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

Feb 15, 2024 · 1 hr 20 min
American Beauty
Paul & Amy curiously ask, what was our mindset in September 1999 when American Beauty was released as a smash hit? They examine Wes Bentley’s character and his emotional core to the consciousness of this movie, Amy Fisher’s “Long Island Lolita” influence, and how this film earned prestige with a modern feel at the time, while its legacy continues to fade. Plus: Is Lester Burnham just Edward Norton without Tyler Durden? Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about The Sting! You can join the conversa
Feb 8, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min
Amadeus
Amy & Paul hum along to 1984’s classical fantasia Amadeus! They learn how closely this unusual biopic matches the true history of Mozart, discover a Marvel reference to Salieri, and praise director Milos Forman for highlighting what made Mozart’s compositions endure. Plus: The phenomenon that inspired a smash novelty single. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about American Beauty! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight
Feb 1, 2024 · 1 hr 27 min
Jackie Brown
Amy & Paul jam to The Delfonics with 1997’s Quentin Tarantino crime saga Jackie Brown! They learn what Elmore Leonard thought of this Rum Punch adaptation, praise a sneakily scary Samuel L. Jackson performance, and discuss how this film, which initially befuddled critics expecting the next Pulp Fiction, became one of Tarantino’s most beloved works. Plus: was Sylvester Stallone really up for a role? Next week, Paul & Amy kick off a Best Picture winners series with Amadeus! You can join the con
Jan 25, 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
Out of Sight
Paul & Amy get in the trunk with 1998's sly George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez crime comedy Out of Sight! They discuss why Elmore Leonard's stories lend themselves so well to Hollywood adaptations, learn how Lopez's fearlessness made her the perfect match for Clooney, and ask if this is the Steven Soderbergh movie that deserves to go to space. Plus: How to have charisma like Clooney. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Jackie Brown! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://
Jan 18, 2024 · 1 hr 24 min
Wayne's World
Amy & Paul party on with 1992’s Mike Myers & Dana Carvey SNL buddy comedy Wayne’s World! They dive into the creative conflicts between Myers and Carvey, learn how Penelope Spheeris landed the directorial role after finding fame as a rock documentarian, and ask what sets this film apart from the rest of the SNL spinoffs. Plus: Right Said Fred, but acoustic. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Out Of Sight! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Chec
Jan 11, 2024 · 1 hr 24 min
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Amy & Paul go back in time to save 1991’s blockbuster James Cameron action sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day! They praise Cameron’s control of both CGI and practical effects, find parallels to Oppenheimer in the film’s depiction of a devastating scientific breakthrough, and ask why Linda Hamilton didn’t get an Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Connor. Plus: Danny Cooksey, the ultimate 90’s best friend. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Wayne’s World! You can join the conversation on Paul
Jan 4, 2024 · 1 hr 12 min
Space Finalists: Season 4
Paul & Amy wrap up another year of Unspooled by choosing which films they covered this season are going to space! Josh, Jess and Devon return as the gang determines which movies deserve inclusion on Unspooled’s official list of the 100 greatest films of all time. The contenders include an action film that’s become a holiday classic, an underdog sports story that might out-Rocky Rocky, and a minimalist French masterwork that topped another prestigious list - but there’s only so much room on the A
Dec 28, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
2023 Holiday Party
Paul & Amy are throwing an end-of-year party, and you're invited! Joined by lots of film and podcast friends, Unspooled producers of past, present, and (maybe?) future all ask this year's hot question: What was your favorite film of the year? Was it Barbie, Oppenheimer, or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, or was it perhaps The Zone of Interest, Polite Society, or The Holdovers? At this party, they cover it all! Plus: What do you think? Was this a good year for films? Next week, Paul, Amy, a
Dec 21, 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Edward Scissorhands
Paul & Amy slice into Tim Burton’s 1990 gothic fairytale Edward Scissorhands! They try to determine what year the film takes place in, discover why a story about being an outsider resonated so widely, and ask if Burton’s artistic preoccupations have become shtick. Plus: A brief sidebar on Edward Penishands. Next week, Paul and Amy are inviting friends to share their favorite films of 2023! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week'
Dec 7, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Amy & Paul take on all comers for 2010's Edgar Wright comic extravaganza Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World! They discuss Michael Cera's unusual casting as a feckless player, learn about Scott's original fate in the film's first cut, and revisit the era of pop-culture hyperliteracy that birthed this story. Plus: comparing the film with Scott Pilgrim's recent anime re-imagining. Next week, Paul and Amy are talking about The Emperor's New Groove! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https:
Nov 30, 2023 · 1 hr 2 min
Concert Films
Amy & Paul take the stage for a closer look at concert movies! Inspired by the recent release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and the rerelease of Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense,” they dig into what separates a good concert film from a great one, survey the many ways musicians make their films feel like a true event, and learn about Flavor Flav’s Swift fandom. Plus: how David Byrne is like Oppenheimer. Next week, Paul and Amy are talking about Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World! You can join the
Nov 23, 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Paul & Amy play hooky for 1984’s John Hughes class-cutting caper Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! They discover the secret backstory behind Charlie Sheen’s memorable cameo, read some of their favorite Reddit fan theories, and express their disappointment that the real Matthew Broderick is nothing like Ferris. Plus: how the filmmakers pulled off that massive parade sequence. Next week, Paul and Amy are talking about concert movies! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg
Nov 9, 2023 · 1 hr 25 min
Fight Club
Paul & Amy break all the rules of David Fincher’s 1999 cult sendup of masculinity Fight Club! They ask how seriously we’re meant to take the film’s grand pronouncements on consumerism and conformity, discover how badly Edward Norton hurt himself while beating himself up, and ask if this holds up as Fincher’s very best film. Plus: Which costume choice for Tyler Durden went too far for Fincher? Next week. Paul and Amy are watching The Hunger Games! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discor
Nov 2, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Election
Paul & Amy put their hats in the ring for 1999’s acidic high-school satire Election! They praise director Alexander Payne’s brilliant eye for humanist detail, discuss how Matthew Broderick channels his Ferris Bueller image to subversive ends, and posit that America has only become more like high school since the movie’s release. Plus: How Election almost derailed Reese Witherspoon’s career. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Fight Club! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https
Oct 26, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Paul & Amy time warp to 1975’s cult musical sensation The Rocky Horror Picture Show! They ask what makes a movie camp, discover the genius marketer who helped the film find its audience, and debate whether Rocky Horror is actually best appreciated in a rowdy theater. Plus: How Rocky is like a katamari. Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Election! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Litt
Oct 19, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
The Wolf Of Wall Street
Amy & Paul make the hard sell for 2013’s manic Wall Street exposé The Wolf Of Wall Street! They learn how the film’s unusual funding gave director Martin Scorsese freedom to push the limits of this story, ask if this is Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performance, and try to nail down, once and for all, whether Scorsese approves of the actions he depicts. Plus: Did Leo base his performance on a meme? Next week, Paul and Amy are watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show! You can join the conversation on
Oct 12, 2023 · 1 hr 27 min
Hairspray
Paul & Amy spritz on John Waters’ subversive 1988 comedy Hairspray! They learn how star ensemble player Divine was like Godzilla, compare the soundtrack to the 2007 Broadway production, and marvel at how this PG film snuck radical ideas about race, gender and body positivity into the mainstream. Plus: The curious legacy of Pia Zadora. Next week, Paul and Amy are watching The Wolf Of Wall Street! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this
Oct 5, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Saw
Paul & Amy slice into 2004’s nasty low-budget horror Saw! They learn why Cary Elwes holds a grudge against the filmmakers, appreciate how much dread Leigh Whannell and James Wan were able to wring out of simple production design choices, and meditate on the term ‘torture porn’ and what audiences get out of films like these. Plus: Why was Danny Glover in a Pilates infomercial? Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Hairspray! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at http
Sep 28, 2023 · 1 hr 25 min
Imitation Of Life
Paul & Amy reflect on Douglas Sirk's piercing 1959 melodrama Imitation Of Life! They learn what made this epochal film a favorite of Steven Spielberg's, discuss what Sirk has to say about race in America, and ask what this slyly satirical blockbuster has in common with Starship Troopers. Plus: The murder that nearly overshadowed the film's release. Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Saw! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn m
Sep 21, 2023 · 1 hr 28 min
The Karate Kid
Amy & Paul high-kick into John G. Avildsen’s 1984 martial-arts megahit The Karate Kid! They learn about the movie’s semi-autobiographical origins, discuss the post-Karate careers of stars Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, and ask whether this is even better than Avildsen’s older, more acclaimed fight-centric film. Plus: is that supposed to be The Beach Boys? Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Imitation Of Life! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg