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, coming of age at the height of Madonna's stardom, and why Michael Douglas is the archetypal erotic thriller star. For much more on these topics, listen to Karina's Erotic 90s series, out now on the You Must Remember This feed. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching What We Do In The Shadows! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Disco...
Apr 20, 2023•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 why director Sam Raimi owes his career to Stephen King, and discuss why this film still feels anarchic and dangerous. Plus: The origin of the Wilhelm Scream. Next week, Karina Longworth of You Must Remember This joins us for a Top 3! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 . Learn more about the sho...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy and Paul sing the praises of Robert Rodriguez’s low-budget action breakthrough El Mariachi! They go to ten minute film school with Rodriguez, learn about the unexpected bidding war over the film, and ask why filmmakers from Texas are so good at working outside the Hollywood system. Plus: How many ingredients are needed for a proper breakfast taco? Next week, tune in as we watch Evil Dead II! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 . Le...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 favorite films, including a demonic horror masterpiece and a widescreen WWII epic. 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: https://siriusxm.com/unspooled .
Apr 04, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Bruges to other hitman films of the era, and discuss how the contrast between Colin Farrell’s offensive dialogue and redemptive arc messes with the audience’s sympathies. Plus: how do you master eyebrow acting? Next week, tune in as we watch El Mariachi! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 . L...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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, praise the careful world building of directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, and debate the best fight in the series. Plus: What would you do if someone killed your pet in front of you? Next week, tune in as we discuss In Bruges! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 . Learn more about the sh...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy weigh in on the latest franchise entries following our recent episodes, including discussions of how Jonathan Majors fits into the Creed universe, whether Steven Soderbergh got the tone of the third Magic Mike right, and how Hayden Panettiere fares in her return to Scream. 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: https://siriusxm.com/unspooled ....
Mar 17, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul go toe to toe with 2015's hit pugilist lega-sequel Creed! They learn how Sylvester Stallone agreed to pass the torch of his most famous franchise to Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, explore Jordan's relationship with Tessa Thompson, and ask if Rocky's final fate in the film was earned. Plus: Some Rocky-inspired thoughts on aging. Next week, tune in as we discuss John Wick! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 . Learn more ...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 nominees, share their thoughts on the year in blockbusters and streaming films, and ask the big question - are the movies back? Plus: A high stakes Oscar wager. Next week, tune in as we discuss Creed! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 . Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com , follow ...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 with a brand new episode! 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. Ge...
Mar 09, 2023•2 hr 51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul & Amy enjoy a Winky Dinky Dog and watch 1987's audacious sketch satire Hollywood Shuffle! They explore the multifaceted career of star and director Robert Townsend, put the film in context of black cinema in the 80s, and ask why Townsend's critiques of Hollywood are relevant 35 years later. Plus: Eddie Murphy's surprising reaction to the film's Eddie Murphy sketch. Next week, we look back at the films of 2022 and preview the Oscars! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Di...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 listening to his new history miniseries Hell On Earth, including a Puritan horror folktale and a medieval breakthrough from a master satirist. Will announces his own upcoming miniseries and highlights three films on rails to help get into "movie mindset." Listen to both shows at patreon.com/chapotraphouse . Next week, tune in as we discuss Hollywood Shuf...
Feb 23, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 more than sex, ask who the franchise's hottest character is, and explore what makes Channing Tatum such a generational talent. Plus: plenty of love for the super-sized follow up, Magic Mike XXL. Next week, tune in for a Top 3 crossover episode... You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Smriti Mundhra (Indian Matchmaking, The Romantics) talks to Paul and Amy about her three favorite Hindi-language romantic films, how romance became a blockbuster genre in India, and how she feels about the term ‘Bollywood.’ Watch The Romantics on Netflix, out today! 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: https://siriusxm.com/unspooled .
Feb 14, 2023•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul open up 2004's decades-spanning romance The Notebook! They praise the effortless chemistry of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, learn how James Garner prepared (or didn't prepare) for his role, and ask why we don't see more pure romances like this. Plus: Did Gosling and McAdams really fall in love on set? Next week, tune in as we cover Magic Mike! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast , and on P...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 aged, learn about the incident that happened to director Paul Haggis that inspired the film, and revisit the short-lived Crash TV series. Plus: Should Brokeback Mountain have won Best Picture instead? Next week, tune in as we cover Magic Mike! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/gro...
Feb 02, 2023•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy and Paul react to the 2023 Oscar nominations in a bonus Unspooled. We'll be back on Thursday with Crash! 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: https://siriusxm.com/unspooled .
Jan 27, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 on the fate of Luke Skywalker, praise the film's illustrations of the nature of heroism, and ask if this is up there with the very best of Star Wars. Plus: The origins of porgs. Next week, tune in as we cover 2004's Crash! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcas...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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, discuss the film's many connections to The Wizard Of Oz, and ask why we're collectively obsessed with the dark underbelly of everyday life. Plus: What Dennis Hopper role was a 'spiritual sequel' to Frank Booth? Next week, tune in as we cover The Last Jedi! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.fac...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul peel the layers of Chantal Akerman’s minimalist homebound masterwork Jeanne Dielman! They praise the way Akerman trains her audience to pay attention to tiny details, debate whether the controversial ending was necessary, and ask what the film’s recent ascendancy to the top of Sight & Sound’s greatest films list says about how we live today. Plus: The truth about Tony Orlando and Dawn. Next week, tune in as we discuss Blue Velvet! You can join the conversation for this series on the U...
Jan 12, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 favorite holiday episodes! Paul & Amy cross the pond for 2003’s Christmas romantic comedy smash Love Actually! They dissect director Richard Curtis’s curious understanding of love, learn the fates of each character in the 2017 sequel short, and watch deleted scenes that would have introduced even more plots into the film. Plus: Lindy West discusses ...
Jan 05, 2023•3 hr 47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 favorite holiday episodes! 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 Chris...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 the film, learn why Frank Sinatra was originally considered to play John McClane, and explore why this film succeeds where legions of imitators have failed. Plus: we settle the "Christmas movie" debate once and for all. Next week, tune in as we discuss Die Hard! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https:/...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul upload their consciousness into 2009’s otherworldly sci-fi spectacle Avatar! They confirm the concept of ‘unobtanium’ wasn’t invented by the film, learn which movie stars were up for the role of Jake Sully, and ask themselves why they feel protective of director James Cameron. Plus: did Cameron really insist the Na’Vi need to have breasts? Next week, tune in as we discuss Die Hard! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.co...
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amy & Paul reconcile their duality with 2010's Darren Aronofsky ballet thriller Black Swan! They dissect Natalie Portman's full-bodied transformative performance, praise the subtly stunning visual effects, and float three theories for what really happens at the film's end. Plus: What does a swan really sound like? Next week, tune in as we cover the original Avatar! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast , ...
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. 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: https://siriusxm.com/unspooled .
Dec 07, 2022•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Susan Sarandon had in the production, ask if the movie’s portrayal of men is cartoonish, and reveal the alternate ending that left audiences furious. Plus: can you imagine this film without Brad Pitt? Next week, tune in as we cover Black Swan! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups...
Dec 01, 2022•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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, address the hot streak that John Hughes was on at the time (11 films in five years!), and analyze Hughes’ unmatched ability to capture the full range of John Candy. Plus: was Elton John supposed to write a song for this movie? Next week, tune in as we get back on the road for Thelma and Louise! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspo...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul and Amy receive their license to kill with 2006’s intense James Bond reinvention Casino Royale! They discuss the online controversy surrounding the first blonde Bond, contemplate a Daniel Craig-shaped popsicle, and compare Martin Campbell’s work launching both the Brosnan and Craig eras of Bond. Plus: how to make a Vesper Martini! Next week, tune in as we discuss Planes, Trains, and Automobiles! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.fac...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paul and Amy get groovy, baby with Jay Roach’s 1997 spy spoof Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery! They discover the origin story of Powers’ grotesque teeth, praise the film’s effective set and costume design, and discuss how the movie is stranger and more specific than a simple Bond parody. Plus: Did Mike Myers steal his Dr. Evil character? Next week, our spy series continues with Casino Royale! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
