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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462 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes462

Newest first

Apr 27, 2023 · 1 hr 15 min
What We Do In The Shadows
Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 2014’s vampiric mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows! They learn why so many of the film’s creatures look like Lord Of The Rings characters, come around to Jemaine Clement’s acting style, and ask if this is still director Taika Waititi’s best film. Plus: The origins of that sandwich joke. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Young Frankenstein! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the
Apr 25, 2023 · 1 hr 27 min
Frankenstein (Re-release)
This month, we’re re-releasing our discussion of 1931’s Frankenstein to accompany our latest episodes on Evil Dead II and What We Do In The Shadows. Stay tuned for another Franken-film we’ll be covering very soon! Amy & Paul reanimate 1931's literary creature feature Frankenstein! They learn Boris Karloff's real name, discuss what the film has to say about the human act of creation, and ask why "burgermaster" is no longer a public title. Plus: A quick look at the follow-up "Bride Of Frankenst
Apr 20, 2023 · 47 min
Top 3: Karina Longworth
Karina Longworth (You Must Remember This) joins Paul & Amy to unveil her top 3 erotic thrillers! They also discuss the problem with the NC-17 rating, coming of age at the height of Madonna's stardom, and why Michael Douglas is the archetypal erotic thriller star. For much more on these topics, listen to Karina's Erotic 90s series, out now on the You Must Remember This feed. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching What We Do In The Shadows! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Disc
Apr 13, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
Evil Dead II
Paul & Amy chainsaw through 1987’s groovy slapstick horror masterpiece Evil Dead II! They ask if Bruce Campbell’s Ash is a “final girl,” learn why director Sam Raimi owes his career to Stephen King, and discuss why this film still feels anarchic and dangerous. Plus: The origin of the Wilhelm Scream. Next week, Karina Longworth of You Must Remember This joins us for a Top 3! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the sho
Apr 4, 2023 · 38 min
Top 3: Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Spider-Man) joins Paul and Amy on the eve of his Bruce-O-Rama tour (and a new Evil Dead movie!) to talk about three of his favorite films, including a demonic horror masterpiece and a widescreen WWII epic.
Mar 30, 2023 · 1 hr 25 min
In Bruges
Paul and Amy get stuck in Martin McDonagh’s 2008 hitman parable In Bruges! They learn about McDonagh’s explosive ascent as a playwright, compare Bruges to other hitman films of the era, and discuss how the contrast between Colin Farrell’s offensive dialogue and redemptive arc messes with the audience’s sympathies. Plus: how do you master eyebrow acting? Next week, tune in as we watch El Mariachi! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. L
Mar 23, 2023 · 1 hr 29 min
John Wick
Amy & Paul arm up for 2014’s revitalizing Keanu Reeves action film John Wick! They ask whether we’re supposed to care about Wick as a character, praise the careful world building of directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, and debate the best fight in the series. Plus: What would you do if someone killed your pet in front of you? Next week, tune in as we discuss In Bruges! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the sh
Mar 17, 2023 · 49 min
Bonus Reel: Creed III, Magic Mike’s Last Dance and Scream VI
In this bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy weigh in on the latest franchise entries following our recent episodes, including discussions of how Jonathan Majors fits into the Creed universe, whether Steven Soderbergh got the tone of the third Magic Mike right, and how Hayden Panettiere fares in her return to Scream.
Mar 9, 2023 · 1 hr 32 min
Best of 2022 & Oscars Preview
Paul & Amy look back on their favorite films of 2022 and get ready for the Academy Awards this weekend! They'll discuss each of the Best Picture nominees, share their thoughts on the year in blockbusters and streaming films, and ask the big question - are the movies back? Plus: A high stakes Oscar wager. Next week, tune in as we discuss Creed! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow u
Mar 9, 2023 · 1 hr 55 min
Scream (Re-release)
In honor of Scream VI's release in theaters this weekend, we're re-releasing last year's discussion of the original Scream - tomorrow we'll be back with a brand new episode! Paul & Amy don't follow the rules for 1996's Wes Craven meta-horror-comedy Scream! They learn Craven's secret to making horror films that resonate, argue that the iconic Ghostface mask works better than a more distinctive look, and unpack the archetype of the "Final Girl." Plus: Henry Winkler and the movie's best in-joke.
Mar 2, 2023 · 1 hr 6 min
Hollywood Shuffle
Paul & Amy enjoy a Winky Dinky Dog and watch 1987's audacious sketch satire Hollywood Shuffle! They explore the multifaceted career of star and director Robert Townsend, put the film in context of black cinema in the 80s, and ask why Townsend's critiques of Hollywood are relevant 35 years later. Plus: Eddie Murphy's surprising reaction to the film's Eddie Murphy sketch. Next week, we look back at the films of 2022 and preview the Oscars! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s D
Feb 23, 2023 · 50 min
Top 3: Chapo Trap House
Will Menaker and Matt Christman of Chapo Trap House join Paul & Amy on this week's crossover Unspooled! Matt shares three films to watch before listening to his new history miniseries Hell On Earth, including a Puritan horror folktale and a medieval breakthrough from a master satirist. Will announces his own upcoming miniseries and highlights three films on rails to help get into "movie mindset." Listen to both shows at patreon.com/chapotraphouse. Next week, tune in as we discuss Hollywood Shuf
Feb 16, 2023 · 1 hr 30 min
Magic Mike & Magic Mike XXL
Paul & Amy slip a five dollar bill to 2012's male stripper megahit Magic Mike! They discuss why Steven Soderbergh's film is about money as much or more than sex, ask who the franchise's hottest character is, and explore what makes Channing Tatum such a generational talent. Plus: plenty of love for the super-sized follow up, Magic Mike XXL. Next week, tune in for a Top 3 crossover episode... You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com
Feb 14, 2023 · 33 min
Top 3: Hindi Romance Films
Smriti Mundhra (Indian Matchmaking, The Romantics) talks to Paul and Amy about her three favorite Hindi-language romantic films, how romance became a blockbuster genre in India, and how she feels about the term ‘Bollywood.’ Watch The Romantics on Netflix, out today!
Feb 9, 2023 · 1 hr 21 min
The Notebook
Amy & Paul open up 2004's decades-spanning romance The Notebook! They praise the effortless chemistry of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, learn how James Garner prepared (or didn't prepare) for his role, and ask why we don't see more pure romances like this. Plus: Did Gosling and McAdams really fall in love on set? Next week, tune in as we cover Magic Mike! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on P
Feb 2, 2023 · 1 hr 38 min
Crash
Paul & Amy swerve into 2004's Oscar-winning race-in-LA melodrama Crash! They take a close look at how the film's attitudes on race and racism have aged, learn about the incident that happened to director Paul Haggis that inspired the film, and revisit the short-lived Crash TV series. Plus: Should Brokeback Mountain have won Best Picture instead? Next week, tune in as we cover Magic Mike! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/g
Jan 27, 2023 · 20 min
Bonus: 2023 Oscar Nominations
Amy and Paul react to the 2023 Oscar nominations in a bonus Unspooled. We'll be back on Thursday with Crash!
Jan 26, 2023 · 1 hr 21 min
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Paul & Amy force-project into Rian Johnson's galaxy-brained Star Wars entry The Last Jedi! They dissect the disputes between Mark Hamill and Johnson on the fate of Luke Skywalker, praise the film's illustrations of the nature of heroism, and ask if this is up there with the very best of Star Wars. Plus: The origins of porgs. Next week, tune in as we cover 2004's Crash! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodca
Jan 19, 2023 · 1 hr 27 min
Blue Velvet
Paul & Amy send a love letter to David Lynch's uncanny 1986 noir Blue Velvet! They learn what Lynch thinks of his "Jimmy Stewart from Mars" image, discuss the film's many connections to The Wizard Of Oz, and ask why we're collectively obsessed with the dark underbelly of everyday life. Plus: What Dennis Hopper role was a 'spiritual sequel' to Frank Booth? Next week, tune in as we cover The Last Jedi! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.fa
Jan 12, 2023 · 1 hr 19 min
Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Amy & Paul peel the layers of Chantal Akerman’s minimalist homebound masterwork Jeanne Dielman! They praise the way Akerman trains her audience to pay attention to tiny details, debate whether the controversial ending was necessary, and ask what the film’s recent ascendancy to the top of Sight & Sound’s greatest films list says about how we live today. Plus: The truth about Tony Orlando and Dawn. Next week, tune in as we discuss Blue Velvet! You can join the conversation for this series on the