Advertise on podcast: Action, Action

Not sure why, but this week we watched Transformers (2007) The fate of humanity is at stake when two races of robots, the good Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, bring their war to Earth. The robots have the ability to change into different mechanical objects as they seek the key to ultimate power. Only a human youth, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) can save the world from total destruction. Release date: July 2, 2007 (Canada) Director: Michael Bay Budget: 147 million USD Sequel: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Distributed by: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks

When architect-turned-vigilante Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) returns to New York City, he discovers that one of his friends has been murdered by gang members. After the cops bring Paul in for questioning, he receives a tempting offer from the police chief (Ed Lauter) : Paul can have free rein to eliminate the gangsters, as long as the police get the credit. Paul agrees and goes to war against Manny Fraker (Gavan O'Herlihy) and his vicious gang of thugs. Initial release: November 1, 1985 Director: Michael Winner Box office: 16.1 million USD Distributed by: The Cannon Group, Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Based on: Characters; by Brian Garfield Music by: Jimmy Page

This week we get a little 90s Goth with Brandon Lee's "The Crow"  The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée are brutally murdered by members of a violent inner-city gang. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and assumes the gothic mantle of the Crow, a supernatural avenger. Tracking down the thugs responsible for the crimes and mercilessly murdering them, Eric eventually confronts head gangster Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) to complete his macabre mission. Release date: May 11, 1994 (USA) Director: Alex Proyas Distributed by: Miramax, Dimension Films Adapted from: The Crow Box office: $94 million Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski

This week we visit our old friend Bruce in "Last Man Standing" Loyal to nobody but himself, John Smith (Bruce Willis) hires his services out to Fredo Strozzi (Ned Eisenberg), a bootlegging gangster who operates in a drab Texas town. However, he is quick to trade information to Strozzi's rival, Doyle (David Patrick Kelly). Then, having learned about Doyle's infatuation with beautiful Felina (Karina Lombard), Smith uses her to push both bosses into full-scale bloodshed. The only one who suspects anything is Hickey (Christopher Walken), Doyle's lieutenant. Release date: September 20, 1996 (USA) Director: Walter Hill Box office: 47.3 million USD Distributed by: New Line Cinema Adapted from: Yojimbo Cinematography: Lloyd Ahern

This week we go all out in this adrenaline filled Action flick! Chev Chelios (Jason Statham), a hit man wanting to go straight, lets his latest target slip away, then he awakes the next morning to a phone call that informs him he has been poisoned and has only an hour to live unless he keeps adrenaline coursing through his body while he searches for an antidote. Release date: September 1, 2006 (USA) Directors: Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine Budget: 12 million USD Box office: 42.9 million USD Sequel: Crank: High Voltage Screenplay: Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine

This week we have a double feature: Tiger Cage 1&2 Tiger Cage (1988) Two drug agents find that members of the police force work for a narcotics kingpin. Initial release: July 28, 1988 Director: Vien Hoa Binh Language: Cantonese Simplified Chinese: 特警屠龙   Tiger Cage 2 (1990) Gangsters pursue a Hong Kong lawman (Donnie Yen) framed for murder and a lawyer (Rosamund Kwan) they believe is linked to laundered money. Initial release: August 11, 1990 Director: Vien Hoa Binh Film series: Tiger Cage Box office: HK $6,395,102 Language: Cantonese Simplified Chinese: 洗黑钱

This week we cover 1984's Red Dawn.   In an alternate 1980s, the United States stands alone as communism grows stronger. When Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town, brothers Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) escape with friends to the forest. With their father, Tom (Harry Dean Stanton), a prisoner of the invading army, the children decide to fight against the Soviets. As the country comes under increasing attack, the group teams up with Lt. Col. Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) to take back their town. Release date: August 10, 1984 (USA) Director: John Milius Story by: Kevin Reynolds Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Budget: $17 million Produced by: Buzz Feitshans; Barry Beckerman; Sidney Beckerman

Dustin and James look back at the year that was 2023 and look forward to what Action movies they are excited to see in the new year. Happy New Year!

This week we check in on our old friend John Woo and see what he's been up to.   On Christmas Eve, a man witnesses the death of his young son when the boy gets caught in crossfire between warring gangs. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, he soon embarks on a bloody and grueling quest to punish those responsible. Release date: December 1, 2023 (Canada) Director: John Woo Distributed by: Lionsgate Films Box office: $8.7 million Music by: Marco Beltrami Production companies: Thunder Road Films; Capstone Studios; A Better Tomorrow Films

Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on, the Expendables are the world's last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.   4.8/10 IMDb 14% Rotten Tomatoes 79% of Google users liked this movie Directed by Scott Waugh Screenplay by Kurt Wimmer Tad Daggerhart Max Adams Story by Spenser Cohen Kurt Wimmer Tad Daggerhart Based onCharacters  by David Callaham Produced by Kevin King-Templeton Les Weldon Yariv Lerner Jason Statham Starring Jason Statham Sylvester Stallone Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson Megan Fox Dolph Lundgren Tony Jaa Iko Uwais Randy Couture Andy García   September 15, 2023 (China) September 22, 2023 (United States) Running time 104 minutes[

Interwoven stories demonstrate that some traditions are best not forgotten as the residents (Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker) of a small town face real ghosts and goblins on Halloween. Tales of terror reveal the consequences of extinguishing a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight and a grumpy hermit's encounter with a sinister trick-or-treater. Directed by Michael Dougherty Written by Michael Dougherty Produced by Bryan Singer Starring Dylan Baker Rochelle Aytes Anna Paquin Brian Cox Cinematography Glen MacPherson Edited by Robert IvisonMusic by Douglas Pipes Productioncompanies Warner Premiere Legendary Pictures Bad Hat Harry Productions Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Release dates December 9, 2007 (Butt-Numb-A-Thon) October 6, 2009 (United States) Running time 82 minutes Budget $12 million

Simon (Tyron Leitso) and Greg (Will Sanderson) meet a group of friends and set out to attend a rave on a remote island. When they miss the ferry, they decide to ride with Kirk (Jürgen Prochnow), a smuggler. They find the island deserted and discover that the partygoers have been killed by zombies. Now, the group must evade the deadly creatures and try to find safety. However, the only means of escape -- Kirk's boat -- has been overrun, forcing the survivors to ward off the undead. Directed by Uwe Boll Screenplay by Dave Parker Mark Altman Story by Mark Altman Dan Bates Based on The House of the Deadby Sega Corporation Wow Entertainment, Inc. Produced by Uwe Boll Wolfgang Herold Shawn Williamson Starring Jonathan Cherry Tyron Leitso Clint Howard Ona Grauer Ellie Cornell Jürgen Prochnow Cinematography Matias Neumann Edited by David Richardson Music by Reinhard Besser Production Companies Boll KG Productions Mindfire Entertainment Herold & Besser Studios Brightlight Pictures Distributed by Artisan Entertainment(United States) Alliance Atlantis Communications(Canada) Release dates February 15, 2003 (San Francisco) October 10, 2003 (United States) Running time 90 minutesCountries Language English Budget $12 million Box office $13.8 million