Amy & Paul leap tall buildings for 1978's seminal superhero classic Superman! They learn about Christopher Reeve's fitness regimen, discuss how director Richard Donner and screenwriter Mario Puzo keep Superman relatable by making him low status, and embrace the romance that's rare in modern superhero films. Plus: does Clark Kent really have a snappy prose style? Next week, our Heroes series continues with RRR! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at h...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 43 min
On a bonus Unspooled this week, Paul & Amy discuss some of the most interesting films released in the last month - Top Gun: Maverick, the reboot of Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 07, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Amy & Paul head into the danger zone for 1986’s Tom Cruise flight school showdown Top Gun! They debate whether Maverick has a defined character arc, praise the charm of a young Meg Ryan, and piece together how this fit into Cruise’s budding movie star career. Plus: which cast members puked in the cockpit? Next week, we finish Ani-May-Tion month with Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/gro...
May 26, 2022•2 hr 9 min
Paul & Amy take to the skies for 1992’s Hayao Miyazaki aeronautic adventure Porco Rosso! They learn about Miyazaki’s history and fascination with airplanes, discuss the meaning of the hero’s pig-headed curse, and get deep into porcine anatomy. Plus: How do the American actors do with the dub? Next week, we’re taking a detour but staying in flight with the original Top Gun! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspool...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 29 min
Paul & Amy burrow into 2005’s Aardman claymation caper Wallace and Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit! They describe the painstaking work that went into every frame of this film, investigate the connection between the Were-Rabbit and Hammer horror films, and discover whether a rabbit has ever killed a person. Plus: hope you’re not feta-up with cheese puns! Next week Ani-May-Tion month continues with Porco Rosso! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group ...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 28 min
Paul & Amy slide into 1988’s cyberpunk anime crossover hit Akira! They praise the gamelan-influenced score, learn how the film’s bike races were influenced by post-WWII Tokyo culture, and ask whether this is the “Scarface” of anime. Plus: The eternal debate of subs vs dubs. Next week we kick off a month of Ani-May-Tion month continues with Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of The Were-Rabbit! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook....
May 05, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Amy & Paul podcast about podcasting about 2002’s head-spinning meta comedy Adaptation! They relate to Nicolas-Cage-as-Charlie-Kaufman’s inner monologue, learn what Robert McKee thought of his depiction in the film, and debate whether the third act makes or undermines the whole piece. Plus: Thoughts on Lily Tomlin’s career. Next week we kick off a month of Ani-May-Tion with Akira! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 43 min
In a special Unspooled, Paul & Amy enlist Keith Phipps (author of "Age Of Cage") to narrow down which Nicolas Cage performances deserve to be sent to space. Tune in to find out which Cage film we'll cover this Thursday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 25, 2022•54 min
Paul & Amy crush 1982's Arnold Schwarzenegger pulp fantasy Conan The Barbarian! They learn the purpose of the Wheel Of Pain, praise the operatic storytelling of Basil Poledouris's score, and try to pinpoint the moment where Arnold became a movie star. Plus: is Batman 1989 a kid's movie? Next week we take a detour into the career of Nicolas Cage! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast , and on Paul’s Di...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 39 min
Amy & Paul get grubby for 2001's fractured fairy tale Shrek! They discover how the film planted an anti-Disney flag in the mud, review its musical legacy from Smash Mouth to Hallelujah, and debate whether more family films should be just for kids instead of pandering to adults. Plus: Why did Nicolas Cage turn down the titular role? Next week we wrap up our fantasy series with Conan The Barbarian! You can join the conversation for this series on theUnspooled Facebook Group at https://www.face...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Paul & Amy lead a quest through 1975's Arthurian sendup Monty Python And The Holy Grail! They discuss how the non-hierarchical structure of Python informed their spoof of monarchy and authority of all kinds, praise the troupe for creating an epic on a small budget, and explore the history of Camelot in America. Plus: how is Monty Python connected to Owen and Luke Wilson? Next week Unspooled takes on a whole different brand of comic fantasy with Shrek! You can join the conversation for this s...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 18 min
Paul & Amy lose their heads for 2021's remixed medieval myth The Green Knight! They learn about the "real" King Arthur, praise Alicia Vikander's alluring dual role in the film, and untangle director David Lowery's knotty layers of symbolism. Plus: Breaking down the Oscars! Next week Unspooled remains in the realm of Arthurian myth for Monty Python and the Holy Grail! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodc...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Amy & Paul break down the past year in film on this Best Of 2021 special episode! They make cases for some of their favorite overlooked films from 2021, from an antic animated family comedy to a royal biopic turned horror film. Plus: a preview of the Oscars, and why this year's Oscar crop feels like it's playing it safe. Next week we're taking your votes and covering one Oscar-snubbed film in depth - will it be Annette, The Green Knight, Last Night In Soho or Zola? You can join the conversat...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 38 min
Paul & Amy strike a chord with 1993's Jane Campion gothic period drama The Piano! They praise Anna Paquin's highly naturalistic child performance, puzzle over Holly Hunter's character's true intentions, and discuss what makes this apparently traditionalist arthouse film 'punk rock.' Plus: thoughts on "The Batman." Next week we look back on the films of 2021, and look ahead to the Oscars! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 43 min
Amy & Paul got the touch for 1997's seedy Valley epic Boogie Nights! They marvel at a young Paul Thomas Anderson's preternatural skill behind the camera, see echoes of Step Brothers in the chemistry between Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly, and discuss what makes a tracking shot great and not just showy. Plus: the technological shifts that sunk Dirk Diggler and enabled Anderson's rise. Next week our Contenders series continues with The Piano! You can join the conversation for this series on ...
Mar 10, 2022•2 hr 7 min
Put on your bat-headphones and tune in to this bonus episode of Unspooled as Paul and Amy break down every screen portrayal of the Dark Knight, from Adam West to a preview of Robert Pattinson's turn in Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022). Never fear, no bat-spoilers here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Paul & Amy hack through 1980's chilling Stanley Kubrick horror film The Shining! They learn why Stephen King hated Kubrick's adaptation of his story, weigh in on the many fan theories surrounding the film, and consider how both actor and director can shape the performances we see onscreen. Plus: is that thing in Room 237 a bear or a dog? Next week Unspooled begins our Oscar-themed series "The Contenders" with Talladega Nights! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Fa...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 40 min
In this bonus episode, Paul & Amy discuss the career and legacy of the late director and producer Ivan Reitman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 21, 2022•31 min
Paul & Amy rulla ut the 2014 Swedish dramedy Force Majeure! They celebrate director Ruben Östlund’s dissection of masculinity and gender roles, learn whether men or women are actually more likely to survive disasters, and enjoy Östlund’s reenactment of the "worst cry ever." Plus: a Smörgåsbord of takes on the 2022 Oscar noms! Next week, our cold series concludes with The Shining! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 27 min
Paul & Amy catapult themselves into the daredevil Jackass franchise! They count off the elements that every film in the series shares, cringe through the bits they can't watch, and cherish the many moments of genuine cinematic beauty. Plus: Thoughts on the newest Jackass cast members. Next week Unspooled's cold series continues with Force Majeure! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast , and on Paul’s ...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Amy & Paul serve up 2014’s Wes Anderson confection The Grand Budapest Hotel! They praise the inventive action scenes, contrast the different eras of Anderson’s career, and make the case for Gustave H. as Anderson’s best character. Plus: why Tony Revolori had to watch his figure! Next week Unspooled takes a detour for Jackass! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast , and on Paul’s Discord at https://dis...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Brian Cox (Succession, Zodiac, Adaptation) talks to Paul and Amy about three of his favorite films, including a medieval musical comedy and a British kitchen-sink drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 01, 2022•37 min
Amy & Paul let it go for 2013's chilly Disney musical megahit Frozen! They praise the filmmakers' careful attention to all the varieties of snow, learn which character co-director Jennifer Lee couldn't stand, and ask whether Disney's "progressive" films are a positive step forward or just a way to generate thinkpieces. Plus: Reheating a Fargo debate! Next week Unspooled's cold series continues with The Grand Budapest Hotel! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Faceb...
Jan 27, 2022•1 hr 51 min
Paul & Amy don't follow the rules for 1996's Wes Craven meta-horror-comedy Scream! They learn Craven's secret to making horror films that resonate, argue that the iconic Ghostface mask works better than a more distinctive look, and unpack the archetype of the "Final Girl." Plus: Henry Winkler and the movie's best in-joke. Next week Unspooled returns to the snow for Frozen! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspool...
Jan 20, 2022•2 hr
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 thi...
Jan 13, 2022•1 hr 55 min
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 Mck...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 35 min
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 di...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 33 min
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! Learn more about your ad choices....
Jan 06, 2022•1 hr 28 min
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 Pau...
Dec 30, 2021•1 hr 17 min
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 Fa...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 56 min
