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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

01:23:08

Legally Blonde

Unspooled ·

2023/08/24

Amy & Paul overrule all objections to 2001's law school comedy Legally Blonde! They compare the film to the recent ultra-femme smash hit Barbie, discuss how Reese Witherspoon discovered her star power, and wonder why the sequel fell so flat. Plus: some shocking facts about blondes. Next week. Paul and Amy talk Mission: Impossible with the hosts of Light The Fuse! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at

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01:09:32

Barbie & Oppenheimer (with Jamie Loftus)

Unspooled ·

2023/08/17

Amy and guest host Jamie Loftus (“Raw Dog,” The Bechdel Cast) detonate this summer’s hot pink double feature phenomenon, Barbenheimer! Starting with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, they discuss what made them cry, what made them cringe, and what sent them down a rabbit hole about pregnant Midge. Then, they jump to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, talking about everything from Nolan’s uranium-dense storytelling to star Cillian Murphy’s snatched waist. Next week. Paul returns to watch Legally Blonde with

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01:35:28

Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Unspooled ·

2023/08/10

Amy & Paul remember the Alamo for 1985's magnificently silly Paul Reubens showcase Pee-wee's Big Adventure! They go deep on the conception and evolution of the Pee-wee Herman character, look back on the fallout from Reubens' public scandals, and dig into Pee-wee's self-conception as a loner and a rebel. Plus: How Reubens connected with a young Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. Next week, Amy and a special guest are tackling Barbie and Oppenheimer! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s

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00:50:13

The Listener's Choice Winner Revealed

Unspooled ·

2023/08/03

Paul & Amy hear from the Unspooled listeners as they decide which film from Listener's Choice month will join the API list - Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hot Fuzz, There Will Be Blood or Children Of Men? They'll also ask how important 'rewatchability' is, talk about theater experiences that leave moviegoers shaken, and try to sort out, once and for all, which is the best Paul Thomas Anderson movie. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Pee-wee's Big Adventure! You can join the conversation for this series

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01:17:39

Children Of Men

Unspooled ·

2023/07/27

Amy & Paul get suave for 2006’s Alfonso Cuarón dystopia Children Of Men! They praise the very human performances, learn whether ringing in the ears really means your ear cells are dying, and discuss why the film’s mind-melting long takes are more than just a flashy technique. Plus: Remember Clive Owen’s BMW ads? Next week, we’re wrapping up Listener’s Choice month by hearing from the listeners! Send us your vote for our bracket at tinyurl.com/unspooledvote, or leave us a voicemail making your case

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01:32:31

There Will Be Blood

Unspooled ·

2023/07/20

Paul & Amy drill into Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 lonely capitalist epic There Will Be Blood! They learn the real origins of the 'milkshake' line, marvel at Jonny Greenwood's alien score, and ask whether Daniel Day-Lewis' colossal performance as Daniel Plainview unbalances the rest of the film. Plus: what's DDL's favorite reality TV show? Next week, our Listener's Choice anniversary month continues with Children Of Men! Send us your vote for our bracket at tinyurl.com/unspooledvote, or leave us a

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01:21:51

Hot Fuzz

Unspooled ·

2023/07/13

Amy & Paul pursue the greater good and watch Edgar Wright’s 2007 cop action homage Hot Fuzz! They marvel at the stacked cast of British character actors, learn how Simon Pegg & Nick Frost became friends, and realize the film’s real hero is the editor. Plus: When the real cops have to catch a swan. Next week, our Listener's Choice anniversary month continues with There Will Be Blood! Send us your vote for our bracket at tinyurl.com/unspooledvote, or leave us a voicemail making your case at

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01:22:18

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Unspooled ·

2023/07/06

Amy & Paul get animated and take a trip down to Toontown in 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit! They’ll analyze how the toons represented the lower class, discuss how the portrayal of Jessica Rabbit helped Disney get out of a rut, and agree that having Roger Rabbit’s voice actor on set brought out the best in star Bob Hoskins. Plus: Bill Murray regrets missing the phone call that would’ve landed him the role of detective Eddie Valiant. It's 5 Years of Unspooled and you're helping us celebrate with a

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01:24:56

Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom

Unspooled ·

2023/06/29

Paul & Amy crack the whip on 1984’s Harrison Ford prequel adventure Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom! They take a close look at the film’s depiction of Indian culture, ask if Kate Capshaw’s Willie is a worthy companion for Indy, and try to figure out what was happening in Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’s lives that inspired such a dark story. Plus: What was the first PG-13 film? Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit! Send us your vote for July’s Listener’s Choice bracket

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01:03:08

Talking Trek (with Tawny Newsome & Paul F. Tompkins)

Unspooled ·

2023/06/22

Is there a Star Trek movie worthy of boarding the Unspooled spaceship with the other all-time great films? Tawny Newsome & Paul F. Tompkins (Star Trek: Lower Decks, The Pod Directive) join Paul & Amy to answer that question by taking a close look at 1996's time-traveling adventure Star Trek: First Contact. They'll also debate their favorite Trek casts, discuss the latest season of Picard, and explain why The Next Generation was a surprisingly horny show. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Indiana

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01:09:51

Inside Out

Unspooled ·

2023/06/15

Amy & Paul modulate their emotions for Pixar’s 2015 mental adventure Inside Out! They appreciate a story that takes the inner world of a young girl seriously, analyze the short glimpses we get of adult brains, and ask whether all Pixar films have third act problems. Plus: the early drafts of the film, where Riley tried to buy a bag of potato chips. Send us your vote for July’s Unspooled bracket here: https://forms.gle/ARjPwB4BVaGs2rn2A. Next week, Paul & Amy talk about Star Trek: First Contact with

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01:14:15

Labyrinth

Unspooled ·

2023/06/08

Paul & Amy wind their way through 1986's Jim Henson dark puppet fantasy Labyrinth! They applaud the film's surprisingly sophisticated coming of age story, realize that Jennifer Connelly's Sarah was never actually a cool girl, and marvel that a movie this weird got made for a wide audience. Plus: The time the Labyrinth puppets met Princess Diana. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Inside Out! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more

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00:58:05

Top 3: Adam McKay

Unspooled ·

2023/06/01

Adam McKay (director of Anchorman, The Big Short and Don't Look Up) joins Paul & Amy to discuss his Top 3 films, including a gonzo comedy classic and an early masterpiece from an Italian legend. Listen to Adam's new podcast Death On The Lot, premiering today! Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Labyrinth! 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 us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram

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01:11:51

The Little Mermaid

Unspooled ·

2023/05/25

Amy & Paul go under the sea for 1989's pivotal Disney musical The Little Mermaid! They learn about the queer influences behind the villainous Ursula, try to understand what's really motivating Ariel, and ask if this still wows the way it did when it was first released. Plus: is Prince Eric...kinda dumb? Next week, Paul & Amy talk to Adam McKay about his Top 3! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show

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01:24:42

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Unspooled ·

2023/05/18

Amy & Paul make the world taste good with 1971's sweet and sour Roald Dahl adaptation Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory! They learn why "Charlie" was removed from the film's name, discover how Gene Wilder found his way into the character of Wonka, and ask whether children's films today have the same element of real danger. Plus: How did the chocolate river room smell? Next week, Paul & Amy are watching The Little Mermaid! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord

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01:28:07

Blazing Saddles

Unspooled ·

2023/05/11

Paul and Amy gas up 1974’s manic Mel Brooks Western parody Blazing Saddles! They learn about the history of farts onscreen, break down Richard Pryor’s influence on the charged perspective of this film, and ask why the wild meta ending swing works. Plus: How this movie almost got “Batgirled.” Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show

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00:57:26

Bonus: Sex Scenes In Film (with Dan Savage)

Unspooled ·

2023/05/09

Dan Savage (Savage Love) joins Paul and Amy to talk about sex scenes in movies - the good ones, the bad ones, and the ones you have to watch through your fingers. As Dan walks us through his most memorable bad movie sex moments, including scenes from a groundbreaking Oscar-winning romance and an infamous historical epic, Paul and Amy ask: can these scenes be saved? WARNING: this episode contains graphic discussion of sex scenes, including depictions of sexual assault. Don’t listen to this one with

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01:21:25

Young Frankenstein

Unspooled ·

2023/05/04

Paul & Amy put on the Ritz with 1974's Mel Brooks monster movie parody Young Frankenstein! They ask what makes this the most beautiful of Brooks' films, praise the colorful supporting cast from Marty Feldman to Teri Garr, and chart the increasingly frenzied performance of star Gene Wilder. Plus: That's where "Walk This Way" came from? Next week, Paul & Amy continue their Mel Brooks discussion with Blazing Saddles! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord

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01:11:43

What We Do In The Shadows

Unspooled ·

2023/04/27

Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 2014’s vampiric mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows! They learn why so many of the film’s creatures look like Lord Of The Rings characters, come around to Jemaine Clement’s acting style, and ask if this is still director Taika Waititi’s best film. Plus: The origins of that sandwich joke. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Young Frankenstein! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show

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01:23:38

Frankenstein (Re-release)

Unspooled ·

2023/04/25

This month, we’re re-releasing our discussion of 1931’s Frankenstein to accompany our latest episodes on Evil Dead II and What We Do In The Shadows. Stay tuned for another Franken-film we’ll be covering very soon! Amy & Paul reanimate 1931's literary creature feature Frankenstein! They learn Boris Karloff's real name, discuss what the film has to say about the human act of creation, and ask why "burgermaster" is no longer a public title. Plus: A quick look at the follow-up "Bride Of

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