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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

02:47:28

Love Actually (re-release)

Unspooled ·

2023/01/05

Unspooled will return with new episodes 1/13 - be sure to catch up with "Jeanne Dielman" before we kick off Jeanne-uary, until then enjoy one of our favorite holiday episodes! Paul & Amy cross the pond for 2003’s Christmas romantic comedy smash Love Actually! They dissect director Richard Curtis’s curious understanding of love, learn the fates of each character in the 2017 sequel short, and watch deleted scenes that would have introduced even more plots into the film. Plus: Lindy West discusses her

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01:13:10

A Christmas Story (re-release)

Unspooled ·

2022/12/29

Unspooled will return with new episodes 1/13 - be sure to catch up with "Jeanne Dielman" before we kick off Jeanne-uary, until then enjoy one of our favorite holiday episodes! Paul & Amy unwrap 1983’s holiday nostalgia trip A Christmas Story! They learn about the life of the film’s inspiration Jean Shepherd, discover how the flagpole scene was shot, and ask if a film like this can still hold the attention of kids today. Plus: Michael Dowse, director of “8-Bit Christmas,” tells us about the Christmas

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01:21:03

Die Hard

Unspooled ·

2022/12/22

Paul & Amy walk across broken glass for 1988's definitive Bruce Willis action film Die Hard! They ask whether Hans Gruber is the true protagonist of the film, learn why Frank Sinatra was originally considered to play John McClane, and explore why this film succeeds where legions of imitators have failed. Plus: we settle the "Christmas movie" debate once and for all. Next week, tune in as we discuss Die Hard! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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01:22:17

Avatar

Unspooled ·

2022/12/15

Amy & Paul upload their consciousness into 2009’s otherworldly sci-fi spectacle Avatar! They confirm the concept of ‘unobtanium’ wasn’t invented by the film, learn which movie stars were up for the role of Jake Sully, and ask themselves why they feel protective of director James Cameron. Plus: did Cameron really insist the Na’Vi need to have breasts? Next week, tune in as we discuss Die Hard! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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01:20:47

Black Swan

Unspooled ·

2022/12/08

Amy & Paul reconcile their duality with 2010's Darren Aronofsky ballet thriller Black Swan! They dissect Natalie Portman's full-bodied transformative performance, praise the subtly stunning visual effects, and float three theories for what really happens at the film's end. Plus: What does a swan really sound like? Next week, tune in as we cover the original Avatar! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and

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00:18:53

Bonus: The 2022 Sight & Sound 100

Unspooled ·

2022/12/07

In this bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy react to Sight & Sound magazine's newest once-a-decade poll of the 100 greatest films of all time.

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01:32:18

Thelma and Louise

Unspooled ·

2022/12/01

Paul and Amy carpool to Mexico with Ridley Scott’s 1991 fugitive road trip Thelma and Louise! They discuss how much input stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon had in the production, ask if the movie’s portrayal of men is cartoonish, and reveal the alternate ending that left audiences furious. Plus: can you imagine this film without Brad Pitt? Next week, tune in as we cover Black Swan! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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01:18:39

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Unspooled ·

2022/11/24

Paul and Amy get waylaid by John Hughes’ 1987 road trip comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles! They discuss the true story the movie is based on, address the hot streak that John Hughes was on at the time (11 films in five years!), and analyze Hughes’ unmatched ability to capture the full range of John Candy. Plus: was Elton John supposed to write a song for this movie? Next week, tune in as we get back on the road for Thelma and Louise! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled

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01:14:58

Casino Royale

Unspooled ·

2022/11/17

Paul and Amy receive their license to kill with 2006’s intense James Bond reinvention Casino Royale! They discuss the online controversy surrounding the first blonde Bond, contemplate a Daniel Craig-shaped popsicle, and compare Martin Campbell’s work launching both the Brosnan and Craig eras of Bond. Plus: how to make a Vesper Martini! Next week, tune in as we discuss Planes, Trains, and Automobiles! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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01:16:46

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Unspooled ·

2022/11/10

Paul and Amy get groovy, baby with Jay Roach’s 1997 spy spoof Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery! They discover the origin story of Powers’ grotesque teeth, praise the film’s effective set and costume design, and discuss how the movie is stranger and more specific than a simple Bond parody. Plus: Did Mike Myers steal his Dr. Evil character? Next week, our spy series continues with Casino Royale! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group

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01:19:55

Goldfinger

Unspooled ·

2022/11/03

Paul and Amy go for the gold with 1964’s James Bond adventure Goldfinger! They ask how Gert Fröbe’s near-flawless voice dubbing was pulled off, reveal how JFK’s affinity for Bond gave the filmmakers unprecedented access to Fort Knox, and praise director Guy Hamilton’s choice to emphasize creativity over realism. Plus: Who would you save, Bond or the Beatles? Next week, our spy series continues with Austin Powers! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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01:18:26

Ringu

Unspooled ·

2022/10/27

Paul and Amy dare to press play on Hideo Nakata’s 1998 J-horror phenomenon Ringu! They discuss the role that journalism and investigation plays in the story, compare the lead characters of the original and the American remake, and compare Ringu with last week’s film, Halloween. Plus: Would you want to know if you had seven days left to live? Next week, tune in as we continue Season 4 with Goldfinger and a new spy series! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group

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01:39:36

Halloween

Unspooled ·

2022/10/20

Paul & Amy stalk John Carpenter’s genre-defining 1978 slasher Halloween! They discuss this independent film’s thrifty production, draw connections between the movie and the politics of the late 70s, and recognize the massive contribution Debra Hill brought to the film. Plus: How is Halloween like a grilled cheese sandwich? Next week, our horror series continues with Ringu! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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02:05:53

Jennifer's Body

Unspooled ·

2022/10/13

Paul and Amy are possessed by Karyn Kusama and Diablo Cody’s 2009 horror comedy, Jennifer’s Body! They analyze the marketing strategy that led to the film’s initial flop, discuss female friendship and infatuation, and applaud the fact that this film is finally getting the love it deserves in a post MeToo world. Plus: what is a succubus, anyway? Next week, our horror series continues with Halloween! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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01:38:23

Hellraiser

Unspooled ·

2022/10/06

Paul and Amy open the box that is Clive Barker’s 1987 supernatural horror film Hellraiser! They break down the movie’s portrayal of gender roles, propose that horror films are often heightened versions of fairytales, and discuss why it’s especially terrifying when the victims in a horror story have agency. Plus: We tally your votes for the newest additions to the API list! Next week, our horror series continues with Jennifer’s Body! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled

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01:47:26

Midsommar

Unspooled ·

2022/09/29

Paul and Amy bear it all for Ari Aster’s 2019 folk horror film Midsommar! They applaud the work of the entirely Swedish background cast, discuss the film’s accurate portrayal of grief, and reminisce about eating macaroni with ketchup while studying abroad in Sweden. Plus: A few thoughts on star Florence Pugh’s latest, Don’t Worry Darling. Next week, our horror series continues with Hellraiser! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

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00:44:59

Bonus: Summer Movie Wrapup

Unspooled ·

2022/09/23

In a bonus Unspooled this week, Amy & Paul chat about some of the best films they saw this summer, including a sci-fi spectacle, a maximalist rock star biopic and an unexpected Mel Brooks remake.

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01:34:07

Season 3 Finale

Unspooled ·

2022/09/22

Paul & Amy close the book on another year of Unspooled by deciding which films from the last season they're going to send to space! They debate the merits of Paul Verhoeven's twin masterpieces, weigh a heartfelt case to catapult the Jackass films into orbit, and add their first superhero film to the list. Plus: Producers Josh & Devon weigh in with their pleas for the films that can't be left behind. Next week, tune in as we kick off Season 4 with Midsommar and a new horror series! You can join the

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01:55:54

The Dark Knight

Unspooled ·

2022/09/15

Amy & Paul want to watch the world burn in 2008’s Christopher Nolan helmed Caped Crusader tale The Dark Knight! They discuss the parallels between this film and Nolan's beloved Heat, investigate how Harvey Dent's journey makes even more sense now than in 2008, ask whether Heath Ledger was actually having fun inhabiting The Joker. Plus: Remember Angel Heart? Next week, tune in for our Season 3 finale! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group

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02:01:33

Heat

Unspooled ·

2022/09/08

Paul & Amy know the action is the juice in 1995’s Michael Mann cop vs. criminal showdown Heat! They learn how the “World War III” shootout sequence was created, ask if Amy Brenneman’s character is really in love with Robert De Niro’s Neil, and discuss Mann’s intense commitment to getting the details of his opus just right. Plus: Is there a divide between movie critics and movie fans? Next week, our Villains series concludes with The Dark Knight! You can join the conversation for this series on the

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