Single Serving Cinema

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

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