Amy Nicholson

Amy Nicholson, film critic and Unspooled co-host, offers sharp historical context. Paul Scheer, comedian and Unspooled co-host, brings production stories and industry color. They unpack Ishtar’s chaotic shoot, clashing creative styles, studio politics, and how a film becomes a cultural punching bag. Short, funny tangents pop up throughout.

Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times film critic and Unspooled co-host, explores Preston Sturges' playful 11 rules for box office appeal. She and Michael Phillips debate what still rings true. They parse entrances, momentum, fast dialogue, ensemble chaos, problematic lines, and how Sturges skirted censorship. The conversation ends with three modern rules for comedy and a defense of comic tempo and surprise.

Amy Nicholson, LA Times film critic and Unspooled co-host, joins to unpack A24’s controversial film. They discuss the movie’s shocking twist, its rom-com marketing bait, and whether shock can prompt meaningful conversation about gun violence and forgiveness. They also debate the director’s tone, star use, and missed opportunities around race and responsibility.

Jamelle Bouie, NYT columnist known for sharp cultural and political takes, and Amy Nicholson, LA Times film critic and classic-cinema buff, dig into Emerald Fennell’s campy Wuthering Heights adaptation and its casting choices. They unpack Ryan Murphy’s glossy Love Story about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, then celebrate the anarchic, nostalgia-forward revival of The Muppet Show.

Jamelle Bouie, New York Times columnist who mixes politics with cultural critique, and Amy Nicholson, LA Times film critic and Unspooled co-host, dig into three pop-culture beasts. They spar over Emerald Fennell’s lurid Wuthering Heights, unpack Ryan Murphy’s glossy JFK Jr. love story, and celebrate the anarchic revival of The Muppet Show. Quick, sharp takes on casting, aesthetics, and why these stories still fascinate.