This week Paul & Amy break down the 2013 apocalyptic comedy horror film This Is The End. They discuss Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's directorial choices, what makes a good comedy ensemble movie, and who is the MVP of the movie: Danny McBride or Jay Baruchel? Next week we'll be continuing on with our Disaster Movie Summer with the 2014 sci-fi action film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. You can stream Dawn of the Planet of the Apes on Disney+, Hulu and Max but don't forget to check your local libr...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This week Paul & Amy break down the 2014 Sci-Fi action movie Edge of Tomorrow aka Live. Die. Repeat. aka All You Need is Kill. The two discuss Tom Cruise's rise in becoming the action star he is today, how incredible Emily Blunt is, and the film's brilliant combination of video gaming and war movie aesthetics. You can find Amy’s book, Anatomy of an Actor: Tom Cruise here: https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Cruise-Anatomy-Amy-Nicholson/dp/0714868019 And don’t forget to check your local library and the Li...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min
This week, Paul & Amy are breaking down the 1996 weather disaster movie Twister, starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton (not Pullman). The two chat about the link between Godzilla and Twister, this being the first movie to come out on DVD, and how dangerous it was to be on the set of this film. Plus: Paul and Amy break down the original Van Halen songs made for the Twister soundtrack. Next week we'll be continuing on with our Disaster Movie Summer with the 2014 film, Edge of Tomorrow aka Live. Die....
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Paul & Amy are baking the biggest cake in the world for Godzilla and congratulating him for finally winning an Academy Award after seven decades. The two praise the film for balancing “popcorn movie” energy while locking you into an emotional personal story. Paul marvels at the film only having 35 visual effects artists, and how director Takashi Yamazaki in an Ocean’s 11 style assembled his team, highlighting their specialties. Plus, Amy discovers the Spielberg and Jaws inspiration in the final ...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min
This week, Paul & Amy are breaking down the 1996 Will Smith disaster vehicle Independence Day. The two dig into what makes a great “popcorn movie,” why this movie still works, and this particular era of Jeff Goldblum box office "gold." Plus, Paul gives us a bonus breakdown of the 2016 sequel Independence Day: Resurgence. 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 takes! https://letterbox...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min
This week, Paul and Amy dig into the 2024 release Dune: Part Two, starring Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler and Zendaya. Paul reveals his disappointment with the movie while Amy stands up for the brilliance of the storytelling, and then the two dig into why Frank Herbert wrote Dune as a reaction to Lawrence of Arabia. Plus, Amy reveals questions omitted from her NYT interview with Dune director Denis Villeneuve about the Dune movies. Hint: It involves sex and what the sandworms poop out. You can...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min
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, the bad, and the indie. Paul proclaims Bad Boys: Ride or Die should have been called something else while wondering if Challengers was sexy enough, and Amy is not on board with this year's Garfield movie. Then, the two dive into a few indie movies like The People’s Joker, Late Night with the Devil, and Hundreds of Beavers. Plus, we announce this i...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 8 min
This week, Amy welcomes Sean Fennessey (Head of Content, The Ringer & The Big Picture Podcast) to discuss the 1957 film Sweet Smell of Success starring Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster. The two discuss the power of J.J. Hunsecker's journalism and the "ick" of the Sidney Falco PR machine in the film and how it parallels modern-day anxiety in today's entertainment industry. Plus, we learn the origins of the word Frenemy and this film's connection to the reality show, Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Milli...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 12 min
This week, Amy welcomes back comedian Jamie Loftus (Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) Podcast) to break down the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Amy reveals this was the first art house movie she ever saw in the theater, and the two discuss how this movie parallels Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa, and of course, they talk about the Thong Dress and the problem with Bob. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and A...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Amy & Paul race through 2015’s post-apocalyptic action masterwork Mad Max: Fury Road! They learn why director George Miller brought on feminist playwright Eve Ensler as an advisor, praise the film’s playful and careful worldbuilding, and ask whether Miller comes from the ‘tyrant’ school of directing. Plus: Witness young dating show contestant Tom Hardy! 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 m...
May 30, 2024•2 hr 51 min
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 and injuries that happened on set and how this untamed film is a necessary watch. We’re not a bad podcast, we’re sick! Meow! 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 takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamyni...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min
This week, Paul and Amy are delving into nostalgia as they analyze the 1985 film The Goonies. They discuss the collaboration between Richard Donner and Steven Spielberg and the film's frenetic energy, and wonder what Martha Plimpton was doing with that crab! Bonus: Paul reveals The Goonies' connection to Back To The Future! Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Out in stores on 5/20/24. Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 21 min
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 moms, and the trauma of menstruation, and to Amy’s dismay Paul reveals that he does NOT love this film. Next week, Paul and Amy will take a look at the 80's kids classic, The Goonies! Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Psycho, here: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/psycho/ You can join the conversation on Paul’s Disco...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 19 min
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 elevated action movie and discuss how Kathryn Bigelow helped launch Keanu Reeves into action stardom. Then, Paul asks if this movie is shaped around the “Female Gaze," and Amy fills us all in about the stunts in this movie and which Red Hot Chili Peppers member didn't take the stunt training seriously. Vaya con dios, friends. Next week, Paul and Amy ...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 15 min
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 Chalamet (sorry, no Zendaya in this one). The two talk about the beauty of the film's title, Guadagnino’s obsessive messiness, and the delicate CGI’ing of a certain actor's nether region. Plus, this movie has us all nostalgic over our first loves and our first heartbreaks. Next week, Paul and Amy take a look at the 1991 film, Point Break, in honor of...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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 Joaquin Phoenix, discuss the AI of it all, dig into all the messiness that is being in romantic relationships, and ask, “Was Scarlett Johansson acting as an avatar for the Jonze-Coppola divorce?”. Next week, Paul and Amy take a look at the film Call Me By Your Name, in honor of the release of Luca Guadagnino’s new film, Challengers. Check out this ...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 Coppola classic, Lost in Translation, starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. They dig into the themes of alienation and loneliness in the film, the visual style of Sofia Coppola, and how she has noted that this movie could never get made today. Plus as a special treat, Amy finds and shares a little-known Sofia Coppola Comedy Central show. You ca...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 16 min
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 Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. Amy and David question Cher’s character “jinx”, notice the moon woven into all the details of the film, and learn about Norman Jewison's fantasy headspace when making his films. So sit back and let the moon hit your eye! Next week, Amy will be chatting with Rico Gagliano from the Mubi Notebook Podcast and t...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 play turned Burning Man Christ film was shot in the Israeli desert, leaving everyone mystified by the budget’s lack of generosity in only affording the actors one set of costumes. Plus, why Ted Neeley was always the best fit for the role of Jesus, competing against John Travolta, John Lennon, and many others, and Paul and Amy share a little about ...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min
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, honoring our Oscars bet, Paul announces his removal of the film Intolerance from the Paul and Amy Institute list, much to Amy’s chagrin. Then, Paul and Amy dig into Moon, it being a “holy shit” movie in 2009, ponder how and what clones remember, and finally Amy makes the connection between this movie and space’s darling George Clooney and the hair-cut...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 11 min
This week Amy & Paul are eating potatoes while discussing the 2015 film The Martian, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott. They highlight the very grounded comedy throughout the film, draw comparisons between Mark Watney and Richard Hatch from Survivor, and respect that this film has no villains. Plus: This movie really makes us appreciate smart people being good at their jobs. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Duncan Jones’ film Moon! Check out this week's spotlight episode fr...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min
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 significant film of 2023 and could it win Best Picture?" and "should Killers of the Flower Moon and Poor Things be thirty minutes shorter?" Then, Paul and Amy challenge each other to get every Oscar category wrong, because they can’t help but to vote with their hearts. We invite you, the listener, to get the Oscars wrong with us! Download your Unspooled Gets...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 13 min
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 year 2021, Dune’s 2022 Oscar snub, ask “is this Beetlejuice?”, and dig into the undeniable influence Dune has had on Sci-Fi. You can read Amy Nicholson’s interview with Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/movies/dune-timothee-chalamet-villeneuve.html Jodorowsky’s Dune Documentary Trailer: https://www.youtube....
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 19 min
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 the lightness and good-time feel over previous winners with heavier meaning, and take in the chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford on screen that simply wasn’t true in real life. Plus: The “con” in “conman” is short for confidence. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Dune! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://disc...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 21 min
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 character and his emotional core to the consciousness of this movie, Amy Fisher’s “Long Island Lolita” influence, and how this film earned prestige with a modern feel at the time, while its legacy continues to fade. Plus: Is Lester Burnham just Edward Norton without Tyler Durden? Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about The Sting! You can join the conversat...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 23 min
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 Marvel reference to Salieri, and praise director Milos Forman for highlighting what made Mozart’s compositions endure. Plus: The phenomenon that inspired a smash novelty single. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about American Beauty! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight ep...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 26 min
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 adaptation, praise a sneakily scary Samuel L. Jackson performance, and discuss how this film, which initially befuddled critics expecting the next Pulp Fiction, became one of Tarantino’s most beloved works. Plus: was Sylvester Stallone really up for a role? Next week, Paul & Amy kick off a Best Picture winners series with Amadeus! You can join the conver...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 29 min
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 themselves so well to Hollywood adaptations, learn how Lopez's fearlessness made her the perfect match for Clooney, and ask if this is the Steven Soderbergh movie that deserves to go to space. Plus: How to have charisma like Clooney. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Jackie Brown! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://dis...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 15 min
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 Carvey, learn how Penelope Spheeris landed the directorial role after finding fame as a rock documentarian, and ask what sets this film apart from the rest of the SNL spinoffs. Plus: Right Said Fred, but acoustic. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Out Of Sight! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min
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 both CGI and practical effects, find parallels to Oppenheimer in the film’s depiction of a devastating scientific breakthrough, and ask why Linda Hamilton didn’t get an Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Connor. Plus: Danny Cooksey, the ultimate 90’s best friend. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Wayne’s World! You can join the conversation on Paul’s ...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min
