
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.
Alec Mallmann and Ben Starkey spent years working inside Hollywood before deciding the most useful thing they could do with that experience was talk honestly about cinema. Each episode breaks down the craft — cinematography, editing, performance — with the kind of insight you only get from people who've worked behind the curtain. No film degree required, minimal jargon, no scores out of ten.
New releases and revisited classics, covered biweekly. Expect spoilers.
Listener requests encouraged.
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.
Alec Mallmann and Ben Starkey spent years working inside Hollywood before deciding the most useful thing they could do with that experience was talk honestly about cinema. Each episode breaks down the craft — cinematography, editing, performance — with the kind of insight you only get from people who've worked behind the curtain. No film degree required, minimal jargon, no scores out of ten.
New releases and revisited classics, covered biweekly. Expect spoilers.
Listener requests encouraged.
Episodes

Jul 6, 2026
Fallout - Season 2 (2026)
Jul 6, 2026
Jul 6, 2026
40 min
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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Jun 15, 2026
Sicario (2015) revisited
Jun 15, 2026
Jun 15, 2026
42 min
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.
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Jun 1, 2026
Project Hail Mary (2026)
Jun 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
34 min
SPOILER ALERT. A deep dive into the Andy Weir novel adaptation Project Hail Mary directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller and James Ortiz. Alec explains where the book and the film differ. Ben discusses why he feels the film is doing well at the box office. The guys evaluate the film's performances, the value of practical visual effects, and why Hollywood continues to learn the wrong lessons with the film's success. The conversation rounds out on the current state of cinema.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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May 18, 2026
Tron: Ares (2025)
May 18, 2026
May 18, 2026
33 min
A spoiler filled critique and conversation on the third entry in the Tron franchise directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jeff Bridges, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith and Gillian Anderson. Alec and Ben discuss their own expectations for the film and compare it unfairly or not against the widely celebrated sequel Tron: Legacy.
Photo by Łukasz Martenka
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May 4, 2026
City of God (2002) revisited
May 4, 2026
May 4, 2026
32 min
Is City of God the best film of 2002 (2003 US release)? Alec and Ben make their case following a rewatch of the brutal and brilliant Brazilian film written by Bráulio Mantovani and Paulo Lins, directed by Kátia Lund and Fernando Meirelles and starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Seu Jorge and Alice Braga. The guys break down the cinematography, performances and why the film was ahead of its time.
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Apr 20, 2026
Train Dreams (2025)
Apr 20, 2026
Apr 20, 2026
40 min
A spoiler filled analysis and conversation on the Oscar nominated Train Dreams written and directed by Clint Bentley from the Denis Johnson novella and starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones and William H. Macy. Join Alec and Ben as they explore the film's themes, cinematography, standout performances and emotional impact.
Image by Igor Makarevich from Pixabay
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Apr 6, 2026
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)
Apr 6, 2026
Apr 6, 2026
30 min
Spoiler Warning. A candid critique of the third entry in James Cameron's Avatar series, focusing on the narrative shortcomings, visual spectacle, and character development across Avatar: Fire and Ash starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Oona Chaplin.
Image by hartono subagio from Pixabay
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Mar 23, 2026
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) revisited
Mar 23, 2026
Mar 23, 2026
36 min
A look back at the iconic Robin Williams performance as the titular character Mrs. Doubtfire. Directed by Chris Columbus and also starring Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan. Alec and Ben explore Williams' comedic brilliance, emotional depth, and the film's cultural impact. They share personal stories, analyze the film's themes, and reflect on Williams' legacy as a performer.
Cover art by Testet95 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
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Mar 9, 2026
One Battle After Another (2025)
Mar 9, 2026
Mar 9, 2026
36 min
A SPOILER filled discussion on Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Teyana Taylor. The guys discuss and critique the film's premise, messaging, performances and cinematography. The episode wraps up with a conversation on the slate best picture nominees for the 98th Academy Awards.
Image by Donna B. McNicol from Pixabay
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Mar 2, 2026
Arrival (2016) revisited
Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
36 min
A Season of Sci-Fi concludes with an analysis and discussion of Denis Villeneuve's 2016 film Arrival starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. Alec discusses where he ranks the film among Villeneuve's filmography. Ben critiques the film's unique cinematography. The guys talk through how the script tricks viewers expecting a linear narrative.
Image by Zaimhel Syakir from Pixabay
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Feb 23, 2026
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) revisited
Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
48 min
A Season of Sci-Fi entry 12 is a look back at Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 starring Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas. Join Alec and Ben as they discuss why the film is a worthy follow-up to the iconic Ridley Scott directed Blade Runner.
Image by Roger Jeffreys from Pixabay
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Feb 16, 2026
The Abyss (1989) revisited
Feb 16, 2026
Feb 16, 2026
29 min
A Season of Sci-Fi episode 11 features a lesser known James Cameron picture with the 1989 deep sea action film The Abyss starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn. The guys discuss the dangerous and difficult filming conditions, stunning VFX, narrative critiques and finally touch on a film that they don't really agree on.
Image by Tabby Cat from Pixabay
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Feb 10, 2026
Alien (1979) & Aliens (1986) revisited
Feb 10, 2026
Feb 10, 2026
54 min
A rewatch and discussion on the first two landmark films in the Alien franchise from legendary directors Sir Ridley Scott and James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver.
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Feb 2, 2026
Feb 2, 2026
1hr 8 min
The ninth entry in A Season of Sci-Fi lands with a sprawling discussion and celebration of George Lucas's iconic trilogy of Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as well as many of the related properties that followed. Join Alec and Ben for a tangent filled conversation on the science fiction world that inspired a generation of fans and filmmakers alike.
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Jan 26, 2026
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) revisited
Jan 26, 2026
Jan 26, 2026
37 min
Entry eight in A Season of Sci-Fi is a conversation on the second Star Trek feature film Wrath of Khan directed by Nicholas Meyer and starring William Shatner, Ricardo Montalban, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Kirstie Alley and Bibi Besch. Join Alec and Ben as they discuss where arguably the best Trek film has aged well and where it frankly hasn't. The conversation tangents across multiple Trek films and the Star Wars comparisons are... inevitable.
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
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Jan 19, 2026
The Fifth Element (1997) revisited
Jan 19, 2026
Jan 19, 2026
36 min
Entry seven of A Season of Sci-Fi is Luc Besson's 1997 film The Fifth Element starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm and Chris Tucker. Join the guys for a laughter filled discussion on a beloved late 90s romp.
Cover art by Norio Nakayama Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
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Jan 12, 2026
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) revisited
Jan 12, 2026
Jan 12, 2026
32 min
It's A Season of Sci-Fi entry six and another Steven Spielberg picture with the 2001 adventure-drama A.I. Artificial Intelligence starring Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law and Frances O'Connor. The guys marvel at a film well ahead of its time. Ben makes his case on why this is likely Osment's best performance to date. Alec dispels a misconception regarding the late Stanley Kubrick's involvement with the film.
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Jan 5, 2026
District 9 (2009) revisited
Jan 5, 2026
Jan 5, 2026
34 min
A Season of Sci-Fi entry five takes another look at the groundbreaking alien action film District 9 from writer-director Neil Blomkamp and starring Sharlto Copley. Alec and Ben discuss why the film has aged so well and how its raw grounded nature makes it a landmark entry in the genre.
Image by vantomen from Pixabay
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Dec 29, 2025
Ad Astra (2019) revisited
Dec 29, 2025
Dec 29, 2025
36 min
For the fourth entry in A Season of Sci-Fi the guys break down the 2019 James Gray film starring Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones. Join the conversation as Alec and Ben discuss both why the film didn't find an audience and why is deserves another look six years later.
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Dec 22, 2025
Dec 22, 2025
37 min
For entry number three in A Season of Sci-Fi Alec and Ben backtrack five years before E.T. to 1977 with Spielberg's definitive entry in the UFO genre with Close Encounters of the Third Kind starring Richard Dreyfuss, Francois Truffaut, Teri Garr and Melinda Dillon. The guys discuss the merits of the film along with the evolution of the UAP phenomena over the past 48 years.
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
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Dec 15, 2025
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) revisited
Dec 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
33 min
The second entry in A Season of Sci-Fi arrives with a conversation on Steven Spielberg's 1982 alien adventure film E.T. starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace and Robert MacNaughton. The guys discuss how it differs from Close Encounters of the Third Kind and how unique Spielberg truly is in the pantheon of great film directors.
Image by Robert Karkowski from Pixabay
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Dec 8, 2025
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) revisited
Dec 8, 2025
Dec 8, 2025
34 min
Back from hiatus the guys kick off a 13 episode Season of Sci-Fi with a conversation on Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film, it's place as a technical standard bearer for the genre and why major portions of its plot remain as relevant as ever nearly 60 years later.
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
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Nov 17, 2025
Training Day (2001) revisited
Nov 17, 2025
Nov 17, 2025
40 min
The guys discuss why Antoine Fuqua's 2001 crime drama, Training Day, starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke demands a rewatch. Ben makes his case why 2001 was a banner year for cinema.
Image by Jose Aitor Pons Buigues from Pixabay
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Nov 10, 2025
Sherlock Holmes (2009) revisited
Nov 10, 2025
Nov 10, 2025
28 min
A rewatch and conversation on director Guy Ritchie's take on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle detective starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong.
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Nov 3, 2025
The Last of the Mohicans (1992) revisited
Nov 3, 2025
Nov 3, 2025
34 min
The guys discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Michael Mann's 1992 adaptation of the James Fenimore Cooper novel, The Last of the Mohicans, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May, Steven Waddington and Wes Studi.
Image by Loren Biser from Pixabay
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