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

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 to...

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." Next week's film is The French Connection! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at...

Duration:00:59:44

The Wizard Of Oz

5/31/2018

Close your eyes, tap your heels together three times, and join Paul & Amy as they discuss 1939's The Wizard Of Oz! Discover what makes the land of Oz so satisfyingly tactile, how the Tin Man and Cowardly Lion tormented each other on set, and whether this is the most influential film of all time. Plus: Paul & Amy talk to Walter Krueger, who owns one of the world's biggest collections of Oz memorabilia. What do you think the Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire musical "Swing Time" is about? Call...

Duration:01:01:20

Ben Hur

5/24/2018

Strap on your death sandals, as Paul & Amy jump into 1959's Roman epic Ben Hur! They discuss the incredible scope of the film, how Star Wars ripped off the famous chariot race, and how many characters say the word "leper." Plus: Paul & Amy talk to stunt professional Christopher Leps about his career, and where Ben Hur ranks among the great stunt films. For next week's episode, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and tell us how you would cast a modern Wizard Of Oz! Don’t...

Duration:01:02:31

Citizen Kane

5/17/2018

On episode one of Unspooled, Paul and Amy jump straight into the AFI’s number one film of all time, Citizen Kane. They explain why it was almost never released, take a closer listen to Orson Welles’ innovative use of sound, and try to answer the big question: is this really the best movie ever? Plus: an interview with a guest expert, cinematographer Steve Gainer, on why Citizen Kane looks so incredible. Want to tell us your best guess as to what Ben Hur is all about? Call the Unspooled...

Duration:01:00:22

Preview: What Is Unspooled?

5/7/2018

Paul & Amy introduce their new podcast Unspooled, where they watch every movie on the AFI’s Top 100 Films list. Subscribe now - episode 1, “Citizen Kane,” drops May 17th!

Duration:00:07:46