“I welcome you warmly to the land of toy cars.” On this show we take a look at the surprisingly dark children’s animation THE TAYO MOVIE – MISSION: ACE (2016).We’re joined by Nick Rehak to discuss abandonment issues, post-traumatic stress, militarised violence and unchecked authoritarian rule. And, of course, the exploding helicopter action.Show notesThe Tayo Movie – Mission: Ace (2016)Director: Ryu Jung-woo and Anna PaikPlot:  Tayo travels to Toy Land with Duri and Hana to save Duri's...

“I’d say there’s two ways of doing that – no way and no how.” On this exciting new episode of Exploding Jet Ski we finally tackle the Citizen Kane of exploding jet ski cinema, WATERWORLD (1995).To review a film of such profound artistic importance there was really only one man to call, jet ski film aficionado Mark Hofmeyer.Show notesWaterworld (1995)Director: Kevin ReynoldsCast: Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Dennis HopperPlot: In a future where the polar ice-caps have melted and Earth is...

“Nobody ever asks how many you saved.” We take a look at the new Scott Adkins film ONE SHOT (2021), one of the most ambitious action film in recent years. And who better to help us review the film than action auteur Alex Rallo from Head Exposure and Kinemotions. Warning! This podcast contains views about the career of Isaac Florentine that some listeners may find upsetting.Episode 120Show notesOne Shot (2021)Director: James NunnCast: Scott Adkins, Ryan Phillipe, Ashley GreenPlot: An elite...

“If something’s lost – it can be found.”On this episode, Will is joined by Nick Rehak to take a look at the big screen adaptation of the hit computer game franchise UNCHARTED (2022). *Be warned this is a film review WITH spoilers*Episode 119.Show notesDirector: Ruben FleischerCast: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio BanderasPlot: Street-smart Nathan Drake, is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter, Victor "Sully" Sullivan, to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years...

“It’s not religion – it’s the onset of senility.”We take a look at one of the last films made by the legendary Cannon Group, FIFTY/FIFTY (1992) before the company went belly up. The film stars Robocop and Ted Stryker as a pair of bickering mercenaries hired by the CIA to overthrow a meddlesome dictator. We’re joined by Cannon aficionado Austin Trunick, author of The Cannon Film Guide, to discuss this under-the-radar gem. Show notesFifty/Fifty (1992)Director: Charles Martin SmithCast: Peter...

“What do you know about dancing?” You don’t find many exploding helicopters in musicals and romantic dramas, but we’ve managed to find the one film that features a chopper fireball alongside the dance numbers. So, on this episode, we’re reviewing the most unique film we’ve ever tackled: DANCIN’ – IT’S ON! (2015).Helping us make sense of this cinematic first is Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur. We try to work out what Gary Daniels is doing in this film, discuss the filmic art of ‘angry...

“They call him Gojira, you moron!” No fictional character has appeared in more films with an exploding helicopter than Godzilla.So, on this show, we’re looking at the Big G’s controversial appearance in Roland Emmerich’s GODZILLA (1998).Show notesGodzilla (1998)Director: Roland EmmerichCast: Matthew Broderick, Jean RenoPlot: French nuclear tests irradiate an iguana into a giant monster that heads off to New York City. The American military must chase the monster across the city to stop it...

“It’s a great plan - if it was 1985.”  As The Expendables 4 cranks into gear, we thought it was a good time to take a look at the last entry in the pensioner-led action franchise. Our special guest on this episode is author, filmmaker, and bad film aficionado Timon Singh. Show notesThe Expendables 3 (2014)Director: Patrick HughesCast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson. Plot: Barney hires a team of new blood to take down Conrad...

“Let me guess – you saw that work on Inspector Gadget?” On this show we take a look at the bizarre attempt to turn Jim Belushi into a James Bond-style action hero. We’re joined by Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur who helps us try and understand how everyone’s second favourite Belushi has managed to maintain a forty-year screen career and discuss a unique exploding helicopter scene. Show notesRoyce (1994)Director: Rod HolcombeCast: James Belushi, Miguel Ferrer, Peter Boyle, Anthony...

“When I asked for your advice, I didn’t mean you should actually speak.”After 6 years of podcasting, Exploding Helicopter is pleased to finally have a guest who actually knows what they’re talking about. So, on this show, we’re joined by nuclear weapons expert and host of The Super Critical Podcast, Tim Westmyer, to review THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (2002). A film which sees two of the world’s great superpowers brought to the brink of nuclear war.We discuss biscuits, footballs, two-man rules and a...

“Sometimes you gotta shoot a hostage.”Is Kevin Costner the greatest actor of all-time? Or is he more like a jar of peanut butter you find at the back of the kitchen cupboard? These are among the many important questions we ponder as we review Big Kev’s coastguard drama THE GUARDIAN (2006).Our guest on this show is Kevin Costner aficionado – and Waterworld apologist – Barry Riddell from the Tru Bromance Podcast. Show notesDirector: Andrew DavisCast: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Clancy Brown,...

"At sunset - all birds look black."In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed and the newly independent state of Russia was ready to embrace those familiar symbols of Western capitalist decadence: big macs, blue jeans and, of course, action films. So, on this show, we’re reviewing Russia’s first attempt at an American-style action film: RED MOB (1992).Show notesRed Mob (1992)Director: Vsevolod PlotkinCast: Vladimir MenshovPlot: After mobster kidnap his son, an Afghan war veteran is blackmailed into...

“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...

“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...

“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 notes The Omega Man (1971) Director: Boris Sagal Cast: Charlton Heston, Rosalind...

“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...

“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 notes Fortress 2: Re-entry (2000) Director: Geoff Murphy Cast: Christopher Lambert, Patrick Malahide, Pam Grier Plot: Seven...

“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 notes Director: David Winters Cast: Roberty Ginty, Shannon Tweed,...

“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 notes Director: John Badham Cast: Mel Gibson,...

“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 notes Director: John De BelloCast: David Miller, George Wilson, Sharon Taylor Plot: A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer...

“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 notes Rampage (2018) Director: Brad Peyton  Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean Morgan Plot: When three different animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist...

“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...

“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 notes Darkman (1990) Director: Sam Raimi Cast: Liam Neeson, France McDormand, Larry Drake Plot: A brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact revenge on the people...

“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 notes Director: Robert Lee Cast: Judge Reinhold, Carol Alt, Michael Sarrazin Plot: A policeman working alone must rescue...

“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 notes Director: Ric Roman Waugh Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Danny Huston, Piper Perabo, Lance Reddick, Nick Nolte Plot: Mike Banning is framed for the attempted...