“The prince of Venezuela. Who do you think I mean?” Joining Will in the jail of his own creation (the Exploding Helicopter podcast) is Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. They’ve been locked up behind microphones to review the military prison flick The Last Castle (2001) . They take a look at the film and its over-elaborate exploding helicopter. Episode 70. Show notes The Last Castle (2001) Directed by: Rod Lurie Starring: Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Delroy Lindo...
Jan 10, 2019•40 min
“I’m sorry, I don’t speak English.” On this show Will is joined Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the infamous action adventure SAHARA (2005) . They discuss how and why this film became one of Hollywood’s most notorious flops, the surreal plot, and a unique exploding helicopter. Episode 69.
Dec 19, 2018•37 min
“Expect the unexpectable.” On this show Will and Dara abandon Hollywood for Wakaliwood and Uganda’s very first action film, the cult sensation, Who Killed Captain Alex? (2010) . They discuss the filmmakers unique take on action cinema, the genius of the video jockey, and try to work out exactly who did kill Captain Alex? They also look at the exploding helicopter action which could be the best or worst they’ve ever seen. Episode 68....
Nov 30, 2018•32 min
“I now pronounce you man and knife” We’re joined by Heather Baxendale-Walsh from the MILFcast to review action ensemble extraordinaire The Expendables 2 (2012). Among the topics of conversation, the series’ fluctuating tone, what today’s teenagers make of 70-something action stars, and who the hell is going to be in a future Expendables reboot. They also look at the film’s exceptional exploding helicopter which sees a motorcycle repurposed as a surface to air missile. Episode 67....
Nov 09, 2018•35 min
“I said, goddamn what a rush.” On this show Will is joined by Jeanette Ward from The Mundane Adventures of a Fangirl to review one of the all-time great exploding helicopter films, Broken Arrow (1996) . They discuss the film’s “Woo quotient”, John Travolta’s extraordinary performance before taking a little detour to discuss classic nineties erotic serial The Red Shoe Diaries. They also examine the film’s four spectacular helicopter explosions. Episode 66....
Oct 19, 2018•43 min
“Dinner out is a go.” On this show Will and Dara carry out an in depth interrogation of Spy Game (2001). Among the topics of discussion, when does your relationship status justify a prison break, Tony Scott’s hyperkinetic directing, and whether the craft of espionage is just opening your eyes and looking at stuff. They also discuss a chopper fireball that deserves to be in the exploding helicopter hall of shame. Episode 65.
Sep 28, 2018•37 min
“I have a message for New York. Central Park is mine.” On this show, Exploding Helicopter is looking back at the Rambo inspired Eighties curio THE PARK IS MINE (1986) . Tommy Lee Jones plays a troubled Vietnam veteran who launches an armed takeover of Central Park after he’s pushed too far. Joining Will to review the film is Rich Nelson from the Betamax Video Club . They discuss the film’s First Blood inspirations, questionable policing tactics, and try to figure out just what Tommy Lee Jones is...
Sep 09, 2018•34 min
“The password is big blue wrecking crew” On this show we’re joined by author, podcaster and bad film aficionado Ti Singh to review American Ninja 4: The Annihilation (1990) . Among the exciting topics of discussion, villains without a plan, expert marksmen who can’t shoot straight, and the majesty of Steve James (who isn’t even in this sequel). Oh yes, we talk about it all and more, including the exploding helicopter action. Check out the Exploding Helicopter website or follow us on Twitter . Yo...
Aug 17, 2018•39 min
“Try to stay dead this time.” On this show Will and Dara attempt to unscramble the DNA of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sci-fi thriller, The 6th Day (2000) . Along the way they decode the film’s surprisingly solid science fiction ideas, ponder Arnie’s Noughties film career, and the strange documentary career of Michael Rapaport. And they of course dissect the film’s futuristic exploding helicopter scene. Check out the Exploding Helicopter website..... ....or follow us on twitter @chopperfireball Episo...
Aug 03, 2018•36 min
“Were you expecting an exploding pen?” On this mini-episode, Will takes a look at Skyfall (2012), the last James Bond movie to feature an exploding helicopter. Episode 61.
Jul 01, 2018•13 min
"Never get out of the boat." In a break from the usual programming, Will travels upriver alone on this show to review Apocalypse Now (1979) . On the journey, he considers how the film's uncanny parallels to a package holiday - albeit, one with a little light homicide thrown in. Episode 60.
Jun 02, 2018•10 min
“Next time we’ll take a cruise.” On this show Will is joined by Doug Tilley from Eric Roberts Is The Man to review the bizarre faith-based martial arts movie Lasko: Death Train (2005) . The film sees its hero, a peace-seeking monk, recruited into a secret paramilitary group dedicated to protecting the church. Along the way he has to fight terrorists, a deadly virus, and some truly horrendous dubbing. And there’s also two stone cold classic exploding helicopters. Episode 59....
May 11, 2018•40 min
“Band aids and butterbeans, we’re online.” On this show Will is joined by DJ Valentine from Simplistic Reviews to review the new Netflix action-comedy Game Over, Man! (2018). Among the topics of discussion, the film’s Die Hard pastiche, what on earth Daniel Stern is doing in this, the off-colour humour, and – of course – the exploding helicopter action. Episode 58.
Apr 21, 2018•36 min
“Is this moron number one? Put moron number two on the phone.” On this show Will forcibly escorts Dara to the end of the podcast in the hope of collecting a bounty as they review Midnight Run (1988) . Along the way the pair bicker then bond as they discuss Robert De Niro’s comedy chops, why you can never remake Eighties films, and all the exploding helicopter action. Episode 57.
Mar 30, 2018•39 min
“Everything’s easier in a mini-skirt.” In a break with the usual programming, Will carries out his first ever solo review by looking at the Renny Harlin helmed propaganda film 5 Days Of War (2011). Starring Val Kilmer and Andy Garcia the film tells the story (or at least one side of it) of plucky Georgia and its heroic efforts to resist a Russian invasion. There are horror-inducing cameos, terrible accents, and, of course, an exploding helicopter. Episode 56....
Mar 10, 2018•12 min
“I was born into a world you may not understand.” On this show Will and Dara suck the blood out of Milla Jovovich’s sci-fi vampire flick Ultraviolet (2006). They discuss the film’s strange use of visual effects, vampires that don’t act like vampires, and the music career of Milla Jovovich. They also take a look at Ultraviolet’s spectacular exploding helicopter action which involves 'Midriff' Jovovich motorcycling through an airborne whirlybird. Episode 55....
Feb 16, 2018•40 min
“Whose pyjamas are these?” On this show Will is joined by Troy-Jeffrey Allen from Action A Go Go to talk about Ant Man (2015). They take a dive into the characters comic book history, discuss where it fits in Marvel’s recent output, and review the unique exploding helicopter sequence (even though Troy completed missed it). Episode 54.
Jan 27, 2018•35 min
“I don't think you understand, these boys killed my dog.” On this show Will and Dara take a look at assassination conspiracy thriller Shooter (2007) starring Mark Wahlberg and Danny Glover. Among the topics of debate: Mark Wahlberg’s controversial disguise, Danny Glover’s teeth, and does this film contain one of the poorest helicopter explosions we’ve yet seen. Episode 53.
Jan 06, 2018•36 min
“Looks like we just woke the dead.” Will is joined by his regular shambling, brain dead sidekick Dara to take a look at big budget zombie action spectacular World War Z (2013). Among the topics of discussion: the film’s toothless approach to gore, it’s controversially re-shot ending, and a rare, zombie-related exploding helicopter. Episode 52.
Dec 18, 2017•39 min
“Get me some coffee. Half and half. Three sweet'n’lows. In a real cup.” Will is joined by occasional Exploding Helicopter sidekick and self-confessed action movie luddite Joe Clift to discuss Olympus Has Fallen (2013). They talk about the villain’s curious politics, Gerard Butler’s head-stabbing antics while Joe tries to recall if he’s ever watched Die Hard. And as always the pair look at the film’s explosive helicopter action. Episode 51.
Nov 29, 2017•32 min
“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 o...
Nov 11, 2017•35 min
“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....
Oct 16, 2017•31 min
“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 u...
Sep 22, 2017•36 min
“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.
Sep 09, 2017•33 min
“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.
Aug 26, 2017•33 min
“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 sha...
Aug 02, 2017•34 min
“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....
Jul 02, 2017•36 min
“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 d...
May 12, 2017•36 min
“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....
Apr 14, 2017•38 min
“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.
Mar 23, 2017•37 min
