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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

67:44

Josie and the Pussycats (with Joanna Robinson)

Unspooled ·

2026/06/04

While Amy is off at Cannes, Paul welcomes Joanna Robinson for an Unspooled Critics’ Choice episode on Josie and the Pussycats, the 2001 musical comedy that was lightyears ahead of its time. They revisit Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan’s razor-sharp satire of pop music, consumer culture, and corporate branding and unpack how a movie stuffed with logos became one of Hollywood’s smartest critiques of marketing. Along the way, they celebrate the infectious soundtrack, the pitch-perfect performances, and

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75:33

The Baby-Sitters Club (with Rob Anderson)

Unspooled ·

2026/05/28

Paul and Rob Anderson takes the reins for a Critics’ Choice episode with shining a spotlight on The Baby-Sitters Club, the earnest, deeply ’90s adaptation of Ann M. Martin’s beloved books that deserves far more respect. Together they revisit Stoneybrook’s summer adventures, from camp drama and crushes to heavier themes like divorce, class, body image, and responsibility, while celebrating the film’s stacked young cast and cozy suburban charm. Along the way, Rob unpacks why the movie’s “girlhood”

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75:41

Top Secret! (with Ed Helms)

Unspooled ·

2026/05/21

Paul welcomes Ed Helms into the Unspooled booth for a deep dive into Top Secret!, the gloriously absurd 1984 comedy from ZAZ while Amy is away. Between stories about Meet Dave, Ed’s lost role as “Lieutenant Buttocks,” and a celebration of his history podcast SNAFU, the two make the case that Top Secret! may be even funnier than Airplane! or The Naked Gun — just harder to categorize.Listen to Ed’s podcast SNAFU here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snafu-with-ed-helms/id1635374692 You

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44:23

Reel Confessions: Lauren Lapkus

Unspooled ·

2026/05/19

Lauren Lapkus steps into the confession booth to talk comfort rewatches, movie blind spots, and the films that changed her mind. Paul and Amy dig into her love for Big, 13 Going on 30, Tommy Boy, and Hocus Pocus, the strange experience of watching kids’ movies on an endless loop, and how her Newcomers podcast pushed her to finally embrace genres she’d avoided for years. Along the way, Lauren plays an unhinged “F***/Marry/Kill” , defends the magic of communal theatergoing, praises Rachel McAdams and

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58:50

Summer Movie Preview 2026

Unspooled ·

2026/05/14

Paul and Amy kick off the 2026 summer movie season with a whirlwind preview of the films they’re most excited (and nervous) to see, from Supergirl, Tom Holland’s grounded new Spider-Man, and Spielberg’s mysterious Disclosure Day to Jackass: Best & Last, A24’s Backrooms, Olivia Wilde’s The Invite, and Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters. Along the way, they debate sequel overload (Toy Story 5, Scary Movie 6), spotlight oddball indies and comedies like Coyote vs. Acme and Fuck Toys, and share thoughts on

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78:21

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Unspooled ·

2026/05/07

Paul and Amy take the leap with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the globe-trotting ode to daydreamers caught between routine and risk. They trace the film’s long journey from James Thurber’s short story through decades of stalled adaptations, unpack its blend of fantasy and reality, and explore how its work-versus-life themes resonate in a world shifting from analog to digital.Go to https://surfshark.com/unspooled or use code UNSPOOLED at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! You

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88:44

Jerry Maguire

Unspooled ·

2026/04/30

Paul and Amy say “show me the money” with Jerry Maguire, Cameron Crowe’s romantic drama that turns a mission statement into a midlife crisis. They trace the film’s long development, Tom Cruise’s defining performance, and the breakout turns from Renée Zellweger and Cuba Gooding Jr., while unpacking its mix of sports, romance, and soul-searching ambition. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their

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88:52

The Devil Wears Prada

Unspooled ·

2026/04/23

Paul and Amy step into the fashion closet with The Devil Wears Prada, revisiting the sharp, stylish comedy that evolved into a definitive story about the cost of ambition. They trace the film’s origins from Lauren Weisberger’s real-life experience, unpack the casting what-ifs, and celebrate Meryl Streep’s iconic, ice-cold turn as Miranda Priestly, from the “cerulean” monologue to the power plays that define the film. Along the way, they explore Andy’s uneasy rise, the shifting dynamics with Emily

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52:15

Reel Confessions: Mike Mitchell

Unspooled ·

2026/04/21

Doughboys' Mike Mitchell steps into the confession booth with Paul and Amy to spill his hottest movie takes, from a chaotic game if “F***/Marry/Kill” of the 2005 Best Director lineup to chatting about his new comedy Napa Boys. They debate “big dumb” hits vs. prestige flops, his Star Wars burnout, and why he’ll never rewatch The Zone of Interest.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie

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75:55

Total Recall

Unspooled ·

2026/04/16

Paul and Amy jack into Total Recall, the gonzo sci-fi that turned a memory implant into a full-blown identity crisis. From Arnold Schwarzenegger’s forceful push to bring it to life to Verhoeven's mind-bending twists, they unpack the film’s practical-effects spectacle, its biting satire of power and propaganda, and the question at the center of it all: is any of this real, or just the perfect vacation? You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord

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92:50

The Truman Show

Unspooled ·

2026/04/09

Paul and Amy step inside The Truman Show, the high-concept classic that turned reality into a cage and a spectacle. They revisit Peter Weir’s deft balancing act of satire and sincerity, and how Jim Carrey’s career-shifting performance grounds the film’s big ideas in something deeply human.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot

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76:54

Team America: World Police

Unspooled ·

2026/04/02

Paul and Amy salute (and side-eye) Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s anything-goes puppet satire that took aim at everyone in the post-9/11 era. They unpack the film’s wild blend of Thunderbirds-style craftsmanship and Jerry Bruckheimer bombast, from its rapid-fire production to the army of puppeteers behind its explosive set pieces and yes, they discuss that infamous sex scene that pushed the MPAA to its limits.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord

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78:29

Arrival

Unspooled ·

2026/03/26

Paul and Amy make first contact with Denis Villeneuve’s quietly mind-bending sci-fi about language, time, and the choices that shape a life. They trace the film’s journey from Ted Chiang’s Story of Your Life to the screen, unpacking how screenwriter Eric Heisserer turned a cerebral short story into a $200M hit and why Amy Adams’ performance still feels criminally underrated a decade later.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul

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31:35

Project Hail Mary

Unspooled ·

2026/03/23

Paul and Amy drop an emergency episode to blast off with Project Hail Mary, the rare big-swing sci-fi that Ryan Gosling leads with charisma, heart, and a whole lot of hope. They break down Gosling’s turn as a very unprepared hero, the emotional pull of his unlikely bond with Rocky, Sandra Hüller’s commanding presence, and why this Spielberg-esque adventure feels like a throwback in the best way.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow

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93:56

Sinners

Unspooled ·

2026/03/19

Paul and Amy head down to the juke joint for Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s genre-bending swing through 1930s Mississippi where blues, blood, and family ties collide. They break down Michael B. Jordan’s dual turn as twin cousins, the breakout presence of Miles Caton, and a stacked ensemble to unpack how Coogler weaves horror with history. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot

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43:48

Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan

Unspooled ·

2026/03/17

Chris Ryan steps into the confession booth and it’s all Heat, all the time. Paul and Amy get into Chris’ ride-or-die devotion to Heat, his deep love of Michael Mann, and spirited debates over Public Enemies, Ferrari, and the elusive The Keep. They talk Yorgos Lanthimos, the art of avoiding trailers, and play a chaotic round of Christopher Nolan-themed F/M/K.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of

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74:27

2026 Oscars Special

Unspooled ·

2026/03/12

Paul and Amy break down the 2026 Oscar nominations, celebrating the surprises, lamenting the snubs, and making their early predictions for Hollywood’s biggest night. They champion overlooked favorites like Edington and Sorry, Baby, Josh O’Connor in Wake Up Dead Man, and Amanda Seyfried in Testament of Ann Lee, while digging into the year’s major contenders. And with Sinners leading the pack with a record 16 nominations and momentum shifting after Michael B. Jordan’s SAG win, they debate whether the

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78:29

Harold and Maude

Unspooled ·

2026/03/05

Paul and Amy pay tribute to the late Bud Cort by revisiting Hal Ashby’s 1971 cult classic that somehow never shows up on the big movie lists. They unpack the film’s unlikely origins as UCLA student Colin Higgins’ audacious script and trace its journey from disastrous reviews and a blink-and-you-miss-it release to becoming a full-blown counterculture cult classic.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for

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78:48

Twilight

Unspooled ·

2026/02/26

Paul and Amy sink their teeth into Twilight, unpacking how a once-mocked teen romance became a box-office juggernaut and cultural lightning rod. They trace the adaptation saga from Paramount’s infamous “jet ski” rewrite to Catherine Hardwicke’s faithful reset at Summit, debate vampire lore and gendered critiques of romance, and decide whether Team Edward vs. Team Jacob misses the point entirely.Go to https://surfshark.com/unspooled or use code UNSPOOLED at checkout to get 4 extra months of

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83:52

Reality Bites

Unspooled ·

2026/02/19

Paul and Amy revisit Reality Bites, Ben Stiller’s Gen-X touchstone that may or may not want to be one. They discuss the film’s scrappy origins from writer Helen Childress and star-producer Winona Ryder, unpack Ethan Hawke’s slacker allure and Ben Stiller as a yuppie, and debate whether Lelaina’s rebellion was righteous or just twenty-something self-sabotage.You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of

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487 results

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