Unspooled

Amy & Paul make the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs to 1977's George Lucas space fantasy Star Wars! They learn why Carrie Fisher hated those buns, praise the visionary designs of Ralph McQuarrie, and ask if we can still appreciate it as a single film in a post Star Wars world. Plus: Paul Hirsch, the editor of Star Wars, talks about bringing Lucas' vision to the final cut...

This week Amy and Paul uncover 1981's rollicking Indiana Jones adventure Raiders Of The Lost Ark! They ask if Indy is actually a good archeologist, find out whether Belloq really ate a fly, and discuss what makes the film's action sequences so irresistible to kids. Plus: Indiana Jones superfan Guy Klender shares his wealth of Indy knowledge, and talks about his work on the Raiders fan remake...

Amy & Paul come home to 1995's space disaster docudrama Apollo 13! They ask if this is secretly a film about disappointment, spot a cameo by a legendary director, and discuss whether there's a successor to Ron Howard among today's generation of filmmakers. Plus: What's the actual version of the film's most famous quote? Next week Unspooled kicks off a new series on summer blockbusters! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook...

Tom Scharpling (The Best Show, Steven Universe) joins us to talk about his new book It Never Ends and his top 3 movie musicals! He talks about why he loves excess in musicals, Jack Nicholson’s directorial career, and going to Papa Roach’s basketball game.

Paul & Amy invade 1986's James Cameron space action classic Aliens! They learn what this film had in common with Platoon, ask why the aliens feel less threatening here than they did in the first film, and try not to call Ripley 'badass.' Plus: Do the deleted scenes that give more backstory to Ripley help or hurt her character? Next week Unspooled's space series concludes with Apollo 13! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook...

Welcome to Top 3, a semi-regular bonus series where we ask our favorite creative people to talk about three films they love! In this interview, Daveed Diggs talks about growing up on Abbott & Costello, a new film from Côte d'Ivoire he can't stop thinking about, and some of the influences that went into Blindspotting (both the film and series).

Paul & Amy orbit 1972's Russian outer space mood piece Solaris! They learn why director Andrei Tartovsky disdained nearly all American films, compare Solaris to the many movies it influenced, and decry the 'explainer' culture of modern film fandom. Plus: A dramatic reading of the trailer for the Solaris remake! Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Aliens! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook...

Amy & Paul burst out of 1979's sci-fi horror pioneer Alien! They learn about the film's original darker ending, contrast it with another classic horror film Unspooled has covered, and ask whether today's filmmakers have lost the visual imagination that made Alien feel so innovative. Plus, the eternal debate: Alien or Aliens? Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Solaris (the 1972 original)! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www...

Paul & Amy reach out to 1997's Robert Zemeckis extraterrestrial encounter film Contact! They learn about the long journey Carl Sagan's story took to the screen, ask whether Matthew McConaughey's character is too daffy, and debate the existence of God and aliens. Plus: How did they get Bill Clinton to cameo? Next week Unspooled's space series continues with Alien! You can join the conversation for this series on the Unspooled Facebook Group at https://www.facebook...

Amy & Paul totally get into 1995's Jane-Austen-in-high-school comedy Clueless! They discuss what makes this a perfect Emma adaptation, learn which actor's mistake director Amy Heckerling intentionally kept in the film, and play a Paul Rudd themed guessing game. Plus: Ronna Glickman (Jessica Chaffin) dishes out some love advice. (This episode originally aired live on YouTube as part of Unspooled’s “Spool Party” series...