Forgotten Cinema

Why Him?

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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:42 - Film Facts 4:56 - Assassin's Creed Tangent 9:19 - Film Discussion 27:24 - Reviews 32:14 - 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

Now Showing - Wake Up Dead Man

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_close And 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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Intro 8:12 - Film Discussion 1:01:03 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #WakeUpDeadMan #GlassOnion #KnivesOut #DanielCraig #RianJohnson #JoshOConnor #JoshBrolin #Mystery #BenoitBlanc #Netflix #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #StevenBernstein

Reindeer Games

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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 4:02 - Film Facts 8:24 - Film Discussion 31:28 - Reviews 33:07 - 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

Four Brothers

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/ForgottenCinemaShop Check out our website: https://www.forgottencinemapodcast.com 0:00 - Introduction 2:05 - Film Facts 7:20 - Film Discussion 29:08 - Reviews 33:15 - 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

The Intern

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes clock in with "The Intern" (2015), Nancy Meyers’ feel-good comedy starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy this one. Yes, it’s sweet, uplifting, and maybe a little too saccharin at times, but it delivers exactly the warm, comforting tone it’s aiming for. De Niro and Hathaway have fantastic chemistry, and the film’s steady, upbeat vibe makes it one of the more genuinely pleasant modern studio comedies. The Mikes do take issue with a stretch of drama that arrives about halfway through the movie. It feels forced, a little too Hollywood, and somewhat undercuts the strength of Hathaway’s character by the time the film wraps up. But, "The Intern" is an uplifting film about mentorship, connection, and finding purpose at any age, so it’s easy to forgive the missteps. Overall, it’s an easy watch, a charming film, and a reminder that sometimes “feel-good” doesn’t have to be a bad thing. 🔔 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 2:48 - Film Facts 9:29 - Film Discussion 35:03 - Reviews 40:02 - Who Would You Recommend This To? 43:11 - Why Is This Forgotten? 45:10 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #TheIntern #RobertDeNiro #AnneHathaway #NancyMeyers #ComedyFilms #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms