Unspooled

Paul and Amy step into the cinema confessional with Nicole Byer as she spills on being a proud talker during movies, why she prefers “dirty” character actors over glossy realism, and untangles her complicated relationship with the Fast & Furious saga. Follow Nicole @nicolebyer on Instagram Listen to “Why Won’t You Date Me?” at https://headgum.com/why-wont-you-date-me-with-nicole-byer  You can join...

Paul and Amy hop the train to Vienna to revisit Before Sunrise, Richard Linklater’s ode to chance encounters and conversations that stretch until dawn. They unpack the film’s naturalistic dialogue, roaming long takes, and the electric chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, to explore how Jesse and Céline’s fleeting connection feels both impossibly romantic and deeply real. Go to https://su...

Paul and Amy sit down to celebrate the incomparable life and career of Catherine O’Hara, whose brilliance shaped comedy for more than five decades. From her fearless work on SCTV to iconic turns in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and her late-career renaissance on Schitt’s Creek, they reflect on her unmatched versatility, emotional precision, and the indelible characters that made her one of a kind. Lear...

Paul and Amy take on Brazil, Terry Gilliam’s surreal warning about authoritarianism, paperwork, and the cost of losing one’s imagination. They trace the film’s roots in Gilliam’s own experiences, his battles with studio power, and the creative compromises that nearly reshaped it to examine why Brazil remains one of cinema’s most enduring dystopias. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s...

Paul and Amy step backstage with Shakespeare in Love, to exploring how a troubled production and last-minute casting changes led to one of the most debated Oscar victories of all time. They chat about Judi Dench’s scene-stealing performance, the film's playful blending of romance and literary myth, and the role awards campaigns play in shaping a film's legacy. You can join the Unspooled conversati...

Paul and Amy take a deep breath and revisit Uncut Gems, examining Adam Sandler’s career-best performance as a man who just can’t stop pushing his luck. They unpack the film’s jittery score, its fraught production and awards-season snub, and the lineage of anxious filmmaking that makes every bet feel like life or death. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg...

Reel talk: Sarah Marshall has movie opinions, and she’s ready to spill. Paul and Amy sit down with the You’re Wrong About co-host to discuss comfort watches, cinematic misfires, horror nerds, and the strange joy of learning history from films that are “educational-ish.” Check out Sarah’s new show The Devil You Know at https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/Hcq2dg  You can also stream You’re Wrong Ab...

Paul and Amy pack their pockets with tots and revisit Napoleon Dynamite, looking at the film's offbeat performances, DIY production, and how this quirky slice of Idaho life spawned memes, merch, and a forever spot in cult comedy history. 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! ht...

Paul and Amy unsheathe Kill Bill, Tarantino’s blood-soaked revenge epic that fused global genre cinema into something unmistakably his own. They trace The Bride’s evolution from concept to icon, unpack the film’s explosive choreography and stylized violence, and wrestle with the complicated legacy behind its creation. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/...

Paul and Amy dig into Variety’s list of the 100 greatest comedies of all time, celebrating the highs, questioning the rankings, and debating what makes a movie truly funny. From The Naked Gun taking the top spot to spirited discussions around Some Like It Hot, Annie Hall, Groundhog Day, and The Great Dictator, they unpack the list’s surprises, omissions, and the impossible challenge of ranking com...

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? You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul...

Paul and Amy ring in the holidays with The Muppet Christmas Carol, celebrating the Muppets’ heartfelt take on Dickens, the film’s joyful performances, and the craftsmanship that made it a cozy holiday fave. They also reflect on the movie’s deeper emotional resonance in the years following Jim Henson’s passing, and why this Muppet classic continues to mean so much at Christmastime. You can join the...

Over the weekend, the film world lost one of its greatest storytellers with the passing of Rob Reiner. In this special episode of Unspooled, Paul and Amy come together to celebrate Reiner’s extraordinary legacy, from his pitch-perfect understanding of characters and comedy to the heartfelt humanity that ran through his films. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul and Amy welcome Molly Lambert to Reel Confessions, where she gets candid about her film hot takes. From what people should and shouldn't eat in the theater to unpopular opinions on Charlie Sheen's acting, they truly discuss it all. 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! htt...

Paul and Amy step into the shadowy hallways of Brick, exploring how Rian Johnson fused hard-boiled noir with high school drama to create one of the most striking debuts of the 2000s. They also delve into Johnson’s meticulous planning, the film’s tight-budget and ingenuity, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s transformative performance. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://di...

Paul and Amy stay classy as they revisit Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, exploring how Will Ferrell and Adam McKay transformed a kooky idea about local news into a comedy landmark. They dig into the film’s improvisational energy, stacked cast, and reflect on how Anchorman helped launch a new era of American comedy. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord...

Happy Thanksgiving from Unspooled! Paul and Amy celebrate Thanksgiving by ranking cinema’s most disastrous families to spend the holidays with. They revisit the Torrances, the Sawyers, the Tenenbaums, and the deeply unsettling brood of Dogtooth to determine who would ruin dinner fastest. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy...

In the first episode of Reel Confessions, Paul and Amy sit down with Kareem Rahma to unpack his cinematic past. They touch on his first illicit R-rated watch, the strange ethics of “premium” movie theaters, and the almost spiritual journey of seeing emotionally devastating films on a plane. You can find Kareem @kareem, @subwaytakes, and @keepthemeterrunnin You can join the Unspooled conversation o...

Paul and Amy ease on down the road with The Wiz, exploring its star-studded performances, ambitious set production, and how this all-Black reimagining of Oz became a cultural touchstone despite a less than stellar initial box-office run. 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! ht...

Amy & Paul zoom at 88 miles per hour into 1985's Robert Zemeckis time travel comedy Back To The Future! They ask why Eric Stoltz wasn't the right choice for Marty McFly, discuss the film's critique of Reaganomics, and debate whether Steven Spielberg has had too much influence on our brains. Plus: Was the DeLorean originally supposed to be a fridge? You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s...

Paul and Amy take aim at Prey, dissecting its bold reimagining of the Predator mythos, the stripped-down approach that sets it apart from the average sequel, and how the film brings new life and meaning to an iconic universe. 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://letter...

Paul and Amy step into the dark with The Conjuring, unpacking the Warrens’ James Wan’s slow-burn scares, the real-life horror that inspired the film, and Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s uncanny chemistry. 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...

Paul and Amy crack open Misery, where Rob Reiner turns Stephen King’s nightmare of fame and obsession into a masterclass in tension. They unpack Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning turn as Annie Wilkes, James Caan, and what the film says about fandom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein on the horizion and spooky season in full swing, Paul and Amy dive into the mythical world of Pan's Labyrinth. They explore how they'd manage with eyeballs on their hands, how del Toro's upbringing shaped his unique vision of the world, and his knack for exploring political ideas through fairytales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

Over the weekend news broke that Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton passed away. Paul and Amy pay tribute to her remarkable legacy by celebrating her unforgettable films, fearless independence, distinctive style, and unwavering individuality that defined her career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices