Unspooled

Paul & Amy crush 1982's Arnold Schwarzenegger pulp fantasy Conan The Barbarian! They learn the purpose of the Wheel Of Pain, praise the operatic storytelling of Basil Poledouris's score, and try to pinpoint the moment where Arnold became a movie star. Plus: is Batman 1989 a kid's movie?

Next week we take a detour into the career of Nicolas Cage! 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 [email protected]!

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Amy & Paul get grubby for 2001's fractured fairy tale Shrek! They discover how the film planted an anti-Disney flag in the mud, review its musical legacy from Smash Mouth to Hallelujah, and debate whether more family films should be just for kids instead of pandering to adults. Plus: Why did Nicolas Cage turn down the titular role?

Next week we wrap up our fantasy series with Conan The Barbarian! You can join the conversation for this series on theUnspooled 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 [email protected]!

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Paul & Amy lead a quest through 1975's Arthurian sendup Monty Python And The Holy Grail! They discuss how the non-hierarchical structure of Python informed their spoof of monarchy and authority of all kinds, praise the troupe for creating an epic on a small budget, and explore the history of Camelot in America. Plus: how is Monty Python connected to Owen and Luke Wilson?

Next week Unspooled takes on a whole different brand of comic fantasy with Shrek! 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 [email protected]!

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Paul & Amy lose their heads for 2021's remixed medieval myth The Green Knight! They learn about the "real" King Arthur, praise Alicia Vikander's alluring dual role in the film, and untangle director David Lowery's knotty layers of symbolism. Plus: Breaking down the Oscars!

Next week Unspooled remains in the realm of Arthurian myth for Monty Python and the Holy Grail! 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 [email protected]!

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Amy & Paul break down the past year in film on this Best Of 2021 special episode! They make cases for some of their favorite overlooked films from 2021, from an antic animated family comedy to a royal biopic turned horror film. Plus: a preview of the Oscars, and why this year's Oscar crop feels like it's playing it safe.

Next week we're taking your votes and covering one Oscar-snubbed film in depth - will it be Annette, The Green Knight, Last Night In Soho or Zola? 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 [email protected]!

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Paul & Amy strike a chord with 1993's Jane Campion gothic period drama The Piano! They praise Anna Paquin's highly naturalistic child performance, puzzle over Holly Hunter's character's true intentions, and discuss what makes this apparently traditionalist arthouse film 'punk rock.' Plus: thoughts on "The Batman."

Next week we look back on the films of 2021, and look ahead to the Oscars! 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 [email protected]!

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Amy & Paul got the touch for 1997's seedy Valley epic Boogie Nights! They marvel at a young Paul Thomas Anderson's preternatural skill behind the camera, see echoes of Step Brothers in the chemistry between Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly, and discuss what makes a tracking shot great and not just showy. Plus: the technological shifts that sunk Dirk Diggler and enabled Anderson's rise.

Next week our Contenders series continues with The Piano! 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 [email protected]!

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Put on your bat-headphones and tune in to this bonus episode of Unspooled as Paul and Amy break down every screen portrayal of the Dark Knight, from Adam West to a preview of Robert Pattinson's turn in Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022). Never fear, no bat-spoilers here!

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Amy & Paul shift gears for 2006's Will Ferrell NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby! They trace director Adam McKay's origins back to his Second City show Piñata Full of Bees, remember the mid 00's era of French baddies and freedom fries, and make the case McKay has always been a political filmmaker. Plus: what do you get your grandma who just turned 80?

Next week our Contenders series continues with Boogie Nights! 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 [email protected]!

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Paul & Amy hack through 1980's chilling Stanley Kubrick horror film The Shining! They learn why Stephen King hated Kubrick's adaptation of his story, weigh in on the many fan theories surrounding the film, and consider how both actor and director can shape the performances we see onscreen. Plus: is that thing in Room 237 a bear or a dog?

Next week Unspooled begins our Oscar-themed series "The Contenders" with Talladega Nights! 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 [email protected]!

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