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

Dec 24, 2020 · 1 hr 52 min
Home Alone
Amy & Paul break into 1990's abandoned child comedy phenomenon Home Alone! They praise John Candy as the film's MVP, learn why Joe Pesci was tougher to wrangle on set than any of the child actors, and debate whether Kevin McCallister is a sociopath. Plus: A look at how Macaulay Culkin has responded to the film's success as an adult. This is the seventh episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; our next film, as voted on by Unspooled listeners, is Dogtooth! We'll be taking next
Dec 17, 2020 · 1 hr 26 min
The Farewell
Amy & Paul say hello to 2019's Chinese-American family reunion The Farewell! They praise director Lulu Wang's use of motion, discover how Awkwafina won the dramatic lead role despite being best known as a rapper and comedian, and learn about the real fake mourners common at Chinese funerals. Plus: What's that familiar song covered in the end credits? This is the sixth episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week’s film is Home Alone! Learn more about the show at unspool
Dec 15, 2020 · 45 min
BONUS: Screen Test: Rattle My Chains
We're releasing this episode of our Premium game show series Screen Test with Paul & Amy for free! To listen to more Screen Test, just sign up for Stitcher Premium - you can go to stitcher.com/premium and use the promo code UNSPOOLED for one month free. In this holiday-themed episode, contestants Bill, Amanda and Alex attempt to say something nice about Cats, act out Arnold Schwarzenegger looking for a Baby Yoda toy, and pitch the next great Hanukkah movie.
Dec 11, 2020 · 1 hr 4 min
The Godfather, CODA: The Death of Micheal Corleone (Bonus)
In this bonus episode, Paul & Amy complete the Unspooled Godfather trilogy by watching "The Godfather, Coda: The Death Of Michael Corleone," director Francis Ford Coppola's new edit of The Godfather Pt. III. They also talk to Talia Shire, star of "The Godfather" and "Rocky" franchises, about all things "The Godfather", how she reapproached the character of Connie Corleone and which film she would like to see blasted into space. You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discor
Dec 10, 2020 · 1 hr 44 min
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner
Paul & Amy invite themselves over to 1967's Sidney Poitier "meet the parents" dramedy Guess Who's Coming To Dinner! They praise the movie's light touch with then-controversial social issues like interracial marriage, compare the film to early mainstream gay comedies like The Birdcage, and listen to a posthumous letter star Katharine Hepburn wrote to Spencer Tracy. Plus: Every sitcom with an episode title inspired by this film. This is the fifth episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up f
Dec 3, 2020 · 1 hr 39 min
The Royal Tenenbaums
Amy & Paul move back in with 2001's Wes Anderson family reunion piece The Royal Tenenbaums! They ask if Anderson is sneakily a great director of actors, posit that Ben Stiller is the true heart of the movie, and discuss whether the female Tenenbaums are well served by their storylines. Plus: Which other legendary actor was considered to play Royal Tenenbaum? This is the fourth episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week’s film is Guess Who's Coming To Dinner! Learn mor
Nov 26, 2020 · 1 hr 37 min
Eve's Bayou
Paul & Amy use their second sight on 1997's Creole family tragedy Eve's Bayou! They learn why director Kasi Lemmons cut a mute observer character from the film, compare the story to To Kill A Mockingbird, and praise the film's slippery relationship with truth and memory. Plus: A look at On Our Own, the Smollett family sitcom. This is the third episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week’s film is The Royal Tenenbaums! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com follo
Nov 19, 2020 · 1 hr 13 min
Tokyo Story
Amy & Paul visit 1953's Japanese generational drama Tokyo Story! They discuss the unique, still-life-inspired style of director Yasujiro Ozu, learn how the film became regarded as a masterwork by future generations of directors, and ask if the children of the central characters are actually villainous or just human. Plus: Which novelty single was huge in America when Tokyo Story was in theaters? This is the second episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week’s film is E
Nov 12, 2020 · 1 hr 20 min
Raising Arizona
Paul & Amy raise up 1987’s Coen Brothers kidnapping caper Raising Arizona! They track the secret references to other Coen projects, learn why they thought of a baby as an “emotional squib,” and ask why Hi and Ed are so lovable despite committing an awful crime. Plus: discovering Nic Cage’s thoughts on babies. Next week’s film is Tokyo Story! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer Paul’s book J
Nov 5, 2020 · 1 hr 44 min
The Thing
Amy & Paul burst out of 1982's Antarctic John Carpenter sci-fi feature The Thing! They learn how the incredible special effects were literally dreamt up, praise Wilford Brimley's everyman appeal, and ask what relevance this story of paranoia and mistrust has in modern-day life. Plus: An excerpt from The Thing: The Musical. This is the final episode of our “Unghouled” horror miniseries; next week we kick off a series on "effed up families" with Raising Arizona! Learn more about the show at un
Oct 29, 2020 · 1 hr 30 min
Ganja & Hess
Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 1973's visionary vampire film Ganja & Hess! They learn how director Bill Gunn used the success of films like Blacula to get funding for his more experimental work, examine the parallels the film draws between Christianity and vampirism, and explore the role race plays in Gunn's vision. Plus: a look at how the critical reaction at the time shaped the film's legacy. This is the fourth episode of our “Unghouled” horror miniseries; next week’s film and the winner
Oct 22, 2020 · 1 hr 46 min
Night Of The Living Dead
Amy & Paul tear into 1968's seminal zombie horror Night Of The Living Dead! They learn about director George Romero's history making political advertisements, praise the way Romero makes you care about the characters he's killing off, and analyze how casting a black lead actor in Duane Jones changed the tenor and meaning of the film. Plus: Weighing in on the eternal question, can zombies run? This is the third episode of our “Unghouled” horror miniseries; next week’s film is Night Of The Liv
Oct 8, 2020 · 1 hr 29 min
Frankenstein
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 Frankenstein." This is the first episode of our "Unghouled" horror miniseries; next week's film is The Babadook! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, a
Oct 1, 2020 · 1 hr 49 min
Dazed and Confused
Paul & Amy party with 1993's throwback high school ensemble comedy Dazed And Confused! They watch Matthew McConaughey's dazzling audition tape, learn the studio's original plan for the soundtrack, and ask if director Richard Linklater prioritizes the male POV in his films. Plus: We try to determine which high school film we've covered is most spaceship-worthy. This is the final episode of our “Back To School” miniseries; next week we kick off a new series about horror films with 1931's Frank
Sep 24, 2020 · 1 hr 51 min
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Amy & Paul say aloha to 1982's high school romp Fast Times At Ridgemont High! They learn about the real life inspiration for Spicoli from Sean Penn, take a close look at the film's unique treatment of teen sex, and wonder just what a trout dog is. Plus: director Amy Heckerling explains how she worked around the studio system to bring her vision to the film. This is the sixth episode of our “Back To School” miniseries; next week’s film is the winner of the fan vote for this series, Dazed And
Sep 17, 2020 · 1 hr 45 min
Cooley High
Paul & Amy pour one out for 1975's comic high school drama Cooley High! They learn how the film scored a soundtrack of wall-to-wall Motown hits, analyze the film's take on teenage hijinks, and praise Michael Schultz as one of the great underrated directors. Plus: Glynn Turman ("Preach") talks about the impact Cooley High had on his career. This is the fifth episode of our "Back To School" miniseries; next week’s film is Fast Times At Ridgemont High! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.
Sep 10, 2020 · 1 hr 45 min
Rebel Without A Cause
Amy & Paul are torn apart by 1955's landmark teen drama Rebel Without A Cause! They celebrate the instantly iconic performance of James Dean, learn about the wild backstory of director Nicholas Ray, and take a close look at the seismic generational shifts of the era. Plus: reflections on the recent passing of Chadwick Boseman. This is the fourth episode of our "Back To School" miniseries; next week’s film is Cooley High! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @un
Sep 3, 2020 · 1 hr 18 min
The 400 Blows
Paul & Amy raise hell for 1959's French New Wave adolescent drama The 400 Blows! They learn how François Truffaut went from a Hitchcock-worshipping critic to a director himself, discuss how he then became a major influence on directors like Steven Spielberg, and praise the value of creative limitations in creating truly fresh works of art. Plus: a scene from the unforgettable Sesame Street adaptation. This is the third episode of our "Back To School" miniseries; next week’s film is Rebel Wit
Aug 27, 2020 · 1 hr 39 min
Stand and Deliver
Amy & Paul stand for 1988's rousing math class drama Stand And Deliver! They ask if this is the first major 'indie' film, learn how Edward James Olmos crafted his commanding performance as Jaime Escalante, and investigate whether the real students depicted cheated on their exam. Plus: Lou Diamond Phillips explains how he got cast as Angel, and why poker requires top-notch math skills. This is the second episode of our "Back To School" miniseries; next week’s film is The 400 Blows! Learn more
Aug 20, 2020 · 1 hr 37 min
Mean Girls
Paul & Amy are obsessed with 2004's teenage clique comedy Mean Girls! They approach the film as a work of anthropology, praise Amanda Seyfried's perfectly dumb performance, and ask how this pre-social media movie became so heavily GIF'd. Plus: Mark Waters talks about how it feels to have directed a modern sleepover classic. This is the first episode of our first miniseries of Season 2, Back To School; next week’s film is Stand And Deliver! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follo