Cinema: A to B

Alec Mallmann & Ben Starkey
  • 5.0 (7)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What happens when two friends who worked in Hollywood leave the industry but never stop talking about movies? Cinema: A to B combines insider knowledge with genuine film enthusiasm. Each week, hosts Alec Mallmann and Ben Starkey dissect recent releases and beloved classics—from racing thrillers to folk horror, 90s action to award-winners—with the kind of technical analysis and storytelling insights you'd only get from people who've worked behind the curtain. Spoilers welcome. Movie love required. Listener requests encouraged.

  1. The Abyss (1989) revisited

    1D AGO

    The Abyss (1989) revisited

    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 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/

    29 min
  2. Alien (1979) & Aliens (1986) revisited

    FEB 10

    Alien (1979) & Aliens (1986) revisited

    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. 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/

    55 min
  3. Star Wars Original Trilogy ('77-'83) revisited

    FEB 2

    Star Wars Original Trilogy ('77-'83) revisited

    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. 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/

    1h 8m
  4. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) revisited

    JAN 26

    Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) revisited

    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 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/

    38 min
  5. The Fifth Element (1997) revisited

    JAN 19

    The Fifth Element (1997) revisited

    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 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/

    36 min
  6. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) revisited

    JAN 12

    A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) revisited

    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. 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/

    33 min
  7. District 9 (2009) revisited

    JAN 5

    District 9 (2009) revisited

    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 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/

    34 min
  8. Ad Astra (2019) revisited

    12/29/2025

    Ad Astra (2019) revisited

    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. Image by Pexels 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/

    37 min
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About

What happens when two friends who worked in Hollywood leave the industry but never stop talking about movies? Cinema: A to B combines insider knowledge with genuine film enthusiasm. Each week, hosts Alec Mallmann and Ben Starkey dissect recent releases and beloved classics—from racing thrillers to folk horror, 90s action to award-winners—with the kind of technical analysis and storytelling insights you'd only get from people who've worked behind the curtain. Spoilers welcome. Movie love required. Listener requests encouraged.

Information

  • Creator
    Alec Mallmann & Ben Starkey
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Cinema: A to B