Listener Mail 2: The Ballad of Bo Chilla

Freelancers (2012)

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, we dig into the movie's straight-to-video feel, questionable character motivations, and whether there's anything here worth salvaging. Plus: extra-long COVID, remembering TRON: Legacy, and things you shouldn't do behind a dumpster. Wikipedia page for Freelancers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freelancers_%28film%29]. Films recommended this episode: * Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning [https://boxd.it/433O] * Training Day [https://boxd.it/27A4] Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou [https://boxd.it/5DbHp] and @mikethefab [https://boxd.it/5OVqL], email them at mike@ourherodeniro.com [mike@ourherodeniro.com], check out their website ourherodeniro.com [https://www.ourherodeniro.com/], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro [https://allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro]. Next week: Hi, Mom! [https://boxd.it/Wwy]

All Mike'd Up – Graduation Special

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 on work ethic, adulthood, creativity, and why it actually matters to care deeply about the things you do. Plus: uncomfortable folding chairs, why people should stop half-assing their email jobs, and a heartfelt appreciation for the citizens of De Niro Nation. Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou [https://boxd.it/5DbHp] and @mikethefab [https://boxd.it/5OVqL], email them at mike@ourherodeniro.com [mike@ourherodeniro.com], check out their website ourherodeniro.com [https://www.ourherodeniro.com/], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro [https://allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro].

Analyze That (2002), with Philip (a.k.a. "Lips")

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 sequel's strange tonal shifts, its parade of mob-movie clichés, and whether the concept still works the second time around. Plus: Musical Talk, Ice Cream Talk, and the return of Car Talk. Wikipedia page for Analyze That [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analyze_That]. Films recommended this episode: * Superbad [https://boxd.it/20hO] * Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [https://boxd.it/6YK] * Dog Day Afternoon [https://boxd.it/29bg] Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou [https://boxd.it/5DbHp] and @mikethefab [https://boxd.it/5OVqL], email them at mike@ourherodeniro.com [mike@ourherodeniro.com], check out their website ourherodeniro.com [https://www.ourherodeniro.com/], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro [https://allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro]. Next week: Freelancers [https://boxd.it/42VA]

Listener Mail 2: The Ballad of Bo Chilla

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 room etiquette, backlog debates and workflow philosophy, incredible podcast artwork breakdowns, and entering "I see you trying to fuck on me" into the lexicon. Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou [https://boxd.it/5DbHp] and @mikethefab [https://boxd.it/5OVqL], email them at mike@ourherodeniro.com [mike@ourherodeniro.com], check out their website ourherodeniro.com [https://www.ourherodeniro.com/], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro [https://allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro]. Supplemental link: * Zoey's podcast art [https://imgur.com/a/GvW0tVh]

Recommendation Station [70th Episode Spectacular]

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's really been carrying the segment. Plus: hidden gems, questionable cocktails, and rapid-fire reviews. Follow Mike and Mike on Letterboxd @MikeBackAtYou [https://boxd.it/5DbHp] and @mikethefab [https://boxd.it/5OVqL], email them at mike@ourherodeniro.com [mike@ourherodeniro.com], check out their website ourherodeniro.com [https://www.ourherodeniro.com/], and find them on social media at allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro [https://allmylinks.com/ourherodeniro]. Supplemental links: * MikeBackAtYou's recommendations [https://boxd.it/E0jHO] * Mikethefab's recommendations [https://boxd.it/RYb3y] * MikeBackAtYou's "2026 Ranked" list [https://boxd.it/RlX4m] * Mikethefab's "2026 Ranked" list [https://letterboxd.com/mikethefab/list/2026-ranked/] Next week: Listener Mail 2