Unspooled
466 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4.3K ratingsEach week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Friday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (New York Times, Washington Post) break down the greatest films of all time. 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 talk to some of the actors and directors who worked on these classics. Join Paul and Amy every Thursday as they “Unspool” a new film and decide if it still stands the test of time.
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Episodes
Lagaan
December 02, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 87.7 MBAmy & Paul go to bat for 2001's mega-hit Bollywood sports musical Lagaan! They compare star Aamir Khan to Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, learn about a key last-minute change to the love triangle plot, and ask what makes the choreography of the musical numbers feel both heightened and naturalistic. Plus: Was Lagaan's campaign to win an Oscar a success? Next week Unspooled concludes this series on musicals with Little Shop Of Horrors! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspool...
Chicago
November 25, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 85.4 MBAmy & Paul shoot up 2002's darkly comic musical revival Chicago! They interrogate director Rob Marshall's choice to use rapid cuts over long takes, discuss how Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones contrast perfectly with each other, and revisit a time when Oscar voters were thirsty for any musicals at all. Plus: Some of the many parodies Chicago has inspired. Next week Unspooled continues our series on musicals with Lagaan! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspool...
Grease
November 18, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBPaul & Amy know 1978’s retro musical sensation Grease is the word! They praise Stockard Channing’s fiercely independent performance as Rizzo, compare the film to contemporary period piece American Graffiti, and explore the early career of “Plastic Bubble”-boy John Travolta. Plus: revisiting an infamous awards disaster masterminded by Grease producer Allan Carr. Next week Unspooled continues our series on musicals with Chicago! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspoole...
The Nightmare Before Christmas
November 11, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 86 MBPaul & Amy kidnap 1993's Gothic stop-motion musical The Nightmare Before Christmas! They praise the carnival-esque compositions of Danny Elfman, compare Oogie Boogie's big musical number to the Max Fleischer cartoon it was inspired by, and dig into the thorny question of who this film's true auteur is, Tim Burton or Henry Selick. Plus: Why did the studio want Jack Skellington to have eyes? Next week Unspooled continues our series on musicals with Grease! You can join the conversation for...
A Nightmare on Elm Street
November 04, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBAmy & Paul drift off into 1984's Wes Craven sleeper slasher film A Nightmare On Elm Street! They give qualified praise to Johnny Depp's first-ever screen role, appreciate Craven's meta-sequel New Nightmare, and rank Freddy Krueger within the pantheon of slasher icons. Plus: Freddy appeared in a rap video? Next week Unspooled kicks off a new series on musicals with The Nightmare Before Christmas! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www....
The Blair Witch Project
October 28, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBAmy & Paul take a hike through 1999's revolutionary found-footage film The Blair Witch Project! They praise Heather Donahue’s often maligned performance, revisit the film's enormously successful viral marketing campaign, and discuss the film's pioneering of immersive, hand-held horror. Plus: Should directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez be credited as the film's producers instead? Next week Unspooled’s Scaretober series concludes with Nightmare On Elm Street! You can join the conversat...
Top 3: Ed Brubaker
October 26, 2021 04:00 - 58 minutes - 54.1 MBAcclaimed comic book writer and artist Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Reckless) joins Paul & Amy to talk about three of his favorite films, including a bruising film noir and a futuristic romance. He also shares his fantasy casting for Jack Reacher and his take on Inception!
Raw
October 21, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 78 MBPaul & Amy get a taste of 2016's French coming of age/horror film Raw! They debate whether Justine's dilemma is a metaphor for drugs or sexuality, analyze the infamous bikini wax scene, and ask what makes this a "female" film. Plus: Is director Julia Ducournau's even wilder follow up Titane worth seeing? Next week Unspooled’s Scaretober series continues with The Blair Witch Project! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/gro...
Top 3: Tim Blake Nelson
October 19, 2021 04:00 - 39 minutes - 37.1 MBTim Blake Nelson (Old Henry, O Brother Where Art Thou?) talks to Paul and Amy about three of his all time top films, including a documentary about a radical artist and a period piece that takes the "period" elements seriously.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
October 14, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBAmy & Paul get revved up over 1974's archetypal slasher film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre! They draw parallels between the film and post-Vietnam America, examine the Sawyer family's relatable drive to survive in a harsh capitalist world, and prepare themselves for the next remake. Plus: Amy tells the story of the Candy Man murders. Next week Unspooled’s Scaretober series continues with Raw! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook....
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
October 07, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 82.3 MBPaul & Amy get hypnotized by 1920's German silent horror film The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari! They learn about the history of German Expressionism, discuss the relative importance of realism and stylization in film, and watch a trailer for a bizarre 80's remake. Plus: Who are Paul & Amy's favorite Garbage Pail Kids? Next week Unspooled’s Scaretober series continues with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.face...
The Exorcist
September 30, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 91.5 MBAmy & Paul make heads turn with 1973's horror classic The Exorcist! They praise Ellen Burstyn's quiet but strong take on a desperate celebrity mother trying to save her 'sick' daughter, coin the term "cinematic one night stand" for one-off iconic performances, and grimace over the grotesque special effects inspired by real-life medical procedures. Plus: Amy accidentally cursed her ex-boyfriend with a Santeria candle! Next week Unspooled’s Scaretober series continues with The Cabinet of Dr. C...
Top 3: Melanie Lynskey
September 27, 2021 04:00 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBMelanie Lynskey (Lady Of The Manor, I Don't Feel At Home In The World Anymore) tells us three of her favorite films, including the breakthrough film of a fellow New Zealander and a retro camp classic.
Season 2 Finale
September 23, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 98.8 MBPaul & Amy close the book on Unspooled's second season with some hard choices - which movies covered during the past year of the podcast are going to space? They agree on the fate of a low budget horror classic, disagree on including a groundbreaking romance, and Josh & Devon get in the mix to advocate for an indie auteur's most poignant film. Plus: NASA astronomer Michelle Thaller helps us with the logistics of sending our Top 100 to space, and explains why Contact depicts the life of a sci...
Mad Max: Fury Road
September 16, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 97.1 MBAmy & Paul race through 2015's post-apocalyptic action masterwork Mad Max: Fury Road! They learn why director George Miller brought on feminist playwright Eve Ensler as an advisor, praise the film's playful and careful worldbuilding, and ask whether Miller comes from the 'tyrant' school of directing. Plus: Witness young dating show contestant Tom Hardy! Next week tune in for Unspooled's Season 2 finale, and find out which films will be added to our ultimate list! You can join the conversatio...
Inception
September 09, 2021 16:00 - 2 hours - 111 MBPaul & Amy go deep into 2010's mind-bending Christopher Nolan heist film Inception! They gawk at the protagonist's name, learn the origin of the famous "braaam" sound, and ask whether Nolan's cerebral vision of blockbuster filmmaking has aged well. Plus: What's the actual longest-lived parasite in the human body? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series concludes with Mad Max: Fury Road! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.faceb...
Bridesmaids
September 02, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 93 MBAmy & Paul let loose with 2011's breakthrough Kristin Wiig comedy Bridesmaids! They praise Wiig's nuanced lead performance, break down the dynamics of the airplane scene, and discuss how Bridesmaids transcends tokenistic conversations about women in comedy. Plus: What happened in Vegas in an early draft of the film? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with Inception! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.co...
The Hangover
August 26, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 98.7 MBPaul & Amy blearily remember 2009's Todd Phillips black comedy The Hangover! They praise the film's star-making casting choices, discuss how to improvise within a carefully storyboarded script, and ask whether a mainstream comedy this transgressive can (or should) be made today. Plus: Is Mike Tyson actually a bad singer? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with Bridesmaids! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.face...
The Fugitive
August 19, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 98 MBAmy & Paul run from 1993's Harrison Ford/Tommy Lee Jones thriller The Fugitive! They praise an action film where the lead characters wear sensible shoes, compare Jones' performance to the actors he beat out for an Oscar, and take a close look at the two line exchange that sums up the whole movie. Plus: Is U.S. Marshals a worthy sequel? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with The Hangover! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at ...
Speed
August 12, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 93.2 MBPaul & Amy jump over 1994's Keanu Reeves bus-gone-wild action thriller Speed! They learn about the expanded role of the bus passengers in early drafts of the script, listen to newly minted star Sandra Bullock field condescending questions about her role, ask if Keanu's Jack Traven is more soulful than he lets on. Plus: is the film score a secret masterpiece? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with The Fugitive! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspo...
Back To The Future
August 05, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBAmy & Paul zoom at 88 miles per hour into 1985's Robert Zemeckis time travel comedy Back To The Future! They ask why Eric Stoltz wasn't the right choice for Marty McFly, discuss the film's critique of Reaganomics, and debate whether Steven Spielberg has had too much influence on our brains. Plus: Was the DeLorean originally supposed to be a fridge? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with Speed! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Gro...
Top 3: Steve Zahn
August 04, 2021 04:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBSteve Zahn (The White Lotus, Treme) tells Paul & Amy three movies he would send to space, including an operatic Western classic and the journey of a grizzled mountain man.
Men In Black
July 29, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBPaul & Amy neuralize 1997's Will Smith sci-fi comedy Men In Black! They learn about the wild career of director Barry Sonnenfeld, ask how Smith became so skilled at picking hit starring vehicles, and wonder why blockbuster films with this much personality are so hard to come by today. Plus: What if Wild Wild West was good? Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with Back To The Future! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https:/...
Bonus: Vaccination Hesitation w/ Dr. Kate Grossman
July 29, 2021 03:00 - 24 minutes - 23.1 MBUnspooled is happy to share this bonus interview from the How Did This Get Made feed with our listeners! June Diane Raphael welcomes Dr. Kate Grossman to give us the 4-1-1 on the Covid-19 vaccine and its safety and efficacy rates, while dispelling disinformation around getting vaccinated. We hope this helps anyone who is unsure about getting vaccinated feel more educated and empowered to do so. For more information on getting vaccinated go to www.vaccines.gov
Jurassic Park
July 22, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 97.1 MBAmy & Paul break out of 1993's prehistoric creature feature Jurassic Park! They revisit the moment in film history when CGI was starting to break into the mainstream, learn how director Steven Spielberg decided to embrace realism in the film's dino designs, and debate whether John Hammond gets a bad rap. Plus: An in-depth breakdown of Jurassic Park vs. Jaws.Next week Unspooled's summer blockbuster series continues with Men In Black! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspoo...
The State Of Summer Blockbusters
July 15, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBPaul & Amy break the block open with a new Unspooled series on summer blockbusters! They ask why the Fast saga has succeeded where so many original ideas have failed, try to pinpoint when franchise films lost their sense of joy, and preview some of the big films coming out soon, Plus: Narrowing down the shortlist of blockbusters to cover over the next two months. Next week Unspooled continues the summer blockbusters series with Jurassic Park! You can join the conversation for this series on ...
Top 3: Karen Gillan
July 14, 2021 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MBKaren Gillan (Doctor Who, Gunpowder Milkshake) joins Unspooled to talk about her top 3 films she would send to space, including a 90s rom com classic and a horror masterpiece.
Apollo 13
July 08, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 81 MBAmy & Paul come home to 1995's space disaster docudrama Apollo 13! They ask if this is secretly a film about disappointment, spot a cameo by a legendary director, and discuss whether there's a successor to Ron Howard among today's generation of filmmakers. Plus: What's the actual version of the film's most famous quote? Next week Unspooled kicks off a new series on summer blockbusters! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/...
Top 3: Tom Scharpling
July 07, 2021 04:00 - 51 minutes - 48 MBTom Scharpling (The Best Show, Steven Universe) joins us to talk about his new book It Never Ends and his top 3 movie musicals! He talks about why he loves excess in musicals, Jack Nicholson’s directorial career, and going to Papa Roach’s basketball game.
Aliens
July 01, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 92.8 MBPaul & Amy invade 1986's James Cameron space action classic Aliens! They learn what this film had in common with Platoon, ask why the aliens feel less threatening here than they did in the first film, and try not to call Ripley 'badass.' Plus: Do the deleted scenes that give more backstory to Ripley help or hurt her character? Next week Unspooled's space series concludes with Apollo 13! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com...
Top 3: Daveed Diggs
June 29, 2021 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBWelcome to Top 3, a semi-regular bonus series where we ask our favorite creative people to talk about three films they love! In this interview, Daveed Diggs talks about growing up on Abbott & Costello, a new film from Côte d'Ivoire he can't stop thinking about, and some of the influences that went into Blindspotting (both the film and series).
Solaris
June 24, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 91.9 MBPaul & Amy orbit 1972's Russian outer space mood piece Solaris! They learn why director Andrei Tartovsky disdained nearly all American films, compare Solaris to the many movies it influenced, and decry the 'explainer' culture of modern film fandom. Plus: A dramatic reading of the trailer for the Solaris remake! Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Aliens! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpo...
Alien
June 17, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 92.4 MBAmy & Paul burst out of 1979's sci-fi horror pioneer Alien! They learn about the film's original darker ending, contrast it with another classic horror film Unspooled has covered, and ask whether today's filmmakers have lost the visual imagination that made Alien feel so innovative. Plus, the eternal debate: Alien or Aliens? Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Solaris (the 1972 original)! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://...
Contact
June 10, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 92.6 MBPaul & Amy reach out to 1997's Robert Zemeckis extraterrestrial encounter film Contact! They learn about the long journey Carl Sagan's story took to the screen, ask whether Matthew McConaughey's character is too daffy, and debate the existence of God and aliens. Plus: How did they get Bill Clinton to cameo? Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Alien! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodc...
Spool Party: Clueless
June 03, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBAmy & Paul totally get into 1995's Jane-Austen-in-high-school comedy Clueless! They discuss what makes this a perfect Emma adaptation, learn which actor's mistake director Amy Heckerling intentionally kept in the film, and play a Paul Rudd themed guessing game. Plus: Ronna Glickman (Jessica Chaffin) dishes out some love advice. (This episode originally aired live on YouTube as part of Unspooled’s “Spool Party” series.) Next week Unspooled's space series WILL resume with Contact! You can joi...
Screen Test: Darkness In The Force
May 27, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBThe hosts of the George Lucas Talk Show (Connor Ratliff, Griffin Newman and Patrick Cotnoir) reenact a scene from "Ewoks: The Battle For Endor," defend Rise Of Skywalker, and pitch a new Star Wars prequel in this all-Lucas episode of Screen Test! This episode was originally released as part of our Premium game show series Screen Test; to hear more, just sign up for Stitcher Premium at stitcher.com/premium and use the promo code UNSPOOLED for one month free.
Spool Party: Big (featuring Lauren Lapkus)
May 20, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 70.3 MBPaul & Amy dance on the keys for 1988's Tom Hanks body swap comedy Big! They discuss the unique perspective director Penny Marshall brought to the film's romantic scenes, play some of their favorite oddball Hanks cameos, and ask how Josh's experience would go on to shape his real adulthood. Plus: Lauren Lapkus shares why this is her favorite film. (This episode originally aired live on YouTube as part of Unspooled’s “Spool Party” series.) You can join the conversation for our space film ser...
Galaxy Quest
May 13, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBPaul & Amy beam aboard 1999's TV sci-fi satire Galaxy Quest! They discuss how fandom has changed over the last 20 years, learn about an in-joke that inspired the villain's name, and debate whether Tim Allen was the right choice for the Shatner-esque lead role. Plus: Paul shares his secret history with this film. 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 https://discord.gg/Zwt...
A Trip to the Moon
May 06, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 68.3 MBAmy & Paul set a course for 1902's seminal space short A Trip To The Moon (aka Le Voyage dans la Lune)! They dissect it as a work of imperialist satire, learn more about director Georges Méliès, and listen to a modern score made for the film by Air. Plus: Which films will we cover for the rest of our space series? Next week our galactic trip continues with Galaxy Quest! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspoo...
Hoop Dreams
April 29, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 79 MBPaul & Amy take on 1994's groundbreaking high school basketball documentary Hoop Dreams! They compare the look of the film to slick modern docs, look at the subtle ways director Steve James contrasts his two subjects, and learn what stars Arthur and William are doing today. Plus: how Siskel & Ebert's advocacy for the film unveiled an Oscar scandal. Next week, we begin our discussion of films set in space with A Trip To The Moon, and start the conversation on which films should be part of...
2021 Oscar Special
April 22, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBPaul & Amy break down Nomadland, Mank, Judas & The Black Messiah, and all the Best Picture nominees before this year's Academy Awards! They discuss which movies looked too depressing to tackle during a pandemic (and which are less depressing than you'd think), ask why the Best Picture and Best Director nominations aren't one and the same, and give their predictions for the big category winners (and the shorts of course). Plus: some of their favorites from 2020 that didn't get nominations! ...
A League of Their Own
April 15, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBAmy & Paul hit a grand slam for 1992's Penny Marshall baseball comedy A League Of Their Own! They make the case this is a film about female friendship as much as a sports movie, dig into the camaraderie between Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell, and ask what was really going through Dottie's head in the final game. Plus: Amy met a Rockford Peach! This is the fifth episode of our Underdogs series; next week tune in for our preview of the 2020 Oscars! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.co...
Chariots of Fire
April 08, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBPaul & Amy run through 1981's Olympic track drama Chariots of Fire! They learn why this is Joe Biden's favorite film, ask if this thoroughly British story was at all jazzed up for American audiences, and compare the arcs of individual sports like running to the team sports they've covered so far. Plus: How composer Vangelis fought to get his iconic theme in the film. This is the fourth episode of our Underdogs series; next week’s film is A League Of Their Own! Learn more about the show at un...
Cool Runnings
April 01, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBPaul & Amy slide through 1993's Jamaican bobsledding comedy Cool Runnings! They learn which parts of the script were true and which were exaggerated for the film, praise John Candy's generous straight man performance, and ask whether formula is always a bad thing in filmmaking. Plus: Doug E. Doug (Sanka Coffie) recalls talking the production team out of some bad ideas. This is the third episode of our Underdogs series; next week’s film is Chariots Of Fire! Learn more about the show at un...
Brian's Song
March 25, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBPaul & Amy tackle 1971's football integration melodrama Brian's Song! They learn why Burt Reynolds ultimately wasn't cast in the James Caan role, praise the film's use of real game footage, and discuss why it all works despite often feeling like an after school special. Plus: what makes Brian's Song a famous 'guy-cry?' This is the second episode of our Underdogs series; next week’s film is Cool Runnings! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and I...
Hoosiers
March 18, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBAmy & Paul double team 1986's Gene Hackman basketball drama Hoosiers! They praise the film for capturing the realism of small town life, dissect what makes films based on true stories successful, and ask whether Hackman is actually a good coach. Plus: How does Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar nominated score hold up? This is the first episode of our Underdogs series; next week's film is Brian's Song! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @uns...
Mike Nichols (with Mark Harris)
March 11, 2021 05:00 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MBAmy and Paul sit down with Mark Harris, author of "Mike Nichols: A Life," to discuss the career of the famed director of films like "The Graduate" and "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?", and the insights Harris uncovered by diving into his life and work. Next week, movie discussion resumes, as we kick off our Underdogs series on real-life-inspired sports films with Hoosiers!
The Princess Bride
March 04, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 89.8 MBAmy & Paul fight for 1987's Rob Reiner meta-fairytale The Princess Bride! They discuss what makes Reiner's films stand out, listen to Cary Elwes' Marlon Brando impression, and ask if this is a perfect example of an 'everything' film. Plus: some Andre The Giant stories you won't believe. This is the final episode of the Couple Goals series; next week we kick off Underdogs, our series on true-life sports films, with Hoosiers! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twit...
Brokeback Mountain
February 25, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBPaul & Amy can’t quit 2005’s groundbreaking gay romance Brokeback Mountain. They analyze how the beginning and ending shots of the film mirror each other, ask why so much early coverage of the film felt tone deaf, and praise all four central performances as the emergence of a new generation of great actors. Plus: What makes Ang Lee one of our greatest living directors. ...
Love and Basketball
February 18, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 84.9 MBAmy & Paul alley-oop 2000's Gina Prince-Bythewood athletic romance Love And Basketball! They discover the impact this film made on WNBA players like Candace Parker, learn why Sanaa Lathan had to prove she was up for the lead role, and ask if a childhood argument foreshadows the central couple's turbulent relationship. Plus: Why did the love scene almost get cut by the MPAA? This is the sixth episode in our Couple Goals series; next week’s film is Brokeback Mountain! Learn more about the ...