Exploding Helicopter

“Black – just like the heart of the space programme!” When the world zigs left, Exploding Helicopter likes to zag right. So, with Godzilla vs Kong stomping around in cinemas, we naturally headed straight for The Asylum’s mockbuster take on the film, APE VS MONSTER (2021).We’re joined by Nick Rehak to look at the film’s surprisingly interesting plot which takes in Eighties Cold War conspiracies, sexual politics, and some very dubious science. We also identify a new exploding helicopter film trope!Show notesDirector: Daniel LuskoCast: Eric RobertsPlot: An ape crash-lands on Earth, which creates a sludge that makes him and a passing scorpion grow to giant-size, resulting in a fight for dominance.Episode 110.

“No risk, no reward.”Revenge is a dish best served in celluloid. Or so thought legendary Hong Kong director Jing Wong after he had a falling-out with Jackie Chan. The resulting, score-settling film was HIGH RISK (1995), a 100 minute-long takedown of the acclaimed martial artist.  Helping Will investigate the beef behind the backstory is Alex Rallo from One Perfect Headshot. They discuss what led the two movie moguls to loggerheads, some stunning action set pieces, and Wong’s peculiar brand of toilet humour.Show notesHigh Risk (1995)Director: Jing WongCast: Jet Li, Jacky Cheung, Chingmy Yau and Wu MaPlot: After his wife and child are killed by a terrorist known only as The Doctor, Kit Li retires from the police to work as a bodyguard and secret stunt double for the cowardly martial arts film star Frankie Lane. While Frankie is attending an event at a Hong Kong hotel, The Doctor's gang take over the building giving Ki Li the chance to take his revenge.Episode 109

“There’s never a cop around when you need one.”When you boil it all down, Charlton Heston was known for two types of films, biblical epics and science fiction sagas. So, on this show, we’re hurtling into the near future to review a film about a plague hit Earth, THE OMEGA MAN (1971).Joining us to review the film is a woman who always dresses for dinner on Sunday, Erica Shultz from Customers Also Watched. Show notesThe Omega Man (1971)Director: Boris SagalCast: Charlton Heston, Rosalind Cash, Robert ZerbePlot: Robert Neville is the only survivor following an apocalyptic war waged with biological weapons. The plague caused by the war has killed everyone except a few hundred deformed, nocturnal people calling themselves "The Family". Episode 108.

“Welcome to the revolution!”Over the years, Dolph Lundgren has starred in plenty of big budget action films like Universal Soldier and The Expendables films. Now, Exploding Helicopter could have reviewed one of the Swedish muscleman’s more prestigious outings, but that’d be boring. Instead we’re looking at the under-the-radar classic, Bridge Of Dragons (1999).Joining Will on this episode is Sweden’s second greatest muscle guy, Fred Andersson from Schmollywood Babylon and The Human Centipod.Show notesBridge Of Dragons (1999)Director: Isaac FlorentineCast: Dolph Lundgren, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Gary HudsonPlot: An evil General seeks to quash a popular uprising by marrying the daughter of the ruler he murdered. But when his bride absconds, the dictator sends a loyal soldier to recapture her triggering a series of events that lead to his downfall.Episode 107.

“Just for the record, I ain’t the least bit happy about this.”What? They made a sequel? Yes, it’s absolutely true. Christopher Lambert may have escaped a futuristic prison in Fortress (1992), but he couldn’t escape the lure of the DTV sequel Fortress 2: Re-entry (2000).Joining Will to review the film is That Sequel Guy, follow-up film specialist, Dom O’Brien. Show notesFortress 2: Re-entry (2000)Director: Geoff MurphyCast: Christopher Lambert, Patrick Malahide, Pam GrierPlot: Seven years after the original Fortress movie, Brennick along with the rebels are captured and sent to a new, more sophisticated fortress prison, in outer space.Episode 106.

“Sure I like kids - but I’m not here to start an orphanage.”On this special episode of Exploding Forklift we take a look at a film often hailed by forklift fireball film fans as one of genre’s best: CODE NAME: VENGEANCE (1987).We review this vintage video store action movie and make an in-depth examination of the exploding industrial loader action.Guesting on this episode is Nick Rehak from Forklift Toast Sunday. Show notesDirector: David WintersCast: Roberty Ginty, Shannon Tweed, Cameron MitchellPlot: The geopolitical interests of America are threatened when an evil terrorist called Tabrak kidnaps the wife and son of the leader of an African country. After Uncle Sam decides to step in and help their ally, they quickly realise that there is only one man who can help, a disgraced former CIA agent called Monroe Bieler.Episode 105

“Since when did you start wearing underpants?” Hard as it may be to believe now, but there was a time when audiences were happy to see Mel Gibson as the lead in a light-hearted romantic action comedy. So, on this show, Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review BIRD ON A WIRE (1990), a film that was made at a more innocent time for Mel the Mullet. They also take a look at the film’s unique exploding helicopter action.  Show notesDirector: John BadhamCast: Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bill Duke, David Carradine, Jeff CoreyPlot: Rick Jarmin is put in witness protection after he helps the FBI bust drug dealer Eugene Sorenson. Fifteen years later, he is living with a new identity as a gas station attendant when his old flame Marianne stops at the garage and recognizes him, blowing his cover. The recently released Sorenson finds out, and both Jarmin and Marianne have to flee across country with the vengeful Sorenson in hot pursuit. Episode 104

“All we wanted was a bigger – healthier tomato.” On this show Will and Nick take a look at the low budget comedy spoof ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES (1978).They take a look at the film’s scattershot approach to humour and an exploding helicopter that’s surprisingly real and first to be destroyed by a popular salad item. Show notesDirector: John De BelloCast: David Miller, George Wilson, Sharon TaylorPlot: A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.Episode 103.

“Of course the wolf flies.”On this show we’re joined Jay Cluitt from the Deep Blue Sea podcast to review Rampage (2018).We discuss genetically modified monster movies, whether science can explain Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s accent, and the wolf based exploding helicopter action. Show notesRampage (2018)Director: Brad Peyton Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean MorganPlot: When three different animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist team up to stop them from destroying Chicago.Episode 102.

“Can anyone douse the fire of truth?”We make a return to the world of Bollywood action cinema to review BAAZI (1995), a film that could, most politely be described as, being ‘inspired’ by Die Hard. Not to mention borrowing scenes from half-a-dozen other action films. Our guest on this show is Asim Burney from the Khandaan podcast. We try and pin down just how many films Baazi ripped off, the career of its star Aamir Khan, and an exploding helicopter that may be one of the most embarrassing ever committed to film. Show notesBaazi (1995)Director: Ashutosh GowarikerCast: Aamir Khan, Mamta Kulkarni, Paresh RawalPlot: A tough police officer wages a one-man war against terrorists and a corrupt politician who have planned to assassinate a top government official.Episode 101.

“No more Mr Nice Guy.”We’re joined by Doug Tilley from Cinema Smogasbord to discuss Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990). We discuss the film’s origins and inspirations, its place in the development of superhero movies and its subsequent comic book adaptation. Oh, and we also look at the spectacular exploding helicopter action.Show notesDarkman (1990)Director: Sam RaimiCast: Liam Neeson, France McDormand, Larry DrakePlot: A brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact revenge on the people who burned him alive.Episode 100.

“There goes my safety record”We’re joined once again by Brett and Ty from Comeuppance Reviews to shine a light on one of the undiscovered gems of DTV action: CRACKERJACK 2 (1997).We discuss the film’s (sadly) unsuccessful attempt to turn Judge Reinhold into an action movie film star, the weird world of unlikely DTV action heroes, and the exploding helicopter action. Show notesDirector: Robert LeeCast: Judge Reinhold, Carol Alt, Michael SarrazinPlot: A policeman working alone must rescue his girlfriend and a trainload of other hostages from vicious criminals in a mountain tunnel hideout.Episode 99.

“We’re lions – and that ain’t ever gonna change.” On this show we’re joined by Todd Gaines of Bulletproof Action and Letterboxd fame to review ANGEL HAS FALLEN (2019).We discuss the most surprising entry in the Has Fallen franchise and one of the few films where we get to see the Presidential helicopter blown up.Show notesDirector: Ric Roman WaughCast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Danny Huston, Piper Perabo, Lance Reddick, Nick NoltePlot: Mike Banning is framed for the attempted assassination of the President and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat.Episode 98.

“Free hots dogs for life. No drinks.” On this episode Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to take a look at the buddy cop genre parody THE OTHER GUYS (2010).They also take a look at a very special and unique exploding helicopter.Show notesDirector: Adam McKayCast: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L Jackson, Steve Coogan, Michael Keaton, Eva Mendes.Plot: Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops, whom they idolise, only things don't quite go as planned.Episode 97.

“Meat Inspectors – don’t even fart.”On this show Exploding Helicopter pays tribute to one of its favourite actors, Brian Dennehy, who died earlier this year.We’re joined by the DTV Connoisseur himself, Matt Poirier to reminisce about our favourite Dennehy performance and take a look at his vigilante cop thriller THE LAST OF THE FINEST (1990).Show notesThe Last Of The Finest (1990)Director: John MackenzieCast: Brian Dennehy, Joe Pantoliano, Bill Paxton, Jeff FaheyPlot: An elite group of vice cops resign from the L.A.P.D. amid the full out from a botched drugs bust. Suspecting a bigger conspiracy, the former cops band together to bring down the drug ring as vigilantes. Episode 96

“My name is Alice and I remember everything.”We return to the world of video game adaptations once again to take a look at Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004).Guesting on this show is Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. Show notesDirector: Alexander WittCast: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Iain Glen, Jared HarrisPlot: Alice wakes up in the Racoon city hospital after the city has been overrun by zombies, and must now make it out of the city before a nuclear bomb is dropped on the city.Episode 95.

“That’s what we call women empowerment.”On this show we make another visit to the world of Indian action cinema to take a look at TIGER ZINDA HAI (2017). Once again Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday joins us to help review the film.Show notesTiger Zinda Hai (2017)Plot: When a group of Indian and Pakistani nurses are held hostage in Iraq by a terrorist organization, a secret agent is drawn out of hiding to rescue them.Director: Ali Abbas ZafarCast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anupriya GoenkaEpisode 94.

“You’ve lived through the collapse of vaudeville and burlesque.”On the episode we take a look at the volcano-themed, disaster film WHEN TIME RAN OUT… (1980). A notorious critical and commercial flop, the movie has now passed into legend as the film that killed off the Seventies disaster genre. Helping Will to review the film is When Time Ran Out super-fan Fred Andersson from Schmollywood Babylon. They discuss the film’s “beautiful melodrama”, its questionable special effects, and why this film is the last great flowering of the Seventies disaster genre. Episode 93. Show notesWhen Time Ran Out… (1980)Director: James GoldstoneCast: Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, William Holden, Edward Albert, Red Buttons, Barbara Carrera, Burgess Meredith, Ernest Borgnine, James Franciscus, Pat Morita. Plot: An active volcano threatens a south Pacific island resort and its guests as a power struggle ensues between the property's developer and a drilling foreman.

“Can I hitch a ride to the liquor store?”Helicopter explosions in films are very much an international phenomenon and on this episode we cast our cinematic eye on the Swedish cop thriller MAN ON THE ROOF (1976).To discuss the film we’re joined by Anders and Jonas from the Pod Hard podcast to discuss the film’s strange blend of gritty social realism and Dirty Harry-style maverick cop action.We also take a look at a helicopter explosion that’s considered the ‘proudest moment in Swedish action cinema’.Episode 92.Show notesMan On The Roof (1976)Director: Bo WiderbergCast: Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt, Sven Wollter, Thomas HellbergPlot: After a policeman is murdered in his hospital bed, detective Martin Beck and his colleagues must solve the mysterious murder. But as they investigate they discover that the murderer had more than one target. Social media: Follow Anders or Jonas on Twitter.

“You owe me a meatball sandwich.”On this episode, Exploding Helicopter takes a look at one of the worst ever films by one of the one worst ever directors.Yes, we’re diving headlong into one of Uwe Boll’s notorious videogame adaptations, FAR CRY (2008) only to ask, ‘Is it really that bad?’To answer this important question we’re joined once again by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday who helps us look at a very memorable chopper fireball.Show notesFar Cry (2008)Director: Uwe BollCast: Til Schweiger, Udo Kier, Craig Fairbrass, Michael ParePlot: An ex-special forces soldier turned boatman is hired by a journalist to investigate a top-secret military base on a nearby island.Episode 91.