Cinema: A to B

Cinema: A to B

By Alec Mallmann & Ben StarkeyTV & FilmFilm ReviewsFilm History
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Cinema: A to B episodes

  • Disclosure Day (2026)

    SPOILERS: the guys unpack why Disclosure Day was a box office dud in spite of the fact that it was made by the box office king Steven Spielberg.

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    30 min
  • Skeleton Crew - Season 1 (2024)

    Alec and Ben finally sit down and unpack the lone season (so far) of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew streaming on Disney+ and starring Jude Law. The guys converse on its storytelling, characters, and place within the Star Wars universe. They highlight its refreshing approach, character development, and potential directions for future seasons.

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    33 min
  • The Running Man (2025)

    Alec and Ben analyze the 2025 remake of The Running Man starring Glen Powell, Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo. The guys explore its themes, execution, and how it compares to the original 1986 Schwarzenegger film. They discuss the film's visual style, casting, tonal choices, and box office performance, offering insights into what worked and what didn't.

    Image by carloyuen from Pixabay

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    31 min
  • Masters of the Universe (2026)

    Alec and Ben analyze the recent He-Man movie, Masters of the Universe, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and the broader context of IP-driven filmmaking. They discuss nostalgia, storytelling tropes, and the challenges of rebooting classic franchises.

    Image by Felix Mittermeier from Pixabay

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    25 min
  • The Tree of Life (2011) revisited

    Is Terrence Malick's 2011 film The Tree of Life an absolute masterpiece or pretentious and confusing? The guys rewatched it and still don't agree. Alec and Ben explore the film's spiritual themes, cinematography, and personal significance along with a deep dive into the symbolism, narrative structure, and the director's unique approach to filmmaking.

    Image by whitfieldink from Pixabay

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    36 min
  • The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) revisited

    It's a listener request episode as Alec and Ben discuss John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance starring James Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles and Lee Marvin. The conversation tackles the film's themes, black and white cinematography, performances and its surprising connection to one of the biggest films of 2008.

    Image by Marcia Benson from Pixabay

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    29 min
  • The Odyssey (2026)

    SPOILER ALERT. Alec and Ben dig into Christopher Nolan's long-awaited adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway. The guys break down the film's practical-effects-driven approach to its monster sequences, the constraints Nolan placed on the score, and how the film's aspect ratio choices shape the theatrical experience. Ben makes his case for where the film lands in Nolan's filmography. Alec digs into the film's reinterpretation of the source material and what got lost — and gained — in the adaptation. The conversation rounds out with a look at the film's box office expectations and what genres Nolan may tackle next.

    Image by Rheinraft from Pixabay

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    1 hr 13 min
  • Friday Night Lights (2004) revisited

    Alec and Ben talk shop on the 2004 film 'Friday Night Lights' starring Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Lucas Black and Tim McGraw. The guys delve into its themes, performances, and the cultural significance of high school football in Texas. They also discuss the filmmaking style of writer-director Peter Berg and the real-life stories behind the characters. Alec praises the film's soundtrack by Explosions in the Sky while Ben reveals the film's position within his own ranking in the sports genre.

    Image by Bryan Craddock from Pixabay

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    42 min
  • Fallout - Season 2 (2026)

    A spoiler filled analysis of Amazon Prime's second season of Fallout, exploring its narrative, character development, production quality, and connections to the original game. The guys discuss the show's evolving storylines, visual style, and potential future seasons but mostly wax eloquent on the incredible talent of Walton Goggins.

    Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay

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    41 min
  • Sicario (2015) revisited

    It's back to a loaded year in cinema (2015) with another look at Sicario directed by Denis Villeneuve, written by Taylor Sheridan and lensed by the great Roger Deakins. Join Alec and Ben as they explore the film's direction, moral ambiguity, complex characters and memorable performances from Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro.

    Image by lilla79 from Pixabay

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    43 min

About Cinema: A to B

From the publisher's feed

Most film podcasts tell you what to watch. Cinema: A to B is more interested in why a film works or why it doesn't.