Exploding Helicopter

“Everything’s easier in a mini-skirt.”

In a break with the usual programming, Will carries out his first ever solo review by looking at the Renny Harlin helmed propaganda film 5 Days Of War (2011).

Starring Val Kilmer and Andy Garcia the film tells the story (or at least one side of it) of plucky Georgia and its heroic efforts to resist a Russian invasion.

There are horror-inducing cameos, terrible accents, and, of course, an exploding helicopter.

Episode 56.

“I was born into a world you may not understand.”

On this show Will and Dara suck the blood out of Milla Jovovich’s sci-fi vampire flick Ultraviolet (2006).

They discuss the film’s strange use of visual effects, vampires that don’t act like vampires, and the music career of Milla Jovovich.

They also take a look at Ultraviolet’s spectacular exploding helicopter action which involves 'Midriff' Jovovich motorcycling through an airborne whirlybird.

Episode 55.

“Whose pyjamas are these?”

On this show Will is joined by Troy-Jeffrey Allen from Action A Go Go to talk about Ant Man (2015).

They take a dive into the characters comic book history, discuss where it fits in Marvel’s recent output, and review the unique exploding helicopter sequence (even though Troy completed missed it).

Episode 54.

“I don't think you understand, these boys killed my dog.”

On this show Will and Dara take a look at assassination conspiracy thriller Shooter (2007) starring Mark Wahlberg and Danny Glover.

Among the topics of debate: Mark Wahlberg’s controversial disguise, Danny Glover’s teeth, and does this film contain one of the poorest helicopter explosions we’ve yet seen.

Episode 53.

“Looks like we just woke the dead.”

Will is joined by his regular shambling, brain dead sidekick Dara to take a look at big budget zombie action spectacular World War Z (2013).

Among the topics of discussion: the film’s toothless approach to gore, it’s controversially re-shot ending, and a rare, zombie-related exploding helicopter.

Episode 52.

“Get me some coffee. Half and half. Three sweet'n’lows. In a real cup.”

Will is joined by occasional Exploding Helicopter sidekick and self-confessed action movie luddite Joe Clift to discuss Olympus Has Fallen (2013).

They talk about the villain’s curious politics, Gerard Butler’s head-stabbing antics while Joe tries to recall if he’s ever watched Die Hard. And as always the pair look at the film’s explosive helicopter action.

Episode 51.

“Whatever happens, we’ll always remember our silver wedding anniversary.”

On this show Will takes Dara hostage in order to review the 1980s action classic The Delta Force (1986).

Among the topics of discussions: the film’s surprisingly accurate dramatisation of a real-life airplane hijacking, how on earth the cast stars four Oscar winners, and the weird incompetence of America's 'elite' special forces.

They also examine the film’s stunning exploding helicopter and what may well be the greatest opening scene in cinematic history.

Episode 50.

“If you lie to me I hurt you.”

On this show Will is joined by Ben Dadds from Top Film Tip for an enhanced interrogation of Zero Dark Thirty (2012).

They unpick the controversy around the film’s depiction of torture, what story Kathryn Bigelow was trying to tell, and a considered discussion as to who among the cast wears the worst wig.

They also examine the film’s exploding helicopter action which “really gets the helicopter hormones going”.

Episode 49.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your threat.”

On this episode Will is joined by Todd Liebenow from the Forgotten Filmcast to review Sixties mystery thriller Arabesque (1966).

Among the topics of discussion, Stanley Donen’s psychedelia-inspired direction, the awkward chemistry between Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren, and what on earth the plot’s meant to be about.

They also take a look at one of cinema’s earliest exploding helicopters where the whirlybird is destroyed by the unconventional use of a ladder.

Episode 48.

“What do you say we play a little Bangkok rules?”

On this show Will injects Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday with a lethal virus and blackmails him into reviewing Escape From LA (1996).

They try to figure out what the hell John Carpenter was attempting with this film and whether this it accurately predicts the American of 2017.

And we of course examine the film’s futuristic exploding helicopter action.

Episode 47.