Cinema: A to B

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 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/  

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 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/  

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 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/  

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 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/  

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. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

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 Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

A listener request arrives in the form of the 1985 Chevy Chase comedy Fletch. Join the guys as they discuss what makes this 80s comedy centered around a wise-cracking newspaper reporter both unique and worth a rewatch. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

The guys converse on why the espionage thriller from the late great director Tony Scott is worth a rewatch. It's Spy Game (2001) starring the late Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack and Stephen Dillane. Image by Mary Campos from Pixabay Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

Spoiler Warning. Alec and Ben break down writer-director Bong Joon Ho's sci-fi satire Mickey 17 adapted from the Edward Ashton novel (Mickey 7) and starring Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette. Image by Parker_West from Pixabay Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

A look back at the 1986 Michael Mann adaptation of the Thomas Harris Red Dragon novel starring William Petersen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina and Tom Noonan. Alec details a very recent first time viewing and the guys compare and contrast the film with its later version (2002's Red Dragon) as well as the Hannibal TV series starring Mads Mikkelsen. From casting, performances and Mann's direction Alec and Ben make their case why this version is the better outing. Cover Image: High Museum of Art by Aleksandr Zykov is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

Spoiler Warning. The guys unpack the James Gunn Superman reboot starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. Join Alec and Ben for performance breakdowns, super-hero fatigue, the relaunch of the DCEU, Man of Steel comparisons and more! Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

Spoilers ahead as Alec and Ben discuss the 2025 folk horror film from writer/director Ryan Coogler. The guys break down the performances of Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell and Delroy Lindo. Alec and Ben discuss the film's cinematography while second guessing their decision to not see the film in IMAX. The guys wrap up by delving into the film's thematic elements and its unique depictions of temptation and evil. Image by rjdoc from Pixabay Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

Alec and Ben take on another listener request this time in the form of the 2003 coming-of-age film Secondhand Lions written and directed by Tim McCanlies and starring Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall. Image by Thorsten Dahl from Pixabay Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

It's a listener request for the 1991 Ron Howard firefighter action-drama starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro and Donald Sutherland. Ben explains why the film is both a standard bearer for the genre as well as wildly uneven. Alec discusses notable differences in the film's early transfers vs the more recent 4K remaster. The guys marvel at the depth of the cast including the late J.T. Walsh. Alec discusses how the film makes fire an actual character as well as what the movie gets right in the life of a firefighter. Ben reflects on the strength of practical effects and the now defunct Universal Studios Backdraft attraction. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

A spoiler filled discussion on the FX/Hulu original series starring Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano and Hiroyuki Sanada. Alec compares and contrasts the series with the novel from James Clavell. Ben praises the series technical prowess while expressing his concerns over pacing. The guys discuss the standout performances and Ben notes a favorite previous film/role featuring Tadanobu Asano. Alec explains why the series could've extended the book adaptation into two seasons and expresses concerns over future seasons of the show. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

The stunning set piece, the performances, the suspense... join Alec and Ben for an in depth discussion on the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr. Ben ranks the film among the rest of Hitchcock's catalogue while Alec explains why the New York set piece was so ground breaking. The guys celebrate the iconic acting performances in Rear Window. Alec discusses other note worthy James Stewart roles while Ben explains what most of the all time great directors (including Hitchcock) have in common. The conversation rounds out with Ben's connection to a more recent quasi-remake of the film at Dreamworks. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/    

Back from their summer hiatus the guys take another look at the 2016 video game film adaptation Warcraft starring Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper. Alec explains what worked and what didn't with the film's casting. Ben pinpoints big issues with the film's narrative while praising its visuals. The guys share their own experiences with the Blizzard Entertainment MMORPG World of Warcraft while citing missed opportunities with the movie adaptation. Image by Chil Vera from Pixabay Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

Alec and Ben celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's iconic film Jaws. They discuss its impact on cinema, the challenges faced during production, and the film's masterful storytelling and character dynamics. The conversation delves into the thematic elements and symbolism present in the film, as well as its lasting cultural relevance and influence on the horror genre. The hosts reflect on their personal experiences with the film and its significance in film history, emphasizing its status as a cinematic masterpiece. Image by Michaela 💗 from Pixabay Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

A spoiler filled discussion on the 2025 racing blockbuster from director Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon. The guys explain why the film demands to be seen in the IMAX format. Alec critiques the performances of Pitt and Bardem while Ben explains what worked and what didn't with the character conflict between Sonny Hayes (Pitt) and Joshua Pearce (Idris). The guys compare the film with two other recent racing features and discuss the recently teased potential Days of Thunder crossover sequel. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/  

The guys take another look at the 2011 sci-fi comedy Attack the Block from writer-director Joe Cornish and starring John Boyega and Jodie Whittaker. Alec and Ben reflect on the film's merits. Alec explains why he disagreed with friends back in 2011 who raved about the movie. Ben gives two key reasons the film never found an audience. The guys lament the demise of the superb Los Angeles area ArcLight Cinemas. Official Site - https://www.cinemaatob.com YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cinemaatob Merchandise - https://www.bonfire.com/store/cinema-a-to-b/