Exploding Helicopter

“It’s all in the grind Sizemore.”

On this show we’re taking a look at Ridley Scott’s war epic BLACK HAWN DOWN (2001).

As the events the film depict fade from memory, how does it play today? What point was the film trying to make? And how in the hell has Ridley Scott only ever made one film with exploding helicopter. We ask many questions on this show, but do we have any answers? Listen now and find out.

Show notes

Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Josh Hartnett, Sam Shepherd, Tom Sizemore
Plot: US soldiers are dropped into Mogadishu in October 1993 to capture the lieutenants of a renegade warlord, but find themselves in a desperate battle with a large force of heavily-armed Somalis.

Episode 126.

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“What’s going on here? I’m lost.”

On this show we review Michael Winner’s FIREPOWER (1979). A film where the plot is almost as bonkers as the cast.

We’re joined by Nick Rehak to try and work out what on earth is going on and discuss the exploding helicopter action.

Show notes

Firepower (1979)
Directed by: Michael Winner
Cast: James Coburn, Sophia Loren, OJ Simpson, Vincent Gardenia, Eli Wallach, Jake La Motta, Victor Mature
Plot: A retired hitman is hired by the F.B.I. to track down a powerful and reclusive businessman who is suspected of murder.
Episode: 125

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“Never blame a mountain for what it does.”

On this episode we take a look at one of the last films of the Seventies disaster movie cycle, the rock climbing catastrophe HIGH ICE (1980).

Joining us to discuss the film is disaster movie enthusiast Fred Andersson from Schmollywood Babylon. We marvel at the film’s tremendous antagonist, its annoying kid, and the most undignified death in disaster movie history. And, of course, the exploding helicopter action.

Show notes

High Ice (1980)
Director: Eugene S Jones
Plot: A park ranger clashes with an egotistical army officer over how to handle a rescue operation to save three rock climbers stranded on a mountain ledge.
Cast: David Janssen, Tony Musante, Dorian Harewood.

Episode 124.

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“The past is attacking us.”

If you’ve ever wondered what a film that pitted soldiers from 16th century feudal Japan would fare against the military technology of the 21st century would look like, then wonder no more. You just need to check out SAMURAI COMMANDO: MISSION 1549 (2005).

We discuss time travel, samurais, and the sixteenth century exploding helicopter action.

Show notes

Samurai Commando: Mission 1549 (2005)
Director: Masaaki Tezuka
Plot: After an experiment goes wrong soldiers from Japan's defence force are sent 460 years into the past. But when mysterious anomalies threaten the present, a new team of soldiers is sent back in time to correct history and save the world.

Episode 123.

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Website: Rehak Radio

“I welcome you warmly to the land of toy cars.”

On this show we take a look at the surprisingly dark children’s animation THE TAYO MOVIE – MISSION: ACE (2016).

We’re joined by Nick Rehak to discuss abandonment issues, post-traumatic stress, militarised violence and unchecked authoritarian rule. And, of course, the exploding helicopter action.

Show notes

The Tayo Movie – Mission: Ace (2016)
Director: Ryu Jung-woo and Anna Paik
Plot:  Tayo travels to Toy Land with Duri and Hana to save Duri's favourite car Ace. Will they save Ace? And can they find their way back home?

Episode 122.

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“I’d say there’s two ways of doing that – no way and no how.”

On this exciting new episode of Exploding Jet Ski we finally tackle the Citizen Kane of exploding jet ski cinema, WATERWORLD (1995).

To review a film of such profound artistic importance there was really only one man to call, jet ski film aficionado Mark Hofmeyer.

Show notes

Waterworld (1995)
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Cast: Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Dennis Hopper
Plot: In a future where the polar ice-caps have melted and Earth is almost entirely submerged, a mutated mariner fights starvation and outlaw "smokers," and reluctantly helps a woman and a young girl try to find dry land.

Episode 121

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Website: Movies Films and Flix

“Nobody ever asks how many you saved.”

We take a look at the new Scott Adkins film ONE SHOT (2021), one of the most ambitious action film in recent years.

And who better to help us review the film than action auteur Alex Rallo from Head Exposure and Kinemotions.

Warning! This podcast contains views about the career of Isaac Florentine that some listeners may find upsetting.

Episode 120

Show notes

One Shot (2021)
Director: James Nunn
Cast: Scott Adkins, Ryan Phillipe, Ashley Green
Plot: An elite squad of Navy SEAL's are on a covert mission to transport a prisoner from a CIA island black site. He’s wanted for interrogation as it’s believed he’s got vital information that can stop an imminent terrorist attack. As the SEALS are about to leave with their man, the prison is attacked by insurgents who are trying to rescue the prisoner to stop him revealing what he knows.

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Website: Film Exposure
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“If something’s lost – it can be found.”

On this episode, Will is joined by Nick Rehak to take a look at the big screen adaptation of the hit computer game franchise UNCHARTED (2022).

*Be warned this is a film review WITH spoilers*

Episode 119.

Show notes

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas
Plot: Street-smart Nathan Drake, is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter, Victor "Sully" Sullivan, to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.

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“It’s not religion – it’s the onset of senility.”

We take a look at one of the last films made by the legendary Cannon Group, FIFTY/FIFTY (1992) before the company went belly up.

The film stars Robocop and Ted Stryker as a pair of bickering mercenaries hired by the CIA to overthrow a meddlesome dictator.

We’re joined by Cannon aficionado Austin Trunick, author of The Cannon Film Guide, to discuss this under-the-radar gem.

Show notes

Fifty/Fifty (1992)
Director: Charles Martin Smith
Cast: Peter Weller, Robert Hays, Charles Martin Smith
Plot: Two bickering mercenaries are hired by the CIA to overthrow a South East Asian dictator.

Episode 118.

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“What do you know about dancing?”

You don’t find many exploding helicopters in musicals and romantic dramas, but we’ve managed to find the one film that features a chopper fireball alongside the dance numbers. So, on this episode, we’re reviewing the most unique film we’ve ever tackled: DANCIN’ – IT’S ON! (2015).

Helping us make sense of this cinematic first is Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur.

We try to work out what Gary Daniels is doing in this film, discuss the filmic art of ‘angry dances’ and, of course, the exploding helicopter.

Show notes

Dancin’ – It’s On (2015)
Director: David Winters
Cast: Gary Daniels, David Winters, Witney Carson, Chehon Wespi-Tschopp
Plot: Two young dancers fall in love and eventually work together to win a dance competition.

As discussed on the episode, you can watch Gary Daniels interview with Scott Adkins on YouTube.

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Twitter: @DTVConnoisseur
Website: DTV Connoisseur

Episode 117.