Our Hero De Niro

Join Mike and Mike (no relation) as they embark on a cinematic adventure through Robert De Niro's legendary—and occasionally questionable—filmography, one randomly selected movie at a time. From iconic classics to 'What were they thinking?' moments, each episode is packed with recaps, lively discussions, and fresh takes on the works of one of cinema's greatest actors.

Mean Streets (1973), with Andrew Crites 08/26/2025

Mean Streets (1973), with Andrew Crites 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd: and , email them at , and follow them on Instagram at . Next week: Supplemental Link: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37647870

All Mike’d Up – Shark Tale Listener Mail 08/22/2025

All Mike’d Up – Shark Tale Listener Mail 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: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37748965

Guilty by Suspicion (1991) 08/19/2025

Guilty by Suspicion (1991) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd at and , email them at , and follow them on Instagram at . Next week: Supplemental Links: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37647810

Men of Honor (2000) 08/12/2025

Men of Honor (2000) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37248295

Shark Tale (2004) 08/05/2025

Shark Tale (2004) 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 ! Wikipedia page for . Films recommended this episode: Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37248135

Mailbag Spectacular 07/29/2025

Mailbag Spectacular 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: and , and email them at . Next week: Supplemental Links: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37564530

Midnight Run (1988) 07/22/2025

Midnight Run (1988) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37248100

The Good Shepherd (2006) 07/15/2025

The Good Shepherd (2006) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37024175

Wag The Dog (1997), with Caroline Lamarque 07/08/2025

Wag The Dog (1997), with Caroline Lamarque 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/37023990

Arthur and the Minimoys (2006) 07/01/2025

Arthur and the Minimoys (2006) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36906305

Angel Heart (1987) 06/24/2025

Angel Heart (1987) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: Supplemental Link: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36906150

Sleepers (1996) 06/17/2025

Sleepers (1996) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36906090

The Fan (1996) 06/10/2025

The Fan (1996) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36599605

The Bag Man (2014) 06/03/2025

The Bag Man (2014) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36501870

Killing Season (2013) 05/27/2025

Killing Season (2013) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36394705

20th Episode Spectacular 05/20/2025

20th Episode Spectacular 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. Supplemental links: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36599555

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), with Caroline Lamarque 05/13/2025

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), with Caroline Lamarque 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36394655

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) 05/06/2025

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: Supplemental Link: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36278185

Joy (2015) 04/29/2025

Joy (2015) 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 . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: Supplemental Link: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36182080

Marvin’s Room (1996) 04/22/2025

Marvin’s Room (1996) 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 . Film recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/36083220

The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971) 04/15/2025

The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971) 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 . Film recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: Supplemental link: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35985125

The Score (2001) 04/08/2025

The Score (2001) 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. Wikipedia page for . Film recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35985075

Meet the Parents (2000) 04/01/2025

Meet the Parents (2000) 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 . Film recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35771920

The Alto Knights (2025) 03/25/2025

The Alto Knights (2025) 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 . Film recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35830505

Godsend (2004) 03/18/2025

Godsend (2004) This week, we tackle Godsend, a psychological horror-thriller that somehow manages to be neither. Starring Greg Kinnear, Rebecca Romijn, and Robert De Niro as a shady fertility doctor, the film follows a grieving couple who clone their dead son—only to discover something is deeply wrong with their 'miracle' child. We break down the absurd twists, baffling logic, and failed attempts at horror in this early-2000s misfire. Wikipedia page for . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at . Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35592325

Cop Land (1997) 03/11/2025

Cop Land (1997) 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 corrupt cops. We analyze the film’s commentary on police corruption, its use of violence, and whether its brisk runtime does justice to the story. Wikipedia page for . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35411445

Zero Day (2025) - Part 2 03/04/2025

Zero Day (2025) - Part 2 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 buildup leads to anything meaningful in the end. Wikipedia page for . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35511085

Zero Day (2025) - Part 1 02/25/2025

Zero Day (2025) - Part 1 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-hour runtime is justified. Wikipedia page for . TV shows recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at Next week: Zero Day - Part 2 /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35410950

Dirty Grandpa (2016) 02/18/2025

Dirty Grandpa (2016) 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 commitment to the role, and question the logic—or absence of it—behind the film’s wildest moments. Wikipedia page for . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at . Next week: (Part 1) /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35179940

15 Minutes (2001) 02/11/2025

15 Minutes (2001) 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 Minutes offers meaningful commentary on media and justice or simply exploits the culture it seeks to criticize. Wikipedia page for . Films recommended this episode: Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd and and email them at . Next week: /episode/index/show/5fd051b1-4af1-48c8-84e6-8eab52083102/id/35123455

Our Hero De Niro

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