Skip to content
The Spool

The Spool

Unraveling Pop Culture One Thread at a Time
Main navigation
  • Podcasts
    • More of a Comment Really
    • Hall of Faces
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Patreon
  • News
    • Awards
  • About
  • Contact

Category Archive: Anniversaries

“Nothing But Trouble”—yes, “Nothing But Trouble”—turns 30

Nothing But Trouble
T T Read More

Is it possible to find something good about Dan Aykroyd’s legendary horror/comedy bomb?

Peter Sobczynski Posted on February 15, 2021February 15, 2021

“He Was the Best—Undisciplined, But The Best.” A look at “Our Man Flint.”

our man flint
T T Read More

Perhaps the best of the Bond rip-offs, this 60s classic offers style, self-aware humor, and an iconic performance by James Coburn.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on January 14, 2021January 12, 2021

The dumb limbo mumbo jumbo of “Altered States” at 40

Altered States
T T Read More

Four decades on, Ken Russell and Paddy Chayefsky’s psychedelic nightmare remains a testament to the perverse power of artistic conflict.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on December 25, 2020December 24, 2020

“The Godfather Coda” gives Coppola a fitting cap to his masterwork

The Godfather Coda Part III
T T Read More

Francis Ford Coppola returns to his most iconic story with a re-edit of Part III that repairs the infamous original.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

“I’m axking you for an apologeky”: “Popeye” at 40

Popeye
T T Read More

Robert Altman’s adaptation of the seminal comic strip remains a prime example of how to bring a cartoon to life in earnest.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on December 7, 2020December 7, 2020

How “The Apple” killed the movie musical (for a little while)

T T Read More

The futuristic religious allegory set to a disco-rock soundtrack turns 40 this week, & must be seen to be believed.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on November 22, 2020November 22, 2020

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” answered questions no one was asking

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
T T Read More

Ron Howard’s live-action take on the Dr. Seuss classic remains a crass & unpleasant mess that has the gall to present an anti-materialism message.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on November 17, 2020November 15, 2020

“Poetry Is A Game Of Loser-Take All”: “Pierrot le Fou” at 55

Pierrot le fou
T T Read More

Jean-Luc Godard’s tale of fractured romance and love on the run, is one of the most fearsome, rebellious works of his career.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on November 8, 2020November 8, 2020

“We’re going this way”: “To Live and Die in L.A.” at 35

To Live and Die in L.A.
T T Read More

Pegged upon release as a retread of previous work, William Friedkin’s neo-noir is something altogether different.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on November 2, 2020November 3, 2020

“Re-Animator” revisited: Stuart Gordon’s masterpiece lives on

Re-Animator
T T Read More

Lovecraft adaptations have never been better or more gruesome, even 35 years later.

Cian Tsang Posted on October 18, 2020October 18, 2020

“Fade to Black” is creepy, funny & prescient

Fade to Black
T T Read More

The underrated psychological thriller turns 40 & finds a new audience on Shudder.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on October 17, 2020October 16, 2020

Inside the blood-soaked Gothic romance of “Crimson Peak”

Crimson Peak
T T Read More

Guillermo del Toro’s criminally overlooked ode to Daphne du Maurier turns five, and it’s as potent as ever.

Andrea Thompson Posted on October 16, 2020October 16, 2020

“Different rules apply”: “After Hours” at 35

After Hours
T T Read More

An under-appreciated work from the filmmaker and a career rebound, Martin Scorsese’s screwball comedy remains one of a kind.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on October 11, 2020October 10, 2020

“Dancer in the Dark” at 20: A haunting swan song that’s complicated to love

Dancer in the Dark
T T Read More

Despite on-set conflict, Lars von Trier’s collaboration with Björk is still emotionally devastating and superb two decades later.

Theo Estes Posted on October 6, 2020October 7, 2020

“What’s the rumpus?”: “Miller’s Crossing” at 30

Miller's Crossing
T T Read More

A noticeable step up in their artistry at the time, the Coen brothers’ gangster pastiche remains the duo’s crown jewel.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on October 5, 2020October 5, 2020

Sorkin’s Game: How “The Social Network” surprisingly succeeds in its take on women

The Social Network
T T Read More

David Fincher’s Facebook drama remains a bright spot in Aaron Sorkin’s filmography in how it skewers male entitlement.

Christy Admiraal Posted on October 1, 2020September 30, 2020

“He’s Not Funny Anymore”: “Stardust Memories” at 40

Stardust Memories
T T Read More

Misinterpreted upon its release, Woody Allen’s 1980 comedy is a worthy riff on the likes of 8 1/2 and Sullivan’s Travels.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on September 26, 2020September 26, 2020

“Welcome to your sophomore year!”: “My Bodyguard” at 40

My Bodyguard
T T Read More

Something of an unsung classic, Tony Bill’s directorial debut precedes and exceeds its John Hughes peers of the era.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on September 26, 2020September 21, 2020

Posts navigation

Previous1 2 Next
© 2021 The Spool. Podcast logo by Josh Hollis. Made with love by Pixelgrade
Footer navigation
  • About
  • Contact
Secondary navigation
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Mail
  • Feed
  • Patreon
  • Search

Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Press Esc to cancel.