Forgotten Cinema

The Mikes are bringing it down south, near the border as they talk about the John Sayles film, Lone Star, starring Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, Joe Morton, and Matthew McConaughey.

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss the how strong themes and lightly interconnected stories show the audience a place in this country they otherwise would never know. A place where what is lawful isn't always right, and what is right is sometimes more important. But it's also a film about family, class, immigration, and love. Really it's got everything and the themes are never beaten over your head. All centered mostly by Chris Cooper's Sherriff Sam, trying to piece together a 40 year old murder and by doing so, figure out exactly why his father (a former sheriff of the town as well) was as loved as he was.

Field and Butler will also talk about the transitions to and from the past and into the stories of the other characters. How their themes intersect and how this film, had it not come out during the summer would have been nominated in so many Oscar categories.

So grab your big hat, please notice beware scorpion signs to the left and right of you, grab some TexMex, and settle down for Forgotten Summer!

In this Spotlight compendium to their Miami Vice episode, the Mikes are talking about director Michael Mann.

Did you know the Mikes have now covered three, yes THREE Michael Mann films?! Why do these guys love his films so much? Well, let them tell you. Michael Butler and Michael Field discuss what makes that other Michael so great; from his directing style, his use of digital camera, his dedication to ensuring that his actors know the professions of the characters they are playing, be they cops, robbers, assassins or taxi drivers. He is also a director unafraid to actually look at how the underbelly of the crime world works, where it works, and actually go their and shoot it, sometimes even using those same criminals on his set as protection!

A Michael Mann film is gritty, true, and exciting, with excellent dialogue and has some of the most amazing performances from his actors. So after you listen to this Spotlight, checkout out other Mann episodes; Collateral (one of Butler's all-time favorite films), Thief, and of course Forgotten Cinema's newest episode on Miami Vice: Director's Cut.

So grab your concessions, find your seat and get read for Forgotten Cinema: Spotlight!

The Mikes are taking it to the limit, one more time in this week's episode of Forgotten Summer as they go undercover and take a look at the 2006 Michael Mann film Miami Vice starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. Specifically, they're looking at the director's cut.

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss the flaws in the script and story, while praising the authenticity, the style and pure awesomeness that is Michael Mann. From the look of Miami and the dangerous and exotic Ciudad de Este, to the rough and gritty look of the final battle, Mann is a maestro of the crime thriller and proves it here. The Mikes talk about how Farrell and Foxx don't get enough screen time together to truly believe in the now iconic Tubbs and Crocket partnership, but both actors do a fine job in their roles.

Field and Butler will also talk about behind the scene stories and rumors about the production. Some of the battles they faced against an unrelenting mother nature and how the director's cut adds back a little more of that Miami Vice feel (especially in a much needed re-edit) and helps to in a small part, add more sense to the still unbelievable romance between Farrell's Crocket and Gong Li's cartel accountant.

So grab your badge and gun, please notice the impounded Lamborghini's to the left and right of you, crank that Phil Collins and settle down for Forgotten Summer!

In this Spotlight compendium to their Begin Again episode, the Mikes are talking about films that use New York City as much more than just a background, but almost as a character in and of itself.

From Ghostbusters, to Taxi Driver, and more inbetween, it is clear that the "capital of the world" is a very inspiring place for many filmmakers. Mike Field and Mike Butler talk about the ones that come to mind the most when they think about NYC and their own thoughts on the city.

So grab your concessions, find your seat and get read for Forgotten Cinema: Spotlight!

The Mikes are back to talking John Carney and music in this week's episode of Forgotten Summer as they take a look at the film Begin Again, starring Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley.

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss how this film's genre is "feel good." This is a film to lighten your spirits and make you happy, without being overly sappy, dramatic, cheesy or fake. The Mikes discuss the realness of both Ruffalo's and Knightley's characters and their journey of mutual respect, love, friendship, and music.

They'll also talk about New York City and how it is presented in this film as well as the role that it plays within the story.

So grab your big floppy beach hat, please notice the slip and slides to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer!

In this Spotlight compendium to their Last Action Hero episode, the Mikes are talking about director John McTiernan. A legendary director who may not have many credits, but some of those he has are some truly game-changing, legendary films.

Mike Field and Mike Butler talk Die Hard, Predator, Last Action Hero and more in this episode, breaking down how McTiernan changed action films in the late 80's and early 90s.

So grab your concessions, find your seat and get read for Forgotten Cinema: Spotlight!

Arnold Schwarzenegger was meta before meta was cool. Back when meta created a super expensive box office bomb, that caused director John McTiernan to take a break from film for a while. That's right...the Mikes are talking about 1993's criminally underrated action/comedy, Last Action Hero! It doesn't get more Summer than that!

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss the concepts, plot, dialogue and comedy in this film and how the self depreciation, meta, love letter of it all would win over and delight nearly every sort of fan today, but how, in the early 90's fans weren't prepared for it. At least not at the level at which this film throws it at you.

The Mikes also discuss Charles Dance's villainous Benedict, some of the plot points or moments that didn't work. They'll point out some fantastic cameos or movie references, look at how you might be able to do a film like this today, and of course...Butler will quote Arnold lines in a very bad Arnold impression.

So grab your hot dog and hamburger from the grill, please notice the kids running around with super soakers to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

Enter Code POD15 and get your BRÜUSH 15% discount today: https://bit.ly/3xe5g7S

In this Spotlight compendium to their The Baxter episode, the Mikes are talking about "stand-out" wedding scenes in movies....and one TV show....and they go on a pretty big Godfather Michael Corleone tangent.

Mike Field and Mike Butler talk The Graduate, Wayne's World 2, The Godfather and more in this episode where as Butler points out, you never want to take your wedding lessons from films, because things always go horribly wrong at weddings.

So grab your concessions, find your seat and get read for Forgotten Cinema: Spotlight!

Have you been left at the alter? Went to ask a girl out to the prom only to have another guy step in first? Try to propose to your significant other only to have their ex sky write their name in the sky? Well then, you might be a Baxter. Much like Michael Showalter in this week's episode; 2005's The Baxter!

This film has the Mikes divided. While they both seem to like and dislike the same things about the film, Mike Field believes that the likes outweigh the dislikes. Mike Butler? Not so much.

Listen as the Mikes discuss the comedy stylings of the film, which is half Howard Hawkes and half the absurdist style from members of comedy troupe, The State. Showalter writes, directs and stars in this film, but it seems like his co-stars get some of the funniest bits; especially Justin Theroux and Peter Dinklage. Michelle Williams also knocks it out of the park in the role of Cecil, absolutely harkening back to the romantic costars of celluloid past.

So grab your mojito and watermelon, please notice the no jumping/no diving signs to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

Enter Code POD15 and get your BRÜUSH 15% discount today: https://bit.ly/3xe5g7S

In this Spotlight compendium to their Virtuosity episode, the Mikes are talking about Denzel Washington. Mainly, how he's so awesome.

No seriously, Butler believes him to be one of the greatest actors of all times whose name will be up there with the likes of Laurence Olivier. So listen as Butler and Field talk about some of their favorite Denzel Washington films and breakdown what about him or his acting style, makes him the GOAT of acting.

So grab your concessions, find your seat and get read for Forgotten Cinema: Spotlight!