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Unspooled

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Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 6min

Speed Racer

With F1: The Movie hitting theaters this weekend, Paul and Amy are putting the pedal to the metal as they revisit the Wachowskis’ 2008 Speed Racer. They dive into how the film transformed from a box office flop to a cultural hit, explore its hyper-stylized visuals, and give some context on the chimpanzee. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up now in the Regal app: ⁠⁠⁠https://regmovies.onelink.me/4207629222/srumlli8⁠⁠⁠ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 2min

28 Days Later

Hot on the heels of Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, Paul and Amy are bracing for the zombie apocalypse with a deep dive into 28 Days Later. They explore the film’s parallels to COVID-19 and 9/11 and reveal how Stephen King once bought out 800 tickets on opening night. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up now in the Regal app: ⁠⁠https://regmovies.onelink.me/4207629222/srumlli8⁠⁠ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 16min

Tommy Boy

Amy’s back from Cannes, and this week, she and Paul are hitting the road with the 1995 comedy Tommy Boy. They dig into the behind-the-scenes tension between David Spade and Chris Farley, that it's one of Quentin Tarantino's favorite ’90s comedies, and how Farley’s tragic early death meant his full talent never truly got the spotlight it deserved. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up now in the Regal app: ⁠https://regmovies.onelink.me/4207629222/srumlli8⁠ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 11min

But I'm a Cheerleader

It's almost the 25th anniversary of one of the most iconic queer films ever made, so this week we're diving into But I'm a Cheerleader. With Amy still out on assignment in Cannes, Paul is joined by comedian Jeff Hiller and star of the cult classic, Clea DuVall. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up now in the Regal app: https://regmovies.onelink.me/4207629222/srumlli8 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 29, 2025 • 1h 14min

John Wick: Chapter 4

With Amy off on assignment in Cannes, we naturally had to call in some reinforcements—so this week, we're joined by Jon Gabrus, Ben Rodgers, and Ryan Stanger, a.k.a. the Action Boyz, to dive into John Wick: Chapter 4. We’re talking about what we loved, what didn’t quite hit for us, and whether there’s a real rivalry brewing between Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 22, 2025 • 1h 12min

Wet Hot American Summer

With Memorial Day around the corner, we're kicking off the summer movie season with the 2001 comedy classic, Wet Hot American Summer. Amy and Paul discuss the difficult process of getting the film put together, how it altered the directions of everyone's careers, and their own personal connections to summer camp. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 15, 2025 • 1h 9min

Basic Instinct

Dive into the provocative world of a 1992 film that stirred up debates on LGBTQ+ representation. The showdown of iconic interrogation scenes pairs with a discussion on the complexities of sexuality and the absurdity of character dynamics. Explore how this film critiques male manipulation and showcases female strength, while also reflecting on the cultural shifts of the era. Plus, a fun detour into summer classics adds a light-hearted touch to the in-depth analysis!
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May 8, 2025 • 55min

The Big Sleep

We're turning the clock way back, and Amy and Paul are exploring the 1946 classic The Big Sleep. They discuss the electric chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, the film’s influence on The Big Lebowski, and how the writers sidestepped the old Hollywood production code. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 1, 2025 • 1h 14min

The Empire Strikes Back

Delve into the legacy of one of cinema's greatest twists, as the podcast explores Darth Vader's shocking reveal and its emotional weight. Discover Mark Hamill's unique challenges on set as the lone human among Jedi. The dynamics of romance and duty come to life through Han and Leia's relationship amid the chaos. Character evolution is front and center, with Luke's struggles resonating deeply. Plus, a humorous look at R2-D2's quirks adds a fun twist to this comprehensive analysis of a beloved classic.
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Apr 29, 2025 • 43min

No Spoilers: Sinners and Minecraft

The hosts dive into a spoiler-free exploration of two major films: the surprising depths of 'Sinners' and the unexpected charm of 'A Minecraft Movie.' They discuss the challenges filmmakers face in today's industry, emphasizing the necessity for originality amid many IP projects. The conversation highlights the importance of movie theaters as communal spaces, celebrating recent box office successes that defy expectations. Tune in for an intriguing look at how these stories resonate with contemporary culture and the resilience of creativity in filmmaking.

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