

Unspooled
Paul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm
Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 21, 2020 • 1h 34min
The Bridge On The River Kwai
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 compare the film to author Pierre Boulle's other famous work "Planet Of The Apes." Plus: responding to your comments on Goodfellas, and the passing of Fred Willard and Lynn Shelton.
For Streetcar Named Desire week, scream your post-quarantine desires a la "Stella!" Call it in to the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Also check out our live Spool Party episodes on youtube.com/earwolf! Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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May 14, 2020 • 1h 29min
Spool Party: House Party
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 the film's writer and director Reginald Hudlin, and star Christopher "Kid" Reid. (This episode originally aired live on YouTube as part of Unspooled's "Spool Party" series.)
Next week get ready for the 1957 war epic "The Bridge On The River Kwai"! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Check out the rest of our Spool Parties live on youtube.com/earwolf. Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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May 7, 2020 • 2h 18min
Goodfellas
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 commercial, and ask if there are too many gangster films on the AFI list. Plus: Chef Evan Funke (The Shape Of Pasta) shares a tomato sauce recipe you can make even in quarantine.
Next week tune in for our Spool Party episode about Kid N Play's House Party! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. And check out our Spool Parties live on youtube.com/earwolf- this Monday we're talking about Clue! Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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Apr 30, 2020 • 1h 34min
Intolerance
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 display in the oldest film on the AFI list. Plus: Unpacking your thoughts on Yankee Doodle Dandy.
If you could kick just one film off the AFI list, which would it be? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.comand don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Also check out our live Spool Party episodes on youtube.com/earwolf! Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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Apr 23, 2020 • 1h 42min
Yankee Doodle Dandy
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 proposal scene, and learn how the real life political views of Jimmy Cagney clashed with his subject George M. Cohan. Plus: listeners offer their thoughts on Cabaret!
For Intolerance week, what movie set do you think could inspire a great mall! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Also check out our live Spool Party episodes on youtube.com/earwolf! Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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Apr 16, 2020 • 1h 47min
Cabaret
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, and ask if Liza Minnelli is too good of a singer to play Sally Bowles. Plus: Adam Pascal, who played the Emcee in the revival of Cabaret, talks about why he finds the character so unnerving.
Who's a tough guy actor you suspect is actually a great dancer? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Also check out our live Spool Party episodes on youtube.com/earwolf, and hear Paul & Amy talk about Yankee Doodle Dandy next week on afi.com/movieclub! Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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Apr 9, 2020 • 1h 43min
Easy Rider
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 controversial ending is really trying to say. Plus: listeners dig deeper into Sullivan's Travels' take on poverty.
For Cabaret week, sing us a bit of "Wilkommen"! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your contribution. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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Apr 2, 2020 • 1h 46min
Sullivan's Travels
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, and ask if this is actually Sturges' best film or just his best known. Plus: More thoughts on the amazing career of Sidney Lumet.
For Easy Rider week, who would you want to go on a motorcycle road trip with? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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Mar 26, 2020 • 1h 50min
12 Angry Men
Guest Marissa Beyers, jury consultant, discusses the evolution of jury selection since the 50s. The hosts analyze the film '12 Angry Men' and its portrayal of the jury duty process. They also discuss the importance of women's representation on juries and the role of trial consultants in jury selection. The lasting relevance of '12 Angry Men' is explored, highlighting its themes of standing up for what's right and addressing racism.

Mar 19, 2020 • 1h 42min
Rear Window
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 discuss why Grace Kelly is not a "Lisa." Plus: Lane Moore, author of How To Be Alone, talks about how she deals with loneliness and isolation.
Next week we are (actually) talking about 12 Angry Men - help defend a criminal character you think deserved a fairer trial! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts.
Photo credit: Kim Troxall
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