Forgotten Cinema

Mike Field and Mike Butler are talking about ANOTHER group of friends finding ANOTHER bag filled with a ridiculous amount of money. Man, the 90's just had cash coming out of everywhere. This time it's the UK in Shallow Grave, the first feature film from director Danny Boyle.

Starring Ewan "Obi-Wan" McGregor, Christopher "The Doctor" Eccleston, and Kerry Fox, this movie is about 3 terrible friends finding a ton of money off the scene of a sketchy death has Butler seeing A Simple Plan all over again. But even with so many similarities, Butler seems to prefer this version. From the dark comedy opening scenes, the acting and the way it was filmed, Butler and Field enjoy the 90's neo-noir style and the behind-the-scenes facts of the film. However, Butler isn't a huge fan of some of the disjointedness he feels is present or the sudden shift in character from Eccleston's character, David.

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

The Mikes are jumping into some unsafe looking homemade planes and flying a gaggle of geese south for the winter as they discuss the 1996 family film Fly Away Home starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin.

Butler was sure Field would hate his film, but to his surprise, Field didn't hate it! From the father/daughter relationship of Daniels and Paquin, the cinematography, the true story angle, and of course the cuteness of those geese, there's a lot to enjoy in this film. Of course, it's far from perfect. The Mike discuss the slightly-too-long runtime, the instances of bad CG, incomplete supporting characters, and a poorly written shoehorned villain are some of the things that hold this feel-good film back.

The Mikes will also discuss some behind-the-scenes facts about this film, including its true story origins.

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

The Mikes are going on holiday "In Bruge" after a podcast gone wrong with guest host Laura Johns from the "Why the Book Wins" podcast.

Mike Field, Mike Butler, and Laura will discuss what they like about this 2008 dark dramedy from writer/director Martin McDonagh (of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri fame) starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes. The themes are ever-present, the acting is top notch, the setting is interesting and the dialogue is clever. The three hosts will also go into some meandering plot-lines, loose threads and a couple of thematic pieces that could have been clearer.

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

And while you're at it, listen to Laura and her podcast at whythebookwins.com!

The Mikes are going under cover at a new school, pretending to be men in order to....wait...something isn't right. Maybe sometimes the Mikes are just watching movies; movies like Just One of the Guys from 1985, featuring William Zabka as, you guessed it...a bully!

Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss why this film still works today at a time when a film from the 80's with a gender-swapping plot such as this would probably cringe into oblivion. The Mikes also talk the film's stars; Joyce Hyser, Billy Jayne, and Clayton Rohner; relative unknowns who do a phenomenal job in this film. They'll also talk about behind-the-scenes facts and how much Jeff Franklin loves his big yellow Full House font. And always remember "All balls itch."

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

What do you get when you have Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss the 2018 Steven Soderbergh film Unsane on an episode of Forgotten Cinema?

A fight!

This Claire Foy vehicle; filmed (almost completely) on an iPhone split the Mikes opinions down the line. Mike Field enjoys the basic premise of the film; that being accidentally self-admitted in a mental institution is frighteningly possible. Mike Butler doesn't enjoy the leaps of plausibility and a main character who makes choices that pull yourself away from her. Despite their differences of opinions, both Mikes agree that this iPhone film make you regret not getting off the couch and filming something yourself.

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

The game is afoot!

The Mikes play some games with deadly consequences with Sirs Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier on this episode of Forgotten Cinema as they discuss the 1972 film, Sleuth!

Join Mike Butler and Mike Field as they talk about this two-man show featuring some of the greatest acting talent the world has ever seen. A mix of comedy, mystery, and drama with themes of revenge, racism, and classism; Sleuth is a phenomenal film. Though Field thinks it a bit too long, Butler finds it engaging from start to finish. From the great set design, fantastic writing, and interesting plot twists, this film is one to watch...if you can find it. Field will get into the interesting fate of this film's rights as well as other fun facts about its production.

The Mikes will also briefly discuss the 2007 remake starring Jude Law in Michael Caine's role and Michael Caine coming back to play Olivier's role. Spoiler alert: Butler hates it.

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

The Mikes are getting mean on this episode of Forgotten Cinema as they take a look at Neil LaBute's The Shape of Things, starring Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz, Gretchen Mol, and Fredrick Weller.

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss how this film is based (as most of LaBute's films are) on one of his successful plays that stars the original cast as well. Butler and Field discuss the very play-like dialogue

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

Join the Mikes as they watch the 54th train and come together as the Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, led by Col. Robert Gould Shaw. Starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher, Matthew Broderick, and Cary Elwes. Directed by Edward Zwick with an amazing score by the great James Horner. This is Glory!

If you can't tell, both Mike Butler and Mike Field love this film and you will hear them tell you why throughout the episode. From the amazing true-life story, to the award worthy performances by its leads, and the fantastic writing (some of it pulled straight from the real letters of Col. Shaw himself) this film is nearly flawless. How can a successful film with three Oscar wins, including best actor for Denzel Washington be forgotten? Listen in to find out!

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

Which Mike would betray whom if they found a sack of money worth millions of dollars?

Both of course! Just like the three men in this week's episode of Forgotten Cinema!

Join Mike Field and Mike Butler as they discuss the 1998 film "A Simple Plan," directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thorton, Brent Briscoe and Bridget Fonda. The Mikes will talk about how the performances of the actors and the way in which this film was shot, elevates what is a fairly standard tale of greed and betrayal. This film had a long road through development hell and ended up nominated for two Academy Awards; one for Best Supporting Actor Billy Bob Thorton and Best Adapted Screenplay for Scott B. Smith, who also wrote the novel his screenplay was based on...with a little help from Ben Stiller of all people.

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

Butler and Field are giving up the conveniences of modern life to hide out amongst the Amish as they discuss Witness starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis, directed by Peter Weir.

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler talk about the screenplay to Witness that is often considered one of the greatest screenplays ever written. They'll also debate the performance of Lukas Haas as Samuel and whether the quiet unemotional performance of this child actor was a purposeful choice, or just because he is a child actor. Field and Butler will go over other facts about the production of the film, and alternate lead actors who could have taken Ford's place. Amish Rocky Balboa anyone? And of course, the Mikes discuss the power, presence, and grandeur of the "Ford Finger."

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