SSC 67: White Christmas (Curtiz, 1954)

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