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 -...

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]Recommen...

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: Th...

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 Li...

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...

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...

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. Brook...

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...

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! Tim The Killer (Fincher)The Taste of Things (Anh Hung)The Creator (Edwards)Tay Poor 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...

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. Synopsis Andor 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...

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.  Synopsis Rogue 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...

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. Synopsis Star 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. ...

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. Synopsis BlackBerry 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. Notes Heritage MinutesThe Big Picture...

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.  Synopsis The 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...

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.      Synopsis Titanic 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...

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.  Synopsis Titanic 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...

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. Synopsis White 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...

Tim & Tay attempt to get in the holiday spirit with this discussion of Richard Donner's somewhat uneven Dickensian adaptation, Scrooged. Synopsis This 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...

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. Synopsis Stranded 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...

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. Synopsis A 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...

Tim & Tay honour the late, great William Friedkin by talking about one of the most successful films of all time: The Exorcist. Synopsis After 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 - 44:48 Chris...

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. Synopsis A 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...