Our Hero De Niro

In this episode of Our Hero De Niro , we dive into James Mangold's 1997 crime drama Cop Land , a film that's more of a Sylvester Stallone showcase than a Robert De Niro vehicle. We break down the movie's tight storytelling, its stacked cast of '90s heavyweights, and its neo-Western themes, while also discussing Stallone's surprising performance as a quiet, overlooked sheriff in a town full of corr...

In the conclusion of our Zero Day coverage, we unpack the show's wild pivots, last-minute conspiracies, and whether it sticks the landing (spoiler: it doesn't). We dive into how the series squanders its premise with muddled messaging and half-baked political intrigue. We also break down the show's frustrating reluctance to take a stance, its unceremonious character exits, and whether all the build...

In this episode, we break from our usual format to discuss the first half of  Zero Day , Netflix's new limited series starring Robert De Niro. We dive into the show's slow pacing, political themes, and De Niro's performance as a former U.S. president navigating cyberterrorism, domestic threats, and his own unraveling mind. Along the way, we examine the series' muddled messaging and whether its six...

In the longest episode of Our Hero De Niro yet, the Mikes take on Dirty Grandpa , a raunchy road trip comedy starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron. They break down the film's relentless shock humor, bizarre character choices, and surprising box office success despite critical panning. Tracking every laugh (or lack thereof), they debate whether the movie works as a comedy, discuss De Niro's commitm...

In the film  15 Minutes , Robert De Niro portrays a media-savvy detective who is on the hunt for fame-hungry criminals who turn murder into entertainment. While the film aims to critique sensationalism, it unintentionally touches on issues related to immigration—though this isn't always deliberate. Balancing exaggerated satire and a stylized early 2000s buddy cop thriller, we explore whether 15 Mi...

For the first time on  Our Hero De Niro , we have a special guest—Mike's cousin Ashley! She helps us make sense of the 2022 "thriller" Savage Salvation . Does this film offer any commentary on America's opioid epidemic, or is it just a tax write-off? How does Robert De Niro look with a mustache? And who is director Randall Emmett, anyway? Join us as the three of us try to unravel it all while atte...

What happens when two of cinema's greatest actors reunite after a decade, only to find themselves in a film that doesn't match their caliber? You get Righteous Kill . This episode kicks off our exploration of Al Pacino's work, marking the first of four films featuring the legendary actor. Plus, it's likely the only time we'll be discussing the unique on-screen presence of Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson....

It's a battle of good vs. evil, law enforcement vs. gangsters, and Costner vs. De Niro in this week's episode, where Mike and Mike review Brian De Palma's crime film set during Prohibition, The Untouchables . Wikipedia page for The Untouchables . Films recommended this episode: Public Enemies The Iron Claw Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd  @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourhero...

Mike and Mike watch Robert De Niro's newest screen credit in the 2023 comedy-drama film  Ezra , in which Bobby Cannavale abducts his son across state lines. Wikipedia page for Ezra . Films recommended this episode: Boiling Point American Fiction Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd  @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com . Next week: The Untouchables Supplemental li...

In the inaugural episode of Our Hero De Niro , Mike and Mike review Robert De Niro's first credited role in Brian De Palma's 1968 black comedy film,  Greetings . Wikipedia page for Greetings . Films recommended this episode: Putney Swope Clerks Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at ourherodeniro@gmail.com . Next week: Ezra (2023) Supplemental link(s):...