Our Hero De Niro

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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com, 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com, 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com, 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com, 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com, 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com. 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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   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 ourherodeniro@gmail.com.   Next week: 50th Episode Spectacular   Supplemental link: Caroline's movie venn diagram