Our Hero De Niro

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 ma...

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...

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 Expect...

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...

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...

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 Foll...

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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com, 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

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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 tr...

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 Interstell...

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 @mik...

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 @miketh...

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.

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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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:

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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:

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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.

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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 episo...

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.

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!

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...

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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Next week: Mid

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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Next week: The Good

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...

In this episode, the Mikes descend into the smoky, saxophone-laced world of Angel Heart, a Southern Gothic neo-noir starring Mickey Rourke as a weary private eye and Robert De Niro as his mysterious client. They unpack the film's surreal horror, slow-burn twist, and vibes-over-plot aesthetic—while also admitting how much of it they missed on first watch. Plus: chicken phobias, Old Bay cocktails, and the largest vat of gumbo in cinema history.   Wikipedia page for Angel Heart.   Films recommended this episode: The Exorcist III Chinatown Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Nex...

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike discuss Sleepers, Barry Levinson's harrowing legal drama about four childhood friends whose lives are forever changed after a traumatic stint in juvenile detention. With one of Robert De Niro's most quietly powerful performances as Father Bobby, the hosts explore the film's emotional weight, its ambitious narrative structure, and its moral complexity. They also reflect on courtroom tropes, John Williams' sweeping score, and whether this is the best De Niro performance they've seen so far.   Wikipedia page for Sleepers.   Films recommended this episode: Nickel Boys Fargo Follow Mike and Mike on Le...

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike unpack The Fan, Tony Scott's frenetic psychological thriller starring Robert De Niro as a deranged baseball obsessive and Wesley Snipes as the all-star outfielder who becomes his target. They explore the film's over-the-top style, De Niro's intense performance, and the movie's commentary on sports fandom gone awry. Plus: knife talk, Nine Inch Nails, and the long-lost art of being served legal papers at a motel.   Wikipedia page for The Fan.   Films recommended this episode: Crimson Tide Field of Dreams Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email th...

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike suffer through The Bag Man, a forgotten neo-noir trainwreck starring John Cusack as a sad hitman and Robert De Niro as a villain with puffy hair. In a listener-inspired experiment, the hosts swap roles—one going full smooth-brain, the other overanalyzing a movie that gives them nothing to work with. Along the way: Blade connections, bad ADR, and the worst motel staff in cinema history.   Wikipedia page for The Bag Man.   Films recommended this episode: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans Drive Follow Mike and Mike on Letterb...

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike reluctantly hunt down Killing Season—a grim, bafflingly dull two-hander starring Robert De Niro and John Travolta as war-scarred men locked in a nonsensical game of vengeance. They dissect the film's hideous color grading, inconsistent geography, and the worst De Niro performance in the podcast so far. Along the way: Jägermeister shots, nature stock footage, and a special challenge for the hosts.   Wikipedia page for Killing Season.   Films recommended this episode: First Blood A History of Violence Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourh...

For their 20th episode, Mike and Mike take a break from De Niro recaps to reflect on how the podcast has evolved, which episodes and performances stood out, and what it means to be a citizen of De Niro Nation. They revisit favorite (and least favorite) films, compare their average ratings, and answer listener questions ranging from movie theater economics to how De Niro will be remembered. Grab an ice-cold brewski and come along for the ride.

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In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike are joined by special guest Caroline for a chaotic literary dive into Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein—a lavish, dizzyingly shot adaptation starring Robert De Niro as the world's most eloquent monster. The trio unpacks the film's tonal whiplash, Rube Goldberg resurrection machines, and De Niro's first full-frontal appearance.   Wikipedia page for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.   Films recommended this episode: Bram Stoker's Dracula Megalopolis Crimson Peak Poor Things Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Next week: Killing Season

This week, the Mikes tackle The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Robert De Niro's passion project turned historic box office bomb. They debate the film's baffling tone, questionable CGI, and surprisingly stacked cast. One Mike is charmed while the other is not. It's an episode that's for the birds.   Wikipedia page for The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.   Films recommended this episode: Manchester By The Sea The Emperor's New Groove Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyouand @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Next week: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein   Supplemental Link: One of Mike's gross toe videos

In this week's episode, the Mikes mop up the mess that is Joy, David O. Russell's quirky biopic starring Jennifer Lawrence as the inventor of the self-wringing Miracle Mop. They question whether the film's tone ever catches up to its content, reflect on why I Heart Huckabees succeeds where Joy stumbles, and spiral into a rant about the 2015 Point Break remake.   Wikipedia page for Joy.   Films recommended this episode: Three Kings I Heart Huckabees Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Next week: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle   Supplemental Link: Point Break (2015)

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike take on Marvin's Room, a schmaltzy 90s drama with an all-star cast—Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert De Niro as the goofy Dr. Wally. The Mikes unpack the film's, big actor moments, Lifetime movie aesthetic, and whether or not it made them cry.   Wikipedia page for Marvin's Room.   Film recommended this episode: The Rainmaker Titanic Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.

Next week: Joy

On this episode, Mike and Mike discuss 1971's The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, a mafia slapstick starring Jerry Orbach, Leigh Taylor-Young, and a young Robert De Niro as a kleptomaniac cyclist-turned-fake-priest. The hosts discuss mafia nicknames, lion abuse, and the film's baffling attempt at satire.   Wikipedia page for The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.   Film recommended this episode: The French Connection The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.

Next week: Marvin's Room   Supplemental link: ASMR Mukbang Eating 10 Foods

This week, Mike and Mike watch The Score (2001), a heist film starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett, and Marlon Brando in his final role. The Mikes dive into Frank Oz's directorial career, debate the film's ending, and assess whether this forgotten caper deserves more love.

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro, Mike and Mike relive the comedic chaos of Meet the Parents (2000). They unpack De Niro's expert face-acting, Stiller's ever-worsening luck, and the movie's most absurd moments. Along the way, they question Greg Focker's life choices and how they'd react in his situation.   Wikipedia page for Meet the Parents.   Film recommended this episode: Tropic Thunder Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.

Next week: The Score

We dive into The Alto Knights, where Robert De Niro pulls double duty as feuding mobsters Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. From clunky narration to chaotic editing, we unpack this curious late-career entry and reflect on dual De Niros and the modern theatergoing experience.   Wikipedia page for The Alto Knights.   Film recommended this episode: Hell or High Water Zodiac Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com.

Next week: Meet The Parents