Forgotten Cinema

Michael Butler & Michael Field

Welcome to Forgotten Cinema! Each episode, Mike Field and Mike Butler highlight a film that for a variety of reasons was forgotten by audiences. Whether it be because a more popular movie was released at the same time or the movie simply didn’t catch on with an audience in the its initial run. We’ll discuss what we love about the movie or perhaps don’t love about it and decide whether the movie is worth a revisit.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Cold Mountain

    This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes trek through "Cold Mountain", Anthony Minghella’s sweeping Civil War drama starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renée Zellweger, that both of them ultimately enjoyed, even while acknowledging its many hurdles. The film has a lot working against it. The dialogue often feels pulled straight from the novel, the tone is relentlessly dreary, and at 154 minutes it asks a lot of its audience. Mike Butler and Mike Field also struggle with the central romance, finding it hard to believe that Kidman's and Law’s characters would risk everything for a relationship that never really existed. Despite those issues, the Mikes agree that "Cold Mountain" tells a compelling story and contains several genuinely powerful moments. Strong supporting performances, striking imagery, and episodic stretches of the journey help elevate the film beyond its flaws. It may be long, heavy, and imperfect, but "Cold Mountain" still leaves an impression and offers enough substance to make the journey worthwhile. 🔔 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:56 - Film Facts 9:45 - Film Discussion 35:36 - Reviews 36:26 - Who Would You Recommend This To? 41:26 - Why Is This Forgotten? 50:36 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #ColdMountain #JudeLaw #NicoleKidman #ReneeZellweger #CivilWar #HistoricalFilm #Drama #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

    47 min
  2. EPISODE 2

    Return to Me

    This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Return to Me", the heartfelt romantic comedy starring David Duchovny and Minnie Driver. Mike Field has long had a soft spot for this one, while Mike Butler watched it for the first time. Both thoroughly enjoy the film. Even though it opens with the sudden death of Duchovny’s wife and the emotional setup of a heart transplant, the movie manages to stay surprisingly upbeat, cheerful, and warm throughout. The ensemble cast is a huge part of what makes it work. Jim Belushi and Bonnie Hunt shine as Minnie Driver’s sister and brother-in-law, bringing humor and heart to nearly every scene they are in. Robert Loggia and Carroll O’Connor also add a comforting, lived-in charm that elevates the entire film. The movie captures that late 90s and early 2000s romantic comedy magic in the best way. Sweet, sincere, and genuinely charming, "Return to Me" is the kind of rom-com that reminds you why the genre used to feel so effortless and heartfelt. What's your favorite late 90's early 00's romcom? 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:30 - Film Facts 11:06 - Film Discussion 28:11 - Reviews 32:00 - Who Would You Recommend This To? 35:55 - Why Is This Forgotten? 39:08 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #ReturnToMe #DavidDuchovny #MinnieDriver #BonnieHunt #JimBelushi #RomCom #00sFilm #Comedy #Romance #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

    41 min
  3. EPISODE 3

    Yesterday

    This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "Yesterday", the musical romantic fantasy built around one impossible question: what if The Beatles never existed? Mike Butler absolutely loves this film. Growing up a Beatles fan, he not only enjoys hearing the music reintroduced in a new context, but also seeing the impact those songs would have even if the world had somehow forgotten the band. Himesh Patel delivers a strong lead performance, bringing both sincerity and vocal talent to the role, while Lily James shines as his longtime friend and love interest. Their chemistry carries the emotional heart of the film, even if both Butler and Mike Field agree it is a bit frustrating that Patel’s character cannot see what is so clearly in front of him. Kate McKinnon also stands out as his sharp-edged manager once fame starts to take hold, adding a fun industry satire layer to the story. One thing both Butler and Field appreciate is that the unexplained “magic” behind The Beatles never existing is never overexplained or undone. The film simply accepts it as reality and focuses instead on themes of art, authenticity, love, and what it means to be an artist in a world obsessed with fame. With timeless music, a sweet love story, and relatable creative themes, "Yesterday" is a charming and heartfelt watch that will likely have you queuing up The Beatles long after the credits roll. What's your favorite film about music? 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:59 - Film Facts 9:09 - Film Discussion 36:10 - Reviews 38:34 - Who Would You Recommend This To? 43:02 - Why Is This Forgotten? 45:53 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #Yesterday #DannyBoyle #HimeshPatel #LilyJames #KateKcKinnon #TheBeatles #Beatles #Musical #RomCom #Comedy #Romance #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

    48 min
  4. BONUS

    Scream 2 - Lead Up

    This week on Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up, the Mikes continue their journey toward Scream 7 by revisiting "Scream 2", the rare horror sequel that arguably improves on the original. Mike Butler absolutely loved this rewatch. From its themes and character arcs to the kills and the eventual villain reveals, he feels "Scream 2" sharpens nearly every idea introduced in the first film. The movie leans harder into its meta commentary, expands its cast in meaningful ways, and raises the stakes without losing what made the original work. Mike Field also enjoys the film quite a bit, though he does feel the runtime runs a little long. Even so, both Mikes agree that the performances, the escalation of the story, and the confidence in its execution make this one of the strongest entries in the franchise. Often cited as the highest-rated film in the series, "Scream 2" stands as proof that horror sequels can be smarter, bigger, and more effective when they understand exactly what made the original resonate. So join the Mikes as the go through each film in the "Scream" saga leading up to the release of "Scream 7". Were you able to guess the killers when you saw Scream 2 for the first time? 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:47 - Film Facts 10:11 - Film Discussion 35:39 - Reviews 41:09 - Plugs

    44 min
  5. BONUS

    Scream 3 - Lead Up

    This week on Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up, the Mikes continue their road toward "Scream 7" with "Scream 3", the most divisive entry in the franchise. Coming off "Scream 2", the highest-reviewed film in the series, "Scream 3" holds the unfortunate distinction of being the worst reviewed. Mike Field still enjoys the movie, but it is his least favorite of the franchise so far. His biggest issue comes down to the killer reveal, which he finds underwhelming, especially when you factor in the original script, the late production change to a single killer, and the moments where you can clearly tell the film was staged for two Ghostfaces. Mike Butler also enjoys the film, especially the Gale & Dewey relationship, but shares some of those frustrations. He would have preferred the climax to stay within the Hollywood studio setting that the movie spends so much time establishing, rather than shifting to a Scooby-Doo-style mansion. He also argues that Patrick Dempsey being revealed as the killer and Sidney’s half-brother would have made far more sense both narratively and thematically. Despite its flaws, "Scream 3" is still a fun watch. The kills are inventive, the meta elements continue to evolve, and Parker Posey is a standout as the actress portraying Gale Weathers in the Stab films within the film. It may be messy and compromised, but it still understands the spirit of the franchise and delivers plenty to enjoy. So join the Mikes as the go through each film in the "Scream" saga leading up to the release of "Scream 7". Are you sad we never got to see a full episode of "100% Cotton"? 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 3:12 - Film Facts 8:20 - Film Discussion 36:19 - Reviews 40:22 - Plugs

    43 min
  6. BONUS

    Scream 4 - Lead Up

    This week on Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up, the Mikes continue their road to "Scream 7" with "Scream 4", Wes Craven’s return to Woodsboro more than a decade after the original trilogy. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field still enjoy this entry, especially for its strong kills and surprisingly ahead-of-its-time themes about streaming culture, internet fame, and the performance of violence for an audience. The film feels eerily prescient in how it tackles social media obsession before it completely took over the world. That said, there is a lot of unmined potential here. Butler feels the third act drops the ball slightly with a convenient ending and not doing quite enough with the Ghostface killers in the final stretch. Both Mikes also agree that Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby could have been positioned as the new Final Girl. With her horror movie expertise and charisma, she could have served as a fascinating long-term foil to Ghostface. The Mikes also dig into the long-standing rumor that "Scream 4" was intended to launch a new trilogy centered on a killer who gets away with it, only to be hunted by new Ghostfaces in future installments. It is an intriguing idea that makes the existing ending feel like a missed opportunity. Still sharp, still brutal, and more relevant than ever, "Scream 4" stands as a bold attempt to reinvent the franchise, even if it stops just short of fully committing to its most interesting ideas. So join the Mikes as the go through each film in the "Scream" saga leading up to the release of "Scream 7". What are your thoughts on this current end of the "Sydney" saga and how it compares to your opinions of 5 and 6? 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 3:45 - Film Facts 10:00 - Film Discussion 32:07 - Reviews 43:16 - Plugs

    47 min
  7. BONUS

    Scream 5 - Lead Up

    This week on Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up, the Mikes tackle "Scream" (2022), or as it should be called, "Scream 5". As the first entry in the franchise not directed by Wes Craven, this chapter is in the hands of Radio Silence, and both Mike Butler and Mike Field think they do a strong job carrying the torch. The film delivers solid kills, balances legacy characters with a new generation effectively, and even manages to handle the death of a major returning character with respect and emotional weight. The connection to the original film is well woven into the story, grounding the new cast in the mythology without feeling entirely forced. That said, the Mikes do have a few issues; the Billy Loomis twist is a bit hard to swallow, and some of the logic behind Ghostface’s kills does not quite hold up under scrutiny. Even with those criticisms, "Scream 5" stands as a confident and entertaining revival of the franchise, proving that the series can survive beyond its original creator. As the penultimate episode in the Scream Lead Up series, it sets the stage nicely for one final stop before "Scream 7". So join the Mikes as the go through each film in the "Scream" saga leading up to the release of "Scream 7". What are your thoughts on these Radio Silence Screams? 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 3:26 - Film Facts 9:57 - Film Discussion 51:10 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #Scream #Scream5 #RadioSilence #NeveCampbell #CourtneyCox #JennaOrtega #Ghostface #Horror #HorrorFilms #Scream7 #FilmDiscussion #Slasher

    55 min
4.7
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Welcome to Forgotten Cinema! Each episode, Mike Field and Mike Butler highlight a film that for a variety of reasons was forgotten by audiences. Whether it be because a more popular movie was released at the same time or the movie simply didn’t catch on with an audience in the its initial run. We’ll discuss what we love about the movie or perhaps don’t love about it and decide whether the movie is worth a revisit.