Charlestown, Loyalty, and a Life You Can’t Escape This week on Forgotten Cinema , we’re not only heading into Charlestown with The Town , Ben Affleck’s tense, character-driven crime drama that has only grown in stature since its release, but we're also battling an onslaught of power surges while recording, so when you see the blurry video, don't be alarmed. It's just Forgotten Cinema facing off against Darren Peter Oswald (D.P.O.) and surviving! (Deep Cut alert!) Both of us are big fans of this The Town . From the opening moments, this film establishes a lived-in world where loyalty, reputation, and geography are inseparable. The performances across the board are excellent, the story is tightly constructed, and Boston itself feels less like a backdrop and more like a living, breathing character woven into every frame. Crime With a Sense of Place What really works here is how confidently the film balances crime mechanics with character drama. The robberies are gripping, but they’re never just about the action. Every heist is tied to the characters’ histories, relationships, and the limited options available to them. Affleck’s direction keeps the tension high while never losing sight of the emotional stakes. Jeremy Renner’s performance, in particular, adds volatility and menace, while Affleck grounds the film with a weary, conflicted lead performance. The result is a crime movie that feels both propulsive and deeply personal. A Few Notes From the Crew That doesn’t mean it’s flawless. Field would have liked the film to lean even harder into its heist elements, pushing those sequences just a bit further. Butler, meanwhile, feels Blake Lively’s character, while crucial to setting up the film’s climax, needed more screen time and development to fully justify her narrative importance. These are small critiques, though, and they never derail the experience. Is The Town a Modern Crime Classic? Even with those minor notes, The Town  remains a standout modern crime film: smart, atmospheric, and emotionally grounded. It’s a movie that understands how environment shapes identity, and how hard it is to escape the life you’re born into. It’s a film we were more than happy to revisit and one that still holds up as one of the strongest crime dramas of its era. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

This week on Forgotten Cinema , we’re tackling 12 Monkeys (1995) , our Audience Choice (with 44% of the vote) pick for the season, and a movie that, despite its reputation and passionate fanbase, just doesn’t land for either of us. Going in, there was hope. Butler, in particular, wanted this revisit to change his mind. As a big fan of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil , he’s always appreciated Gilliam’s blend of science fiction, surrealism, and bureaucratic nightmare logic. Unfortunately, his feelings on 12 Monkeys  haven’t shifted since first seeing it decades ago. And Field? He’s right there with him. When Performances Become a Barrier One of our biggest hurdles with the film is the performances. Bruce Willis and especially Brad Pitt push their characters so far into manic territory that it becomes difficult to emotionally invest in the story. Pitt’s performance, often praised for its intensity, feels overwhelming rather than compelling, while Willis never quite grounds the film enough to anchor its increasingly chaotic tone. Logic, Relationships, and Tonal Whiplash We also struggle with the central relationships and internal logic of the movie. The idea that Kathryn Railly (Madeline Stowe) would not only entertain Willis’s story but actively follow him, and eventually fall for him, feels completely unbelievable. The film asks for a level of emotional buy-in that we just couldn’t give. Tonally, 12 Monkeys  feels stuck between two identities: a serious, high-concept science fiction thriller and an absurdist Gilliam nightmare. Instead of balancing those elements, the movie seems unable to decide which one it wants to be, leaving us stranded somewhere in the middle. What Still Works in 12 Monkeys That said, it’s not all negative. We genuinely appreciate the production design, costumes, and props used in the future sequences. Visually, the film has a strong sense of world-building, and those elements reflect Gilliam’s unmistakable creative fingerprint. An “It’s Me, Not You” Movie But, ultimately, 12 Monkeys  is one of those films where we fully recognize that we’re in the minority. It’s well regarded, widely discussed, and deeply loved by many. For us, though, it never comes together in a way that works emotionally or narratively. Sometimes a classic just doesn’t click...and that’s okay. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

This week on Forgotten Cinema , we’re ringing in the holidays with Why Him? (2016) , the loud, chaotic, and occasionally sharp Christmas comedy starring Bryan Cranston and James Franco. It’s a film built on big personalities colliding, awkward-family-dinner energy, and jokes that range from genuinely funny to maybe we should’ve tried that one again . Loud, Crass, and…Pretty Fun Both of us enjoy Why Him?  for what it is. It’s not refined, it’s not subtle, and it’s definitely not going for timeless holiday-classic status, but when it hits, it hits. Cranston plays frazzled dad energy to perfection, Franco leans all the way into his eccentric tech-bro persona, and their clashing worlds make for some solid comedic sparks. That said, the movie never quite reaches its full potential. Who’s the Main Character Again in Why Him? One of our biggest sticking points is how unfocused the movie can feel. The perspective keeps shifting, sometimes it’s Cranston’s film, sometimes it’s Franco’s, sometimes it’s the daughter’s, and that split focus keeps the movie from building bigger, stronger comedic set pieces. The film feels like it’s almost  a great studio comedy, but doesn’t fully commit to the kind of memorable sequences that make the genre shine. A Sitcom Waiting to Happen As we talked about on the episode, Why Him?  occasionally feels like a pitch for a sitcom or streaming comedy series. The dynamic works. The characters work. The setup works. It just needs more room, more time to breathe, more buildup to jokes, more space for the comedy to naturally escalate. In another universe, there’s a version of Why Him?  that lasts six seasons on network TV, complete with holiday-themed episodes every December. A Holiday Watch Worth Considering Still, even with the missed opportunities, this is a perfectly enjoyable holiday movie. It's loud, flawed, but fun enough to toss on while you’re wrapping presents or baking cookies. If you like your Christmas comedies messy but spirited, Why Him?  fits the bill. Check out the full episode , available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube. A guilty pleasure? A missed opportunity? Honestly… a little of both. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

This week on  Forgotten Cinema: Now Showing , we're closing out our Benoit Blanc journey with  Wake Up Dead Man   and we're not alone! We're joined by a very special guest: Steven Bernstein | Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Author and more! Is Wake Up Dead Man the Strongest Entry in the Trilogy? We all agree that  Wake Up Dead Man  is the strongest film in the  Knives Out  trilogy. While Butler still holds the original  Knives Out  as his personal favorite, he argues that  Wake Up Dead Man  is far more confident in its mystery. The film avoids the distracting mid-film structural twist that plagued  Glass Onion  and finally allows Benoit Blanc to grow as a character, rather than leaning into caricature. Character vs. Mystery Steven praises the film primarily for its character work, even while acknowledging that some performances drift a little too far into farce. The notable exception is Josh O’Connor, whose performance stands out as grounded, compelling, and emotionally honest. Butler, meanwhile, responds more strongly to the film’s narrative discipline, appreciating how the mystery unfolds organically without relying on gimmicks or artificial misdirection. One thing everyone agrees on:  Glass Onion  remains the weakest entry in the trilogy by a wide margin. A Thoughtful End to the Journey With a guest perspective rooted in filmmaking craft and storytelling discipline, Field and Butler dig deeper into what makes a mystery truly work.  Wake Up Dead Man  feels like the series finally firing on all cylinders, confident, character-driven, and focused on the fundamentals of great mystery storytelling. About Our Guest: Steven Bernstein Steven Bernstein is a writer, director, and cinematographer whose career spans film, television, and literature. As a cinematographer, he has worked on acclaimed films such as  Monster ,  Like Water for Chocolate , and  Scary Movie 2 , bringing a distinct visual voice to each project. As a director and writer, his work often explores character, atmosphere, and the intersection of genre and humanity. Beyond film, Bernstein is also an accomplished author, expanding his storytelling into prose and nonfiction. His perspective on  Wake Up Dead Man  adds a thoughtful, craft-focused layer to the discussion, especially when it comes to character, tone, and narrative confidence. Catch the full conversation in the latest episode of  Forgotten Cinema: Now Showing , available now on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, we got around to shooting another short film! Woohoo! Check out our latest attempt at situational comedy. It's Forgotten Cinema: The Sitcom (with new opening) Field has suffered an ACL injury, which gives him the perfect excuse to pretend he's in the move, Rear Window. Except Butler prefers Disturbia...so there's some trouble. Check out Rear Disturbia now! Check out our latest episode: Reindeer Games! Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

Reindeer Games  (2000) – Snowy Noir, Dumb Decisions This week on Forgotten Cinema , we’re cracking open Reindeer Games (2000) , the late-’90s/early-2000s crime thriller that lives firmly in the “fine… but flawed” zone. Both of us agree this one is watchable, but only just. On paper, Reindeer Games  has the makings of a solid noir-inspired thriller: a snowy setting, a hardened criminal underworld, double-crosses, and a Christmas-time backdrop that gives it a slightly off-kilter vibe. Unfortunately, once the plot gets moving, it starts to unravel almost immediately. When the Logic Melts Faster Than the Snow The biggest issue? The story relies on nearly everyone involved making incredibly frustrating decisions. Ben Affleck’s Rudy/Nick and Gary Sinise’s villain spend most of the movie zigging when any rational person would zag. The central twist, revealing who’s really pulling the strings, only makes things worse, hinging on an absurd level of coincidence, luck, and perfect timing to work at all. It’s the kind of thriller where the more you think about it, the faster it collapses. Style Doing the Heavy Lifting And yet… it’s not unwatchable. The performances help keep things afloat, and the movie’s sheer ridiculousness becomes part of its strange charm. Director John Frankenheimer’s noir sensibilities, the icy visuals, and the hard-boiled attitude give Reindeer Games  a vibe that’s honestly more enjoyable than the script deserves. There’s something about snow-covered crime stories that just works, even when the plotting doesn’t. A Messy Curio From Its Era At the end of the day, Reindeer Games  never quite comes together as a smart thriller. But it's a curious artifact from its time: slick, misguided, overconfident, and oddly compelling if your expectations are properly lowered. Set the bar low, enjoy the vibe, and try not to think too hard about the plan. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

As part of our ongoing Knives Out Lead Up Series , we revisit Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery  (2022) , Rian Johnson’s star-studded sequel to his hit whodunit. But unlike our enthusiastic response to Knives Out  (2019) , this episode of Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up  takes a deeper, more critical look at why Glass Onion  doesn’t quite hold together and why the film continues to divide audiences. Butler’s Perspective: Why Glass Onion Misses the Mark For Butler, this rewatch confirmed his biggest takeaways: Glass Onion just doesn’t work. He breaks down why he believes Knives Out  is the only  Rian Johnson film he genuinely enjoys. His issues include: Cartoonish, unlikable characters that feel exaggerated rather than grounded Heavy-handed social commentary that distracts instead of deepening the narrative A surprisingly thin mystery, where tension evaporates instead of building A mid-film twist that falls flat, stopping the story instead of enriching it A pandemic-era setting that already feels dated and gimmicky To Butler, Glass Onion  is a stylish but hollow mystery that sacrifices nuance for noise. Field’s Take: Fun, Flashy… and Still Flawed While Field enjoys Glass Onion  more, possibly even more than Knives Out , he still acknowledges many of Butler’s criticisms. Field highlights: A cast that’s fun to watch, even when the characters feel broad A playful tone that makes the film entertaining but less structurally sound Plot twists that seem clever on paper, but don’t always land A mystery that lacks the tight construction of the first Benoit Blanc case Field sees the movie’s charm but admits it doesn’t craft as strong a whodunit as the original Knives Out . Where Glass Onion  Works and Where It Falls Apart In this Forgotten Cinema  Lead Up episode, we also break down: The strengths of Rian Johnson’s writing The weaknesses of Glass Onion’s mystery structure Daniel Craig’s evolving performance as Benoit Blanc Why the satire feels louder but less meaningful How the sequel sets the stage for Wake Up Dead Man Does the sequel deepen the Benoit Blanc universe… or dilute it?

Brotherhood, Bullets, and a Whole Lot of Chaos This week on Forgotten Cinema , we’re heading back to the gritty mid-2000s for Four Brothers  (2005) , John Singleton’s revenge-driven action drama about family, loyalty, and a whole lot of gunfire. It’s a film packed with attitude, big performances, and that unmistakable early-aughts energy, whether you think that’s a good thing or not depends on which Mike you ask. The Nostalgia Factor Butler has a soft spot for this one. Some of that comes from nostalgia, those mid-2000s gritty, street-level action movies hit a certain way, but a lot of it comes from the fact that Four Brothers  still has a messy charm that works. The brother dynamics feel alive, the energy is there, and the film commits to its rough-edged style in a way that’s kind of endearing. It’s loud, chaotic, and sometimes ridiculous, but when it lands, it lands exactly how it intends to. Field Isn’t Sold Field, on the other hand, isn’t fully on board. Mark Wahlberg’s improvisational approach doesn’t do much for him, the action feels too over-the-top to maintain any suspension of disbelief, and the dramatic beats don’t hit hard enough to justify the film’s intensity. For him, the movie’s blend of tones—crime thriller, family drama, vigilante action flick—never fully gels. The Ejiofor Effect But there is  one thing we absolutely agree on: Chiwetel Ejiofor is phenomenal. Every scene he appears in gets an instant bump in tension, charisma, and credibility. His grounded menace feels like it wandered in from a more serious film, in the best possible way. He elevates the entire story and gives the movie a villain it genuinely needed. Four Brothers | A Gritty Throwback or a Chaotic Mash-Up? At the end of the day, Four Brothers  sits in that interesting place between gritty throwback and chaotic tone experiment. There’s plenty to appreciate, especially if you lived through or loved that era of action movies, but there’s just as much to critique. Whether you think it’s a rough-and-tumble gem or a tonal misfire, one thing’s for sure: this brotherhood doesn’t go quietly. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

Revisiting Knives Out  (2019) | Lead Up Before Wake Up Dead Man   hits theaters, we're sharpening our detective skills and diving back into Rian Johnson’s modern mystery masterpiece: Knives Out  (2019). As part of our Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up Series, we revisit this clever and stylish whodunit that revived the murder mystery genre for a new generation. While we both enjoy the film, Butler is the bigger fan, which is especially surprising considering he’s not usually on board with Johnson’s other work. But Knives Out  wins him over with its razor-sharp script, perfectly structured mystery, and an ensemble cast that brings the chaos of the Thrombey family to life. In this episode, we discuss: Rian Johnson’s brilliant subversion of mystery tropes and Agatha Christie influences Daniel Craig’s unforgettable turn as gentleman detective Benoit Blanc Ana de Armas’s heartfelt performance that grounds the story in empathy The film’s commentary on class, privilege, and morality beneath all the twists and humor Why Knives Out  still stands as the sharpest and most balanced entry in the growing series As we gear up for Wake Up Dead Man , we explore how Knives Out  sets the tone for this ongoing mystery universe and why this first entry remains a cut above the rest. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links

This week on Forgotten Cinema , we’re clocking in with The Intern (2015) , Nancy Meyers’ warm-hearted comedy starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It’s one of those studio films that wears its sincerity proudly and somehow makes that sincerity work. A Feel-Good Movie That Earns the Feeling Both of us really enjoy this one. Yes, it’s sweet, uplifting, and maybe even a touch too saccharin at times, but it nails exactly the tone it’s going for. De Niro and Hathaway have genuinely fantastic chemistry, balancing each other’s energy in a way that feels effortless. The film’s cozy, steady vibe makes it one of the more pleasant, easygoing studio comedies of the 2010s, something Hollywood doesn’t make all that often anymore. When the Drama Clocked In Early We do talk about the stretch of drama that arrives around the film’s midpoint. It feels out of place, forced, overly Hollywood, and a bit counterproductive to Hathaway’s otherwise strong character arc. The movie doesn’t fully earn that detour, and by the time it wraps up, it slightly undercuts some of the things it was doing so well. But at the same time… it’s Nancy Meyers. It’s an uplifting story about mentorship, connection, and rediscovering purpose at any age. And when a film is this earnest and this charming, it’s easier to forgive the bumps in the script. The Intern: A Comfort Movie Done Right At the end of the day, The Intern  is exactly what it sets out to be: a comforting, pleasant, feel-good film that doesn’t apologize for wanting to make you smile. De Niro and Hathaway shine, the tone is soothing, and the message lands with surprising warmth. Sometimes “feel-good” is exactly what we need. 🎧 Listen to our full discussion on The Intern . Available on all podcast platforms and YouTube. Spotify  | Apple Podcasts  | Amazon Music  | More Links