Exploding Helicopter

"You're not going to kill anyone else are you?" On this episode we're looking at the film that attempted to turn Sir Anthony Hopkins into the next James Bond, WHEN EIGHT BELLS TOLL (1971). To see if we should award Old Tony a license to thrill is Richard Kirkham from the cryptically titled Kirkham A Movie A Day. Episode 148. NB - Unfortunately, this episode suffers from some audio issues. Hopefull...

“Fifty bucks and the monkey can watch” On this show we’re taking a look an animated film that celebrates the Eighties maverick cop genre, CHUCK STEEL: NIGHT OF THE TRAMPIRES (2018). Our guest on this episode is a podcaster on the edge, a maverick broadcaster who plays by his own rules, is Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur. Episode 147 Twitter: @chopperfireball Website: explodinghelicopter.com...

“Most human problems can be solved with an appropriate charge of high explosive” During the 1980s, it seemed as if Hollywood sent every one of its action stars on unsanctioned missions to Vietnam to rescue American POWs. But before Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone got in on the MIA rescuing act, it was the more unlikely figure of Gene Hackman who first went in to get ‘our boys’ back. So, on thi...

“Strange... I seem to remember... that the cathedral was on the other side of the square.” On this episode of Exploding Cable Car we take a look at the classic war epic WHERE EAGLES DARE (1968). We discuss inept interrogation tactics, Richard Burton’s bad mood, and all the explosive cable transportation action. Episode 145.

“It’s time to befriend the devil.” On this episode we return to the world of Bollywood to look at Shah Rukh Khan’s action blockbuster PATHAAN (2023). We fire up the wind machine so Asim Burney from the Khandaan podcast can make a suitably dramatic return to the show. We discuss screen bromances, scandalous bikinis, and whether it’s not too late for us to get a sculpted six pack. Episode 144. Show...

“Gentlemen – cancel your turkey orders.” On this show we rig for silent running and plunge below crush depth to review the French submarine thriller The Wolf’s Call (2019). Show notes The Wolf’s Call (2019) Director: Antonin Baudry Cast: Francois Civil, Omar Sy, Reda Kateb Plot: In the near future, a French submarine finds itself in a crisis situation.

“You wouldn’t hit a lady would ya?” Over a near 20-year period Clint Eastwood was one of the most popular box office stars in American cinema. On this episode we take a look at a film from Old Squint’s commercial pomp, THE GAUNTLET (1977). We take a look at a film that appears to be just another run of the mill cop thriller from the Man With No Name, but under the surface turns out to be peculiarl...

“She was as easy to crack as a raw egg.” On this episode we take a look at one of the most important exploding helicopter scenes in film history. But before we do that, we discuss Narrow Margin (1990), Peter Hyams’ remake of a film noir classic. Film notes Narrow Margin (1990) Director: Peter Hyams Cast: Gene Hackman, Anne Archer, M Emmet Walsh, JT Walsh Plot: A Los Angeles Deputy District Attorne...

“Wow – that tongue thing is amazing.” On this episode we take a look at Michael Bay’s The Island (2005). We discuss how well the inventor of ‘Bayhem’ handles a film which attempts an exploration of philosophical and ethical questions whilst trying to figure out why we keep wanting to buy expensive consumer goods. Oh, and of course we take a look at the exploding helicopter action.  Episode 140.

“Have you received adequate training for your profession?” On this show we’re taking a look at the Michael Douglas noughties comeback THE SENTINEL (2006). After a three year absence from acting everyone’s favourite recovering sex addict returned to the big screen with presidential assassination conspiracy thriller. Did we suffer a fatal attraction for The Sentinel? Or did fail to satisfy our basic...

“You may be bulletproof – but you’re not love proof.” On this show we take a look at the cult Eighties action film BULLETPROOF (1987). We’re joined by Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur to discuss the action movie credentials of Gary Busey, why you should take a nap around this film’s third innings, and whether it provided inspiration to the writers of The Simpsons. We also review the exploding...

“Now – just blink for yes – or die for no.” Over a 40-year career John Frankenheimer earned himself a reputation as one of Hollywood’s foremost directors of action and suspense films. Here we're joined by Nick Rehak to take a look at one of his less heralded films, Black Sunday (1977). While it may not have the prestige and plaudits of The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days In May or Ronin, it does...

“The rich must pay or the rich will die.” On the new Exploding Helicopter we’re joined by Doug Tilley from Cinema Smorgasbord to look at a very strange film: ASSAULT IN PARADISE (1977). We try to decide if the film was trying to make a sophisticated exploration of the exploitation of Native Americans, or if it was just a confused mess of a movie with nothing to say. We discuss seduction at gunpoin...

“Mother goose, mother goose, the quails are in the nest.” We take a look at the maritime-themed spin on Die Hard that briefly turned Steven Seagal into an A-list action movie star: UNDER SIEGE (1992). Was this film really a Steven Seagal vehicle though? Why did Tommy Lee Jones never record a blues rock album? And was the action in this film really no better than the Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman ‘O...

“What are you worried about? They’re only toys.” On this episode we’re reviewing Joe Dante’s SMALL SOLDEIRS (1998). We discuss this surprisingly dark kids flick, subversive messaging and, of course, the exploding helicopter action. Show notes Small Soldiers (1998) Director: Joe Dante Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Kevin Dunn, Dennis Leary, Phil Hartman, Robert Picardo, Dick Miller, Tommy Lee Jones, Ernest B...

“Some of the men say it’s one of those abdominal snowmen.”  On this episode of Exploding Air Boat we take a look at one of the classics of the propeller assisted water transport genre, SWAMP THING (1982). We’re joined by Nick Rehak to discuss the film’s strange cult status, monster costumes and the spectacular air boat action.  Episode 133.

“Only a lunatic would build a world class resort on a ticking time bomb of molten earth.”   On this show we do the deep dive on the shallowest volcano movie ever made, SKYFIRE (2019). We’re joined by disaster movie aficionado Fred Andersson to discuss spectacular set-pieces, one dimensional characters, and a classic exploding helicopter. Show notes Skyfire (2019) Director: Simon West Cast: Hannah...

”Somebody - for some reason - wants us to believe that we’re back in 1941.” On this show we spiral backwards through the time tunnel to review THE FINAL COUNTDOWN (1980). We discuss time paradoxes, marvel at the art of background acting, and admire the film’s military hardware. Oh, and we of course discuss an exploding helicopter which may secure the outcome of WWII. Show notes The Final Countdown...

“Where’s the Sixties music dude?” On this show we take a look at the insane genre mash-up SOLDIER BOYZ (1995) – a film that attempts to fuse a prison movie, a teen drama with a ‘back to Vietnam rescue mission’ action film. Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur returns to the show to discuss young offender rehabilitation, the film’s computer game spin-off and the only collaboration to date between...

“You wait – my travel agent is going to hear about this.” On this episode we take a look at EVASIVE ACTION (1998) a film which tries to recreate the magic of Con Air, but this time on a train. Jay Cluitt from the Con Air: The Podcast joins us to look at the uncanny and shameless similarity to the Nicholas Cage classic. We also examine the little known musical career of one of the film’s stars and,...

“Did your date lose the handcuff key?” On this episode we don our tin foil hats to review the conspiracy thriller SHADOW CONSPIRACY (1997). We’re joined by Nick Rehak to discuss conspicuous hitmen, the cinematic significance of basketball, and Stephen Lang’s hair through the ages. Oh, and we also talk about an exploding helicopter that one of our hosts declares the best they’ve even seen! Show not...

“They call him GORR-Z-YAH!” After punishing ourselves by reviewing Roland Emmerich’s 1998 version, we turn our attentions to the Gareth Edwards helmed reboot, remake, re-quel GODZILLA (2014). Big G superfan joins us to discuss how this version honours/besmirches (delete as appropriate) the monster series traditions. And we of course look at the exploding helicopter action. Or, in this case, the ex...

“It’s all in the grind Sizemore.” On this show we’re taking a look at Ridley Scott’s war epic BLACK HAWN DOWN (2001). As the events the film depict fade from memory, how does it play today? What point was the film trying to make? And how in the hell has Ridley Scott only ever made one film with exploding helicopter. We ask many questions on this show, but do we have any answers? Listen now and fin...

“What’s going on here? I’m lost.” On this show we review Michael Winner’s FIREPOWER (1979). A film where the plot is almost as bonkers as the cast. We’re joined by Nick Rehak to try and work out what on earth is going on and discuss the exploding helicopter action. Show notes Firepower (1979) Directed by: Michael Winner Cast: James Coburn, Sophia Loren, OJ Simpson, Vincent Gardenia, Eli Wallach, J...

“Never blame a mountain for what it does.” On this episode we take a look at one of the last films of the Seventies disaster movie cycle, the rock climbing catastrophe HIGH ICE (1980). Joining us to discuss the film is disaster movie enthusiast Fred Andersson from Schmollywood Babylon. We marvel at the film’s tremendous antagonist, its annoying kid, and the most undignified death in disaster movie...