Our Hero De Niro

This week, the Mikes return to shark-infested waters for Land Shark , a special Shark Week act of penance after their infamous Shark Tale episode. We break down Mark Polonia's ultra-low-budget schlockfest, the paper-mache majesty of the land shark itself, and whether a movie this cheap can still have enough personality to justify its existence. Plus: the philosophy of bad-movie nights, surprisingl...

This week, the Mikes step into the ring with Hands of Stone , a biopic that tries to capture the rise of boxing legend Roberto Durán—and maybe a few too many other things along the way. We break down the film's rushed pacing, strong-but-underdeveloped performances, and how its "highlight reel" structure both helps and hurts the story. Plus: awkward editing choices, the challenge of covering an ent...

This week, the Mikes are joined by returning guest Philip (a.k.a. Lips) to dig into Bang the Drum Slowly , a melancholy baseball drama about friendship, mortality, and the quiet bonds formed inside a clubhouse. We break down Robert De Niro's early-career performance as doomed catcher Bruce Pearson, Michael Moriarty's understated narration, and why the film works better as a character study than a...

This week, the Mikes dig into Last Vegas , a glossy, late-career comedy about aging, friendship, and one last shot at feeling young again. We break down Robert De Niro's grieving widower, Michael Douglas's midlife (late-life?) crisis engagement, and how the film juggles four leads while never quite giving any of them enough to do. Along the way, we debate whether the Vegas setting is totally waste...

This week, the Mikes dig into The Mission , a sweeping historical drama about faith, colonialism, and the moral cost of compromise. We break down Robert De Niro's redemption arc from slave trader to reluctant Jesuit, Jeremy Irons's quietly resolute Father Gabriel, and how the film's stunning cinematography and Ennio Morricone score elevate a story that sometimes struggles with character depth. Plu...

This week, the Mikes discuss Hi, Mom! , a chaotic, satirical follow-up to De Niro's debut  Greetings that leans hard into voyeurism, counterculture absurdity, and some truly wild tonal swings. We break down De Niro's performance as the deeply unhinged Jon Rubin, the film's "peep art" premise, and how its first half blends dark comedy with experimental filmmaking before veering into something much...

This week, the Mikes tackle Freelancers , a grimy, low-rent crime drama that somehow assembles a stacked cast—including 50 Cent and Forest Whitaker—for a story that never quite comes together. We break down Robert De Niro's late-career corrupt cop energy, the film's muddled tone, and how its revenge-driven plot spirals into something both overly serious and unintentionally absurd. Along the way, w...

In this special graduation episode of All Mike'd Up , the Mikes commemorate MikeBackAtYou officially earning his Master of Social Work degree with a sprawling conversation about academia, ambition, burnout, and the weird passage of time. We recap the hooding ceremony, the endless commencement, and the unexpectedly emotional experience of closing out two intense academic years—while also reflecting...

This week, the Mikes are joined by returning guest Philip (a.k.a. "Lips") to unpack Analyze That , the oddball sequel that sends mob boss Paul Vitti back from prison to the therapist's couch. We break down De Niro's comedic performance, Billy Crystal's increasingly frazzled psychiatrist, and why the movie leans harder into sitcom-style chaos than its predecessor. Along the way, we talk about the s...

This week, the Mikes open the mailbag for a chaotic, wide-ranging special dedicated entirely to the citizens of De Niro Nation. We respond to your questions, defend our takes, revisit past episodes, and engage (perhaps too earnestly) with both praise and criticism—including a certain infamous review that inspires the episode's title. Plus: podcast scope vs. De Niro's politics, generational locker...

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...

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 land...

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...

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 thr...

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 m...

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 walk...

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.   Wikipe...

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, a...

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, endi...

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 h...

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 bes...

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 ge...

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 s...

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...

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 end...