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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

01:46:01

West Side Story

Unspooled ·

2019/03/21

Amy & Paul rumble with 1961's musical Shakespeare riff West Side Story! They compare the film's colors to modern art, praise the intelligence Rita Moreno brings to Anita, and ask how Elvis would have performed in the lead role. Plus: writer and Stephen Sondheim fan Anthony King (Gutenberg: The Musical) gives us his perspective on where this fits in Sondheim's career.If you haven't seen City Lights before, what do you think it's about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your

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01:30:39

A Night At The Opera

Unspooled ·

2019/03/14

This week Paul & Amy sing the praises of 1935's Marx Brothers comedy "A Night At The Opera!" They take apart the film's most famous scene in detail, listen to the "Shallow" of 1935, and debate what modern comedies could make the AFI list now. Plus: Amanda Garrett from the Old Hollywood Films blog talks about the life of Margaret Dumont, and Frank Ferrante tells us what he's learned as a world-class Groucho Marx impersonator.Next week, help us make a musical montage by calling the Unspooled voicemail

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01:27:05

Saving Private Ryan

Unspooled ·

2019/03/07

Amy and Paul storm the beaches of 1998's Steven Spielberg WWII picture Saving Private Ryan! They plunge into the disorientation of the storied opening sequence, look at what the film means to the Greatest Generation, and ask whether Sausage Party could take Private Ryan's place on the list. Plus: A look at the latest controversy between Spielberg and Netflix.For A Night At The Opera week, who would you cast as the modern day Marx Brothers? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your

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01:43:33

The Graduate

Unspooled ·

2019/02/28

Amy & Paul scuba-dive into 1967's generation-gap dramedy The Graduate! They look for thematic connections in early Nichols & May sketches, wonder how such a small scale film became an enormous hit, and ask whether Mrs. Robinson is a fantasy or a fully-formed character. Plus: Katharine Ross (Elaine) joins Amy to praise Mike Nichols' direction.Which cast member of Saving Private Ryan would be a good replacement for Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with

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00:57:32

BONUS: 2019 Oscars

Unspooled ·

2019/02/25

Amy and special guest host Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check) talk about last night’s Oscars, and unveil the winners of the first annual Spoolies! Plus: A heartwarming Christmas tune from Green Book screenwriter Nick Vallelonga.This episode is brought to you by Caavo (www.caavo.com code: UNSPOOLED) and Fracture (www.fractureme.com/UNSPOOLED).

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01:33:30

Best of 2018: Listener’s Picks

Unspooled ·

2019/02/21

Paul & Amy round out the Best Of 2018 miniseries with an all-star lineup of callers talking about their favorite films of last year! Guests like Damon Lindelof, Lucia Aniello, Leonard Maltin, Reggie Hudlin, Casey Wilson, Chris Gethard and the wonderful Unspooled listeners evangelize their favorite films, from Free Solo and Shoplifters to Searching and Mamma Mia 2. Plus: we briefly preview the Academy Awards this Sunday, and finally talk about Green Book.Next Thursday we'll be discussing The

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01:39:17

Best of 2018: Critics’ Picks

Unspooled ·

2019/02/14

Amy & Paul continue their review of 2018 in film with a look back at last year's most critically acclaimed films! They praise Nicholas Cage's passion in Mandy, marvel at the realism and empathy of Eighth Grade, and argue whether Hereditary has third act problems. Plus: Listeners weigh in on last week's superhero debate.Next week we want to hear about your favorite films of 2018! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and leave us a message with what film you think might make a future AFI

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01:36:49

Best Of 2018: Blockbusters

Unspooled ·

2019/02/07

Paul & Amy travel to the distant era of 2018, with a look back at last year's 20 biggest movies! They cover everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Aquaman, A Quiet Place to Black Panther, with an eye on which films deserve to be placed on a future AFI list. Plus: Listeners resolve a musical mystery from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.Next week we continue our miniseries looking back at the films of 2018, with an episode focusing on critically acclaimed films. You can find a list of the top 20 films

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01:19:12

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Unspooled ·

2019/01/31

Paul & Amy fly over 1975's countercultural touchstone One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest! They discuss how the film strays from Ken Kesey's novel, discover how Milos Forman caught actors in unguarded moments, and ask whether R.P. McMurphy or Nurse Ratched really had the right of their struggle. Plus: Matt Walsh (Veep, Under The Eiffel Tower) tells us about his time working in a psych ward. Next week we kick off our miniseries looking back at the films of 2018, with an episode focusing on blockbusters

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01:38:25

Sunset Boulevard

Unspooled ·

2019/01/24

Paul & Amy drive down to 1950's Hollywood house of horrors Sunset Boulevard! They ask if Joe Gillis is a reliable narrator, praise Gloria Swanson's transformative performance, and wonder if Hollywood really hasn't changed in 70 years. Plus: Alicia Malone (TCM host and author of "The Female Gaze") joins us to help place Sunset Boulevard in it's historical context.What's your favorite evil doctor (or other medical professional) in pop culture history? Before we discuss One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest,

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01:39:45

The Last Picture Show

Unspooled ·

2019/01/17

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 The Last Picture Show, and what separates modern films from the classics.For Sunset Boulevard week, give us your best "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr/Ms. ___."

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01:30:04

Unforgiven

Unspooled ·

2019/01/10

Amy & Paul saddle up for Clint Eastwood's revisionist 1992 Western Unforgiven! They ask if Gene Hackman is truly the villain of the piece, put the film in the context of Eastwood's career, and praise the script's comic touches. Plus: Screenwriter David Webb Peoples discusses Unforgiven's origins, and Saul Rubinek (W.W. Beauchamp) tells stories from the set that shed light on Eastwood's directing style.If you've never seen The Last Picture Show, what do you think it's about? Call the Unspooled

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01:22:02

The Searchers

Unspooled ·

2019/01/03

This week Paul & Amy ride deep into Texas for The Searchers! They discuss the complicated legacy of John Wayne, place the film in the context of Western history, and look at The Searchers' influence on directors from Martin Scorsese to George Lucas. Plus: Joely Proudfit speaks to us about American Indian representation in film history, and The Searchers in particular.For Unforgiven week, who would you rather have in your posse - John Wayne or Clint Eastwood? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at

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01:32:48

In The Heat Of The Night

Unspooled ·

2018/12/27

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 the value of art as activism, and Lee Grant, who plays Mrs. Colbert, reflecting on her trailblazing career as an actor and director.For next week's

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01:32:30

It’s A Wonderful Life

Unspooled ·

2018/12/20

Paul & Amy earn their wings with 1946’s Jimmy Stewart holiday fable “It’s A Wonderful Life!” They wonder if Mary is actually a witch, explain why the term “Capra corn” is unfair, and play a very timely SNL parody. Plus: Karolyn Grimes, aka Zuzu Bailey, shares her memories of making the film.If you haven’t seen it, what do you think “In The Heat Of The Night” is about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at

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01:33:47

Schindler’s List

Unspooled ·

2018/12/13

This week Paul & Amy take a close look at Steven Spielberg's unflinching Holocaust drama "Schindler's List." They discuss the filmmaking instincts Spielberg brings to difficult material, praise Ralph Fiennes' terrifying performance, and discover the crucial role Adam Sandler played in keeping Spielberg's mood up. Plus: Embeth Davidtz (who plays Helen Hirsch) calls in to talk about the unlikely family formed on set.Next week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your favorite

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01:33:01

Rocky

Unspooled ·

2018/12/06

Paul & Amy go the distance for Sylvester Stallone's 1976 pugilistic parable Rocky! They play a stunning clip of Stallone talking to himself, posit that the film's true villain is Rocky's self-doubt, and question whether the average person is actually more like Paulie. Plus: Boxer and coach Freddie Roach calls in with his thoughts on Rocky and the time he made Mickey Rourke cry.Next week we're talking about Schindler's list, and we want to know what you think of modern black and white films! Call the

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01:07:10

A Clockwork Orange

Unspooled ·

2018/11/29

Amy & Paul undergo the Ludovico technique to watch Stanley Kubrick's dark dystopia A Clockwork Orange! They explain the history of the famous "Singin In The Rain" scene, compare the complicated adaptation to Anthony Burgess' original novel, and question why Kubrick should be considered a moral authority on anything. Plus: Paul weighs in on the online discussion about the AFI list and "incels."CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank discussion of rape and rape scenes.For Rocky week, tell us

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01:25:04

Sophie’s Choice

Unspooled ·

2018/11/22

This week Paul & Amy travel back to 1982's love triangle / Holocaust drama Sophie's Choice! They ask whether Stingo is supposed to be an actual good writer, marvel at the energy of a young Kevin Kline, and break down what makes Meryl Streep's work in this film so legendary. Plus: dialect coach Samara Bay (Loving, Wonder Woman) talks to Paul about the intricacies of nailing an accent-based performance.Help us introduce next week's episode on A Clockwork Orange in your own Nadsat-style language! Just

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01:25:38

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

Unspooled ·

2018/11/15

Amy and Paul filibuster through Frank Capra's 1939 political fable Mr. Smith Goes To Washington! They learn about Jean Arthur's initial impressions of Jimmy Stewart, compare Capra's visual style to Michael Bay, and explore the film's pop culture legacy in depth. Plus: Jon Lovett of "Pod Save America" and "Lovett Or Leave It" weighs in on the lessons this film can offer today's politicians.Next week is Sophie's Choice and we're asking you to make a terrible choice; would you cut Spielberg or Scorsese

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