Exploding Helicopter

“Whatever happens, we’ll always remember our silver wedding anniversary.”On this show Will takes Dara hostage in order to review the 1980s action classic The Delta Force (1986).Among the topics of discussions: the film’s surprisingly accurate dramatisation of a real-life airplane hijacking, how on earth the cast stars four Oscar winners, and the weird incompetence of America's 'elite' special forces.They also examine the film’s stunning exploding helicopter and what may well be the greatest opening scene in cinematic history.Episode 50.

“If you lie to me I hurt you.”On this show Will is joined by Ben Dadds from Top Film Tip for an enhanced interrogation of Zero Dark Thirty (2012).They unpick the controversy around the film’s depiction of torture, what story Kathryn Bigelow was trying to tell, and a considered discussion as to who among the cast wears the worst wig.They also examine the film’s exploding helicopter action which “really gets the helicopter hormones going”. Episode 49.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your threat.”On this episode Will is joined by Todd Liebenow from the Forgotten Filmcast to review Sixties mystery thriller Arabesque (1966).Among the topics of discussion, Stanley Donen’s psychedelia-inspired direction, the awkward chemistry between Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren, and what on earth the plot’s meant to be about.They also take a look at one of cinema’s earliest exploding helicopters where the whirlybird is destroyed by the unconventional use of a ladder.Episode 48.

“What do you say we play a little Bangkok rules?”On this show Will injects Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday with a lethal virus and blackmails him into reviewing Escape From LA (1996).They try to figure out what the hell John Carpenter was attempting with this film and whether this it accurately predicts the American of 2017.And we of course examine the film’s futuristic exploding helicopter action. Episode 47.

“Let’s kill ‘em all.”On this show Will and Dara bravely take on Courage Under Fire (1996).Among the topics of discussion, the film’s Rashomon-influenced structure, Matt Damon’s coming of age performance, and the stunning sight of Lou Diamond Phillips' jockstrap. They also attempt to tackle the thorny philosophical question of whether you can explode an already exploded helicopter.Episode 46.

“I thought Christmas only came once a year.”Will is joined by Joe Scaramanga of the Now Music Fan Blog to review The World Is Not Enough (1999). Pierce Brosnan’s third outing as 007 is regularly ranked as one of the worst ever Bond movies. But does the film deserve its reputation? Or was it an ambitious attempt to rejuvenate the formula that paved the way for the Daniel Craig era?They also discuss James Bond’s licence to kill helicopters, and two chopper fireballs which leave our reviewers shaken but unstirred. Episode 45.

“Blimey! I thought I smelled cabbage.”On this show Will and Dara dig out their thick-rimmed glasses, crushed velvet flares, and anachronistic social attitudes to review Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002).Does Mike Myers’ spy spoof comedy hold up? Did Jimmy Savile ruin this film? How to swear in Japanese, and a surprisingly heartfelt appreciation of the life and works of Susannah Hoffs.Oh, and not to forget a review of a truly awe-inspiring exploding helicopter. Episode 44.

“Season’s over a55hole!”Will and Dara don their climbing gear and attempt to reach the summit of Sylvester Stallone’s action career, Cliffhanger (1993).On their route to the top they discuss the merits of John Lithgow’s robbery plan, the film’s bizarre lurch into stoner dude comedy, and the legend that is British TV hardman Craig Fairbrass. They also examine the film’s classic exploding helicopter action sequence which sees Stallone and Lithgow engage in a fistfight on an upside-down chopper dangling from a mountain.Episode 43.

“It’s a documentary, it’s all really happening.”Exploding helicopters are almost exclusively found in the action genre. But on this show we’re reviewing that rarest of all aviation animals: an exploding helicopter in an art house movie. Will is joined by Helen from the Flixwatcher Podcast to review Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004). So get ready for matching tracksuits, childish adults, and popular songs sung in a foreign language. Episode 42.

“You’re either SWAT or you’re not.”Will and Dara take a look at SWAT (2003) the big screen reboot of an old, long forgotten, Seventies cop show. After a considered discussion of the film’s puzzling structure and Hollywood’s approach to reboots, they try to answer such important questions as who likes Jeremy Renner and why Michelle Rodriguez always wears vests.Episode 41.

"Imagine the future, because you're not in it."Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to look at the cult classic Stone Cold (1991). It marked the movie debut of the former American footballer turned actor Brian Bosworth. In time honoured fashion, he plays a maverick cop who plays by his own rules trying to bring down a biker gang run by Lance Henriksen. The result is one of the most explosive films ever committed to celluloid. And more importantly it features a truly legendary exploding helicopter.Episode #40

“They hate us, because they ain’t us.”Will and Dara take a look at one of the most controversial films of recent times, The Interview (2014). They try to work out how on earth this film caused a diplomatic storm, an embarrassing email scandal, and how it became a totem for free speech. They also take a look at what could be one of the greatest exploding helicopters of all-time.Episode 39.

“We're going to make you indestructible - but first, we're gonna have to destroy you.”Will is joined by Bubba Wheat from Flights, Tights and Movie Nights to look at X Men Origins: Wolverine (2009).Among the topics of discussion why cool guys don’t look at explosions, heroes with under-powered superpowers and a personality free exploding helicopter. Episode 38.

“Well I told you what we had to do, shoot down the helicopters.”Will and Dara take a look at Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) a film which tells the true story of America’s involvement in the Soviet/Afghan war. Among the topics of discussion Tom Hanks’ weirdly sex scene free career, whether exploding helicopters were the key to ending the Cold War, and of course film’s six chopper fireballs. Episode 37.

“Oh brother, somebody gonna kiss the donkey!”Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to look at the most important film in the exploding helicopter genre BATTLESHIP (2012), a movie that features a record-breaking 8 (eight) helicopter explosions. Our intrepid hosts also discuss chicken burritos, old dudes kicking butt, and whether this alien invasion movie, isn’t really about an alien invasion.Episode 36.

“God damn, if I’d just been a couple minutes early he’d be breathing now.”Will and Dara pull on their diving suits, hook up their oxygen line and plunge into nautical biopic Men Of Honor (2000).Among the topics of discussion: the strange demise of Cuba Gooding Jr’s career, Robert De Niro impressions, and one of the worst exploding helicopter scenes we’ve ever had the misfortune to witness.Episode 35.

“You just killed a helicopter with a car.”On this show we’re looking at Die Hard 4.0 (2007) a film that includes one of the greatest ever helicopter explosions. So, in keeping with the movie, Exploding Helicopter’s cranky old podcast presenter Will, is joined by an irritating youthful sidekick - Daniel from Get Reel Movies - for a show that’s a pale shadow of previous installments. Episode 34.

“What does it take to change the essence of a man?”On this show Will and Dara don eccentrically tasselled jackets and tie their hair into ponytails to look at On Deadly Ground (1994), Steven Seagal’s bizarre attempt to save the environment via the medium of action cinema.They also examine what has been described as “one of the screen’s greatest ever exploding helicopters.” Episode #33

“Do we get to win this time?”On this show Will sharpens his Bowie knife, ties on a bandana and perms his mullet in readiness to talk about Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985).Guesting on this show are Barry and Jairo from the True Bromance film podcast. Among the topics of discussion, revenge fantasies, the technical definition of a mullet, and Rambo as homoerotic icon.They also look at a spectacular exploding helicopter and ponder the classic philosophical question: If a helicopter blows up in a forest and there’s no-one there to see it, did it actually explode?Episode 32.

“This trip is going to make LSD feel like aspirin.”On this show Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to look at John Wayne’s infamous Vietnam War propaganda film The Green Berets (1968).Among the topics of discussion: what on Earth’s the film’s message is, whether it even has a plot, and the name of Hamchuk’s dog is. They also look at cinema history and the only scene to feature John Wayne and an exploding helicopter. Episode 31.