“No killing the other patients, rule number one.”

We travel into the near future and check in at HOTEL ARTEMIS (2018), a mysterious, members only hospital for crooks, hitmen and con artists.

We discuss the John Wick vibes, genre mash ups, and an exploding helicopter that could double as a video art installation.

Show notes

Hotel Artemis (2018)
Plot: Set in riot-torn, near-future Los Angeles, 'Hotel Artemis' follows the Nurse, who runs a secret, members-only emergency room for criminals.
Cast: Jodie Foster, Sterling K Brown, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Quinto, Sofia Boutella, Dave Bautista

Episode 174.

“They don’t call me the Alaskan pipeline for nothing.”

How bad does a film have to be that Steven Seagal won’t star in it? We go looking for the answer in HALF PAST DEAD 2 (2007), the Seagal-free follow up to the Buddhist botherer’s prison escape movie.

We joined by Nick Rehak to discuss which minor cast member from the original film has been promoted to leading man status, and the other strained efforts at series continuity. We also examine an exploding helicopter scene that is troublingly familiar.

Episode 173.

Show notes

Follow Exploding Helicopter
Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

“Sounds like an Arabian racehorse to me.”

On this episode we investigate a movie made by a unique British filmmaker: Cliff Twemlow. After working as a bodybuilder, bouncer, music composter and novelist, Twemlow decided to reinvent himself as a movie mogul. Over a 10-year period, he made a string of low budget – and often no budget - films for the home video market. Here, we look at one of his works, TARGET EVE ISLAND (1983).

We’re joined by Doug Tilley from Cinema Smorgasbord to look at the fascinating life, career, and work of Cliff Twemlow. And as part of this, we also discuss the documentary MANCUNIAN MAN: THE LEGENDARY LIFE OF CLIFF TWEMLOW (2023).

Episode 172.

Show notes
Follow Exploding Helicopter
Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

Follow Cinema Smorgasbord
Bluesky: @Cinemasmorgasbord.bsky.social
Website: Cinema Smorgasbord

“We got the best ball and chain in the world – your ass.”

On this episode we take a look at futuristic prison movie starring Rutger Hauer: WEDLOCK (1991).
We discuss cinema’s most typecast actors, jailhouse conjugals, and all the exploding helicopter action.

Show notes
Wedlock (1991) aka Deadlock
Plot: A male prison escapee heads for his hidden loot electronically attached to a female prisoner.
Director: Lewis Teague
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Mimi Rogers, James Remar, Joan Chen, Stephen Tobolowsky, Danny Trejo

Episode 171.

Follow Exploding Helicopter
Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

“And grab some toilet paper – I ain’t gonna use no leaves”

On this episode of Exploding Vertical Take Off and Landing Aircraft we look at a film heralded as one of the most right-wing movies ever made, RED DAWN (1984).

After the Soviet Union and their allies invade the good ol’ USA, it is up to a ragtag collection of teenagers to kick some Commie arse. We marvel at Lea Thompson’s guerrilla chic, Harry Dean Stanton’s guide to good parenting, and – of course – the exploding vertical take-off and landing aircraft action.

Joining me behind enemy lines on this show is the DTV Connoisseur himself, Matt Poirier. 

Episode 170.

“It’s a gift certificate for a massage.”

2013 was a banner year for actions films set in the White House with not, one, but TWO movies where a lowly federal functionary must save the President from terrorists.
Having already reviewed Olympus Has Fallen, we’re turning our attentions to Roland Emmerich’s WHITE HOUSE DOWN (2013).

Joining me in the podcast equivalent of the Oval Office is Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur. We discuss fictional presidents as action movie heroes, a candidate for the most irritating child actor ever seen on screen, and, of course, all the exploding helicopter action.

Episode 169. 

“It’s a nice night to die.”

On this episode we review a pivotal film in the career of Steven Seagal. HALF PAST DEAD (2002) was the aikido arm thrower’s last theatrically released movie before he moved into the netherworld of DTV. But what do we make of the pony-tailed pugilist’s last cinematic outing?

From gigging with Michael Jackson, to unconvincing hair dye, to a controversial exploding helicopter scene, we discuss every element of this important film.

Show notes

Half Past Dead
Director: Don Michael Paul
Stars: Steven Seagal, Ja Rule, Tony Plana, Morris Chestnut, Linda Thorson, Nia Peeples
Plot: FBI agent Sasha Petrosevitch goes undercover in the newly reopened Alcatraz prison to find out who killed his wife. While there he stumbles onto a plot involving a death-row inmate and his $200 million stash of gold.

Follow Exploding Helicopter
Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

“And I haven’t been laid since the Clinton administration.”

On this show we step into the world of low budget filmmaking to review the campy, fetish themed GIANTESS ATTACK VS MECHA FEMBOT (2019). We also witness cinematic history with a helicopter being destroyed by a giant pair of boobs.

Episode 167.

Show notes
Giantess Attack vs Mecha Fembot (2019)
Director: Jeff Leroy
Starring: Tasha Tacosa, Rachel Riley, Christine Nguyen
Plot: The evil space queen Metaluna unleashes a giant female cyborg to destroy an animal shelter. Can the two stars of a cancelled TV show overcome their animosity and destroy the titanic robot?
Follow Exploding Helicopter
Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

“Thank you for not making us poor – or Samoan.”

On this brand new episode of Exploding Sleigh we take a look at a festive-themed entry in the combustible snow sled genre, SANTA’S SLAY (2005).

In this twisted holiday tale, Santa is the not the portly present giver we’re all familiar with, but a demonic entity out on a murderous killing spree. But does this horror comedy deliver top quality laughs and the chills, and – more importantly – does it give us the sleigh combustion thrills we want? 

Episode 166.

“Have you got a catchy name for this one?”

On this episode we look at a double helicopter homicide in GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019).

We discuss the film’s attempt to simultaneously meld a climate change allegory with a moving family drama and a kaiju movie smackdown, before enjoying a little light relief by investigating the musical career of one of the film’s stars. 

Episode 165.