Exploding Helicopter

“One of you is a werewolf!”

Exploding Helicopter is joined by Jim Moon from the Hypnobobs podcast to talk about The Beast Must Die (1974) one of the oddest werewolf movies ever made.

We sink our oversized canines into subjects including the history of Old Dark House films, whether you can ever make a German Shepherd dog look like a blood crazed lycanthrope, not to mention the “werewolf break” – the film’s notoriously bizarre marketing gimmick.

We also discuss the most “bling” helicopter explosion in history.

Episode 16.

“Who’s the alpha? You’re looking at him kid.”

On this show we’re looking at Jurassic World (2015) the latest entry in the ‘dinosaur eating people’ franchise.

Will is joined by his film quiz teammate Kobi Omenaka to tackle questions including whether animatronics are better than CGI, what the plot of a sequel could be, and where this films ranks in the series.

They also attempt to answer an age old narrative question: if you see a helicopter in the first act does it have to explode by the third act.

Episode 15.

“Oh my god, bees bees, millions of bees.”

Arm yourself with bug spray and a fly swatter because the bees are coming! That’s right, we’re looking at one of the classics of ‘bad cinema’, infamous seventies disaster movie The Swarm (1978).

On this episode Exploding Helicopter is joined by Booze from the Sweet Feathery Jesus podcast. Amongst the topics of discussion: the bizarre outbreaks of Northern Soul dancing, septuagenarian love triangle, and whether this film isn’t just a little bit *whisper it* racist.

Episode 14.

“I’m gonna hit you with so many rights you’ll be begging for a left.”

Pull on your denim jeans and shirt, strap on your Uzis and prepare for war, because we’re looking at the Chuck Norris action classic Invasion USA (1985).

On this show, Will is joined by Todd Liebenow from Forgotten Films to discuss ‘Cold War cinema’, whether Chuck Norris is the ultimate American male, and whether it’s ethical to blow-up a defenceless helicopter.

Episode 13.

“Ain't nothin' in the world get Black Dynamite more mad than some jive ass sucka dealin' smack to the kids!”

Pour yourself a large glass of Anaconda Malt Liquor, and relax with Exploding Helicopter’s review of blaxsploitation send-up Black Dynamite (2009).

On this show Will is joined by DJ Valentine from Simplistic Reviews to chew the fat about the state of genre parodies, the kung-fu skills of US Presidents, and whether this film features the greatest White House exploding helicopter scene ever.

Episode 12.

“Would you consider the cinema of the Ukraine?”

On this show Will is once again joined by Dara to discuss Mission Impossible (1996) and one of cinema’s greatest exploding helicopter scenes.

Among the points of discussion: Tom Cruise as an action star, whatever happened to Emilio Estevez, and whether the film suffers from the “Big Momma’s House” syndrome.

Episode 11.

“We just came up with a mince pie under each arm.”

On this show, Will and Bob strap themselves into the cockpit and turn on the surveillance mikes to discuss an undisputed classic of the exploding helicopter genre, Blue Thunder (1983).

Among the points of discussion, Vietnam flashbacks in eighties movies, A-Team style violence and whether Malcom McDowell is the most sneer-y actor in film history. All this and two classic exploding helicopter scenes.

Episode 10.

“The deadliest art of the Orient is now in the hands of an American.”

On this show, Exploding Helicopter dons karate pyjamas to take a look at the eighties VHS action classic American Ninja (1985).

Amongst the points of discussion, how much would it cost to maintain an army of ninja warriors? The acting career of Michael Dudikoff. And whether any element of this film’s plot makes sense.

Will and Dara also pick over another classic helicopter explosion and debate whether every film can be improved by the inclusion of a chopper fireball.

Episode #9

“When we have mastered these tactics, we will use them to seek out and confront the forces of evil and kill 'em deader than hell!”

In 1986 Top Gun took the breath away of film fans around the world, but the movie had one noticeable flaw: no helicopters.

Fortunately, that error was corrected in 1990 with Fire Birds – Wings of the Apache. It took the Top Gun’s formula, added helicopters and a scenery chewing Nicolas Cage to make cinematic gold (or possibly tin).

On episode #8 Exploding Helicopter is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to discuss whether Fire Birds is the greatest exploding helicopter film of all-time.

“We’ve shut them down. We let them sweat for a while. Then we give ‘em helicopters.”
“Right up the ass.”

On episode #7, Will and Dara take off their shoes and socks, and strip down to their vests to discuss the greatest action movie ever made, Die Hard (1988).

Among the topics of discussion: Al Powell’s twinkie consumption, Robert Davi’s singing career, and the sexuality of Dick Thornberg. There’s also some confusion over Christian Bale’s little known cameo appearance...... all this and an in-depth discussion of the exploding helicopter action.