Forgotten Cinema

Russell Crowe is a computer program filled with the souls of serial killers, who hijacked a glass eating synthetic body just so he can play cops and robbers with Denzel Washington. It's Virtuosity on this episode of Forgotten Summer!!!

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss what works and what doesn't in this very 90's near future action-thriller. The Mikes mostly talk about how without Washington or Crowe, this film would never make it past the bargain bin. Washington bring the film gravitas and a seriousness it needs to ground it's audience and world; while Crowe hams it up and chews the scenery as the AI/Android, out to cause mischief and compete with Crowe. The rest of the film is littered with plot holes, senseless character moments, and other odd choices.

But the soundtrack slaps.

So grab your water shoes and goggles, please notice the jellyfish to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

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The Mikes are trying something new!

Welcome to the first ever Forgotten Spotlight!

In this series, Mike Field and Mike Butler will be taking a look at certain aspects of a film as they may relate to the episode of the week. From actors, filmmakers, genres, settings, time periods, and more. Think of it as one of their tangents, just slightly longer.

In this episode the Mikes are talking about the "road thriller" genre. As their movie Breakdown is no doubt one of them, Butler and Field discuss that makes a film a road thriller; what films inspired or elevated the genre, and how even within this sub genre of film there are many sub sub genres within the road thriller itself. Listen in as they give examples such as Duel, Joy Ride, The Hitcher, Mad Max, Changing Lanes, and many more!

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

Have you seen Kurt Russell's wife?! He's looking for her in the 1997 Jonathan Mostow thriller Breakdown, the newest film during Forgotten Summer!

Mike Butler and Mike Field "Ehem" breakdown this film, discussing their FOURTH film starring JT Walsh! They must really like the guy.

The Mikes also talk about the way the film is shot and written. They go over the fact that the film is a purely external conflict that presents a situation and a protagonist who acts in a way that the viewer probably wishes they would if forced into the same position.

Of course, who better to play the "everyman" protagonist than Kurt Russell? The Mikes talk about how the underrated star is one of the few big name actors who can realistically play the everyman, however his casting may have been to the detriment of the film's success compared to some of the others who were potentially up for the lead role. Who, you might ask? Well, you'll just have to listen to find out!

So grab your car keys and map, please notice the rest stops to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

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What summer film could be so bad that Mike Field would want to quit the show? It's the 1997 fantasty adventure starring, Kull the Conqueror!

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss why Butler chose this film, and why it is the way it is. From the awful bits of slapstick humor and corny jokes to the mostly terrible effects, there is a lot to not like in this film. Field and Butler also talk about the history of the film; how it began as the third Conan film, but after Arnold passed on it the film changed it's protagonist to Kull, an early hero of Conan creator Robert E. Howard's stories. The Mikes also talk about how this type of film would never be made again today, even if it were better in every way.

So grab your Hawaiian Shirt, please notice the eggshell necklaces to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

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A period drama set in 1930's Chicago, in the the dead of winter... the perfect summer film. Right?! The Mikes are talking Sam Mendes' Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, and Daniel Craig.

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler discuss what makes Road to Perdition work; mainly the superb group of actors participating in this film. From Newman's role as John Rooney, Law's disgusting Maguire, and even Stanley Tucci's small role as Frank Nitti. The Mikes talk about the way this film was shot, the fantastic crew behind the camera, but also talk about how on second viewing the film does have some flaws; from pacing, to tone, to even Hanks himself.

The Mikes also go into why they classify this successful film as "forgotten" and how much more remembered it could be if it were released at a different time.

So grab your plastic bucket and shovel, please notice the seagulls to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

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It's time to put on your spurs and grab your saddles as Forgotten Summer moseys along with the 2003 Kevin Costner western Open Range, starring Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner.

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler go on and on about how good this film is. Seriously, go watch it...like now. They'll talk about some of the efforts that went into making the town in the film, as well as the flood and the amazing gun fight at the very end. The Mikes will also talk about how great the dialogue in this film and Butler will profess his love of the superb cinematography in this film. They'll also talk about how great all of the other actors in this film are.

So grab your sunglasses and coconut cups, please notice the lifeguards to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

Get Your Baxter Blue discount here: https://baxterblueglasses.pxf.io/c/2544961/1031264/11471

Is it getting hot out there, or is it just us?...oh, it is hot out there?...soooo its not us then....ok well then uhhhh....good.

The Mikes are heating things up with a brand new season. A themed season! For the next 13 episodes, welcome to Forgotten Summer!

Our first Summer dive is Croupier starring Clive Owen as a card dealing, book writing, sociopath who is trying to find the inspiration for his big hit novel. Sure this film was released in April and released wider in the Summer so it's kind of a cheat, but don't tell Mike Field that!

Join Mike Butler and Mike Field as they discuss characters in film noir. How unlikeable can you make your protagonist until the film looses anything for an audience to latch on to? They'll also discuss how this film helped to launch Clive Owen's career. Mostly Butler will discuss why he does not believe that this film is as deserving of it's praise and Field strongly disagrees.

So grab your sandals and sunscreen, please notice the swim up bar to the left and right of you, and settle down for Forgotten Summer. 

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Time to end season 8 by getting a little...greedy. See what I did there? Wait, that doesn't make any sense....anyway, the Mikes are taking a look at the 1994 comedy Greedy, starring Michael J Fox and Kirk Douglas.

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss all of the talent in this film that makes up the "greedy" McTeague family, especially Phil Hartman who steals the spotlight in nearly every scene he is in. They'll also talk Douglas' Uncle Joe, and how his scheme to find the heir to his fortune really worked, and how Fox's character of Danny really seemed like a true version of someone who was trying to do the right thing, while still being tempted by extreme wealth. But mostly, it's just the Mikes saying their favorite lines from 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. 

The Mikes are playing some street ball with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson in southern Los Angeles in Ron Shelton's 1992 film White Men Can't Jump.

Listen in as Mike Field and Mike Butler talk about how this film hinges on the chemistry between Snipes and Harrelson; their banter, friendship, and rivalry are what keeps the film moving and what keeps us coming back to this film. Their characters are so good that the Mikes lament the planned film and TV series that never was. Equally as good and certainly screen stealing is Rosie Perez in one of her earlier roles. Marisa Tomei could win for My Cousin Vinny but Perez couldn't even be nominated? Come on!

Mike Field also discusses basketball, Butler talks about the look of the film and in honor of the film, "Yo Momma" jokes abound!

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

Mike Butler and Mike Field are jumping back to 2001 to talk about a spy movie that take place in 1991, but also during the Vietnam War...and the 80's. A film that stars two men that Butler believes needed to play father and son in a film; Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. That's right! We're talking the Tony Scott directed, Spy Game on this episode of Forgotten Cinema!

The Mikes talk about the films use of non-linear story telling and how, while it might be the only way to tell this particular story, it also slows the film down at many points. Butler and Field also discuss the style of Tony Scott. Does his particular directing style serve to bring out the themes or emotions of the story, or is it just for looks? And at what point is style over substance okay and at what point is it too much. They'll also talk Pitt's acting vs Redford's and go on about a billion different tangents before going over why they think this film was forgotten.

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