Unspooled

Dive into the satirical chaos of a 1997 sci-fi classic that reevaluates its reputation over time. Discover how the film's commentary on war and propaganda reflects societal evolution. Unpack the complexities of character motivations, especially in the face of militaristic pressures. Explore themes of heroism and villainy, and how blind obedience can skew morality. Plus, an intriguing look at the intelligence of insects and their eerie parallel to human society. A thought-provoking journey into both cinematic craft and cultural critique awaits!

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

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

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a bonus Unspooled this week, Paul & Amy discuss some of the most interesting films released in the last month - Top Gun: Maverick, the reboot of Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices