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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

01:50:48

Fargo

Unspooled ·

2022/01/13

Amy & Paul kidnap 1996's Coen Bros' untrue true-crime tale Fargo! They weigh the moral yin and yang of Marge Gunderson and Jerry Lundegaard, learn about a Japanese woman who took the opening title card a little too seriously, and debate if Fargo is the ultimate representative of what the Coens do best. Plus: William H. Macy told Joel Coen he would do *what* for this part?! Next week Unspooled takes a break from this snowy series with the original Scream! You can join the conversation for this series

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01:24:17

In The Heat Of The Night (Re-Release)

Unspooled ·

2022/01/11

In honor of Sidney Poitier's passing, Unspooled is re-releasing this episode from the Unspooled archives. We'll be back with a new episode this Thursday. Amy & Paul take a trip down South for 1967's racially charged police thriller In The Heat Of The Night! They celebrate the excellent soundtrack, scrutinize how well the film holds up as a procedural, and take a close look at Sidney Poitier's incredible road to Hollywood. Plus: Two interviews this week, with Pod Save The People's DeRay Mckesson on

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01:30:35

The Last Picture Show (Re-Release)

Unspooled ·

2022/01/11

In honor of Peter Bogdonavich's passing, Unspooled is re-releasing this episode from the Unspooled archives. We'll be back with a new episode this Thursday. Amy & Paul travel deep into the heart of 1971's Texan coming-of-age story The Last Picture Show! They ask who the film's true protagonist is, marvel at the murderer's row of incredible actors, and wonder if this was the key inspiration for the boom of sex comedies to follow. Plus: writer/director Peter Bogdanovich himself joins Amy to discuss

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01:24:23

The Apartment (Re-Release)

Unspooled ·

2022/01/06

This week Unspooled is rereleasing our Season 1 episode on the Billy Wilder classic The Apartment. Stay tuned for a new episode (and new series) next week! Amy & Paul check in to 1960's Billy Wilder-helmed romantic comedy The Apartment! They learn about the real life murder that inspired this story, ask if there's an actor like Jack Lemmon working today, and discover what Nikita Khruschev thought of the film. Plus: Revisiting your thoughts on The Wild Bunch!

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01:12:44

A Christmas Story

Unspooled ·

2021/12/30

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 films that inspired him. You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s

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01:51:35

The Matrix

Unspooled ·

2021/12/23

Amy & Paul stop time for 1999's reality-bending blockbuster The Matrix! They marvel at the preternatural shared mind of directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski, explore the political and social after-effects of the 'Matrix' concept, and ask each other whether they would take the red pill or the blue pill. Plus: What if this movie had starred Janet Jackson and Will Smith? Next week Unspooled wraps up the year with A Christmas Story! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook

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02:50:23

Love Actually

Unspooled ·

2021/12/16

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 essay "Shit Actually" that kicked off a critical re-evaluation of this movie. Next week Unspooled pulls out another stocking stuffer to talk The Matrix! You can join the

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01:29:55

Little Shop of Horrors

Unspooled ·

2021/12/09

Paul & Amy feed 1986’s creature feature musical Little Shop of Horrors! They credit director Frank Oz for getting Audrey II’s physicality just right, dive into the career of Four Tops singer Levi Stubbs, and debate whether the heightened tone of the film feels more theatrical or more cinematic. Plus: A young Jack Nicholson’s astonishing cameo in the original Little Shop. Next week Unspooled shakes out its first holiday stocking stuffer, Love Actually! You can join the conversation for this series on

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01:35:40

Lagaan

Unspooled ·

2021/12/02

Amy & 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 Unspooled Facebook

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01:33:12

Chicago

Unspooled ·

2021/11/25

Amy & 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 Unspooled Facebook

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01:26:43

Grease

Unspooled ·

2021/11/18

Paul & 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 Unspooled Facebook

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01:33:51

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Unspooled ·

2021/11/11

Paul & 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 this series

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01:50:15

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Unspooled ·

2021/11/04

Amy & 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

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01:48:45

The Blair Witch Project

Unspooled ·

2021/10/28

Amy & 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 conversation for

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00:58:23

Top 3: Ed Brubaker

Unspooled ·

2021/10/26

Acclaimed 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!

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01:24:27

Raw

Unspooled ·

2021/10/21

Paul & 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

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00:39:44

Top 3: Tim Blake Nelson

Unspooled ·

2021/10/19

Tim 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.

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01:27:17

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Unspooled ·

2021/10/14

Amy & 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

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01:29:05

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Unspooled ·

2021/10/07

Paul & 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

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01:39:09

The Exorcist

Unspooled ·

2021/09/30

Amy & 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. Caligari

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428 results

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