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 Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected]. Next week: Angel Heart

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 them at [email protected]. Next week: Sleepers

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 Letterboxd @mikebackatyou and @mikethefab and email them at [email protected]. Next week: The Fan

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 [email protected]. Next week: The Bag Man

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:

• Caroline's lawn sign
• De Niro on Sesame Street

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Next week: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Supplemental Link:

• Point Break (2015) Trailer

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Next week: Marvin's Room Supplemental link:

• ASMR Mukbang Eating 10 Foods