (industry): A Very Long Engagement → Warner Bros.. Warner financed most of it for distribution rights, so it was disqualified as a foreign film for the Oscars.
    “And so it was disqualified as being a foreign film.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Alien: Resurrection · 1:00:28 · David Sims (0.60 sure it was them)
  2. industry (industry): Warner Bros. → The Shop Around the Corner. Warner merged with Turner and inherited its library, then looked for remakes.
    “They've merged with Turner, so they've just inherited a lot of the Turner library, which includes so many classics.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · You've Got Mail with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber (Ad-Free) · 0:36:16 · Griffin Newman (0.60 sure it was them)

Fun items about them

  1. fun, about Warner Bros.: The Judge's tornado father-son fight is a Man of Steel homage, so Warner Bros. is the go-to studio for father-and-son tornado fights.
    “Warner Brothers has become the go to studios for tornado fights.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Judging The Judge · 1:20:09 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)
  2. fun, about Warner Bros.: The Kubrick estate and Warner were so protective that Alex DeLarge merchandise stayed at bay until a recent flood of products.
    “Part of it, by the way, was just that like Warner Brothers even was so respectful to the Kubrick estate”
    Blank Check — Patreon · A Clockwork Orange with Alex Ross Perry (Ad-Free) · 2:48:55 · Alex Ross Perry (0.40 sure it was them)