Unspooled

Put on your sunglasses—it’s time to see reality for what it truly is. Paul and Amy are rewinding the clock to 1988 to explore John Carpenter’s cult classic, They Live. Join them as they unpack how the film offers a sharp critique on Reagan-era America, reflects Carpenter’s political perspective, and why Carpenter wrote the script under a pseudonym. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s...

The summer movie season brought the heat with unexpected hits, shocking flops, and plenty of surprises — and Paul and Amy are here to break it all down with their hottest takes. They talk about how Fantastic Four pulled Marvel out of its slump, dissect Pixar’s worst box office opening ever, and much more. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Fo...

With a reboot on the horizon, Paul and Amy revisit the 1988 slapstick classic The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!. From the creators of Airplane!, they explore how this team transformed a short-lived TV series into a beloved comedy franchise and in the process, helped invent a new species of cinematic comedy that left it's mark on culture. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul...

Very nice! Amy and Paul dive deep into the influential and controversial 2006 film Borat. They discuss its place on major film lists, its impact on comedy and American culture, and the unique challenges faced during its production. The episode features a special interview with Borat director Larry Charles, who shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the making of the film. You can join...

There are summer blockbuster...and then there are summer flops. So this week, Paul and Amy take a plunge into the 1995 disaster, Waterworld. Stick around until the end, where they're joined by journalist and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, who has his own personal connection to Hollywood misfires. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and A...

With James Gunn’s Superman on the horizon, Paul and Amy revisit their 2022 episode on the movie that started it all—Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman. They look back at how Superman has evolved over the years, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re hoping (and worried) about when it comes to the new take on the Man of Steel. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://d...

With July 4th just around the corner, Amy and Paul are getting into the patriotic spirit by revisiting the 1997 high altitude thriller Air Force One. They dive into how Harrison Ford wasn’t the original choice to play the president, discuss how the film holds up today, and Amy’s real-life trip to Kazakhstan. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6...

The New York Times unveiled their 100 best films of the 21st century last week and Amy and Paul are weighing in. In this mini episode, they unpack what they found to be bold choices, the snubs, and what left them scratching their heads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With F1: The Movie hitting theaters this weekend, Paul and Amy are putting the pedal to the metal as they revisit the Wachowskis’ 2008 Speed Racer. They dive into how the film transformed from a box office flop to a cultural hit, explore its hyper-stylized visuals, and give some context on the chimpanzee. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that...

Hot on the heels of Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, Paul and Amy are bracing for the zombie apocalypse with a deep dive into 28 Days Later. They explore the film’s parallels to COVID-19 and 9/11 and reveal how Stephen King once bought out 800 tickets on opening night. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign...

Amy’s back from Cannes, and this week, she and Paul are hitting the road with the 1995 comedy Tommy Boy. They dig into the behind-the-scenes tension between David Spade and Chris Farley, that it's one of Quentin Tarantino's favorite ’90s comedies, and how Farley’s tragic early death meant his full talent never truly got the spotlight it deserved. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the...

It's almost the 25th anniversary of one of the most iconic queer films ever made, so this week we're diving into But I'm a Cheerleader. With Amy still out on assignment in Cannes, Paul is joined by comedian Jeff Hiller and star of the cult classic, Clea DuVall. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up n...

With Amy off on assignment in Cannes, we naturally had to call in some reinforcements—so this week, we're joined by Jon Gabrus, Ben Rodgers, and Ryan Stanger, a.k.a. the Action Boyz, to dive into John Wick: Chapter 4. We’re talking about what we loved, what didn’t quite hit for us, and whether there’s a real rivalry brewing between Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise. You can join the Unspooled conversati...

With Memorial Day around the corner, we're kicking off the summer movie season with the 2001 comedy classic, Wet Hot American Summer. Amy and Paul discuss the difficult process of getting the film put together, how it altered the directions of everyone's careers, and their own personal connections to summer camp. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/Zwtyg...

Amy and Paul grab their ice picks this week, as they get into the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct. They chat about the controversy the film stirred up with LGBT activists, break down that iconic interrogation scene, and talk about how Sharon Stone waited years for her breakout role. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy o...

We're turning the clock way back, and Amy and Paul are exploring the 1946 classic The Big Sleep. They discuss the electric chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, the film’s influence on The Big Lebowski, and how the writers sidestepped the old Hollywood production code. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on L...

It’s been 45 years since The Empire Strikes Back hit us with one of the most iconic twists in movie history, so Amy and Paul are hopping in the Millennium Falcon and heading to a galaxy far, far away. This week, they talk about how Mark Hamill struggled as the only human on set, the impact it had on movies, and why R2-D2 can be a little bit annoying. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul...

Amy and Paul are switching things up this week! They’re taking a spoiler-free look at what’s hitting theaters right now, spotlighting two of the biggest releases: Sinners (directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan) and A Minecraft Movie (featuring Jason Momoa and Jack Black). They dig into the surprising heart behind Minecraft, how Sinners defied expectations, and why both films are...

Amy and Paul choose life this week by visiting the 1996 British black comedy-drama, Trainspotting. They discuss Iggy Pop's reaction to the film, Amy's favorite Scottish dish, and Ewan McGregors dive into the filthiest toilet in Scotland.. 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! h...

In the spirit of Easter Sunday, Amy and Paul dive into the Monty Python classic Life of Brian. They chat about the Beatles' surprising role in getting the film made, the controversy it stirred up, and how it ultimately became a massive hit. 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!...

Amy and Paul are chatting about the movie that really shifted how people saw director Ang Lee—Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. They dive into the intense training Michelle Yeoh went through, how they brought in choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, and the lasting impact the film has had on cinema. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy...

Amy and Paul dive into the wild and inventive world of Being John Malkovich, the film that really put writer Charlie Kaufman on the map. The two discuss John Malkovich's hesitancy to join the film, how director Spike Jonze came across Kaufman's script, and that the film’s original ending involved a Harry Truman puppet. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg...

This week Amy and Paul break down the 1990 iconic romantic comedy, Pretty Woman. They talk about how it was originally penned as a serious drama, that Richard Gere wasn’t initially interested in the role, and how it made Julia Roberts a star. 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 take...

Amy and Paul dive into the 2005 March Movie Madness winner, The 40-Year-Old Virgin. They discuss Universal's buyer's remorse, concerns over Steve Carell's "serial killer" appearance, and how director Judd Apatow nailed the film's tone. 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! http...

This week, Amy and Paul are throwing their hats in the ring for their own Movie Madness Bracket: 2005 edition. Instead of rewatching all 8 films, they're judging based on which films they think had the biggest impact on pop culture. Which 2005 film will take the crown? Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/  https://letterboxd.com/th...