Unspooled
Unspooled
Paul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm
Reviews
via Podcasts
One of my favorites
I enjoy listening to their podcast. They are informative, respectful, and have a great sense of humor. The only negative aspect is the ads. It will interrupt in the middle of their thought, and it is so jarring that it takes away from the pleasurable experience I was enjoying. I purposely won’t listen to them when I am trying to relax. The ads made me jump in fear because they were so loud and out of place. One solution is to put the ads at the beginning of the podcast.
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Ken rochelle
Ignoring racism
Usually a fan but really disappointed they’d spotlight Borat. Borat is just a continuation of the brown face minstrel act Cohen started with Ali G.
Brownandbeautiful
Food for the film-obsessed soul!
I love these thoughtful, thought-provoking conversations. Thank you, Amy and Paul, for your work on these podcasts. Also, thanks for the soothing format and wonderful guests. I have always wanted to do the "greatest of" lists so I am starting at the beginning of the show and I may make this my Monday night film club. One question: How would we rewrite the AFI list using the Bechdel test AND what criteria shall we use to add in more films that are written, directed and lead by women?
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Gokellogg
Incredible Show!
I love movies and so this is a perfect podcast. Paul and Amy do a wonderful job diving deep and offering their thoughts on great movies. I love when they have differing takes and can offer unique takes on pop culture and the influence of cinema on the canon. Can’t stop listening :)
CoolHand_Stan
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. I think they’re both very passionate, insightful, and are chock a block full of interesting stories. The only issue I have is with the recent gambling plugs which are ruining people’s lives and target/prey upon the young and impulsive it’s a vile business I just hope Paul knows about how bad a business those gambling apps are running before lending his talents to something so ruinous for really vulnerable people.
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PeeWeeCG
Just bad
A D actor that thinks he know film, pure garbage
Zwildone
Excellent Podcast
I could listen to them talk about paint drying! Sometimes it doesn’t even matter the movie, the research, dialogue, and on air chemistry is just there! Forever a fan of anything you all do!
DianaSchulz
Enjoyable!
I love movies. I love podcasts. A podcast about great movies? Perfect.
Tincantelephonecall
Love this movie podcast!
Paul and Amy do a great job reviewing these movies. Solid reviews with great additional information. Five stars!
FJNINJA
Great Movie Team
A critic and actor bring creaky interesting perspective. There earlier AFI episodes are worth the price of admission.
ChefFos
Recommend for movie enthusiasts
I really enjoy hearing Paul and Amy talk about movies, and learning more about how the movie was made, the reception at the time, and its impact on culture. I appreciate their thoughtfulness in the threads they tie from one week to the next and creating mini movie series. I don’t always agree with their takes but that makes it interesting! They’ve inspired my husband and I to watch through the AFI 100 list.
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Jenna of Genovia
Excellent! Insider info and great takes! ⭐️Confused by bad reviews
This has become one of my top 5 fav pods, out of many. Some commenters are missing the boat here. Amy, a AAA film critic, and Paul, an actor/producer/director good enough to be on Veep and spar w Conan, both bring great industry insights and play off each other beautifully. Paul is so smart, thoughtful and honest and love his solid takes. Love Amy’s take on movies and life, and that great laugh! If you want clinical tear-downs go somewhere else. But these two know film, and the industry. Hearing Amy’s take on getting to appreciate David Lynch was beautiful. The usage of movie clips is very good. Diehard episode was great. Good stuff!
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muso_65
“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.
nato9990
Almost tolerable
This podcast would be awesome if Amy could find joy in anything at all
$lug3
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.
Zduke11
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 😂🙈
JPEG127
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.
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giagal16
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.
Joe26374856262
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.
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angrylf
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
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Film fancier
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.
FalconsCoach
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.
twistmyfate
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.
Drmlsherwood
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.
IT”S TOTALLY LIKE
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.
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mdv808
Fashion Queen of London ROBBED
Supposedly discussing the best films of all time, but I don’t see The Great Muppet Caper anywhere…
Kwagenschutz
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.
kjane_89
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.
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blevinsdesigns
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.
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richard4044
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.
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themicamonster
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.
tnv1002
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.
Cinephile85
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.
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Steve de los Guantes
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!!
aesthetictiger
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.
AJ393939
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.
Ethan's eyebrows
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.
Doiiiiyaaaanne
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.
sntky
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!)
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MsDiagnosed
woke but more correct
Remember when these guys used to be funny?
Pomponius
Nice job
The lady says “like” as frequently as a grade schooler.
Sjdnshdnsn
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…
Funtimes1812
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!
heydudemeg
Horrific
Awful
My Dooood
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…
Charliipresley
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!
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Sandiegoamc
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!
KirbyGMack
People 2 People!
I went to the UK and Ireland!! Never heard anyone say People 2 People in 30 years.
d1rt1estw1zard
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.
BrianBPB
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.
She-Wolf of France
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