January 9, 2020

Paul & Amy sap your bodily fluids with 1964’s Cold War satire Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb! They unpack how director Stanley Kubrick manipulated his cast to get the best performances, learn the origin of Strangelove’s voice, and play a Strangelove-inspired song by a classic SoCal punk band. Plus: recapping the Golden Globes!

What other satires would you add to the AFI list? 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

This episode is brought to you by Sonos (www.sonos.com).

January 1, 2020

Now that Paul & Amy have gone deep on their favorite films of the 2010s, they’re ready to hear from everyone else! This week they finish off Unspooled’s Best Of The Decade miniseries with picks from Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Leslye Headland, Seth Rogan, Adam McKay, Jenna Fischer, Jorma Taccone, Rob Huebel, Emily V. Gordon, Justin Roiland, LeVar Burton, Janet Varney, Felicia Day, Michael Weber, Conan O’Brien, Bendavid Grabinski, and the Unspooled listeners. Plus: Engineer Devon & Producer Josh get on mic for their own Top 10 films of the decade.

Next week we return to the AFI list with Dr. Strangelove – pitch us your “Dr. Strange___” movie! 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

December 25, 2019

Paul & Amy continue their Best of The Decade miniseries, picking their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode focuses on the years 2016-2019, and they’ll discuss a misunderstood technical achievement, a groundbreaking horror debut, and a centuries-spanning meditation on death, among many others. Plus: looking back on an infamous Oscar debacle.

Next week is the final episode of our Best Of The Decade series! 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

December 11, 2019

Paul & Amy continue the Best Of The Decade miniseries, picking their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode covers the years 2013-2015, and they’ll discuss a visionary action film, a super-low-budget indie gem, and an inescapable musical among many others. Plus: a critical eye on this year’s Golden Globe nominations.

Next episode, we’re pausing the miniseries for a week to cover the original Star Wars. Tell us your favorite minor Star Wars character! 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

This episode is brought to you by Issue Zero Podcast, Invitae (www.invitae.com), Away (www.awaytravel.com/unspooled), Sonos (www.sonos.com), and AMEX.

December 4, 2019

Amy & Paul kick off a new decade-spanning miniseries, where they’ll pick their favorite films from each year of the 2010s! This episode covers the years 2010-2012, and they’ll advocate for knotty films from cinema’s modern masters, a balls-to-the-wall cult comedy, and a nearly-forgotten Best Picture winner among many others.

Next week the series continues with 2013-2015; keep sending us voicemails with your pick for best movie of the decade! 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

This episode is brought to you by Issue Zero Podcast, The Irishman, and AMEX.

November 27, 2019

Paul & Amy go toe-to-toe with 1980’s Martin Scorcese boxing biopic Raging Bull! They learn how De Niro gained so much weight for his role as Jake Lamotta, wonder why there are so many boxing films on the AFI list, and ask if this is Scorcese’s best examination of toxic masculinity. Plus: Cinematographer Michael Chapman talks about bringing the camera into the ring to film the famous fight scenes.

Next week we begin our Best of The Decade miniseries – call in and tell us about one of your favorite films of the decade! 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

This episode is brought to you by Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, AMEX, and Sonos (www.sonos.com).

November 25, 2019

In a new Bonus Reel, Paul & Amy are joined by Rian Johnson, writer/director of “The Last Jedi” and “Looper”, to talk about the three films he would add to the AFI list, and his new movie, “Knives Out.”

November 20, 2019

Paul & Amy clear their throat for 1977’s Woody Allen breakthrough “Annie Hall”! They ask how autobiographical the film is, learn who else was considered for that Marshall McLuhan cameo, and decide if the list absolutely needs a Woody Allen film. Plus: Tony Roberts, who plays Rob in the film, talks about his relationship with Woody.

Pitch us your “Raging ___” film! 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

This episode is brought to you by Invitae (www.invitae.com) and Amex.

November 18, 2019

In a new Bonus Reel, Amy sits down with Lorene Scafaria, director of “Hustlers” and “The Meddler,” to talk about the three films she would add to the AFI list.

November 13, 2019

Amy & Paul return home to 1946’s post-WWII drama The Best Years Of Our Lives! They praise the natural performance of first-time actor Harold Russell, compare the film’s style to noir movies and Network, and learn how the Hayes code circumscribed the film’s portrayal of veterans. Plus: Comedian Santina Muha talks about why disabled people’s representation is so important.

Who would you pull into an argument as an expert, Annie Hall-style? 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

This episode is brought to you by Invitae (www.invitae.com) and Sonos (www.sonos.com).

November 6, 2019

Paul & Amy run through 1994’s satirical American history tour Forrest Gump! They learn the nutty plot of the sequel book Gump & Co, listen to a bit of the Lt. Dan Band, and ask how John Candy would have played the Forrest role. Plus: We take your calls and hear why this film has resonated with so many movie fans.

What do you think The Best Years Of Our Lives is 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

October 30, 2019

Amy & Paul squeeze out 1940’s Dust Bowl-set John Steinbeck adaptation The Grapes Of Wrath! They ask if Henry Fonda’s Tom Joad is more of a character than an icon, explore the film’s impact on music, and learn what attracted the conservative John Ford to this film. Plus: Labor activist Randy Bryce explains why this is one of his all-time favorite films.

If you’re a Forrest Gump fan, call in to defend your love for it! 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

October 23, 2019

Paul & Amy say buona sera to 1974’s epic mobster sequel The Godfather Pt. II! They analyze Robert De Niro’s Sicilian, learn which US president loved the film, and ask if this sequel really covers territory not covered by the first film. Plus: Tom Santopietro, author of The Godfather Effect, talk about how the Godfather films have affected the Italian-American community.

For The Grapes Of Wrath week, tell us about your experience with unions! 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

This episode is brought to you by Villains (www.parcast.com/VILLAINS).

October 16, 2019

Amy & Paul pay tribute to 1972’s mobster epic The Godfather! They praise the film’s incredible rich cinematography, wonder if Michael makes his character turn too quickly, and debate whether this is truly the second greatest American film ever. Plus: Gianni Russo, who plays Carlo Rizzi in the film, shares stories from the set.

Next week is Godfather Pt. II – tell us one of your deepest secrets! Don’t worry, you can use a fake voice, 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

This episode is brought to you by Bombas (www.bombas.com/unspooled).

October 14, 2019

On this special bonus episode, Paul & Amy compare the controversial supervillain origin story Joker with one of the films that inspired it, Martin Scorcese’s Taxi Driver.