David Sims
David Sims is a film critic at The Atlantic, co-host of Blank Check with Griffin & David, and the writer behind the movie newsletter Video Village.
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Latest
David’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
PodcastOverview
- Work
- Film critic, writer, and podcast host
- Roots
- New York City and London
- Education
- English at Newcastle University
- Podcast beginnings
- The Phantom Podcast, 2015
- Professional community
- Member of the New York Film Critics Circle
Mini bio
How it started.
David grew up in New York before moving to North London in 1995. He studied English at Newcastle University and returned to New York in 2008. His early reporting at The Chief-Leader covered education and city unions; criticism for The A.V. Club led toward his later film work.
Finding the Two Friends.
In 2015, David and actor Griffin Newman began a podcast devoted to The Phantom Menace, treating it as though the other Star Wars films did not exist. That experiment grew into Blank Check with Griffin & David, following directors through the hits that gave them creative freedom and the passion projects that followed.
A place for movie obsessives.
David joined The Atlantic in 2014. Alongside reviews, his work includes filmmaker interviews such as his conversation with Ryan Coogler about Sinners. In October 2026, he introduced Video Village, a weekly newsletter for readers who want viewing ideas and a closer look at the movie business.
Recognition.
Blank Check became a 2025 Webby Honoree in Television & Film podcasts and earned an iHeartPodcast Awards nomination for Best TV & Film that year.
Creditschronological, newest first
Writing and interviews
- 2026Video VillageNewsletter writer
- 2025Ryan Coogler Didn’t Want to Hide AnymoreWriter and interviewer
- 2014–presentThe AtlanticCulture writer and film critic
Podcasting
- 2026Did Netflix Ruin Movies? · Galaxy BrainGuest
- 2025Netflix vs. Paramount · Radio AtlanticGuest
- 2015–presentBlank Check with Griffin & DavidCo-host with Griffin Newman
Awards
Quotes
I slowly built up my job as it exists now.David Sims, interview with Kelley MacDonald, May 10, 2025
On gradually developing his role as The Atlantic’s film critic.
Trivia
- Blank Check’s official bio calls him “The Spreadmaster” for his carefully organized spreadsheets of Oscar contenders.
- He studied English at Newcastle University.
- His parents told him that a revival screening of Annie at New York’s New Yorker Theater was his first movie.
- The imagined role of Quibi CEO is a running joke in his Blank Check bio.
Find David
Follow David’s movie conversations and read his latest work.
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