Unspooled

Paul and Amy bear it all for Ari Aster’s 2019 folk horror film Midsommar! They applaud the work of the entirely Swedish background cast, discuss the film’s accurate portrayal of grief, and reminisce about eating macaroni with ketchup while studying abroad in Sweden. Plus: A few thoughts on star Florence Pugh’s latest, Don’t Worry Darling.    Next week, our horror series continues with Hellraiser!...

In a bonus Unspooled this week, Amy & Paul chat about some of the best films they saw this summer, including a sci-fi spectacle, a maximalist rock star biopic and an unexpected Mel Brooks remake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul & Amy close the book on another year of Unspooled by deciding which films from the last season they're going to send to space! They debate the merits of Paul Verhoeven's twin masterpieces, weigh a heartfelt case to catapult the Jackass films into orbit, and add their first superhero film to the list. Plus: Producers Josh & Devon weigh in with their pleas for the films that can't be left behin...

Amy & Paul want to watch the world burn in 2008’s Christopher Nolan helmed Caped Crusader tale The Dark Knight! They discuss the parallels between this film and Nolan's beloved Heat, investigate how Harvey Dent's journey makes even more sense now than in 2008, ask whether Heath Ledger was actually having fun inhabiting The Joker. Plus: Remember Angel Heart?   Next week, tune in for our Season 3 fi...

Paul & Amy know the action is the juice in 1995’s Michael Mann cop vs. criminal showdown Heat! They learn how the “World War III” shootout sequence was created, ask if Amy Brenneman’s character is really in love with Robert De Niro’s Neil, and discuss Mann’s intense commitment to getting the details of his opus just right. Plus: Is there a divide between movie critics and movie fans?   Next week,...

Paul & Amy are gunning for 1949’s James Cagney gangster epic White Heat! They discuss the film’s influence on artists from Denzel to Madonna, praise the undersung career of director Raoul Walsh, and explore why the complex psychology of Cagney’s character Cody Jarrett was so unprecedented. Plus: Did the mob really put a hit out on Cagney during filming?   Next week, our Villains series continues w...

Scott Aukerman and Shaun Diston (from the "Scott Hasn't Seen" podcast on Comedy Bang Bang World) join Paul & Amy to talk about their favorite movies they came to late, including a hugely influential documentary, a slice of small-town life, and a couple of the most famous films of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy & Paul ride along with 2001’s Denzel Washington crooked cop potboiler Training Day! They praise Ethan Hawke’s brilliant, unshowy work, unpack Alonzo’s complicated plan, and discuss how Washington’s intensity and control elevate the material. Plus: How do you pronounce Denzel?   Next week, our Villains series continues with White Heat! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspoo...

Amy & Paul lean on the everlasting arms of 1955’s expressionist Southern Gothic The Night of the Hunter! They explore the film’s nightmarish imagery, speculate about the complicated writing process, and swap stories of Robert Mitchum’s eccentric reputation. Plus: Who did it better—the Reverend Harry Powell or Radio Raheem?   Next week, our Villains series continues with Training Day! You can join...

Paul & Amy can’t be ignored when discussing 1987’s hair-raising erotic thriller Fatal Attraction! They praise how casting an age-appropriate partner for Michael Douglas changed the power dynamic of their relationship, wonder if the different ‘stages’ of Glenn Close’s Alex ever truly cohere, and ask how director Adrian Lyne intended audiences to react to these characters. Plus: Was the attack in St...

Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary (from The Video Archives Podcast) join Paul & Amy for an unprecedented Unspooled crossover episode! The quartet cross swords with 1973's swashbuckling Alexandre Dumas adaptation The Three Musketeers, and its 1974 sequel, The Four Musketeers. They praise the star-studded cast (especially Oliver Reed and Faye Dunaway), admire director Richard Lester's comic approach...

Paul & Amy fight a new kind of war with 1997’s science fiction action film, Starship Troopers. They dissect the movie’s initially negative reception, show some love for Jake Busey, and consider the underappreciated high-wire act of cinematic satire. Plus: how close did Matt Damon really come to starring in Verhoeven’s film?   Next week, our Heroes series continues with two very special guests and...

Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger (hosts of the "Did You Get My Text?" podcast) each tell Paul & Amy three of their favorite romantic films, including a masterful French musical, a high-octane action comedy, and a star-studded showbiz satire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy & Paul get the future under control with 1987’s Paul Verhoeven dystopian action film RoboCop! They discover how Verhoeven satirized corporate America despite being completely new to American culture, analyze his technique of making violence comical by exaggerating it, and praise Peter Weller for finding the humanity inside the robot suit. Plus: a look back at James Caan’s career.   Next week,...

Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 1998’s vampiric superhero splatterfest Blade! They discuss how the film was found in the edit, dig deep into Wesley Snipes’ versatility as an actor, and examine the earliest attempts at establishing a Marvel cinematic universe. Plus: how LL Cool J almost played the iconic Daywalker.   Next week, our Heroes series continues with RoboCop! You can join the conversatio...

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...