Unspooled

Amy and special guest host Griffin Newman (The Tick, Blank Check) talk about last night’s Oscars, and unveil the winners of the first annual Spoolies! Plus: A heartwarming Christmas tune from Green Book screenwriter Nick Vallelonga.

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Paul & Amy round out the Best Of 2018 miniseries with an all-star lineup of callers talking about their favorite films of last year! Guests like Damon Lindelof, Lucia Aniello, Leonard Maltin, Reggie Hudlin, Casey Wilson, Chris Gethard and the wonderful Unspooled listeners evangelize their favorite films, from Free Solo and Shoplifters to Searching and Mamma Mia 2. Plus: we briefly preview the Academy Awards this Sunday, and finally talk about Green Book.

Next Thursday we'll be discussing The Graduate, but tune in Monday for a special post-Oscars bonus episode! We'll be livestreaming it online starting at 10am PST (watch our Twitter for the link), then releasing the episode on our podcast feed later that day. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo by Kim Troxall.

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Amy & Paul continue their review of 2018 in film with a look back at last year's most critically acclaimed films! They praise Nicholas Cage's passion in Mandy, marvel at the realism and empathy of Eighth Grade, and argue whether Hereditary has third act problems. Plus: Listeners weigh in on last week's superhero debate.

Next week we want to hear about your favorite films of 2018! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 and leave us a message with what film you think might make a future AFI list. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo by Kim Troxall.

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Paul & Amy travel to the distant era of 2018, with a look back at last year's 20 biggest movies! They cover everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Aquaman, A Quiet Place to Black Panther, with an eye on which films deserve to be placed on a future AFI list. Plus: Listeners resolve a musical mystery from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

Next week we continue our miniseries looking back at the films of 2018, with an episode focusing on critically acclaimed films. You can find a list of the top 20 films we'll be discussing here: https://www.metacritic.com/feature/film-critics-list-the-top-10-movies-of-2018 [metacritic.com]

Read Amy's expose on Tom Cruise's couch moment here: http://www.laweekly.com/news/how-youtube-and-internet-journalism-destroyed-tom-cruise-our-last-real-movie-star-4656549 [laweekly.com]

Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo by Kim Troxall.

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Paul & Amy fly over 1975's countercultural touchstone One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest! They discuss how the film strays from Ken Kesey's novel, discover how Milos Forman caught actors in unguarded moments, and ask whether R.P. McMurphy or Nurse Ratched really had the right of their struggle. Plus: Matt Walsh (Veep, Under The Eiffel Tower) tells us about his time working in a psych ward.

Next week we kick off our miniseries looking back at the films of 2018, with an episode focusing on blockbusters! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo by Kim Troxall.

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Paul & Amy drive down to 1950's Hollywood house of horrors Sunset Boulevard! They ask if Joe Gillis is a reliable narrator, praise Gloria Swanson's transformative performance, and wonder if Hollywood really hasn't changed in 70 years. Plus: Alicia Malone (TCM host and author of "The Female Gaze") joins us to help place Sunset Boulevard in it's historical context.

What's your favorite evil doctor (or other medical professional) in pop culture history? Before we discuss One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts.

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Amy & Paul travel deep into the heart of 1971's Texan coming-of-age story The Last Picture Show! They ask who the film's true protagonist is, marvel at the murderer's row of incredible actors, and wonder if this was the key inspiration for the boom of sex comedies to follow. Plus: writer/director Peter Bogdanovich himself joins Amy to discuss The Last Picture Show, and what separates modern films from the classics.

For Sunset Boulevard week, give us your best "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr/Ms. ___." Just call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo credit: Kim Troxall

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Amy & Paul saddle up for Clint Eastwood's revisionist 1992 Western Unforgiven! They ask if Gene Hackman is truly the villain of the piece, put the film in the context of Eastwood's career, and praise the script's comic touches. Plus: Screenwriter David Webb Peoples discusses Unforgiven's origins, and Saul Rubinek (W.W. Beauchamp) tells stories from the set that shed light on Eastwood's directing style.

If you've never seen The Last Picture Show, what do you think it's about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo credit: Kim Troxall

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This week Paul & Amy ride deep into Texas for The Searchers! They discuss the complicated legacy of John Wayne, place the film in the context of Western history, and look at The Searchers' influence on directors from Martin Scorsese to George Lucas. Plus: Joely Proudfit speaks to us about American Indian representation in film history, and The Searchers in particular.

For Unforgiven week, who would you rather have in your posse - John Wayne or Clint Eastwood? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo credit: Kim Troxall

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Amy & Paul take a trip down South for 1967’s racially charged police thriller “In The Heat Of The Night!” They celebrate the excellent soundtrack, scrutinize how well the film holds up as a procedural, and take a close look at Sidney Poitier’s incredible road to Hollywood. Plus: Two interviews this week, with Pod Save The People’s DeRay Mckesson on the value of art as activism, and Lee Grant, who plays Mrs. Colbert, reflecting on her trailblazing career as an actor and director.

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

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.

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