Exploding Helicopter

“Must have been domestic.”On this episode we wind the clock back to the early Eighties to take a look at the cult martial arts movies KILL AND KILL AGAIN (1981).We’re joined by Brett and Ty from Comeuppance Reviews to discuss what many people (just us, really) are hailing as the most influential film ever made (terms and conditions apply).World domination through potato-based mind control, ninja armies and British cinema’s bizarre obsession with nunchuck censorship are just some of the topics we touch on. Plus, the film’s very exciting exploding helicopter action.Episode 90.Show notesKill And Kill Again (1981)Director: Ivan HallCast: James Ryan, Ken Gampu, Mike MayerPlot: Martial arts champion Steve Chase is hired to save the Nobel Prize winning scientist Horatio Kane, who has been kidnapped by a rich, evil genius named Marduk. Chase assembles a team of mercenaries who must overcome treacherous encounters on their way to the villain's stronghold and then fight for their lives after they themselves are capture

“If you touch the fro, you got to go.”On the new Exploding Golf Cart we take a look at a film often hailed by fans as a classic of the combustible cart genre, UNDERCOVER BROTHER (2002).Is this blaxsploitation and spy movie spoof, a top of the leaderboard comedy, or does it miss the cut?And does the exploding golf cart action live up to the hype? Join us on the first tee to find out!Caddying for Will on this show is Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday.Show notesUNDERCOVER BROTHER (2002)Directed by: Malcolm D Lee.Cast: Eddie Griffin, Billy Dee Williams, Dave Chapelle, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris.Plot: When a white faceless corporate despot tries to derail a black candidate's presidential campaign, Undercover Brother and his fellow secret agents come to the rescue.Episode 89.

“She’s the monster, I’m the robot.”Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the romantic comedy, meets Japanese kaiju movie, meets dark relationship drama, Colossal (2017).They try to work what sort of film it is, and then look at a rare ‘slap-sticky’ exploding helicopter.Show notes Colossal (2017)Directed by: Nacho VigalondoStarring: Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudekis, Dan StevensPlot: Gloria is an out-of-work party girl forced to leave her life in New York City and move back home. When reports surface that a giant creature is destroying Seoul, she gradually comes to the realization that she is somehow connected to this phenomenon.Episode 88.

“You want bread? See a baker.”For reasons lost in the mists of time, it used to be all the rage for action films to pair a martial artist with a rapper. So, on this show, we’re looking at one of curiosities of this odd action trend: China Strike Force (2000). A film that saw martial arts luminary Mark Dacascos teamed up with everyone’s favourite, sticky-up haired rapper, Coolio. Helping us review the film is Alex Rallo from One Perfect Headshot.Show notesChina Strike Force (2000)Director: Stanley TongCast: Aaron Kwok, Norika Fujiwara, Leehom Wang and CoolioPlot: After two elite cops witness an assassination, their investigation takes puts them on the trail of a local mobster with ambitious plans to set up a drug smuggling operation. Episode 87.

“That’s okay, my wife’s a gorilla too.”Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the bonkers King Kong rip-off The Mighty Peking Man (1977). Among the topics of discussion are the films *ahem* unique special effects, the strange adult themed plot, and – of course – the spectacular exploding helicopter action. Episode 86Show notesThe Mighty Peking Man (1977)Plot: King Kong goes Hong Kong as a giant Himalayan beast tries to save a sexy Russia Tarzanette from a sleazy show-biz promoter.Directed by: Meng Hua Ho  Cast: Danny Lee, Evelyne Kraft, Chow Yun Fat (uncredited).

“Aren’t you going to congratulate me – it’s my 20th birthday.”It’s a very special episode of Exploding Helicopter as we take a look at Dragon Wars (2007), the film with most helicopter explosions in cinematic history.To help us look at this piece film history we’re joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. Show notesDragon Wars (2007)Director: Hyung-rae ShimCast: Jason Behr, Amanda Brooks, Robert ForsterPlot: Once every 500 years, ancient mythical creatures come to Earth to wreak havoc and destruction. This time they must be stopped.Episode 85. 

“We’re only screaming to scare them.”When you think of the great directors of Italian cinema you think of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, Antonioni, Rosselini and other people whose names end in ‘I’.But on this show we’re reviewing Codename Wild Geese (1984) and celebrating one of the unsung heroes of Italian cinema – Antonio Margheriti. We’re joined by Matt Poirier from DTV Connoisseur to review the film and we discuss the eclectic cast, and it’s unusual and spectacular special effects.Show notesCodename: Wild Geese (1984)Plot: A team of mercenaries go to the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia to overthrow a dictator who is also major opium manufacturer.Cast: Lewis Collins, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Van Cleef and Klaus Kinski.Episode 84.

“You know, when I was your age – I was a tough son of a biscuit eater - just like you.”On this show, Exploding Helicopter takes a deep dive into the bonkers conspiracy thriller Amerigeddon (2016). After the United Nations engineers a military takeover over of the USA - yes, the same United Nations that struggles to organise a drinks reception in a wine bar – it’s up to one, lone, Texan family to lead the fight back. To help review the film Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. They discuss the insane plot, some strange cameos, plus a truly unique exploding helicopter. Show notesAmerigeddon (2016)Plot: A global organisation aligned with the United Nations disables the United States' power grid and institutes Martial Law. Can a dedicated family of patriots save America and reclaim its freedom.Stars: Dina Meyer, Diane Ladd, AnnaLynne McCord

“Oo-be-dooby-do, where are you?”On this show Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the bonkers Stephen King adaptation, DREAMCATCHER (2003).They try to work just what the hell is going on in the plot, why Morgan Freeman has been dressed as an owl, before taking a look at the film’s exploding helicopter action.Episode 82.Show notesDreamcatcher (2003)Director: Lawrence KasdanStarring: Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Tom Sizemore, Donnie Wahlberg, Thomas Jane and Morgan FreemanPlot: Friends on a camping trip discover that the town they're vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space.

“Salami, cheese, pickles in a barrel.”On this show Will is joined by Todd Liebenow from the Forgotten Filmcast to review the Seventies conspiracy thriller The Domino Principle (1977).They try and work out who’s out to get them while taking a look at an exciting exploding helicopter. Show notesThe Domino Principle (1977)Director: Stanley KramerCast: Gene Hackman, Richard Widmark, Eli Wallach, Candice BergenPlot summary: A Vietnam War veteran, imprisoned for murder, is offered his freedom if he accepts to undertake a contract killing for a shady organisation. 

“Not bad for a tin man.”On this episode Will is joined by Chris Kavinsky from Bulletproof Action as they travel back in time to the video store era to review T-Force (1994)They discuss one of the high points of the PM Entertainment catalogue and why their films continue to enjoy a cult reputation today. And, of course, they look at an exploding helicopter that is crucial to the film’s plot.Episode 80.Show notesDirector: Richard PepinActors: Jack Scalia, Erin Gray, Vernon WellsPlot: In the near future, after a hostage situation goes awry, the last resort option of law enforcement, cybernaut unit T-Force, is ordered to be disassembled. But the robots see this as a "threat to their self-preservation" and go on a killing rampage. It's up to police lieutenant Jack Floyd and one of the cybernauts, who is on the right side of the law, to bring them down.For more information about the history of PM Entertainment then check out a great article on the Hopes & Fears website http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/culture

“Nice house. Cool view. Great scotch.”Heist films follow a largely identical template. A group of misfit individuals are brought together to execute a seemingly fool-proof plan, only for the whole enterprise to go disastrously wrong.So, given the plot of TAKERS (2010), it seemed only fitting that Exploding Helicopter regulars Will and Dara teamed up with Barry and Jairo from The True Bromance Podcast to discuss this masterpiece of cinema.Episode 79.Show notesTakers (2010)Directed by John LuessenhopStarring: Idris Elba, Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Michael Ealy, TI, Chris Brown, Zoe Saldana, Hayden ChristensenPlot: A seasoned team of bank robbers successfully complete their latest heist and lead a life of luxury while planning their next job. But then a former member of their team is released from prison and convinces the group to strike an armored car carrying $20 million. As the "takers" carefully plot their strategy and draw nearer to pulling off the grand heist, a reckless police officer inches closer to appr

"I've waited so long for you to pull my trigger."On this show we're looking at a historic film. GOLGO 13: THE PROFESSIONAL (1983) is the very first animation to incorporate CGI. Not only that, the groundbreaking specials effects are used to explode a helicopter. Amazing! Who thought Exploding Helicopter podcast could be so educational?To review this epoch marking event we're joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday.Episode 78.Show notesGolgo 13: The Professional (1983)Directed by Osamu DezakiPlot: After killing the son of a powerful oil tycoon, an assassin-for-hire becomes the target of American soldiers and superhuman killers.Stars: Tetsurô Sagawa, Gorô Naya, Toshiko Fujita 

“We already had our Vietnam. Now you’re going to have yours.”We mark the 10th anniversary of Exploding Helicopter by taking a look at one of the classics of the exploding helicopter genre, Rambo III (1988).We reflect on the last decade of gyratory destruction before getting stuck into Sylvester Stallone’s headband and mullet action.There’s incredibly bad Russian accents, an analysis of movie villains through the decades, and a dissection of four top quality exploding helicopters.Episode 77.Show notesRambo III (1988)Director: Peter MacDonaldCast: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Kurtwood SmithPlot: Rambo mounts a one-man mission to rescue his friend Colonel Trautman from the clutches of the formidable invading Soviet forces in Afghanistan.

“Release the copper choppers.”On this episode we venture into the world of animated exploding helicopter action when we review The Lego Movie (2014).We’re joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to discuss the film’s blend of comedy, action and social critique.And, of course, we look at the rare animated exploding helicopter action.Episode 76.

“Japanese proverb say, bird never make nest in bare tree.”On this show Will is joined by Richard Kirkham from Kirkham A Movie A Day to review You Only Live Twice (1967).They discuss the film’s highs (and many lows), and examine the first fully formed appearance of Blofeld in the Bond universe.They also take a look at the film’s outstanding aerial helicopter battle as 007 fights four Spectre choppers in the iconic ‘Little Nellie’.Episode 75Show notesYou Only Live Twice (1967)Director: Lewis GilbertCast: Sean Connery, Tetsurô Tanba, and Donald PleasancePlot: Agent 007 and the Japanese Secret Service ninja force must find and stop the true culprit of a series of spacejackings before nuclear war is provoked.Find Richard at Kirkham A Movie A Day: http://kirkhamclass.blogspot.com/ 

“Next time we’ll take the titanic.”On this episode of Exploding Airship we take a look at one of the classics of the genre, The Hindenburg (1975).Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to discuss the film’s conspiracy thriller plot, it’s sprawling cast, and – of course – the exploding airship action.Episode 74.Show notesDirector: Robert WiseCast: George C Scott, Anne Bancroft, Burgess Meredith, William Atherton, Charles Durning.Plot: A film that chronicles the events of the Hindenburg disaster in which a zeppelin burst into flames.

“Wait a minute, didn’t Snow White have seven dwarves?”Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to find out what happens when you cross a buddy cop film with a Bollywood musical when they review Dhoom 2 (2006).They discuss the film’s over the top action sequences, dance numbers, and its chaotic efforts to incorporate every known genre (except horror) into one movie.And, of course, they take a look at the film’s spectacular exploding helicopter.Episode 73.Show notesDhoom 2 (2006)Director: Sanjay GadhviCast: Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai BachchanSummary: Mumbai cops Jai Dixit and Ali Khan pursue a mysterious international super-criminal known only as Mr A. Their hunt takes them around the world as they try to stop the master thief taking down his next target.

“How much is an Arabian horse?”On this show Will is joined, once again, by Dara to look at the biographical war drama Lone Survivor (2013) starring Mark Wahlberg.They discuss the film’s brutal depiction of conflict, whether this is biography or hagiography, before swerving off for an examination of Mark Wahlberg’s musical career.And, as always, there’s a review of the film’s exploding helicopter action which features a unique chopper fireball.Episode 72. Show notesDirector: Peter BergCast: Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Emile HirschPlot: Biographical war drama, based on the eponymous 2007 non-fiction book by Marcus Luttrell. Set during the war in Afghanistan, it dramatizes the unsuccessful United States Navy SEALs counter-insurgent mission Operation Red Wings, during which a four-man SEAL reconnaissance and surveillance team was tasked to track down a Taliban leader.

“All this? For an over-sized crocodile?”On this special episode Exploding Helicopter travels back in time to 1959 to look at the very first film to feature an exploding helicopter: Behemoth The Sea Monster aka The Giant Behemoth.To review this historic moment, Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday.They discuss the film’s creature feature thrills, the odd chemistry between the stars, and cinema’s first helicopter explosion.Don’t miss this episode of Exploding Helicopter as we witness history in the making.Episode 71.