Episodes
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âItâs not the meat â itâs the heat.â
On this episode we look at Zach Snyderâs zombie heist movie, ARMY OF THE DEAD (2021).
As we review the film, we try to make sense of Snyderâs career and an exploding helicopter that is as divisive as the CGI enthusiast himself.
Episode 155. -
âYouâve been killing me with Hitlerâs gun?â
On this episode of Exploding Helicopter, we look at the time loop action-comedy BOSS LEVEL (2021).
We discuss the filmâs video game influenced take on the concept before frazzling our brains by trying to work out EXACTLY how many exploding helicopters the movie features. Itâs gets meta-physical baby!
Episode 154.
Show notes
Boss Level (2021)
Director: Joe Carnahan
Cast: Frank Grillo, Naomi Watts, Mel Gibson, Michelle Yeoh
Plot: Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, a former special forces agent must unlock the mystery behind his untimely demise.
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Episodes manquant?
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âThis body will take some getting used to.â
On this episode of the Exploding Helicopter podcast, we look at a remake of one of the most famous science fiction films of the 1950s, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (2008).
We discuss the filmâs thematic update, the futile efforts to launch Jaden Smithâs acting career, and, of course, the exploding helicopter action.
Episode 153. -
âI donât turn into an idiot just because I get horny.â
On this show we look at the ultimate high concept thriller, DEADLY ENCOUNTER (1982) â a film about a 90-minute-long helicopter pursuit.
We discuss the filmâs extravagant aerial stunts, Larry Hagman as a leading man, and whether you can mix and match your aviation fuels. And we of course look at the exploding helicopter action.
Show notes
Deadly Encounter (1982)
Director: William A Graham
Cast: Larry Hagman, Susan Anspach, James Gammon
Plot: An ex-combat helicopter pilot helps a widowed ex-girlfriend find the black book her husband kept from mobsters.
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Episode 152. -
"Listen to me if you want to live."
On this show we take a look at the insane, non stop, action-fest CARTER (2022) that's filmed as if it were all one take.
We're joined by Nick Rehak to discuss the film's unconventional approach and marvel at not one, not two, not three, but four, YES FOUR, exploding helicopters.
Episode 151. -
âDid you leave a cigarette burning?â
On this episode we look at one of classics of the disaster movie boom of the 1970s, The Towering Inferno (1974).
Weâre joined by Nick Rehak to discuss the future of Faye Dunawayâs journalism career, how much water you can really store at the top of a skyscraper, and all the exploding helicopter action.
Episode 150. -
âGet real Beavis â sheâs just clearing her throat.â
On this episode we look at yet another volcano disaster movie that features an exploding helicopter, DANTEâS PEAK (1997).
There was really only one man for this job, so weâre joined once again by magma movie enthusiast Fred Andersson to discuss the alluring appeal of Pierce Brosnan, the gratuitous glory of grandmothers being dissolved in acid lakes, some of the best miniature work weâve ever seen, and â of course â the exploding helicopter action.
Episode 149.
Show notes
Danteâs Peak (1997)
Director: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton
Plot: A volcanologist arrives at a countryside town recently named the second-most desirable place to live in America, and discovers that a nearby long-dormant volcano may awaken at any moment. -
"You're not going to kill anyone else are you?"
On this episode we're looking at the film that attempted to turn Sir Anthony Hopkins into the next James Bond, WHEN EIGHT BELLS TOLL (1971).
To see if we should award Old Tony a license to thrill is Richard Kirkham from the cryptically titled Kirkham A Movie A Day.
Episode 148.
NB - Unfortunately, this episode suffers from some audio issues. Hopefully, they're not too distracting. -
âFifty bucks and the monkey can watchâ
On this show weâre taking a look an animated film that celebrates the Eighties maverick cop genre, CHUCK STEEL: NIGHT OF THE TRAMPIRES (2018).
Our guest on this episode is a podcaster on the edge, a maverick broadcaster who plays by his own rules, is Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur.
Episode 147
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Website: explodinghelicopter.com
Instagram: explodinghelicopter -
âMost human problems can be solved with an appropriate charge of high explosiveâ
During the 1980s, it seemed as if Hollywood sent every one of its action stars on unsanctioned missions to Vietnam to rescue American POWs. But before Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone got in on the MIA rescuing act, it was the more unlikely figure of Gene Hackman who first went in to get âour boysâ back. So, on this show, weâre looking at the film that kicked off an entire sub-genre of the Eighties Namsploitation movie boom, UNCOMMON VALOR (1983).
Weâre joined by Todd Liebenow from the Forgotten Filmcast to discuss Nam movie tropes, the filmâs wildly eclectic cast, and whether America got to win this time.
Show notes
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Cast: Gene Hackan, Patrick Swayze, Randall âTexâ Cobb, Fred Ward, Reb Brown, Robert Stack, Tim Thomerson, Harold Sylvester
Plot: Ten years after his son went M.I.A. in Vietnam, U.S. Marine retired Colonel Jason Rhodes assembles a private rescue team to find Americans held in P.O.W. camps in Laos.
Episode 146.
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âStrange... I seem to remember... that the cathedral was on the other side of the square.â
On this episode of Exploding Cable Car we take a look at the classic war epic WHERE EAGLES DARE (1968).
We discuss inept interrogation tactics, Richard Burtonâs bad mood, and all the explosive cable transportation action.
Episode 145. -
âItâs time to befriend the devil.â
On this episode we return to the world of Bollywood to look at Shah Rukh Khanâs action blockbuster PATHAAN (2023). We fire up the wind machine so Asim Burney from the Khandaan podcast can make a suitably dramatic return to the show.
We discuss screen bromances, scandalous bikinis, and whether itâs not too late for us to get a sculpted six pack.
Episode 144.
Show notes
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan, Dimple Kapadia
Plot: An Indian agent races against a doomsday clock as a ruthless mercenary, with a bitter vendetta, mounts an apocalyptic attack against the country.
Follow Asim Burney
Asim Burney Twitter/X
Khandaan â A Bollywood Podcast Twitter/X
Khandaan â A Bollywood Podcast YouTube
Khandaan - A Bollywood Podcast iTunes -
âGentlemen â cancel your turkey orders.â
On this show we rig for silent running and plunge below crush depth to review the French submarine thriller The Wolfâs Call (2019).
Show notes
The Wolfâs Call (2019)
Director: Antonin Baudry
Cast: Francois Civil, Omar Sy, Reda Kateb
Plot: In the near future, a French submarine finds itself in a crisis situation. -
âYou wouldnât hit a lady would ya?â
Over a near 20-year period Clint Eastwood was one of the most popular box office stars in American cinema. On this episode we take a look at a film from Old Squintâs commercial pomp, THE GAUNTLET (1977).
We take a look at a film that appears to be just another run of the mill cop thriller from the Man With No Name, but under the surface turns out to be peculiarly odd.
Episode 142. -
âShe was as easy to crack as a raw egg.â
On this episode we take a look at one of the most important exploding helicopter scenes in film history. But before we do that, we discuss Narrow Margin (1990), Peter Hyamsâ remake of a film noir classic.
Film notes
Narrow Margin (1990)
Director: Peter Hyams
Cast: Gene Hackman, Anne Archer, M Emmet Walsh, JT Walsh
Plot: A Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney is sent to protect a woman who accidentally witnessed a Mafia murder.
Episode 141.
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âWow â that tongue thing is amazing.â
On this episode we take a look at Michael Bayâs The Island (2005).
We discuss how well the inventor of âBayhemâ handles a film which attempts an exploration of philosophical and ethical questions whilst trying to figure out why we keep wanting to buy expensive consumer goods. Oh, and of course we take a look at the exploding helicopter action.
Episode 140. -
âHave you received adequate training for your profession?â
On this show weâre taking a look at the Michael Douglas noughties comeback THE SENTINEL (2006).
After a three year absence from acting everyoneâs favourite recovering sex addict returned to the big screen with presidential assassination conspiracy thriller. Did we suffer a fatal attraction for The Sentinel? Or did fail to satisfy our basic instinct? After that we take some time to consider the musical career Kiefer Sutherland. Lucky usâŠ
Episode 139.
Show notes
The Sentinel (2006)
Director: Clark Johnson
Cast: Michael Douglas, Kim Basinger, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria
Plot: A Secret Service agent is framed as the mole in an assassination attempt on the President. He must clear his name and foil another assassination attempt while on the run from a Secret Service Protective Intelligence Division agent. -
âYou may be bulletproof â but youâre not love proof.â
On this show we take a look at the cult Eighties action film BULLETPROOF (1987).
Weâre joined by Matt Poirier from the DTV Connoisseur to discuss the action movie credentials of Gary Busey, why you should take a nap around this filmâs third innings, and whether it provided inspiration to the writers of The Simpsons. We also review the exploding helicopter action and discuss a method of chopper destruction thatâs only been seen 8 times in the entirety of film history!
Show notes
Bulletproof (1987)
Director: Steve Carver
Cast: Gary Busey, Henry Silva, Danny Trejo, William Smith, LQ Jones, RG Armstrong.
Plot: McBain - a former CIA agent turned renegade â loose cannon cop is called back to action by The Agency when an experimental, super tank is stolen. Our hero is sent to Mexico to recover the super weapon from the rag tag collection of Arab terrorists and Latin American commies who are behind the heist.
Episode 138.
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Website: dtvconnoisseur.blogspot.com -
âNow â just blink for yes â or die for no.â
Over a 40-year career John Frankenheimer earned himself a reputation as one of Hollywoodâs foremost directors of action and suspense films. Here we're joined by Nick Rehak to take a look at one of his less heralded films, Black Sunday (1977). While it may not have the prestige and plaudits of The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days In May or Ronin, it does have an exploding helicopter (which elevates its status in our eyes).
Show notes
Black Sunday (1977)
Director: John Frankenheimer
Cast: Robert Shaw, Steven Keats, Bruce Dern, Marthe Keller
Plot: Terrorists attempt to blow up a Goodyear blimp hovering over the Super Bowl stadium in an attempt to kill the American president and 80,000 spectators. -
âThe rich must pay or the rich will die.â
On the new Exploding Helicopter weâre joined by Doug Tilley from Cinema Smorgasbord to look at a very strange film: ASSAULT IN PARADISE (1977).
We try to decide if the film was trying to make a sophisticated exploration of the exploitation of Native Americans, or if it was just a confused mess of a movie with nothing to say.
We discuss seduction at gunpoint, comedic car chases, wildly inappropriate cultural appropriation, and, of course, the exploding helicopter action!
Listen now, listen later, but just make sure you listen
Show notes
Assault In Paradise (1977)
Director: Richard Compton
Cast: Oliver Reed, John Ireland, Stuart Whitman, Paul Koslo, Deborah Raffin
Plot: An Arizona resort town is rocked when local cops are struck down by a crossbow-wielding assassin dressed as a Native American. The perpetrator of these murders is demanding a million-dollar payoff from the townâs wealthiest citizens â lest they become his next victims. Fearing for their lives â and no doubt hoping to save themselves a few quid â the townâs gentry call in a hard-drinking mercenary to stop the reign of terror before the killer notches up more victims.
Episode 136.
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Twitter: @Doug_Tilley
Website: Cinema Smorgasbord - Montre plus
