Aug 26, 2022 · 1 hr 9 min
U
TV & Film
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.
- 462 episodes
- Updated Thursday
Episodes462
- UAug 25, 2022 · 1 hr 43 min
Training Day
Amy & Paul ride along with 2001’s Denzel Washington crooked cop potboiler Training Day! They praise Ethan Hawke’s brilliant, unshowy work, unpack Alonzo’s complicated plan, and discuss how Washington’s intensity and control elevate the material. Plus: How do you pronounce Denzel? Next week, our Villains series continues with White Heat! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at http
- UAug 18, 2022 · 1 hr 36 min
The Night of the Hunter
Amy & Paul lean on the everlasting arms of 1955’s expressionist Southern Gothic The Night of the Hunter! They explore the film’s nightmarish imagery, speculate about the complicated writing process, and swap stories of Robert Mitchum’s eccentric reputation. Plus: Who did it better—the Reverend Harry Powell or Radio Raheem? Next week, our Villains series continues with Training Day! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/u
- UAug 11, 2022 · 1 hr 55 min
Fatal Attraction
Paul & Amy can’t be ignored when discussing 1987’s hair-raising erotic thriller Fatal Attraction! They praise how casting an age-appropriate partner for Michael Douglas changed the power dynamic of their relationship, wonder if the different ‘stages’ of Glenn Close’s Alex ever truly cohere, and ask how director Adrian Lyne intended audiences to react to these characters. Plus: Was the attack in Starship Troopers a false flag all along? Next week, our Villains series continues with Night Of The
- UAug 4, 2022 · 2 hr 11 min
The Three Musketeers & The Four Musketeers (with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary)
Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary (from The Video Archives Podcast) join Paul & Amy for an unprecedented Unspooled crossover episode! The quartet cross swords with 1973's swashbuckling Alexandre Dumas adaptation The Three Musketeers, and its 1974 sequel, The Four Musketeers. They praise the star-studded cast (especially Oliver Reed and Faye Dunaway), admire director Richard Lester's comic approach that nonetheless sticks faithfully to the novel's plot, and break down what makes a great cinematic
- UJul 28, 2022 · 1 hr 41 min
Starship Troopers
Paul & Amy fight a new kind of war with 1997’s science fiction action film, Starship Troopers. They dissect the movie’s initially negative reception, show some love for Jake Busey, and consider the underappreciated high-wire act of cinematic satire. Plus: how close did Matt Damon really come to starring in Verhoeven’s film? Next week, our Heroes series continues with two very special guests and a double feature to match! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Gr
- UJul 21, 2022 · 45 min
Top 3: Patton Oswalt & Meredith Salenger
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger (hosts of the "Did You Get My Text?" podcast) each tell Paul & Amy three of their favorite romantic films, including a masterful French musical, a high-octane action comedy, and a star-studded showbiz satire.
- UJul 14, 2022 · 1 hr 58 min
RoboCop
Amy & Paul get the future under control with 1987’s Paul Verhoeven dystopian action film RoboCop! They discover how Verhoeven satirized corporate America despite being completely new to American culture, analyze his technique of making violence comical by exaggerating it, and praise Peter Weller for finding the humanity inside the robot suit. Plus: a look back at James Caan’s career. Next week, we've got a special treat for you as we take a break between our Heroes and Villains series! You can
- UJul 7, 2022 · 1 hr 29 min
Blade
Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 1998’s vampiric superhero splatterfest Blade! They discuss how the film was found in the edit, dig deep into Wesley Snipes’ versatility as an actor, and examine the earliest attempts at establishing a Marvel cinematic universe. Plus: how LL Cool J almost played the iconic Daywalker. Next week, our Heroes series continues with RoboCop! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast
- UJun 30, 2022 · 1 hr 33 min
Paddington 2
Amy & Paul bear their souls for 2017’s kind and polite comedy Paddington 2! They applaud Hugh Grant’s villainous turn, draw parallels to the physical comedy of Chaplin and Keaton, and analyze Paddington creator Michael Bond’s politically progressive writing. Plus: is Rocky Balboa the American Paddington Bear? Next week, our Heroes series continues with Blade! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on
- UJun 23, 2022 · 1 hr 21 min
Supercop
Amy & Paul go undercover for 1992’s explosive Jackie Chan martial arts adventure Supercop! They theorize about Hong Kong cinema’s influence on Hollywood action films, break down Michelle Yeoh’s legendary career, and praise the film’s staggeringly dangerous stunt work. Plus: did Tom Cruise steal his playbook from Chan? Next week, our Heroes series continues with Paddington 2! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspoole
- UJun 16, 2022 · 1 hr 27 min
RRR
Paul & Amy rise up for 2022’s revolutionary Indian epic RRR! They learn the difference between Bollywood and the Telugu-language Tollywood scene, break down the “Naatu Naatu” dance scene, and praise the film’s commitment to emotional truth amidst the wild action. Plus: Who is director S.S. Rajamouli’s favorite non-Indian filmmaker? Next week, our Heroes series continues with Supercop! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/group
- UJun 9, 2022 · 1 hr 43 min
Superman
Amy & Paul leap tall buildings for 1978's seminal superhero classic Superman! They learn about Christopher Reeve's fitness regimen, discuss how director Richard Donner and screenwriter Mario Puzo keep Superman relatable by making him low status, and embrace the romance that's rare in modern superhero films. Plus: does Clark Kent really have a snappy prose style? Next week, our Heroes series continues with RRR! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at http
- UJun 7, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
BONUS: Top Gun: Maverick, Chip 'N Dale, and Doctor Strange 2
On a bonus Unspooled this week, Paul & Amy discuss some of the most interesting films released in the last month - Top Gun: Maverick, the reboot of Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness.
- UMay 26, 2022 · 2 hr 8 min
Top Gun
Amy & Paul head into the danger zone for 1986’s Tom Cruise flight school showdown Top Gun! They debate whether Maverick has a defined character arc, praise the charm of a young Meg Ryan, and piece together how this fit into Cruise’s budding movie star career. Plus: which cast members puked in the cockpit? Next week, we finish Ani-May-Tion month with Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups
- UMay 19, 2022 · 1 hr 28 min
Porco Rosso
Paul & Amy take to the skies for 1992’s Hayao Miyazaki aeronautic adventure Porco Rosso! They learn about Miyazaki’s history and fascination with airplanes, discuss the meaning of the hero’s pig-headed curse, and get deep into porcine anatomy. Plus: How do the American actors do with the dub? Next week, we’re taking a detour but staying in flight with the original Top Gun! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledp
- UMay 12, 2022 · 1 hr 28 min
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Paul & Amy burrow into 2005’s Aardman claymation caper Wallace and Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit! They describe the painstaking work that went into every frame of this film, investigate the connection between the Were-Rabbit and Hammer horror films, and discover whether a rabbit has ever killed a person. Plus: hope you’re not feta-up with cheese puns! Next week Ani-May-Tion month continues with Porco Rosso! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at
- UMay 5, 2022 · 1 hr 19 min
Akira
Paul & Amy slide into 1988’s cyberpunk anime crossover hit Akira! They praise the gamelan-influenced score, learn how the film’s bike races were influenced by post-WWII Tokyo culture, and ask whether this is the “Scarface” of anime. Plus: The eternal debate of subs vs dubs. Next week we kick off a month of Ani-May-Tion month continues with Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of The Were-Rabbit! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/gro
- UApr 28, 2022 · 1 hr 42 min
Adaptation
Amy & Paul podcast about podcasting about 2002’s head-spinning meta comedy Adaptation! They relate to Nicolas-Cage-as-Charlie-Kaufman’s inner monologue, learn what Robert McKee thought of his depiction in the film, and debate whether the third act makes or undermines the whole piece. Plus: Thoughts on Lily Tomlin’s career. Next week we kick off a month of Ani-May-Tion with Akira! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/uns
- UApr 25, 2022 · 54 min
Gauging Nicolas Cage (with Keith Phipps)
In a special Unspooled, Paul & Amy enlist Keith Phipps (author of "Age Of Cage") to narrow down which Nicolas Cage performances deserve to be sent to space. Tune in to find out which Cage film we'll cover this Thursday!