Unspooled

Latest Episodes:

Edward Scissorhands Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Paul & Amy slice into Tim Burton’s 1990 gothic fairytale Edward Scissorhands! They try to determine what year the film takes place in, discover why a story about being an outsider resonated so widely, and ask if Burton’s artistic preoccupations have become shtick. Plus: A brief sidebar on Edward Penishands.

Next week, Paul and Amy are inviting friends to share their favorite films of 2023! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Love Actually: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/love-actually/

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.

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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Concert Films Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Fight Club Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Election Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

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/

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

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/

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The Wolf Of Wall Street Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Hairspray Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Saw Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

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.

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