Cinema: A to B cover art

Cinema: A to B

Cinema: A to B

By: Alec Mallmann & Ben Starkey
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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.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Sicario (2015) revisited
    Jun 15 2026

    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

    Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com

    YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob

    Cinema: A to B Merch - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/

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    43 mins
  • Project Hail Mary (2026)
    Jun 1 2026

    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

    Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com

    YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob

    Cinema: A to B Merch - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/

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    35 mins
  • Tron: Ares (2025)
    May 18 2026

    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

    Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com

    YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob

    Cinema: A to B Merch - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/

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    34 mins
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