Paul & Amy curiously ask, what was our mindset in September 1999 when American Beauty was released as a smash hit? They examine Wes Bentley’s character and his emotional core to the consciousness of this movie, Amy Fisher’s “Long Island Lolita” influence, and how this film earned prestige with a modern feel at the time, while its legacy continues to fade. Plus: Is Lester Burnham just Edward Norton without Tyler Durden?

Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about The Sting! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, The Sixth Sense: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/the-sixth-sense/

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 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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Amy & Paul hum along to 1984’s classical fantasia Amadeus! They learn how closely this unusual biopic matches the true history of Mozart, discover a Marvel reference to Salieri, and praise director Milos Forman for highlighting what made Mozart’s compositions endure. Plus: The phenomenon that inspired a smash novelty single.

Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about American Beauty! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest/

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 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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Amy & Paul jam to The Delfonics with 1997’s Quentin Tarantino crime saga Jackie Brown! They learn what Elmore Leonard thought of this Rum Punch adaptation, praise a sneakily scary Samuel L. Jackson performance, and discuss how this film, which initially befuddled critics expecting the next Pulp Fiction, became one of Tarantino’s most beloved works. Plus: was Sylvester Stallone really up for a role?

Next week, Paul & Amy kick off a Best Picture winners series with Amadeus! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Pulp Fiction: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/pulp-fiction/.

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.paulscheer.com/my-book

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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Paul & Amy get in the trunk with 1998's sly George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez crime comedy Out of Sight! They discuss why Elmore Leonard's stories lend themselves so well to Hollywood adaptations, learn how Lopez's fearlessness made her the perfect match for Clooney, and ask if this is the Steven Soderbergh movie that deserves to go to space. Plus: How to have charisma like Clooney.

Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Jackie Brown! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Mean Girls: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/mean-girls/.

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.paulscheer.com/my-book

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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Amy & Paul party on with 1992’s Mike Myers & Dana Carvey SNL buddy comedy Wayne’s World! They dive into the creative conflicts between Myers and Carvey, learn how Penelope Spheeris landed the directorial role after finding fame as a rock documentarian, and ask what sets this film apart from the rest of the SNL spinoffs. Plus: Right Said Fred, but acoustic.

Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Out Of Sight! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Austin Powers: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/austin-powers-international-man-of-mystery-2.

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 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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Amy & Paul go back in time to save 1991’s blockbuster James Cameron action sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day! They praise Cameron’s control of both CGI and practical effects, find parallels to Oppenheimer in the film’s depiction of a devastating scientific breakthrough, and ask why Linda Hamilton didn’t get an Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Connor. Plus: Danny Cooksey, the ultimate 90’s best friend.

Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Wayne’s World! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Titanic: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/titanic/.

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 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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Paul & Amy wrap up another year of Unspooled by choosing which films they covered this season are going to space! Josh, Jess and Devon return as the gang determines which movies deserve inclusion on Unspooled’s official list of the 100 greatest films of all time. The contenders include an action film that’s become a holiday classic, an underdog sports story that might out-Rocky Rocky, and a minimalist French masterwork that topped another prestigious list - but there’s only so much room on the API spaceship…

Help us decide which Mel Brooks or Tim Burton classics are going to space! Head to Unspooled’s social media (on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod) or Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 this week to cast your vote.

Next week, Paul and Amy are covering Terminator 2: Judgment Day! Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

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Paul & Amy are throwing an end-of-year party, and you're invited! Joined by lots of film and podcast friends, Unspooled producers of past, present, and (maybe?) future all ask this year's hot question: What was your favorite film of the year? Was it Barbie, Oppenheimer, or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, or was it perhaps The Zone of Interest, Polite Society, or The Holdovers? At this party, they cover it all! Plus: What do you think? Was this a good year for films?

Next week, Paul, Amy, and the producers are cracking their knuckles as they go head-to-head deciding which films covered in season 4 deserve to go to space! You can join the conversation 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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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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul & Amy embrace the groove for Disney’s madcap Incan comedy The Emperor’s New Groove! They learn about the calamitous development period that led to the final film, dive into the history of shoulder angels and devils in animation, and debate whether the chaotic production created something unique and special in the Disney canon. Plus: a lost song from Eartha Kitt and other moments that never made it to the screen.

Next week. Paul and Amy are talking about Edward Scissorhands! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Check out this week's spotlight episode from the archives, Shrek: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/shrek/

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices