Unspooled

Amy & Paul bear their souls for 2017’s kind and polite comedy Paddington 2! They applaud Hugh Grant’s villainous turn, draw parallels to the physical comedy of Chaplin and Keaton, and analyze Paddington creator Michael Bond’s politically progressive writing. Plus: is Rocky Balboa the American Paddington Bear?   Next week, our Heroes series continues with Blade! You can join the conversation for th...

Amy & Paul go undercover for 1992’s explosive Jackie Chan martial arts adventure Supercop! They theorize about Hong Kong cinema’s influence on Hollywood action films, break down Michelle Yeoh’s legendary career, and praise the film’s staggeringly dangerous stunt work. Plus: did Tom Cruise steal his playbook from Chan?   Next week, our Heroes series continues with Paddington 2! You can join the con...

Paul & Amy rise up for 2022’s revolutionary Indian epic RRR! They learn the difference between Bollywood and the Telugu-language Tollywood scene, break down the “Naatu Naatu” dance scene, and praise the film’s commitment to emotional truth amidst the wild action. Plus: Who is director S.S. Rajamouli’s favorite non-Indian filmmaker?   Next week, our Heroes series continues with Supercop! You can jo...

Amy & Paul leap tall buildings for 1978's seminal superhero classic Superman! They learn about Christopher Reeve's fitness regimen, discuss how director Richard Donner and screenwriter Mario Puzo keep Superman relatable by making him low status, and embrace the romance that's rare in modern superhero films. Plus: does Clark Kent really have a snappy prose style?   Next week, our Heroes series cont...

On a bonus Unspooled this week, Paul & Amy discuss some of the most interesting films released in the last month - Top Gun: Maverick, the reboot of Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy & Paul head into the danger zone for 1986’s Tom Cruise flight school showdown Top Gun! They debate whether Maverick has a defined character arc, praise the charm of a young Meg Ryan, and piece together how this fit into Cruise’s budding movie star career. Plus: which cast members puked in the cockpit?   Next week, we finish Ani-May-Tion month with Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse! You can joi...

Paul & Amy take to the skies for 1992’s Hayao Miyazaki aeronautic adventure Porco Rosso! They learn about Miyazaki’s history and fascination with airplanes, discuss the meaning of the hero’s pig-headed curse, and get deep into porcine anatomy. Plus: How do the American actors do with the dub?   Next week, we’re taking a detour but staying in flight with the original Top Gun! You can join the conve...

Paul & Amy burrow into 2005’s Aardman claymation caper Wallace and Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit! They describe the painstaking work that went into every frame of this film, investigate the connection between the Were-Rabbit and Hammer horror films, and discover whether a rabbit has ever killed a person. Plus: hope you’re not feta-up with cheese puns!   Next week Ani-May-Tion month continue...

Paul & Amy slide into 1988’s cyberpunk anime crossover hit Akira! They praise the gamelan-influenced score, learn how the film’s bike races were influenced by post-WWII Tokyo culture, and ask whether this is the “Scarface” of anime. Plus: The eternal debate of subs vs dubs.   Next week we kick off a month of Ani-May-Tion month continues with Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of The Were-Rabbit! You can...

Amy & Paul podcast about podcasting about 2002’s head-spinning meta comedy Adaptation! They relate to Nicolas-Cage-as-Charlie-Kaufman’s inner monologue, learn what Robert McKee thought of his depiction in the film, and debate whether the third act makes or undermines the whole piece. Plus: Thoughts on Lily Tomlin’s career.   Next week we kick off a month of Ani-May-Tion with Akira! You can join th...

In a special Unspooled, Paul & Amy enlist Keith Phipps (author of "Age Of Cage") to narrow down which Nicolas Cage performances deserve to be sent to space. Tune in to find out which Cage film we'll cover this Thursday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul & Amy crush 1982's Arnold Schwarzenegger pulp fantasy Conan The Barbarian! They learn the purpose of the Wheel Of Pain, praise the operatic storytelling of Basil Poledouris's score, and try to pinpoint the moment where Arnold became a movie star. Plus: is Batman 1989 a kid's movie?   Next week we take a detour into the career of Nicolas Cage! You can join the conversation for this series on t...

Amy & Paul get grubby for 2001's fractured fairy tale Shrek! They discover how the film planted an anti-Disney flag in the mud, review its musical legacy from Smash Mouth to Hallelujah, and debate whether more family films should be just for kids instead of pandering to adults. Plus: Why did Nicolas Cage turn down the titular role?   Next week we wrap up our fantasy series with Conan The Barbarian...

Paul & Amy lead a quest through 1975's Arthurian sendup Monty Python And The Holy Grail! They discuss how the non-hierarchical structure of Python informed their spoof of monarchy and authority of all kinds, praise the troupe for creating an epic on a small budget, and explore the history of Camelot in America. Plus: how is Monty Python connected to Owen and Luke Wilson?   Next week Unspooled take...

Paul & Amy lose their heads for 2021's remixed medieval myth The Green Knight! They learn about the "real" King Arthur, praise Alicia Vikander's alluring dual role in the film, and untangle director David Lowery's knotty layers of symbolism. Plus: Breaking down the Oscars!   Next week Unspooled remains in the realm of Arthurian myth for Monty Python and the Holy Grail! You can join the conversatio...

Amy & Paul break down the past year in film on this Best Of 2021 special episode! They make cases for some of their favorite overlooked films from 2021, from an antic animated family comedy to a royal biopic turned horror film. Plus: a preview of the Oscars, and why this year's Oscar crop feels like it's playing it safe.   Next week we're taking your votes and covering one Oscar-snubbed film in de...

Paul & Amy strike a chord with 1993's Jane Campion gothic period drama The Piano! They praise Anna Paquin's highly naturalistic child performance, puzzle over Holly Hunter's character's true intentions, and discuss what makes this apparently traditionalist arthouse film 'punk rock.' Plus: thoughts on "The Batman."   Next week we look back on the films of 2021, and look ahead to the Oscars! You can...

Amy & Paul got the touch for 1997's seedy Valley epic Boogie Nights! They marvel at a young Paul Thomas Anderson's preternatural skill behind the camera, see echoes of Step Brothers in the chemistry between Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly, and discuss what makes a tracking shot great and not just showy. Plus: the technological shifts that sunk Dirk Diggler and enabled Anderson's rise.   Next week...

Put on your bat-headphones and tune in to this bonus episode of Unspooled as Paul and Amy break down every screen portrayal of the Dark Knight, from Adam West to a preview of Robert Pattinson's turn in Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022). Never fear, no bat-spoilers here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul & Amy hack through 1980's chilling Stanley Kubrick horror film The Shining! They learn why Stephen King hated Kubrick's adaptation of his story, weigh in on the many fan theories surrounding the film, and consider how both actor and director can shape the performances we see onscreen. Plus: is that thing in Room 237 a bear or a dog? Next week Unspooled begins our Oscar-themed series "The Cont...

In this bonus episode, Paul & Amy discuss the career and legacy of the late director and producer Ivan Reitman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul & Amy rulla ut the 2014 Swedish dramedy Force Majeure! They celebrate director Ruben Östlund’s dissection of masculinity and gender roles, learn whether men or women are actually more likely to survive disasters, and enjoy Östlund’s reenactment of the "worst cry ever." Plus: a Smörgåsbord of takes on the 2022 Oscar noms! Next week, our cold series concludes with The Shining! You can join the...

Paul & Amy catapult themselves into the daredevil Jackass franchise! They count off the elements that every film in the series shares, cringe through the bits they can't watch, and cherish the many moments of genuine cinematic beauty. Plus: Thoughts on the newest Jackass cast members. Next week Unspooled's cold series continues with Force Majeure! You can join the conversation for this series on t...

Amy & Paul serve up 2014’s Wes Anderson confection The Grand Budapest Hotel! They praise the inventive action scenes, contrast the different eras of Anderson’s career, and make the case for Gustave H. as Anderson’s best character. Plus: why Tony Revolori had to watch his figure! Next week Unspooled takes a detour for Jackass! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook...

Brian Cox (Succession, Zodiac, Adaptation) talks to Paul and Amy about three of his favorite films, including a medieval musical comedy and a British kitchen-sink drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices