Our Hero De Niro

This week, the Mikes celebrate their 70th episode spectacular by stepping away from De Niro's filmography and diving into the weird, wonderful, and wildly inconsistent world of their own recommendations. We reflect on 100+ hours of podcasting, break down what our picks say about our tastes, and hand out awards for everything from best recommendation to biggest swing and miss—all while debating who's really been carrying the segment. Plus: hidden gems, questionable cocktails, and rapid-fire reviews.   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], check out their website ourherodeniro.com, and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Supplemental links: MikeBackAtYou's recommendations Mikethefab's recommendations MikeBackAtYou's "2026 Ranked" list Mikethefab's "2026 Ranked" list   Next week: Listener Mail 2

This week, the Mikes dig into Sam's Song, an early De Niro curio that feels less like a movie and more like a meandering time capsule. We unpack the film's loose, post-college drift, its hazy late-'60s energy, and De Niro's glimpse of charisma before the legend fully formed. Along the way, we debate whether the movie is quietly introspective or simply a "big fat nothing burger," and where it lands on our rating scales. Plus: horoscope detours, existential wandering, and the philosophical difference between a bad movie and a boring one.   Wikipedia page for Sam's Song.   Films recommended this episode:   Southland Tales Following   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: 70th Episode Spectacular   Supplemental Links: MikeBackAtYou's film recommendations Mikethefab's film recommendations

This week, the Mikes dig into This Boy's Life, a coming-of-age drama about survival, identity, and the quiet brutality of growing up in an abusive household. We break down De Niro's chilling turn as a small, insecure tyrant, Leonardo DiCaprio's breakout performance, and why the film's restrained, workmanlike direction both strengthens and limits its emotional impact. Plus: where this ranks among De Niro's most unsettling roles, age-gap discourse, and introducing The New Pussy Posse™.   Wikipedia page for This Boy's Life.   Films recommended this episode:   Moonlight True Grit   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: Sam's Song

This week, the Mikes dig into Jacknife, a small-scale character drama about friendship, trauma, and the lingering wounds of Vietnam. We break down De Niro's volatile performance as a haunted veteran, Ed Harris's quiet restraint, and how the film navigates survivor's guilt without tipping fully into melodrama. We debate whether its made-for-TV aesthetics undercut the emotional weight, and talk through the uneasy love triangle at the heart of the story. Plus: Vietnam War nicknames, coffee talk, and an unusual discussion about soups.   Wikipedia page for Jacknife.   Films recommended this episode:   Dead Presidents Oh, Canada   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: This Boy's Life

This week, the Mikes turn their attention to Red Lights, a twisty supernatural thriller where skeptics and believers collide. We dig into De Niro's enigmatic performance, the stacked cast (including Sigourney Weaver and Cillian Murphy), and why the film's over-the-top seriousness makes it both ridiculous and weirdly watchable. Plus: seance chaos, melodrama on a mythic scale, and why sometimes a movie is more fun when it doesn't make sense.   Wikipedia page for Red Lights.   Films recommended this episode:   Unbreakable The Silence of the Lambs   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: Jacknife

This week, the Mikes wade into Amsterdam, David O. Russell's star-studded, genre-bending mystery that's equal parts screwball caper and political thriller. We try to untangle the plot, size up a loaded cast that ranges from Margot Robbie to Mike Myers, and dig into the film's muddled tone. Along the way, we debate the effectiveness of the film's fascism satire, get sidetracked by our love of walkable cities, and try to make sense of John David Washington's charisma vacuum.   Wikipedia page for Amsterdam.   Films recommended this episode:   Michael Clayton The Grand Budapest Hotel   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MIkeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: Red Lights

This week, the Mikes dig into Goodfellas, Scorsese's breakneck mob classic about ambition, betrayal, and the price of chasing the American Dream. We break down Ray Liotta's wild ride as Henry Hill, De Niro's effortless menace, and Pesci's unhinged volatility, all wrapped in the film's propulsive style. Plus: unforgettable needle drops, paranoid montages, and a debate about method acting.   Wikipedia page for Goodfellas.   Films recommended this episode:   Carlito's Way The Wolf of Wall Street   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MIkeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: Amsterdam

This week, the Mikes dig into Mad Dog and Glory, a tonal Frankenstein that tries to mash together a gangster movie and a romantic comedy, with mixed results. We break down De Niro's awkwardly gentle performance, Bill Murray's scene‑hijacking mob boss, and why the movie never quite figures out what it wants to be. Plus: the risks of casting against type, why quirk can't save weak character work, and how this movie ends up feeling stranger than it probably intended.   Wikipedia page for Mad Dog and Glory.   Films recommended this episode:   Payback True Romance   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MIkeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: Goodfellas

This week, the Mikes rank all ten Best Picture nominees from the 98th Academy Awards, breaking down what worked, what baffled us, and what absolutely does not deserve the gold statue. We debate surprise favorites, aggressively fine middle-of-the-pack picks, and the films that sparked the most heated disagreement. From intimate character studies to bloated prestige epics, we talk performances, endings, rewatchability, and whether the Academy actually got it right this year. Plus: bold predictions, shifting rankings in real time, and a few takes that may age very poorly by Oscar night.   Films reviewed this episode: Bugonia F1: The Movie Frankenstein Hamnet Marty Supreme One Battle After Another The Secret Agent Sentimental Value Sinners Train Dreams   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MIkeBackAtYou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro.   Next week: Mad Dog and Glory  

This week, the Mikes welcome Caroline back to the pod for a deep dive into The War with Grandpa, De Niro's foray into kid-friendly slapstick. We break down the intergenerational prank war, assess De Niro's comedic chops, and debate whether the film's hijinks and heart really work for adults. Plus: a spirited debate between the Mikes over episode format, and an interview with Caroline exploring how the movie stacks up against the original novel.   Wikipedia page for The War with Grandpa.   Films recommended this episode:   Speed Racer Lady Bird A Town Called Panic   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Mad Dog and Glory

This week, the Mikes celebrate their 60th episode by diving into De Niro's three turns as Saturday Night Live host. We break down De Niro's evolving approach to sketch comedy, the highs and lows of his monologues, and what happens when a legendary dramatic actor steps into the chaos of live TV. Plus: a nostalgic look back at the 2000s, more lore about the Mikes, and a spirited debate about the best (and most awkward) sketches across the years.   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: The War with Grandpa

This week, the Mikes dig into Heat, Michael Mann's legendary crime epic about obsession, professionalism, and the thin line between cop and criminal. We break down De Niro's icy cool, Pacino's volcanic energy, and the iconic heist sequence that changed action movies forever. Plus: the film's electric LA atmosphere, why every supporting character feels essential, and and the secret art of never getting attached to anything you can't walk out on in thirty seconds flat.   Wikipedia page for Heat.   Films recommended this episode:   Alien 3 (Assembly Cut) Manhunter   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: 60th Episode Spectacular   Supplemental links: L.A. Takedown on Youtube Heat 2

This week, the Mikes dig into Hide and Seek, a 2005 psychological thriller with De Niro as a therapist dad who moves upstate with his daughter, only to get lost in a parade of creepy neighbors, endless red herrings, and Dakota Fanning's unsettling imaginary friend. We break down the film's weird small-town energy, De Niro's unusually sleepy performance, and why every supporting character seems suspicious for no reason. Plus: therapist mansion economics, a heated bath vs. shower debate, and why even a solid twist can't save a movie where so little actually happens.   Wikipedia page for Hide and Seek.   Films recommended this episode:   Cure The Weather Man   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Heat   Supplemental link: Sir Wallace sitting on MikeBackAtYou

The Mikes tackle Ronin, John Frankenheimer's slick Euro-thriller about mercenaries, double-crosses, and the ultimate briefcase MacGuffin. We get into De Niro's icy calm, the pulse-pounding car chases, and what makes this one of the tightest action films of the '90s. Plus: international intrigue, the art of the ambiguous ending, and why Sean Bean should never be trusted with a mission.   Wikipedia page for Ronin.   Films recommended this episode:   The Day of the Jackal Baby Driver   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Hide and Seek   Supplemental link: Quirk Chungus

This week, the Mikes head to the Bronx for De Niro's directorial debut—a coming-of-age tale about loyalty, family, and the tough choices that shape a young man's life. We break down Chazz Palminteri's scene-stealing turn as Sonny, De Niro's restrained performance as Lorenzo, and how the film balances neighborhood grit with nostalgia. Plus: father-son dynamics, the art of the door test, and the enduring question—should you trust the wiseguys at your corner bar?   Wikipedia page for A Bronx Tale.   Films recommended this episode: Do The Right Thing The Sopranos (pilot episode)   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Ronin

This week on All Mike'd Up, the Mikes are joined by friend of the pod Philip (a.k.a. "Lips") for a chaotic new segment—Pizza Takes. What started as a throwaway bit about controversial pizza opinions spirals into an all-out debate over whether "all pizza is the same," the ethics of pink sauce, and the fine art of choosing the right size pie. We break down Philip's notorious take, argue about toppings, and end up with free pizza thanks to a classic podcast bickering session. Email us your own pizza opinions at [email protected] and help settle the score.

This week, the Mikes are joined by their friend (and real-life therapist) Philip, aka "Lips," for a spirited dive into Analyze This, Harold Ramis's oddball 1999 mob comedy. We break down De Niro's sendup of his tough-guy persona, Billy Crystal's exasperated straight man, and why this mafia-meets-therapy premise feels both inspired and a little uneven. Plus: the real-life therapist verdict on cinematic therapy,  boner talk, and omertà versus HIPAA.   Wikipedia page for Analyze This.   Films recommended this episode: The Ice Harvest National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Mary Poppins   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: A Bronx Tale

This week, the Mikes dive into City by the Sea, a somber crime drama that finds De Niro playing a haunted detective wrestling with the sins of both his past and his present. We unpack the film's gritty Long Beach setting, its exploration of fractured father-son relationships, and De Niro's layered performance as a man caught between duty and regret. Along the way, we debate the film's true-crime roots, discuss why the third act goes full melodrama, and wonder if this forgotten early-2000s thriller deserves a second look. Plus: discussions about cancel culture, child abandonment, and local malls.   Wikipedia page for City by the Sea.   Films recommended this episode: Blue Ruin Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Analyze This   Supplemental link: The Mall at Greece Ridge Mikethefab after being hit by a football

In this special episode, we take a look back at the films that shaped our 2025 movie year—not just the new releases, but everything we watched, discovered, and debated over the past twelve months. From first-time viewings of classics like Chinatown and Back to the Future to rewatches, hidden gems, and the movies that had us completely divided, we walk through our personal superlatives: Best Ending, Most Overrated, and the "aggressively fine" entries that defined the middle of the pack. Along the way, we spotlight standout performances, dissect memorable moments, and reminisce about the films that lingered in our minds. We also crunch the numbers on our viewing stats, reveal just how many movies we tackled for the first time, and talk about the trends that emerged in our watchlists. Whether we're reflecting on unexpected favorites, revisiting movies that didn't quite live up to their hype, or planning what we want to explore in 2026, this episode is both a celebration and an honest reckoning with our year in film. If you're looking for recommendations, hot takes, or simply want to relive the highs and lows of a true cinephile's year, you'll find it all here. Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected]. Next week: City by the Sea

In this episode of All Mike'd Up, the Mikes share their mostly spoiler-free thoughts on Avatar: Fire and Ash and Marty Supreme. The first half is a therapy session about the Avatar franchise's endless spectacle—commiserating over 3D glasses, video game visuals, and the unique fatigue that comes with three-hour blockbusters. The guys discuss whether any of these films offer more than three-and-a-half stars, debate the design choices behind the Na'vi, and reflect on the strange evolution of event filmmaking in 2025.   Then it's on to Marty Supreme, with comparisons to Uncut Gems, a ranking of Safdie favorites, and a deep dive into what makes the ending so memorable—without giving too much away. There's talk of needle drops, long-lens cinematography, and character actors, plus a surprisingly heartfelt look at aging, nostalgia, and what it means to be a main character. Expect plenty of takes, tangents, and enough existential reflection to get you through your next three-hour movie.

This week, the Mikes tackle New Year's Eve, the star-studded holiday ensemble that crams a dizzying number of plotlines into one glitzy Times Square countdown. We break down De Niro's limited but heartfelt role, compare the chaos of intertwining stories, and debate the film's place among other holiday rom-coms. Plus: reflections on overstuffed casts, manufactured sentiment, and the strange appeal of annual event movies.   Plus: ranking all eight plot lines, and reminiscing about the music of Bon Jovi.   Wikipedia page for New Year's Eve.   Films recommended this episode: Strange Days Watchmen Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: City by the Sea

This week, the Mikes dig into Falling In Love, a restrained romantic drama about two married New Yorkers whose chance encounter sparks a slow-burn affair. We break down De Niro's everyman turn, Streep's reserved vulnerability, and how the movie's winter-in-the-city melancholy is both its biggest strength and its most frustrating weakness. Plus: Christmas nostalgia, department store meet-cutes, and debating whether emotional restraint is romantic or just cold.   Wikipedia page for Falling In Love.   Films recommended this episode: Sideways The Holdovers Past Lives Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: New Year's Eve

This week, the Mikes roll out the red carpet for The Roberts, our first annual award show dedicated to the highs, lows, and wildest moments of De Niro's filmography. We reflect on a year of weekly deep dives, debating our favorite films, biggest disappointments, and the performance that left us in awe. The ceremony is packed with categories like Best Co-Star Chemistry, Weirdest Plot Twist, and Most Quotable Line—plus, plenty of lovingly petty arguments, inside jokes, and a few touching moments as we look back on what the podcast means to us.   Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Falling in Love

This week, the Mikes dig into One Hundred and One Nights, Agnès Varda's kaleidoscopic tribute to cinema history, where film references, cameos, and absurdist humor collide in a French countryside mansion. We break down the movie's campy love letter approach, the visual pleasures of its dreamy vignettes, and De Niro's blink-and-you-miss-him French cameo. Plus: grappling with foreign film blind spots, Letterboxd country stats, and the eternal question—does anyone actually know how to pronounce Marcello Mastroianni?   Wikipedia page for One Hundred and One Nights.   Films recommended this episode: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai The Truman Show Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: 50th Episode Spectacular   Supplemental link: Caroline's movie venn diagram

This week, the Mikes take on What Just Happened, Barry Levinson's sharp-edged Hollywood satire about a producer (De Niro) whose life is unraveling faster than his latest movie. We break down De Niro's world-weary performance, the movie's real-life cameos, and the absurdities of test screenings, bad scripts, and on-set meltdowns.   We also introduce "Car Talk," our brand-new segment on the cars of De Niro Nation. From the symbolism of De Niro's Porsche to our own misadventures in used car shopping, we examine why car choice is the ultimate window into midlife, masculinity, and social aspiration. If you've ever tried to manifest an outdoorsy lifestyle by buying the wrong car, this one's for you.   Wikipedia page for What Just Happened.   Films recommended this episode: Adaptation Conclave Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram @ourherodeniro.   Next week: One Hundred and One Nights

This week, the Mikes trudge through Born to Win, a 1971 New York "crime thriller" that can't decide if it's a gritty character study, a screwball comedy, or just a parade of bad decisions. We break down George Segal's wandering antihero, Karen Black's chaotic love interest, and a very young Robert De Niro as a cop with great hair and about three scenes.   We debate whether the movie's jumbled tone ever really works, and swap war stories about watching it on Pluto TV versus public domain rips. Plus: our shared hatred of turkey, the existential misery of subtitles, and why every 70s movie feels like a cautionary tale about audio quality.   Wikipedia page for Born to Win.   Films recommended this episode: Good Time Uncut Gems Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram @ourherodeniro.   Next week: What Just Happened

We're joined by special guest Caroline to unpack Alfonso Cuarón's visually lush, wildly stylized take on Dickens. Ethan Hawke broods, Gwyneth Paltrow floats, and De Niro lurks in the shadows of 90s Florida—while we debate whether any of it actually works as a story.   We break down the film's hypnotic direction, discuss why the character motivations are so confusing, and argue over whether this is a bold reinvention or a beautiful mess. By the end, we're not sure if we watched a coming-of-age romance or just a two-hour fever dream with great art direction.   Wikipedia page for Great Expectations.   Films recommended this episode: Pride & Prejudice The Age of Innocence Challengers Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram @ourherodeniro.   Next week: Born to Win

We dive under the sea for Mikethefab's birthday with Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo—an enchanting, aquatic fairy tale about childhood wonder, magical chaos, and the world's bravest little goldfish.   We explore what makes Ponyo such a singular Studio Ghibli experience, debate whether its dream logic delights or frustrates, and revisit the question of how children's animation speaks to grown-ups. Along the way, we interview Mike's daughter Nora for her expert take on the film, and answer listener mail from the citizens of De Niro Nation, making this our most wholesome episode yet.   Wikipedia page for Ponyo.   Films recommended this episode: Redline Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram @ourherodeniro.   Next week: Great Expectations   Supplemental links: Mikethefab's cologne: L'Homme MikeBackAtYou's cologne: Ombré Leather

Robert De Niro trades mobsters for punchlines in Taylor Hackford's The Comedian—a movie about an aging insult comic who just can't stop burning every bridge in his life, no matter how many second chances he gets.   We break down De Niro's passionate but polarizing performance, debate whether the film's crass, mean-spirited tone is intentional or just misguided, and try to figure out if there's anything redeeming about a story where bad behavior keeps getting rewarded. Along the way, we get lost in tangents about viral memes, USA Network aesthetics, and our shared distaste for bad fake driving shots.   Wikipedia page for The Comedian.   Films recommended this episode: The Devil's Advocate Endorphin Port Stand Up Solutions Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Mikethefab's Mystery Birthday Pick

We lock in for Stone, a bleak, small-budget crime thriller starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton (in cornrows), and Milla Jovovich. This week, we try to make sense of a film that aims for brooding ambiguity but mostly delivers muddled themes, flat visuals, and characters that are more confusing than compelling. We break down the strange tonal mix and wrestle with the movie's attempts at "big ideas" about guilt, religion, and personal change. Plus: "God's tuning fork," local connections to the film, and the world's worst parole officer.   Wikipedia page for Stone.   Films recommended this episode: Nocturnal Animals American Beauty Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: The Comedian   Supplemental Link: MikeBackAtYou's "90s Hip Hop Classics" Playlist

This week, the Mikes dig into Stanley & Iris, a quietly compassionate drama about two ordinary people navigating hardship, loneliness, and unexpected friendship. We break down De Niro's understated performance, Fonda's grounded presence, and how the movie's gentle approach to big themes both charms and frustrates. Plus: early-90s nostalgia, the perils of teenage pregnancy, and developing the new seduction playbook.   Wikipedia page for Stanley & Iris.   Films recommended this episode: Lars and the Real Girl Edward Scissorhands Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram @ourherodeniro.   Next week: Stone

In this episode, we take on Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, dissecting its epic scope, staggering performances, and the haunting true story behind the Osage murders. We unpack Leonardo DiCaprio's unsettling turn, Lily Gladstone's standout presence, and Robert De Niro's chilling performance as William Hale. Plus: Digging into Scorsese's historical approach, the film's themes of complicity and power, and how it measures up against his past work.   Wikipedia page for Killers of the Flower Moon.   Films recommended this episode: Wind River No Country For Old Men Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram @ourherodeniro. Next week: Stanley & Iris

In this episode of All Mike'd Up, the Mikes double-feature The Smashing Machine and Tron: Ares, trading immediate post-movie reactions and Letterboxd scores. They spar over whether Safdie's wrestling biopic is a slow-burn character study or just another sports movie cliché, debating The Rock's prosthetics, the film's subdued drama, and how well the documentary-style visuals actually work. Switching to Tron: Ares, they talk IMAX spectacle, the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, and the franchise's chronic struggle to make anyone care about the Grid. Along the way: thrill ride heart rates, Radiohead analogies, and the ongoing search for a truly great legacy sequel.

We flip the switch on Christopher Nolan's Tenet, a time-bending thriller that's as audacious as it is divisive. For our 40th episode spectacular, we step away from De Niro to tackle one of our favorite modern blockbusters—a film we've defended since day one.   We dig into Tenet's ambitious sci-fi mechanics, its dense but economical storytelling, and how Nolan builds meaning through spectacle. Along the way, we highlight Hoyte van Hoytema's crisp IMAX visuals, Ludwig Göransson's propulsive score, and the film's big ideas about free will, identity, and inevitability.   Wikipedia page for Tenet.   Films recommended this episode: Miami Vice Interstellar Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro.   Next week: Killers of the Flower Moon   Supplemental link: Tenet Fight Scene Explained

On this episode, the Mikes break down Grudge Match, a sports comedy pitting Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone against each other as retired boxers dragged into a publicity-fueled rematch. They analyze the movie's attempts to balance heartfelt moments with slapstick, touching on whether the film earns its sentimentality or leans too heavily on its leads' legendary status. Plus: the Mikes' hypothetical walk-up songs, Gas Station TV, and the "Spot a Running Dodge Dart" challenge.   Wikipedia page for Grudge Match.   Films recommended this episode: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Click Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro.   Next week: 40th Episode Spectacular   Supplemental Link: Mike and Mike's 2019 Mo-Cap Costumes MikeBackAtYou's Walk-Up Songs: Legend Has It - Run The Jewels Send It Up - Kanye West If You Know You Know - Pusha T Mantra - Bring Me The Horizon Children of Sorrow - HEALTH Mikethefab's Walk-Up Songs: We Like to Party - Vengaboys Tubthumping - Chumbawumba Jump Around - House of Pain Pump Up the Jam - Technotronic Walkin' on the Sun - Smash Mouth Move Your Body - Eiffel 65 Tarzan Boy - Baltimora

This week on Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes break down Killer Elite, the globe-trotting action thriller where Jason Statham, Clive Owen, and Robert De Niro get tangled in a messy web of assassins, vendettas, and questionable politics. They discuss the film's convoluted plot, De Niro's limited but welcome screen time, and whether the action set pieces justify the runtime. Plus: chair fights, the limits of "based on a true story," and the return of the Blue-Ass Movie.    Wikipedia page for Killer Elite.   "Films" recommended this episode: The Transporter "Any episode of 24" Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro.   Next week: Grudge Match

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes take on New York, New York, Martin Scorsese's bold attempt to blend gritty postwar realism with old-Hollywood musical style. They dig into De Niro's performance as the charming but infuriating saxophonist Jimmy Doyle, the film's uneasy tone, and whether the visual grandeur justifies the runtime. Plus: Liza Minelli discourse, Scorsese's attitude during production, and whether or not the Mikes are jazz men. Wikipedia page for New York, New York.   Films recommended this episode: After Hours Inside Llewyn Davis Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro.   Next week: Killer Elite

In the second episode of All Mike'd Up, the Mikes dedicate the show to listener mail—reading and responding to letters from several friends of the pod. The discussion covers everything from movie rating philosophy and steak portion sizes to toxic masculinity and the challenges of translating Japanese film genres to the West. Along the way, they debate anonymity on the internet, nerd out over Paul Schrader's Mishima, and digress into personal Letterboxd rankings and the "vibes" factor in movie ratings.

For mikebackatyou's birthday, the Mikes break their randomizer rule and revisit The Matrix—the 1999 sci-fi revolution that changed how we watch movies. They unpack the film's iconic action sequences, bullet time effects, and the Wachowskis' fusion of philosophy and pop spectacle. Plus: The film's influence on action cinema, the iconic soundtrack, and what makes The Matrix endlessly rewatchable.   Wikipedia page for The Matrix.   Films recommended this episode: Ghost in The Shell 2001: A Space Odyssey Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: New York, New York   Supplemental Link: The Sator Square

This week on Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes take on Raging Bull—Martin Scorsese's brutal, black-and-white character study of boxer Jake LaMotta, played by Robert De Niro in one of his most iconic performances. They dig into the film's punishing tone, disorienting boxing cinematography, and the way it portrays violence as both performance and punishment. Plus: Paul Schrader appreciation, libertarian time machines, and a new challenge for the citizens of De Niro Nation. Wikipedia page for Raging Bull. Films recommended this episode: Foxcatcher Lenny Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro. Next week: The Matrix

This week on Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike are joined by their friend Andrew for a deep dive into Mean Streets, Scorsese's raw, Catholic guilt–soaked breakthrough and Robert De Niro's first iconic role as the chaotic Johnny Boy. Together, they discuss the film's wandering structure, evocative street-level style, and what it means to live with sin when absolution isn't coming. Plus: the nature of expressionism, needle drop overload, and Tyler Perry vs. Ernest Films. Wikipedia page for Mean Streets. Films recommended this episode: Bad Lieutenant The Godfather Empire Records Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro. Next week: Raging Bull Supplemental Link: MikeBackAtYou, Andrew, and Mikethefab Caroline's Mean Streets episode fan art

In the first episode of All Mike'd Up, Mike and Mike ditch De Niro and settle into a looser, anything-goes conversation. They read listener emails from friends of the pod, cover Shark Week memories, and discuss proper theme park bathroom etiquette. It's the podcast-within-a-podcast that's part catching up and part comedy free-for-all. Supplemental Link: Mikethefab's Seattle sushi dinner

This week on Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes dive into Guilty by Suspicion, a sobering drama about the Hollywood blacklist era, starring Robert De Niro as a principled director navigating loyalty, fear, and career collapse during the Red Scare. They examine the film's historical framing, De Niro's restrained performance, and how the story avoids big courtroom theatrics in favor of quieter moral tension. Plus: Breaking Bad montages, the war on TikTok brain rot, and whether or not the Mikes would flip during the Red Scare. Wikipedia page for Guilty by Suspicion. Films recommended this episode: Oppenheimer Hail, Caesar! Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd at @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, email them at [email protected], and follow them on Instagram at @ourherodeniro. Next week: Mean Streets Supplemental Links: MikeBackAtYou's 10 Best Films of the 21st Century Mikethefab's 10 Best Films of the 21st Century Chronol-Oppenheimer

This week on Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes discuss Men of Honor, the inspirational military drama starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Carl Brashear, the first Black U.S. Navy Master Diver, and Robert De Niro as his grizzled, racist-turned-mentor. They unpack the film's classic biopic formula, its effective performances, and the tension between its uplifting message and Hollywood gloss. Plus: inspirational yelling, underwater acting, and military racism as a fixable personality flaw. Wikipedia page for Men of Honor. Films recommended this episode: Ali Six Days Seven Nights Next week: Guilty by Suspicion

This week on Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike tackle Shark Tale, DreamWorks' aggressively early-2000s animated mob comedy where Robert De Niro voices a mafia shark and Will Smith plays a fast-talking fish with debts to pay. They unpack the film's wild tonal dissonance, endless pop culture references, and questionable audience—while asking: who exactly was this movie for? Plus: DreamWorks vs. Pixar, cursed animation choices, and the eternal mystery of how this thing made $375 million. Our Hero De Niro is now on Instagram @ourherodeniro! Wikipedia page for Shark Tale.   Films recommended this episode: Enemy of the State The Incredibles Next week: Men of Honor

It's our 30th episode, and we're breaking format to celebrate the citizens of De Niro Nation! We pop some beers and dive into your letters — responding to burning questions about De Niro's comedic chops, the accuracy of mental health portrayals in film, and which directors lost the plot after early success. One Mike surprises the other with a few unrehearsed "burning questions," and we both reflect on our favorite episodes so far. Also: comfort films, De Niro Multiverse Theory, and a surprise visit from Barack Obama.    Thank you to everyone who's been with us so far — and here's to the next 30. Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab, and email them at [email protected]. Next week: Shark Tale Supplemental Links: Zoey's Shark Tale fan art Chant by The Benedictine Monks A Bane Grindset TikTok

This week on Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes finally reach Midnight Run—one of De Niro's most beloved performances and a gold-standard buddy comedy. They celebrate the film's perfect casting, sharp script, and emotional core, while digging into what makes Jack Walsh and Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas such a compelling odd couple. Plus: train food, Danny Elfman discourse, and a lecture on inflation.   Wikipedia page for Midnight Run.   Films recommended this episode: Beverly Hills Cop Blue Collar Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Shark Tale

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes dig into The Good Shepherd, a somber, sprawling CIA origin story directed by Robert De Niro and starring Matt Damon as a buttoned-up spymaster slowly consumed by secrecy and sacrifice. They explore the film's bleak tone, dense plot, and De Niro's quiet hand as a director, while considering what the film reveals about institutional loyalty, paranoia, and post-9/11 storytelling.   Wikipedia page for The Good Shepherd.   Films recommended this episode: The Insider The Martian Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Midnight Run

This week, Mike and Mike are joined by returning guest Caroline for a deep dive into Wag the Dog, Barry Levinson's razor-sharp political satire about media manipulation and manufactured war. Together they unpack the film's uncanny relevance, its best one-liners, and the very weird energy of late-90s media cynicism. Plus: government interference, catchy patriotic jingles, and a whole lot of Albania talk.   Wikipedia page for Wag the Dog.   Films recommended this episode: The Death of Stalin Dr. Strangelove The Truman Show Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: The Good Shepherd

This week on Our Hero De Niro, the Mikes suffer through Arthur and the Minimoys (a.k.a. Arthur and the Invisibles), Luc Besson's baffling animated/live-action hybrid featuring a thousand-year-old princess, hideous elf creatures, and Robert De Niro as a pointy-eared king. They unpack the film's awkward visuals, Madonna's mind-numbing voice acting, and whether this is the worst De Niro performance by default. Plus: librariancore fashion, weeb tropes, and reminiscing about Freedom Fries.   Wikipedia page for Arthur and the Invisibles.   Films recommended this episode: Knuckles Bump in the Night Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected].   Next week: Wag the Dog