Throw Down: An Action Cinema Podcast

Ep. 32: Fist of the North Star (1986)

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Where must we go, we who wander this wasteland in search of our buffer selves? In a bleak, post-apocalyptic shell of a world, cities crumbling and the wastes ruled by violent warlords, everything is left to sheer strength. Muscle is all that matters, and to ascend to godhood your only option is to become so powerful that you become an immense giant, towering over the meek and willing to crush them with a casual blow. Toyoo Ashida's filmic adaptation of Buronson and Tetsuo Hara's bloodbath martial arts manga transforms the manga's first major arcs into nonstop action chaos, a one of a kind thrill ride that fully tests the expressive capabilities of action in animation. Join Jack and Vaughn on this week's episode as they discuss all of Fist of the North Star's moments of action bliss and so much more.

Throw Down will be going on a temporary hiatus for now, but rest assured that we love making this show and we'll be back to regularly talking about the best, the worst, and everything in between as soon as we're able. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on Step Printed, Letterboxd and Twitter.

Jack on The STACKS, Letterboxd, and Twitter.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 31: SPL Kill Zone (2005)

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 22:30:00 +0000

Starting out by directing low budget horror and Category III exploitation films, Wilson Yip made a name for himself in '90s Hong Kong with breakout hits like Bio-Zombie, a Dawn of the Dead influenced zombie film taking place in a claustrophobic Hong Kong mall, and Bullets Over Summer, a buddy cop hangout film that earned him enough credibility to start directing for studios like Golden Harvest. In 2005, he teamed up with legendary martial artists Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung to produce Sha Po Lang - released overseas as SPL: Kill Zone. A thematic contemporary alongside the rest of 00s Hong Kong cinema, SPL is bleak and brutal, an uncompromising landscape of violence where everyone is ready to scrap and fight at a moment's notice and every character is laser focused on a revenge mission that leaves everyone around them bloodied, dead, or forgotten. Join Jack and Vaughn this week as they talk about Wilson Yip's career, Sammo Hung as a ruthless villain, Donnie Yen's blindingly fast martial arts, and whether or not this film stretches itself too thin on a flimsy narrative.

Next week we’ll be back with Toyoo Ashida's legendary muscle fantasy anime Fist of the North Star. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on Step Printed, Letterboxd and Twitter.

Jack on The STACKS, Letterboxd, and Twitter.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 30: Parole Violators (1994)

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 04:00:07 +0000

This week on Throw Down, Jack and Vaughn open Pandora's box - the world of 90s SOV B-movie action, this time featuring Patrick G. Donahue's maniacal Parole Violators. The host of a vigilante public access television series is desperate to keep his program on air, putting himself in absurd danger for absolutely no reason to document himself apprehending recently released criminals violating their parole. It all goes south when two men he once put in prison are released, seeking vengeance by kidnapping his girlfriend's daughter. The ensuing rampage of roundhouse kicks and dialogue delivered entirely as if every character were trying to speak over the music at a club makes for a wild ride of schlock perfection, the greatest kind of microbudget action you could ask for.

For the curious: https://newgoldstudios.com/

Next week we’ll be back with Wilson Yip's triad face melter SPL: Kill Zone. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on Step Printed, Letterboxd and Twitter.

Jack on The STACKS, Letterboxd, and Twitter.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 29: Born To Fight (2004)

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 23:30:00 +0000

Hot off the international success of Ong-Bak (2003), stunt choreographer and Thai action veteran Panna Rittikrai set out to make another no holds barred stunt showcase, featuring a cast of his Muay Thai Stunt team and a group of Thai national athletes. A loose remake of his debut film, Born to Fight commits itself entirely to its mind boggling action and death defying stunts wrapped around a simple narrative that keeps the stakes big without getting bogged down in the details. The final 40 minutes are an endless action setpiece that starts at an unprecedented level of intensity and never stops ramping up the madness. Join Jack and Vaughn as they return from the Maytrix to exploring the vast world of action cinema this week on the show.

Next week we’ll be back with Patrick G. Donahue's action schlocksterpiece Parole Violators. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on Step Printed, Letterboxd and Twitter.

Jack on The STACKS, Letterboxd, and Twitter.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 28: The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 22:15:00 +0000

Nearly two decades after the conclusion of the original Matrix trilogy, after initially expressing an explicit intent to leave the story where it ended, Lana Wachowski returned to her world of cyberpunk and philosophy as a way to process grief and to protect her IP from corporate bastardization. The result is a massive swing as beautifully earnest and idiosyncratic as anything either of the Wachowskis have ever done, an unsurprisingly romantic epic that updates outdated ideas about stiff and bleak corporate oppression; trading them for a slick, post-irony world where everything is about itself and nihilism reigns. A world where we are gaslit into questioning our sanity at every turn, where we are talked out of radicalism through fear of uprooting the functional status quo. Received with as much divisive contention as every other Matrix sequel, Jack and Vaughn are here to dive in and break down The Matrix Resurrections. At last.

Next week we’ll be back with Panna Rittikrai's stunt showcase masterpiece Born To Fight. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on Step Printed, Letterboxd and Twitter.

Jack on The STACKS, Letterboxd, and Twitter.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 27: The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Fri, 31 May 2024 03:30:00 +0000

Picking up mere moments from where The Matrix Reloaded left off, the sweeping conclusion to the Matrix trilogy weaves a now expansive mythology into its towering climax. Unexpected and dizzying in its complex narrative developments and operatic action sequences that fulfill the destiny of Neo, the triumph of love over the oppressive threat of a seething corporate-coded maniac who cannot accept or believe in the agency of others. Join Jack and Vaughn as they cover what was once the final film in one of the most bold, brilliant, and fascinating franchises of all time.

Next week we’ll be back with The Matrix Resurrections to conclude Enter The Maytrix, a whole month (plus a week) dedicated to the cyberpunk cinema of Lilly and Lana Wachowski. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 26: The Animatrix (2003)

Wed, 22 May 2024 06:30:00 +0000

While in Japan promoting The Matrix, the Wachowskis met many of the legendary animators whose work had influenced their cyberpunk masterpiece, and began a journey to collaborate with them on a series of animated shorts that would expand the universe of The Matrix. The Animatrix, released in 2003 between The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, is a nine part anthology that weaves a new mythology into the fabric of the series, stories that enrich and deepen the ideas, design, and history of the world. Anime titans like Shinichiro Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Koji Morimoto, and Takeshi Koike create wildly unique and inventive films that take the ambitious ideas of the franchise to new heights. Join Jack and Vaughn as they continue their month of Matrix by tackling each short one by one; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Next week we’ll be back with The Matrix Revolutions to continue Enter The Maytrix, a whole month dedicated to the cyberpunk cinema of Lilly and Lana Wachowski. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 25: The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Thu, 16 May 2024 02:00:00 +0000

Following up The Matrix seems like an impossible task. A flawless film blending decades of influence with spellbinding cinematic energy and stunningly inventive filmmaking technique, what more is there to do? For the Wachowskis, the only thing to do is craft a startlingly idiosyncratic two part cinematic epic that completely inverts the binary philosophy of the first film and replaces it with a dense and oblique web of intersecting ideologies, questioning their own film by contextualizing its universe. Divisive by nature but remaining steadfastly novel and complex, The Matrix Reloaded crafts a tactile world worth fighting for - and sports an mesmerizing series of impeccably design grand action. Join Jack and Vaughn as they continue to share their love of the series with a renewed appreciation for the sequels.

Next week we’ll be back with The Animatrix to continue Enter The Maytrix, a whole month dedicated to the cyberpunk cinema of Lilly and Lana Wachowski. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 24: The Matrix (1999)

Thu, 09 May 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Opening with studio logos turned into malleable green code, The Matrix immediately signaled its ethos of rebellion against corporate systems. A verdant haze blankets the film, a visual coding of a false reality, a world that must be shattered, an oppressive existence without freedom or agency. A hapless software developer lives one life as a cog in the machine, feeding into structures of systemic control in a bleak office space of rigid walls and separation. The same man lives another life in rejection of those same systems, undermining power with blackhat efforts from a dilapidated, organic room of electronics and screens, a cyberharmony between digital and physical. Lilly and Lana Wachowski's cyberpunk masterpiece is a million things - a rich philosophical text of existentialism and agency, a masterful cyberpunk odyssey of grungy apocalyptic landscapes and digital realities, and a beautiful trans allegory about becoming who you were meant to be. For this show, however, it is first and foremost the coolest action movie ever made. This week, Jack and Vaughn dive deep into their love for The Matrix on the first episode of Enter The Maytrix, our month long series on the punk tetralogy.

Next week we’ll be back with The Matrix Reloaded to continue Enter The Maytrix, a whole month dedicated to the cyberpunk cinema of Lilly and Lana Wachowski. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 23: Hercules (1983)

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 01:30:00 +0000

Mechanical Harryhausen monstrosities, heroic feats of strength, ancient neon cities, and bears flung into space: the atmosphere of Luigi Cozzi's Hercules is unlike any other interpretation of the mythological journey. Even within the confines of its swords and sandals genre trappings it manages to find ways to be a consistently inventive and fascinating kind of filmmaking - the kind that only a man so well versed in producing Italian genre cinema knockoffs of successful international IPs could commit himself to. It's a different kind of action this week on the show, and Jack and Vaughn dive into the weird, wild world of Lou Ferrigno's Hercules, a velvety phantasmagoria of neon lights and brute strength, an acid-drenched hero's journey that escapes every expectation.

Next week we’ll be back to Enter The Maytrix, a whole month dedicated to the cyberpunk cinema of Lilly and Lana Wachowski. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 22: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) / The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:15:00 +0000

Joseph Sargent's 1974 action crime thriller based on Morton Freedgood's original novel released to critical and audience acclaim, a scuzzy '70s B-thriller punched up by David Shire's stunning jazz fusion score, Gerald Greenberg's inventive editing, and the rapid fire back and forth of Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. 35 years later, vulgar auteur Tony Scott reimagined the film as a slick, modernized thriller with an entirely new and contemporary approach to the film's examination of New York City. Scott's take was critically panned and only a moderate box office success, but today on the show, Jack and Vaughn dive deep into both films, comparing and contrasting their many differences as well as taking a new look at the 2009 remake - does it deserve the reputation it's gotten over the years?

Next week we’ll be back in the neon-soaked, muscle-bound dreamscape of Luigi Cozzi's Hercules (1983). Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I’m Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 21: Mean Guns (1997)

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Mambo mambo, this week king of cult movies Albert Pyun makes his first appearance on the show with action battle royale Mean Guns. 100 thugs, a mysterious Christophe Lambert, platinum grilled mambo fan Ice-T, a lot of bullets, and a single location that could not be disturbed in the production of the film. How do you make a dynamic, kinetic, convincing action film out of that? Jack and Vaughn dive into how it all comes together this week on the show, with Jack's extensive knowledge of Pyun as a director and a shared love of the Tarantino inspired film's choice to be flooded with wall to wall mambo.

Next week we'll be back for a double feature special of Joseph Sargent's The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) and Tony Scott's slick, modernized remake The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009). Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Looking for more shows? Check out Jack on The STACKS and Vaughn on I'm Thinking of Spoiling Things.

Ep. 20: Exiled (2006)

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

One of Hong Kong's most prolific and acclaimed masters of cinema, Johnnie To has produced and directed over 70 films. Known for his powerhouse cinema that serves to deconstruct and reframe any genre or cinematic expression imaginable, there's little To hasn't done - but for an action podcast with the namesake of one of his films, it's time for Jack and Vaughn to dive into his work as an action filmmaker. Exiled is a hazy, smoke-clouded heroic bloodshed masterpiece, bringing back the brotherhood of his earlier action films after burning down the concept of criminal camaraderie in Election and Election 2. The guys journey through its masterfully constructed shootouts and ironclad bonds of fatalist criminal contracts while Vaughn details his extensive experiences with To as a filmmaker.

Next week we’ll be back with cinema's favorite B action director Albert Pyun's Mean Guns. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 19: In The Line of Duty 4 (1989)

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Closing out the month of March, In The Line of Duty 4 continues the story of Cynthia Khan's Inspector Yeung and features the most established director of the series to date - Hong Kong choreography legend Yuen Woo-ping. A stone cold martial arts classic, the fourth entry in the franchise features a tight, dialed in script and non-stop action, from brutal fights at the docks featuring wrenches and dangerous chemicals to breakneck rooftop chases, vehicular stunt madness, and damning indictments of the American government's foreign operations. Join Jack and Vaughn as they close out March with an in depth discussion of a favorite director, the brilliance of Donnie Yen, the grueling intensity of shooting this film, and much more.

Next week we'll be back with an expansive exploration of Johnnie To, focused on 2006 gangster action epic Exiled. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 18: In The Line of Duty 3 (1988)

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Now truly capitalizing on the success of Royal Warriors and Yes, Madam!, D&B Films move on to the first directly titled sequel of the franchise, only Michelle Yeoh has moved on and there's no longer an established director attached. The result may lack the inventive whimsy of the previous two films but instead it's replaced with pure aggression, a gritty brutality that overtakes the atmosphere as a duo of terrorists attempt to make a dangerous arms deal while Cynthia Khan and Hiroshi Fujioka hunt them down. Join Jack and Vaughn as they dive into the third entry in the In The Line of Duty franchise, through its explosive chaos and energetic fights.

The month of March on Throw Down will be dedicated to the first four films in this series – Royal Warriors, Yes, Madam!, In The Line of Duty III, and In The Line of Duty IV. Check back every week for new films, new girls with guns, more action, and more fun. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 17: Yes, Madam! (1985)

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Traveling back in time to the second film in the In The Line of Duty series, it's the genre-pioneering buddy cop martial arts comedy stunner Yes, Madam! starring Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock. A much more comedic, slapstick effort than Royal Warriors, this girls with guns game-changer sees the gritty, intense action from Yeoh and Rothrock set against the Three Stooges antics of Tsui Hark, John Sham, and Mang Hoi. Join Jack and Vaughn's ongoing series as they discuss brutal stunts, stolen music, Hong Kong cameos, and much more.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 16: Royal Warriors (1986)

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:30:00 +0000

As the late, great Jean-Luc Godard once said, "All you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun." 1980s Hong Kong action and D&B studios' In The Line Of Duty series supposes that the only way to elevate this idea is to invent an entirely new subgenre based entirely around putting women at the forefront of high octane crime thrillers. Born from the four films to be covered on Throw Down throughout the month of March, the girls with guns craze became the kickoff point for many of the era's female stars, most notably among them future Raccacoonie lead Michelle Yeoh, who stars here in David Chung's Royal Warriors alongside Hiroyuki Sanada.

The month of March on Throw Down will be dedicated to the first four films in this series - Royal Warriors, Yes, Madam!, In The Line of Duty III, and In The Line of Duty IV. Check back every week for new films, new girls with guns, more action, and more fun. Until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 15: Black Samurai (1976)

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

As the height of blaxploitation collides with the cultural discovery of eastern martial arts cinema, stars like Jim Kelly came from appearing against Bruce Lee to being steely protagonists of cheap B exploitation cinema. With Black Samurai, Al Adamson crafts a scuzzy, sleazy actioner that pulls as much from the likes of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung as it does from that of cheesy James Bond espionage. Flooded with cartoonish antics, diabolical cult schemes, violent carrion-devouring vultures, and jetpacks, join Jack and Vaughn as they explore this '70s schlock classic.

We’ll be back throughout the month of March to talk our way through the first four films in Hong Kong's girls with guns franchise In The Line of Duty – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 14: Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Inspired by the blisteringly violent mania encased within the final sequence of John Woo's Hard Boiled, Michael Davis cooked up his own piece of towering action mayhem, only twisted into an absurdist live-action translation of Bugs Bunny versus Elmer Fudd with blood, bullets, babies, and carrots. Join Jack and Vaughn as they share in their appreciation of the ridiculous masterpiece and its slapstick violence.

We'll be back next week to talk Al Adamson's Black Samurai – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 13: Death Trance (2005)

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 06:15:00 +0000

Blurry '00s low budget action sensibilities meet an explosion of comic-book visuals, a grungy nu metal soundtrack, giant swords, fantasy motorcycles, bazookas, and more in Yuji Shimomura's 2005 manga adaptation. Jack and Vaughn may be a little late to their final Japanuary pick but their dedication will not be stopped, so tune in this week as they discuss the deluge of wild violence and chaotic exposition found in Death Trance.

We’ll be back next week to talk Michael Davis' delirious collision of Looney Tunes chaos and Hong Kong bloodshed with Shoot 'Em Up – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 12: Roaring Fire (1982)

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 07:50:36 +0000

A full force cinematic barrage of action influence, Norifumi Suzuki's Roaring Fire is one of the great hidden gems of '80s martial arts stunt showcases. Starring a young Hiroyuki Sanada as an orphaned drifter raised in Texas returning to his estranged family in Japan only to find a villainous plot involving stolen diamonds and fascist uncles, it's a non-stop deluge of bruiser action, comedic hijinks, magic Sonny Chiba, and so much more. Join Jack and Vaughn as they discuss the eclectic career of Suzuki, the decades spanning run of brilliant work from Sanada, the massive brutality of Abdullah the Butcher, and a laundry list of incredible stunts.

Continuing our Japanuary series, we'll be back next week to talk Yuji Shimomura's Death Trance – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 11: The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 03:00:00 +0000

The first thread in a rich cinematic tapestry of adventures following blind masseur and unassuming master swordsman Zatoichi, a series that now spans 26 films and hundreds of TV episodes, starts here, with Kenji Misumi's The Tale of Zatoichi. Following the titular swordsman and establishing his character as a nonchalant zen master capable of leveraging people's prejudices and assumptions, Jack and Vaughn work through the oldest film featured on the show thus far. A peaceful, nearly anti-action film that plays up its minimalism and black and white beauty until a violently chaotic meltdown that pits two masters against each other.

We’ll be back next week for more Japanuary adventures with Norifumi Suzuki's Roaring Fire – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 10: Time and Tide (2000)

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Coming off of two wacky, globe-trotting Hollywood oddities, Hong Kong legend Tsui Hark returned home in 2000 to make Time and Tide, a bombastic action film so elusive and oblique that it seems futile to even begin piecing it together. Star-crossed brotherhood, overcranked deconstruction of heroic bloodshed, dizzyingly turn of the century hyperstylization, all bundled up and packaged into a thunderously explosive two hours of bifurcated narratives and mercurial neon chaos. Eschewing all semblance of single linear narrative, Hark's face-melting action sequences take the front stage, making for some of the most memorable work in his catalogue. Join Jack and Vaughn this week as they attempt to tackle the many labyrinthine threads as well as reveling in the effortless brilliance of this stunning hailstorm of bullets.

We’ll be back next week for the origins of a samurai legend with Kenji Misumi's The Tale of Zatoichi – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Ep. 9: Die Hard (1988)

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, listeners, this week Jack and Vaughn came out to the coast, got together, and had a few laughs discussing John McTiernan's festive action classic. Starring a beaten and bruised Bruce Willis turning in an all time performance as John McClane, up against a blisteringly cool and calmly evil Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber, there's no film this podcast's hosts would rather be watching on Christmas day. Join us as we talk the history of the Die Hard franchise, John McTiernan's bloodied protagonists, perfect focus pulls, and the questionable arc of Reginald VelJohnson's Sergeant Powell.

We'll be back next week for action master Tsui Hark's labyrinthine millennium bullet hailstorm Time and Tide – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

8: Hard Target (1993) / Hard Target 2 (2016)

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 07:59:00 +0000

When John Woo first took his signature style of wanton explosive action fervor international, he teamed up with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Lance Henriksen to trade the neon painted rain-slicked pavement of Hong Kong for a muggy, dusty town of drifters and lawless chaos. Hard Target proved that Woo could take his towering vision of action anywhere and turn in a brutal face melter. 23 years later, DTV sequel cleanup director Roel Reiné took up the help for another fists flying take on The Most Dangerous Game, this time starring Scott Adkins stepping into his idol's shoes. Listen this week as Jack and Vaughn discuss the storied brilliance of John Woo, the beauty of the 90s' greatest mullet, acrobatic martial arts, the life and times of one John Rambo, and more.

We’ll be back next week for a Christmas Day special about everyone's favorite festive skyscraper meltdown Die Hard – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

7: Cold Harvest (1999)

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 07:55:00 +0000

B-movie kickboxing star Gary Daniels and Lovecraftian scream queen Barbara Crampton fight for survival in a war torn apocalyptic wasteland ruled by a villain known as Little Ray - it's a science fiction martial arts western that's every bit as goofy, wild, and kick-ass as the image those words may conjure. This week on the show, Jack and Vaughn discuss the cinema of DTV action favorite Isaac Florentine, another regular collaborator with host favorite Scott Adkins. What does it take to create a convincing vision of a dusty dystopia packed with textural specificity and stellar, explosive action? Join us and find out!

We’ll be back next week to chat about our first franchise; John Woo's bayou face melter Hard Target and Roel Reiné's DTV martial arts sequel Hard Target 2 – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

6: Dragons Forever (1988)

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:00:00 +0000

At the height of Golden Harvest's dizzying domination of the Hong Kong action market, three of the biggest kung-fu stars of the time came together for a final spellbinding showcase of stunts and martial arts madness. Directed by choreography superstars Sammo Hung and Corey Yuen, and starring Sammo alongside Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, Dragons Forever is a nonstop thrill ride, a genre bending mashup of romcom melodrama, cartoonish silent comedy-esque antics, and face melting action sequences. Join Jack and Vaughn as they discuss their endless adoration of Hong Kong action, the joy of its many familiar faces, communist fish and capitalist birds.

We’ll be back next week to chat about Isaac Florentine's dusty apocalypse western Cold Harvest (1999) – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

5: Mario Warfare (2015)

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

With virtually no budget, no license, a monkey suit, and a whole lot of earnest action energy, Micah Moore and a team of guerilla martial artists put together a Mario fan film. Split into eight episodes and released over the course of several years, the crew put together an action stunner that hits as hard as its martial arts cinema influences and has a blast with its cartoonish videogamesploitation affect. With Shyguy grunts, militarized Koopas, and a megalomaniac mob boss Bowser running up against monkey suit Donkey Kong, plumbers in grubby overalls, and a lethal incarnation of Princess Peach who learns the art of kung-fu like a diligent disciple, it's high caliber, microbudget action at its finest. Join Jack and Vaughn as they jump into the world of YouTube choreography, rises to Hollywood action, Toad as Morpheus, a violent stuffed Pikachu, and so much more.

We’ll be back next week to chat about Sammo Hung's action romcom masterpiece Dragons Forever (1988) – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

4: Point Break (1991)

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 02:00:00 +0000

It's like acid in your mouth - the exhilarating adrenaline rush of Kathryn Bigelow's sweeping 90s action buddy cop heist epic Point Break. Starring bleach blonde Patrick Swayze as effervescent, breezy adrenaline junkie and anti-establishment criminal surfer alongside Keanu Reeves as former football star turned cop determined to prove himself, Point Break sets the stage for a decade of vibrant, explosive action. Returning from a brief break due to sickness, Jack and Vaughn are back to discuss the sprawling career of Keanu Reeves, a film flooded with battles against structure, the litany of breathtaking stunt sequences, and the romantically charged relationship between Johnny and Bodhi.

We’ll be back next week to chat about Micah Moore's viral action sensation Mario Warfare (2015) – but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Check out The Twin Geeks coverage of Kathryn Bigelow's filmography here.

3: Avengement (2019)

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A brutal British bruiser, Jesse V. Johnson's Avengement is a stunning display of both the creative freedom and the hard hitting choreography of DTV action. Jack and Vaughn are back once again to talk about their love of skull crushing independent action, the dynamic brilliance of Scott Adkins, and the surprising influences and origins of this week's film.

We'll be back next week to chat about Kathryn Bigelow's Point Break (1991) - but until then, for more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

2: Mechanical Violator Hakaider (1995)

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 02:00:00 +0000

One part Terminator, one part Robocop, and one part Judge Dredd, melted down into a dreamy tokusatsu haze flooded with stunning imagery, all out production design, and brilliant practical effects. Keita Amemiya's Mechcanical Violator Hakaider is a wild, violent genre flip, taking the expected genre trappings of Japan's colorful hyperpop tokusatsu craze and inverting it into a grungy cyberpunk nightmare covered in blood and guts. Hosts Vaughn and Jack return to enter a whole new corner of action on film, breaking down the densely packed 50 minutes of Hakaider along with the dozens of films and genre ideas it exists in conversation with.

For more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

1: The Night Comes For Us (2018)

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

On the inaugural episode of the show, it's Timo Tjahjanto's hyperviolent Indonesian martial arts splatterfest, a host favorite mach speed brutal action stunner. Starring martial arts legends Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais, this bloody, bone-snapping triad odyssey comes off the back of a filmography of twisted horror, infusing the dynamic energy of The Raid franchise with visceral, gory mayhem. The guys talk what makes the fights tick, the film's crazy kaleidoscope of action influence, and what cements The Night Comes For Us as a modern masterpiece of action.

For more words, thoughts, and action adoration, find us all around the internet.

Vaughn on The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

Jack on T he Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.