Cinema To The Letter
Welcome to Cinema To The Letter, a podcast that breaks down the very nature of C.I.N.E.M.A. letter by letter. For each episode of a film mini-series topic, we cover six films that fit a C for Classic, I for Indie, N for New, E for Egregious, M for Masterpiece and A for Atypical. Who doesn’t love an acronym?
Episodes

22 hours ago
22 hours ago
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're starting a new season of Cinema To The Letter! Yes, it's time to hit it as Thomas & Bryan kick off their new season on Saturday Night Live Vehicles with the first film ever based on a SNL sketch The Blues Brothers! Together, our duo will answer the crucial questions. How have the comedic stylings of Dan Aykroyd & the late John Belushi aged in the half a century since their SNL debuts? How does the casual maximalist style of controversial director John Landis work for this madcap musical comedy adventure? Can Gen Z-ers ever possibly get on board with the styles of Jake and Elwood? Well, go on a true mission from God by pressing play on this episode to find out!
Thomas’ Curated SNL Playlist
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!
![Best Movie Monsters March Madness [Patreon Preview]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/2866749/c2llogoitunes_w33ap6_300x300.jpeg)
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Best Movie Monsters March Madness [Patreon Preview]
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
It's March so Cinema To The Letter is getting into the Madness! Every March on the Cinema To The Letter Patreon, Thomas & Bryan devote a massive bonus episode to a March Madness bracket related to a movie topic. To coincide with this year's Patreon drop for the Best Movie Action Sequence, we're releasing last year's March Madness bracket where Thomas, Bryan, Lili Labens, Chrishaun Baker & John Patterson determine the Best Movie Monster on the main feed! Listen in to find out who wins!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes (including this year's March Madness) and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!
![Cinema To The Letter Season 9: SNL Vehicles Announcement Lineup [Bonus Episode]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/2866749/c2llogoitunes_w33ap6_300x300.jpeg)
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Cinema To The Letter Season 9: SNL Vehicles Announcement Lineup [Bonus Episode]
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
While we're not live, from New York or posting this on Saturday Night, we've still got an announcement to make off! Given Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Cinema To The Letter is doing an entire season about SNL Cast Member Vehicle films! That is to say, films starring former SNL cast members! Listen in to find out about all six films we'll be covering this spring!
Thomas' Curated SNL Playlist
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!

Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) - A for Atypical Criterion
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Cinema To The Letter encourages you to - even in the worst of times - always look on the bright side of life! To close out the Criterion season, Thomas, the non-Messiah Bryan and very special guest Jael Peralta discuss the out-of-print spine entry that still counts as part of the collection Monty Python's Life of Brian! Together, our trio will answer the crucial questions. Who is their favorite Monty Python member? Why must Criterion selections go out of print? Which zany comedies should become part of the Criterion Collection? Well, grab your gourd or shoe (whichever your denomination prefers) and settle in to listen so you can find out!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!

Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
The Thin Red Line (1998) - M for Masterpiece Criterion
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Cinema. Letter. Always you wrestle inside me. Always you will. Cinema To The Letter continues the Criterion season with their M for Masterpiece episode covering Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line! Together they'll answer the crucial questions. Will there ever be a war season of Cinema To The Letter? Who amongst this stacked cast was incredibly upset about having their parts in The Thin Red Line cut down? Which Green Day album was Terrence Malick listening to during the editing process? Well, make sure you don't blow your butt off so you can listen to find out!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!

Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Game of Death (1978) - E for Egregious Criterion
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Following a holiday hiatus, Cinema To The Letter kicks back into action! Continuing with their Criterion season, Bryan & Thomas discuss the egregious choice Game of Death! Together, our duo answers the crucial questions. How much does the final version of Game of Death differ from the late Bruce Lee's original vision? Why does this action movie feature so many boring people talking in boardrooms? Did Bruce Lee roll in his grave at turbine speeds when Game of Death was released? Well, listen in as you put on your best yellow jumpsuit and scale that pagoda full of murderous martial arts fighters to find out!
Hear Thomas discuss the New Years horror film Bloody New Year on Earth Station Boo! Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Perfect Days (2023) - N for New Criterion
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Seems like a perfect day to listen to Cinema To The Letter! The Criterion season reaches the halfway point as Thomas & Bryan discuss Wim Wenders' N for New film Perfect Days. Together, they'll answer the crucial questions. How vital is it to protect one's physical media collection? What newer films would they most want to be added to the Criterion Collection? Which Marvel character would make the best post-credit poem reader? Well, put away your cassette player so you can listen to find out!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!

Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
All About My Mother (1999) - I for Indie Criterion
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Nothing brings a child and mother closer than listen to Cinema To The Letter together! Actually, maybe mom doesn't need to listen with you. Regardless, it's time to hear Thomas, Bryan special guest Manish Mathur of Bollywood Drafts discuss the I for Indie film for this Criterion themed season All About My Mother! Together, our trio answers the crucial questions. What makes the films of Pedro Almodovar so special? How can female representation be complex compared to Strong Female Character™ archetypes? Why are the vibes at a sex worker fire pit so immaculate? Well, look both ways before crossing the street before you listen to find out!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!

Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Playtime (1967) - C for Classic Criterion
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Cinema To The Letter: the perfect podcast to listen to while you're stumbling through a steel French hellscape! To kick off their Criterion season, Thomas, Bryan and special guest Megan Robinson are looking at the classic film from director Jacques Tati Playtime! Together, our trio answers the crucial questions. How do Americans pronounce Jacques Tati? Does this message of modernization break the barriers of language and time? How much money does Mr. Bean owe Monsieur Hulot? Well, don't drop your phone into that Greek pillar garbage can so you can listen to find out!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on the socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!
![Cinema To The Letter Season 8: Criterion Announcement Lineup [Bonus Episode]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/2866749/c2llogoitunes_w33ap6_300x300.jpeg)
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Cinema To The Letter Season 8: Criterion Announcement Lineup [Bonus Episode]
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
The home video distribution company The Criterion Collection is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year so Cinema To The Letter is devoting a season to it! Listen in as Thomas & Bryan reveal all six of the films they'll be devoting episodes to from The Criterion Collection!
Join our Patreon for $1 for monthly bonus episodes and the chance to vote for new podcasts at patreon.com/cinema2letter! Follow us @cinema2letter on the socials! Artwork by Michelle Kyle! Music by Burial Grid! We’re a proud member of the TalkFilmSociety podcast network!