Unspooled

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

Amy & Paul let it go for 2013's chilly Disney musical megahit Frozen! They praise the filmmakers' careful attention to all the varieties of snow, learn which character co-director Jennifer Lee couldn't stand, and ask whether Disney's "progressive" films are a positive step forward or just a way to generate thinkpieces. Plus: Reheating a Fargo debate!   Next week Unspooled's cold series continues w...

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.   Next week Unspooled returns to the snow for Frozen! You can join the conve...

Amy & Paul kidnap 1996's Coen Bros' untrue true-crime tale Fargo! They weigh the moral yin and yang of Marge Gunderson and Jerry Lundegaard, learn about a Japanese woman who took the opening title card a little too seriously, and debate if Fargo is the ultimate representative of what the Coens do best. Plus: William H. Macy told Joel Coen he would do *what* for this part?!   Next week Unspooled ta...

In honor of Sidney Poitier's passing, Unspooled is re-releasing this episode from the Unspooled archives. We'll be back with a new episode this Thursday.   Amy & Paul take a trip down South for 1967’s racially charged police thriller “In The Heat Of The Night!” They celebrate the excellent soundtrack, scrutinize how well the film holds up as a procedural, and take a close look at Sidney Poitier’s...

In honor of Peter Bogdonavich's passing, Unspooled is re-releasing this episode from the Unspooled archives. We'll be back with a new episode this Thursday.   Amy & Paul travel deep into the heart of 1971's Texan coming-of-age story The Last Picture Show! They ask who the film's true protagonist is, marvel at the murderer's row of incredible actors, and wonder if this was the key inspiration for t...

This week Unspooled is rereleasing our Season 1 episode on the Billy Wilder classic The Apartment. Stay tuned for a new episode (and new series) next week!   Amy & Paul check in to 1960's Billy Wilder-helmed romantic comedy The Apartment! They learn about the real life murder that inspired this story, ask if there's an actor like Jack Lemmon working today, and discover what Nikita Khruschev though...

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 Christmas films that inspired him.   You can join the conversation for this serie...

Amy & Paul stop time for 1999's reality-bending blockbuster The Matrix! They marvel at the preternatural shared mind of directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski, explore the political and social after-effects of the 'Matrix' concept, and ask each other whether they would take the red pill or the blue pill. Plus: What if this movie had starred Janet Jackson and Will Smith?   Next week Unspooled wraps up...

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 her essay "Shit Actually" that kicked off a critical re-evaluation of this m...

Paul & Amy feed 1986’s creature feature musical Little Shop of Horrors! They credit director Frank Oz for getting Audrey II’s physicality just right, dive into the career of Four Tops singer Levi Stubbs, and debate whether the heightened tone of the film feels more theatrical or more cinematic. Plus: A young Jack Nicholson’s astonishing cameo in the original Little Shop.   Next week Unspooled shak...