Exploding Helicopter

“Just for the record, I ain’t the least bit happy about this.”

What? They made a sequel? Yes, it’s absolutely true. Christopher Lambert may have escaped a futuristic prison in Fortress (1992), but he couldn’t escape the lure of the DTV sequel Fortress 2: Re-entry (2000).

Joining Will to review the film is That Sequel Guy, follow-up film specialist, Dom O’Brien. 

Show notes

Fortress 2: Re-entry (2000)

Director: Geoff Murphy

Cast: Christopher Lambert, Patrick Malahide, Pam Grier

Plot: Seven years after the original Fortress movie, Brennick along with the rebels are captured and sent to a new, more sophisticated fortress prison, in outer space.

Episode 106.

“Sure I like kids - but I’m not here to start an orphanage.”

On this special episode of Exploding Forklift we take a look at a film often hailed by forklift fireball film fans as one of genre’s best: CODE NAME: VENGEANCE (1987).

We review this vintage video store action movie and make an in-depth examination of the exploding industrial loader action.

Guesting on this episode is Nick Rehak from Forklift Toast Sunday. 

Show notes

Director: David Winters

Cast: Roberty Ginty, Shannon Tweed, Cameron Mitchell

Plot: The geopolitical interests of America are threatened when an evil terrorist called Tabrak kidnaps the wife and son of the leader of an African country. After Uncle Sam decides to step in and help their ally, they quickly realise that there is only one man who can help, a disgraced former CIA agent called Monroe Bieler.

Episode 105

“Since when did you start wearing underpants?” 

Hard as it may be to believe now, but there was a time when audiences were happy to see Mel Gibson as the lead in a light-hearted romantic action comedy. 

So, on this show, Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review BIRD ON A WIRE (1990), a film that was made at a more innocent time for Mel the Mullet. They also take a look at the film’s unique exploding helicopter action.  

Show notes

Director: John Badham

Cast: Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bill Duke, David Carradine, Jeff Corey

Plot: Rick Jarmin is put in witness protection after he helps the FBI bust drug dealer Eugene Sorenson. Fifteen years later, he is living with a new identity as a gas station attendant when his old flame Marianne stops at the garage and recognizes him, blowing his cover. The recently released Sorenson finds out, and both Jarmin and Marianne have to flee across country with the vengeful Sorenson in hot pursuit. 

Episode 104

“All we wanted was a bigger – healthier tomato.” 

On this show Will and Nick take a look at the low budget comedy spoof ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES (1978).

They take a look at the film’s scattershot approach to humour and an exploding helicopter that’s surprisingly real and first to be destroyed by a popular salad item. 

Show notes

Director: John De BelloCast: David Miller, George Wilson, Sharon Taylor

Plot: A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.

Episode 103.

“Of course the wolf flies.”

On this show we’re joined Jay Cluitt from the Deep Blue Sea podcast to review Rampage (2018).

We discuss genetically modified monster movies, whether science can explain Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s accent, and the wolf based exploding helicopter action. 

Show notes

Rampage (2018)

Director: Brad Peyton 

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Plot: When three different animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist team up to stop them from destroying Chicago.

Episode 102.

“Can anyone douse the fire of truth?”

We make a return to the world of Bollywood action cinema to review BAAZI (1995), a film that could, most politely be described as, being ‘inspired’ by Die Hard. Not to mention borrowing scenes from half-a-dozen other action films. 

Our guest on this show is Asim Burney from the Khandaan podcast. We try and pin down just how many films Baazi ripped off, the career of its star Aamir Khan, and an exploding helicopter that may be one of the most embarrassing ever committed to film. 

Show notes

Baazi (1995)

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker

Cast: Aamir Khan, Mamta Kulkarni, Paresh Rawal

Plot: A tough police officer wages a one-man war against terrorists and a corrupt politician who have planned to assassinate a top government official.

Episode 101.

“No more Mr Nice Guy.”

We’re joined by Doug Tilley from Cinema Smogasbord to discuss Sam Raimi’s Darkman (1990). We discuss the film’s origins and inspirations, its place in the development of superhero movies and its subsequent comic book adaptation. Oh, and we also look at the spectacular exploding helicopter action.

Show notes

Darkman (1990)

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: Liam Neeson, France McDormand, Larry Drake

Plot: A brilliant scientist left for dead returns to exact revenge on the people who burned him alive.

Episode 100.

“There goes my safety record”

We’re joined once again by Brett and Ty from Comeuppance Reviews to shine a light on one of the undiscovered gems of DTV action: CRACKERJACK 2 (1997).

We discuss the film’s (sadly) unsuccessful attempt to turn Judge Reinhold into an action movie film star, the weird world of unlikely DTV action heroes, and the exploding helicopter action. 

Show notes

Director: Robert Lee

Cast: Judge Reinhold, Carol Alt, Michael Sarrazin

Plot: A policeman working alone must rescue his girlfriend and a trainload of other hostages from vicious criminals in a mountain tunnel hideout.

Episode 99.

“We’re lions – and that ain’t ever gonna change.” 

On this show we’re joined by Todd Gaines of Bulletproof Action and Letterboxd fame to review ANGEL HAS FALLEN (2019).

We discuss the most surprising entry in the Has Fallen franchise and one of the few films where we get to see the Presidential helicopter blown up.

Show notes

Director: Ric Roman Waugh

Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Danny Huston, Piper Perabo, Lance Reddick, Nick Nolte

Plot: Mike Banning is framed for the attempted assassination of the President and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat.

Episode 98.

“Free hots dogs for life. No drinks.” 

On this episode Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to take a look at the buddy cop genre parody THE OTHER GUYS (2010).

They also take a look at a very special and unique exploding helicopter.

Show notes

Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L Jackson, Steve Coogan, Michael Keaton, Eva Mendes.

Plot: Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops, whom they idolise, only things don't quite go as planned.

Episode 97.