A Christmas Story

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.  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.

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.

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/ZwtygZGTa6Check 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 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/ZwtygZGTa6Check 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 Amy & Paul are eating potatoes while discussing the 2015 film The Martian, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott. They highlight the very grounded comedy throughout the film, draw comparisons between Mark Watney and Richard Hatch from Survivor, and respect that this film has no villains. Plus: This movie really makes us appreciate smart people being good at their jobs. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Duncan Jones’ film Moon! Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring/ You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6Check 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 & Amy are digging into all things Oscars and the Best Picture Nominees of 2024. The two ask, "was Barbie the most culturally significant film of 2023 and could it win Best Picture?" and "should Killers of the Flower Moon and Poor Things be thirty minutes shorter?" Then, Paul and Amy challenge each other to get every Oscar category wrong, because they can’t help but to vote with their hearts. We invite you, the listener, to get the Oscars wrong with us!Download your Unspooled Gets It Wrong Oscar Ballot at https://www.unspooledpodcast.com/ or https://www.earwolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Oscars_Ballot_2024.pdfNext week, Paul & Amy are talking about The Martian! Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, 2019's Best Picture Winner Parasite https://www.earwolf.com/episode/parasite/You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out Paul's Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheerPaul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheerLearn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and check out fun movie art on Instagram @unspooledpod created by Kim Troxall, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

This week the Spice is flowing, and Paul & Amy are covering the 2021 film Dune. The two discuss the complicated feelings of going to the movies in the year 2021, Dune’s 2022 Oscar snub, ask “is this Beetlejuice?”, and dig into the undeniable influence Dune has had on Sci-Fi.  You can read Amy Nicholson’s interview with Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/movies/dune-timothee-chalamet-villeneuve.html Jodorowsky’s Dune Documentary Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0cJNR8HEw0 Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about The 2024 Oscars! Check out this week's spotlight episode from the Unspooled archives, Star Wars https://www.earwolf.com/episode/star-wars/ You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6. Check out Paul's AMC Apology for the infamous Dune Popcorn Bucket and read more of his writing on his 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 check out fun movie art on Instagram @unspooledpod created by Kim Troxall, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

Amy & Paul con their way into 1973 and stake out The Sting and all its nostalgia. They evaluate The Sting’s Oscar triumph over The Exorcist, praise the lightness and good-time feel over previous winners with heavier meaning, and take in the chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford on screen that simply wasn’t true in real life. Plus: The “con” in “conman” is short for confidence. Next week, Paul & Amy are talking about Dune! 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, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid/Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is on presale now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheerLearn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and check out fun movie art on Instagram @unspooledpod created by Kim Troxall, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.

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-scheerLearn 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.