Unspooled

Paul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm

Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.

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35 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 9 min
English

Episodes 35

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#450
Today · 1 hr 20 min
In Bruges
With a new Martin McDonagh film on the horizon, Amy and Paul revisit his darkly hilarious cult classic In Bruges. They explore how a movie about two hitmen hiding out in Belgium becomes a surprisingly profound meditation on guilt, forgiveness, moral ambiguity, and whether even the worst among us deserve a second chance.
#449
October 29 · 1 hr 5 min
The Witch
Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? This week, Amy and Paul venture into the woods for Robert Eggers’ 2016 folk horror film The Witch. They explore the film’s painstaking historical accuracy, its unsettling atmosphere, and reveal why Black Phillip was just as terrifying behind the scenes.
#448
October 22 · 1 hr 10 min
Fast Five
Fast cars, big heists, and family. This week, Paul and Amy revisit Fast Five, the movie that transformed The Fast and the Furious from a street-racing franchise into an action blockbuster juggernaut.
#447
October 15 · 54 min
Spirited Away
Paul and Amy get spirited away with Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved 2001 animated classic! They explore how this magical coming-of-age adventure tackles consumerism, identity, and the power of kindness. Plus, they discuss Miyazaki’s many retirements and why the film continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
#446
October 8 · 1 hr 9 min
Hereditary (with David Ehrlich)
This week Amy sits down with IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich to talk about Ari Aster's chilling debut, Hereditary. The two recall their unforgettable first screening at Sundance and explore how the film transforms family trauma, grief, and generational guilt into a movie that helped establish A24 as a defining force in modern horror.
#445
October 1 · 1 hr 5 min
Salt (with Ira Madison III)
Amy welcomes Ira Madison III to go undercover with Salt, the 2010 spy thriller that gave Angelina Jolie a chance to go full action hero. They dig into the movie’s wild development, from a Tom Cruise vehicle about “Edwin A. Salt” to Jolie’s gender-swapped Evelyn Salt, and celebrate the practical stunts, shifting loyalties, and increasingly bonkers twists that make the movie such a fun ride. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and
#444
September 24 · 1 hr 18 min
Almost Famous (with Alan Sepinwall)
With Paul away, Amy hits the road with TV critic and former Rolling Stone writer Alan Sepinwall to revisit Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous, the coming-of-age rock movie about a teenage journalist, a very complicated band, and the blurry line between access and honesty. They dig into Crowe’s autobiographical story, the film’s legendary cast, and its many musical highs, while exploring what it means to be a critic when you’re also a fan. Along the way, Amy and Alan debate Lester Bangs’ advice, the p
#443
September 17 · 1 hr 16 min
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (with Julie Klausner)
While Paul is away, Amy welcomes comedian and writer Julie Klausner to dive into Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Russ Meyer’s gloriously outrageous collision of sex, drugs, rock and roll, and barely contained chaos. Originally conceived as a sequel to Valley of the Dolls, the film evolved into something far stranger, dropping three aspiring stars into a debaucherous version of Los Angeles. Amy and Julie dig into Roger Ebert’s unlikely screenwriting career, Jacqueline Susann’s $10 million lawsuit
#442
September 10 · 59 min
Summer Movie Recap 2026
Paul and Amy look back at the wild summer of 2026, a blockbuster season that brought audiences back to theaters and delivered one of the most lucrative summers in over a decade. From The Invite and Jackass Forever to The Odyssey, Minions and Monsters, and Toy Story 5, they dig into a surprisingly diverse group of hits and ask whether the era of chasing movie trends is finally giving way to something simpler: good storytelling. Along the way, they explore the return of the mid-budget movie, the O
#441
September 3 · 50 min
Hudson Hawk (with David Hughes)
Paul and Amy embrace an ambitious failure with Hudson Hawk, the gloriously strange Bruce Willis passion project that went from bar-napkin idea to legendary box-office flop. They dig into the movie’s chaotic production with journalist David Hughes to explore the clashing scripts, candy-bar CIA agents, singing cat burglars, and the impossible balancing act of trying to be both cool and completely ridiculous. Was Hudson Hawk simply a bad movie, or a fascinating movie that never found its right vers
#440
August 27 · 1 hr 9 min
Interview with the Vampire
Paul and Amy sink their teeth into Interview with the Vampire, the movie project that spent nearly two decades trying to make it to the screen. They trace Anne Rice’s fiercely specific vision, unpack the unexpected pairing of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, and explore how a controversial casting choice became a box-office smash. Along the way, they dig into the film’s lush gothic style, its unmistakable queer subtext, and the complicated relationship at the heart of this very glamorous vampire saga.
#439
August 20 · 51 min
Reel Confessions: Josh Greenbaum
Director, screenwriter, and producer Josh Greenbaum enters the Reel Confessions booth to spill his movie hot takes (and a few opinions that might get him kicked out of the theater). You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/ Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpe
#438
August 13 · 1 hr 4 min
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Paul and Amy head down to the Mississippi Delta with O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the Coen Brothers’ Depression-era odyssey that transformed Homer’s epic into a bluegrass-fueled American fable. They unpack George Clooney’s career-defining comedic turn, the film’s groundbreaking digital look, and the skillful way the Coens balance myth, music, and absurdity. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of the
#437
August 7 · 24 min
Reel Confessions: David Wain
David Wain steps into the confession booth to talk cult classics, cinematic blind spots, and the movies that shaped his comedy. Paul and Amy chat with the Wet Hot American Summer creator about his new film Gail Doughtry and the Celebrity Sex Tape, fan-favorite quotes he barely remembers, and the jokes from Role Models that haven't quite stood the test of time. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of
#436
August 6 · 1 hr 7 min
Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
To celebrate the 25th anniversary theatrical re-release of Wet Hot American Summer, we're revisiting Paul and Amy’s deep dive into the beloved cult comedy. They trace the film’s scrappy journey from The State to Camp Towanda, unpack its stacked cast of future stars, and explore how a box-office flop became one of the most influential comedies of its generation. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of
#435
July 30 · 1 hr 18 min
Drive
Paul and Amy hit the gas with Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn’s hypnotic neo-noir that transformed a would-be studio action movie into one of the defining films of the 2010s. They trace the unlikely collaboration between Refn and Ryan Gosling, unpack the film’s dreamlike blend of pop music, brutal violence, and Los Angeles noir, and revisit the movie’s famously misleading marketing. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Lett
#434
July 25 · 1 hr
The Odyssey (with Lucas Matthew Herchenroeder)
Amy drops an emergency Unspooled episode to unpack Christopher Nolan’s epic take on The Odyssey, joined by USC classics professor Lucas Herrenroeder. Together they compare Homer’s original poem with Nolan’s bold reinterpretation, exploring everything from its Bronze Age authenticity and towering Cyclops sequence to the film’s treatment of Circe, the sirens, and the gods themselves. Along the way, they debate what Nolan changes, what he leaves behind, and how his version reframes Odysseus as a fl
#433
July 23 · 1 hr 17 min
An American Tail
Paul and Amy set sail with An American Tail, Don Bluth’s sweeping animated tale of immigration, family, and hope. They trace Bluth’s break from Disney, debate the film's emotional impact, and celebrate how the film’s blend of darkness and optimism helped reshape the future of American animation. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https:/
#432
July 16 · 1 hr 7 min
Superbad
Paul and Amy revisit Superbad, the coming-of-age comedy that turned awkward adolescence into an instant classic. They trace the film’s origins from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s teenage years, celebrate the breakout performances of Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Emma Stone, and explore how Judd Apatow and director Greg Mottola transformed a raunchy teen comedy into a surprisingly heartfelt story about friendship and growing up. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://dis
#431
July 9 · 1 hr 30 min
The Muppet Movie (with BenDavid Grabinski)
While Amy's away, Paul welcomes writer-director BenDavid Grabinski for a Critics’ Choice celebrating The Muppet Movie. Together they revisit Jim Henson’s big-screen breakthrough, exploring how its blend of heartfelt storytelling, meta Hollywood satire, groundbreaking puppetry, and unforgettable songs turned a road trip with a frog into one of cinema’s most magical family films. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Lette

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