Forgotten Cinema

Honor, duty, awesome swords, and historical Tom Cruise.

It's The Last Samurai directed by Edward Zwick, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe on this episode of Forgotten Cinema.

Listen as Mike Field and Mike Butler talk about the controversy surrounding this film, both from the aspect to casting Tom Cruise and the glorifying of the Samurai during that time. They'll also talk about how good Ken Watanabe is in his first American film as well as how well filmed the battle scenes are. The Mikes will also discuss the excellent score and dialogue in the film and how films that are about history are supposed to tell a compelling story, not become a documentary.

So grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits at the front and rear of the auditorium, and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

Why should we worry! Why should we ca-a-a-re....that the Mikes are watching a film about a good-hearted team of singing and thieving street dogs and their precocious kitten pal. Maybe because one of those dogs is New York City legend Billy Joel?!?! Maybe.

Mike Butler and Mike Field are talking 1988's Oliver and Company on this episode of Forgotten Cinema! Join the Mikes as they discuss how even for an animated Disney film, Oliver and Company is skews decidedly younger than most. They'll talk about how this film was almost the sequel to Disney's The Rescuers before they ever went down under. They'll also talk about the film's connection to the original story of Oliver Twist and how the film doesn't really have a main antagonist.

So grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits at the front and rear of the auditorium, and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

The Mike's are taking us to 1981 to watch James Caan break into safes and act the crap out of Michael Mann's first feature film, "Thief"

Listen in as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss the skill and talent that Caan displays on screen as anti-hero, safe cracker and ex-con, Frank. From his monologue in the diner scene to his dialogue with the other characters. The Mikes make the argument that he may have won the Oscar for playing Sonny Corleone, but this is his best role. James Caan seems to agree.

Field and Butler also talk about the touches that make Michael Mann films stand out; from the way he films night scenes and shots in general, to the crime storyline and attention to detail and knowledge that he is using real professionals (and professional thieves) to make his movie true to life and add an extra layer of detail.

So grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits at the front and rear of the auditorium, and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

Mike Field and Mike Butler are reporting for duty on the HMS Surprise, with Captain Jack Aubrey at the helm, as he travels the world in pursuit of the Archeron, a possible vessel supplying England's enemy, the French, during the Napoleonic Wars.

That's right, it's time for the Peter Weir directed Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russel Crowe and Paul Bettany on this episode of Forgotten Cinema.

Join the Mikes as they pretty much just gush about how great this film is; from the dialogue to the time given to each character and their relationships to one another. Butler and Field will also discuss the use of practical model work, sets, and filming on real ships that give the film an authentic feel that more than likely would not happen today. The Mikes will also talk about the Aubrey-Maturin series of novels by Patrick O'Brian that the films were based on.

They'll also discuss facts about how certain shots were made and what the actors went through to prepare for their roles; from ship and rope work to...violin training?

But seriously...this film was up for 10 Academy Awards. If you haven't seen it, go watch it and if you already have, well then, watch it again.

So raise the mast and ready the stunsails, please notice the lifeboats at the bow and stern of the vessel, and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

The Mikes are starting the presses on Forgotten Cinema season 7 with The Front Page, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Join Mike Field and Mike Butler as they discuss how this film is one of many remakes of the original stage play from the 20's and how that helps much of what makes this film so great. The Mikes also talk the great set design and how some of the acting and staging seem to come from stage plays themselves. Then Field and Butler will discuss how great Lemmon and Matthau are in this film; one of 11(!!!) films that they made together. They'll also discuss the many other amazing actors and filmmakers in The Front Page, including the prolific Billy Wilder himself who made some amazing films.

So grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits at the front and rear of the auditorium, and settle down for Forgotten Cinema. 

The Mikeronomicon Ex Mortis....roughly translated....The Book of the Mikes.

Join Mike Butler and Mike Field as they venture down into the fruit cellar of an old cabin to bring you the final episode of the second annual Forgotten Horror; 2013's Evil Dead, directed by Fede Alvarez and starring Jane Levy.

The Mikes discuss how original The Evil Dead creator, Sam Raimi decided on newcomer Fede Alvarez to reboot this iconic horror franchise. They also talk about the lack of Bruce Campbell's Ash character and how that affects the film. Field and Butler will also bring up interesting facts about the film's production on a modest budget as well as try to figure out how a film that did incredibly well at the box office, seems to be now forgotten by both audiences and its creators.

So grab your sawed off cobalt blue steel shotgun and chainsaw arm, please notice the exits at the front and rear of the cabin are surrounded by evil trees, and settle down for Forgotten Horror. 

On this penultimate episode of the second annual Forgotten Horror, the Mikes are shining a light on the 2010 Guillermo Del Toro film, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pierce; directed by Troy Nixey.

Mike Field and Mike Butler will talk about how the unknown Troy Nixey, with just about no credentials, found himself at the helm of a major studio production with fairly successful actors. They'll also discuss the creation of the movie, from its beautiful sets, location, acting choices and the inspirations for the film; both the original 1973 film as well as from author Arthur Machen's dark take on fairy lore.

So grab your brains and eyeballs, please notice the axe wielding demons at the front and rear of the auditorium, and settle down for Forgotten Horror. 

The Jack O' Lantern is still lit, the monsters are still mashing, so that means Forgotten Horror keeps on rolling!

This week the Mikes are taking a look at the 2018 family fantasy film, The House with a Clock in Its Walls, directed by Eli Roth and starring Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Kyle MacLachlan.

Listen as Mike Butler and Mike Field discuss how the film is a homage to some of the classic 80's family adventure movies in much the same vein as Goonies. They'll also talk about Eli Roth taking on a very different sort of film from his usually bloody adult fair (albeit, still Halloween focused). The Mikes will point out fun facts from the production, why they believe audiences might not have a taste for these kinds of films anymore despite the film being very good and who's side that darned window is on.

So grab your stakes and garlic necklaces, please notice your exits are boarded up and lined with salt, and prepare yourself for Forgotten Horror.

Can you feel it? The chill in the air? That feeling that there's something behind you? The hair standing up on the back of your neck?!

That means it's time to GET SPOOKY Y'ALL!!!!!

That's right! It's Butler's favorite time of year, Forgotten Horror! The Mike Butler and Mike Field are raising four frightfully delightful horror films back from the forgotten graves starting with John Carpenter's Vampires!

Join Butler and Field as they discuss James Woods' role in this film as an action hero as well as his agreement with John Carpenter on how they would film scenes. They'll also discuss John Carpenter's directing choices in this film and his others and how Vampires was the film that made him decide to keep directing films.

And of course, the Mikes go into Daniel Baldwin and his love of two things; cheeseburgers and cauterizing his own wounds.

So remember, wear a costume, hand our treats, never blow out a Jack O' Lantern, and always check your candy.

The Mikes take a trip with Kevin Costner down "Too Many Sub-Plot" Lane in this episode of Forgotten Cinema.

Join Mike Field and Mike Butler as they talk about the 2007 crime thriller, Mr. Brooks, starring Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Danielle Panabaker, and comedian Dane Cook in the not so funny role of Mr. Smith.

The Mikes discuss how Mr. Brooks is a compelling and well acted film with an interesting story...which is unfortunately filled with 4 or 5 (can't keep track!) subplots that are poorly developed, over acted, overly ridiculous, or all of the above! They'll talk about how this may have come from the fact that the film was an undeveloped TV show idea, or that it was originally going to be the first in a trilogy, or some one saw the first season of Dexter or read the books and thought "Hey! I can do something with this!"

Butler and Field then jump back into why the Costner/Hurt relationship is so good that you should give this film (and episode!) a chance, as well as their hopes for what films could have followed or how you relaunch this into its own series.

So grab your popcorn and soda, please notice the exits at the front and rear of the auditorium, and settle down for Forgotten Cinema.