This week Paul & Amy break down the summer movie box office! They talk about Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman reviving Marvel, the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni drama, M. Night Shyamalan and more!

Next week Paul and Amy discuss the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead which is available to rent or stream everywhere but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Hoopla and Kanopy!

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

This week Paul & Amy break down the 1998 Michael Bay action/sci-fi film Armageddon starring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. They discuss how the film and Bay goes after the "nerds", the birth of Bayhem, Affleck mocking the film on the DVD commentary, and more.

Next week it's the end of summer movie round up where we're talking all things Deadpool & Wolverine, It Ends With Us, Trap and more. Did the summer movie box office bounce back?! Tune in to find out!

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

This week Paul & Amy are kicking off the summer movie season by rounding up all the releases you're dying to hear about. We're talking about the good, the bad, and the indie. Paul proclaims Bad Boys: Ride or Die should have been called something else while wondering if Challengers was sexy enough, and Amy is not on board with this year's Garfield movie. Then, the two dive into a few indie movies like The People’s Joker, Late Night with the Devil, and Hundreds of Beavers. Plus, we announce this is now a Glen Powell Stan podcast. 

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul and Amy get waylaid by John Hughes’ 1987 road trip comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles! They discuss the true story the movie is based on, address the hot streak that John Hughes was on at the time (11 films in five years!), and analyze Hughes’ unmatched ability to capture the full range of John Candy. Plus: was Elton John supposed to write a song for this movie?

Next week, tune in as we get back on the road for Thelma and Louise! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul and Amy receive their license to kill with 2006’s intense James Bond reinvention Casino Royale! They discuss the online controversy surrounding the first blonde Bond, contemplate a Daniel Craig-shaped popsicle, and compare Martin Campbell’s work launching both the Brosnan and Craig eras of Bond. Plus: how to make a Vesper Martini!

Next week, tune in as we discuss Planes, Trains, and Automobiles! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul and Amy get groovy, baby with Jay Roach’s 1997 spy spoof Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery! They discover the origin story of Powers’ grotesque teeth, praise the film’s effective set and costume design, and discuss how the movie is stranger and more specific than a simple Bond parody. Plus: Did Mike Myers steal his Dr. Evil character?

Next week, our spy series continues with Casino Royale! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul and Amy go for the gold with 1964’s James Bond adventure Goldfinger! They ask how Gert Fröbe’s near-flawless voice dubbing was pulled off, reveal how JFK’s affinity for Bond gave the filmmakers unprecedented access to Fort Knox, and praise director Guy Hamilton’s choice to emphasize creativity over realism. Plus: Who would you save, Bond or the Beatles?

Next week, our spy series continues with Austin Powers! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul and Amy dare to press play on Hideo Nakata’s 1998 J-horror phenomenon Ringu! They discuss the role that journalism and investigation plays in the story, compare the lead characters of the original and the American remake, and compare Ringu with last week’s film, Halloween. Plus: Would you want to know if you had seven days left to live?

Next week, tune in as we continue Season 4 with Goldfinger and a new spy series! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul & Amy stalk John Carpenter’s genre-defining 1978 slasher Halloween! They discuss this independent film’s thrifty production, draw connections between the movie and the politics of the late 70s, and recognize the massive contribution Debra Hill brought to the film. Plus: How is Halloween like a grilled cheese sandwich?

Next week, our horror series continues with Ringu! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul and Amy are possessed by Karyn Kusama and Diablo Cody’s 2009 horror comedy, Jennifer’s Body! They analyze the marketing strategy that led to the film’s initial flop, discuss female friendship and infatuation, and applaud the fact that this film is finally getting the love it deserves in a post MeToo world. Plus: what is a succubus, anyway?

Next week, our horror series continues with Halloween! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Paul and Amy open the box that is Clive Barker’s 1987 supernatural horror film Hellraiser! They break down the movie’s portrayal of gender roles, propose that horror films are often heightened versions of fairytales, and discuss why it’s especially terrifying when the victims in a horror story have agency. Plus: We tally your votes for the newest additions to the API list!

Next week, our horror series continues with Jennifer’s Body! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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.

This week, Amy welcomes Sean Fennessey (Head of Content, The Ringer & The Big Picture Podcast) to discuss the 1957 film Sweet Smell of Success starring Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster. The two discuss the power of J.J. Hunsecker's journalism and the "ick" of the Sidney Falco PR machine in the film and how it parallels modern-day anxiety in today's entertainment industry. Plus, we learn the origins of the word Frenemy and this film's connection to the reality show, Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire. 

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

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 behind.

Next week, tune in as we kick off Season 4 with Midsommar and a new horror series! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!
 

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 finale! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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, our Villains series concludes with The Dark Knight! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 with Heat! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-testand apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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.

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 Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 Starship Troopers a false flag all along?

Next week, our Villains series continues with Night Of The Hunter! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 that nonetheless sticks faithfully to the novel's plot, and break down what makes a great cinematic sword fight. Plus: Is 3 Musketeers a good candy bar?

Next week, our Heroes & Villains series definitively transitions to Villains with Fatal Attraction! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 a double feature to match! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

This week, Amy welcomes back comedian Jamie Loftus (Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) Podcast) to break down the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Amy reveals this was the first art house movie she ever saw in the theater, and the two discuss how this movie parallels Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa, and of course, they talk about the Thong Dress and the problem with Bob. 

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

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.

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, we've got a special treat for you as we take a break between our Heroes and Villains series! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 continues with RRR! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!
 

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.

Paul & Amy swing through 2018’s inter-dimensional comic caper Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse! They praise the filmmakers’ success in bringing comic book style to the screen, remember the controversy around Donald Glover’s fan casting as Peter Parker, and discover the ancient origins of the “multiverse” concept. Plus: How we narrowly avoided a Spider-Man who loves EDM and Snapchat.

Next week, we kick off our Unspooled: Heroes series with Superman! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Amy & Paul race through 2015’s post-apocalyptic action masterwork Mad Max: Fury Road! They learn why director George Miller brought on feminist playwright Eve Ensler as an advisor, praise the film’s playful and careful worldbuilding, and ask whether Miller comes from the ‘tyrant’ school of directing. Plus: Witness young dating show contestant Tom Hardy!

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

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 conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 continues with Porco Rosso! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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!

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 the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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! You can join the conversation for this series on theUnspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 takes on a whole different brand of comic fantasy with Shrek! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 depth - will it be Annette, The Green Knight, Last Night In Soho or Zola? You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

This week Paul & Amy are breaking down the 1979 film Mad Max directed by George Miller. The two discuss this modern-day silent film, all the dangers and injuries that happened on set and how this untamed film is a necessary watch. We’re not a bad podcast, we’re sick! Meow!

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/  https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/

Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

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 join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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 our Contenders series continues with The Piano! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test, and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

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!