Exploding Helicopter

“That’s okay, my wife’s a gorilla too.”

Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the bonkers King Kong rip-off The Mighty Peking Man (1977). 

Among the topics of discussion are the films *ahem* unique special effects, the strange adult themed plot, and – of course – the spectacular exploding helicopter action. 

Episode 86

Show notes

The Mighty Peking Man (1977)

Plot: King Kong goes Hong Kong as a giant Himalayan beast tries to save a sexy Russia Tarzanette from a sleazy show-biz promoter.

Directed by: Meng Hua Ho  

Cast: Danny Lee, Evelyne Kraft, Chow Yun Fat (uncredited).

“Aren’t you going to congratulate me – it’s my 20th birthday.”

It’s a very special episode of Exploding Helicopter as we take a look at Dragon Wars (2007), the film with most helicopter explosions in cinematic history.

To help us look at this piece film history we’re joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. 

Show notes

Dragon Wars (2007)

Director: Hyung-rae Shim

Cast: Jason Behr, Amanda Brooks, Robert Forster

Plot: Once every 500 years, ancient mythical creatures come to Earth to wreak havoc and destruction. This time they must be stopped.

Episode 85. 

“We’re only screaming to scare them.”

When you think of the great directors of Italian cinema you think of Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, Antonioni, Rosselini and other people whose names end in ‘I’.

But on this show we’re reviewing Codename Wild Geese (1984) and celebrating one of the unsung heroes of Italian cinema – Antonio Margheriti. 

We’re joined by Matt Poirier from DTV Connoisseur to review the film and we discuss the eclectic cast, and it’s unusual and spectacular special effects.

Show notes

Codename: Wild Geese (1984)

Plot: A team of mercenaries go to the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia to overthrow a dictator who is also major opium manufacturer.

Cast: Lewis Collins, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Van Cleef and Klaus Kinski.

Episode 84.

“You know, when I was your age – I was a tough son of a biscuit eater - just like you.”

On this show, Exploding Helicopter takes a deep dive into the bonkers conspiracy thriller Amerigeddon (2016). 

After the United Nations engineers a military takeover over of the USA - yes, the same United Nations that struggles to organise a drinks reception in a wine bar – it’s up to one, lone, Texan family to lead the fight back. 

To help review the film Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. They discuss the insane plot, some strange cameos, plus a truly unique exploding helicopter. 

Show notes

Amerigeddon (2016)

Plot: A global organisation aligned with the United Nations disables the United States' power grid and institutes Martial Law. Can a dedicated family of patriots save America and reclaim its freedom.

Stars: Dina Meyer, Diane Ladd, AnnaLynne McCord

“Oo-be-dooby-do, where are you?”

On this show Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the bonkers Stephen King adaptation, DREAMCATCHER (2003).

They try to work just what the hell is going on in the plot, why Morgan Freeman has been dressed as an owl, before taking a look at the film’s exploding helicopter action.

Episode 82.

Show notes

Dreamcatcher (2003)

Director: Lawrence KasdanStarring: Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Tom Sizemore, Donnie Wahlberg, Thomas Jane and Morgan Freeman

Plot: Friends on a camping trip discover that the town they're vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space.

“Salami, cheese, pickles in a barrel.”

On this show Will is joined by Todd Liebenow from the Forgotten Filmcast to review the Seventies conspiracy thriller The Domino Principle (1977).

They try and work out who’s out to get them while taking a look at an exciting exploding helicopter.

Show notes

The Domino Principle (1977)

Director: Stanley Kramer

Cast: Gene Hackman, Richard Widmark, Eli Wallach, Candice Bergen

Plot summary: A Vietnam War veteran, imprisoned for murder, is offered his freedom if he accepts to undertake a contract killing for a shady organisation.

“Not bad for a tin man.”

On this episode Will is joined by Chris Kavinsky from Bulletproof Action as they travel back in time to the video store era to review T-Force (1994)

They discuss one of the high points of the PM Entertainment catalogue and why their films continue to enjoy a cult reputation today. And, of course, they look at an exploding helicopter that is crucial to the film’s plot.

Episode 80.

Show notes

Director: Richard Pepin

Actors: Jack Scalia, Erin Gray, Vernon Wells

Plot: In the near future, after a hostage situation goes awry, the last resort option of law enforcement, cybernaut unit T-Force, is ordered to be disassembled. But the robots see this as a "threat to their self-preservation" and go on a killing rampage. It's up to police lieutenant Jack Floyd and one of the cybernauts, who is on the right side of the law, to bring them down.

For more information about the history of PM Entertainment then check out a great article on the Hopes & Fears website http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/culture/film/217129-an-oral-history-of-pm-entertainment

“Nice house. Cool view. Great scotch.”

Heist films follow a largely identical template. A group of misfit individuals are brought together to execute a seemingly fool-proof plan, only for the whole enterprise to go disastrously wrong.

So, given the plot of TAKERS (2010), it seemed only fitting that Exploding Helicopter regulars Will and Dara teamed up with Barry and Jairo from The True Bromance Podcast to discuss this masterpiece of cinema.

Episode 79.

Show notes

Takers (2010)

Directed by John Luessenhop

Starring: Idris Elba, Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Michael Ealy, TI, Chris Brown, Zoe Saldana, Hayden Christensen

Plot: A seasoned team of bank robbers successfully complete their latest heist and lead a life of luxury while planning their next job. But then a former member of their team is released from prison and convinces the group to strike an armored car carrying $20 million. As the "takers" carefully plot their strategy and draw nearer to pulling off the grand heist, a reckless police officer inches closer to apprehending the criminals.

"I've waited so long for you to pull my trigger."

On this show we're looking at a historic film. GOLGO 13: THE PROFESSIONAL (1983) is the very first animation to incorporate CGI. Not only that, the groundbreaking specials effects are used to explode a helicopter. 

Amazing! Who thought Exploding Helicopter podcast could be so educational?

To review this epoch marking event we're joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday.

Episode 78.

Show notes

Golgo 13: The Professional (1983)

Directed by Osamu Dezaki

Plot: After killing the son of a powerful oil tycoon, an assassin-for-hire becomes the target of American soldiers and superhuman killers.

Stars: Tetsurô Sagawa, Gorô Naya, Toshiko Fujita 

“We already had our Vietnam. Now you’re going to have yours.”

We mark the 10th anniversary of Exploding Helicopter by taking a look at one of the classics of the exploding helicopter genre, Rambo III (1988).

We reflect on the last decade of gyratory destruction before getting stuck into Sylvester Stallone’s headband and mullet action.

There’s incredibly bad Russian accents, an analysis of movie villains through the decades, and a dissection of four top quality exploding helicopters.

Episode 77.

Show notes

Rambo III (1988)

Director: Peter MacDonald

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Kurtwood Smith

Plot: Rambo mounts a one-man mission to rescue his friend Colonel Trautman from the clutches of the formidable invading Soviet forces in Afghanistan.