Unspooled
Episodes
Movie Round Up
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul & Amy are kicking off the summer movie season by rounding up all the releases you're dying to hear about. We're talking about the good...
Sweet Smell of Success (w/ Sean Fennessey)
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Amy welcomes Sean Fennessey (Head of Content, The Ringer & The Big Picture Podcast) to discuss the 1957 film Sweet Smell of Success starrin...
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (w/ Jamie Loftus)
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Amy welcomes back comedian Jamie Loftus (Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) Podcast) to break down the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen...
Mad Max
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul & Amy are breaking down the 1979 film Mad Max directed by George Miller. The two discuss this modern-day silent film, all the dangers a...
The Goonies
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul and Amy are delving into nostalgia as they analyze the 1985 film The Goonies. They discuss the collaboration between Richard Donner an...
Carrie (1976)
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul & Amy are breaking down the 1976 Brian De Palma film Carrie, starring Sissy Spacek. The two dig into the Stephen King of it all, bad mo...
Point Break
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul and Amy are breaking down the 1991 Kathryn Bigelow film Point Break, starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. The two dig into this el...
Call Me By Your Name
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, to celebrate the release of Luca Guadagnino's Challengers, Paul and Amy break down the 2018 film Call Me By Your Name, starring Timothée C...
Her
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul & Amy look at the other side of divorce with the 2013 Spike Jonze film HER. The two break down the incredibly charming performance of ...
Lost In Translation w/ Rico Gagliano
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul is gone, but Amy is joined by fellow film critic and podcast host, Rico Gagliano (MUBI Podcast). The two break down the 2003 Sofia Cop...
Moonstruck w/ David Sims
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Paul is away on tour, but Amy is joined by fellow film critic and podcast host David Sims (Blank Check). They break down the 1987 romcom Mo...
Jesus Christ Superstar
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Amy and Paul are rocking out to the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Ted Neeley and directed by Norman Jewison. This musical stage...
Moon
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul and Amy’s clones are breaking down the 2009 film, Moon, starring Sam Rockwell and directed by Duncan Jones. But first things first, h...
The Martian
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Amy & Paul are eating potatoes while discussing the 2015 film The Martian, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott. They highlight ...
2024 Oscars Special
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week Paul & Amy are digging into all things Oscars and the Best Picture Nominees of 2024. The two ask, "was Barbie the most culturally significan...
Dune (2021)
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Spice is flowing, and Paul & Amy are covering the 2021 film Dune. The two discuss the complicated feelings of going to the movies in the...
The Sting
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul con their way into 1973 and stake out The Sting and all its nostalgia. They evaluate The Sting’s Oscar triumph over The Exorcist, praise ...
American Beauty
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy curiously ask, what was our mindset in September 1999 when American Beauty was released as a smash hit? They examine Wes Bentley’s charac...
Amadeus
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul hum along to 1984’s classical fantasia Amadeus! They learn how closely this unusual biopic matches the true history of Mozart, discover a...
Jackie Brown
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul jam to The Delfonics with 1997’s Quentin Tarantino crime saga Jackie Brown! They learn what Elmore Leonard thought of this Rum Punch adap...
Out of Sight
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy get in the trunk with 1998's sly George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez crime comedy Out of Sight! They discuss why Elmore Leonard's stories lend ...
Wayne's World
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul party on with 1992’s Mike Myers & Dana Carvey SNL buddy comedy Wayne’s World! They dive into the creative conflicts between Myers and C...
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul go back in time to save 1991’s blockbuster James Cameron action sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day! They praise Cameron’s control of bot...
Space Finalists: Season 4
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy wrap up another year of Unspooled by choosing which films they covered this season are going to space! Josh, Jess and Devon return as the g...
2023 Holiday Party
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy are throwing an end-of-year party, and you're invited! Joined by lots of film and podcast friends, Unspooled producers of past, present, an...
Edward Scissorhands
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy slice into Tim Burton’s 1990 gothic fairytale Edward Scissorhands! They try to determine what year the film takes place in, discover why ...
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul take on all comers for 2010's Edgar Wright comic extravaganza Scott Pilgrim vs. the World! They discuss Michael Cera's unusual casting as a...
Concert Films
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul take the stage for a closer look at concert movies! Inspired by the recent release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and the rerelease o...
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy play hooky for 1984’s John Hughes class-cutting caper Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! They discover the secret backstory behind Charlie Sheen...
Fight Club
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy break all the rules of David Fincher’s 1999 cult sendup of masculinity Fight Club! They ask how seriously we’re meant to take the film’...
Election
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy put their hats in the ring for 1999’s acidic high-school satire Election! They praise director Alexander Payne’s brilliant eye for huma...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy time warp to 1975’s cult musical sensation The Rocky Horror Picture Show! They ask what makes a movie camp, discover the genius marketer ...
The Wolf Of Wall Street
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul make the hard sell for 2013’s manic Wall Street exposé The Wolf Of Wall Street! They learn how the film’s unusual funding gave directo...
Hairspray
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy spritz on John Waters’ subversive 1988 comedy Hairspray! They learn how star ensemble player Divine was like Godzilla, compare the soundt...
Saw
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy slice into 2004’s nasty low-budget horror Saw! They learn why Cary Elwes holds a grudge against the filmmakers, appreciate how much dread...
Imitation Of Life
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy reflect on Douglas Sirk's piercing 1959 melodrama Imitation Of Life! They learn what made this epochal film a favorite of Steven Spielberg'...
The Karate Kid
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul high-kick into John G. Avildsen’s 1984 martial-arts megahit The Karate Kid! They learn about the movie’s semi-autobiographical origins,...
Bullitt
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy rev up for 1968’s sleek Steve McQueen thriller Bullitt! They break down the film’s all-timer car chase, learn how McQueen brought a cou...
American Psycho
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy dissect Mary Harron’s murderous corporate-world satire American Psycho! They learn how star Christian Bale almost lost the role to Leonar...
Ranking the Mission: Impossible Films (with Light The Fuse)
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul accept a mission from Drew Taylor and Charles Hood (hosts of the Light The Fuse podcast) to rate each of the Mission: Impossible films, and...
Legally Blonde
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, discu...
Barbie & Oppenheimer (with Jamie Loftus)
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy and guest host Jamie Loftus (“Raw Dog,” The Bechdel Cast) detonate this summer’s hot pink double feature phenomenon, Barbenheimer! Starting ...
The Listener's Choice Winner Revealed
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Children Of Men
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
There Will Be Blood
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, mar...
Hot Fuzz
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ac...
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 cl...
Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 dep...
Talking Trek (with Tawny Newsome & Paul F. Tompkins)
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Inside Out
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Labyrinth
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy wind their way through 1986's Jim Henson dark puppet fantasy Labyrinth! They applaud the film's surprisingly sophisticated coming of age st...
Top 3: Adam McKay
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Little Mermaid
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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" wa...
Blazing Saddles
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Bonus: Sex Scenes In Film (with Dan Savage)
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
Young Frankenstein
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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' film...
What We Do In The Shadows
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Frankenstein (Re-release)
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 Shadow...
Top 3: Karina Longworth
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Karina Longworth (You Must Remember This) joins Paul & Amy to unveil her top 3 erotic thrillers! They also discuss the problem with the NC-17 rating, ...
Evil Dead II
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy chainsaw through 1987’s groovy slapstick horror masterpiece Evil Dead II! They ask if Bruce Campbell’s Ash is a “final girl,” learn...
Top 3: Bruce Campbell
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Spider-Man) joins Paul and Amy on the eve of his Bruce-O-Rama tour (and a new Evil Dead movie!) to talk about three of his ...
In Bruges
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul and Amy get stuck in Martin McDonagh’s 2008 hitman parable In Bruges! They learn about McDonagh’s explosive ascent as a playwright, compare B...
John Wick
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul arm up for 2014’s revitalizing Keanu Reeves action film John Wick! They ask whether we’re supposed to care about Wick as a character, p...
Bonus Reel: Creed III, Magic Mike’s Last Dance and Scream VI
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy weigh in on the latest franchise entries following our recent episodes, including discussions of how Jonathan Majo...
Best of 2022 & Oscars Preview
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy look back on their favorite films of 2022 and get ready for the Academy Awards this weekend! They'll discuss each of the Best Picture nomin...
Scream (Re-release)
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of Scream VI's release in theaters this weekend, we're re-releasing last year's discussion of the original Scream - tomorrow we'll be back wi...
Hollywood Shuffle
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy enjoy a Winky Dinky Dog and watch 1987's audacious sketch satire Hollywood Shuffle! They explore the multifaceted career of star and direct...
Top 3: Chapo Trap House
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will Menaker and Matt Christman of Chapo Trap House join Paul & Amy on this week's crossover Unspooled! Matt shares three films to watch before listen...
Magic Mike & Magic Mike XXL
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy slip a five dollar bill to 2012's male stripper megahit Magic Mike! They discuss why Steven Soderbergh's film is about money as much or mo...
Top 3: Hindi Romance Films
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Smriti Mundhra (Indian Matchmaking, The Romantics) talks to Paul and Amy about her three favorite Hindi-language romantic films, how romance became a ...
The Notebook
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul open up 2004's decades-spanning romance The Notebook! They praise the effortless chemistry of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, learn how Ja...
Crash
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy swerve into 2004's Oscar-winning race-in-LA melodrama Crash! They take a close look at how the film's attitudes on race and racism have age...
Bonus: 2023 Oscar Nominations
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy and Paul react to the 2023 Oscar nominations in a bonus Unspooled. We'll be back on Thursday with Crash! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy force-project into Rian Johnson's galaxy-brained Star Wars entry The Last Jedi! They dissect the disputes between Mark Hamill and Johnson o...
Blue Velvet
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy send a love letter to David Lynch's uncanny 1986 noir Blue Velvet! They learn what Lynch thinks of his "Jimmy Stewart from Mars" image, dis...
Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul peel the layers of Chantal Akerman’s minimalist homebound masterwork Jeanne Dielman! They praise the way Akerman trains her audience to p...
Love Actually (re-release)
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
A Christmas Story (re-release)
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Die Hard
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Avatar
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul upload their consciousness into 2009’s otherworldly sci-fi spectacle Avatar! They confirm the concept of ‘unobtanium’ wasn’t invent...
Black Swan
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul reconcile their duality with 2010's Darren Aronofsky ballet thriller Black Swan! They dissect Natalie Portman's full-bodied transformative ...
Bonus: The 2022 Sight & Sound 100
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. Learn more abo...
Thelma and Louise
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Susa...
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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, ad...
Casino Royale
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Paul and Amy receive their license to kill with 2006’s intense James Bond reinvention Casino Royale! They discuss the online controversy surrounding...
Goldfinger
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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, r...
Ringu
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Halloween
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy stalk John Carpenter’s genre-defining 1978 slasher Halloween! They discuss this independent film’s thrifty production, draw connections...
Jennifer's Body
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Hellraiser
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Midsommar
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Bonus: Summer Movie Wrapup
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 sta...
Season 3 Finale
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 me...
The Dark Knight
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Heat
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 seque...
White Heat
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Paul & Amy are gunning for 1949’s James Cagney gangster epic White Heat! They discuss the film’s influence on artists from Denzel to Madonna, prai...
Top 3: Scott Aukerman & Shaun Diston
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Scott Aukerman and Shaun Diston (from the "Scott Hasn't Seen" podcast on Comedy Bang Bang World) join Paul & Amy to talk about their favorite movies t...
Training Day
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul ride along with 2001’s Denzel Washington crooked cop potboiler Training Day! They praise Ethan Hawke’s brilliant, unshowy work, unpack ...
The Night of the Hunter
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amy & Paul lean on the everlasting arms of 1955’s expressionist Southern Gothic The Night of the Hunter! They explore the film’s nightmarish image...