Podcasts by Unspooled

Preview: What Is Unspooled? from 2023-12-12T17:27:13.477159

Paul & Amy introduce their new podcast Unspooled, where they watch every movie on the AFI’s Top 100 Films list. Subscribe now - episode 1, “Citizen Kane,” drops May 17th!

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.646097

Amy & Paul shift gears for 2006's Will Ferrell NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby! They trace director Adam McKay's origins back to his Second City show Piñata Full of Bee...

Bonus: Batman On Film from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.643987

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 ...

Monty Python and the Holy Grail from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.633973

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 ...

Akira from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.594307

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 wh...

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.583315

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 cont...

BONUS: Top Gun: Maverick, Chip'N Dale, and Doctor Strange 2 from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.581966

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 Stran...

Superman from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.580054

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 Puz...

Blade from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.573273

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 Three Musketeers&The Four Musketeers (with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary) from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.566331

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...

White Heat from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.555802

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,...

Heat from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.554211

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 ...

Hellraiser from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.541497

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 v...

Goldfinger from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.494933

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 filmma...

Thelma and Louise from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.487591

Paul and Amy carpool to Mexico with Ridley Scott’s 1991 fugitive road trip Thelma and Louise! They discuss how much input stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon had in the production, ask if the m...

Bonus: The 2022 Sight&Sound 100 from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.486104

In this bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy react to Sight & Sound magazine's newest once-a-decade poll of the 100 greatest films of all time.

Black Swan from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.483988

Amy & Paul reconcile their duality with 2010's Darren Aronofsky ballet thriller Black Swan! They dissect Natalie Portman's full-bodied transformative performance, praise the subtly stunning visu...

Love Actually (re-release) from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.474098

Unspooled will return with new episodes 1/13 - be sure to catch up with "Jeanne Dielman" before we kick off Jeanne-uary, until then enjoy one of our favorite holiday episodes!

Crash from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.454605

Paul & Amy swerve into 2004's Oscar-winning race-in-LA melodrama Crash! They take a close look at how the film's attitudes on race and racism have aged, learn about the incident that happened to...

The Notebook from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.451745

Amy & Paul open up 2004's decades-spanning romance The Notebook! They praise the effortless chemistry of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, learn how James Garner prepared (or didn't prepare) for ...

Hollywood Shuffle from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.445989

Paul & Amy enjoy a Winky Dinky Dog and watch 1987's audacious sketch satire Hollywood Shuffle! They explore the multifaceted career of star and director Robert Townsend, put the film in context ...

Scream (Re-release) from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.443831

In honor of Scream VI's release in theaters this weekend, we're re-releasing last year's discussion of the original Scream - tomorrow we'll be back with a brand new episode!

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Best of 2022&Oscars Preview from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.442010

Paul & Amy look back on their favorite films of 2022 and get ready for the Academy Awards this weekend! They'll discuss each of the Best Picture nominees, share their thoughts on the year in blo...

Top 3: Bruce Campbell from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.389877

Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Spider-Man) joins Paul and Amy on the eve of his Bruce-O-Rama tour (and a new Evil Dead movie!) to talk about three of his favorite films, including a demonic horror m...

El Mariachi from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.387467

Amy and Paul sing the praises of Robert Rodriguez’s low-budget action breakthrough El Mariachi! They go to ten minute film school with Rodriguez, learn about the unexpected bidding war over the ...

Young Frankenstein from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.363381

Paul & Amy put on the Ritz with 1974's Mel Brooks monster movie parody Young Frankenstein! They ask what makes this the most beautiful of Brooks' films, praise the colorful supporting cast from ...

Bonus: Sex Scenes In Film (with Dan Savage) from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.359447

Dan Savage (Savage Love) joins Paul and Amy to talk about sex scenes in movies - the good ones, the bad ones, and the ones you have to watch through your fingers. As Dan walks us through his mos...

Top 3: Adam McKay from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.344113

Adam McKay (director of Anchorman, The Big Short and Don't Look Up) joins Paul & Amy to discuss his Top 3 films, including a gonzo comedy classic and an early masterpiece from an Italian legend....

Labyrinth from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.342448

Paul & Amy wind their way through 1986's Jim Henson dark puppet fantasy Labyrinth! They applaud the film's surprisingly sophisticated coming of age story, realize that Jennifer Connelly's Sarah ...

Who Framed Roger Rabbit from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.292007

Amy & Paul get animated and take a trip down to Toontown in 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit! They’ll analyze how the toons represented the lower class, discuss how the portrayal of Jessica Rabbit...

The Listener's Choice Winner Revealed from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.267777

Paul & Amy hear from the Unspooled listeners as they decide which film from Listener's Choice month will join the API list - Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hot Fuzz, There Will Be Blood or Children Of...

American Psycho from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.194250

Paul & Amy dissect Mary Harron’s murderous corporate-world satire American Psycho! They learn how star Christian Bale almost lost the role to Leonardo DiCaprio, ask if all the events in the film...

Saw from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.179887

Paul & Amy slice into 2004’s nasty low-budget horror Saw! They learn why Cary Elwes holds a grudge against the filmmakers, appreciate how much dread Leigh Whannell and James Wan were able to wri...

Election from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.158143

Paul & Amy put their hats in the ring for 1999’s acidic high-school satire Election! They praise director Alexander Payne’s brilliant eye for humanist detail, discuss how Matthew Broderick chann...

Fight Club from 2023-11-30T15:07:08.154526

Paul & Amy break all the rules of David Fincher’s 1999 cult sendup of masculinity Fight Club! They ask how seriously we’re meant to take the film’s grand pronouncements on consumerism and confor...

Concert Films from 2023-11-30T05:05

Amy & Paul take the stage for a closer look at concert movies! Inspired by the recent release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and the rerelease of Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense,” they dig i...

Ferris Bueller's Day Off from 2023-11-23T05:05

Paul & Amy play hooky for 1984’s John Hughes class-cutting caper Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! They discover the secret backstory behind Charlie Sheen’s memorable cameo, read some of their favorite ...

The Hunger Games from 2023-11-16T05:05

Amy & Paul volunteer as tribute for 2012’s young adult dystopian saga The Hunger Games! They compare the young Jennifer Lawrence to her character Katniss, trace a theme of idealism vs cynicism t...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show from 2023-10-26T04:05

Paul & Amy time warp to 1975’s cult musical sensation The Rocky Horror Picture Show! They ask what makes a movie camp, discover the genius marketer who helped the film find its audience, and deb...

The Wolf Of Wall Street from 2023-10-19T04:05

Amy & Paul make the hard sell for 2013’s manic Wall Street exposé The Wolf Of Wall Street! They learn how the film’s unusual funding gave director Martin Scorsese freedom to push the limits of t...

Hairspray from 2023-10-12T04:05

Paul & Amy spritz on John Waters’ subversive 1988 comedy Hairspray! They learn how star ensemble player Divine was like Godzilla, compare the soundtrack to the 2007 Broadway production, and marv...

Imitation Of Life from 2023-09-28T04:05

Paul & Amy reflect on Douglas Sirk's piercing 1959 melodrama Imitation Of Life! They learn what made this epochal film a favorite of Steven Spielberg's, discuss what Sirk has to say about race i...

The Karate Kid from 2023-09-21T04:05

Amy & Paul high-kick into John G. Avildsen’s 1984 martial-arts megahit The Karate Kid! They learn about the movie’s semi-autobiographical origins, discuss the post-Karate careers of stars Ralph ...

Bullitt from 2023-09-14T04:05

Paul & Amy rev up for 1968’s sleek Steve McQueen thriller Bullitt! They break down the film’s all-timer car chase, learn how McQueen brought a counter-cultural energy to the cop archetype, and a...

Ranking the Mission: Impossible Films (with Light The Fuse) from 2023-08-31T04:05

Amy & Paul accept a mission from Drew Taylor and Charles Hood (hosts of the Light The Fuse podcast) to rate each of the Mission: Impossible films, and decide whether any of them deserve to go to...

Legally Blonde from 2023-08-24T04:05

Amy & Paul overrule all objections to 2001's law school comedy Legally Blonde! They compare the film to the recent ultra-femme smash hit Barbie, discuss how Reese Witherspoon discovered her star...

Barbie&Oppenheimer (with Jamie Loftus) from 2023-08-17T04:05

Amy and guest host Jamie Loftus (“Raw Dog,” The Bechdel Cast) detonate this summer’s hot pink double feature phenomenon, Barbenheimer! Starting with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, they discuss what made...

Pee-wee's Big Adventure from 2023-08-10T04:05

Amy & Paul remember the Alamo for 1985's magnificently silly Paul Reubens showcase Pee-wee's Big Adventure! They go deep on the conception and evolution of the Pee-wee Herman character, look bac...

Children Of Men from 2023-07-27T04:05

Amy & Paul get suave for 2006’s Alfonso Cuarón dystopia Children Of Men! They praise the very human performances, learn whether ringing in the ears really means your ear cells are dying, and dis...

There Will Be Blood from 2023-07-20T04:05

Paul & Amy drill into Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 lonely capitalist epic There Will Be Blood! They learn the real origins of the 'milkshake' line, marvel at Jonny Greenwood's alien score, and as...

Hot Fuzz from 2023-07-13T04:05

Amy & Paul pursue the greater good and watch Edgar Wright’s 2007 cop action homage Hot Fuzz! They marvel at the stacked cast of British character actors, learn how Simon Pegg & Nick Frost became...

Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom from 2023-06-29T04:05

Paul & Amy crack the whip on 1984’s Harrison Ford prequel adventure Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom! They take a close look at the film’s depiction of Indian culture, ask if Kate Capshaw’s ...

Talking Trek (with Tawny Newsome&Paul F. Tompkins) from 2023-06-22T04:05

Is there a Star Trek movie worthy of boarding the Unspooled spaceship with the other all-time great films? Tawny Newsome & Paul F. Tompkins (Star Trek: Lower Decks, The Pod Directive) join Paul ...

Inside Out from 2023-06-15T04:05

Amy & Paul modulate their emotions for Pixar’s 2015 mental adventure Inside Out! They appreciate a story that takes the inner world of a young girl seriously, analyze the short glimpses we get o...

The Little Mermaid from 2023-05-25T04:05

Amy & Paul go under the sea for 1989's pivotal Disney musical The Little Mermaid! They learn about the queer influences behind the villainous Ursula, try to understand what's really motivating A...

Willy Wonka&The Chocolate Factory from 2023-05-18T04:05

Amy & Paul make the world taste good with 1971's sweet and sour Roald Dahl adaptation Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory! They learn why "Charlie" was removed from the film's name, discover how...

Blazing Saddles from 2023-05-11T04:05

Paul and Amy gas up 1974’s manic Mel Brooks Western parody Blazing Saddles! They learn about the history of farts onscreen, break down Richard Pryor’s influence on the charged perspective of thi...

What We Do In The Shadows from 2023-04-27T04:05

Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 2014’s vampiric mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows! They learn why so many of the film’s creatures look like Lord Of The Rings characters, come around to Jem...

Frankenstein (Re-release) from 2023-04-25T16:19:04

This month, we’re re-releasing our discussion of 1931’s Frankenstein to accompany our latest episodes on Evil Dead II and What We Do In The Shadows. Stay tuned for another Franken-film we’ll be ...

Top 3: Karina Longworth from 2023-04-20T04:05

Karina Longworth (You Must Remember This) joins Paul & Amy to unveil her top 3 erotic thrillers! They also discuss the problem with the NC-17 rating, coming of age at the height of Madonna's sta...

Evil Dead II from 2023-04-13T04:05

Paul & Amy chainsaw through 1987’s groovy slapstick horror masterpiece Evil Dead II! They ask if Bruce Campbell’s Ash is a “final girl,” learn why director Sam Raimi owes his career to Stephen K...

In Bruges from 2023-03-30T04:05

Paul and Amy get stuck in Martin McDonagh’s 2008 hitman parable In Bruges! They learn about McDonagh’s explosive ascent as a playwright, compare Bruges to other hitman films of the era, and disc...

John Wick from 2023-03-23T04:05

Amy & Paul arm up for 2014’s revitalizing Keanu Reeves action film John Wick! They ask whether we’re supposed to care about Wick as a character, praise the careful world building of directors Ch...

Bonus Reel: Creed III, Magic Mike’s Last Dance and Scream VI from 2023-03-17T04:00

In this bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy weigh in on the latest franchise entries following our recent episodes, including discussions of how Jonathan Majors fits into the Creed universe, whether Ste...

Creed from 2023-03-16T04:00

Amy & Paul go toe to toe with 2015's hit pugilist lega-sequel Creed! They learn how Sylvester Stallone agreed to pass the torch of his most famous franchise to Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan...

Top 3: Chapo Trap House from 2023-02-23T05:00

Will Menaker and Matt Christman of Chapo Trap House join Paul & Amy on this week's crossover Unspooled! Matt shares three films to watch before listening to his new history miniseries Hell On Ea...

Magic Mike&Magic Mike XXL from 2023-02-16T05:00

Paul & Amy slip a five dollar bill to 2012's male stripper megahit Magic Mike! They discuss why Steven Soderbergh's film is about money as much or more than sex, ask who the franchise's hottest ...

Top 3: Hindi Romance Films from 2023-02-14T05:00

Smriti Mundhra (Indian Matchmaking, The Romantics) talks to Paul and Amy about her three favorite Hindi-language romantic films, how romance became a blockbuster genre in India, and how she feel...

Bonus: 2023 Oscar Nominations from 2023-01-27T05:00

Amy and Paul react to the 2023 Oscar nominations in a bonus Unspooled. We'll be back on Thursday with Crash!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi from 2023-01-26T05:00

Paul & Amy force-project into Rian Johnson's galaxy-brained Star Wars entry The Last Jedi! They dissect the disputes between Mark Hamill and Johnson on the fate of Luke Skywalker, praise the fil...

Blue Velvet from 2023-01-19T05:00

Paul & Amy send a love letter to David Lynch's uncanny 1986 noir Blue Velvet! They learn what Lynch thinks of his "Jimmy Stewart from Mars" image, discuss the film's many connections to The Wiza...

Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles from 2023-01-12T05:00

Amy & Paul peel the layers of Chantal Akerman’s minimalist homebound masterwork Jeanne Dielman! They praise the way Akerman trains her audience to pay attention to tiny details, debate whether t...

Die Hard from 2022-12-22T05:00

Paul & Amy walk across broken glass for 1988's definitive Bruce Willis action film Die Hard! They ask whether Hans Gruber is the true protagonist of the film, learn why Frank Sinatra was origina...

Avatar from 2022-12-15T05:00

Amy & Paul upload their consciousness into 2009’s otherworldly sci-fi spectacle Avatar! They confirm the concept of ‘unobtanium’ wasn’t invented by the film, learn which movie stars were up for ...

Planes, Trains and Automobiles from 2022-11-24T05:00

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 a...

Casino Royale from 2022-11-17T05:00

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 C...

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery from 2022-11-10T05:00

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 ...

Ringu from 2022-10-27T04:00

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 o...

Halloween from 2022-10-20T04:00

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 ...

Jennifer's Body from 2022-10-13T04:00

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 friendsh...

Midsommar from 2022-09-29T04:00

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 remin...

Bonus: Summer Movie Wrapup from 2022-09-23T04:00

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...

Season 3 Finale from 2022-09-22T04:00

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, ...

The Dark Knight from 2022-09-15T13:00

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...

Top 3: Scott Aukerman&Shaun Diston from 2022-08-26T04:00

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 influen...

Training Day from 2022-08-25T04:00

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 Washi...

The Night of the Hunter from 2022-08-18T04:00

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 proc...

Fatal Attraction from 2022-08-11T04:00

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...

Starship Troopers from 2022-07-28T04:00

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 ...

Top 3: Patton Oswalt&Meredith Salenger from 2022-07-21T13:00

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...

RoboCop from 2022-07-14T04:00

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...

Paddington 2 from 2022-06-30T04:00

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 Pa...

Supercop from 2022-06-23T04:00

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 ...

RRR from 2022-06-16T04:00

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 pr...

Top Gun from 2022-05-26T04:00

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 pie...

Porco Rosso from 2022-05-19T04:00

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...

Wallace&Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit from 2022-05-12T04:00

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 t...

Adaptation from 2022-04-28T04:00

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 de...

Gauging Nicolas Cage (with Keith Phipps) from 2022-04-25T04:00

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 w...

Conan the Barbarian from 2022-04-21T04:00

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...

Preview: What Is Unspooled? from 2022-04-20T14:45:52.886074

Paul & Amy introduce their new podcast Unspooled, where they watch every movie on the AFI’s Top 100 Films list. Subscribe now - episode 1, “Citizen Kane,” drops May 17th!

Shrek from 2022-04-14T04:00

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 deba...

The Green Knight from 2022-03-31T04:00

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 dire...

Best of 2021/Oscars Preview from 2022-03-24T04:00

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...

The Piano from 2022-03-17T04:00

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 int...

Boogie Nights from 2022-03-10T05:00

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 chemi...

Preview: What Is Unspooled? from 2022-03-07T14:03:22.456888

Paul & Amy introduce their new podcast Unspooled, where they watch every movie on the AFI’s Top 100 Films list. Subscribe now - episode 1, “Citizen Kane,” drops May 17th!

The Shining from 2022-02-24T05:00

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 surroundin...

Preview: What Is Unspooled? from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.268292

Paul & Amy introduce their new podcast Unspooled, where they watch every movie on the AFI’s Top 100 Films list. Subscribe now - episode 1, “Citizen Kane,” drops May 17th!

Swing Time from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.264606

Put on your best dancing shoes for Swing Time with Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire! Paul & Amy caper through the 1936 film's strange comic beats, spontaneous choreographed dances and timeless tunes. P...

Bonnie And Clyde from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.261058

This week Paul & Amy tear through 1967's revolutionary "Bonnie And Clyde!" They discuss how the film mixes wildly different tones, adore Faye Dunaway's style, and learn the secret source of those t...

King Kong from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.257355

This week Amy & Paul unveil 1933's seminal monster movie King Kong! They ask if this was the first true blockbuster film, discover how the distinctive animal sounds were made, and wonder what Ann s...

All About Eve from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.256527

Fasten your seatbelts - this week Paul & Amy take on 1950's showbiz satire All About Eve! They marvel at how well Joseph Mankiewicz understands his female characters, dish on which actors secretly ...

Taxi Driver from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.252988

This week Paul & Amy cruise through 1976's terrifying character study Taxi Driver. They ask whether the film is anti-misogynist or simply misogynist, debate whether the ending is real or fake, and ...

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.249447

Amy & Paul embark on an epic quest through Peter Jackson's 2001 fantasy adaptation The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring! They praise Elijah Wood's stellar silent acting, learn which mo...

Duck Soup from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.246420

This week Amy & Paul hail the Marx Brothers' 1933 madcap comedy Duck Soup! They ask whether this is the first great comedy of the talkie era, parse the different comedic styles of the brothers, and...

Listener Questions Special from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.240684

In this week's special episode, Paul & Amy are answering all of your questions, submitted by Unspooled's Facebook group! They reminisce about the origin story of the podcast, explain which document...

Rocky from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.236716

Paul & Amy go the distance for Sylvester Stallone's 1976 pugilistic parable Rocky! They play a stunning clip of Stallone talking to himself, posit that the film's true villain is Rocky's self-doubt...

The Searchers from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.203630

This week Paul & Amy ride deep into Texas for The Searchers! They discuss the complicated legacy of John Wayne, place the film in the context of Western history, and look at The Searchers' influenc...

Best Of 2018: Blockbusters from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.198715

Paul & Amy travel to the distant era of 2018, with a look back at last year's 20 biggest movies! They cover everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Aquaman, A Quiet Place to Black Panther, with an eye...

Saving Private Ryan from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.194232

Amy and Paul storm the beaches of 1998's Steven Spielberg WWII picture Saving Private Ryan! They plunge into the disorientation of the storied opening sequence, look at what the film means to the G...

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.184879

Amy & Paul gaze through the looking glass into 1937's Walt Disney fairy tale Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs! They appreciate Snow's sense of humor, question the hygiene of squirrels washing dishes...

Tootsie from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.174336

Amy and Paul suit up for 1982's gender-bending Dustin Hoffman comedy Tootsie! They ask whether Michael is really a great actor, praise Bill Murray's scene-stealing performance, and compare the film...

The Silence of the Lambs from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.173156

Paul & Amy dig into 1991's serial killer thriller The Silence Of The Lambs! They praise the many ways the film puts us in Clarice Starling's head, discover the inspirations for Hannibal Lecter's vo...

Horror & The AFI List: Live from the Overlook Film Festival from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.168688

What horror films should be added to the AFI's signature list? Do films like The Sixth Sense or Psycho count as horror? Paul and Amy debate these questions live from the Overlook Film Festival in N...

The Deer Hunter from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.162898

Paul & Amy take aim at Michael Cimino's 1978 Vietnam War epic The Deer Hunter! They investigate the film's controversial use of Russian Roulette, ask whether Robert De Niro's character is too perfe...

Bringing Up Baby from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.158825

Amy & Paul dig into 1938's Howard Hawks screwball classic Bringing Up Baby! They ask if Cary Grant was the model for Christopher Reeve's Superman, learn how Hepburn modulated her performance to get...

Nashville from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.157945

Paul & Amy sing the praises of 1975's sprawling country opus Nashville! They compare Robert Altman's loose technique to the perfectionist auteurs of past Unspooled movies, find further parallels to...

Lawrence Of Arabia from 2022-02-22T08:53:00.096872

Paul and Amy journey through 1962's David Lean WWI epic Lawrence Of Arabia! They ask if this can fairly be called a "white savior" film, learn about the many injuries Peter O'Tools endured during t...

SOME LIKE IT HOT from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.992661

Amy & Paul get cookin' with 1959's Billy Wilder gender-bending comedy Some Like It Hot! They learn why the film's final line was controversial, ask if films about cross-dressing still need to be ma...

Bonus Reel: Shea Serrano from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.991622

In a special bonus episode this week, Paul & Amy ask Shea Serrano, writer for The Ringer and author of “Movies (And Other Things)”, about the three films he would add to the AFI list.

Forrest Gump from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.985734

Paul & Amy run through 1994's satirical American history tour Forrest Gump! They learn the nutty plot of the sequel book Gump & Co, listen to a bit of the Lt. Dan Band, and ask how John Candy would...

Best of the Decade Pt. 1 from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.979303

Amy & Paul kick off a new decade-spanning miniseries, where they'll pick their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode covers the years 2010-2012, and they'll advocate for knotty f...

Best of the Decade Pt. 4 from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.976098

Now that Paul & Amy have gone deep on their favorite films of the 2010s, they're ready to hear from everyone else! This week they finish off Unspooled's Best Of The Decade miniseries with picks fro...

Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.974993

Paul & Amy sap your bodily fluids with 1964's Cold War satire Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb! They unpack how director Stanley Kubrick manipulated his cast to...

2020 Oscars Preview from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.970752

Paul & Amy get ready for the Academy Awards by sharing their thoughts on this year's nominees, and some of their other favorite films from 2019 that didn't get nominated. They ask if this was a goo...

M*A*S*H from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.966481

Paul & Amy enlist for 1970's groundbreaking Robert Altman war comedy M*A*S*H! They work to separate the film from the iconic TV show, dissect a controversial scene with Sally Kellerman, and explore...

Sullivan's Travels from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.962107

Paul & Amy travel to 1941's Preston Sturges Hollywood farce Sullivan's Travels! They learn why the US government made Veronica Lake's hairstyle illegal, praise the screenplay's rapid-fire dialogue,...

Easy Rider from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.961167

Amy & Paul hit the road for 1969's counter-cultural tone piece Easy Rider! They learn what Spiro Agnew thought of this film, compare its drug trip moments to the films it inspired, and ask what the...

Goodfellas from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.957175

Amy & Paul jump into 1990's kinetic Scorcese mob epic Goodfellas! They learn some of the wild details about Henry Hill that didn't make it into the film, discover the origins of the Morrie's Wigs c...

Blade Runner from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.953209

Amy & Paul run through 1982's moody Ridley Scott dystopia Blade Runner! They listen to the infamous original voiceover, learn what inspired Philip K. Dick's source material, and yes, give their the...

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.949029

Paul & Amy make a last stand for 1969's mythic Western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! They praise the film's use of montage, discuss how the unusually light tone sets it apart from other Weste...

The 400 Blows from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.942990

Paul & Amy raise hell for 1959's French New Wave adolescent drama The 400 Blows! They learn how François Truffaut went from a Hitchcock-worshipping critic to a director himself, discuss how he then...

Dazed and Confused from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.939013

Paul & Amy party with 1993's throwback high school ensemble comedy Dazed And Confused! They watch Matthew McConaughey's dazzling audition tape, learn the studio's original plan for the soundtrack, ...

Frankenstein from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.937949

Amy & Paul reanimate 1931's literary creature feature Frankenstein! They learn Boris Karloff's real name, discuss what the film has to say about the human act of creation, and ask why "burgermaster...

The Thing from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.895382

Amy & Paul burst out of 1982's Antarctic John Carpenter sci-fi feature The Thing! They learn how the incredible special effects were literally dreamt up, praise Wilford Brimley's everyman appeal, a...

The Royal Tenenbaums from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.890898

Amy & Paul move back in with 2001's Wes Anderson family reunion piece The Royal Tenenbaums! They ask if Anderson is sneakily a great director of actors, posit that Ben Stiller is the true heart of ...

Dogtooth from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.885280

Paul & Amy highway into Yorgos Lanthimos' jarring family parable Dogtooth! They learn how audiences around the world interpreted the film differently, discuss how parents can radically shape their ...

A Place In The Sun from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.881329

Amy & Paul are infatuated with 1951's tragic love triangle A Place In The Sun! They hear Elizabeth Taylor explain how watching Montgomery Clift helped make her a real actress, ask what makes George...

The Princess Bride from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.876733

Amy & Paul fight for 1987's Rob Reiner meta-fairytale The Princess Bride! They discuss what makes Reiner's films stand out, listen to Cary Elwes' Marlon Brando impression, and ask if this is a perf...

Cool Runnings from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.872558

Paul & Amy slide through 1993's Jamaican bobsledding comedy Cool Runnings! They learn which parts of the script were true and which were exaggerated for the film, praise John Candy's generous strai...

Chariots of Fire from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.871595

Paul & Amy run through 1981's Olympic track drama Chariots of Fire! They learn why this is Joe Biden's favorite film, ask if this thoroughly British story was at all jazzed up for American audience...

A Trip to the Moon from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.866686

Amy & Paul set a course for 1902's seminal space short A Trip To The Moon (aka Le Voyage dans la Lune)! They dissect it as a work of imperialist satire, learn more about director Georges Méliès, an...

Spool Party: Clueless from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.861960

Amy & Paul totally get into 1995's Jane-Austen-in-high-school comedy Clueless! They discuss what makes this a perfect Emma adaptation, learn which actor's mistake director Amy Heckerling intentiona...

Aliens from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.856847

Paul & Amy invade 1986's James Cameron space action classic Aliens! They learn what this film had in common with Platoon, ask why the aliens feel less threatening here than they did in the first fi...

Top 3: Tom Scharpling from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.855895

Tom Scharpling (The Best Show, Steven Universe) joins us to talk about his new book It Never Ends and his top 3 movie musicals! He talks about why he loves excess in musicals, Jack Nicholson’s dire...

Apollo 13 from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.854474

Amy & Paul come home to 1995's space disaster docudrama Apollo 13! They ask if this is secretly a film about disappointment, spot a cameo by a legendary director, and discuss whether there's a succ...

Top 3: Steve Zahn from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.845261

Steve Zahn (The White Lotus, Treme) tells Paul & Amy three movies he would send to space, including an operatic Western classic and the journey of a grizzled mountain man.

Back To The Future from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.844379

Amy & Paul zoom at 88 miles per hour into 1985's Robert Zemeckis time travel comedy Back To The Future! They ask why Eric Stoltz wasn't the right choice for Marty McFly, discuss the film's critique...

Bridesmaids from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.839993

Amy & Paul let loose with 2011's breakthrough Kristin Wiig comedy Bridesmaids! They praise Wiig's nuanced lead performance, break down the dynamics of the airplane scene, and discuss how Bridesmaid...

Inception from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.838774

Paul & Amy go deep into 2010's mind-bending Christopher Nolan heist film Inception! They gawk at the protagonist's name, learn the origin of the famous "braaam" sound, and ask whether Nolan's cereb...

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.796680

Paul & Amy get hypnotized by 1920's German silent horror film The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari! They learn about the history of German Expressionism, discuss the relative importance of realism and styli...

A Nightmare on Elm Street from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.787522

Amy & Paul drift off into 1984's Wes Craven sleeper slasher film A Nightmare On Elm Street! They give qualified praise to Johnny Depp's first-ever screen role, appreciate Craven's meta-sequel New N...

Lagaan from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.782787

Amy & Paul go to bat for 2001's mega-hit Bollywood sports musical Lagaan! They compare star Aamir Khan to Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, learn about a key last-minute change to the love triangle plot, a...

Little Shop of Horrors from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.781671

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 S...

The Apartment (Re-Release) from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.777007

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 Bi...

Top 3: Brian Cox from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.769537

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.

The Grand Budapest Hotel from 2022-02-22T08:52:59.768221

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...

Remembering Ivan Reitman from 2022-02-21T17:00

In this bonus episode, Paul & Amy discuss the career and legacy of the late director and producer Ivan Reitman.

Force Majeure from 2022-02-17T05:00

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 t...

Jackass from 2022-02-10T05:00

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...

Frozen from 2022-01-27T05:00

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 coul...

Scream from 2022-01-20T05:00

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...

Fargo from 2022-01-13T05:00

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 ...

In The Heat Of The Night (Re-Release) from 2022-01-11T20:10

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 ...

The Last Picture Show (Re-Release) from 2022-01-11T20:00

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 int...

A Christmas Story from 2021-12-30T05:00

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 lik...

The Matrix from 2021-12-23T05:00

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-ef...

Love Actually from 2021-12-16T05:00

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 20...

Chicago from 2021-11-25T05:00

Amy & Paul shoot up 2002's darkly comic musical revival Chicago! They interrogate director Rob Marshall's choice to use rapid cuts over long takes, discuss how Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jo...

Grease from 2021-11-18T05:00

Paul & Amy know 1978’s retro musical sensation Grease is the word! They praise Stockard Channing’s fiercely independent performance as Rizzo, compare the film to contemporary period piece American ...

The Nightmare Before Christmas from 2021-11-11T05:00

Paul & Amy kidnap 1993's Gothic stop-motion musical The Nightmare Before Christmas! They praise the carnival-esque compositions of Danny Elfman, compare Oogie Boogie's big musical number to the Max...

The Blair Witch Project from 2021-10-28T04:00

Amy & Paul take a hike through 1999's revolutionary found-footage film The Blair Witch Project! They praise Heather Donahue’s often maligned performance, revisit the film's enormously successful vi...

Top 3: Ed Brubaker from 2021-10-26T04:00

Acclaimed comic book writer and artist Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Reckless) joins Paul & Amy to talk about three of his favorite films, including a bruising film noir and a futuristic romance. He also ...

Raw from 2021-10-21T04:00

Paul & Amy get a taste of 2016's French coming of age/horror film Raw! They debate whether Justine's dilemma is a metaphor for drugs or sexuality, analyze the infamous bikini wax scene, and ask wha...

Top 3: Tim Blake Nelson from 2021-10-19T04:00

Tim Blake Nelson (Old Henry, O Brother Where Art Thou?) talks to Paul and Amy about three of his all time top films, including a documentary about a radical artist and a period piece that takes the...

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre from 2021-10-14T04:00

Amy & Paul get revved up over 1974's archetypal slasher film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre! They draw parallels between the film and post-Vietnam America, examine the Sawyer family's relatable drive...

The Exorcist from 2021-09-30T04:00

Amy & Paul make heads turn with 1973's horror classic The Exorcist! They praise Ellen Burstyn's quiet but strong take on a desperate celebrity mother trying to save her 'sick' daughter, coin the te...

Top 3: Melanie Lynskey from 2021-09-27T04:00

Melanie Lynskey (Lady Of The Manor, I Don't Feel At Home In The World Anymore) tells us three of her favorite films, including the breakthrough film of a fellow New Zealander and a retro camp classic.

Season 2 Finale from 2021-09-23T04:00

Paul & Amy close the book on Unspooled's second season with some hard choices - which movies covered during the past year of the podcast are going to space? They agree on the fate of a low budget h...

Mad Max: Fury Road from 2021-09-16T04:00

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'...

The Hangover from 2021-08-26T04:00

Paul & Amy blearily remember 2009's Todd Phillips black comedy The Hangover! They praise the film's star-making casting choices, discuss how to improvise within a carefully storyboarded script, and...

The Fugitive from 2021-08-19T04:00

Amy & Paul run from 1993's Harrison Ford/Tommy Lee Jones thriller The Fugitive! They praise an action film where the lead characters wear sensible shoes, compare Jones' performance to the actors he...

Speed from 2021-08-12T04:00

Paul & Amy jump over 1994's Keanu Reeves bus-gone-wild action thriller Speed! They learn about the expanded role of the bus passengers in early drafts of the script, listen to newly minted star San...

Men In Black from 2021-07-29T04:00

Paul & Amy neuralize 1997's Will Smith sci-fi comedy Men In Black! They learn about the wild career of director Barry Sonnenfeld, ask how Smith became so skilled at picking hit starring vehicles, a...

Bonus: Vaccination Hesitation w/ Dr. Kate Grossman from 2021-07-29T03:00

Unspooled is happy to share this bonus interview from the How Did This Get Made feed with our listeners!
June Diane Raphael welcomes Dr. Kate Grossman to give us the 4-1-1 on the Covid-19 vacci...

Jurassic Park from 2021-07-22T04:00

Amy & Paul break out of 1993's prehistoric creature feature Jurassic Park! They revisit the moment in film history when CGI was starting to break into the mainstream, learn how director Steven Spie...

The State Of Summer Blockbusters from 2021-07-15T04:00

Paul & Amy break the block open with a new Unspooled series on summer blockbusters! They ask why the Fast saga has succeeded where so many original ideas have failed, try to pinpoint when franchise...

Top 3: Karen Gillan from 2021-07-14T04:00

Karen Gillan (Doctor Who, Gunpowder Milkshake) joins Unspooled to talk about her top 3 films she would send to space, including a 90s rom com classic and a horror masterpiece.

Jaws from 2021-07-13T07:10

Amy & Paul take a bite out of 1975's blockbuster Spielberg creature feature Jaws! They take a close listen to John Williams' iconic score, praise the way Spielberg adds emotional stakes to the stor...

Star Wars from 2021-07-13T07:05

Amy & Paul make the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs to 1977's George Lucas space fantasy Star Wars! They learn why Carrie Fisher hated those buns, praise the visionary designs of Ralph McQua...

Raiders Of The Lost Ark from 2021-07-13T07:00

This week Amy and Paul uncover 1981's rollicking Indiana Jones adventure Raiders Of The Lost Ark! They ask if Indy is actually a good archeologist, find out whether Belloq really ate a fly, and dis...

Top 3: Daveed Diggs from 2021-06-29T04:00

Welcome to Top 3, a semi-regular bonus series where we ask our favorite creative people to talk about three films they love! In this interview, Daveed Diggs talks about growing up on Abbott & Coste...

Solaris from 2021-06-24T16:00

Paul & Amy orbit 1972's Russian outer space mood piece Solaris! They learn why director Andrei Tartovsky disdained nearly all American films, compare Solaris to the many movies it influenced, and d...

Alien from 2021-06-17T04:00

Amy & Paul burst out of 1979's sci-fi horror pioneer Alien! They learn about the film's original darker ending, contrast it with another classic horror film Unspooled has covered, and ask whether t...

Contact from 2021-06-10T04:00

Paul & Amy reach out to 1997's Robert Zemeckis extraterrestrial encounter film Contact! They learn about the long journey Carl Sagan's story took to the screen, ask whether Matthew McConaughey's ch...

Screen Test: Darkness In The Force from 2021-05-27T04:00

The hosts of the George Lucas Talk Show (Connor Ratliff, Griffin Newman and Patrick Cotnoir) reenact a scene from "Ewoks: The Battle For Endor," defend Rise Of Skywalker, and pitch a new Star Wars ...

Spool Party: Big (featuring Lauren Lapkus) from 2021-05-20T04:00

Paul & Amy dance on the keys for 1988's Tom Hanks body swap comedy Big! They discuss the unique perspective director Penny Marshall brought to the film's romantic scenes, play some of their favorit...

Galaxy Quest from 2021-05-13T04:00

Paul & Amy beam aboard 1999's TV sci-fi satire Galaxy Quest! They discuss how fandom has changed over the last 20 years, learn about an in-joke that inspired the villain's name, and debate whether ...

Hoop Dreams from 2021-04-29T04:00

Paul & Amy take on 1994's groundbreaking high school basketball documentary Hoop Dreams! They compare the look of the film to slick modern docs, look at the subtle ways director Steve James contras...

2021 Oscar Special from 2021-04-22T04:00

Paul & Amy break down Nomadland, Mank, Judas & The Black Messiah, and all the Best Picture nominees before this year's Academy Awards! They discuss which movies looked too depressing to tackle duri...

A League of Their Own from 2021-04-15T04:00

Amy & Paul hit a grand slam for 1992's Penny Marshall baseball comedy A League Of Their Own! They make the case this is a film about female friendship as much as a sports movie, dig into the camara...

Brian's Song from 2021-03-25T04:00

Paul & Amy tackle 1971's football integration melodrama Brian's Song! They learn why Burt Reynolds ultimately wasn't cast in the James Caan role, praise the film's use of real game footage, and dis...

Hoosiers from 2021-03-18T04:00

Amy & Paul double team 1986's Gene Hackman basketball drama Hoosiers! They praise the film for capturing the realism of small town life, dissect what makes films based on true stories successful, a...

Mike Nichols (with Mark Harris) from 2021-03-11T05:00

Amy and Paul sit down with Mark Harris, author of "Mike Nichols: A Life," to discuss the career of the famed director of films like "The Graduate" and "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?", and the ins...

Love and Basketball from 2021-02-18T05:00

Amy & Paul alley-oop 2000's Gina Prince-Bythewood athletic romance Love And Basketball! They discover the impact this film made on WNBA players like Candace Parker, learn why Sanaa Lathan had to pr...

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind from 2021-02-11T05:00

Paul & Amy can't forget 2004's mind-melting romance Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind! They learn why director Michel Gondry asked Jim Carrey not to improvise, watch a deleted scene featuring a...

BONUS: Promising Young Woman from 2021-02-10T05:00

On a bonus Unspooled, Paul & Amy discuss 2020's thorny modern revenge story Promising Young Woman! They praise the film's tonal balancing act and subversion of audience expectations, view Cassie's ...

Groundhog Day from 2021-01-28T05:00

Paul & Amy relive 1993's Bill Murray time loop comedy Groundhog Day! They learn about the tempestuous relationship between Murray and director Harold Ramis, read an excerpt from the original script...

Chungking Express from 2021-01-21T05:00

Paul & Amy dream of 1994's Wong Kar-wai romantic diptych Chungking Express! They look at Wong's influence on modern auteurs like Quentin Tarantino and Barry Jenkins, trace a metaphor through the fi...

When Harry Met Sally from 2021-01-14T05:00

Amy & Paul go to the airport for 1989's quintessential romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally! They learn how director Rob Reiner helped Meg Ryan prepare for the orgasm scene, ask why Harry Connick J...

Home Alone from 2020-12-24T05:00

Amy & Paul break into 1990's abandoned child comedy phenomenon Home Alone! They praise John Candy as the film's MVP, learn why Joe Pesci was tougher to wrangle on set than any of the child actors, ...

The Farewell from 2020-12-17T05:00

Amy & Paul say hello to 2019's Chinese-American family reunion The Farewell! They praise director Lulu Wang's use of motion, discover how Awkwafina won the dramatic lead role despite being best kno...

BONUS: Screen Test: Rattle My Chains from 2020-12-15T05:00

We're releasing this episode of our Premium game show series Screen Test with Paul & Amy for free! To listen to more Screen Test, just sign up for Stitcher Premium - you can go to stitcher.com/prem...

BONUS: THE GODFATHER, CODA: THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE from 2020-12-11T05:00

In this bonus episode, Paul & Amy complete the Unspooled Godfather trilogy by watching "The Godfather, Coda: The Death Of Michael Corleone," director Francis Ford Coppola's new edit of The Godfathe...

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner from 2020-12-10T05:00

Paul & Amy invite themselves over to 1967's Sidney Poitier "meet the parents" dramedy Guess Who's Coming To Dinner! They praise the movie's light touch with then-controversial social issues like in...

Eve's Bayou from 2020-11-26T05:00

Paul & Amy use their second sight on 1997's Creole family tragedy Eve's Bayou! They learn why director Kasi Lemmons cut a mute observer character from the film, compare the story to To Kill A Mocki...

Tokyo Story from 2020-11-19T05:00

Amy & Paul visit 1953's Japanese generational drama Tokyo Story! They discuss the unique, still-life-inspired style of director Yasujiro Ozu, learn how the film became regarded as a masterwork by f...

Raising Arizona from 2020-11-12T05:00

Paul & Amy raise up 1987's Coen Brothers kidnapping caper Raising Arizona! They track the secret references to other Coen projects, learn why they thought of a baby as an "emotional squib," and ask...

Ganja & Hess from 2020-10-29T04:00

Paul & Amy sink their teeth into 1973's visionary vampire film Ganja & Hess! They learn how director Bill Gunn used the success of films like Blacula to get funding for his more experimental work, ...

Night Of The Living Dead from 2020-10-22T04:00

Amy & Paul tear into 1968's seminal zombie horror Night Of The Living Dead! They learn about director George Romero's history making political advertisements, praise the way Romero makes you care a...

The Babadook from 2020-10-15T04:00

Paul & Amy knock three times on 2014's Australian psychological horror film The Babadook! They learn how director Jennifer Kent was influenced by classic creature features, spotlight a trope most h...

Fast Times At Ridgemont High from 2020-09-24T04:00

Amy & Paul say aloha to 1982's high school romp Fast Times At Ridgemont High! They learn about the real life inspiration for Spicoli from Sean Penn, take a close look at the film's unique treatment...

Cooley High from 2020-09-17T04:00

Paul & Amy pour one out for 1975's comic high school drama Cooley High! They learn how the film scored a soundtrack of wall-to-wall Motown hits, analyze the film's take on teenage hijinks, and prai...

Rebel Without A Cause from 2020-09-10T04:00

Amy & Paul are torn apart by 1955's landmark teen drama Rebel Without A Cause! They celebrate the instantly iconic performance of James Dean, learn about the wild backstory of director Nicholas Ray...

Stand and Deliver from 2020-08-27T04:00

Amy & Paul stand for 1988's rousing math class drama Stand And Deliver! They ask if this is the first major 'indie' film, learn how Edward James Olmos crafted his commanding performance as Jaime Es...

Mean Girls from 2020-08-20T04:00

Paul & Amy are obsessed with 2004's teenage clique comedy Mean Girls! They approach the film as a work of anthropology, praise Amanda Seyfried's perfectly dumb performance, and ask how this pre-soc...

Coming 8/20: Unspooled Season 2 from 2020-07-24T16:00

Get ready for Unspooled: The New 100, beginning August 20th!

Wrapping Up the AFI 100 from 2020-07-23T04:00

It's the end of Season 1...welcome to the AFI Thunderdome! Amy and Paul discover which movies from the AFI 100 surprised and stuck with Unspooled listeners the most, reveal their top 10 and bottom ...

Casablanca from 2020-07-15T07:00

Paul & Amy will always have 1942's Humphrey Bogart WWII romance Casablanca! They learn the trick Bogart used to make himself a magnetic romantic lead, ask each other what their most used Casablanca...

It Happened One Night from 2020-06-25T04:00

Paul & Amy piggyback onto 1934's Frank Capra romantic comedy It Happened One Night! They ask if this script fits the "screwball" mold, praise Claudette Colbert for subverting the cliches of the gen...

Modern Times from 2020-06-18T04:00

Paul & Amy crank through 1936's mechanical Charlie Chaplin comedy Modern Times! They praise the film's ever-escalating setpieces, learn why Joseph Goebbels banned it in Germany, and ponder how much...

Shane from 2020-06-11T04:00

Paul & Amy mosey into 1953's archetypal western Shane! They learn about star Alan Ladd's often tragic life, examine how director George Stevens made gun violence feel heightened, and play a referen...

A Streetcar Named Desire from 2020-05-28T04:00

Paul & Amy roll into 1951's Southern Gothic Tennessee Williams drama A Streetcar Named Desire! They compare the opposite physicality of Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, analyze the buildup to Brando...

The Bridge On The River Kwai from 2020-05-21T04:00

Amy and Paul cross 1957's David Lean WWII epic The Bridge On The River Kwai! They explore the career of star Sessue Hayakawa, ask why Lean's tyrannical methods pop up so often in the AFI 100, and c...

Spool Party: House Party from 2020-05-14T04:00

Amy & Paul raise the roof for 1990's Kid N' Play comedy smash House Party! They, listen to the film's all-timer rap battle, look at how the Simpsons was influenced by hip-hop culture, and talk to t...

Intolerance from 2020-04-30T04:00

Paul & Amy gawk at 1916's D.W. Griffith silent spectacle Intolerance! They praise the eternally cool Mountain Girl, ask if Griffith was the original 'troll' director, and marvel at the ambition on ...

Yankee Doodle Dandy from 2020-04-23T04:00

Paul & Amy salute to 1942's Jimmy Cagney musical extravaganza Yankee Doodle Dandy! They analyze the film as a template for modern musical biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody, break down a bizarre propos...

Cabaret from 2020-04-16T16:00

Amy & Paul strut through 1972's Weimar Berlin-set musical Cabaret! They learn about the many forms this story took before becoming a film, discuss a scene that foreshadows today's "fake news" era, ...

Rear Window from 2020-03-19T04:00

Paul & Amy peer into 1957's voyeuristic Hitchcock thriller Rear Window! They learn how the magnificent set was constructed, marvel at Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of a man on the moral edge, and discu...

Sunrise from 2020-03-12T07:09

Amy & Paul rise up for 1927's expressionist F.W. Murnau masterwork Sunrise! They learn how Janet Gaynor won the Best Actress Oscar for three films at once, praise the film's groundbreaking soundtra...

LAPOCALYPSE (Live from Alamo Drafthouse) from 2020-02-27T05:00

Join Paul, Amy and special guest Hayes Davenport (Hollywood Handbook, Flagrant Ones) for this discussion about LA and apocalyptic films, with a special focus on the 1984 cult classic Repo Man! Lear...

Parasite from 2020-02-20T05:00

Paul & Amy latch on to 2019's Best Picture winning Korean class parable Parasite! They talk about overcoming the "one inch barrier of subtitles," praise director Bong Joon Ho's use of lines and ver...

The Sound of Music from 2020-02-13T08:41

Amy & Paul yodel through 1965's blockbuster musical The Sound Of Music! They learn the history of the real Trapp family singers, contemplate Julie Andrews' post-Sound Of Music career, and ask if th...

The Apartment from 2020-01-30T05:00

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 tod...

The Wild Bunch from 2020-01-23T05:00

Paul & Amy light up 1969's rebellious Sam Peckinpah Western The Wild Bunch! They marvel at the stunts the volatile Peckinpah pulled, praise his inventive flashbacks, and debate the film's use of la...

The Gold Rush from 2020-01-16T05:50

Amy & Paul dig into 1925's chilly Charlie Chaplin comedy The Gold Rush! They wonder whether the Tramp smells bad, learn about the tradition of Christmas crackers, and ask if this is the best Chapli...

Best of the Decade Pt. 3 from 2019-12-26T05:00

Paul & Amy continue their Best of The Decade miniseries, picking their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode focuses on the years 2016-2019, and they'll discuss a misunderstood t...

Best of the Decade Pt. 2 from 2019-12-12T05:00

Paul & Amy continue the Best Of The Decade miniseries, picking their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode covers the years 2013-2015, and they'll discuss a visionary action film...

Raging Bull from 2019-11-28T05:00

Paul & Amy go toe-to-toe with 1980's Martin Scorcese boxing biopic Raging Bull! They learn how De Niro gained so much weight for his role as Jake Lamotta, wonder why there are so many boxing films ...

BONUS REEL: Rian Johnson from 2019-11-26T05:00

In a new Bonus Reel, Paul & Amy are joined by Rian Johnson, writer/director of "The Last Jedi" and "Looper", to talk about the three films he would add to the AFI list, and his new movie, "Knives O...

Annie Hall from 2019-11-21T05:00

Paul & Amy clear their throat for 1977's Woody Allen breakthrough "Annie Hall"! They ask how autobiographical the film is, learn who else was considered for that Marshall McLuhan cameo, and decide ...

BONUS REEL: Lorene Scafaria from 2019-11-19T05:00

In a new Bonus Reel, Amy sits down with Lorene Scafaria, director of "Hustlers" and "The Meddler," to talk about the three films she would add to the AFI list.

The Best Years of Our Lives from 2019-11-14T05:00

Amy & Paul return home to 1946's post-WWII drama The Best Years Of Our Lives! They praise the natural performance of first-time actor Harold Russell, compare the film's style to noir movies and Net...

The Grapes of Wrath from 2019-10-31T06:12

Amy & Paul squeeze out 1940's Dust Bowl-set John Steinbeck adaptation The Grapes Of Wrath! They ask if Henry Fonda's Tom Joad is more of a character than an icon, explore the film's impact on music...

The Godfather Pt. II from 2019-10-24T04:00

Paul & Amy say buona sera to 1974's epic mobster sequel The Godfather Pt. II! They analyze Robert De Niro's Sicilian, learn which US president loved the film, and ask if this sequel really covers t...

The Godfather from 2019-10-17T04:00

Amy & Paul pay tribute to 1972's mobster epic The Godfather! They praise the film's incredible rich cinematography, wonder if Michael makes his character turn too quickly, and debate whether this i...

Bonus Reel: Joker & Taxi Driver from 2019-10-15T05:19

On this special bonus episode, Paul & Amy compare the controversial supervillain origin story Joker with one of the films that inspired it, Martin Scorcese's Taxi Driver.

American Graffiti from 2019-10-10T04:00

Paul & Amy cruise through 1973's George Lucas coming-of-age comedy American Graffiti! They discover why Lucas decided to make a film inspired by his teenage years, learn about the real Wolfman Jack...

Spartacus from 2019-09-26T05:09

Amy & Paul fight for 1960's Roman epic Spartacus! They discuss why Spartacus isn't usually considered part of director Stanley Kubrick's canon, learn about Kirk Douglas' heroic efforts to get the f...

North by Northwest from 2019-09-19T07:28

Amy & Paul traverse 1959’s Alfred Hitchcock blockbuster North By Northwest! They discuss what makes Cary Grant’s suit one of the greatest in cinema, ask why so many Hitchcock films feature women be...

On the Waterfront from 2019-09-12T06:45

Paul & Amy fly the coop to 1954's Marlon Brando crime drama On The Waterfront! They ask what the film would have been like with Frank Sinatra in the lead, explore the history of "the Method," and w...

Network from 2019-08-29T08:57

Amy & Paul surf through 1976's Sidney Lumet TV news satire Network! They explore how writer Paddy Chayefsky came up through the TV trenches, listen to modern media figures who took inspiration from...

The Philadelphia Story from 2019-08-22T04:00

Amy & Paul flirt with 1940's archetypal Katharine Hepburn romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story! They discover the origins of the industry trope of "box office poison," explore the strange social ...

The Maltese Falcon from 2019-08-15T04:00

Amy & Paul fly through 1941's Humphrey Bogart proto-noir The Maltese Falcon! They ask if this is the ultimate "dad movie," learn about all of Malta's unique animals and praise the incredible fonts ...

Pulp Fiction from 2019-07-25T07:06

Paul and Amy boogie through 1994's Quentin Tarantino indie breakout Pulp Fiction! They revisit the moment Pulp Fiction won at Cannes, ask what this film did right that so many imitators did wrong, ...

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? from 2019-07-18T04:00

Amy and Paul drink in 1966's black relationship comedy Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? They learn about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's status as the Brangelina of their day, ask which member...

Gone with the Wind from 2019-07-11T09:41

Paul & Amy go to war over 1939's blockbuster Southern epic Gone With The Wind! They praise the chemistry of Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh, watch a trailer for the misbegotten sequel, and ask whether...

Do The Right Thing from 2019-06-27T04:00

Amy & Paul don't fight the power of 1989's Spike Lee breakthrough Do The Right Thing! They praise the film's Shakespearean qualities, analyze the infamous reception it received at Cannes, and ask w...

Toy Story from 2019-06-20T04:00

This week Paul & Amy play with 1995's pioneering CGI adventure Toy Story! They learn about the surprising career of Randy Newman, ask if Sid was really such a bad kid, and debate whether the film w...

Midnight Cowboy from 2019-06-13T06:54

Paul & Amy walk into 1969's New York hustler drama Midnight Cowboy! They look for meaning in the song "Everybody's Talkin'," ask whether Jon Voight's babyfaced features make him the perfect Joe Buc...

Halfway There Special from 2019-05-30T07:21

50 films down, 50 to go! But first, Paul and Amy celebrate making it halfway through the AFI list on this special episode. They discuss their favorite performances from the films so far, break down...

Vertigo from 2019-05-23T04:00

Paul & Amy fall into Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 psychological thriller Vertigo! They learn who created the famous Vertigo zoom, listen to a classic 90s song inspired by Vertigo, and ask if the age gap...

To Kill A Mockingbird from 2019-05-16T04:00

Amy & Paul cross-examine 1962's Southern drama To Kill A Mockingbird! They compare the slice-of-life storytelling to later filmmakers like Richard Linklater, reveal Brock Peters' on-set nickname, a...

Chinatown from 2019-04-25T04:00

This week Paul & Amy investigate 1974's sunlit neo-noir Chinatown! They examine the charges against Roman Polanski and discuss how to watch and contextualize his work today, before diving into the ...

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre from 2019-04-18T04:45

Amy & Paul excavate 1948's Humphrey Bogart thriller The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre! They ask if Fred C. Dobbs qualifies as an antihero, look at the wild career of director John Huston, and explor...

All The President's Men from 2019-04-11T04:00

This week Paul & Amy investigate 1976's journalistic thriller All The President's Men! They learn about the controversy surrounding who wrote the screenplay, appreciate the unshowy direction of Ala...

City Lights from 2019-03-28T04:00

Paul & Amy tumble through 1931's Charlie Chaplin comedy City Lights! They ask whether the film presaged the structure of modern comedies, compare Chaplin's style to Buster Keaton, and ask where the...

West Side Story from 2019-03-21T08:00

Amy & Paul rumble with 1961's musical Shakespeare riff West Side Story! They compare the film's colors to modern art, praise the intelligence Rita Moreno brings to Anita, and ask how Elvis would ha...

A Night At The Opera from 2019-03-14T04:00

This week Paul & Amy sing the praises of 1935's Marx Brothers comedy "A Night At The Opera!" They take apart the film's most famous scene in detail, listen to the "Shallow" of 1935, and debate what...

The Graduate from 2019-02-28T05:00

Amy & Paul scuba-dive into 1967's generation-gap dramedy The Graduate! They look for thematic connections in early Nichols & May sketches, wonder how such a small scale film became an enormous hit,...

BONUS: 2019 Oscars from 2019-02-25T20:51

Amy and special guest host Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check) talk about last night’s Oscars, and unveil the winners of the first annual Spoolies! Plus: A heartwarming Christmas tune from Green...

Best of 2018: Listener’s Picks from 2019-02-21T05:00

Paul & Amy round out the Best Of 2018 miniseries with an all-star lineup of callers talking about their favorite films of last year! Guests like Damon Lindelof, Lucia Aniello, Leonard Maltin, Reggi...

Best of 2018: Critics’ Picks from 2019-02-14T08:15:04

Amy & Paul continue their review of 2018 in film with a look back at last year's most critically acclaimed films! They praise Nicholas Cage's passion in Mandy, marvel at the realism and empathy of ...

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest from 2019-01-31T09:14:18

Paul & Amy fly over 1975's countercultural touchstone One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest! They discuss how the film strays from Ken Kesey's novel, discover how Milos Forman caught actors in unguarded ...

Sunset Boulevard from 2019-01-24T06:57

Paul & Amy drive down to 1950's Hollywood house of horrors Sunset Boulevard! They ask if Joe Gillis is a reliable narrator, praise Gloria Swanson's transformative performance, and wonder if Hollywo...

The Last Picture Show from 2019-01-17T05:00

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 ...

Unforgiven from 2019-01-10T05:00

Amy & Paul saddle up for Clint Eastwood's revisionist 1992 Western Unforgiven! They ask if Gene Hackman is truly the villain of the piece, put the film in the context of Eastwood's career, and prai...

In The Heat Of The Night from 2018-12-27T05:00

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 procedu...

It’s A Wonderful Life from 2018-12-20T05:00

Paul & Amy earn their wings with 1946’s Jimmy Stewart holiday fable “It’s A Wonderful Life!” They wonder if Mary is actually a witch, explain why the term “Capra corn” is unfair, and play a very ti...

Schindler’s List from 2018-12-13T05:00

This week Paul & Amy take a close look at Steven Spielberg's unflinching Holocaust drama "Schindler's List." They discuss the filmmaking instincts Spielberg brings to difficult material, praise Ral...

A Clockwork Orange from 2018-11-29T05:00

Amy & Paul undergo the Ludovico technique to watch Stanley Kubrick's dark dystopia A Clockwork Orange! They explain the history of the famous "Singin In The Rain" scene, compare the complicated ada...

Sophie’s Choice from 2018-11-22T05:00

This week Paul & Amy travel back to 1982's love triangle / Holocaust drama Sophie's Choice! They ask whether Stingo is supposed to be an actual good writer, marvel at the energy of a young Kevin Kl...

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington from 2018-11-15T05:00

Amy and Paul filibuster through Frank Capra's 1939 political fable Mr. Smith Goes To Washington! They learn about Jean Arthur's initial impressions of Jimmy Stewart, compare Capra's visual style to...

The African Queen from 2018-10-25T07:51

Paul & Amy set sail through 1951’s Katharine Hepburn & Humphrey Bogart adventure The African Queen! They ask whether the central romance is convincing, discuss John Huston’s groundbreaking and ardu...

Psycho from 2018-10-11T04:00

Paul & Amy pull off the highway for a short stay at 1960's proto-slasher masterwork Psycho. They dissect Alfred Hitchcock's artful use of misdirection, listen to Anthony Perkins' pre-Psycho pop sin...

Apocalypse Now from 2018-09-27T04:00

Paul & Amy plunge into the heart of darkness to cover 1979's Vietnam War fever dream Apocalypse Now. They discover which famous film character screenwriter John Milius inspired, dig into the meanin...

High Noon from 2018-09-20T06:34

Amy & Paul saddle up and ride through 1952’s archetypal Western, High Noon! They celebrate Katy Jurado’s fierce performance, learn about the ill-advised High Noon sequel, and discover how the film ...

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial from 2018-09-13T04:00

Paul & Amy beam up to Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming alien feature, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial! They learn E.T.’s real name, marvel at Spielberg’s uncanny ease directing children, and wonder how w...

The Sixth Sense from 2018-08-30T08:58

Paul and Amy see dead people in 1999's supernatural drama The Sixth Sense! They debate how Haley Joel Osment's performance compares to modern child actors, explain how the famous twist is accomplis...

Singin' In The Rain from 2018-08-23T06:28

Amy & Paul tap, swing and two-step through 1952's meta-musical Singin' In The Rain! They are dazzled by the film's stylized color, dive into its perspective on honesty in Hollywood, and hear Lena L...

Double Indemnity from 2018-08-16T15:20

Paul & Amy investigate 1944's murderous noir Double Indemnity! They talk about what lines snuck past the censors, learn about the true story that inspired the film, and ask whether Barbara Stanwyck...

The Shawshank Redemption from 2018-07-26T08:53

This week Paul & Amy tunnel through Frank Darabont's prison allegory The Shawshank Redemption! They discuss the use of opera as a 90's film signifier, learn why Shawshank was constantly played on T...

The General from 2018-07-19T04:00

Amy & Paul plow full steam ahead through Buster Keaton's silent opus The General! They realize this was the Fast And Furious of 1926, examine the rivalry between Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, and dig...

Platoon from 2018-07-12T04:00

Paul & Amy hunker down to cover 1986's Vietnam War drama Platoon! They look at director Oliver Stone's relationship with Martin Scorsese, discover how he film captures the chaos of war, and remembe...

2001: A Space Odyssey from 2018-06-28T04:00

Paul & Amy journey beyond the infinite to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey! They ask what the film has in common with a Rothko painting, marvel at what 2001 got right about the future, and d...

Titanic from 2018-06-21T04:00

Amy & Paul chart a course through 1998's epic tragedy Titanic! They marvel at the film's structure and use of geography, discuss whether the Titanic backlash was deserved, and count how many times ...

The French Connection from 2018-06-14T06:14

This week Paul & Amy hit the streets for 1971's The French Connection! They discuss whether Popeye Doyle is actually a hero, what went sideways during that incredible chase scene, and who the real-...

The Wizard Of Oz from 2018-05-31T06:01

Close your eyes, tap your heels together three times, and join Paul & Amy as they discuss 1939's The Wizard Of Oz! Discover what makes the land of Oz so satisfyingly tactile, how the Tin Man and Co...

Ben Hur from 2018-05-24T04:00

Strap on your death sandals, as Paul & Amy jump into 1959's Roman epic Ben Hur! They discuss the incredible scope of the film, how Star Wars ripped off the famous chariot race, and how many charact...

Citizen Kane from 2018-05-17T04:00

On episode one of Unspooled, Paul and Amy jump straight into the AFI’s number one film of all time, Citizen Kane. They explain why it was almost never released, take a closer listen to Orson Welles...