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Paul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm

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.

Unspooled

This week Paul & Amy break down Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 drama Magnolia. They talk about the sprawling narrative, giving PTA final cut, Tom Cruise’s performance and more.
Next week Paul & Amy will break down the 1999 Stanley Kubrick thriller Eyes Wide Shut. You can rent Magnolia on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Hoopla and Kanopy!
You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6
Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/
Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer
Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Magnolia

This week Paul & Amy break down Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut. They talk about the arduous shooting schedule, the real life impact on Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s marriage, and more.
 
You can rent Eyes Wide Shut on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Hoopla and Kanopy!
You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6
Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/
Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer
Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eyes Wide Shut

Amy & Paul break into 1990’s abandoned child comedy phenomenon Home Alone! They praise John Candy as the film’s MVP, learn why Joe Pesci was tougher to wrangle on set than any of the child actors, and debate whether Kevin McCallister is a sociopath.
 
You can rent Home Alone on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Hoopla and Kanopy!
 
You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6
 
Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/
 
Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer
Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer
 
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home Alone (Re-Release)

Paul & Amy walk across broken glass for 1988’s definitive Bruce Willis action film Die Hard! They ask whether Hans Gruber is the true protagonist of the film, learn why Frank Sinatra was originally considered to play John McClane, and explore why this film succeeds where legions of imitators have failed. Plus: we settle the “Christmas movie” debate once and for all.
 
You can rent Die Hard on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Hoopla and Kanopy!
 
You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6
Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/
Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer
Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Die Hard (Re-Release)

Paul & Amy are holding space this week for 2014 fan favorite Christopher Nolan film, Interstellar! They discuss the films parallels with Nolan’s family life, the “real” science used to create stunning visual effects, and Hans Zimmer’s very stressful score. Plus: they get into the films big Matt Damon shaped twist.

You can rent Interstellar on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Hoopla and Kanopy!

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interstellar

Paul & Amy are in the zone this week for 2010 film, The Social Network! They discuss how the film holds up in 2025, how many times they show that opening bar scene, and why everyone is talking so quickly. Plus: they get into the very powerful desire of wanting to be cool.

You can rent The Social Network on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy!

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Social Network

Paul & Amy are continuing their dusty future saga this week with 2008 film, WALL E! They discuss how the film's future seems frighteningly possible, the blob-like character designs that didn't make the final cut, and (once again) the power of love. Plus: they get into that famous Pixar lunch that resulted in three of their biggest hits... and Trash Planet.

You can rent WALL E on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy!

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WALL-E

Paul & Amy are finally jumping into the Marvel universe with 2014 film, Captain America Winter Soldier! But it wouldn't be Unspooled if they didn't do it their way, by combining this conversation with the 1975 film, Three Days of the Condor. They discuss the Captain America's Condor origins, the purpose of the superhero film 2025, and, of course, that shield. Plus: they get into Hydra and it's impact on the Marvel Universe.

You can rent Captain America and Three Days of the Condor on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy!

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

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.

Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. Get $10 off your first month's subscription when you go to Nutrafol.com and use the promo code UNSPOOLED
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain Condor

Paul & Amy are celebrating Valentines with the 1999 film, 10 Things I Hate About You! They discuss the many careers this film started, Julia Stiles Shakespeare movie run, and, of course, that oh so good ending poem. Plus: they get into why this film is so beloved by fans.

You can rent 10 Things I Hate About You on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy!

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Things I Hate About You

Paul and Amy take a surreal ride this week, diving into the 2001 mind-bender Mulholland Drive by the legendary, late David Lynch. They discuss the eerie parallels between Naomi Watts' real life and her character Betty, uncover nods to iconic films, and delve into Hollywood’s dark side.

You can rent Mulholland Drive on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy!

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6

Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/

Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer

Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mulholland Drive

Dan Savage (Savage Love) joins Paul and Amy to talk about sex scenes in movies - the good ones, the bad ones, and the ones you have to watch through your fingers. As Dan walks us through his most memorable bad movie sex moments, including scenes from a groundbreaking Oscar-winning romance and an infamous historical epic, Paul and Amy ask: can these scenes be saved?
 
WARNING: this episode contains graphic discussion of sex scenes, including depictions of sexual assault. Don’t listen to this one with children present!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus: Sex Scenes In Film (with Dan Savage)

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