Exploding Helicopter

“Is that kum chow chicken?”

Owen Wilson is normally to be found in rom-coms, family friendly adventures, and the films of Wes Anderson. He is certainly not someone you expect to find as the hero in a tense, survive-the-night, action thriller. But that is where we find ourselves on this episode when we review NO ESCAPE (2015).

We find out how the Zoolander star acquits himself in action hero mode, while enjoying a theatrical cameo from Pierce Brosnan, not to mention the exploding helicopter action.

Show notes

No Escape (2015)
Plot: In their new overseas home, an American family finds themselves caught in the middle of a coup.
Cast: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan

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“No sheep is safe tonight.”

On this episode we take a look at THE JEWEL OF THE NILE (1985) to see if how the sequel to the Eighties box office smash Romancing The Stone measured up.

We’re joined by Jairo from the True Bromance podcast to discuss whether Kathleen Turner’s dancing, extensive scenes of fire-breathing and juggling, and a [possibly] pharmaceutically enhanced Danny De Vito, can make up for a spectacularly lacklustre script. And of course we examine an exploding helicopter that’s the equivalent of cinematic pizza. 

Episode 175.

Show notes

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Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

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Twitter: @TruBromanceCast

“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

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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
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Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter

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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.

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Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
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“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.

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“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?
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Bluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.social
Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter