Unspooled

Unspooled

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

September 4, 2025 76 mins
With the iconic teen drama returning to theaters for its 40th anniversary, Paul and Amy head back to high school to revisit The Breakfast Club. They dive into the movie’s legacy and talk about the scenes that didn’t make the final cut. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer...
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Paul and Amy piece together their memories to unravel Memento, the thought provoking thriller that announced the arrival of one of the 21st century’s most visionary filmmakers. They dive into some big questions that the film presents: Can we really trust our own memories? How do we shape the way others see us? And what stories do we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives? You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Di...
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August 21, 2025 71 mins
This week, Paul and Amy dive into the mind-bending world of Richard Kelly’s 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko. They unravel its twisted timelines and alternate realities, explore its reflections on mental health, and examine what the film reveals about the turbulence of adolescence. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie...
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August 14, 2025 66 mins
Put on your sunglasses—it’s time to see reality for what it truly is. Paul and Amy are rewinding the clock to 1988 to explore John Carpenter’s cult classic, They Live. Join them as they unpack how the film offers a sharp critique on Reagan-era America, reflects Carpenter’s political perspective, and why Carpenter wrote the script under a pseudonym. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg...
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August 7, 2025 66 mins
The summer movie season brought the heat with unexpected hits, shocking flops, and plenty of surprises — and Paul and Amy are here to break it all down with their hottest takes. They talk about how Fantastic Four pulled Marvel out of its slump, dissect Pixar’s worst box office opening ever, and much more. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterb...
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July 31, 2025 59 mins
With a reboot on the horizon, Paul and Amy revisit the 1988 slapstick classic The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!. From the creators of Airplane!, they explore how this team transformed a short-lived TV series into a beloved comedy franchise and in the process, helped invent a new species of cinematic comedy that left it's mark on culture. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg...
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July 24, 2025 85 mins
Very nice! Amy and Paul dive deep into the influential and controversial 2006 film Borat. They discuss its place on major film lists, its impact on comedy and American culture, and the unique challenges faced during its production. The episode features a special interview with Borat director Larry Charles, who shares behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the making of the film. You can join the Unspooled conversation on P...
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July 17, 2025 86 mins
There are summer blockbuster...and then there are summer flops. So this week, Paul and Amy take a plunge into the 1995 disaster, Waterworld. Stick around until the end, where they're joined by journalist and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, who has his own personal connection to Hollywood misfires. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more ...
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July 10, 2025 107 mins
With James Gunn’s Superman on the horizon, Paul and Amy revisit their 2022 episode on the movie that started it all—Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman. They look back at how Superman has evolved over the years, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re hoping (and worried) about when it comes to the new take on the Man of Steel. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow P...
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July 3, 2025 68 mins
With July 4th just around the corner, Amy and Paul are getting into the patriotic spirit by revisiting the 1997 high altitude thriller Air Force One. They dive into how Harrison Ford wasn’t the original choice to play the president, discuss how the film holds up today, and Amy’s real-life trip to Kazakhstan. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Lette...
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July 1, 2025 31 mins
The New York Times unveiled their 100 best films of the 21st century last week and Amy and Paul are weighing in. In this mini episode, they unpack what they found to be bold choices, the snubs, and what left them scratching their heads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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June 26, 2025 65 mins
With F1: The Movie hitting theaters this weekend, Paul and Amy are putting the pedal to the metal as they revisit the Wachowskis’ 2008 Speed Racer. They dive into how the film transformed from a box office flop to a cultural hit, explore its hyper-stylized visuals, and give some context on the chimpanzee. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visi...
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June 19, 2025 61 mins
Hot on the heels of Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, Paul and Amy are bracing for the zombie apocalypse with a deep dive into 28 Days Later. They explore the film’s parallels to COVID-19 and 9/11 and reveal how Stephen King once bought out 800 tickets on opening night. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up now in the Regal app: ⁠⁠htt...
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June 12, 2025 75 mins
Amy’s back from Cannes, and this week, she and Paul are hitting the road with the 1995 comedy Tommy Boy. They dig into the behind-the-scenes tension between David Spade and Chris Farley, that it's one of Quentin Tarantino's favorite ’90s comedies, and how Farley’s tragic early death meant his full talent never truly got the spotlight it deserved. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscr...
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June 5, 2025 71 mins
It's almost the 25th anniversary of one of the most iconic queer films ever made, so this week we're diving into But I'm a Cheerleader. With Amy still out on assignment in Cannes, Paul is joined by comedian Jeff Hiller and star of the cult classic, Clea DuVall. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited,  the all-you-can-watch movie subscription that pays for itself in just two visits. Sign up now in the Regal app: https://reg...
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May 29, 2025 71 mins
With Amy off on assignment in Cannes, we naturally had to call in some reinforcements—so this week, we're joined by Jon Gabrus, Ben Rodgers, and Ryan Stanger, a.k.a. the Action Boyz, to dive into John Wick: Chapter 4. We’re talking about what we loved, what didn’t quite hit for us, and whether there’s a real rivalry brewing between Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://di...
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May 22, 2025 69 mins
With Memorial Day around the corner, we're kicking off the summer movie season with the 2001 comedy classic, Wet Hot American Summer. Amy and Paul discuss the difficult process of getting the film put together, how it altered the directions of everyone's careers, and their own personal connections to summer camp. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on ...
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May 15, 2025 67 mins
Amy and Paul grab their ice picks this week, as they get into the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct. They chat about the controversy the film stirred up with LGBT activists, break down that iconic interrogation scene, and talk about how Sharon Stone waited years for her breakout role. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of the...
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May 8, 2025 53 mins
We're turning the clock way back, and Amy and Paul are exploring the 1946 classic The Big Sleep. They discuss the electric chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, the film’s influence on The Big Lebowski, and how the writers sidestepped the old Hollywood production code. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of the...
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May 1, 2025 71 mins
It’s been 45 years since The Empire Strikes Back hit us with one of the most iconic twists in movie history, so Amy and Paul are hopping in the Millennium Falcon and heading to a galaxy far, far away. This week, they talk about how Mark Hamill struggled as the only human on set, the impact it had on movies, and why R2-D2 can be a little bit annoying. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.g...
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