August 1, 2019

Amy & Paul dig into 1938’s Howard Hawks screwball classic Bringing Up Baby! They ask if Cary Grant was the model for Christopher Reeve’s Superman, learn how Hepburn modulated her performance to get the comic tone just right, and wonder why weddings were so casual in the 30s. Plus: Cary’s daughter Jennifer Grant shares memories of growing up with her father.

For Nashville week, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with a monologue that we’ll turn into some Altman-style overlapping dialogue! 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

July 25, 2019

Paul and Amy boogie through 1994’s Quentin Tarantino indie breakout Pulp Fiction! They revisit the moment Pulp Fiction won at Cannes, ask what this film did right that so many imitators did wrong, and try to figure out what’s in the briefcase. Plus: Some of the couples you thought should star in a modern “Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?”

What do you think Bringing Up Baby is about, if you haven’t seen 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

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

July 17, 2019

Amy and Paul drink in 1966’s black relationship comedy Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? They learn about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s status as the Brangelina of their day, ask which member of the ensemble is the meanest, and wonder if George and Martha are truly in love after all. Plus: A new tasting segment, this time with a very rare spirit!

What do you think is in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction? 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 Ooni Wood Fired Pizza Oven (www.ooni.com code: UNSPOOLED10) and Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/unspooled).

July 11, 2019

Paul & Amy go to war over 1939’s blockbuster Southern epic Gone With The Wind! They praise the chemistry of Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh, watch a trailer for the misbegotten sequel, and ask whether a film this messy deserves to be in the AFI’s Top 10. Plus: Kevin J. Goff, the great grand-nephew of Hattie McDaniel, talks to Amy about her legacy.

Suggest a cocktail for us to drink on next week’s episode, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf, by calling 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 Present Company with Krista Smith from Netflix and Sonos (www.sonos.com).

July 3, 2019

Paul & Amy take aim at Michael Cimino’s 1978 Vietnam War epic The Deer Hunter! They investigate the film’s controversial use of Russian Roulette, ask whether Robert De Niro’s character is too perfect, and try Unspooled’s first ever film-inspired food tasting segment. Plus: Rutanya Alda, who plays Angela in the film, talks about her journey from Latvia to Hollywood.

For Gone With The Wind week, fill in the blank: “Frankly my dead, I don’t give a ___.” 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 Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/unspooled).

June 26, 2019

Amy & Paul don’t fight the power of 1989’s Spike Lee breakthrough Do The Right Thing! They praise the film’s Shakespearean qualities, analyze the infamous reception it received at Cannes, and ask whether this story has a true villain. Plus: The man himself, director and star Lee joins the show to discuss why the film still feels so timely 30 years later.

 

What do you think The Deer Hunter 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

 

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp (www.betterhelp.com/unspooled code: UNSPOOLED), Ooni (www.ooni.comcode: UNSPOOLED), and CNN – The Movies.

June 19, 2019

This week Paul & Amy play with 1995’s pioneering CGI adventure Toy Story! They learn about the surprising career of Randy Newman, ask if Sid was really such a bad kid, and debate whether the film was a greater triumph for art or commerce. Plus: Annie Potts, the voice of Bo Peep, tells us how she joined the film, and Josh Cooley shares what it was like to direct Toy Story 4.

What Pixar film would you put on the AFI list? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer, and join us next week for Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing! 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 Good One: A Podcast About Jokes, I Hate Talking About Myself Podcast, Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/unspooled), Sonos (www.sonos.com), and Turo (www.turo.com code: UNSPOOLED25).

June 13, 2019

Paul & Amy walk into 1969’s New York hustler drama Midnight Cowboy! They look for meaning in the song “Everybody’s Talkin’,” ask whether Jon Voight’s babyfaced features make him the perfect Joe Buck, and marvel at how modern the film still feels. Plus: More of your picks for horror films that could make the AFI list.

For Toy Story week, help us come up with new catchphrases for Woody! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your best one. 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 Aladdin the Musical (www.aladdinthemusical.com), Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/unspooled), Sonos (www.sonos.com), and Turo (www.turo.com code: UNSPOOLED25).

June 6, 2019

What horror films should be added to the AFI’s signature list? Do films like The Sixth Sense or Psycho count as horror? Paul and Amy debate these questions live from the Overlook Film Festival in New Orleans, with special guests Sam Zimmerman from Shudder and Phil Nobile Jr. from Fangoria! They ask whether fast zombies are superior to slow zombies, discuss when meta-horror films become too meta, and wonder whether a horror film needs to be a little bit trashy.

Next week we return to the list with 1969’s Midnight Cowboy! 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 Ooni Wood Fired Oven Pizza (www.ooni.com code: UNSPOOLED), Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/unspooled), and Turo (www.turo.com code: UNSPOOLED25).

May 30, 2019

50 films down, 50 to go! But first, Paul and Amy celebrate making it halfway through the AFI list on this special episode. They discuss their favorite performances from the films so far, break down a controversial DVD/Blu-Ray packaging campaign, read pitches for AFI movie mashups from listeners, and unveil their newly-ordered Top 50 list.

Next week, we’re releasing our live episode from the Overlook Film Festival in New Orleans, where we’ll be debating what horror films should be on the AFI list. Come see us there this Saturday! Tickets and more info at overlookfilmfest.com. Or call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824, and tell us the horror film you would pick. 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

May 22, 2019

Paul & Amy fall into Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 psychological thriller Vertigo! They learn who created the famous Vertigo zoom, listen to a classic 90s song inspired by Vertigo, and ask if the age gap between Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak works to the film’s credit. Plus: Tony Lee Moral, author of multiple books on Hitchcock, tells us where Vertigo fits into his filmography.

Next week is our 50th movie special – tell us which films we’ve covered so far surprised you or stuck with you, or offer us your 30 second elevator pitch for an AFI movie mashup! 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 Turo (www.turo.com code: UNSPOOLED).

May 15, 2019

Amy & Paul cross-examine 1962’s Southern drama To Kill A Mockingbird! They compare the slice-of-life storytelling to later filmmakers like Richard Linklater, reveal Brock Peters’ on-set nickname, and ask whether the film can be considered separately from the book. Plus: author and professor Wayne Flynt talks about his friendship with Harper Lee in her later years.

For Vertigo week, what other disorders could be the title of a Hitchcock 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 Turo (www.turo.com code: UNSPOOLED) and Ooni Wood Fired Pizza Oven (www.ooni.com code: UNSPOOLED).

May 8, 2019

Paul & Amy dig into 1991’s serial killer thriller The Silence Of The Lambs! They praise the many ways the film puts us in Clarice Starling’s head, discover the inspirations for Hannibal Lecter’s voice, and learn how Buffalo Bill was originally received by LGBT activists. Plus: former detective Paul Holes of the Murder Squad podcast explains what Silence of The Lambs gets right abour criminal profiling.

Who should play Atticus FInch in a modern adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird? 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

May 1, 2019

Amy and Paul suit up for 1982’s gender-bending Dustin Hoffman comedy Tootsie! They ask whether Michael is really a great actor, praise Bill Murray’s scene-stealing performance, and compare the film to last year’s Best Picture winner. Plus: drag comedian Roz Drezfalez (“Ghosted” podcast) tells us why he loved Tootsie as a kid.

For Silence Of The Lambs week, help us create a menu for Hannibal Lecter’s next meal! Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 in your best Hannibal impression.Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com [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 Ooni Koda (www.ooni.com code: UNSPOOLED) and Black Tux (www.blacktux.com code: UNSPOOLED).

April 24, 2019

This week Paul & Amy investigate 1974’s sunlit neo-noir Chinatown! They examine the charges against Roman Polanski and discuss how to watch and contextualize his work today, before diving into the film’s recurring water symbolism and Faye Dunaway’s superlative performance. Plus: historian and writer Hadley Meares (Curbed LA) breaks down some of the true Los Angeles history that inspired Chinatown.

What would your alternate title for Tootsie be? 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 Vrbo, Fracture (www.fractureme.com/UNSPOOLED), and Stitch Fix (www.stitchfix.com/UNSPOOLED).