Unspooled

Amy & Paul take on all comers for 2010's Edgar Wright comic extravaganza Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World! They discuss Michael Cera's unusual casting as a feckless player, learn about Scott's original fate in the film's first cut, and revisit the era of pop-culture hyperliteracy that birthed this story. Plus: comparing the film with Scott Pilgrim's recent anime re-imagining. Next week, Paul and Amy are talking about The Emperor's New Groove! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Sunrise: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/sunrise-2/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul take the stage for a closer look at concert movies! Inspired by the recent release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and the rerelease of Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense,” they dig into what separates a good concert film from a great one, survey the many ways musicians make their films feel like a true event, and learn about Flavor Flav’s Swift fandom. Plus: how David Byrne is like Oppenheimer. Next week, Paul and Amy are talking about Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Jackass: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/jackass/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy play hooky for 1984’s John Hughes class-cutting caper Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! They discover the secret backstory behind Charlie Sheen’s memorable cameo, read some of their favorite Reddit fan theories, and express their disappointment that the real Matthew Broderick is nothing like Ferris. Plus: how the filmmakers pulled off that massive parade sequence. Next week, Paul and Amy are talking about concert movies! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Planes Trains & Automobiles: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/platoon/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul volunteer as tribute for 2012’s young adult dystopian saga The Hunger Games! They compare the young Jennifer Lawrence to her character Katniss, trace a theme of idealism vs cynicism through director Gary Ross’s filmography, and marvel at Peeta’s rock face. Plus: Should the main characters have been hungrier? Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Platoon: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/platoon/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy break all the rules of David Fincher’s 1999 cult sendup of masculinity Fight Club! They ask how seriously we’re meant to take the film’s grand pronouncements on consumerism and conformity, discover how badly Edward Norton hurt himself while beating himself up, and ask if this holds up as Fincher’s very best film. Plus: Which costume choice for Tyler Durden went too far for Fincher? Next week. Paul and Amy are watching The Hunger Games! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, The Matrix: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/the-matrix/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy put their hats in the ring for 1999’s acidic high-school satire Election! They praise director Alexander Payne’s brilliant eye for humanist detail, discuss how Matthew Broderick channels his Ferris Bueller image to subversive ends, and posit that America has only become more like high school since the movie’s release. Plus: How Election almost derailed Reese Witherspoon’s career. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Fight Club! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Mean Girls: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/mean-girls/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy time warp to 1975’s cult musical sensation The Rocky Horror Picture Show! They ask what makes a movie camp, discover the genius marketer who helped the film find its audience, and debate whether Rocky Horror is actually best appreciated in a rowdy theater. Plus: How Rocky is like a katamari. Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Election! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Little Shop Of Horrors: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/little-shop-of-horrors/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul make the hard sell for 2013’s manic Wall Street exposé The Wolf Of Wall Street! They learn how the film’s unusual funding gave director Martin Scorsese freedom to push the limits of this story, ask if this is Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performance, and try to nail down, once and for all, whether Scorsese approves of the actions he depicts. Plus: Did Leo base his performance on a meme? Next week, Paul and Amy are watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy spritz on John Waters’ subversive 1988 comedy Hairspray! They learn how star ensemble player Divine was like Godzilla, compare the soundtrack to the 2007 Broadway production, and marvel at how this PG film snuck radical ideas about race, gender and body positivity into the mainstream. Plus: The curious legacy of Pia Zadora. Next week, Paul and Amy are watching The Wolf Of Wall Street! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Grease: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/grease/ 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy slice into 2004’s nasty low-budget horror Saw! They learn why Cary Elwes holds a grudge against the filmmakers, appreciate how much dread Leigh Whannell and James Wan were able to wring out of simple production design choices, and meditate on the term ‘torture porn’ and what audiences get out of films like these. Plus: Why was Danny Glover in a Pilates infomercial? Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Hairspray! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy reflect on Douglas Sirk's piercing 1959 melodrama Imitation Of Life! They learn what made this epochal film a favorite of Steven Spielberg's, discuss what Sirk has to say about race in America, and ask what this slyly satirical blockbuster has in common with Starship Troopers. Plus: The murder that nearly overshadowed the film's release. Next week, Paul and Amy are watching Saw! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul high-kick into John G. Avildsen’s 1984 martial-arts megahit The Karate Kid! They learn about the movie’s semi-autobiographical origins, discuss the post-Karate careers of stars Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, and ask whether this is even better than Avildsen’s older, more acclaimed fight-centric film. Plus: is that supposed to be The Beach Boys? Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Imitation Of Life! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy rev up for 1968’s sleek Steve McQueen thriller Bullitt! They break down the film’s all-timer car chase, learn how McQueen brought a counter-cultural energy to the cop archetype, and ask if any modern actor has McQueen’s energy. Plus: The real San Francisco officer that inspired Bullitt. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching The Karate Kid! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy dissect Mary Harron’s murderous corporate-world satire American Psycho! They learn how star Christian Bale almost lost the role to Leonardo DiCaprio, ask if all the events in the film are ‘really happening,’ and unpack American Psycho’s infamous reputation before it was even released. Plus: the not-so-secret inspiration for Patrick Bateman. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Bullitt! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul accept a mission from Drew Taylor and Charles Hood (hosts of the Light The Fuse podcast) to rate each of the Mission: Impossible films, and decide whether any of them deserve to go to space! They’ll discuss the many eras of Ethan Hunt, how Brian De Palma set the template for what an auteur-driven franchise film could do, whether the latest entry nailed its climactic set piece, and Tom Cruise’s famous cake. Next week. Paul and Amy are watching American Psycho! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul overrule all objections to 2001's law school comedy Legally Blonde! They compare the film to the recent ultra-femme smash hit Barbie, discuss how Reese Witherspoon discovered her star power, and wonder why the sequel fell so flat. Plus: some shocking facts about blondes. Next week. Paul and Amy talk Mission: Impossible with the hosts of Light The Fuse! You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy and guest host Jamie Loftus (“Raw Dog,” The Bechdel Cast) detonate this summer’s hot pink double feature phenomenon, Barbenheimer! Starting with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, they discuss what made them cry, what made them cringe, and what sent them down a rabbit hole about pregnant Midge. Then, they jump to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, talking about everything from Nolan’s uranium-dense storytelling to star Cillian Murphy’s snatched waist. Next week. Paul returns to watch Legally Blonde with Amy! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Come see There Will Be Blood with Paul & Amy at LA's Aero Theater on August 28th! 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul remember the Alamo for 1985's magnificently silly Paul Reubens showcase Pee-wee's Big Adventure! They go deep on the conception and evolution of the Pee-wee Herman character, look back on the fallout from Reubens' public scandals, and dig into Pee-wee's self-conception as a loner and a rebel. Plus: How Reubens connected with a young Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. Next week, Amy and a special guest are tackling Barbie and Oppenheimer! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Come see There Will Be Blood with Paul & Amy at LA's Aero Theater on August 28th! 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Paul & Amy hear from the Unspooled listeners as they decide which film from Listener's Choice month will join the API list - Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hot Fuzz, There Will Be Blood or Children Of Men? They'll also ask how important 'rewatchability' is, talk about theater experiences that leave moviegoers shaken, and try to sort out, once and for all, which is the best Paul Thomas Anderson movie. Next week, Paul & Amy are watching Pee-wee's Big Adventure! You can join the conversation for this series on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Come see There Will Be Blood with Paul & Amy at LA's Aero Theater on August 28th! 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul get suave for 2006’s Alfonso Cuarón dystopia Children Of Men! They praise the very human performances, learn whether ringing in the ears really means your ear cells are dying, and discuss why the film’s mind-melting long takes are more than just a flashy technique. Plus: Remember Clive Owen’s BMW ads? Next week, we’re wrapping up Listener’s Choice month by hearing from the listeners! Send us your vote for our bracket at tinyurl.com/unspooledvote, or leave us a voicemail making your case at 424-419-5745. You can join the conversation for this series 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, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.