Unspooled

4,076

Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • nato9990
    “Can Paul stop mansplaining?”
    Lolol yes….Paul is the problem….you’re sexist if you think otherwise. I see how none of these reviews are helpful, so I thought I’d post. Great show, I love Paul and Amy, the show is a good time.
  • $lug3
    Almost tolerable
    This podcast would be awesome if Amy could find joy in anything at all
  • Zduke11
    Poor commentary
    Honestly the commentary is not insightful or interesting. Many times they just say blatantly wrong stuff as fact. It makes sense that Amy is a “film critic” with some of the irrelevant opinions she spouts on here.
  • JPEG127
    1-hour of movie blah blah
    I want to like this podcast so much because I love movies & I can tell Paul does too but I don’t understand how they can talk for an hour without actually saying anything interesting about the movies they cover 😂🙈
  • giagal16
    Can Paul Stop Mansplaining?
    I’ve listened to this from the beginning and aside from Amy’s irritating mispronunciations, I like it. But when I take a break from it, it’s always because I’m tired of Paul’s lecturing. There are times when I get to uncomfortable listening to Paul hector Amy about his POV. I don’t always agree with Amy (though she is right about Spielberg’s War of the Worlds) but she at least listens (perhaps too much) to Paul.
  • Joe26374856262
    Love Paul
    Started listening to this podcast because of Paul but I can’t stand Amy. Comes off incredibly pretentious. If it was just her, no one would listen to this podcast.
  • angrylf
    Dumbfoundingly dumb
    Paul Scheer’s ridiculous comments are beyond frustrating - all he does is argue for HIS version of films as opposed to critiquing them as they are - you’re supposed to be talking about whether a film is successful or not on its own terms - listen to the Carrie episode and you’ll see what I mean. He doesn’t seem to understand that no one cares whether he, personally, likes it or not. She’s annoying but he wrecks the show.
  • muso_65
    Excellent! ⭐️Confused by bad reviews
    Man, some people miss the boat here. The beauty of this pod is that Amy, as a AAA film critic, and Paul an actor good enough to be in Veep, both bring great insights. Honest, kind and often funny. The usage of movie clips is very good. Diehard episode was great. Love Amy’s take, voice - and laugh lol Paul sounds like a solid good dude. It’s become one of my favorite pods out of many. If you want clinical tear-downs go somewhere else. Hearing Amy’s take on getting to understand David Lynch was beautiful.
  • Film fancier
    Too cool for school
    Used to really enjoy and listened to for years. But recently with success comes the snarkiness and self importance, which I can no longer abide. Both Scheer and Nicholson are capable critics and talk about movies with real insight but there’s a false self regard in their own wit and talent as podcasters (mostly from Nicholson that has made it so I rarely listen anymore. This happens sometimes. I jumped off the podcast Filmspotting well before it ended for similar reasons. They suddenly proclaimed themselves too brilliant and cool for their own audience. See ya
  • FalconsCoach
    Unlistenable
    Tried to make it through two podcasts (“Interstellar” and “Sweet Smell of Success.”). Hosts would rather talk about themselves instead of any substance regarding the film. Feel free to fast forward through the first 15 minutes, regardless of episode.
  • twistmyfate
    Great show!
    The hosts are pleasant to listen to and don’t drawl into monotone. The content is interesting with a balance of facts, background, insights, and opinions.
  • Drmlsherwood
    Recommend with a caveat
    It makes me uncomfortable to hear criticism of Amy’s voice. A voice is not something that can be changed. We rarely hear complaints on male voices. That said, she can really get into the weeds with many obscure takes. It gets tedious. Love Paul. His knowledge is clear and his takes seem more balanced to me.
  • PeeWeeCG
    They’re Both Great Hosts!
    If you like or love movies this is a great podcast. I’m always learning something new from Amy and Paul.
  • IT”S TOTALLY LIKE
    IT”S LIKE,LIKE, IT”S LIKE, IT’SLIKE
    I can’t decide who sounds more juvenile with the constant use of the word like. Nauseating.
  • mdv808
    Phew.
    I’ve listened to this podcast for a long time, and I will continue to listen. It’s entertaining. But that’s all it is. The interstellar episode really cemented how unserious they can be. They are not serious about watching these films and talking about them thoroughly. The clear example where they were like well look at least the characters acknowledge that they don’t know, proceed to play clip, but then cut off clip where the very next lines explain how they actually do understand and is an integral part of the plot. Just embarrassing. It’s not about liking a movie or not, that’s criticism. But to blatantly show that they aren’t even paying attention to these movies or trying to understand them even slightly deeper than the most superficial level is rough. It’s one episode a week, put the least bit of time and effort into it.
  • Kwagenschutz
    Fashion Queen of London ROBBED
    Supposedly discussing the best films of all time, but I don’t see The Great Muppet Caper anywhere…
  • kjane_89
    Hmm…
    Listening to the Home Alone episode, and it turns out that Amy is an Uncle Frank sympathizer. Disturbing, though it helps give context to the general attitude and demeanor of most of her commentary.
  • blevinsdesigns
    Paul Saves It
    Entertaining to listen to depending on the episode and how Amy feels about the film. She can make some episodes tedious to get through. However, Paul is seemingly able to recognize this and save it with his quick humor and moving the conversation else where. Loved listening to his opinions on Hellraiser! Totally agreed. Most of the horror episodes are pretty good. Enjoyed The Thing and Halloween a good bit.
  • richard4044
    Pretty mixed bag
    The idea that Kubrick cared less about technical prowess than acting betrays a sort of stunning ignorance about his process. Read the bit about Spielberg confessing he felt Jack went over the top on The Shining. Read Kubrick’s response (it has to do with Cagney.) “Real is good. Interesting is better”. It’s called Dream Story, weird that not once was that fact factored into the discussion of the performances. This pod is fun but not super brainy.
  • themicamonster
    I’m moving on
    I’ve listened since episode one. This podcast provided me an incentive to expand my film knowledge and try new things while also celebrating what I’d already seen and loved. After the afi was done any and Paul, who are great, continued to push and review movies like Chungking express and strip to the moon while also exploring crowd pleasers. That has changed in the past two years and I can’t take it any more. There are never any surprises in their movie choices. They’re Hollywood and they’re from the past 30 years and that’s it. I hate giving up and I don’t hate the movies they pick but they are no longer pushing my knowledge as a film fan in new directions. My suspicion is it’s to get better numbers than what the 400 blows provide but idk. It’s not for me. Have fun reviewing point break.
  • tnv1002
    just agree to disagree
    i enjoy most of the movies they pick and the episodes are fairly entertaining, there’s just so much back and forth and arguing. i don’t mind listening to differing opinions between the hosts, but their bickering will go on and on for good chunks of the episode.
  • Cinephile85
    Paul, yes. Amy absolutely no.
    I enjoy listening to Paul. He’s always upbeat and entertaining, regardless if I agree with his takes on certain films. Amy is truly aggravating to listen to. Her voice sounds put on, and she comes off extremely pretentious. Maybe they should replace her with someone who’s fun to listen to and have fun convos with Paul.
  • Steve de los Guantes
    This pod is great. Never mind the woke-spotters. Telling it like it is just rankles some people.
    Paul is great, he’s our ‘everyman’, and I love his takes on movies. While Amy is our movie historian/reviewer/critic and she deserves respect despite how some hateful trolls claim her political ideas are driving her opinions, but since everything is politics... whatever. When this new breed of outright fascist/RINO conservatives (who probably voted for the adjudicated R’ist, Russian Asset, Traitor) start pointing to SJW’s & wokeness I have to wonder if they can even see how their embracing of fascism is the thoroughly un-American activity it is. This Podcast still deserves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s. And the petty Trolls can go to X for takes on their favorite Kevin Sorbo propaganda Movies and leave these American treasures alone. Great Movies and great analysis. And we really need this now that the fool has his hands back in the Mac & Cheese.
  • aesthetictiger
    Eh
    The way Amy talks is so grating, I almost turned it off after 10 minutes. I pushed through and have enjoyed several episodes, but I just got halfway through the Shrek episode and had to bail. The arguing was AWFUL, and seriously takes up most of the episode. And it was over what should be called a “kids film”! Get a grip!!
  • AJ393939
    Amy. Not everything has to be political!!!
    The podcast is fun for sure, but it’s getting a bit much when Amy has to crowbar in her political views and hate for a certain political party. We get it. Move on already. You can hear how uncomfortable Paul is getting with it. Paul does a great job keeping things on track but it’s getting harder to be a fan of the show.
  • Ethan's eyebrows
    White privilege the podcast
    The Office Space episode was surreal to listen to while I was at work. I wonder if the coastal elites are proud of the podcasts their children are occupying themselves with until that inheritance check comes in.
  • Doiiiiyaaaanne
    T god for Paul
    I love this podcast and I have been listening for a little over a year now. That being said I could really do without Amy‘s pretentious rants. The hating can get a little arduous. Thank you Paul for being there to be cool and open minded because otherwise I probably wouldn’t tune in. Good stuff otherwise.
  • sntky
    not for me
    I think these hosts genuinely have bad taste and what’s worse is that they can’t even back up their horrid takes in good faith. It feels like listening to people in high school.
  • MsDiagnosed
    I rarely miss an ep
    I listen to a lot of movie podcasts, and this is one of my very faves. I love the rapport between Paul and Amy. I love that, between them both, they bring both movie loving passion and film critique expertise. I love the BTS movie tidbits I learn, and the context they place their discussions in. There are several movies I’ve sought out so I can listen to the episode. (I WOULD pay for an ad-free version!)
  • Pomponius
    woke but more correct
    Remember when these guys used to be funny?
  • Sjdnshdnsn
    Nice job
    The lady says “like” as frequently as a grade schooler.
  • Funtimes1812
    Love this show, but the ads…
    Really love the podcast and hosts. The repetitiveness of the ads in episodes makes it challenging to listen. Ads are ok, I get it, but hearing the same ones over and over again in the same episode is annoying…
  • heydudemeg
    AFI List
    I miss when they used to do the AFI list. The movie selection lately has turned me off. I’m not sure what this podcast is anymore — love Paul and Amy though! They’re insight is always fun, and their chemistry is great!
  • My Dooood
    Horrific
    Awful
  • Charliipresley
    Amy is BRUTAL
    Paul is really good. Amy seems disconnected from reality. Also, I listen at 2x speed but if I was listening at 1x speed I would be driven mad by Amy’s voice…the reviewers are right…
  • Sandiegoamc
    Amy = Negatibity
    Really want to like this pod but often find it exhausting and dragged out by a consistent attitude of negativity/dislike of the films they watch. Every episode, I’m just waiting for the moment Amy shares her obscure critiques. Also, Amy… do you like/enjoy any of the movies you and Paul review? If you do like one, can you at least fake excitement/joy from it. Basically, I feel like Paul is a fun and outgoing critic/reviewer of movies who finds joy in the films, with fair criticisms, and good perspectives. Amy, on the other hand, feels like she majored in 14th Century French poetry (with a minor in 1900’s Italian silent films) and somehow ended up a film critic with little ability to relate to widely enjoyed popular, modern films. Paul, love you and your crew on HDTGM, but this seems beneath your style. Amy, maybe consider drinking some wine while watching a movie you review, chill out, stop looking for deep, negative sub-texts in movie plots that aren’t there. This pod is unfortunately a GRIND to get through. It needs to be more fun, less analytical, requires more energy and each episode trimmed in regards to length. Hope you both find the right recipe because there’s potential here. Good luck!
  • KirbyGMack
    Movies. Not politics.
    Hey. We listen for behind the scenes movie information, history and opinions. Keep the politics out of it. I’ll give it to Paul he is at least much more unbiased and carefully tows the line. But Amy, well we all know where she stands. And yet it’s a podcast about movies AND WE SHOULDN’T!
  • d1rt1estw1zard
    People 2 People!
    I went to the UK and Ireland!! Never heard anyone say People 2 People in 30 years.
  • BrianBPB
    Great Podcast
    I love this podcast. It takes me to college film class. The Deerhunter episode does miss the mark in my opinion. The movie was not intended to be a realistic version of serving in Vietnam. It is about relationships of people who did go and didn’t go and the extreme difficulty of coming back and transitioning to a life outside of war. I think you both misjudged this movie.
  • She-Wolf of France
    Obnoxious
    These two are obnoxious. Any insightful analysis or interesting movie fact is immediately canceled by an irrelevant comment about politics/dumb country bumpkins/virtue signal. I don’t believe for one second that Amy is terrified of police (Hot Fuzz episode), but I guess it sounds good? I’d rather really focus on folding my laundry than listen to this podcast.
  • ThisIsMyChosenNickname777
    I Like This Show BUT
    I like this show, but doing ads for casinos is really messed up. PLUS, now I’m getting ads for my local police department—it’s deeply troubling that Paul
  • Masseyness
    Beauty and No-it-all
    Really enjoy this show overall! I think it’s great that they have differing opinions and thoughts that they can, for the most part, civilly argue, but Paul discusses those as if they are fact a lot of the time and that is a little of a disappointment on the show. Amy’s voice is wonderful!💗 Appreciate you guys sharing your insights!
  • JackieBNguyen
    My go-to
    I really enjoy the chemistry and respectful, engaged dialogue between Paul and Amy. They bring out the funny in each other and their vulnerable, real moments break through always in the best ways. I really feel Amy - her divulging the kind of girlfriend/girl friend that she is or fears she is in the Bridesmaids episode was so relatable. I totally get it, Amy. Thank you for the content. I am a big fan!!
  • attyrrb
    Love the podcast
    I always enjoy the interplay between Paul and Amy! Perfect match. They bring enough disagreement to the table to make things interesting while still getting along as friends. Every episode leaves me happy I got to hang out and listen. I also get turned on to movies I wouldn’t normally have watched. Robert Tallahassee
  • Bamjubby
    Not HDTGM
    I love Paul and have been an avid HDTGM listener since just about the start. This podcast is not up to the standard set by his other show. I have nothing against Amy personally, but I have given this a fair shake and agree with others. Her voice is very difficult to listen to. Cadence is hard. I love the films they cover (I was a film studies major) but I can’t stop thinking this would be a much better podcast with two other hosts. Paul and Amy are too polite with each other. It’s too saccharine and that isn’t what film analysis needs. I do learn some interesting tidbits about the films from the research they do, but the end doesn’t justify the means. I think I’m done. Sorry. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to like something so much, but it just doesn’t work.
  • natandmart
    Fast fast woman talker. Too speedy for me.
    Can’t deal with speed of lightening woman,s voice. Not melodious or soothing. Too bad.
  • Timaaa
    Furiosa
    Uhhh where is it… We’re getting reviews of movies 20 years ago thanks anyway
  • Penkypoo
    Amy is not for me…
    I love Paul, but Amy just isn't for me. The Cadence of her voice, her political perspective. I come to podcasts to escape for a bit, and she makes it impossible.
  • Timoppp
    Amy is recklessly…
    I cannot handle her bad takes on policy, yeah let’s ask just lay down and pretend there is no evil in the world, beyond frustrating
  • RicoRosco
    Great
    I’ve been here since the beginning AFI ranking and the reason I return is their back and forth. Sure, you might not agree with Paul and Amy’s take each time but I know I’ll watch the given movie differently next time and have a more thoughtful perspective as a result of listening to their discussion. That’s all you can hope for and this podcast delivers—keep up the good work!
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