Out Now Interview: The Forty-Year-Old-Version with Radha Blank

This past June, I had the opportunity to speak with Radha Blank, the playwright and comedian turned filmmaker, who won the U.S. Dramatic Competition Directing Award (the second Black woman to do so) for her debut feature, The Forty-Year-Old Version, in 2020. The film would debut on Netflix in October of that same year, where it was named one of the best films of 2020 by the National Board of Review. Never having had the chance to see the film on the big screen, I was delighted to learn that the LA indie video rental store/movie theater, Vidiots, would be screening the film, only to then be invited to interview Blank about her movie. The following interview, conducted between me and Blank, has been edited for clarity and published through the Out Now with Aaron & Abe podcast, which I co-host. Also – be sure to check out Radha Blank's terrific feature film debut, The Forty-Year-Old Version, now streaming on Netflix.

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe is ready for a Grand Prix. 2 Fast 2 Forever’s Joe Two and Nerd Reactor’s Mark Pacis join Aaron for a review of F1 from director Joseph Kosinski. Hear what this trio has to say about this Formula One-sponsored sports drama starring Brad Pitt. Plus, there’s plenty of time for other movie chatter, games, and listener thoughts. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (5:40), Trailer Talk for The Smashing Machine(13:38), the main review (22:15), Games (1:09:30), and Out Now Feedback (1:20:45). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @PacManNR7, @joeyde Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment, Nerd Reactor, 2 Fast 2 Forever Read Aaron’s review for F1 The Movie Trailer: The Smashing Machine Next Week: Jurassic World Rebirth

This bonus Out Now with Aaron & Abe is out of this world, but, y’know, for kids. Aaron and Abe dive into their thoughts on another Pixar film, the sci-fi adventure that is Elio. Hear what two have to say about this story of a young boy looking to find a connection with the rest of the universe, and whether the film measures up to Pixar’s better efforts. Additionally, there are plenty of tangents and other fun things related to this week’s bonus topic. So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment Read Aaron’s review for Elio. Next Week’s Show: F1

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe is dealing with serious alpha rage. The Lambcast’s Richard Kirkham and Cal State Fullerton’s Professor Mike Dillon join Aaron for a review of 28 Years Later from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland. Hear what this group has to say about this return to the world of the rage-infected British Isles. Plus, there’s plenty of time for other movie chatter, games, and listener thoughts. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (7:10), Trailer Talk for I Know What You Did Last Summer(18:42), the main review (27:20), spoiler-themed thoughts (1:06:00), Games (1:43:10), and Out Now Feedback (1:52:00). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @LambThe Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment, Kirkham A Movie A Day, The Lambcast Read Aaron’s review for 28 Years Later Trailer: I Know What You Did Last Summer Next Week: F1

This month’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe commentary is trying to hold back the rage. The Brandon Peters Show’s Brandon Peters and Movies, Films & Flix’s Mark Hofmeyer join Aaron to discuss 28 Days Later, from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland. Listen in to hear the group discuss the film that really helped put zombies back into the mainstream. Plus, there are many stories about the film related to the hosts, Boyle’s career, what Cillian Murphy and Naomi Harris are working with, tangents related to other movies, and so much more. So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill… Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @MHofmeyer, @Brandon4KUHD Check out all of our sites and blogs:  The Code Is Zeek, Why So Blu?, The Brandon Peters Show, Movies, Films & Flix, Deep Blue Sea the Pod Watch the trailer for 28 Days Later.

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe is keeping an eye out for night furies. Fast Film Review’s Mark Hobin returns to talk with Aaron and Abe about the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. Hear what this group has to say about this return to the world of Berk from DreamWorks and director Dean DeBlois. Plus, there’s plenty of time for other movie chatter, games, and listener thoughts. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (12:21), Trailer Talk for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein(35:07), the main review (41:03), Games (1:20:37), and Out Now Feedback (1:35:32). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @Mark_Hobin Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment, Fast Film Reviews Read Aaron’s review for How to Train Your Dragon Read Mark’s review for How to Train Your Dragon Trailer: Frankenstein Next Week: 28 Years Later

For this week’s special Out Now with Aaron and Abe Nights (nights) episode, the two put together a discussion concerning The Phoenician Scheme, an adventure caper from writer/director Wes Anderson, starring Benicio del Toro, and a host of other familiar faces. Hear what the two think of Anderson’s Summer release, what they believe he offers as a filmmaker at this point in his career, the cast involved this time around, and more. So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs: TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment Read Aaron’s review for The Phoenician Scheme Next Week: How to Train Your Dragon

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe pulls the trigger on the past. SlashFilm’s Brad Oman returns to speak with Aaron and Abe all about From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. Hear what this group has to say about this spin-off entry in the action franchise, and what it’s bringing to the (high) table. Plus, there’s plenty of time for other movie chatter, games, and listener thoughts. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (7:55), Trailer Talk for Wicked: For Good(23:30), the main review (28:10), Games (1:03:40), and Out Now Feedback (1:15:30). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @Ethan_Anderton Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment, SlashFilm, Go Flix Yourself, The 10 to 1 Podcast Read Aaron’s review for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Trailer: Wicked: For Good Next Week: How to Train Your Dragon

This week’s Out Now with Aaron and Abe will paint your fence and put on your jacket. The Forgotten Filmcast’s Todd Liebenow joins Aaron and Abe to discuss Karate Kid: Legends. Hear what this group has to say about an entry in the franchise that brings together Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio for a new story set in the Big Apple. Tune in for Out Now Quickies™ (11:30), Trailer Talk for Nobody 2 and The Old Guard 2(27:00), the main review (37:06), Games (1:24:29), and Out Now Feedback (1:33:56). So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @ForgottenFilmz Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment, 2 Black Guys Talk Godzilla, Forgotten Filmcast Read Aaron’s review for Karate Kid: Legends Trailer: Nobody 2, The Old Guard 2 Next Week: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

This bonus Out Now with Aaron & Abe delivers the message of Ohana. The Ember Productions crew, Amber Coates and Maxwell Haddad join Aaron and Abe to cover their thoughts on Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. Hear what the group has to say about what this 2025 update of a 2002 animated favorite has to offer, whether its success should allow Disney to keep going or quit while they’re ahead, and other thoughts on the film and other topics. So now, if you've got an hour or so to kill… Get yourself a free audiobook and help out the show at AudibleTrial.com/OutNowPodcast! Follow all of us on Twitter/Bluesky: @Outnow_Podcast, @AaronsPS4, @WalrusMoose, @Cinemaxwell, @takarakanashi Check out all of our sites, podcasts, and blogs:  TheCodeIsZeek.substack.com, Why So Blu?, We Live Entertainment, Deep Blue Sea - The Podcast, Cinemaxwell, Ember Productions Read Aaron’s review for Lilo & Stitch. Next Week’s Show: Karate Kid: Legends