Forgotten Cinema

This week on Forgotten Cinema, Forgotten Summer continues with "War of the Worlds", Steven Spielberg's intense adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic. After covering "Flight of the Navigator", discussing "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in their Lead Up series, releasing a Patreon-exclusive episode on "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", and reviewing "Disclosure Day", it only felt right for the Mikes...

Join Mike Field and Mike Butler for a special Now Showing episode as they discuss the new independent sci-fi/drama/thriller "Abductee"; written and directed by William Hopp and starring Dusty Sorg and Virginia Newcomb. The film follows Drew as he deals with constant sleep paralysis that he believes might actually be alien abductions and enlists the help of his reluctant sister to help him figure o...

In this special bonus episode of Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes are sitting down with Writer/Director William Hopp to discuss his new film "Abductee" which as of this episode release is on a roadshow across independent cinemas across the US. Mike Butler and Mike Field will discuss with William the genesis for the film, what went into making this independent production, the trials and tribulations tha...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, Forgotten Summer begins with "Flight of the Navigator", Disney's beloved family sci-fi adventure that has earned a nostalgic following over the years. Neither Mike Butler nor Mike Field remembered much about the film beyond its iconic alien spaceship, making this revisit almost like watching it for the first time. Butler still finds plenty to enjoy, appreciating the...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Secret Window", the psychological thriller based on a story by Stephen King and the winner of this season's Audience Choice. For Mike Butler, this is a film he has never really connected with, and a rewatch does little to change his opinion. While he praises the direction, performances, and the film's small-scale, almost independent feel, the story...

This week on Forgotten Cinema: Now Showing, the Mikes discuss "Disclosure Day" , the latest film from Steven Spielberg and one that leaves them with very different reactions. Butler really enjoys the film and finds himself appreciating it more the longer he sits with it. As someone with a long-standing interest in UFOs and the broader phenomenon, he admits some personal bias, but believes the movi...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes tackle "Time Bandits", Terry Gilliam's beloved fantasy adventure and one of the most celebrated cult films of the 1980s. Unfortunately, this is another Gilliam film that just doesn't quite connect with either of them. Both Butler and Field came into the movie wanting to like it. Butler is a big fan of "Brazil", and Field enjoys that film as well, but much l...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes tune into "The Vast of Night", the low-budget science fiction mystery that released on Amazon Prime during the pandemic. Both Butler and Field really enjoy the movie, especially its ambitious filmmaking and the performances from its two young leads. The film makes excellent use of long takes and creative camera work, creating a sense of momentum and atmosph...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes hit the links with "Tin Cup", the sports comedy-drama starring Kevin Costner as the talented but self-destructive Roy McAvoy. What makes this episode interesting is that Butler isn't a golf fan at all, while Field is a huge fan of the sport. Despite coming at the film from very different perspectives, both Mikes really enjoy it. Costner's Roy is a charming...

This week on Forgotten Cinema: Now Showing, the Mikes head to a galaxy far, far away with "The Mandalorian and Grogu". Butler comes away enjoying the film more than Field, though both agree it suffers from a bloated runtime and repetitive structure. At nearly 30 to 40 minutes longer than it needs to be, the movie revisits certain emotional and action beats too often without evolving the central dy...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes fly to Seattle to revisit "Chronicle", the found footage superhero film that shows what happens when ordinary teenagers suddenly gain extraordinary power, but also isn't Spider-Man. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field still enjoy the film, with Field noting that it remains one of the very few found footage movies he genuinely likes. The concept, performances, a...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "The Last Castle", the military prison drama starring Robert Redford and James Gandolfini. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film, with Redford especially standing out. His performance brings a sense of gravitas and quiet leadership that keeps the movie engaging even when the plot becomes familiar. Gandolfini also plays his role as Colonel W...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Rob Roy", the historical drama that delivers unforgettable performances, incredible dialogue, and one of the most celebrated sword fights ever put to film. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field think this movie is fantastic, with Field especially loving every minute of it. Butler had never actually seen the full film before, despite studying its famous f...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes step into the shadows with "Dark City", the stylish sci-fi noir that has grown into a cult favorite over the years. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really like the film, especially its atmosphere, visual design, and ambitious mythology. The movie blends science fiction, noir, and philosophy into a unique world filled with mystery and unsettling imagery. The...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take on "Dead Man Walking", the powerful drama directed by Tim Robbins. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really like this film, praising its thoughtful approach to the very difficult topic of the death penalty. Rather than forcing a clear stance, "Dead Man Walking" presents the death penalty in a balanced and human way, allowing the audience to wrestle with...

Four more movies. Four more verdicts. This week: Glen Powell murdering his way to a family fortune in a black comedy that's almost there, Vince Vaughn and James Marsden time-traveling to fix a gangster problem (don't overthink the science), a zombie musical that's fun but no Shaun of the Dead, and Chris Hemsworth pulling one last heist in a movie that wants to be Heat — and gets pretty close, but...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take on "Gung Ho", the workplace comedy that blends culture clash with 80s charm. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film for its humor and overall fun factor, but they agree it comes with some noticeable issues. Michael Keaton carries the movie almost entirely on charisma and charm, as his character does not have a particularly strong arc and seems...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes travel to Savannah with "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", Clint Eastwood’s atmospheric crime drama steeped in Southern culture and myth. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film, though they agree it is not without its shortcomings. The story could have benefited from spending more time with Jude Law’s character, as well as further developing...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Secondhand Lions", the heartfelt coming-of-age story that blends tall tales, family, and a whole lot of charm. Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy this film, especially for its message and Robert Duvall's performance, who brings warmth, humor, and gravitas to the role. The movie’s themes about storytelling, masculinity, and choosing what to bel...

Four more movies. Four more verdicts. This week: the killer fungus is among us, Alan Ritchson faces off against a reject a killing machine from space (Iron Giant, anyone?), Sam Rockwell trying to save the world from a time-traveling AI in Gore Verbinski's latest fever dream, and Sam Raimi sending Rachel McAdams to a deserted island to get revenge on her boss. Field's defense of Indiana Jones and t...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes head into orbit with "Gravity", the Audience Choice winner for this season. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy the film, and it is easy to see why it earned the audience vote. While it may not hit quite the same heights as that first IMAX 3D experience, "Gravity" still holds up as an intense and visually stunning survival story. Sandra Bullock car...

Join Mike Butler and Mike Field as they take a journey through space with Ryan Gosling and a talking rock and discuss the new smash hit sci-fi film "Project Hail Mary"! The Mikes (especially Butler) will discuss how much they love the film. Butler uses the word phenomenal a lot. They will though, talk about some issues they had with the film, regarding the hero's journey story being told and how a...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes dive into "Soapdish", the fast-paced comedy that pulls back the curtain on the chaotic world of daytime television. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field thoroughly enjoy this one. The cast is firing on all cylinders, with Kevin Kline and Sally Field delivering especially standout performances. The film is sharp, funny, and constantly entertaining, embracing the...

Four movies. One week. Here's what was worth your time — and what wasn't. This week: a James Brooks comedy-drama that can't quite figure out what it's about, Jason Statham doing exactly what Jason Statham does (and delivering), a Nuremberg trials drama with Russell Crowe having a blast and Rami Malek in a completely different movie, and Les Misérables — because sometimes you just end up watching L...

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Changing Lanes", the early 2000s drama built around one bad day and two men whose lives collide in all the worst ways. Mike Butler remembers enjoying this film the first time around, and on rewatch there is still a lot to like. The dual protagonist structure, where each man also serves as the other’s antagonist, creates an interesting dynamic. Samu...