Single Serving Cinema

In Zodiac, policemen, journalists and a cartoonist become obsessed with identifying  the titular killer, whose cryptic letters and brutal murders haunt the Bay Area. As the years pass, the case consumes those chasing the truth.Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo, and directed by David Fincher, Zodiac was released March 2, 2007.Also, don't miss our other podcast, promoting the Peaks Central Asian Film Festival. Check out the latest episode here, and follow them on Instagram here.RecommendationsTim: Mindhunter (Fincher, 2017) — where to watchTay: All The President's Men (Pakula, 1976) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

In Prometheus, a team of explorers travels to a distant planet hoping to uncover the origins of human life. What they find instead is a threat beyond anything they imagined.Starring Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender, and directed by Ridley Scott, Prometheus was released June 8, 2012.RecommendationsTim: The Killer (Fincher, 2023) — where to watchTay: Hard To Be A God (German, 2014) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Alien focuses on the crew of a commercial spaceship who investigate a distress signal and unknowingly bring a deadly alien lifeform aboard. One by one, the crew is hunted in the isolation of deep space.Starring Sigourney Weaver and directed by Ridley Scott, Alien was released May 25, 1979.Where to watch Alien.NotesPeaks Central Film FestivalChestburster in Spaceballs RecommendationsTim: The Hidden (Sholder, 1987) — where to watchTay: Repo Man (Cox, 1984) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Annihilation is a sci-fi mystery about a group of scientists who enter the Shimmer—a strange, mutating zone to investigate a phenomenon no one understands. As they journey deeper, the landscape—and their minds—begin to unravel.Starring Natalie Portman and written and directed by Alex Garland, Annihilation was released February 23, 2018.Where to watch Annihilation.NotesAnnihilation and Decoding Metaphor (Folding Ideas)MandelbulbRecommendationsTim: Evil Does Not Exist (Hamaguchi, 2023) — where to watchTay: Rush (Howard, 2013) — where to watchJames: Devs (Garland, 2020) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Ex Machina is a sci-fi drama about a young programmer who's invited to test a humanoid robot's intelligence. As the experiment unfolds, he begins to question the motives of both the robot and its creator.Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac, and directed by Alex Garland, Ex Machina was released April 10, 2015.Where to watch Ex MachinaNotesPlayhouse CinemaPeaks Film FestivalThe Idea of "Bumping The Lamp" (via kaptainkristian, not Every Frame a Painting)RecommendationsTim: Companion (Hancock, 2025) — where to watchTay: Automata  (Ibáñez, 2014) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a Depression-era comedic-adventure-musical that follows three escaped convicts as they journey across Mississippi in search of hidden treasure, encountering bizarre characters and unexpected twists along the way—all set to a rich backdrop of American folk and bluegrass music.Starring George Clooney and directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, O Brother, Where Art Thou? was released December 22, 2000.Where to watch O Brother, Where Art Thou?NotesDown From The Mountain (music documentary)Eudora Welty's photographyRecommendationsTim: Sullivan's Travels (Sturges, 1941) — where to watchTay: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Coens, 2018) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Andrew Finlay Stewart is an artist and musician, and the host of the podcast The Rules of the Show, which you can find on Instagram (@therulesoftheshow) and wherever you get podcasts. ---Inside Llewyn Davis is a melancholic drama set in the 1960s folk music scene, following a struggling musician navigating the unforgiving New York winter in pursuit of artistic success.  Starring Oscar Isaac and directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis was released December 6, 2013.  Where to watch Inside Llewyn DavisRecommendationsAndrew: Sprout Wings and Fly (Blank, 1983) — where to watchTim: Amadeus (Forman, 1984) — where to watchTay: Eden (Løve, 2014) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

In this special annual episode, Tim and Tay highlight a few notable scenes from 2024. Not necessarily the best or our favourites, but certainly worth seeing!Links:THR Director Roundtable: Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, Denis Villeneuve, Ridley Scott & More'Dune: Part Two' Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down the Sandworm Scene | Vanity FairAs always, please leave us a review on iTunes and spread the word to your friends!This month: The Coen Brothers!Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Snowpiercer is a dystopian thriller set in a frozen post-apocalyptic world, where the last remnants of humanity survive aboard a perpetually moving train—divided by a brutal class hierarchy that erupts into rebellion.Starring Chris Evans and directed by Bong Joon-ho, Snowpiercer was released August 1, 2013.Where to watch SnowpiercerNotes:"Snowpiercer - Left or Right" (Every Frame a Painting)First past the post pollingRecommendationsTim: Train to Busan (Yeon, 2016) — where to watchTay: The Platform (Gaztelu-Urrutia, 2019) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Parasite is a social satire about a poor family infiltrating the lives of a wealthy household, leading to unexpected consequences and a scathing critique of class inequality.Starring Song Kang-ho and directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite was released May 30, 2019.Where to watch Parasite.Notes:"Memories of Murder (2003) - Ensemble Staging" (Every Frame a Painting)"Notes From The Underground" by Inkoo KangRecommendationsTim: Cheap Thrills (Katz, 2013) — where to watchTay: Kajillionaire (July, 2020) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping mystery about a disgraced journalist and a brilliant hacker who team up to uncover a decades-old family secret involving murder, corruption, and lies on a secluded Swedish island.Starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig and directed by David Fincher, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was released Dec. 20, 2011.Where to watch The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.RecommendationsTim: Fire Walk With Me (Lynch, 1992) — where to watchTay: The Killing of Chinese Bookie (Cassavetes, 1976) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Set in the remote wilderness of Wyoming, Wind River follows a skilled tracker and an inexperienced FBI agent as they investigate the mysterious death of a young woman on a Indigenous reservation.Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, and written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, Wind River was released Aug. 4, 2017.Where to watch Wind River.RecommendationsTim: True Grit  (Coens, 2010) — where to watchTay: Hell or High Water (Mackenzie, 2016) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesSaoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern & Greta Gerwig Break Down a Scene from 'Little Women' (Vanity Fair)Why Greta Gerwig's Little Women is The Best (Thomas Flight)SynopsisLittle Women is an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, following the lives, of the four March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate personal growth, family bonds, and societal expectations in Civil War-era Massachusetts.Starring Soairse Ronan and directed by Greta Gerwig, Little Women was released Dec. 7, 2019.Where to watch Little WomenScene : [25:10 - 33:22]RecommendationsTim: Klaus (Pablos, 2019) — where to watchTay: Spencer (Larrain, 2021) — where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesSaoirse Ronan on her career (Vanity Fair)Stanley Tucci, nominated for an OscarSynopsisLady Bird, a coming-of-age story, stars Saoirse Ronan as the eponymous unsatisfied and strong-willed teenager trapped in boring Sacramento. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird was released Sept 1, 2017.Where to watch Lady BirdScene : [18:20-22:15]RecommendationsTim: Snack Shack (Rehmeier, 2024) — where to watchTay: Ghost World  (Zwigoff, 2001) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show Notes"Kingdom of Heaven | Why The Director's Cut Is Better" by Daniel NetzelSynopsisA bereaved French peasant discovers his noble heritage and embarks on a knight's quest, traveling to Jerusalem in search of purpose and redemption. Starring Orlando Bloom and directed by Ridley Scott, Kingdom of Heaven was released May 6, 2005. Where to watch Kingdom of HeavenScene  [1:29:30 - 1:35:50]RecommendationsTim: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Word (Weir, 2003) — where to watchTay: The Counselor (Scott, 2013) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesThe Brutalist trailerRussell Crowe on working with Ridley ScottRussell Crowe on his acting skillsSynopsisGladiator follows Maximus, a second-century Roman general, who is betrayed and left for dead by Marcus Aurelius' ambitious son, Commodus. In order to take revenge for his murdered family, Maximus must rise through the ranks as a gladiator.Starring Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator was released May 12, 2000.Where to watch GladiatorScene  [57:35 - 1:02:20]RecommendationsTim: The Northman (Eggers, 2022) — where to watchTay: Quest For Fire (Annaud, 1981) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesAri Aster @ Film at Lincoln CenterAri Aster on The Big Picture PodcastSynopsisMidsommar follows the depressed Dani as she joins her disengaged boyfriend on a trip to Sweden to attend a folk festival. The more they learn about the reclusive commune of which they are guests, the more unsettling their experience becomes. Starring Florence Pugh and written and directed by Ari Aster, Midsommar was released July 23, 2019.Where to watch MidsommarScene  [1:05:05 - 1:14:15]RecommendationsTim: Defending Your Life (Brooks, 1991) — where to watchTay: Kill List (Wheatley, 2011) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesSmile's viral marketing campaignAri Aster on CBC QAlex Wolff's struggles with the roleToni Collette's career reviewSynopsisHereditary follows the Graham family as they mourn their secretive grandmother, finding out more about her sinister proclivities—and how they have inherited them— along the way.  Starring Toni Collette, and written and directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary was released June 8, 2018. Where to watch HereditaryScene  [25:30 - 36:05]RecommendationsTim: The Wailing (Na, 2016) —where to watch | Altered (Sanchez, 2006) — where to watch Tay: Goodnight Mommy (Sobel, 2022) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesThe Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller SeitzThe Most Difficult Shot in Movie History (And Why It Matters)SynopsisThe Life Aquatic with Steve Zissuo tells of the story of the titular oceanographer, on the hunt for the rare shark that killed his friend so he can exact revenge and film his next movie. Starring Bill Murray, written by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach, and directed by Wes Anderson, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissuo was released Dec. 25, 2004.Where to watch The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissuoScene  [15:00-16:40]  - "Let me tell you about my boat”RecommendationsTim: The Great White Silence (Ponting, 1924) —where to watchTay: Bottle Rocket (Anderson, 1996) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Show NotesWe shot a YouTube video about film formats on 35mm filmThe Insane Realism of the Film That Invented the Modern Car MovieSynopsisMad Max: Fury Road  finds the franchise's titular hero caught in the escape of Immortan Joe's harem of wives, under the leadership of Imperator Furiosa. Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, and directed by George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road was released May 15, 2015. Where to watch Mad Max: Fury RoadScene  [30:15 - 37:30]  - "Max Meets Furiosa”RecommendationsTim: Speed Racer (Wachowskis, 2008) —where to watchTay: Mr. Brooks (Bruce Evans, 2007) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

SynopsisThe film centers on the marriage of Nick & Amy Dunne, the nature of which is called into question (along with the former's culpability) when the latter goes missing on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary.Starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck, and directed by David Fincher, Gone Girl was released Oct. 2, 2014. Where to watch Gone Girl.TAY'S SCENE - 23:54 - 27:02 - One Day GoneTIM'S SCENE - 8:20 - 12:04 - Gone BUNNY'S SCENE - 01:06:08 – 01:13:00 - Cool GirlRecommendationsTim: Phoenix (Petzold, 2014) —where to watchTay: State of Play (MacDonald, 2009) —where to watchBunny: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Nichols, 1966) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

SynopsisThe movie centers on Patrick Bateman, a handsome, intelligent and successful young professional in 1980s New York that moonlights as a psychotic killer. Starring Christian Bale, directed by Mary Harron, and based on the book of the same name by Brett Easton Ellis, American Psycho was released on April 14, 2000.Where to watch American Psycho.Scene  [17:10- 20:07]  - "Business Card Casualty”RecommendationsTim: The Pale Blue Eye (Cooper, 2022) —where to watchTay: Mr. Brooks (Bruce Evans, 2007) —where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Another season done! We wrap up in our usual fashion by comparing our rankings of the taglines from this year's movies. Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay are back to wrap up the season with one of their favourite movies in recent years, The Nice Guys. Tune in for a chat about "Big Russ" and the comedic stylings of Ryan Gosling.    SynopsisAn alcoholic detective and a purposeless tough guy become embroiled in a missing persons case that takes them on a journey through the many corrupt echelons of 1970s LA.Starring Ryan Gosling, Russel Crowe, and written and directed by Shane Black, The Nice Guys premiered May 20, 2016.Where to watch The Nice Guys.Scene [1:06:46 - 1:12:26]  - "Nobody's getting killed at the Burbank Airport Western Hotel”RecommendationsTim:   No Hard Feelings (Stupnitsky, 2023)—where to watch Tay: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Black, 2005)—where to watch  Tim's bonus recent comedy recommendations:Palm Springs (Barbakow, 2020)Bottoms (Seligman, 2023)Theatre Camp (Gordon, Lieberman, 2023)Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar (Greenbaum, 2021)Snack Shack (Rehmeier, 2024)Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

In this special annual episode, Tim and Tay highlight a few notable movies from 2023. Not necessarily the best or our favourites, but certainly worth seeing!TimThe Killer (Fincher)The Taste of Things (Anh Hung)The Creator (Edwards)TayPoor Things (Lanthimos)How To Blow Up A Pipeline (Goldhaber)The Holdovers (Payne)Links:Filming The HoldoversAs always, please leave us a review on iTunes and spread the word to your friends!Next month: The films of Greta Gerwig!Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay leave pretentious and inconvenient movies behind and switch to the principal media of the modern age: streaming TV. In the first episode of Solo TV Dinner we explore Andor and how it finds impressive depth working within the Star Wars IP machine. SynopsisAndor tells the story of the titular hero's journey from apathetic rogue to dyed-in-the-wool rebel, acting as a prequel to Rogue One.Starring Diego Luna and created by Tony Gilroy, Andor premiered Sept. 21, 2022. Andor is available to watch on Disney+.NotesPapillon (Schaffner, 1973)Stellan Skarsgård on his careerR2D2 in spanishEpisode: "One Way Out" [S1E10]Cassian and his allies attempt to seize a rare opportunity that could lead to victory. Mom Mothma brokers a new deal with a shady politician in order to ensure the future of the rebellion.RecommendationsTim: UtopiaTay: Star Wars: VisionsFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay discuss what is likely the most beloved Star Wars anthology film, Rogue One. A compelling but compromised film, Rogue One introduced new visuals, themes, and characters to the cinematic Star Wars canon. Tune in for a discussion of Gareth Edwards' knack for imparting scale on the big screen and a lot more.  SynopsisRogue One details the rebel effort to steal the Death Star plans and expose its weakness before the Empire puts the planet-killing weapon to use. Starring Felicity Jones, and directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One was released Dec. 16, 2016.Where to watch Rogue One.NotesConspiracy (Pierson, 2001)Military realism in Rogue One "Guardians of the Whills"Scene [27:47 - 37:10] Jyn and Cassian arrive at Jedha in search of Saw Gerrera, hoping to discover critical information about the Empire's new weapon of mass destruction. Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay try to look at Star Wars with fresh eyes in this episode on the genesis of one of  film culture's most valuable, gargantuan, and mixed franchises.SynopsisStar Wars (renamed "Episode IV: A New Hope" in ‘81) tells the story of Luke Skywalker, a farm boy that gets caught up in the rebel alliance's desperate efforts to destroy the galactic empire's weapon of mass destruction. Starring Mark Hamil, and written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars was released May 25, 1977. Where to watch Star Wars.NotesMuammar Gaddafi & Star WarsCantina patrons"jizz" or "jatz"Scene [42:32-51:13] Luke, Ben and the droids visit the Mos Eisley Cantina in search of a pilot that can get them off planet. After an altercation with a particularly foul patron, they meet and negotiate with the braggadocious Han Solo.  RecommendationsTim:  The Hidden Fortress (Kurosawa, 1958)—where to watchTay: The Visitor (Paradisi, 1979)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Did you have a dream that we did an episode on Dune: Part 2? Well, it's happening, just as you dreamed it. Notes:Stellan Skarsgård on his careerFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay celebrate their national heritage with this discussion of BlackBerry. Tune in to hear about Canada's inferiority complex, tangents about long lenses, and more.SynopsisBlackBerry charts the major chapters in the life of the once-iconic smartphone and the people who created and sold it. Starring Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton, and directed and written by Matt Johnson, BlackBerry was released May 12, 2023 Where to watch BlackBerry.NotesHeritage MinutesThe Big Picture interview with Matt Johnson"Vancouver Never Plays Itself"Nirvana the Band the ShowScene [38:10 - 47:15] After scrambling to make a prototype, Mike and Jim travel to New York to meet with AT&T to pitch their new product. RecommendationsTim:  Enemy (Villeneuve, 2013)—where to watchTay: Man Bites Dog (Benoît Poelvoorde, Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, 1992)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay are joined by Kyle Snarr to talk about one of the most critical movies of the century: The Social Network. We discuss its legacy as part of Fincher's oeuvre, its effect on the cinematic landscape, and just how damn good it is.  SynopsisThe Social Network portrays (with great artistic license) the creation and tumultuous growth of Facebook, centering on Mark Zuckerberg's journey and its many legal disputes and personal conflicts. Where to watch The Social Network.Tay's Scene [9:00-16:18]Face Mash.Kyle's Scene [1:05:19 - 1:11:18]The "Seanathon"Tim's Scene  [1:24:24 - 1:28:58]Henley Royal RegattaNotesHow Did This Ever Get Made? (The Social Network bts documentary)RecommendationsTim:  Adventureland (Mottola, 2009)—where to watchTay: Molly's Game  (Sorkin, 2017)—where to watchKyle: The Squid and the Whale (Baumbach, 2005)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay head to the depths with what is undoubtedly James Cameron's most personal film, The Abyss. Tune in for a discussion of this year's Oscar noms, the foundation of CGI in film, and Cameron's undeniable skill for communicating need-to-know info to the audience.     SynopsisTitanic is a sweeping romantic epic, set against the backdrop of the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. The film follows the doomed love story between Jack, a penniless artist, and Rose, a wealthy young woman, as they struggle to survive the tragic sinking of the ship. Where to watch The Abyss.NotesGina (Arcand, 1975) via CIPCorridor Crew on The AbyssThe Stained Glass KnightScene [39:35-49:05]A wild storm on the surface jeopardizes the Deep Core rig's structural integrity, resulting in a thrilling sequence as the crew on the surface and below navigate a potential disaster.RecommendationsTim:  Last Breath (Parkinson, 2019)—where to watchTay: Piranha II: The Spawning (Flying Killers), (Assonitis, Cameron, 1981)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay kick off the new year with a discussion of James Cameron's 1997 box office behemoth Titanic and its ingenious, audience-first design. Tune in to hear about the detailed production, the less-than-detailed characters, and more.  SynopsisTitanic is a sweeping romantic epic, set against the backdrop of the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. The film follows the doomed love story between Jack, a penniless artist, and Rose, a wealthy young woman, as they struggle to survive the tragic sinking of the ship. Where to watch Titanic.NotesPatrick Willems on Music BiopicsWillem Dafoe in the Criterion ClosetScene [[1:34:27 1:43:08]Our scene depicts the fateful impact as the Titanic hits the iceberg, followed by the immediate repercussions felt around the ship, from the lookouts, to the coal-engine workers, to Jack and Rose.RecommendationsTim: Last Night (McKellor, 1998)—where to watchTay:  All Is Lost (Chandor, 2013)—where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay head into the holiday season with a hit musical that marks an early technological predecessor to IMAX: White Christmas. Tune in for a chat about blockbusters (old and new), Vista Vision, and Danny Kaye. SynopsisWhite Christmas tells the story of two World War II veterans and entertainers who team up to save their former commanding officer's struggling inn, finding love along the way. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, White Christmas was directed by Michael Curtiz and released Oct. 14, 1954.Where to watch White Christmas.NotesVistaVision primerIMAX vs. Lie-MAX (and IMAX locations)Scene [1:24:08 - 1:29:11]At the cast party, Judy and Phil plan to fake an engagement in order to encourage "mother hen" Betty (Rosemary Clooney) to "leave the roost", and pursue her own love of Bob (Bing Crosby). RecommendationsTim: West Side Story (Spielberg, 2021)—where to watchTay:  It Happened One Night (Capra, 1934)—where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay attempt to get in the holiday spirit with this discussion of Richard Donner's somewhat uneven Dickensian adaptation, Scrooged.SynopsisThis modern-day, quasi-meta adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol," tells the story of a cynical TV executive who undergoes a transformative journey of self-discovery during the holiday season.Starring Bill Murray and Karen Allen, Scrooged was directed by Richard Donner and released Nov. 23, 1988. Where to watch Scrooged.NotesZero de ConduiteBetween Two FernsScene [18:05-24:20}Working late the night before Christmas Eve, Frank encounters the fully formed ghostly presence of his old boss, Lou Hayward, who acts as a harbinger, warning Frank that he will be visited by 3 Christmas ghosts.RecommendationsTim: The Muppet Christmas Carol (Henson, 1992)—where to watchTay: The Abyss (4K Remaster) (Cameron, 1989)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay are joined by Erica Sherwood to talk about an undeniable classic: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. We discuss world-class child actors, Spielberg's insane lighting choices, and E.T.'s penchant for day beers. SynopsisStranded on earth, a kind alien befriends a young boy in California and attempts to stay one step ahead of the authorities while finding his way home. Starring Henry Thomas, and directed by Stephen Spielberg, E.T. came out June 11, 1982. Where to watch E.T.NotesHenry Thomas' final auditionThe Nolan CrosscutScenesERICA: 43:00Elliot goes to school leaving ET at home by himself. This scene is the fun and games moment of their strong otherworldly connection. TIM & TAY: 19:25-25:33Elliot stays up waiting for the mysterious creature to return. When the creature appears, Elliot makes the choice to bring him inside. RecommendationsTim: Starman (Carpenter, 1984)—where to watchTay: The Brother From Another Planet (Sayles, 1984)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay dig into the surprisingly odd yet undeniably heartfelt children's cult classic, The Iron Giant. Tune in for a chat about the loss of innocence, seamless melding of traditional and computer animation, and Christopher MacDonald.SynopsisA young boy in Cold War-era Maine befriends a giant robot from outer space, and must protect it from both paranoid government agents and its own potential for violence. Starring Eli Marienthal and Vin Diesel, and directed by Brad Bird, The Iron Giant was released July 31, 1999. Where to watch The Iron Giant.Scene: 50:28-53:53After witnessing the death of a deer, Hogarth explains the concepts of life, death and the soul to his Iron companion. Souls don't die.RecommendationsTim: Never Let Me Go (Romanek, 2010)—where to watchTay: Tomorrowland (Bird, 2015)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay honour the late, great William Friedkin by talking about one of the most successful films of all time: The Exorcist.SynopsisAfter exhausting all conventional forms of medicine and care, a distraught mother asks the catholic church to perform an exorcism for her suffering, manic daughter. Starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Jason Miller, and directed by William Friedkin, The Exorcist was released Dec. 26, 1973.Where to watch The Exorcist.Scene: 39:15 - 44:48Chris hosts a large gathering at the house only to be disrupted by a harrowing warning from Regan.RecommendationsTim: The Exorcist III (Blatty, 1990)—where to watchTay: Leap Of Faith (Phillippe, 2023)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay get dig into one of the most accessible horror movies of the modern era, and one that maybe doesn't hold up under close scrutiny. Tune in for a discussion of world-building, high concept strategy, and more. SynopsisA family lives their lives in silence, trying to survive in the presence of alien creatures that hunt by sound.Starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, and directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place was released April 6, 2018. Where to watch A Quiet Place.Scene: 54:26 - 1:00:43]The Abbott family begins their journey home after a seemingly routine supply run. The youngest, Beau, puts batteries into a noisy toy, which tragically sounds off as the family traverses a bridge. Beau is almost immediately destroyed by an unknown creature as the family can do nothing but watch in horror cut to Title Card.RecommendationsTim: Hush (Flanagan, 2016)—where to watchTay: Don't Breathe (Alvarez, 2016)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay get to talk horror once again in this discussion of Neil Marshall's The Descent. We explore this movie's legacy in a genre that has somewhat forgot it, wise filmmaking on a lower budget, and much more.  SynopsisA day of spelunking turns into a nightmare after a group of friends gets trapped underground and pursued by terrifying predators. Starring Shauna Macdonald and Natalie Mendoza, and directed by Neil Marshall, The Descent was released July 8, 2005. Where to watch The Descent.Links:Tay's Horror MarathonOscar horror montageThe Descent palette Scene: 54:26 - 1:00:43]Broken and battered, the six women arrive atop a pile of animal bones and are quickly descended upon by cave-dwelling beings and are forced to fight for their lives.RecommendationsTim: Bone Tomahawk (Zahler, 2015)—where to watchTay: The Dive (Erlenweinn, 2023)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim and Tay are joined by Bunny Stephenson (Instagram / Letterboxd) to talk about our second David Fincher pick for our potlucks: Fight Club. We discuss the movie's exquisite portrayal of brutal violence, its not-so-subtle homoeroticism, and the reception of this satirical take on '90s  men's existential crisis. SynopsisA depressed man's life is changed after he meets a charming and inspiring anarchist that shows him a life beyond the materialistic world.Starring Ed Norton & Brad Pitt, and directed by David Fincher, Fight Club was released Oct. 15, 1999. Where to watch Fight Club.Bunny's Scene [33.28-41.00]Meet Tyler Durden.Tay's Scene [01:00:20 - 01:04:30]Let's make soap.Tim's Scene  [2:05:43-2:09:36]Tyler & Jack's last fight.LinksEvery Frame a Painting— "And The Other Way Is Wrong"RecommendationsTim—Woodstock ‘99: Peace, Love & Rage (Price, 2021) [where to watch]Tay—Hobo with a Shotgun (Eisner, 2011) [where to watch]Bunny—The Lighthouse (Eggers, 2019) [where to watch]All links are verified at the time of publication and based on availability in Canada.Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay take on capitalism in this episode on Nightcrawler. This slick and unsettling film stars Jake Gyllenhaal in his best performance, and explores ambition, tenacity, and the other characteristics most valued by the modern western world. SynopsisLou Bloom, an ambitious and resourceful Los Angeles resident, methodically tests the moral and economic limits of sensational local news production.Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler  was released Oct. 31, 2014.Where to watch - Paramount+Links:(with apologies to) Kevin RahmScene: 39:24-44:30Arriving at an accident before the cops and paramedics, Lou manipulates the crime scene and gets his footage, beating out the other Nightcrawlers like Joe. When delivering his footage, he begins to coerce Nina into a date.RecommendationsTim: Broadcast News (Brooks, 1987)—where to watchTay: City of Tiny Lights (Travis, 2016)—where to watchNext episode: Fight Club (Fincher, 1999)Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay talk both of Tarantino's revenge epics, Kill Bill Vols 1 &2. Tune in for a discussion of how these films have aged, how they deny audience expectations, and more. SynopsisKill Bill Vols 1 & 2 tell the story of an assassin's quest for revenge against her spurned master and ex, Bill. Starring Uma Thurman and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill Vols 1 & 2 were released October 10, 2003 and April 16, 2004, respectively. Where to watch Kill Bill Vols 1 & 2Links:RackaRacka on Corridor CrewScene: 32:35 - 44:44The Bride recalls the backstory and ascension to power for her enemy, O-Ren.Scene: 22:53 - 30:56Budd thwarts the Bride's attack at night at his California trailer. RecommendationsTim: Wolfguy: Enraged Lycanthrope (Yamaguchi, 1975)—where to watchTay: The Raid: Redemption (Evans, 2011)—where to watchNext episode: TBDFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay explore the movie that launched Christopher Nolan's career in proper: Memento. We talk about its innovative story structure, the way it plays with the nature of film, and how Carrie-Anne Moss can be pretty mean sometimes.  SynopsisA man with short-term memory loss tracks his wife's killer, employing a series of habitual techniques to find his target and, eventually, take his revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and directed by Christopher Nolan, Memento was released September 9, 2000.Where to watch Memento.Scene: 1:13:00- 1:17:17Natalie returns home with a plan to aggravate and manipulate Leonard into helping her.RecommendationsTim: Lady Vengeance (Park, 2005)—where to watchTay:   Blue Ruin (Saulnier, 2013)—where to watch Next episode: Kill Bill (Tarantino, 2003)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

You know we couldn't go from our bomb theme in July to our revenge theme in August without talking about one of the summer's two biggest films: Oppenheimer.Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay dig into John Woo's maximalist style with the ridiculous, fun, and arguarbly flawed Face/Off.SynopsisFBI agent Sean Archer undergoes radical surgery to trade faces with his nemesis, the terrorist Castor Troy, in order to discover the location of a bomb that threatens Los Angeles. Starring Nicholas Cage and John Travolta, and directed by John Woo, Face/Off was released June 27, 1997.Where to watch Face/Off.Scene: 45:30-48:25In short order, Castor Troy wakes up from his coma, calls in his henchmen and takes Sean Archer's face.LinksThe Birth Of Gun-FuRecommendationsTim: Hard Boiled (Woo, 1992)—where to watchTay:   2 Guns (Kormakur, 2013)—where to watch Next episode: Memento (Nolan, 2000)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay get to talk about one of their all time favourite films: William Friedkin's Sorcerer. In this first installment for our bomb month (in honour of the forthcoming Oppenheimer), we talk explosions, existential dread, and much more. SynopsisFour desperate men, on the run from their past lives and stuck in a quagmire of Colombian poverty, agree to drive unstable nitroglycerin across 200 miles of dangerous jungle road to put out an inflamed oil well. Starring Roy Schieder and directed by William Friedkin, Sorcerer was released June 24, 1977.Where to watch Sorcerer.Scene: 1:26:35 - 1:41:15Scanlon and Nilo arrive at the site of a gargantuan Kaoba tree that has fallen on the road, blocking their path. Amidst Scanlons rage, Victor and Kassem show up and Kassem immediately conjures up a plan to remove the impossible roadblock. The scene stars Roy Scheider, Fransisco Rabal, Bruno Cremer and AmidouLinksThe Thirst For AnnihilationRecommendationsTim: Cheap Thrills (Katz, 2014)—where to watchTay:   How To Blow Up A Pipeline (Goldhaber, 2023)—where to watch Next episode: Face/Off (Woo, 1997)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay revisit the seminal  summer blockbuster: Jaws. We talk about the dawn of the modern movie megahit,  the difficulty of shooting a movie on the ocean, and much more. SynopsisWhen a great white shark terrorizes a tourist trap island off the coast of New York, the local police chief, an oceanographer, and a seasoned fisherman are charged with catching it.  Starring Roy Schieder and directed by Stephen Spielberg, Jaws was released June 20, 1975. Where to watch Jaws.Scene: 45:18 - 50:20Hooper convinces Brody to join him on a night hunt for the killer shark that he believes is still roaming the Amity coastline. They come across a noted fisherman, Ben Gardner's boat  that is partially sunk. Hooper dives to investigate the boat and gets more than he bargained for.LinksThe Playhouse Cinema"10 animals more likely to kill you than sharks"CORRECTION: Gone With The Wind was in theatres for 30 years."Leitmotif" in Williams' film scoresRecommendationsTim: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Sargent, 1974)—where to watchTay:   Frank Darabont's Indiana Jones' script Next episode: Sorcerer (Friedkin, 1977)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Another season in the bag means another head-to-head ranking of the latest crop of taglines. Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay honour the legacy of summer blockbusters by discussing Stephen Spielberg's adventure classic, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.  We talk fallible heroes, action along the z-axis, and much more.  SynopsisAn adventuring archaeologist races to beat the Nazis to a priceless, potentially powerful religious relic in this globe-trotting pulp action classic. Starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen, and directed by Stephen Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark was released June 12, 1981.Where to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark.Scene: 1:15:50-1:21:15After miraculously escaping the sealed Well of Souls, our heroes Indy and Marion stumble into another death trap featuring a grounded, out-of-control Nazi plane, a worthy boxing opponent for Indy and a most excellent explosion to cap off a memorable blockbuster set piece.LinksHitting the lamp in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?Indiana Jones story conference transcriptsRecommendationsTim: The Lost City Of Z (Gray, 2016)—where to watchTay:  Jungle (McLean, 2017)—where to watchNext episode: Jaws (Spielberg, 1975)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd

Tim & Tay dig into the iconic Quentin Tarantino and his oeuvre for the first time with his revisionist fantasy: Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood. Tune in for a discussion of cache-cashing, period-specific production design, and much more.  SynopsisOnce Upon A Time...In Hollywood tells the story of waning ‘60s TV star Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth, who, in the course of their seemingly regular lives, encounter the Manson family gang and change the course of Hollywood history. Starring Leo Dicaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, and written/directed by Quentin Tarantino, Once was released July 26, 2019. Where to watch Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood.Scene: 20:13 - 26:00After driving Rick home, Cliff commutes along Hollywood Blvd. en route to his trailer home on the lot of the infamous Van Nuys' drive-in movie theatre. He prepares food for himself and his dog, Brandy, as she eagerly awaits.LinksMatt Johnson on The Big Picture"...because we love making movies!"Tarantino's 10th filmThe Hays CodeFlamethrower stuntsYou Must Remember This podcast: Charles MansonRecommendationsTim: Where Eagles Dare (Hutton, 1968)—where to watchTay:  Under The Silver Lake (Mitchell, 2018)—where to watchNext episode: Raiders Of The Lost Ark (Spielberg, 1981)—where to watchFollow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd