Unspooled

Earwolf

Comedian Paul Scheer is known for taking apart bad movies in clinical detail on his podcast How Did This Get Made? But on Unspooled, his new team-up with film critic Amy Nicholson, he’s turning his focus to good movies - specifically, the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest movies of all time. What made these movies so special in the first place? How do they hold up in 2018? Paul & Amy will dissect iconic scenes, talk to artists & filmmakers about the influence of these films, and give listeners a free education in classic cinema.

Comedian Paul Scheer is known for taking apart bad movies in clinical detail on his podcast How Did This Get Made? But on Unspooled, his new team-up with film critic Amy Nicholson, he’s turning his focus to good movies - specifically, the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest movies of all time. What made these movies so special in the first place? How do they hold up in 2018? Paul & Amy will dissect iconic scenes, talk to artists & filmmakers about the influence of these films, and give listeners a free education in classic cinema.

More Information

Location:

United States

Genres:

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

Networks:

Earwolf

Description:

Language:

English

Episodes

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

10/18/2018

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 discuss what makes the film's action sequences so irresistible to kids. Plus: Indiana Jones superfan Guy Klender shares his wealth of Indy knowledge, and talks about his work on the Raiders fan remake. What do you think the film The African Queen is about? If you haven't seen it, call the Unspooled...

Duration:01:26:59

Psycho

10/11/2018

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 single, and ask if there was any value in Gun Van Sant's controversial remake. Plus: Alexandre O. Philippe, the director of "78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene," discusses one of cinema's most infamous moments in detail. What do you think is in the warehouse at the end of Raiders Of The Lost Ark? Call...

Duration:01:21:01

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

10/4/2018

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 modern dictator hates being compared to Gollum, and debate which if any Harry Potter film could make the list. Plus: Motion capture specialist Brett Ineson talks about making Gollum come to life in Return Of The King. For Psycho week, what would you write in your positive Yelp review of the Bates...

Duration:01:24:24

Apocalypse Now

9/27/2018

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 meaning of the USO show sequence, and are ultimately amazed this film ever came together in the first place. Plus: All of your amazing/terrible Marlon Brando impressions! What character would you be in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824...

Duration:01:27:34

High Noon

9/20/2018

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 works as an allegory for HUAC-era America. Plus: Henry C. Parke of True West Magazine tells us what makes High Noon stand out in the Western pantheon. For Apocalypse Now week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and give us a pearl of wisdom using your best Colonel Kurtz impression!...

Duration:01:15:58

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

9/13/2018

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 well the film holds up with kids today. Plus: Seth Shostak, an astronomer from the SETI Institute, tells us how likely we are to find actual E.T.s on Earth. Next week: the western showdown classic, High Noon. If you've never seen it, or can't quite remember it, give us your guess about the plot,...

Duration:01:37:18

Taxi Driver

9/6/2018

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 discover a surprising source of inspiration for another film on the AFI 100. Plus: actor and writer Curt Neill tells us about his experiences driving for Uber, and how it helped him empathize with Travis Bickle. If E.T. didn't stand for extra-terrestrial...what would it stand for? Next week is...

Duration:01:31:19

The Sixth Sense

8/30/2018

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 accomplished through misdirection, and dive deep into the career of Tommy Tammasimo, Plus: Actor and magician Rob Zabrecky explains what it's like to perform a seance. For Taxi Driver week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and tell us what you think Travis Bickle's taxicab smells like!...

Duration:01:25:53

Singin' In The Rain

8/23/2018

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 Lamont's real voice. Plus: dancer & choreographer Sarah Reich drops by the show to talk about the art of tap! For Sixth Sense week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and tell us which dead actor from an Unspooled film you'd want to talk to! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, and don’t...

Duration:01:20:30

Double Indemnity

8/16/2018

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's femme fatale is actually telling the truth in her final scenes. Plus: comic & crime fiction writer Ed Brubaker stops by to talk about the contentious relationship between Billy Wilder & Raymond Chandler. Who would you boink, marry or kill from the cast of Singing In The Rain? Call the Unspooled...

Duration:01:15:08

All About Eve

8/9/2018

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 hated each other, and furiously debate whether the title character is actually all that bad. Plus: film critic and historian Karina Longworth (You Must Remember This) talks about Bette Davis and her place in Hollywood history. In honor of Double Indemnity week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at...

Duration:01:26:18

King Kong

8/2/2018

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 sees in Jack Driscoll. Plus: primatologist Kate Gilmore stops by to explain King Kong is not a gorilla! What do you think All About Eve is all about? If you haven't seen it, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your best guesses. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, and don’t forget...

Duration:01:11:33

The Shawshank Redemption

7/26/2018

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 TNT, and debate whether this is "the Bud Light of movies." Plus: comedian and podcaster Duncan Trussell stops by to talk about Stephen King adaptations, and how prison films can be a metaphor for transcendence. Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your best King Kong grunt or Fay...

Duration:01:09:41

The General

7/19/2018

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 into Buster's incredibly depressing childhood. Plus: An interview with Jeff Tremaine, the director of the Jackass films, on why he's never messed around with trains. Does The Shawshank Redemption deserve to be the #1 film on IMDB? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your take....

Duration:01:13:45

Platoon

7/12/2018

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 remember the ill-advised Platoon video game Plus: Amy sits down with the military advisor on Platoon, Dale Dye, to learn how he helped the cast get in the soldier mindset. What do you think The General is about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and let us know. Follow us on Twitter...

Duration:01:24:29

Bonnie And Clyde

7/5/2018

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 terrifying gunshot sounds. Plus: An interview with the writer of Bonnie & Clyde, Robert Benton! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your best gun or explosion sound effects for Platoon! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple...

Duration:01:20:04

2001: A Space Odyssey

6/28/2018

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 decide whether to join Team Hal. Plus: Discover what other listeners think that ending is all about! What iconic duo would you cast in a modern Bonnie & Clyde? Call 747-666-5824 with your answers. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts....

Duration:01:08:45

Titanic

6/21/2018

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 Jack & Rose say each other's names. Plus: Danny Nucci, aka Fabrizio!, shares stories from the set, and what it was like to work with the legendarily intense James Cameron. What is the true meaning of 2001: A Space Odyssey? Tell us by calling the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824. Follow us...

Duration:01:17:23

The French Connection

6/14/2018

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-life inspirations for Doyle & Russo were. Plus: an interview with cop-turned-actor Brian Danker about what French Connection gets right and wrong about police work. Tell us your hot take about next week's film, Titanic, by calling the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824! Follow us on Twitter...

Duration:01:08:44

Swing Time

6/7/2018

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. Plus: an interview with choreographer Kat Burns (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) about Fred & Ginger's dance numbers, and Andrew Ti and Tawny Newsome from the "Yo Is This Racist?" podcast stop by to discuss "that scene." What do you think the tag line for The French Connection should be? Call the Unspooled...

Duration:00:59:44