Forgotten Cinema

The Way of the Gun

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes revisit "The Way of the Gun", Christopher McQuarrie’s sharp, character-driven crime thriller and directorial debut. Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy this one. The performances are firing on all cylinders, with the legendary James Caan bringing gravitas and menace to every scene he’s in. Benicio Del Toro and Ryan Phillippe anchor the film as two genuinely bad men, not misunderstood antiheroes, but criminals who are unapologetically who they are. That commitment to morally compromised characters gives the film a harder edge than most crime thrillers of its era. McQuarrie’s first outing behind the camera shows remarkable confidence, with tight dialogue, grounded action, and characters who always feel true to themselves. Butler suspects younger him would have absolutely loved this film, while Field appreciates it even more now, finding its maturity and restraint more compelling with age. Dark, deliberate, and unapologetically adult, "The Way of the Gun" stands as one of the stronger crime films of the early 2000s and a reminder of how effective simple, character-focused storytelling can be. What's your favorite film about a bad guy(s) where they are the lead and actually ARE the bad guy? 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 3:21 - Film Facts 9:26 - Film Discussion 29:58 - Reviews 37:25 - Who Would You Recommend This To? 42:59 - Why Is This Forgotten? 44:22 - Plugs #ForgottenCinema #TheWayOfTheGun #ChristopherMcQuarrie #BeniciDelToror #RyanPhillippe #JamesCann #CrimeFilm #Thriller #00s #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

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

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

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

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