Exploding Helicopter

“Let’s kill ‘em all.”

On this show Will and Dara bravely take on Courage Under Fire (1996).
Among the topics of discussion, the film’s Rashomon-influenced structure, Matt Damon’s coming of age performance, and the stunning sight of Lou Diamond Phillips' jockstrap.

They also attempt to tackle the thorny philosophical question of whether you can explode an already exploded helicopter.

Episode 46.

“I thought Christmas only came once a year.”

Will is joined by Joe Scaramanga of the Now Music Fan Blog to review The World Is Not Enough (1999).

Pierce Brosnan’s third outing as 007 is regularly ranked as one of the worst ever Bond movies. But does the film deserve its reputation? Or was it an ambitious attempt to rejuvenate the formula that paved the way for the Daniel Craig era?

They also discuss James Bond’s licence to kill helicopters, and two chopper fireballs which leave our reviewers shaken but unstirred.

Episode 45.

“Blimey! I thought I smelled cabbage.”

On this show Will and Dara dig out their thick-rimmed glasses, crushed velvet flares, and anachronistic social attitudes to review Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002).

Does Mike Myers’ spy spoof comedy hold up? Did Jimmy Savile ruin this film? How to swear in Japanese, and a surprisingly heartfelt appreciation of the life and works of Susannah Hoffs.

Oh, and not to forget a review of a truly awe-inspiring exploding helicopter.

Episode 44.

“Season’s over a55hole!”

Will and Dara don their climbing gear and attempt to reach the summit of Sylvester Stallone’s action career, Cliffhanger (1993).

On their route to the top they discuss the merits of John Lithgow’s robbery plan, the film’s bizarre lurch into stoner dude comedy, and the legend that is British TV hardman Craig Fairbrass.

They also examine the film’s classic exploding helicopter action sequence which sees Stallone and Lithgow engage in a fistfight on an upside-down chopper dangling from a mountain.

Episode 43.

“It’s a documentary, it’s all really happening.”

Exploding helicopters are almost exclusively found in the action genre. But on this show we’re reviewing that rarest of all aviation animals: an exploding helicopter in an art house movie.

Will is joined by Helen from the Flixwatcher Podcast to review Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004). So get ready for matching tracksuits, childish adults, and popular songs sung in a foreign language.

Episode 42.

“You’re either SWAT or you’re not.”

Will and Dara take a look at SWAT (2003) the big screen reboot of an old, long forgotten, Seventies cop show.

After a considered discussion of the film’s puzzling structure and Hollywood’s approach to reboots, they try to answer such important questions as who likes Jeremy Renner and why Michelle Rodriguez always wears vests.

Episode 41.

"Imagine the future, because you're not in it."

Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to look at the cult classic Stone Cold (1991). It marked the movie debut of the former American footballer turned actor Brian Bosworth.

In time honoured fashion, he plays a maverick cop who plays by his own rules trying to bring down a biker gang run by Lance Henriksen. The result is one of the most explosive films ever committed to celluloid. And more importantly it features a truly legendary exploding helicopter.

Episode #40

“They hate us, because they ain’t us.”

Will and Dara take a look at one of the most controversial films of recent times, The Interview (2014).

They try to work out how on earth this film caused a diplomatic storm, an embarrassing email scandal, and how it became a totem for free speech.

They also take a look at what could be one of the greatest exploding helicopters of all-time.

Episode 39.

“We're going to make you indestructible - but first, we're gonna have to destroy you.”

Will is joined by Bubba Wheat from Flights, Tights and Movie Nights to look at X Men Origins: Wolverine (2009).

Among the topics of discussion why cool guys don’t look at explosions, heroes with under-powered superpowers and a personality free exploding helicopter.

Episode 38.

“Well I told you what we had to do, shoot down the helicopters.”

Will and Dara take a look at Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) a film which tells the true story of America’s involvement in the Soviet/Afghan war.

Among the topics of discussion Tom Hanks’ weirdly sex scene free career, whether exploding helicopters were the key to ending the Cold War, and of course film’s six chopper fireballs.

Episode 37.