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

Nov 7, 2019 · 1 hr 25 min
Forrest Gump
Paul & Amy run through 1994's satirical American history tour Forrest Gump! They learn the nutty plot of the sequel book Gump & Co, listen to a bit of the Lt. Dan Band, and ask how John Candy would have played the Forrest role. Plus: We take your calls and hear why this film has resonated with so many movie fans. What do you think The Best Years Of Our Lives is about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspool
Oct 31, 2019 · 1 hr 38 min
The Grapes of Wrath
Amy & Paul squeeze out 1940's Dust Bowl-set John Steinbeck adaptation The Grapes Of Wrath! They ask if Henry Fonda's Tom Joad is more of a character than an icon, explore the film's impact on music, and learn what attracted the conservative John Ford to this film. Plus: Labor activist Randy Bryce explains why this is one of his all-time favorite films. If you're a Forrest Gump fan, call in to defend your love for it! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer. Follow
Oct 24, 2019 · 1 hr 44 min
The Godfather Pt. II
Paul & Amy say buona sera to 1974's epic mobster sequel The Godfather Pt. II! They analyze Robert De Niro's Sicilian, learn which US president loved the film, and ask if this sequel really covers territory not covered by the first film. Plus: Tom Santopietro, author of The Godfather Effect, talk about how the Godfather films have affected the Italian-American community. For The Grapes Of Wrath week, tell us about your experience with unions! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824
Oct 17, 2019 · 2 hr 7 min
The Godfather
Amy & Paul pay tribute to 1972's mobster epic The Godfather! They praise the film's incredible rich cinematography, wonder if Michael makes his character turn too quickly, and debate whether this is truly the second greatest American film ever. Plus: Gianni Russo, who plays Carlo Rizzi in the film, shares stories from the set. Next week is Godfather Pt. II - tell us one of your deepest secrets! Don't worry, you can use a fake voice, just call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824. Fol
Oct 15, 2019 · 37 min
Bonus Reel: Joker & Taxi Driver
On this special bonus episode, Paul & Amy compare the controversial supervillain origin story Joker with one of the films that inspired it, Martin Scorcese's Taxi Driver.
Oct 10, 2019 · 1 hr 32 min
American Graffiti
Paul & Amy cruise through 1973's George Lucas coming-of-age comedy American Graffiti! They discover why Lucas decided to make a film inspired by his teenage years, learn about the real Wolfman Jack, and watch the trailer for the bizarre sequel. Plus: Candy Clark, who plays Debbie in the film, talks about creating her character. For Godfather week, Paul & Amy are the Godfather, and you have a chance to ask them for a favor on the day of their daughter's wedding. Call the Unspooled voicemail l
Oct 8, 2019 · 32 min
Bonus Reel: Shea Serrano
In a special bonus episode this week, Paul & Amy ask Shea Serrano, writer for The Ringer and author of “Movies (And Other Things)”, about the three films he would add to the AFI list.
Oct 3, 2019 · 1 hr 47 min
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Amy & Paul get cookin' with 1959's Billy Wilder gender-bending comedy Some Like It Hot! They learn why the film's final line was controversial, ask if films about cross-dressing still need to be made, and dive into Marilyn Monroe's troubled history with Hollywood. Plus: Mira Sorvino discusses getting into Marilyn's head to star in "Norma Jean & Marilyn." What sort of American Graffiti would you draw? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Un
Sep 26, 2019 · 1 hr 38 min
Spartacus
Amy & Paul fight for 1960's Roman epic Spartacus! They discuss why Spartacus isn't usually considered part of director Stanley Kubrick's canon, learn about Kirk Douglas' heroic efforts to get the film made, and liken the movie to a good casserole. Plus: Thomas Doherty, author of Show Trial, talks about how screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was affected by the Hollywood Blacklist. Next week is Some Like It Hot week - help us come up with a better title for the film! Call the Unspooled voicemail line
Sep 19, 2019 · 1 hr 40 min
North by Northwest
Amy & Paul traverse 1959’s Alfred Hitchcock blockbuster North By Northwest! They discuss what makes Cary Grant’s suit one of the greatest in cinema, ask why so many Hitchcock films feature women betraying men, and draw a line from this film to the Coen Bros. Plus: Daniel Raim, director of “The Man On Lincoln’s Nose,” talks about Hitch’s famed art director Robert Boyle. For Spartacus week, what do you think the film is about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer!
Sep 12, 2019 · 1 hr 35 min
On the Waterfront
Paul & Amy fly the coop to 1954's Marlon Brando crime drama On The Waterfront! They ask what the film would have been like with Frank Sinatra in the lead, explore the history of "the Method," and wonder how the ending would change if this were made today. Plus: Paul revisits your thoughts on Lawrence Of Arabia. For North By Northwest week, what is your favorite Hitchcock film? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info a
Sep 5, 2019 · 1 hr 37 min
Lawrence Of Arabia
Paul and Amy journey through 1962's David Lean WWI epic Lawrence Of Arabia! They ask if this can fairly be called a "white savior" film, learn about the many injuries Peter O'Tools endured during the shoot, and compare the film's structure to Citizen Kane. Plus: A brief look at the controversy around the Joker premiere. For On The Waterfront week, what are times in your life you could have been a contender? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twit
Aug 29, 2019 · 1 hr 32 min
Network
Amy & Paul surf through 1976's Sidney Lumet TV news satire Network! They explore how writer Paddy Chayefsky came up through the TV trenches, listen to modern media figures who took inspiration from Howard Beale, and ask if the film has become too real to work as satire. Plus: Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany talks about what it was like to reprise the Diana Christensen role onstage. If you haven't seen Lawrence Of Arabia, what do you think it's about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-6
Aug 22, 2019 · 1 hr 31 min
The Philadelphia Story
Amy & Paul flirt with 1940's archetypal Katharine Hepburn romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story! They discover the origins of the industry trope of "box office poison," explore the strange social mores of the 40s, and learn that everyone on set may have been in love with Jimmy Stewart. Plus: Screenwriter Katie Silberman (Set It Off, Isn't It Romantic) explains why The Philadelphia Story is one of her top romantic comedies ever. Can you make the most famous line in Network your own? Call the
Aug 15, 2019 · 1 hr 27 min
The Maltese Falcon
Amy & Paul fly through 1941's Humphrey Bogart proto-noir The Maltese Falcon! They ask if this is the ultimate "dad movie," learn about all of Malta's unique animals and praise the incredible fonts of 1940's San Francisco. Plus: Adam Savage (Mythbusters) talks about his obsession with recreating the original Maltese Falcon prop. How would you recast The Philadelphia Story's love triangle in 2019? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled,
Aug 8, 2019 · 1 hr 38 min
Nashville
Paul & Amy sing the praises of 1975's sprawling country opus Nashville! They compare Robert Altman's loose technique to the perfectionist auteurs of past Unspooled movies, find further parallels to Quentin Tarantino's latest, and learn what real Nashvillians thought of the film. Plus: Screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury shares her inspiration for the film's story. What would you do for the Maltese Falcon? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unsp
Aug 1, 2019 · 1 hr 26 min
Bringing Up Baby
Amy & Paul dig into 1938's Howard Hawks screwball classic Bringing Up Baby! They ask if Cary Grant was the model for Christopher Reeve's Superman, learn how Hepburn modulated her performance to get the comic tone just right, and wonder why weddings were so casual in the 30s. Plus: Cary's daughter Jennifer Grant shares memories of growing up with her father. For Nashville week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with a monologue that we'll turn into some Altman-style overlappin
Jul 25, 2019 · 1 hr 18 min
Pulp Fiction
Paul and Amy boogie through 1994's Quentin Tarantino indie breakout Pulp Fiction! They revisit the moment Pulp Fiction won at Cannes, ask what this film did right that so many imitators did wrong, and try to figure out what's in the briefcase. Plus: Some of the couples you thought should star in a modern "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?" What do you think Bringing Up Baby is about, if you haven't seen it? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitte
Jul 18, 2019 · 1 hr 31 min
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Amy and Paul drink in 1966's black relationship comedy Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? They learn about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's status as the Brangelina of their day, ask which member of the ensemble is the meanest, and wonder if George and Martha are truly in love after all. Plus: A new tasting segment, this time with a very rare spirit! What do you think is in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitt
Jul 11, 2019 · 1 hr 44 min
Gone with the Wind
Paul & Amy go to war over 1939's blockbuster Southern epic Gone With The Wind! They praise the chemistry of Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh, watch a trailer for the misbegotten sequel, and ask whether a film this messy deserves to be in the AFI's Top 10. Plus: Kevin J. Goff, the great grand-nephew of Hattie McDaniel, talks to Amy about her legacy. Suggest a cocktail for us to drink on next week's episode, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf, by calling the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824! F