Stranger Things S1: “Steve-aka ‘douche supreme’-comes around and gets a little bit of redemption.” Stranger Things S2: “Joyce is the only mom better than Steve.”
I'll always refer to Steve as "Unexpected Steve". I was 100% sure he was going to get demogorgoned, and then he busted in like the cavalry. I'm super pleased you did this one. Oh! +1 for Creed
Empty Artist Yeah I've seen lots of 80s horror movies so I was certain Steve was going to die. And apparently Steve was actually supposed to die but the Duffer Bros liked the actor so much they changed it so he lived
My daughters call him "Rape Hair Steve," and it's my absolute favorite thing about ST. We all instinctively hate him, because he fits all of our preconceived notions about sexually-aggressive swoopy-haired 80's teen antagonists so perfectly. But if you actually go back and view his actions objectively, his behavior is entirely reasonable right from the beginning-he doesn't turn into a good guy, the good guy was inside him all along! He seems to genuinely care about Nancy and her feelings, the fight with Jonathon is a pretty reasonable reaction to someone sneaking around in the woods taking peeping tom photos of his girlfriend undressing, he ditches his terrible friends when they go over the line, and he has no reason to even be involved in the climax other than his genuine desire to help Nancy.
I was raised by a single mom with two sons. Joyce was perfect. Winona Ryder blew this performance out of the park. From the first moments of loving frustration with her son's, to the slowly breaking/ becoming aware of the supernatural, to the moment she's vindicated as the emotional core of this show. So many amazing nuanced performances in this masterpiece
"I love you all, but no. I have something specific to say about this." That's a great thing to hear from someone creative that you trust. (And that's legit. It lets you know something purposeful is coming. Loved the show.)
Haha oh man, #JusticeForBarb. I DO love Barb. It strikes me on a deep level I didn't expect, because you know what? I WAS the Barb when I was in high school. I was the nerd conscientious weirdo who was the best friend of a person who was the center of attention and had a much earlier sexual/romantic awakening. I was the outsider friend of the popular kid. I was Barb, okay? I was Barb.
I love that Steve's moment comes with essentially getting the whole "by the way, alternate dimension beasties!" minutes before it's fully up in his face and trying to kill him. Everyone else is kind of eased into it but not Steve. Right in the deep end!
Child of the 80s here. Thank you for covering the font. I was so struck by the nostalgia on so many levels, visually and personally. So struck, I was compelled to contimplate what was so touching in my memories, and this font....more so, the opening sequence- So VERY S.KING and the font was SO everything 80s back then. I had to Google it till very late....but you hit it perfectly. And you're right, It's so much more. More than a sum of it parts.
The scene with Hoppers daughter not being able to catch her breath is horribly realistic. I have been in a place where I could not breathe and that look in her eyes and her randomly looking around in fear is exactly what I would have looked like at the time. It brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.
Man, I don't care what you cover; TV, Movies or even Web series. The way you talk about things is why I watch. Your insight makes me appreciate things I love even more, and pushes me to check out more that I may have never considered.
Mr Mike (and your fellow creators/writers/whomever else helps you make your amazing show) you are the truth when it comes to breaking down media, gosh you are smart and just a joy to listen to. Thank you and be well, you bring joy to many!
Jacob Dominguez IKR? Sometimes I'll be having a bad day, and a new Movies With Mikey episode will come out, and everything is right with the world again.
My father falls asleep a lot while watching tv. Not only did we marathon stranger things, but we were both glued to every episode, stopping only because it was 3 am on ep 5 and we had been up since 5 am the previous day, and we finished the next morning. Fantastic show. And neither of us like horror.
Anyone back here after bingeing season 3? I loved it. I still really enjoyed season 2, but this season maybe tied with season 1 in terms of quality for me. I know that Mikey is always so swamped, but I would love to see a two part episode of seasons 2 and 3.
Honestly the thing that got me about Barb wasnt that she was the nerdy friend who got brutalized, but how stark the difference was b/w how the town and esp her parents reacted to Barb disappearing vs Will. To the point that it felt intentional to me. Like the difference b/w Barb and Will is their support systems. Joyce refusing to give up is what saved Will, while Barb's parents' indifference is what doomed her. At least thematically? (I know love wouldnt save her from the upside down pool trap but still idk)
The only thing I would add to this video is a bit about Mike and Eleven’s relationship, which (especially after season 2) is one of the show’s strongest elements to me. Other than that, this video gives me life, I especially love that I’m not the only one who breaks down at the ending of Episode 3, Best use of Peter Gabriel’s cover of Heroes that has ever existed.
Thank you for reminding me that The Langoliers movie exists. I watched it about a million times when I was a kid, but I had completely forgotten about it until now. It's so insane and amazing.
This video was so phenomenal that I stopped halfway through, rewatched Stranger Things till 5 a.m. and came back to the video afterwards. …and now I'm off to rewatch season 2… I'm a mess but that's okay because Stranger Things is worth it… Your channel is incredible! I'm so glad I found it…
An outstanding episode! You are unbelievable great at doing this incredible show. All the choices are really good, but I will vote for: The Hurt Locker.
I love your videos SOOOO much! They are very well done and make me laugh out loud. On a personal note, I have had chronic health issues as well. And watching your videos helped get me through brain surgery and thyroid cancer surgery and radiation. You never know who you are going to touch when you put yourself and your art out there. Your videos are something I look forward to watching, and I just want you to know how much I enjoy them.
I knew this was coming. I knew I'd be in tears watching this. I knew because I watched the bloody show. But having it all boiled down to half an hour and to have the brilliant editing that your team always does, and the wonder that is the voice of Mikey, it just leveled me. Thank you, and good night!
The Four best things in Stranger Things, Eleven, The Fact Joyce not giving up on Will being alive propels the plot forward throughout, Will being A main Character without actually being in most of the present day story, and the kids and there friendship ( I do agree that Lucas takes along time to not be mean, but He does redeem himself later!)
What I loved about st was that it didnt make its characters interesting through flaws but through unique and amazing qualities. Never have seen that done before tbh
Damn it Mikey! You need to cover more Stranger Things. You have so much heart and emotional intelligence in every analysis, so you’re the PERFECT person look at each season of Stranger Things 👏
Anyone who doesn't understand Wynona Ryder's choices in Stranger Things is someone who doesn't have children. I COMPLETELY connected with her feelings of desperation and the utter insanity she felt.
Funny watching you rag on Steve in season one for being such a douche canoe, cause in season two he's literally the best character ever and I don't know how that happened
So, completely aside from the fact that this is easily in my top 3 channels (the Movies with Mikey series, in particular) on UA-cam, your often hilarious mispronunciation of the most random words and names never ceases to crack me tf up ;D Cheers
I really don't understand how many of your videos have less than a 100k views. They're all genuinely entertaining, informative, and have made me watch several films I otherwise wouldn't have watched. Not to mention that you make a rarity where internet fare is concerned: The genuine positive review. Also, thank you for writing the Borderlands games, apparently?
I can’t help but laugh every time you do the “Troy you suck” cut. I hope you keep making vids, I love all of them. And yes, I have seen all of them at least three times
Honestly, I can't wrap my head around just how fucking awesome the performances were on the part of every single member of the cast. The kids were amazingly precocious and deep, even as they're dealing with some .... well, superficial issue. I say superficial as an adult, and realizing most of the school crap just isn't a big deal. But when I remember that those felt like the entire time of school was filled with things that felt life-and-death decisions. Truly stunning that a 'New Media' company made this.
Eventually, once there's a list where Creed is the most interesting/voted upon. Which might take a while given the fandoms of some of these movies. But... I do want to hear about Creed, so it's my option when there's a movie I don't know on the list. Sadly, Pan's Labyrinth is up, so my vote went there, this time.
I can't imagine seeing Winona Ryder's performance as anything other than perfect... I was awestruck watching her, made perfect sense- And I'll throw in with the Pan's Labyrinth camp!
CREED CREED CREED CREED IT DESERVES THAT SUNSET BY NOW, FOR GOD'S SAKE- [ahem] Anywho... if it's possible, could we see Super 8 (Stranger Things: The Movie, pretty much), and/or Rise of the Planet of the Apes (cause, you know, that movie that came out recently...) as a future episode?
Pan's Labyrinth for this round... and I would like the following to make it into the voting list: - Labyrinth (the regular one) - Willow - The Dark Crystal - Krull (though years may have made this more compelling that it really is) - Logan's Run I keep sharing these analyses with friends and family, I'll keep driving everyone I know to them... I appreciate the others, but kind of wish "Movies with Mikey" was it's own channel with an easy URL, that being said "Movies with Mikey" is super searchable. Thanks!
I'M GONNA BE A REBEL and cast my vote for the Hurt Locker. BUT, if it gets curbstomped in voting I'll throw in with the cool kids for Pan's Labyrinth. Because I just played my first Metal Gear Solid game and am deeply, passionately in love and I want an analysis on some Del Toro work before his delightful peyote-fueled fever dream romp with Hideo Kojima that the rest of the world calls "Death Stranding".
Firstly! I don't appreciate how intense this got towards then end! It hurt my emotions all over again! Secondly! Why are you still only at 300k subscribers!! This video quality rides the line between high quality million+ subscriber visuals and analysis, and 500+ subscriber wit, banter, and shenanigans. This is an outrage sir! You have my sub and at least the 5 people I know will subscribe to what I do!
First, I love your work. I can leave your Serenity breakdown on a loop. Watching this one caught a small typo. At 10:14 on screen you have decieving when it should be deceiving. Again, thank you for these!
Stranger Things S1: “Steve-aka ‘douche supreme’-comes around and gets a little bit of redemption.”
Stranger Things S2: “Joyce is the only mom better than Steve.”
Theme song drop will never not be satisfying.
Jonathan Costa do you know the name of the song by any chance
The_Moderator Stranger Things theme
Yes!!!
We need the theme song!
Oh, the FilmJoy theme song is here. Thank God.
I sit thru the whole intro just to add watch time
'Ohhhh, Ted, hoooneeey, rocks are smarter than you." Also, playing Halo as you talked about Joyce got me so, so good.
Hurt Locker!
New favorite UA-cam Channel. I wish my reviews had half this production quality!
Daniel! It's you! Also, yeah. This guy's great.
I'll always refer to Steve as "Unexpected Steve". I was 100% sure he was going to get demogorgoned, and then he busted in like the cavalry. I'm super pleased you did this one.
Oh! +1 for Creed
Empty Artist Yeah I've seen lots of 80s horror movies so I was certain Steve was going to die. And apparently Steve was actually supposed to die but the Duffer Bros liked the actor so much they changed it so he lived
My daughters call him "Rape Hair Steve," and it's my absolute favorite thing about ST. We all instinctively hate him, because he fits all of our preconceived notions about sexually-aggressive swoopy-haired 80's teen antagonists so perfectly. But if you actually go back and view his actions objectively, his behavior is entirely reasonable right from the beginning-he doesn't turn into a good guy, the good guy was inside him all along! He seems to genuinely care about Nancy and her feelings, the fight with Jonathon is a pretty reasonable reaction to someone sneaking around in the woods taking peeping tom photos of his girlfriend undressing, he ditches his terrible friends when they go over the line, and he has no reason to even be involved in the climax other than his genuine desire to help Nancy.
I was raised by a single mom with two sons. Joyce was perfect. Winona Ryder blew this performance out of the park. From the first moments of loving frustration with her son's, to the slowly breaking/ becoming aware of the supernatural, to the moment she's vindicated as the emotional core of this show. So many amazing nuanced performances in this masterpiece
That's enough crying for now, I've got to go watch something else for a while
"Movies With Mikey" is the best retrospective series on UA-cam? I've seen Stranger Things.
11/10, Mikey, love you too, glad to have you back.
FUN FACT: The actor who played Benny also played Taserface in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2."
So fantastic with great flow that made the 30+ minutes fly by. Voting for Pan's Labyrinth
I agree, definitely didn't feel like I just watched a thirty min vid.
"Eggos in the Forest is my Bon Iver coverband" That one cracked me up completly
I discovered your channel two days ago, and I've been binging your videos since then. Top notch editing and style, I adore your work.
he is amazing, isn't he?
"I love you all, but no. I have something specific to say about this." That's a great thing to hear from someone creative that you trust. (And that's legit. It lets you know something purposeful is coming. Loved the show.)
"There's still things to talk about."
I think that should be the tagline for Movies with Mikey
Haha oh man, #JusticeForBarb. I DO love Barb. It strikes me on a deep level I didn't expect, because you know what? I WAS the Barb when I was in high school. I was the nerd conscientious weirdo who was the best friend of a person who was the center of attention and had a much earlier sexual/romantic awakening. I was the outsider friend of the popular kid. I was Barb, okay?
I was Barb.
ShootingStarNeo we were all Barb. It's why she's so popular now.
ShootingStarNeo fuck you and barb
Sorry for your loss..
Barb is also a perfect woman in my opinion. My current gf is very reminiscent of her, and I started dating her BEFORE watching the show.
Did you also get killed by a weird monster?
You're a beautiful man Mikey...I love you...never forget that...😘😘
I love that Steve's moment comes with essentially getting the whole "by the way, alternate dimension beasties!" minutes before it's fully up in his face and trying to kill him. Everyone else is kind of eased into it but not Steve. Right in the deep end!
Pan's Labyrinth. There is only that one. I hate that Creed keeps being pushed back though.
Everybody keeps choosing the other options.
It's crazy that I grew up reading R.A. Salvatore books and never realized the D&D connection until adulthood
34 MINUTES?!?! THE HYPE IS REAL, MY MIND IS READY TO BE SOOTHED BY MIKEY!
Child of the 80s here. Thank you for covering the font. I was so struck by the nostalgia on so many levels, visually and personally.
So struck, I was compelled to contimplate what was so touching in my memories, and this font....more so, the opening sequence- So VERY S.KING and the font was SO everything 80s back then. I had to Google it till very late....but you hit it perfectly.
And you're right,
It's so much more.
More than a sum of it parts.
Pan's Labyrinth. No question. Do it now.
This is so fucking good. Season 2 was also great and made Steve even more awesome.
Fantastic episode. Easily one of your best.
I'm voting for Pan's Labyrinth. Nothing could beat a del Toro for me.
i like the twist that the Big Bully actually becomes a "Hero" and kind of a cool dude.
Also, WESTWORLD?
The scene with Hoppers daughter not being able to catch her breath is horribly realistic. I have been in a place where I could not breathe and that look in her eyes and her randomly looking around in fear is exactly what I would have looked like at the time. It brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.
Another brilliant video, Mikey. Bravo! Makes me want to rewatch the show all over again.
Also, please please please do an analysis of Pan's Labyrinth!
God these are getting better and better! The Joyce sequence gave me serious chills! Also Creed!!
Lan's Pabyrinth, pletty prease!
Man, I don't care what you cover; TV, Movies or even Web series. The way you talk about things is why I watch. Your insight makes me appreciate things I love even more, and pushes me to check out more that I may have never considered.
Pan's Labyrinth! Bring on the pain and misery!
And suddenly I see the name Kresselack flash across the screen and I just.
Damn fine show you've got here, Mikey.
Pans Labyrinth please
that opening music tho. it brings a smile to my face every time i hear it.
Pan's Labyrinth is probably my favorite movie. Probably. It's up there with The Prestige, if not. Please do Pan's Labyrinth.
Mr Mike (and your fellow creators/writers/whomever else helps you make your amazing show) you are the truth when it comes to breaking down media, gosh you are smart and just a joy to listen to.
Thank you and be well, you bring joy to many!
OVER A HALF-HOUR? AWESOME! 😍 #letsbegin
EDIT: I vote for Creed!
Jacob Dominguez
IKR? Sometimes I'll be having a bad day, and a new Movies With Mikey episode will come out, and everything is right with the world again.
Taylor Tano Same here! 👍
My father falls asleep a lot while watching tv. Not only did we marathon stranger things, but we were both glued to every episode, stopping only because it was 3 am on ep 5 and we had been up since 5 am the previous day, and we finished the next morning.
Fantastic show. And neither of us like horror.
Anyone back here after bingeing season 3? I loved it. I still really enjoyed season 2, but this season maybe tied with season 1 in terms of quality for me. I know that Mikey is always so swamped, but I would love to see a two part episode of seasons 2 and 3.
Honestly the thing that got me about Barb wasnt that she was the nerdy friend who got brutalized, but how stark the difference was b/w how the town and esp her parents reacted to Barb disappearing vs Will. To the point that it felt intentional to me. Like the difference b/w Barb and Will is their support systems. Joyce refusing to give up is what saved Will, while Barb's parents' indifference is what doomed her. At least thematically? (I know love wouldnt save her from the upside down pool trap but still idk)
Holy jeebus MC Frontalot in the house! With BK! Now I have to rewind.
The only thing I would add to this video is a bit about Mike and Eleven’s relationship, which (especially after season 2) is one of the show’s strongest elements to me.
Other than that, this video gives me life, I especially love that I’m not the only one who breaks down at the ending of Episode 3, Best use of Peter Gabriel’s cover of Heroes that has ever existed.
Pan's Labyrinth
Thank you for reminding me that The Langoliers movie exists. I watched it about a million times when I was a kid, but I had completely forgotten about it until now. It's so insane and amazing.
I LITERALLY JUST SUBSCRIBED WOW YES
Literally every one of your videos is absolutely amazing. Its a bright spot on my day whenever you upload. thanks!
Pan's labyrinth
Thank you SO MUCH for making this!!!
I need some more del Toro in my life. Pan's Labyrinth please.
This video was so phenomenal that I stopped halfway through, rewatched Stranger Things till 5 a.m. and came back to the video afterwards. …and now I'm off to rewatch season 2… I'm a mess but that's okay because Stranger Things is worth it…
Your channel is incredible! I'm so glad I found it…
Stellar dissection, Mikey, but you already knew that. Formally submitting my vote for Pan's Labyrinth. 👌
I love your freaking dialogue and line delivery. No further comment required
An outstanding episode! You are unbelievable great at doing this incredible show.
All the choices are really good, but I will vote for: The Hurt Locker.
GODDAMMIT Mikey! 16:15 Why you always gotta make me cry?
I love you so much brother. You have such a way with the words and the pictures.
Just as I was about to get some sleep. Okay.
I love your videos SOOOO much! They are very well done and make me laugh out loud. On a personal note, I have had chronic health issues as well. And watching your videos helped get me through brain surgery and thyroid cancer surgery and radiation.
You never know who you are going to touch when you put yourself and your art out there. Your videos are something I look forward to watching, and I just want you to know how much I enjoy them.
people didn't like joyce? what the fuck is wrong with people
And the fact that the mad scientist plays the Joker in Full Metal Jacket is pretty neat... Great video as always!
wish i could double-like this. good stuff, mikey
Never fail To find the right marrow in each story and always get chills and nodding in agreement when I watch
Mikey the stellar analyst
When the video was over it felt too short even though it was a half hour. I just crave more. Great stuff. Also I vote for Creed.
I knew this was coming. I knew I'd be in tears watching this. I knew because I watched the bloody show. But having it all boiled down to half an hour and to have the brilliant editing that your team always does, and the wonder that is the voice of Mikey, it just leveled me.
Thank you, and good night!
I clicked this so fast. Like. I probably approached the speed of light. 99% the speed of light at least. Mikey, you're fantastic.
The Four best things in Stranger Things, Eleven, The Fact Joyce not giving up on Will being alive propels the plot forward throughout, Will being A main Character without actually being in most of the present day story, and the kids and there friendship ( I do agree that Lucas takes along time to not be mean, but He does redeem himself later!)
This video made me so happy. Good job on some quality #content Mikey!
Also, please do Pan's Labyrinth.
What I loved about st was that it didnt make its characters interesting through flaws but through unique and amazing qualities. Never have seen that done before tbh
Pan's Labyrinth baby!
Damn it Mikey! You need to cover more Stranger Things. You have so much heart and emotional intelligence in every analysis, so you’re the PERFECT person look at each season of Stranger Things 👏
Anyone who doesn't understand Wynona Ryder's choices in Stranger Things is someone who doesn't have children. I COMPLETELY connected with her feelings of desperation and the utter insanity she felt.
Ugh. This show is perfection. You talking about it just makes it better.
Funny watching you rag on Steve in season one for being such a douche canoe, cause in season two he's literally the best character ever and I don't know how that happened
Honestly the dig on the 24 Cougar may be my favorite thing about this episode.
Also seriously if you want to totally dissect Mr Robot?
Yes?
Please? That is *definitely* something worth exploring in this format.
I'd love to see you do CREED! I adore that film.
whoa i found you in the comments section
HoustonProductions1 he did! It’s great!
So, completely aside from the fact that this is easily in my top 3 channels (the Movies with Mikey series, in particular) on UA-cam, your often hilarious mispronunciation of the most random words and names never ceases to crack me tf up ;D Cheers
I've never clicked on a video faster in my life
I really don't understand how many of your videos have less than a 100k views. They're all genuinely entertaining, informative, and have made me watch several films I otherwise wouldn't have watched. Not to mention that you make a rarity where internet fare is concerned: The genuine positive review.
Also, thank you for writing the Borderlands games, apparently?
Bread's Maze, please (Pan's Labyrinth)
Icewind Dale was the bee's knees. I loved that game so much.
Oh and Pan's Labyrinth please!
HALF-HOUR? PRAISE BE!
I can’t help but laugh every time you do the “Troy you suck” cut. I hope you keep making vids, I love all of them. And yes, I have seen all of them at least three times
Just let Mikey do Creed finally!
It has my vote!
This video was so good. I feel like I should rewatch Stranger things now. So many details I had missed before.
MC Frontalot -- HELL YEAH!!
honestly, every video i watch of yours makes me want to rewatch whatever the video is about and i love that
Heck! This is a long-un'
Notification crewwwwwwww
"Oh Ted, HUN-EE, rocks are smarter than you" 😂😂😂
Dang, I was really hoping to get a video about X.
It really gives it to you
Honestly, I can't wrap my head around just how fucking awesome the performances were on the part of every single member of the cast. The kids were amazingly precocious and deep, even as they're dealing with some .... well, superficial issue. I say superficial as an adult, and realizing most of the school crap just isn't a big deal. But when I remember that those felt like the entire time of school was filled with things that felt life-and-death decisions. Truly stunning that a 'New Media' company made this.
I'm gonna keep asking for Creed because I feel like no one will ever understand that this is the best Rocky movie and I think you can explain it
Eventually, once there's a list where Creed is the most interesting/voted upon. Which might take a while given the fandoms of some of these movies.
But... I do want to hear about Creed, so it's my option when there's a movie I don't know on the list. Sadly, Pan's Labyrinth is up, so my vote went there, this time.
I can't imagine seeing Winona Ryder's performance as anything other than perfect... I was awestruck watching her, made perfect sense-
And I'll throw in with the Pan's Labyrinth camp!
CREED
CREED
CREED
CREED
IT DESERVES THAT SUNSET BY NOW, FOR GOD'S SAKE-
[ahem]
Anywho... if it's possible, could we see Super 8 (Stranger Things: The Movie, pretty much), and/or Rise of the Planet of the Apes (cause, you know, that movie that came out recently...) as a future episode?
Pan's Labyrinth for this round... and I would like the following to make it into the voting list:
- Labyrinth (the regular one)
- Willow
- The Dark Crystal
- Krull (though years may have made this more compelling that it really is)
- Logan's Run
I keep sharing these analyses with friends and family, I'll keep driving everyone I know to them... I appreciate the others, but kind of wish "Movies with Mikey" was it's own channel with an easy URL, that being said "Movies with Mikey" is super searchable.
Thanks!
I'M GONNA BE A REBEL and cast my vote for the Hurt Locker. BUT, if it gets curbstomped in voting I'll throw in with the cool kids for Pan's Labyrinth. Because I just played my first Metal Gear Solid game and am deeply, passionately in love and I want an analysis on some Del Toro work before his delightful peyote-fueled fever dream romp with Hideo Kojima that the rest of the world calls "Death Stranding".
"Pan's Labyrinth," he says, adding another droplet to the overflowing bucket.
ayyyy the homie with the superlong
Firstly! I don't appreciate how intense this got towards then end! It hurt my emotions all over again! Secondly! Why are you still only at 300k subscribers!! This video quality rides the line between high quality million+ subscriber visuals and analysis, and 500+ subscriber wit, banter, and shenanigans. This is an outrage sir! You have my sub and at least the 5 people I know will subscribe to what I do!
OK after this review Ted is my favorite character in this show
First, I love your work. I can leave your Serenity breakdown on a loop. Watching this one caught a small typo. At 10:14 on screen you have decieving when it should be deceiving. Again, thank you for these!
The hurt locker next
This was so a good episode. It's kinda hard to express how impressed I am with this format.