Forgotten Cinema

The Mikes are taking a look at a David Mamet film that DOES NOT have swearing in it! That's right, Mike Field and Mike Butler are discussing the 1998 Myster-Thriller The Spanish Prisoner.

Listen in as the Mikes talk about Steve Martin playing his first serious on-screen role, the strange dialogue in Mamet films, the lack of mystery in this mystery film, and all the outside forces stacked against this film that made it forgotten.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:46 - Film Summary

02:29 - Film Facts

07:53 - Film Discussion

35:15 - Critic Reviews

38:16 - Who Are You Recommending This To?

39:52 - Why It's Forgotten

42:10 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes are finishing their John Carney "music trilogy" with 2007's Once, starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss one of the most uplifting movies of all time. A movie so good even Steven Spielberg said it made his year. They talk about how the film was made, how much they enjoy the look of the film and the music, how the film doesn't have a typical love story and more behind the scenes facts.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:37 - Film Summary

02:01 - Film Facts

06:42 - Film Discussion

33:16 - Who Are You Recommending This To?

35:50- Why It's Forgotten

36:26 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes are helping Billy Bob Thorton blow up his barn and launch a rocket to space in this week's episode talking about the 2007 film The Astronaut Farmer.

Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss the themes of this movie, like family and never giving up on your dreams. and how they carry this film from start to finish. Sure, building a rocket to space in your barn is kind of dumb, but Thorton, along with his wife (played by Virginia Madsen) and family make it a dumb idea that you root for. Add to that a substantial uncredited Bruce Willis, and you've got a feel-good charming movie.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:44 - Film Summary

02:06 - Film Facts

08:04 - Film Discussion

34:23 - Who Would You Recommend This Too?

36:43- Why It's Forgotten

41:13 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes are taking a trip to Europe where they'll experience soccer hooligans, the red-light district, and maybe accidentally become Popes as they discuss the 2004 comedy EuroTrip starring Michelle Trachtenberg, Scott Mechlowicz, and Jacob Pitts.

Listen in as Mike Butler talks about how, while some of the comedy maybe be too much for a modern audience, much of it still holds up and is very funny. Field has never enjoyed this film and continues to dislike it. That's right everyone! It's going to be one of those episodes!

Scotty Doesn't Know!

So, grab your passport and travel guide, please notice the safe words to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:59 - Film Summary

02:56 - Film Facts

07:46 - Film Discussion

41:16 - Critic Reviews

50:14- Why It's Forgotten

57:29 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes have pissed off the wrong screenwriter, as they work to keep their high-powered producer jobs at their studio...wait, no that's Tim Robbins in Robert Altman's 1992 film, The Player.

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss how this movie about moviemaking is great at poking fun at Hollywood, but maybe doesn't go far enough. They'll also talk about the endless celebrity cameos, certain plot elements that don't go anywhere and the very impressive 8-minute one take that opens the movie.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:46 - Film Summary

02:28 - Film Facts

08:40 - Film Discussion

51:13- Why It's Forgotten

56:57 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes are looking for demons to kill...who might just be regular innocent people as they discuss the 2002 Bill Paxton thriller Frailty, starring none other than Bill Paxton. Matthew McConaughey is also in it.

Mike Butler and Mike Field talk about how they like this film, but find some issues with the way they handle the film's twist and mystery. They'll talk about the real-life murders that inspired this film, the reason the axe is named Otis, and how James Cameron helped Paxton make a crucial storytelling choice in the film.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

02:38 - Film Summary

03:30 - Film Facts

08:39 - Film Discussion

36:58 - Critic Reviews

40:34 - Why It's Forgotten

47:24 - Where to Find Us

This is it...the beginning of the end!

How fitting then that the Mikes take a look at the 1995 film, aptly titled Living in Oblivion, starring Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, and Peter Dinklage in one of his first on screen roles.

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss how true to life this independent film about making an independent film is. From the on-set frustrations to the importance of a good craft service table. The Mikes have nothing but praise for this film, which they believe should be required watching for any up-and-coming filmmaker.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

02:39 - Film Summary

03:29 - Film Facts

08:22 - Film Discussion

31:20 - Why It's Forgotten

34:50 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes are taking over the bootlegging business, and there ain't nobody going to get in their way, or else it's curtains for 'em! That's right...curtains!

Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss the Joel and Ethan Coen's 1990 crime film, Miller's Crossing starring Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, and Jon Turturro. Listen in as they gush about what might be the Coen brothers' most underrated film. A classic that was overshadowed by the behemoth that was Goodfellas. The writing; superb. The acting, outstanding. The Cinematography, fantastic. This movie ticks all the boxes that make a film great.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:54 - Film Summary

02:48 - Film Facts

09:27 - Film Discussion

41:24 - Who Would You Recommend This Too

44:23 - Why It's Forgotten

50:52 - Where to Find Us

Not since they recorded their unaired pilot episode, Sphere, have the Mikes both equally disliked a film as much as this...

Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss all the things that make A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon a deservedly forgotten film (other than that ridiculously long title). River Pheonix does his best to save this film that was marketed as the next Ferris Bueller's Day Off, when in actuality it is a coming of age drama based on a book by William Richert. From its irredeemable protagonist, stilted and unrealistic dialogue, to the difficultly in being able to discern the time period in which its set, it's easy to see why this film is forgotten.

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

01:48 - Film Summary

02:35 - Film Facts

07:34 - Film Discussion

34:08 - Why It's Forgotten

37:24 - Where to Find Us

The Mikes are chilling out with Denzel Washington on this episode; bleeding out in swimming pools and looking for revenge.

Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss the 2004 Tony Scott film, Man on Fire, also starring Christopher Walken and a young Dakota Fanning. Butler and Field discuss the "Denzel Effect" in the movie business and how Butler loves this film while Field...not so much. So, listen in as the Mikes discuss redemption, revenge, and rectal explosives!

So, grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits to the left and right of you and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

00:00 - Introduction

02:59 - Film Summary

03:40 - Film Facts

09:50 - Film Discussion

48:22 - Why It's Forgotten

44:50 - Where to Find Us