Exploding Helicopter

“Is that kum chow chicken?”Owen Wilson is normally to be found in rom-coms, family friendly adventures, and the films of Wes Anderson. He is certainly not someone you expect to find as the hero in a tense, survive-the-night, action thriller. But that is where we find ourselves on this episode when we review NO ESCAPE (2015).We find out how the Zoolander star acquits himself in action hero mode, while enjoying a theatrical cameo from Pierce Brosnan, not to mention the exploding helicopter action. Show notesNo Escape (2015)Plot: In their new overseas home, an American family finds themselves caught in the middle of a coup. Cast: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce BrosnanFollow Exploding HelicopterBluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.socialWebsite: explodinghelicopter.comInstagram: explodinghelicopterFollow Rabbit Hole podcastsRabbit Hole podcasts: Lyrical Innuendo

“No sheep is safe tonight.”On this episode we take a look at THE JEWEL OF THE NILE (1985) to see if how the sequel to the Eighties box office smash Romancing The Stone measured up. We’re joined by Jairo from the True Bromance podcast to discuss whether Kathleen Turner’s dancing, extensive scenes of fire-breathing and juggling, and a [possibly] pharmaceutically enhanced Danny De Vito, can make up for a spectacularly lacklustre script. And of course we examine an exploding helicopter that’s the equivalent of cinematic pizza.  Episode 175.Show notesFollow Exploding HelicopterBluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.socialWebsite: explodinghelicopter.comInstagram: explodinghelicopterFollow True Bromance Twitter: @TruBromanceCast

“No killing the other patients, rule number one.”We travel into the near future and check in at HOTEL ARTEMIS (2018), a mysterious, members only hospital for crooks, hitmen and con artists. We discuss the John Wick vibes, genre mash ups, and an exploding helicopter that could double as a video art installation. Show notesHotel Artemis (2018)Plot: Set in riot-torn, near-future Los Angeles, 'Hotel Artemis' follows the Nurse, who runs a secret, members-only emergency room for criminals.Cast: Jodie Foster, Sterling K Brown, Jeff Goldblum, Zachary Quinto, Sofia Boutella, Dave BautistaEpisode 174.

“They don’t call me the Alaskan pipeline for nothing.”How bad does a film have to be that Steven Seagal won’t star in it? We go looking for the answer in HALF PAST DEAD 2 (2007), the Seagal-free follow up to the Buddhist botherer’s prison escape movie.We joined by Nick Rehak to discuss which minor cast member from the original film has been promoted to leading man status, and the other strained efforts at series continuity. We also examine an exploding helicopter scene that is troublingly familiar.Episode 173.Show notesFollow Exploding HelicopterBluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.socialWebsite: explodinghelicopter.comInstagram: explodinghelicopter

“Sounds like an Arabian racehorse to me.”On this episode we investigate a movie made by a unique British filmmaker: Cliff Twemlow. After working as a bodybuilder, bouncer, music composter and novelist, Twemlow decided to reinvent himself as a movie mogul. Over a 10-year period, he made a string of low budget – and often no budget - films for the home video market. Here, we look at one of his works, TARGET EVE ISLAND (1983).We’re joined by Doug Tilley from Cinema Smorgasbord to look at the fascinating life, career, and work of Cliff Twemlow. And as part of this, we also discuss the documentary MANCUNIAN MAN: THE LEGENDARY LIFE OF CLIFF TWEMLOW (2023).Episode 172.Show notesFollow Exploding HelicopterBluesky: @chopperfireball.bsky.socialWebsite: explodinghelicopter.comInstagram: explodinghelicopterFollow Cinema SmorgasbordBluesky: @Cinemasmorgasbord.bsky.socialWebsite: Cinema Smorgasbord