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PODCAST

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.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

01:20:33

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Unspooled ·

2024/01/11

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’s

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01:08:35

Space Finalists: Season 4

Unspooled ·

2024/01/04

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 API

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01:06:46

2023 Holiday Party

Unspooled ·

2023/12/28

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, and the

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01:19:11

Edward Scissorhands

Unspooled ·

2023/12/21

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/ZwtygZGTa6Check out this week's spotlight

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01:03:15

The Emperor’s New Groove

Unspooled ·

2023/12/14

Paul & Amy embrace the groove for Disney’s madcap Incan comedy The Emperor’s New Groove! They learn about the calamitous development period that led to the final film, dive into the history of shoulder angels and devils in animation, and debate whether the chaotic production created something unique and special in the Disney canon. Plus: a lost song from Eartha Kitt and other moments that never made it to the screen.Next week. Paul and Amy are talking about Edward Scissorhands! You can join the

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01:16:54

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Unspooled ·

2023/12/07

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

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00:58:10

Concert Films

Unspooled ·

2023/11/30

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

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01:19:15

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Unspooled ·

2023/11/23

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

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01:13:32

The Hunger Games

Unspooled ·

2023/11/16

Amy & Paul volunteer as tribute for 2012’s young adult dystopian saga The Hunger Games! They compare the young Jennifer Lawrence to her character Katniss, trace a theme of idealism vs cynicism through director Gary Ross’s filmography, and marvel at Peeta’s rock face. Plus: Should the main characters have been hungrier? Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode

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01:21:07

Fight Club

Unspooled ·

2023/11/09

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 Discord at

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01:14:42

Election

Unspooled ·

2023/11/02

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

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01:05:08

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Unspooled ·

2023/10/26

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, Little Shop

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01:16:44

The Wolf Of Wall Street

Unspooled ·

2023/10/19

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 Paul’s

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01:23:17

Hairspray

Unspooled ·

2023/10/12

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 week's

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01:14:05

Saw

Unspooled ·

2023/10/05

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

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01:21:17

Imitation Of Life

Unspooled ·

2023/09/28

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 more

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01:24:19

The Karate Kid

Unspooled ·

2023/09/21

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

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01:24:52

Bullitt

Unspooled ·

2023/09/14

Paul & Amy rev up for 1968’s sleek Steve McQueen thriller Bullitt! They break down the film’s all-timer car chase, learn how McQueen brought a counter-cultural energy to the cop archetype, and ask if any modern actor has McQueen’s energy. Plus: The real San Francisco officer that inspired Bullitt. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching The Karate Kid! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow

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01:25:07

American Psycho

Unspooled ·

2023/09/07

Paul & Amy dissect Mary Harron’s murderous corporate-world satire American Psycho! They learn how star Christian Bale almost lost the role to Leonardo DiCaprio, ask if all the events in the film are ‘really happening,’ and unpack American Psycho’s infamous reputation before it was even released. Plus: the not-so-secret inspiration for Patrick Bateman. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Bullitt! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn

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01:22:52

Ranking the Mission: Impossible Films (with Light The...

Unspooled ·

2023/08/31

Amy & Paul accept a mission from Drew Taylor and Charles Hood (hosts of the Light The Fuse podcast) to rate each of the Mission: Impossible films, and decide whether any of them deserve to go to space! They’ll discuss the many eras of Ethan Hunt, how Brian De Palma set the template for what an auteur-driven franchise film could do, whether the latest entry nailed its climactic set piece, and Tom Cruise’s famous cake. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching American Psycho! You can join the conversation

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427 results

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