Forgotten Cinema

Season 27 of Forgotten Cinema begins with the Director’s Cut of "Natural Born Killers", Oliver Stone’s chaotic satire of violence, celebrity, and the media machine built around both.

Mike Butler was not a big fan of the film when he first had to watch it in college, and on this revisit he still struggles with the first half, which feels unfocused and deliberately scattered. Once the story reaches the prison and the full cast starts colliding though, the movie clicks into place for him in a much bigger way. Mike Field is a big fan of the film in its entirety.

Both Mikes think Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis are fantastic, while Butler particularly enjoys Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Downey Jr. Rodney Dangerfield also makes a surprisingly strong impression in a role far removed from the persona most audiences associate with him.

The bigger discussion centers on what the film has to say about violence and the media’s role in sensationalizing not just violent acts, but the people who commit them. Decades later, those ideas still feel disturbingly relevant, making the movie’s commentary difficult to dismiss as a product of the 1990s.

Both Butler and Field agree that love it or hate it, "Natural Born Killers" remains an important film. Its subject matter, style, and willingness to confront uncomfortable ideas have kept it controversial, and perhaps helped push it out of regular conversation, but it still deserves a place in any discussion of significant American films from the 1990s.

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0:00 - Introduction

4:36 - Film Facts

13:38 - Film Discussion

34:30 - Reviews

43:42 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

46:27 - Why Is This Forgotten?

47:15 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #NaturalBornKillers #NBK #WoodyHarrelson #JullietLewis #TommyLeeJones #RDJ #RobertDowneyJr #TomSizemore #OliverStone #Drama #CrimeMovies #90sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

For our special Halloween episode of Forgotten Horror 8, the Mikes head behind the mask with "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon."

Both Butler and Field like the film, but they also come away with plenty to argue about, including one major disagreement over what kind of movie it should have been.

Field thinks "Behind the Mask" should lean even harder into its comedy and fully embrace the absurdity of following an aspiring slasher villain as he explains the tricks of his trade. Butler goes in the opposite direction. He would rather see the movie become darker, more serious, and eventually much more frightening once the joke starts becoming real.

Where both Mikes completely agree is with Taylor, the documentary crew's producer and eventual final girl. The movie wants us to accept her as the moral counterpoint to Leslie, but after spending so much time watching, documenting, and at times practically celebrating his preparations for murder, has she really earned that role? Simply deciding that things have gone too far once the bodies start dropping does not erase her participation in everything that came before.

There is still plenty to enjoy in "Behind the Mask", particularly its clever deconstruction of slasher movie rules and the idea of treating an iconic horror killer like a working professional preparing for his next big night.

But for a movie built around understanding exactly what makes slashers work, Butler and Field are left wondering whether "Behind the Mask" ever completely decides what kind of slasher movie it wants to be.

Happy Halloween from Forgotten Cinema, and remember to keep it spooky y'all!

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0:00 - Intro

3:35 - Facts

11:21- Discussion

31:27 - Reviews

35:37 - Recommend

40:18 - Why Forgotten

43:04 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #ForgottenHorror #BehindtheMask #LeslieVernon #BehindTheMaskTheRiseOfLeslieVernon #CultClassic #Slasher #00sHorror #Horror #HorrorFilms #Halloween #HorrorComedy #Comedy #FoundFootage #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

Forgotten Horror 8 continues with the cult horror classic "Re-Animator", a movie Butler enjoys more than Field, even if both Mikes have some issues with it.

One of the biggest points of discussion is the film’s reputation as a horror comedy. Field struggles with that label because, for him, most of the overt comedy does not really arrive until the final stretch. Butler sees more dark humor throughout, especially in the ridiculous situations, exaggerated gore, and deliberately schlocky nature of the horror.

Both Mikes also compare "Re-Animator" to films like "The Evil Dead" and "Braindead/Dead Alive", movies they personally prefer that operate in a similar splattery, over-the-top space. But as the conversation goes on, they realize just how early "Re-Animator" arrived and how much credit it deserves for helping shape the kind of horror comedy that followed. Its influence becomes especially noticeable when looking at the escalating insanity of "Dead Alive" years later.

One thing both Butler and Field agree on completely is Jeffrey Combs. His performance as Herbert West is the heart of the movie, and another reminder of just how good Combs is as a character actor. Herbert is also an interestingly morally gray protagonist, which makes him far more compelling than a simple mad scientist.

The Mikes are less convinced by Dan Cain, who often feels like he does not have enough to do. Both wonder whether Herbert and Dan could have been combined into one stronger central character, or whether Dan simply needed more material to justify his role in the story.

And yes, Butler spends part of the episode accidentally calling Herbert West "Harold," because apparently even reanimating the dead is easier than remembering character names.

Messy, influential, funny in ways that may depend heavily on the viewer, and anchored by a fantastic Jeffrey Combs performance, "Re-Animator" remains a cult classic for a reason, even if the Mikes do not quite worship at its altar.

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Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com

0:00 - Introduction

3:26 - Film Facts

8:44 - Film Discussion

25:52 - Reviews

34:23 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

38:58 - Why Is This Forgotten?

42:36 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #ForgottenHorror #ReAnimator #JeffreyCombs #CultClassic #Zombies #80sHorror #Horror #HorrorFilms #Halloween #HorrorComedy #Comedy #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

Forgotten Horror 8 continues with "The Final Girls", a horror comedy Mike Field recommended to Mike Butler last year and one that finally made its way onto this season’s lineup.

Both Mikes really respond to the emotional core of the film, particularly its themes of grief, mother-daughter relationships, and learning how to accept loss and move forward. Taissa Farmiga and Malin Akerman give the movie a surprising amount of heart, especially during their final scene together.

The rest of the cast fits neatly into the film’s strange world. Max’s real-life friends are given enough personality before entering the horror movie to make them feel like actual characters, while the fictional 80s camp counselors are exactly the kind of broad archetypes the story needs. Tina (played by Angela Trimbur), in particular, delivers some of the funniest moments in the entire movie.

Butler does have a few issues. The limited budget occasionally shows through in the lighting, and for a horror comedy, he would have liked the movie to lean a little harder into the actual horror. Still, both Mikes love the use of color, the stylized digital skies, especially during the final confrontation, and the synth-heavy score that helps sell the film’s throwback slasher atmosphere.

Funny, heartfelt, colorful, and surprisingly emotional, "The Final Girls" is much more than just a parody of 80s horror movies. For both Butler and Field, it is absolutely worth checking out this spooky season.

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0:00 - Introduction

4:13 - Film Facts

10:50 - Film Discussion

27:29 - Reviews

32:16 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

37:07 - Why Is This Forgotten?

39:53 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #ForgottenHorror #TheFinalGirls #FinalGirls #TaissaFarmiga #MalinAkerman #Horror #HorrorFilms #Halloween #HorrorComedy #Comedy #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

Forgotten Horror 8 slithers into its second episode with "The Lair of the White Worm", starring a very young Hugh Grant and Peter Capaldi.

Neither Mike Butler nor Mike Field had seen the film before, and after watching the trailer, both expected something closer to a full-blown horror comedy. While the movie certainly contains elements of both horror and comedy, neither side comes through consistently enough to match what they were anticipating.

A lot of the discussion ends up centered on director Ken Russell. Neither Mike is particularly familiar with his other work, and much of what they found while researching the film leaves Field wondering if they simply are not on the movie's wavelength because they lack that broader context. Butler pushes back on that idea, arguing that a film still needs to stand on its own regardless of how familiar the audience is with the filmmaker behind it.

That doesn't mean there's nothing to enjoy. "The Lair of the White Worm" has some memorable ideas, strange imagery, and a particularly interesting spin on vampire mythology that gives the movie an identity all its own.

And because this is Forgotten Horror 8, the episode would not be complete without another entry in the Killer Drinks series. This week, Field gets to try Butler's specially created "Bloody White Worm" cocktail while the Mikes attempt to make sense of one very strange horror movie.

We may not completely understand "The Lair of the White Worm", but there is certainly plenty to sink our teeth into.

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0:00 - Introduction

6:31 - Film Facts

14:49 - Film Discussion

31:13 - Reviews

39:06 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

42:04 - Why Is This Forgotten?

44:07 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #ForgottenHorror #TheLairOfTheWhiteWorm #LairOfTheWhiteWorm #PeterCapaldi #HughGrant #KenRussell #Horror #HorrorFilms #Halloween #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #Vampire #UnderratedMovies

Forgotten Horror 8 kicks off with "Videodrome", David Cronenberg’s surreal blend of horror, science fiction, and media paranoia.

Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film, especially its unforgettable imagery and the ideas running underneath it. The practical effects and body horror are a huge part of why "Videodrome" has endured as a favorite among cinephiles, but its themes may be even more striking today. Viewed through a 2026 lens, the film’s obsession with television, media consumption, manipulation, and the increasingly blurred line between reality and what we see on a screen feels remarkably prescient.

Where both Mikes struggle is the third act. The movie spends most of its runtime following a strange but recognizable narrative, then suddenly begins abandoning the rules and explanations it had established. Earlier moments of madness still feel connected to the plot. By the end, things simply start happening, leaving the finale feeling rushed and unsatisfying.

James Woods’ Max Renn suffers the most from that shift. Rather than completing a meaningful character arc, he essentially reaches the end of his life without reaching a satisfying conclusion as a character. Both Butler and Field would have preferred to see him ultimately emerge as the hero, or perhaps even more interestingly, fully transform into the villain the story had been building toward.

Even with those frustrations, "Videodrome" remains a fascinating piece of filmmaking and a movie that feels increasingly relevant as technology and media continue changing the way people experience the world.

The Mikes even wonder whether there is room for a modern spiritual sequel, one that tells its own story about today’s media landscape while leaving just enough of a connection to Videodrome for longtime fans.

All this while enjoying a themed beverage as part of their "Killer Drinks" companion series.

Long live the new flesh, and welcome to Forgotten Horror 8.

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0:00 - Introduction

3:12 - Videodrome Drink

6:10 - Film Facts

13:17 - Film Discussion

31:47 - Reviews

36:25 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

40:16 - Why Is This Forgotten?

43:04 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #ForgottenHorror #Videodrome #DavidCronenberg #JamesWoods #Horror #HorrorFilms #Halloween #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take on the winner of the latest Audience Choice vote: "Baby Boom", starring Diane Keaton.

Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film, especially Keaton’s performance and the first two acts. The movie is funny, earnest, and surprisingly endearing as it follows a career-driven woman suddenly forced to reevaluate the life she thought she wanted.

Where things start to lose them is in the third act. Once the story moves fully into Vermont, Keaton’s baby food business begins to take off and Sam Shepard’s doctor enters the picture, the film starts drifting a little too far into fairytale territory. What had felt grounded and relatable suddenly becomes much more convenient, as if the writers were rushing to tie everything together before the credits rolled.

Butler also questions how much Keaton’s character’s wealth softens the central conflict. Her situation is still difficult, but having the financial resources to absorb major life changes gives her an advantage that most people in a similar position simply would not have.

That leads the Mikes into a broader discussion about work-life balance, how the expectations around careers and parenting looked in the 1980s, how much has actually changed, and how a modern remake might approach the same premise differently.

Overall, "Baby Boom" remains a charming and funny movie anchored by a terrific Diane Keaton performance, even if its ending comes together a little too neatly.

And just when you think the episode is over, the Mikes leave one final warning...

Forgotten Horror 8 begins next week. Mwahahahaha!!!

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0:00 - Introduction

4:18 - Film Facts

12:24 - Film Discussion

27:23 - Reviews

40:04 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

41:43 - Why Is This Forgotten?

42:27 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #BabyBoom #DianeKeaton #HaroldRamis #JamesSpader #NancyMeyers #Comedy #ComedyMovie #WorkplaceComedy #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take a look at "Nurse Betty", a film that somehow manages to be incredibly sweet and deeply mean at the exact same time.

Mike Field is a big Neil LaBute fan and has always appreciated the cruelty that runs through much of his work. Mike Butler enjoys "Nurse Betty" because it almost feels like a response to that reputation, as if LaBute wanted to prove he could make something warm and sentimental too. Of course, this is still a movie filled with violence, obsession, and some remarkably dark humor, so the meanness never disappears completely.

Both Mikes particularly enjoy Morgan Freeman as the hitman pursuing Betty while gradually developing an unhealthy obsession with an idealized version of the woman he has never actually met. His relationship with Chris Rock's character also becomes one of the most entertaining parts of the film, culminating in a reveal that adds another layer to their already strange dynamic.

The biggest question comes from Betty herself and the way the film handles her state of mind. Her belief that she is actually a nurse from her favorite soap opera works when the movie stays inside her fantasy, but certain practical realities make that illusion harder to accept. When the audience is wondering if Betty has to do something as straightforward as buy a nurse's uniform from a costume shop, it becomes difficult not to wonder how her mind is processing what is actually happening around her.

Even with those questions, Butler especially comes away appreciating just how unique "Nurse Betty" feels. The film reaches for the highest peaks of bright, happy, almost saccharine storytelling while simultaneously embracing cruelty, violence, and darkness.

Those flavors sound like they should clash completely, but somehow, "Nurse Betty" makes them work remarkably well together.

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🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com

0:00 - Introduction

4:07 - Film Facts

12:05 - Film Discussion

32:11 - Reviews

37:33 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

42:23 - Why Is This Forgotten?

43:41 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #NurseBetty #Renée Zellweger #MorganFreeman #ChrisRock #NeilLaBute #RomanticComedy #ComedyMovie #RomanceMovie #DarkComedy #00sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take a look at "Music & Lyrics", the 2007 romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore.

Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy the film, especially its sharp dialogue, strong supporting characters, and the easy chemistry between its two leads. Hugh Grant’s Alex Fletcher is also a refreshing romantic-comedy protagonist because he is not portrayed as a completely broken man who needs to be fixed. He is largely comfortable with where he is in life, even if that life looks very different from the fame he once had.

That also gives Drew Barrymore’s Sophie a more interesting role than the typical love interest tasked with repairing the male lead. Their relationship develops through conversation, collaboration, and shared humor rather than one character simply rescuing the other.

The film’s biggest weakness comes from Sophie’s backstory involving an author who wrote about their past relationship. The movie never gives that storyline enough time or detail to make it emotionally land, and its eventual resolution is reduced to little more than a fact revealed during the end credits.

Even with that flaw, "Music & Lyrics" remains a charming, funny romantic comedy with genuinely likable leads and plenty of memorable lines.

The Mikes also use the film as a jumping-off point to discuss what actually makes a romantic comedy work, why chemistry and character matter more than formula, and why movies like this seem to have become increasingly rare.

What are some romantic comedies from the last ten years worth watching? Let us know in the comments below!

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🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShop

Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com

0:00 - Introduction

3:37 - Film Facts

8:47 - Film Discussion

25:40 - Reviews

31:23 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

38:34 - Why Is This Forgotten?

42:26 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #MusicAndLyrics #Music&Lyrics #HughGrant #DrewBarrymore #RomanticComedy #ComedyMovie #RomanceMovie #00sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes take a look at "Victory", or "Escape to Victory", as the film has somehow come to be known.

Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the movie, but neither thinks it entirely works. One of the biggest surprises on this revisit is just how central Sylvester Stallone’s character is to the story. Both Mikes remembered him as more of a supporting player, but instead his character becomes the film’s primary focus, despite being one of its least likable figures.

For both Butler and Field, Michael Caine’s character feels like the far more natural protagonist. His role within the team, his relationships with the other prisoners, and his involvement in the match give the film a stronger emotional center than Stallone’s escape-focused storyline.

The film also struggles to generate much real danger. Its POW camp often feels less like a prison and more like a strangely relaxed summer camp for captured soldiers, while the so-called Bureau of Escape is almost comically organized. Many members of the soccer team are played by actual footballers rather than actors, which makes the final match more authentic but also leaves much of the team underdeveloped as characters. Combined with German soldiers who rarely feel especially threatening, the movie never builds the level of tension its premise seems to promise.

Still, "Victory" remains an entertaining watch. The final match delivers some genuinely impressive soccer, including more from Stallone than either Mike expected, while Pelé naturally steals the show once the players take the field.

The Mikes also dig into the strange production history surrounding the film, including the director’s dislike of the finished movie and stories about Stallone being less than popular with the cast while juggling filming with work on "Rocky III" and spending his downtime traveling around Europe.

Messy, oddly low-stakes, and built around the wrong central character, "Victory" is far from perfect. But once the match finally begins, there is enough charm, spectacle, and genuine athleticism to make the whole thing worth the trip.

What are some other forgotten soccer (football) films? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Forgotten Cinema content!

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

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🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShop

Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com

0:00 - Introduction

3:14 - Film Facts

10:17 - Film Discussion

34:59 - Reviews

40:10 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

41:41 - Why Is This Forgotten?

45:41 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #Victory #EscapeToVictory #SylvesterStallone #MichaelCaine #MaxVonSydow #Pele #Soccer #WW2 #WWII #WorldWarTwo #Sports #SportsMovie #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies