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

Mar 12, 2020 · 1 hr 46 min
Sunrise
Amy & Paul rise up for 1927's expressionist F.W. Murnau masterwork Sunrise! They learn how Janet Gaynor won the Best Actress Oscar for three films at once, praise the film's groundbreaking soundtrack, and ask how such a simple story can resonate so strongly. Plus: Animal trainer Laura Bourhenne talks about the challenges of training pigs. For 12 Angry Men week, help defend a criminal character you think deserved a fairer trial! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answ
Mar 5, 2020 · 1 hr 51 min
M*A*S*H
Paul & Amy enlist for 1970's groundbreaking Robert Altman war comedy M*A*S*H! They work to separate the film from the iconic TV show, dissect a controversial scene with Sally Kellerman, and explore how this film was a precursor for 70s comedy to come. Plus: Tom Skerritt (Duke Forrest) explains how Altman made his career. What do you think Sunrise is about? (Hint: there's a pig in it!) If you haven't seen it, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer. Follow us on Twi
Feb 27, 2020 · 59 min
LAPOCALYPSE (Live from Alamo Drafthouse)
Join Paul, Amy and special guest Hayes Davenport (Hollywood Handbook, Flagrant Ones) for this discussion about LA and apocalyptic films, with a special focus on the 1984 cult classic Repo Man! Learn about the strange history of LA urban planning initiatives, the inspiration for Repo Man's generic products, and a great party fact about "Ralphs." This episode was recorded live from Alamo Drafthouse in Los Angeles.
Feb 20, 2020 · 1 hr 41 min
Parasite
Paul & Amy latch on to 2019’s Best Picture winning Korean class parable Parasite! They talk about overcoming the “one inch barrier of subtitles,” praise director Bong Joon Ho’s use of lines and vertical camera movement and learn about Bong’s political awakening and how it inspired the film. Plus: Justin Chang (LA Times, NPR) tells us what the reaction to Parasite was like at Cannes. You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out Paul's Substack htt
Feb 13, 2020 · 2 hr 1 min
The Sound of Music
Amy & Paul yodel through 1965's blockbuster musical The Sound Of Music! They learn the history of the real Trapp family singers, contemplate Julie Andrews' post-Sound Of Music career, and ask if the story of the film holds up as well as the songs. Plus: Composer and lyricist Adam Guettel (The Light In The Piazza) talks about his relationship with his grandfather, Richard Rodgers. Next week Unspooled takes a break from the AFI list to discuss Best Picture winner Parasite! What foreign film do
Feb 6, 2020 · 1 hr 32 min
2020 Oscars Preview
Paul & Amy get ready for the Academy Awards by sharing their thoughts on this year's nominees, and some of their other favorite films from 2019 that didn't get nominated. They ask if this was a good year for movies overall, wonder if Joaquin Phoenix will get a chance to reprise his BAFTAs speech, and praise the careful balancing act of Marriage Story. Plus: The winners of The 2019 Spoolies, as voted on by the Unspooled listeners! For The Sound Of Music week, call in and sing us a bit of "Do-
Jan 30, 2020 · 1 hr 28 min
The Apartment
Amy & Paul check in to 1960's Billy Wilder-helmed romantic comedy The Apartment! They learn about the real life murder that inspired this story, ask if there's an actor like Jack Lemmon working today, and discover what Nikita Khruschev thought of the film. Plus: Revisiting your thoughts on The Wild Bunch! Next week we're talking about The Oscars; nominate a 2019 film for a made-up category of your choice! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer. Follow us on Twitte
Jan 23, 2020 · 1 hr 50 min
The Wild Bunch
Paul & Amy light up 1969's rebellious Sam Peckinpah Western The Wild Bunch! They marvel at the stunts the volatile Peckinpah pulled, praise his inventive flashbacks, and debate the film's use of laughter. Plus: Director S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk) talks about why The Wild Bunch is one of his favorite films. For The Apartment week, what was a time you helped someone in order to get ahead in life/at your job? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on
Jan 16, 2020 · 1 hr 47 min
The Gold Rush
Amy & Paul dig into 1925's chilly Charlie Chaplin comedy The Gold Rush! They wonder whether the Tramp smells bad, learn about the tradition of Christmas crackers, and ask if this is the best Chaplin film on the AFI list. Plus: Composer Cliff Retallick talk about what it's like to compose for silent film screenings. How would you cast a modern version of The Wild Bunch? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooled
Jan 9, 2020 · 1 hr 45 min
Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Paul & Amy sap your bodily fluids with 1964's Cold War satire Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb! They unpack how director Stanley Kubrick manipulated his cast to get the best performances, learn the origin of Strangelove's voice, and play a Strangelove-inspired song by a classic SoCal punk band. Plus: recapping the Golden Globes! What other satires would you add to the AFI list? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on
Jan 2, 2020 · 1 hr 45 min
Best of the Decade Pt. 4
Now that Paul & Amy have gone deep on their favorite films of the 2010s, they're ready to hear from everyone else! This week they finish off Unspooled's Best Of The Decade miniseries with picks from Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Leslye Headland, Seth Rogan, Adam McKay, Jenna Fischer, Jorma Taccone, Rob Huebel, Emily V. Gordon, Justin Roiland, LeVar Burton, Janet Varney, Felicia Day, Michael Weber, Conan O'Brien, Bendavid Grabinski, and the Unspooled listeners. Plus: Engineer Devon & Producer J
Dec 26, 2019 · 1 hr 27 min
Best of the Decade Pt. 3
Paul & Amy continue their Best of The Decade miniseries, picking their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode focuses on the years 2016-2019, and they'll discuss a misunderstood technical achievement, a groundbreaking horror debut, and a centuries-spanning meditation on death, among many others. Plus: looking back on an infamous Oscar debacle. Next week is the final episode of our Best Of The Decade series! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com
Dec 18, 2019 · 2 hr 2 min
Star Wars
Amy & Paul make the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs to 1977's George Lucas space fantasy Star Wars! They learn why Carrie Fisher hated those buns, praise the visionary designs of Ralph McQuarrie, and ask if we can still appreciate it as a single film in a post Star Wars world. Plus: Paul Hirsch, the editor of Star Wars, talks about bringing Lucas' vision to the final cut. You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out Paul's Substack https://
Dec 12, 2019 · 1 hr 56 min
Best of the Decade Pt. 2
Paul & Amy continue the Best Of The Decade miniseries, picking their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode covers the years 2013-2015, and they'll discuss a visionary action film, a super-low-budget indie gem, and an inescapable musical among many others. Plus: a critical eye on this year's Golden Globe nominations. Next episode, we're pausing the miniseries for a week to cover the original Star Wars. Tell us your favorite minor Star Wars character! Call the Unspooled voic
Dec 5, 2019 · 1 hr 42 min
Best of the Decade Pt. 1
Amy & Paul kick off a new decade-spanning miniseries, where they'll pick their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode covers the years 2010-2012, and they'll advocate for knotty films from cinema's modern masters, a balls-to-the-wall cult comedy, and a nearly-forgotten Best Picture winner among many others. Next week the series continues with 2013-2015; keep sending us voicemails with your pick for best movie of the decade! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824
Nov 28, 2019 · 1 hr 47 min
Raging Bull
Paul & Amy go toe-to-toe with 1980's Martin Scorcese boxing biopic Raging Bull! They learn how De Niro gained so much weight for his role as Jake Lamotta, wonder why there are so many boxing films on the AFI list, and ask if this is Scorcese's best examination of toxic masculinity. Plus: Cinematographer Michael Chapman talks about bringing the camera into the ring to film the famous fight scenes. Next week we begin our Best of The Decade miniseries - call in and tell us about one of your fav
Nov 26, 2019 · 42 min
BONUS REEL: Rian Johnson
In a new Bonus Reel, Paul & Amy are joined by Rian Johnson, writer/director of "The Last Jedi" and "Looper", to talk about the three films he would add to the AFI list, and his new movie, "Knives Out."
Nov 21, 2019 · 1 hr 43 min
Annie Hall
Paul & Amy clear their throat for 1977's Woody Allen breakthrough "Annie Hall"! They ask how autobiographical the film is, learn who else was considered for that Marshall McLuhan cameo, and decide if the list absolutely needs a Woody Allen film. Plus: Tony Roberts, who plays Rob in the film, talks about his relationship with Woody. Pitch us your "Raging ___" film! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpo
Nov 19, 2019 · 40 min
BONUS REEL: Lorene Scafaria
In a new Bonus Reel, Amy sits down with Lorene Scafaria, director of "Hustlers" and "The Meddler," to talk about the three films she would add to the AFI list.
Nov 14, 2019 · 1 hr 39 min
The Best Years of Our Lives
Amy & Paul return home to 1946's post-WWII drama The Best Years Of Our Lives! They praise the natural performance of first-time actor Harold Russell, compare the film's style to noir movies and Network, and learn how the Hayes code circumscribed the film's portrayal of veterans. Plus: Comedian Santina Muha talks about why disabled people's representation is so important. Who would you pull into an argument as an expert, Annie Hall-style? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with