Paul & Amy reach out to 1997's Robert Zemeckis extraterrestrial encounter film Contact! They learn about the long journey Carl Sagan's story took to the screen, ask whether Matthew McConaughey's character is too daffy, and debate the existence of God and aliens. Plus: How did they get Bill Clinton to cameo? Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Alien! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast , an...
Jun 10, 2021•2 hr 40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul totally get into 1995's Jane-Austen-in-high-school comedy Clueless! They discuss what makes this a perfect Emma adaptation, learn which actor's mistake director Amy Heckerling intentionally kept in the film, and play a Paul Rudd themed guessing game. Plus: Ronna Glickman (Jessica Chaffin) dishes out some love advice. (This episode originally aired live on YouTube as part of Unspooled’s “Spool Party” series.) Next week Unspooled's space series WILL resume with Contact! You can join the...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The hosts of the George Lucas Talk Show (Connor Ratliff, Griffin Newman and Patrick Cotnoir) reenact a scene from "Ewoks: The Battle For Endor," defend Rise Of Skywalker, and pitch a new Star Wars prequel in this all-Lucas episode of Screen Test! This episode was originally released as part of our Premium game show series Screen Test; to hear more, just sign up for Stitcher Premium at stitcher.com/premium and use the promo code UNSPOOLED for one month free. Get access to all the podcasts you lov...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy dance on the keys for 1988's Tom Hanks body swap comedy Big! They discuss the unique perspective director Penny Marshall brought to the film's romantic scenes, play some of their favorite oddball Hanks cameos, and ask how Josh's experience would go on to shape his real adulthood. Plus: Lauren Lapkus shares why this is her favorite film. (This episode originally aired live on YouTube as part of Unspooled’s “Spool Party” series.) You can join the conversation for our space film series o...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy beam aboard 1999's TV sci-fi satire Galaxy Quest! They discuss how fandom has changed over the last 20 years, learn about an in-joke that inspired the villain's name, and debate whether Tim Allen was the right choice for the Shatner-esque lead role. Plus: Paul shares his secret history with this film. 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://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6...
May 13, 2021•2 hr 44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul set a course for 1902's seminal space short A Trip To The Moon (aka Le Voyage dans la Lune)! They dissect it as a work of imperialist satire, learn more about director Georges Méliès, and listen to a modern score made for the film by Air. Plus: Which films will we cover for the rest of our space series? Next week our galactic trip continues with Galaxy Quest! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodca...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy take on 1994's groundbreaking high school basketball documentary Hoop Dreams! They compare the look of the film to slick modern docs, look at the subtle ways director Steve James contrasts his two subjects, and learn what stars Arthur and William are doing today. Plus: how Siskel & Ebert's advocacy for the film unveiled an Oscar scandal. Next week, we begin our discussion of films set in space with A Trip To The Moon, and start the conversation on which films should be part of the ser...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy break down Nomadland, Mank, Judas & The Black Messiah, and all the Best Picture nominees before this year's Academy Awards! They discuss which movies looked too depressing to tackle during a pandemic (and which are less depressing than you'd think), ask why the Best Picture and Best Director nominations aren't one and the same, and give their predictions for the big category winners (and the shorts of course). Plus: some of their favorites from 2020 that didn't get nominations! Next w...
Apr 22, 2021•2 hr 57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul hit a grand slam for 1992's Penny Marshall baseball comedy A League Of Their Own! They make the case this is a film about female friendship as much as a sports movie, dig into the camaraderie between Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell, and ask what was really going through Dottie's head in the final game. Plus: Amy met a Rockford Peach! This is the fifth episode of our Underdogs series; next week tune in for our preview of the 2020 Oscars! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com , foll...
Apr 15, 2021•2 hr 56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy run through 1981's Olympic track drama Chariots of Fire! They learn why this is Joe Biden's favorite film, ask if this thoroughly British story was at all jazzed up for American audiences, and compare the arcs of individual sports like running to the team sports they've covered so far. Plus: How composer Vangelis fought to get his iconic theme in the film. This is the fourth episode of our Underdogs series; next week’s film is A League Of Their Own! Learn more about the show at unspoo...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy slide through 1993's Jamaican bobsledding comedy Cool Runnings! They learn which parts of the script were true and which were exaggerated for the film, praise John Candy's generous straight man performance, and ask whether formula is always a bad thing in filmmaking. Plus: Doug E. Doug (Sanka Coffie) recalls talking the production team out of some bad ideas. This is the third episode of our Underdogs series; next week’s film is Chariots Of Fire! Learn more about the show at unspooledp...
Apr 01, 2021•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy tackle 1971's football integration melodrama Brian's Song! They learn why Burt Reynolds ultimately wasn't cast in the James Caan role, praise the film's use of real game footage, and discuss why it all works despite often feeling like an after school special. Plus: what makes Brian's Song a famous 'guy-cry?' This is the second episode of our Underdogs series; next week’s film is Cool Runnings! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com , follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagra...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul double team 1986's Gene Hackman basketball drama Hoosiers! They praise the film for capturing the realism of small town life, dissect what makes films based on true stories successful, and ask whether Hackman is actually a good coach. Plus: How does Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar nominated score hold up? This is the first episode of our Underdogs series; next week's film is Brian's Song! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com , follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledp...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy and Paul sit down with Mark Harris, author of "Mike Nichols: A Life," to discuss the career of the famed director of films like "The Graduate" and "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?", and the insights Harris uncovered by diving into his life and work. Next week, movie discussion resumes, as we kick off our Underdogs series on real-life-inspired sports films with Hoosiers! Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this...
Mar 11, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul fight for 1987's Rob Reiner meta-fairytale The Princess Bride! They discuss what makes Reiner's films stand out, listen to Cary Elwes' Marlon Brando impression, and ask if this is a perfect example of an 'everything' film. Plus: some Andre The Giant stories you won't believe. This is the final episode of the Couple Goals series; next week we kick off Underdogs, our series on true-life sports films, with Hoosiers! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com , follow us on Twitter @un...
Mar 04, 2021•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy can’t quit 2005’s groundbreaking gay romance Brokeback Mountain. They analyze how the beginning and ending shots of the film mirror each other, ask why so much early coverage of the film felt tone deaf, and praise all four central performances as the emergence of a new generation of great actors. Plus: What makes Ang Lee one of our greatest living directors. You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 and check out Paul's Substack https://substack....
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul alley-oop 2000's Gina Prince-Bythewood athletic romance Love And Basketball! They discover the impact this film made on WNBA players like Candace Parker, learn why Sanaa Lathan had to prove she was up for the lead role, and ask if a childhood argument foreshadows the central couple's turbulent relationship. Plus: Why did the love scene almost get cut by the MPAA? This is the sixth episode in our Couple Goals series; next week’s film is Brokeback Mountain! Learn more about the show at ...
Feb 18, 2021•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Paul & Amy can’t forget 2004’s mind-melting romance Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind! They learn why director Michel Gondry asked Jim Carrey not to improvise, discuss the charm of practical affects, dish on a character cut from the film, and ask if this couple is really meant to be together. Plus: learn which rap superstar was heavily inspired by the movie! This is the fifth episode in our Couple Goals series; next week’s film is Love And Basketball! You can join the conversation...
Feb 11, 2021•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast On a bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy discuss 2020's thorny modern revenge story Promising Young Woman! They praise the film's tonal balancing act and subversion of audience expectations, view Cassie's story through the prism of the misogynist pop culture of the 00s, and listen to highlights from Amy's conversation with director Emerald Fennell and star Carey Mulligan. Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link...
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul are infatuated with 1951's tragic love triangle A Place In The Sun! They hear Elizabeth Taylor explain how watching Montgomery Clift helped make her a real actress, ask what makes George Stevens a great director, and discuss how the film expertly toys with the viewer's sympathy. Plus: an infamous Tonight Show moment with Shelley Winters. This is the fourth episode in our Couple Goals series; next week’s film is Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind! Learn more about the show at unspoo...
Feb 04, 2021•2 hr 43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy relive 1993's Bill Murray time loop comedy Groundhog Day! They learn about the tempestuous relationship between Murray and director Harold Ramis, read an excerpt from the original script, and compare the film to another magical realist classic, It's A Wonderful Life. Plus: Just how long was Phil stuck in that loop anyways? This is the third episode in our Couple Goals series; next week’s film is Groundhog Day...er, actually it's A Place In The Sun! Learn more about the show at unspool...
Jan 28, 2021•2 hr 49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy dream of 1994's Wong Kar-wai romantic diptych Chungking Express! They look at Wong's influence on modern auteurs like Quentin Tarantino and Barry Jenkins, trace a metaphor through the film for a Hong Kong in transition, and ask why it was considered "too MTV" by some contemporary critics. Plus: What does this film have in common with Final Fantasy VIII? This is the second episode in our Couple Goals series; next week’s film is Groundhog Day! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.c...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul go to the airport for 1989's quintessential romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally! They learn how director Rob Reiner helped Meg Ryan prepare for the orgasm scene, ask why Harry Connick Jr. doesn't appear in the film, and discuss whether the film's ending undermines the message that men and women can be just friends. Plus: Highlights from the scenes that didn't make the theatrical cut. This is the first episode in our Couple Goals series; next week's film is Chungking Express! Learn mo...
Jan 14, 2021•2 hr 42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy highway into Yorgos Lanthimos' jarring family parable Dogtooth! They learn how audiences around the world interpreted the film differently, discuss how parents can radically shape their children's world, and lament that more American films don't use Lanthomos' method of high allegory. Plus: A snippet of the younger sister's real-life art punk band. This is the final episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week we kick off "Couple Goals" with When Harry Met Sally!...
Jan 07, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul break into 1990's abandoned child comedy phenomenon Home Alone! They praise John Candy as the film's MVP, learn why Joe Pesci was tougher to wrangle on set than any of the child actors, and debate whether Kevin McCallister is a sociopath. Plus: A look at how Macaulay Culkin has responded to the film's success as an adult. This is the seventh episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; our next film, as voted on by Unspooled listeners, is Dogtooth! We'll be taking next wee...
Dec 24, 2020•2 hr 49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul say hello to 2019's Chinese-American family reunion The Farewell! They praise director Lulu Wang's use of motion, discover how Awkwafina won the dramatic lead role despite being best known as a rapper and comedian, and learn about the real fake mourners common at Chinese funerals. Plus: What's that familiar song covered in the end credits? This is the sixth episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week’s film is Home Alone! Learn more about the show at unspooledpo...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're releasing this episode of our Premium game show series Screen Test with Paul & Amy for free! To listen to more Screen Test, just sign up for Stitcher Premium - you can go to stitcher.com/premium and use the promo code UNSPOOLED for one month free. In this holiday-themed episode, contestants Bill, Amanda and Alex attempt to say something nice about Cats, act out Arnold Schwarzenegger looking for a Baby Yoda toy, and pitch the next great Hanukkah movie. Get access to all the podcasts you lov...
Dec 15, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode, Paul & Amy complete the Unspooled Godfather trilogy by watching "The Godfather, Coda: The Death Of Michael Corleone," director Francis Ford Coppola's new edit of The Godfather Pt. III. They also talk to Talia Shire, star of "The Godfather" and "Rocky" franchises, about all things "The Godfather", how she reapproached the character of Connie Corleone and which film she would like to see blasted into space. You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.g...
Dec 11, 2020•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy invite themselves over to 1967's Sidney Poitier "meet the parents" dramedy Guess Who's Coming To Dinner! They praise the movie's light touch with then-controversial social issues like interracial marriage, compare the film to early mainstream gay comedies like The Birdcage, and listen to a posthumous letter star Katharine Hepburn wrote to Spencer Tracy. Plus: Every sitcom with an episode title inspired by this film. This is the fifth episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up famil...
Dec 10, 2020•2 hr 41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul move back in with 2001's Wes Anderson family reunion piece The Royal Tenenbaums! They ask if Anderson is sneakily a great director of actors, posit that Ben Stiller is the true heart of the movie, and discuss whether the female Tenenbaums are well served by their storylines. Plus: Which other legendary actor was considered to play Royal Tenenbaum? This is the fourth episode in our Kinspooled series on “effed up families”; next week’s film is Guess Who's Coming To Dinner! Learn more ab...
Dec 03, 2020•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
