Our Hero De Niro

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), with Philip (a.k.a. "Lips")

This week, the Mikes are joined by returning guest Philip (a.k.a. Lips) to dig into Bang the Drum Slowly, a melancholy baseball drama about friendship, mortality, and the quiet bonds formed inside a clubhouse. We break down Robert De Niro's early-career performance as doomed catcher Bruce Pearson, Michael Moriarty's understated narration, and why the film works better as a character study than a traditional sports movie. Along the way, we debate De Niro's Southern accent, unpack the film's surprisingly restrained approach to tragedy, and reflect on what makes baseball such fertile ground for stories about masculinity and loss. Plus: boomerang discourse, Nicorette sponsorship dreams, and how often to replace your toilet brush. Wikipedia page for Bang the Drum Slowly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bang_the_Drum_Slowly_%28film%29]. Films recommended this episode: * Eephus [https://boxd.it/KzLW] * Jay Kelly [https://boxd.it/EsWw] * Eight Men Out [https://boxd.it/1PUU] 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: Hands of Stone [https://boxd.it/5B6a]

Last Vegas (2013)

This week, the Mikes dig into Last Vegas, a glossy, late-career comedy about aging, friendship, and one last shot at feeling young again. We break down Robert De Niro's grieving widower, Michael Douglas's midlife (late-life?) crisis engagement, and how the film juggles four leads while never quite giving any of them enough to do. Along the way, we debate whether the Vegas setting is totally wasted, unpack the film's surprisingly conservative take on aging and relationships, and question why any casino would comp that penthouse. Plus: LMFAO nostalgia, terrifying Stratosphere rides, and one of the strangest celebrity cameos you'll ever see. Wikipedia page for Last Vegas [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Vegas]. Films recommended this episode: * The Game [https://boxd.it/26vC] * How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies [https://boxd.it/FLa4] 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: Bang the Drum Slowly [https://boxd.it/WR2] Supplemental links: * MikeBackAtYou does SkyJump Las Vegas [https://youtu.be/AUIsp7dgcP4?si=LOEKPt1UmSAbvhSH] * Mikethefab does X-Scream Las Vegas [https://imgur.com/a/pGKuL5x] * Picture of mikethefab wearing his glasses chain [https://imgur.com/iGMNjUS]

The Mission (1986)

This week, the Mikes dig into The Mission, a sweeping historical drama about faith, colonialism, and the moral cost of compromise. We break down Robert De Niro's redemption arc from slave trader to reluctant Jesuit, Jeremy Irons's quietly resolute Father Gabriel, and how the film's stunning cinematography and Ennio Morricone score elevate a story that sometimes struggles with character depth. Plus: waterfall death hypotheticals, oboe appreciation, and a surprisingly deep dive into 18th-century church politics. Wikipedia page for The Mission [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mission_%281986_film%29]. Films recommended this episode: * Apocalypto [https://boxd.it/28yy] * Silence [https://boxd.it/2cAo] 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: Last Vegas [https://boxd.it/4pFA]

Hi, Mom! (1970)

This week, the Mikes discuss Hi, Mom!, a chaotic, satirical follow-up to De Niro's debut Greetings that leans hard into voyeurism, counterculture absurdity, and some truly wild tonal swings. We break down De Niro's performance as the deeply unhinged Jon Rubin, the film's "peep art" premise, and how its first half blends dark comedy with experimental filmmaking before veering into something much stranger. Plus: early De Palma style, morally repugnant protagonists, and debating just how much of this movie is intentionally incoherent. Wikipedia page for Hi, Mom! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi,_Mom!]. Films recommended this episode: * Blow Out [https://boxd.it/1TlE] * The Empire Strikes Back [https://boxd.it/27Vw] (Project 4K80) 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: The Mission [https://boxd.it/1TTw]

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]