When Freddy Came for the Real World Forgotten Horror is back for its seventh season, and this year The Nightmare is Reel . We’re diving into six weeks of horror films that blur the line between reality and fiction and what better way to kick it off than with New Nightmare  (1994). This meta slasher reimagines Freddy Krueger, not just as a movie monster, but as a dark force trying to break into our world. Heather Langenkamp plays herself, Wes Craven writes himself into the story, and Robert Englund gets to be both Freddy and  Robert. It’s bold, weird, and way ahead of its time. What We Loved About New Nightmare We both appreciate the ambition here. The idea of Freddy stepping out of the movies and haunting the real Heather Langenkamp is fantastic. It gives the Nightmare on Elm Street  franchise a fresh angle while celebrating what came before. Seeing Craven explore the nature of storytelling and horror’s hold on audiences is fascinating, and Englund is as magnetic as ever. What Fell Short That said, New Nightmare  doesn’t go quite far enough. For all its meta setup, the film never fully leans into exploring Craven himself or the impact of Freddy as a cultural figure. The scares are fewer and tamer than they should be, and the final act feels more like a standard Elm Street showdown than the mind-bending, reality-warping climax we were hoping for. Horror Icon Talk Of course, we couldn’t resist detouring into a conversation about slashers in general. Where does Freddy stand in the pantheon of horror icons? Is he scarier than Jason or Michael Myers? Does Ghostface deserve a place at the table? We debate our favorite killers and what makes a truly great slasher villain. The Season is Just Getting Started This is just the beginning of Forgotten Horror 7. Each Wednesday through October we’ll be covering more horror films that challenge the line between story and reality, leading up to our Halloween episode to wrap the season. Join us for the kickoff of The Nightmare is Reel — available wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube — and let us know: is New Nightmare  a clever reinvention or a missed opportunity?

This week we saddle up for War Horse  (2011) , Steven Spielberg’s sweeping World War I epic that follows a young man and his extraordinary horse across the battlefields of Europe. No surprise here, we’re big Spielberg fans. His ability to tell an emotional, visually stunning story is always on display, and War Horse  is no exception. But this rewatch hit especially hard for us, especially Field, who now counts War Horse  among his favorite Spielberg films. (Yeah, I do!) A Visual Masterclass One of the first things we talk about in this episode is just how incredible this film looks. Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński fills every frame with painterly beauty, giving the movie the feel of a classic Hollywood war epic. From the rolling hills of the English countryside to the mud-soaked trenches of the Western Front, the film’s visual storytelling is breathtaking. Spielberg’s Practical Touch We also dive into Spielberg’s practical approach to filmmaking on War Horse . Amazingly, there are only three digital shots in the entire movie, each one used solely to keep the horses safe during production. It’s a detail that underscores Spielberg’s commitment to grounding this story in something tactile and real, making the emotions hit even harder. Why War Horse  Deserves More Love Despite being nominated for six Academy Awards, War Horse  often gets overlooked when discussing Spielberg’s best work. We make the case that it shouldn’t be. Between the emotional weight of the story, the technical brilliance behind the camera, and John Williams’ moving score, this is a film that earns its epic status. Whether you’ve seen it once or not at all, War Horse  is worth revisiting on the biggest screen you can manage. Listen to our full discussion on Forgotten Cinema , available wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

This week on Forgotten Cinema , we roll into World War II with 2014's Fury , David Ayer’s gritty tank drama starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, and Jon Bernthal. On this rewatch, we came to Fury  with fresh eyes, especially Butler, who didn’t care much for the film on his first viewing. This time around, he found plenty to appreciate, particularly in the tense, uncomfortable dinner scene that has become one of his favorite moments of the film. It’s a sequence that perfectly captures the claustrophobia, moral gray areas, and psychological toll of living and fighting in such tight quarters. What Works in Fury The performances are top-notch across the board. Brad Pitt anchors the film with quiet authority, while Logan Lerman serves as the audience’s way into this brutal world. Bernthal, Peña, and LaBeouf all bring unique, layered energy to their roles, making the crew of the Sherman tank feel like a lived-in, dysfunctional family. Together, they give weight to Fury’s  unflinching look at life and death inside a WWII tank. Where We Struggle That said, we still have issues with the film’s climactic battle. The tension is there, but some of the logic gaps and “movie moments” strain believability. And of course, we can’t ignore the infamous behind-the-scenes stories about how rough the set reportedly was for the actors, something that inevitably colors how you watch the final product. Final Thoughts Despite its flaws, Fury  remains a gripping, intense war film that’s worth revisiting. Between its powerful performances, raw depiction of combat, and moments of moral complexity, it stands out as one of the more memorable WWII dramas of the last decade. Listen to our full conversation wherever you get your podcasts or watch it on YouTube.  Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone who passed on Fury  back in 2014, this might be the perfect time to climb back into the tank. And while we have you, why not partake in our latest short film — Method Acting 2 — as Butler sets to pay homage to the method acting in Fury, only Field needs to remind him that he's done this before.

We're taking off with American Made , Doug Liman’s breezy crime drama starring Tom Cruise as Barry Seal, a pilot whose life turns into a high-altitude juggling act of drug smuggling, CIA ops, and more cash than he can carry. The movie has all the ingredients for a high-stakes thriller — cartels, covert government agencies, and a protagonist spiraling out of control — but instead of leaning into tension, it opts for charm. And to be fair, Cruise delivers. He carries the movie almost entirely, turning Barry Seal into the kind of reckless anti-hero you can’t help but root for, even as his choices get increasingly dangerous. What Works in American Made We both agree there’s fun to be had here. Cruise’s performance : A reminder that when he’s not saving the world in Mission: Impossible series , he’s still magnetic in roles that let him play flawed and charismatic. Doug Liman’s direction : Stylish, fast-paced, and sharp in its period detail. The energy : At under two hours, the movie moves quickly, never overstays its welcome, and has plenty of wild “did that really happen?” moments. Where It Falls Short The problem? For a story built on danger, betrayal, and greed, American Made  rarely feels risky. The third act, in particular, skims over the consequences of Barry’s choices and lands more like a shrug than a gut punch. It’s fun, but it never quite sells the stakes, which makes the chaos feel more like a joyride than a thriller. Final Thoughts American Made  isn’t a great movie, but it’s an easy one to watch. It’s entertaining, fueled by Cruise’s charisma and Liman’s slick direction, even if it doesn’t dig as deep as it could. For us, it’s less about turbulence and more about cruising altitude — smooth, fun, but missing the landing gear when it counts. Catch our full conversation on Forgotten Cinema — available wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Bonus: Check out our latest short film: Knife Hands!

In the near future, podcasting becomes sport. Hosts compete against each other in podcasting tournaments. Co-hosts become rivals... Who will win in the clash of Forgotten Cinema co-hosts?! Who will be the ultimate podcasters? Field or Butler? We clearly loved Over the Top way too much with this short film. Enjoy!

We’ve reached the end of our journey through the Conjuring-verse. We wrap up our Lead Up Series  with a look back at The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It . Unlike the haunted house horrors of the first two films, this third entry shifts into courtroom drama, blending supernatural scares with true-crime storytelling. Based on the infamous “Devil Made Me Do It” case, the film follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate the first U.S. murder trial where demonic possession was used as a legal defense. But does this pivot away from haunted houses work, or does it strip away what made the earlier entries so effective? In this episode, we discuss: The shift in tone from horror to legal thriller How the scares compare to the first two Conjuring films The performances of Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson (always good) The real-life case that inspired the story Whether this third film feels like a proper conclusion or just another spin-off in disguise With The Conjuring: Last Rites  on the horizon, this episode closes out our Lead Up coverage with a deeper look at how the franchise has evolved and whether its core story still holds power. 👉 Catch Up on the Rest of Our Conjuring Lead Ups The Conjuring (2013) The Conjuring 2 (2016) And don’t miss our Now Showing  episode this September as we cover The Conjuring: Last Rites .

We're going full throttle into the 1986 cult car-fueled sci-fi action flick The Wraith . On one side of the road, you’ve got Field, who insists the film’s goofy charm and neon-soaked nostalgia make it worth a pit stop. On the other side, there’s Butler, who flat-out hates it, calling it the second worst film  they’ve covered on the podcast. (Nothing will ever beat Folks! ) Butler’s thinks The Wraith  isn’t campy enough to land in Troma-style guilty pleasure territory, and it’s too boneheaded to qualify as genuinely entertaining. Field believes there's something endearingly weird about a supernatural revenge story mixed with drag racing, questionable fashion, and synth-heavy vibes that only the 80s could deliver. Our latest short film, allows Butler to poke fun at the movie: The Wraith: A Cult Classic or Cinematic Wreck? We dig into the movie’s oddball mix of supernatural elements and action tropes, from Charlie Sheen’s one-da of work as the avenging Jake, to the cartoonishly evil gang of car thieves, to the climactic drag races that somehow manage to be both awesome and ridiculous. The storytelling may be clunky, but the energy is pure VHS-era time capsule. The One Thing We Agree On Even as they clash over the movie’s merits (or lack thereof), we both come together on one undeniable fact: the car is absolutely badass. Sleek, futuristic, and built like something out of a gearhead fever dream, the Wraith’s Dodge M4S Turbo Interceptor is the real star of the movie. So buckle up—whether you think The Wraith  is a forgotten gem or a pile of cinematic wreckage, this episode is going full speed into one of the strangest cult films of the 80s.

We crank up our big rigs and roll straight into the world of Sylvester Stallone’s Over the Top  (1987) — a film that dares to ask: what if you combined a heartfelt father-son drama with competitive arm wrestling? Directed by Menahem Golan and produced under the Cannon Films banner, Over the Top  has everything you’d expect from an ’80s Stallone vehicle: muscle, melodrama, and montages. It’s the kind of movie that makes you laugh, shake your head, and still somehow cheer at the end. Why It Works (Against All Odds) We genuinely enjoy this flick, even while admitting the plot holes are evident. The emotional through-line, the relationship between Stallone’s Lincoln Hawk and his estranged son Michael, surprisingly lands. Thedynamic between father and son has enough sincerity to carry the film. And then, of course, there’s the arm wrestling. Stallone sells it. The sweaty close-ups, the slow-motion grit, the endless shots of hands locked in battle. It’s gloriously ridiculous and oddly thrilling. As if Gladiator was remade in the 80s...wait, is that the best idea we've ever had? Villains, Tone, and That “Over the Top” Balance One of Field's personal soapboxes this episode? Bull Hurley . Rick Zumwalt’s massive, scowling rival deserves a spot in the pantheon of underrated ’80s villains. He’s a walking, growling symbol of everything Hawk has to overcome, and he makes every match feel larger than life. As for tone, the film somehow juggles melodrama and sports action without fully collapsing. It’s a Cannon Films special: sincere enough to make you care, but outrageous enough to keep you entertained. The Final Verdict Is Over the Top  a masterpiece? Not even close. Is it heartfelt, fun, and worth a rewatch? Absolutely. It’s a movie that knows exactly what it is — a half trucker drama and half sports underdog story and we love the 80s of it all. Listen to this week’s episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch it on YouTube. And don’t forget: when the hat turns backward, it’s game time.

Our Alien franchise Lead Up series comes to an end with the last movie (before Alien: Romulus , of course)...it's Alien: Covenant . It's that same old story about a bunch of colonists on their way to colonize a new planet...oh wait...there's a distress call. Ignore it!! Oh no... Check out this YouTube exclusive!

The haunting continues. As we build toward the release (and our Now Showing episode) of The Conjuring: Last Rites , our Lead Up Series  takes us across the Atlantic with Ed and Lorraine Warren for another chilling case: The Conjuring 2 . This time, James Wan transports the Warrens to 1970s London   to investigate the infamous Enfield poltergeist , one of the most well-documented paranormal cases in history. With its mix of heart, horror, and otherworldly forces, the film both expands the Conjuring Universe and adds new layers to the Warrens’ story. In this episode, we discuss: How The Conjuring 2  differs from the original film in tone and scope The introduction of the terrifying Nun (Valak), a last-minute addition that became an iconic horror figure The strengths and weaknesses of the sequel’s storytelling The real-life paranormal case that inspired the film And if you missed our first episode in this Lead Up series, check out what we had to say about the first movie — The Conjuring .