Single Serving Cinema

Tim & Tay

Single Serving Cinema looks at one critical scene in a movie every other week. We explore how the scene is constructed, what the scene achieves, and what it can tell us about the movie as a whole. Hosted by Tim & Tay.

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128 episodes
Updated July 23

Episodes128

Newest first

Aug 27, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
SSC 103: Weapons (Cregger, 2025)
In Weapons, a small town is shaken when an entire third-grade class vanishes overnight, leaving only one child behind, and no clear answers as to where the children went. Starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin and directed by Zach Cregger, Weapons was released August 8, 2025. Recommendations: Tim — The Innocents (Jack Clayton, 1961)—where to watch Tay — Place Beyond the Pines (Derek Cianfrance, 2012)—where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Jul 30, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
SSC 102: 28 Years Later (Boyle, 2025)
In 28 Years Later, a father and son leave their quarantined community on a remote island to venture into the zombie-infested mainland. Starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jack O’Connell, and directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Years Later is was released June 20, 2025. 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. Recommendations Tim: A Bigger Splash (Guadagnino, 2015)—where to watch. Tay: Dead/Alive (Jackson, 1992)—where to watch. Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Jul 16, 2025 · 1 hr 34 min
SSC 101: 28 Days Later (Boyle, 2002)
In 28 Days Later, a man wakes up in an abandoned hospital to find the world devastated by a mysterious virus. He soon joins a group of survivors, they face both the infected and the horrors of what humanity has become. Starring Cillian Murphy and directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later was released June 27, 2003. 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. Recommendations Tim: Re-Animator (Gordon, 1985) — where to watch Tay: Southern Comfort (Hill, 1981) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Jun 11, 2025 · 2 hr 19 min
SSC 100: Zodiac (Fincher, 2007)
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. Recommendations Tim: Mindhunter (Fincher, 2017) — where to watch Tay: All The President's Men (Pakula, 1976) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
May 28, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
SSC 99: Prometheus (Scott, 2012)
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. Recommendations Tim: The Killer (Fincher, 2023) — where to watch Tay: Hard To Be A God (German, 2014) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
May 14, 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
SSC 98: Alien (Scott, 1979)
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. Notes Peaks Central Film Festival Chestburster in Spaceballs Recommendations Tim: The Hidden (Sholder, 1987) — where to watch Tay: Repo Man (Cox, 1984) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Apr 30, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
SSC 97: Annihilation (Garland, 2018) w/ James Stacey
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. Notes Annihilation and Decoding Metaphor (Folding Ideas) Mandelbulb Recommendations Tim: Evil Does Not Exist (Hamaguchi, 2023) — where to watch Tay: Rush (Howard, 2013) — where to watch James: Devs (Garland, 2020) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Apr 16, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
SSC 96: Ex Machina (Garland, 2013)
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 Machina Notes Playhouse Cinema Peaks Film Festival The Idea of "Bumping The Lamp" (via kaptainkristian, not Every Frame a Painting) Recommendations Tim: Companion (Hancock, 2025) — where to watch Tay: Automata (Ibáñez, 2014) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Mar 26, 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
SSC 95: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Coens, 2000)
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? Notes Down From The Mountain (music documentary) Eudora Welty's photography Recommendations Tim: Sullivan's Travels (Sturges, 1941) — where to watch Tay: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Coens, 2018) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Mar 19, 2025 · 1 hr 53 min
SSC 94: Inside Llewyn Davis (Coens, 2013) w/ Andrew Finlay Stewart
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 Davis Recommendations Andrew: Sprout Wings and Fly (Blank, 1983) — where to watch Tim: Amadeus (Forman, 1984) — where to watch Tay: Eden (Løve, 2014) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Mar 12, 2025 · 1 hr 24 min
SSC 93: A La Carte 2024
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 Fair As 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 Tay on Letterboxd
Feb 26, 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
SSC 92: Snowpiercer (Bong, 2013)
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 Snowpiercer Notes: "Snowpiercer - Left or Right" (Every Frame a Painting) First past the post polling Recommendations Tim: Train to Busan (Yeon, 2016) — where to watch Tay: The Platform (Gaztelu-Urrutia, 2019) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Feb 5, 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
SSC 91: Parasite (Bong, 2019)
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 Kang Recommendations Tim: Cheap Thrills (Katz, 2013) — where to watch Tay: Kajillionaire (July, 2020) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Jan 22, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
SSC 90: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Fincher, 2011)
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. Recommendations Tim: Fire Walk With Me (Lynch, 1992) — where to watch Tay: The Killing of Chinese Bookie (Cassavetes, 1976) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Jan 15, 2025 · 1 hr 40 min
SSC 89: Wind River (Sheridan, 2017)
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. Recommendations Tim: True Grit (Coens, 2010) — where to watch Tay: Hell or High Water (Mackenzie, 2016) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Dec 25, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
SSC 88: Little Women (Gerwig, 2019)
Show Notes Saoirse 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) Synopsis Little 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 Women Scene : [25:10 - 33:22] Recommendations Tim: Klaus (Pablos, 2019) — where to watch Tay: Spencer (Larrain, 2021) — where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Dec 11, 2024 · 1 hr 29 min
SSC 87: Lady Bird (Gerwig, 2017)
Show Notes Saoirse Ronan on her career (Vanity Fair) Stanley Tucci, nominated for an Oscar Synopsis Lady 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 Bird Scene : [18:20-22:15] Recommendations Tim: Snack Shack (Rehmeier, 2024) — where to watch Tay: Ghost World (Zwigoff, 2001) —where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Nov 27, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min
SSC 86: Kingdom of Heaven (Scott, 2005)
Show Notes "Kingdom of Heaven | Why The Director's Cut Is Better" by Daniel Netzel Synopsis A 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 Heaven Scene [1:29:30 - 1:35:50] Recommendations Tim: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Word (Weir, 2003) — where to watch Tay: The Counselor (Scott, 2013) —where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Nov 13, 2024 · 1 hr 30 min
SSC 85: Gladiator (Scott, 2000)
Show Notes The Brutalist trailer Russell Crowe on working with Ridley Scott Russell Crowe on his acting skills Synopsis Gladiator 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 Gladiator Scene [57:35 - 1:02:20] Recommendations Tim: The Northman (Eggers, 2022) — where to watch Tay: Quest For Fire (Annaud, 1981) —where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd
Oct 23, 2024 · 1 hr 41 min
SSC 84: Midsommar (Aster, 2019)
Show Notes Ari Aster @ Film at Lincoln Center Ari Aster on The Big Picture Podcast Synopsis Midsommar 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 Midsommar Scene [1:05:05 - 1:14:15] Recommendations Tim: Defending Your Life (Brooks, 1991) — where to watch Tay: Kill List (Wheatley, 2011) —where to watch Follow: SSC on Instagram Tim on Letterboxd Tay on Letterboxd