Amy & Paul upload their consciousness into 2009’s otherworldly sci-fi spectacle Avatar! They confirm the concept of ‘unobtanium’ wasn’t invented by the film, learn which movie stars were up for the role of Jake Sully, and ask themselves why they feel protective of director James Cameron. Plus: did Cameron really insist the Na’Vi need to have breasts?

Next week, tune in as we discuss Die Hard! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/unspooledpodcast, and 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, Stitcher and Spotify. You can also listen to our Stitcher Premium game show Screen Test right now at https://www.stitcher.com/show/unspooled-screen-test and apply to be a contestant at unspooledpod@gmail.com!

Avatar

Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Friday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (New York Times, Washington Post) break down the greatest films of all time. 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 talk to some of the actors and directors who worked on these classics. Join Paul and Amy every Thursday as they “Unspool” a new film and decide if it still stands the test of time.

TV & Film

Film History

This week, Paul & Amy look at the other side of divorce with the 2013 Spike Jonze film HER. The two break down the incredibly charming performance of Joaquin Phoenix, discuss the AI of it all, dig into all the messiness that is being in romantic relationships, and ask, “Was Scarlett Johansson acting as an avatar for the Jonze-Coppola divorce?”.



Next week, Paul and Amy take a look at the film Call Me By Your Name, in honor of the release of Luca Guadagnino’s new film, Challengers.



Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind here: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/eternal-sunshine-of-the-spotless-mind/



You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 and check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer



Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer



Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/



Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

This week, Paul is gone, but Amy is joined by fellow film critic and podcast host, Rico Gagliano (MUBI Podcast). The two break down the 2003 Sofia Coppola classic, Lost in Translation, starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. They dig into the themes of alienation and loneliness in the film, the visual style of Sofia Coppola, and how she has noted that this movie could never get made today. Plus as a special treat, Amy finds and shares a little-known Sofia Coppola Comedy Central show.



You can listen to more of Rico Gagliano and the MUBI podcast at https://mubi.buzzsprout.com/



Next week, Paul & Amy are breaking down the 2013 film HER, directed by Spike Jonze. 



Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Raising Arizona https://www.earwolf.com/episode/raising-arizona/



You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 and check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer



Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer



Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Lost In Translation w/ Rico Gagliano

This week, Paul is away on tour, but Amy is joined by fellow film critic and podcast host David Sims (Blank Check). They break down the 1987 romcom Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. Amy and David question Cher’s character “jinx”, notice the moon woven into all the details of the film, and learn about Norman Jewison's fantasy headspace when making his films. So sit back and let the moon hit your eye!



Next week, Amy will be chatting with Rico Gagliano from the Mubi Notebook Podcast and they are talking all things LOST IN TRANSLATION! 



Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Raising Arizona: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/raising-arizona/



You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 and check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer



Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer



Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Moonstruck w/ David Sims

This week Amy and Paul are rocking out to the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Ted Neeley and directed by Norman Jewison. This musical stage play turned Burning Man Christ film was shot in the Israeli desert, leaving everyone mystified by the budget’s lack of generosity in only affording the actors one set of costumes. Plus, why Ted Neeley was always the best fit for the role of Jesus, competing against John Travolta, John Lennon, and many others, and Paul and Amy share a little about their own upbringings within their parents' churches!



Next week, Paul is on tour with HDTGM! Amy will be chatting with David Sims from Blank Check and are talking all things MOONSTRUCK! Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, In the Heat of the Night: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/in-the-heat-of-the-night/



You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer



Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer



Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/



Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Jesus Christ Superstar

This week Paul and Amy’s clones are breaking down the 2009 film, Moon, starring Sam Rockwell and directed by Duncan Jones. But first things first, honoring our Oscars bet, Paul announces his removal of the film Intolerance from the Paul and Amy Institute list, much to Amy’s chagrin. Then, Paul and Amy dig into Moon, it being a “holy shit” movie in 2009, ponder how and what clones remember, and finally Amy makes the connection between this movie and space’s darling George Clooney and the hair-cutting device, Flowbee.



Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Norman Jewison's film Jesus Christ Superstar! Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, High Noon: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/high-noon/



You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer



Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer



Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/



Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Avatar

Download our free app to listen on your phone