Forgotten Cinema

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes tackle "12 Monkeys", this season's Audience Choice episode and a film that, despite its reputation, just doesn’t click for either of them.Mike Butler went in hoping his opinion might change this time around. As a big fan of "Brazil", he wanted to connect with Terry Gilliam’s mix of sci-fi and absurdism. Unfortunately, his feelings haven’t shifted since first seeing it decades ago. Both Mike Field and Butler find the performances from Bruce Willis and especially Brad Pitt pushed too far into manic territory, making it hard to buy into the story.They also struggle with the central relationships and logic of the film. The idea that the doctor would go along with Willis at all, let alone develop romantic feelings for him, feels completely unbelievable. Tonally, the movie seems stuck between wanting to be a serious science fiction story and an absurdist Gilliam nightmare, and it never settles on what it actually wants to be.While they do appreciate the production design, props, and costumes used for the future sequences, the rest of the film falls flat for them. Still, with "12 Monkeys" being so well regarded by many, the Mikes openly acknowledge that this might be one of those "it's me, not you" moments.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Forgotten Cinema content!🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.✨ Support us on Patreon for exclusive content: www.patreon.com/forgottencinema🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShopCheck out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com0:00 - Introduction2:56 - Film Facts9:32 - Film Discussion33:39 - Reviews39:56 - Who Would You Recommend This To?42:28 - Why Is This Forgotten?47:39 - Plugs#ForgottenCinema #12 Monkeys #BruceWillis #BradPitt #TerryGilliam #90sFilm #SciFi #TimeTravel #SciFiFilms #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes ring in the holidays with "Why Him?", the chaotic Christmas comedy starring Bryan Cranston and James Franco.Both Mike Butler and Mike Field enjoy the film for what it is. It’s loud, crass, and occasionally very funny. That said, the movie never quite reaches its full comedic potential. The Mikes agree it could have used more fully realized comedy set pieces and a clearer sense of who the main character actually is, as the focus often feels split between competing perspectives.Despite those issues, the core dynamic works well enough that the film almost feels like a backdoor pilot for a sitcom or spin-off. There’s a solid foundation here for something episodic, where the characters and conflicts could breathe a little more and let the comedy build naturally.A flawed but enjoyable holiday watch, "Why Him?" lands somewhere between guilty pleasure and missed opportunity.What's your favorite non-traditional holiday comedy? Let us know in the comments!🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Forgotten Cinema content!🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.✨ Support us on Patreon for exclusive content: www.patreon.com/forgottencinema🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShopCheck out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com0:00 - Introduction2:42 - Film Facts4:56 - Assassin's Creed Tangent9:19 - Film Discussion27:24 - Reviews32:14 - Who Would You Recommend This To?34:36 - Why Is This Forgotten?36:51 - Plugs#ForgottenCinema #WhyHim #BryanCranston #JamesFranco #ComedyFilms #HolidayFilm #ChristmasMovie #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

This week on Forgotten Cinema: Now Showing, the Mikes close out their Benoit Blanc journey with "Wake Up Dead Man", joined by a special guest: writer, director, and cinematographer Steven Bernstein.All three agree that this is the strongest entry in the Knives Out trilogy. While Mike Butler still prefers "Knives Out" overall, he feels "Wake Up Dead Man" is far more confident in its mystery, avoids the distracting mid-film twist structure, and finally gives Benoit Blanc real character development instead of turning him into a caricature.Steven Bernstein praises the film primarily for its characters, even while acknowledging that some still veer a bit too far into farce, with the notable exception of Josh O’Connor’s standout performance. Butler responds more strongly to the film’s mystery and narrative focus, appreciating how the story unfolds without relying on gimmicks.One thing everyone agrees on: "Glass Onion" remains the weakest of the trilogy by a wide margin.With a thoughtful guest perspective and a deeper dive into what makes a mystery truly work, Mike Field and Mike Butler break down why "Wake Up Dead Man" feels like the series finally firing on all cylinders.Follow Steven Bernstein on Instagram @stevenbernsteindirectorwriter Check out his IMDB page!www.imdb.com/name/nm0077149/?ref_=mv_closeAnd his Amazon author page www.amazon.com/stores/Steven-Bernstein/author/B0F7M88J2Q?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Forgotten Cinema content!🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.✨ Support us on Patreon for exclusive content: www.patreon.com/forgottencinema🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShopCheck out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com0:00 - Intro8:12 - Film Discussion1:01:03 - Plugs#ForgottenCinema #WakeUpDeadMan #GlassOnion #KnivesOut #DanielCraig #RianJohnson #JoshOConnor #JoshBrolin #Mystery #BenoitBlanc #Netflix #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #StevenBernstein

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Reindeer Games" (2000), a late-90s/early-2000s crime thriller that lands squarely in the “fine, but flawed” category.Both Butler and Field agree the movie is watchable, but just barely. The plot quickly starts to unravel, relying on Ben Affleck's character, Rudy and our villain, played by Gary Sinise, to make a series of frustratingly dumb decisions. The central twist involving the true mastermind only makes things worse, hinging on an absurd amount of coincidence and lucky timing to work at all.That said, the performances help keep the film afloat, and the sheer ridiculousness of the story becomes part of its charm. The noir-inspired style, snowy setting, and hard-boiled attitude actually work in the film’s favor, giving it a vibe that’s more enjoyable than the script probably deserves.So while "Reindeer Games" never quite comes together as a smart thriller, it remains a curious, messy entry from its era that’s easy enough to watch if your expectations are set appropriately.What's your favorite holiday action/thriller (that isn't "Die Hard")? Let us know in the comments!🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Forgotten Cinema content!🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.✨ Support us on Patreon for exclusive content: www.patreon.com/forgottencinema🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShopCheck out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com0:00 - Introduction4:02 - Film Facts8:24 - Film Discussion31:28 - Reviews33:07 - Who Would You Recommend This To?36:44 - Why Is This Forgotten?39:50 - Plugs#ForgottenCinema #ReindeerGames #BenAffleck #GarySinise #CharlizeTheron #00sFilm #ActionFilms #HeistFilm #HolidayFilm #ChristmasMovie #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes head back to the gritty mid-2000s with "Four Brothers" (2005), John Singleton’s revenge-fueled action drama.Mike Butler has a soft spot for this one; partly out of nostalgia for the early-00s wave of gritty, street-level action movies, and partly because "Four Brothers" still delivers a certain messy charm. The energy, the brother dynamics, and the rough-edged style all hit the way they’re meant to.Mike Field, however, isn’t buying it. He struggles with Mark Wahlberg’s improvisational approach, finds the action too over-the-top to fully suspend disbelief, and thinks the movie’s drama doesn’t land strongly enough to justify the chaos.What the Mikes do agree on is the standout performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor, who elevates every scene he’s in and gives the film a much-needed dose of grounded menace.So is "Four Brothers" a gritty throwback worth remembering, or a chaotic blend of tones that doesn’t come together? The Mikes break it all down—brotherhood, bullets, and all.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Forgotten Cinema content!🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.✨ Support us on Patreon for exclusive content: www.patreon.com/forgottencinema🛍️ Grab some Forgotten Cinema merch: www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCinemaShopCheck out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com0:00 - Introduction2:05 - Film Facts7:20 - Film Discussion29:08 - Reviews33:15 - Who Would You Recommend This To?38:19 - Why Is This Forgotten?44:11 - Plugs#ForgottenCinema #FourBrothers #MarkWahlberg #Andre3000 #Tyrese #GarretHedlund #JohnSingleton #00sFilm #ActionFilms #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms