"I Must Break" This Podcast

This month we're going back to where it all started and chatting the 1985 sports classic, Rocky IV! Only this time, we're actually taking a look at the Director's Cut assembled by Sylvester Stallone himself and released in 2021 -- Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago! In the final episode of the podcast (for the time being at least), the show comes full circle and we discuss the ultimate director's cut in which Stallone recut the iconic film in the Rocky franchise! But with all the added and altered scenes, is this new cut any good? Katie Geilinkirchen from the Retromade and One More Round podcasts returns to the show to help me answer that question! We chat the pros, cons, and minute changes that Stallone added and tweaked for this reimagining 36 years in the making! Listen in as we take a deep dive into Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago! Major thanks to Katie Geilengirchen for joining me! Please be sure to check out her podcasts, Retromade and One More Round! Special thanks to all the guests who've joined me throughout the show's run, and have helped me complete the journey! See you all again when Mr. Lundgren has another film on the horizon! Please rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Intro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix; closing outro. music the "Eye of the Tiger" heavy metal remix by Ancestral!

On this month's episode we're tackling two films in which Dolph took on supporting roles where he played shady figures with dual motives! In the 2015 ensemble "thriller", 4GOT10, Lundgren plays a DEA agent on the trail of some stolen cash from a drug deal gone wrong! Starring alongside Dolph are Johnny Messner, Danny Trejo, Michael Pare, and Vivica A. Fox! In Altitude, "wild thing," Denise Richards stars as an FBI hostage negotiator who finds herself caught in the middle of a hijacking onboard her flight to Washington DC! Lundgren shows up as a high-class thief who threatens to crash the plane unless one of the fellow passengers returns the loot that is rightfully his! Sure, both these premises couldn't be more different, though that didn't stop us from having fun chatting these two slices of direct-to-video independent action cinema! Joining me to chat this duo of flicks are two friends of the show -- Steve Done and Matt Poirier! First up Steve Done returns to the show to help make sense of the Tarantino wannabe 4GOT10 (we try to get to the bottom of that awful title, and we manage to briefly discuss the 2004 British “comedy”(?), Fat Slags)! After, Matt Poirier from The Direct-to-Video Connoisseur returns to lend some insight on the pretty unremarkable airplane hijacking film, Altitude! So strap in… It's a combo episode with tons action… albeit on low, low budgets! Major thanks to Steve Done and Matt Poirier for joining me! Please be sure to check out Matt's blog and podcast, The DTV Connoisseur! https://dtvconnoisseur.blogspot.com/. Please be sure to check out the show's official website and Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're talking Dolph, the post-apocalypse, and zombies! No, we're not taking another look at 2013's Battle of the Damned, but instead Dolph's SECOND foray into zombie territory with 2019's Dead Trigger! Yes, five years after Battle of the Damned, Dolph went back to a similar well and once again took on hordes of zombies! In this adaptation of a popular mobile video game, Lundgren plays Kyle Walker, a hard-nosed mercenary in a near future with a penchant for wasting zombies! Yet even the best of the best can't slay zombies alone, so joining him on this mission is a team of teenage video gamers with just the right skills to ensure that the human race might live to see another day! Joining me to discuss this one is Scott Murphy, host of All 90's Action, All the Time! What exactly went on behind the scenes with this one? In what ways does this play with the standard zombie tropes, and does it manage to do anything new? And just what is up with the ending? Listen in as Scott and I get to the bottom of Dead Trigger! Major thanks to Scott Murphy for joining me! Be sure to check out his podcast, All 90's Action, All the Time!, which can be found on its own feed as well as on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network feed! Please check out both the official webpage for the show as well as the Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're headed back to World War II once again, this time chatting TWO films from 2021, both written and directed by Steven Luke and both seeing Lundgren return to the European battlefields for some epic adventures (albeit on low, low budgets)! In Operation Seawolf, Lundgren plays a German U-Boat commander who launches a final desperate attach on New York; and in Come Out Fighting, Lundgren plays an American major in charge of a tank battalion that goes behind enemy lines to rescue their lieutenant! Filmed back to back, with many of the same props and sets, both films have positive intents... But are they any good? Major Dolph-fan and fellow action junkie, Steve Done joins the show to help me get to the bottom of these films and discuss both their merits... and their shortcomings. How does Operation Seawolf manage to make the most of its confined set to its benefit? How does Come Out Fighting do in balancing its large cast? And can a WW2-set film manage to even be watchable on a budget? Listen in as Steve and I chat Dolph's second and third forays in WW2 with Operation Seawolf and Come Out Fighting! Major thanks to Steve Done for joining me! Please be sure to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Be sure to check out both the official webpage for show and the show's Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's opening and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode we're chatting Lundgren's most recent effort, the long-awaited, Wanted Man! In this tribute to Clint Eastwood's The Gauntlet (and perhaps a little Gran Torino), Dolph once again takes on acting, directing, and writing duties in which he plays Travis Johansen, a police officer who is tasked with begrudgingly escorting an eye witness across the border after she witnesses the deaths of two DEA agents. Yet when it's made clear that there are certain American parties who don't want to see them cross the border, Johansen must sort out his own alliances and troubled morals if he wants to see tomorrow! Returning to the show to help chat this one is Vern, author of the books, Seagalogy and Worm on a Hook, as well as his signature website, Outlaw Vern! How does Dolph do in directing his now 8th film? What social statements is this film trying to make amongst the bloody action sequences? Does Dolph manage to offer any surprises in terms of the villains? And is this film worth its (almost) 15 year wait? Listen in as Vern and I discuss Wanted Man! Be sure to check out Wanted Man, currently available on VOD and free on Hoopla! Major thanks to Vern for once again joining me! Please be sure to check out his website: www.outlawvern.com. Please check out the official webpage for the show, as well as the Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're looking at the TWO films that Lundgren closed out 2023 with -- Showdown at the Grand and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom! Each of these films couldn't be more different from one another, but considering Dolph took on supporting roles in each (not to mention wearing a wild wig for each performance!), I figured it was fitting to tackle both movies in this one episode! In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dolph returns to the troubled DC Extended Universe for its final outing as King Nereus, a proud Atlantean King who assists the titular superhero in retaining his throne against comic book nemesis, Black Manta! In Showdown at the Grand, Lundgren stars as an aged action star who teams up with a movie theater proprietor to fight and keep the sanctity of cinema intact! Joining me to discuss these two efforts are TWO regulars -- Chris Prentice and David Rosen! First up is our Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom discussion in which David Rosen from Piecing it Together invited me back on his show to chat the Christmas 2023 blockbuster release! After Chris Prentice joins me to chat the Quentin Tarantino-inspired tribute to grindhouse cinema, Showdown at the Grand! This month we're chatting a huge budget release and a small indie release… Dolph himself is no stranger to both arenas! Major thanks to Chris Prentice and David Rosen! Be sure to check out David's podcast, Piecing it Together: www.piecingpod.com. Please be sure to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Be sure to check out both the official webpage for the show and the show's Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's opening and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, actor/writer/director, Michael Worth returns to the show to discuss the upcoming action thriller, Wanted Man! In this long-awaited film, Lundgren pulls triple duties once again as star, director, and co-writer! In Wanted Man, Dolph plays Travis Johansen, a police officer who must escort a witness across the border in order to testify. Yet awaiting this duo are a team of shady American forces who will do anything to ensure that they remain in Mexico! Wanted Man has had quite a long road in production... Back when Worth was last on the show in 2019, the film was still in the script rewrite phase; now in the coming weeks, this pet project from both Lundgren and Michael Worth will finally be seeing a release thanks to Quiver Entertainment! Michael Worth has been collaborating with Lundgren on this film for almost 15 years, and it's gone through quite a few revisions and developments throughout this time! In this discussion, Worth and I chat Wanted Man as well as what else he has in development for 2024 and beyond! Major thanks to Michael Worth for agreeing to come back! Please be sure to check out Wanted Man starring Dolph Lundgren and Kelsey Grammar, which will be released on January 19th courtesy of Quiver Entertainment: https://www.quiverdistribution.com/films/upcoming/wanted-man/. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever else you go to subscribe! Check out the official webpage for the show, as well as Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix; transition music by Rovador.

On this month's episode, we're once again taking a look at another Lundgren trio -- Acceleration, Hard Night Falling, and The Tracker! Filmed over the course of 2018 and released shortly after, this triumvirate of films has similar DNA running through them -- The Tracker and Hard Night Falling had Dolph jetting off to Italy and reteaming with director, Giorgio Serafini; whereas Hard Night Falling and Acceleration had him co-starring alongside rising action star and producer, Natalie Burn! In Acceleration, Lundgren plays a mob boss who puts a hard-nosed driver through a series of deadly tasks over the course of a single night; in Hard Night Falling, Lundgren attempts to channel John McClane once again as an Interpol agent vacationing in Italy who takes on a band of thieves; and in The Tracker, Dolph is an expert hunter (?) who travels to Italy to find the men who kidnapped and killed his family! While these films may all have wildly different conceits, are they any good...? Well, we have screenwriter, Tom Jolliffe returning to the show to help me answer that question! With such tight and limited shooting schedules, what was it about these films that intrigued Dolph in the first place? And how do these films stand up, both individually and in the wake of Lundgren's comeback with Creed II? Listen in as Tom and I get to the bottom of Acceleration, Hard Night Falling, and The Tracker! Major thanks to Tom Jolliffe for joining me once again! Please check out his numerous screenwriting credits listed here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6789910/! Also, please be sure to check out his contributions at Flickering Myth: https://www.flickeringmyth.com/author/tom-jolliffe/! Please be sure to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please check out the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com, as well as the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast.

We're back for the 100th episode of the show, and what better film to discuss for #100 than the latest entry in The Expendables franchise -- Expend4bles! In the fourth installment, the team is scaled down with not as many members, but still some new additions! Returning for another battle, Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and Randy Couture are now joined by Megan Fox, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, and Tony Jaa! In their latest adventure, the Expendables must board a cargo ship and stop a sadistic arms dealer (played by Iko Uwais) from starting World War 3! This episode will be slightly different than previous episodes... Instead of having one guest, we'll be pulling our own Expendables gimmick and bringing on multiple guests to share their thoughts! Included in this conversation is my guest spot on the Piecing It Together podcast with friend of the show, David Rosen! After, I'll be playing opinions on the movie from Richard Hawes of The DTV Digest, Sicco Hersink from Hugging the Cactus: The Mel Gibson Podcast, Matt Poirer from the DTV Connoisseur, as well as the thoughts from listeners of the show! Major thanks to everyone who contributed. Please be sure to check out the following podcasts from friends of the show: David Rosen's Piecing It Together (https://www.piecingpod.com/); Richard Hawes' The DTV Digest (https://thedtvdigest.podbean.com/); Sicco Hersink's Hugging the Cactus, and Matt Poirer's The DTV Connoisseur (http://dtvconnoisseur.blogspot.com/)! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes or wherever you go to subscribe! Show's opening and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix!

On this month's episode, we're looking at one of Lundgren's most recent indie efforts, The Best Man! In this wedding-themed action thriller, Dolph teams up with Brendan Fehr as members of an unspecified special ops rescue unit who are attending the wedding of their teammate, Luke Wilson! Yet when an army of masked commandos storm the wedding, Dolph, Fehr, and Wilson must suit up again to save not just the bride-to-be, but the rest of the wedding party in this low-budget Die Hard-wannabe! Returning to the show once again is Brenton Haysom from his website, All Outta Bubblegum! How many corners does this film cut to make the most of its 10-day shoot? How is it that a small wedding party is able to rent out an entire hotel AND casino? And could Luke Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, and Brendan Fehr be one of the oddest action pairings ever seen on film? Join Brenton and I as get into the wedding spirit and chat The Best Man! Major thanks to Brenton Haysom for joining me! For reviews, kill counts, and video essays, please check out his awesome website, All Outta Bubblegum: www.allouttabubblegum.com. Please check out the official website the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com, as well as the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode we're stepping back into the world of television, this time looking at the six-episode story arc of the fifth season of the hit CW show, Arrow! In this televised adaptation of the DC Comics character, Lundgren guest stars as Konstantin Kovar, the leader of a Russian criminal empire who shows up in flashbacks as the main antagonist to Stephen Amell's superhero, the Green Arrow! Dolph may not have the biggest role (and to be honest, there are a TON of TV tropes that tend to weigh the episodes down!), but that didn't stop us from having fun discussing these episodes! Returning to the show to help me discuss this one is Travis Bow, host of the Reel Comic Heroes Podcast! In what ways does Dolph's inclusion help elevate these episodes... and at the same time, almost grind the story to a halt? Are flashbacks/prequels really necessary to the development of a character, especially five seasons in? And what exactly is going on with Green Arrow's team of D-list superheroes (cleverly named "Team Arrow"!)? Join us as Travis and I answer these questions and many more as we chat Arrow! Major thanks to Travis Bow for joining me! Please check out his podcast, Reel Comic Heroes, which examines the films based on comic book properties! Also, be sure to be on the lookout for his movies by minute podcast, Minute of Thieves, to be dropping on your podcast app of choice soon! Please be sure to check out the show's official webpage as well as Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.comimustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode it's Dolph vs. a bloodthirsty shark! Who doesn't want to see that?! Unfortunately, the film's not nearly as exciting as it sounds... Yes, this month we're chatting the 2015 shark thriller, Shark Lake! In this Jaws knock-off, Lundgren plays Clint Grey, a prison parolee who must not only reconnect with his young daughter, but ALSO rid a small town lake of a bull shark that is eating the locals. Thankfully, he has a sheriff's deputy and PHD professor nearby who will not only assist him in this huge undertaking, but manage to take up more screen time than our man of the hour! Making his inaugural appearance on the show is Kevin Dotson, co-host of the Six Degrees of Schwarzenegger podcast! In what ways is this film essentially a cameo role for Dolph? Why are there virtually zero scares in the entire 85-minute run time? Could a bull shark even survive in Lake Tahoe? And could the lead sheriff's deputy be one of the most annoying characters to grace a shark film? Listen in as Kevin and I go swimming in Shark Lake! Major thanks to Kevin Dotson for joining me! Please be sure to check out Kevin's podcast, Six Degrees of Schwarzenegger, which can be found on its own feed as well as the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please be sure to check out the show's official webpage and Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's opening and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

This month, the Muscles from Brussels and the Big Swede reteam yet again! Only instead of being adversaries, they're now on the same side! Yes, we're chatting the 2018 submarine adventure, Black Water! In this DTV team-up, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren join forces, making this their FIFTH collaboration! This time Van Damme and Lundgren play two government operatives who're wrongly imprisoned onboard a top secret CIA blacksite submarine. Yet these two badasses aren't about to stay underwater forever, and they're prepared to mow through an army of heavily trained commandos in order to get back to the surface! Returning to the show to help me discuss this one is uber-JCVD fan, David Ullman! Just how dated was the submarine setting and conceit in 2018? What works in seeing JCVD and Dolph join forces again... and what doesn't? And how much fun does Dolph bring to what is a small supporting role? Listen in as David and I chat Black Water! Major thanks to David Ullman for joining me once again! Please check out his website for his music, writings, podcasts, and film work: www.davidullman.net! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please be sure to check out the show's official webpage and Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's opening music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix. Closing song is "Bloodsport (and Kickboxer, Too)" by Ukelilli. Check out her website: www.ukelilli.com. Please check out the new book, Bloodspurt!, which critically analyzes the films of Jean-Claude Van Damme available now on Amazon from Bear Manor Media! You just might find a few essays, written by both David and myself! https://www.amazon.com/Bloodspurt-Films-Jean-Claude-Van-Damme/dp/B0BQXWH7NF/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=3EZG75BQ699C6&keywords=bloodspurt+van+damme&qid=1676227241&sprefix=bloodsport+van+damme%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1-fkmr0

It's Christmas time in Chickaree Creek, Mississippi. And a bloodthirsty demon has been released on the unsuspecting townsfolk with only one intention... Chaos! Yes, on this month's episode, we're chatting the 2017 action-horror-comedy, Don't Kill It! In this crazy slice of indie-horror, Lundgren plays Jebediah Woodley, a bounty hunter who has arrived in Chickaree Creek to capture the bloodthirsty demon. Unfortunately, killing this demon poses one small problem... Whoever kills it becomes inhabited by it! Joining me to chat this film is Katrina Hill from the website, Action Flick Chick! How does this film make the most of its quick 17-day shoot? Could the character of Jebediah Woodley sustain a potential franchise? And just how much fun is everyone visibly having on set? Listen in as Katrina and I discuss Don't Kill It! After, stay tuned at the end of the episode for screenwriter, Tom Jolliffe's thoughts on the film! Jolliffe knows a thing or two about the world of low-budget indie filmmaking, so he lends his insight on this particular film! Major thanks to Katrina Hill for joining me. Please be sure to check out her website, Action Flick Chick: http://actionflickchick.com/superaction/. You can also check out her book, Action Movie Freak!, which is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Katrina-Hill/e/B0091JLOR4/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1. Check out the show's official website and Facebook page — http://www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and closing music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix. Don't Kill It is currently available for free streaming on Tubi, Peacock, Plex, and Vudu! Please check out the new book, Bloodspurt!, which critically analyzes the films of Jean-Claude Van Damme available now on Amazon from Bear Manor Media! You just might find a few of my essays, which I contributed prior to publication! https://www.amazon.com/Bloodspurt-Films-Jean-Claude-Van-Damme/dp/B0BQXWH7NF/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=3EZG75BQ699C6&keywords=bloodspurt+van+damme&qid=1676227241&sprefix=bloodsport+van+damme%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1-fkmr0

On this month's episode, it's Dolph Lundgren and Scott Adkins battling a legendary beast in China! With a premise as exciting as this, what could go wrong? Apparently, just about everything! Yes, this month we're chatting the 2013 Chinese production, Legendary! In this expedition adventure, Lundgren reteams with Scott Adkins once again, this time as two rival hunters, each in search of a mystical beast that's supposed to be extinct... Yet the titular monster is very much alive, and it very much resembles an overgrown gecko (scary, right?!)... Returning once again to the show to help me discuss this one is Richard Hawes, co-host of The DTV Digest! In what ways does the film's low budget hamper the general conceit? In a film with two noted action stars, why is there virtually zero action in it? And just how much of a letdown is the actual monster? Listen in as we discuss Legendary! Major thanks to Richard Hawes for joining me! Please be sure to check out his podcast, The DTV Digest: https://thedtvdigest.podbean.com/. Please be sure to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, feel free to check out both the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com, as well as the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Intro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix; closing song is "Tonight in Babylon" by LoverushUK featuring Bryan Adams, which played in the closing credits of Legendary. Legendary is available for free streaming on Youtube and Tubi!

On this month's special Christmas episode, we're looking at the family-friendly Christmas comedy, Pups Alone from 2021! In this strange oddity, Dolph takes on a supporting role as a pet product employee who hires a couple of crooks to steal his new neighbor's high-tech invention just before the holidays! Yet awaiting these thieves are a group of rambunctious canines who are prepared to protect their home while their owners are away! Joining me to discuss this one is Katie Geilenkirchen, one of the hosts of the One More Round podcast! Just how many various story threads are in this one? How long did this film sit in post-production (and was that for the better?)? Could this film have benefitted from some serious editing? Is ripping off Home Alone 30+ years later even a novel idea at this point? And just how off the rails is Dolph's performance? Listen in as Katie and I get festive and chat Pups Alone! Major thanks to Katie Geilenkirchen for joining me! Please be sure to check out her podcast, One More Round, which is also on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Also, check out the show's official website and Facebook page: http://www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and outro. music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're looking at TWO DTV films starring Dolph, and BOTH involving him infiltrating the prison system -- 2015's Riot and 2017's Larceny! Yes, in addition to starring in TWO one-word title films over the course of TWO years, Lundgren muscled his way into TWO low-budget productions that both have him going undercover in the inside! In Riot, Dolph takes second fiddle to rising action star (?), Matthew Reese as William, a dim-witted inmate who helps a former cop seek vengeance on the Russian gangster who controls the penitentiary! In Larceny, Dolph plays a thief / DEA agent / CIA informant (let's be honest, we really don't know what in the heck his role is!), who sneaks into a Mexican prison to crack the secret safe belonging to a cartel drug lord! But how do both of these films stack up against one another? Let's just say that one is much, much better than the other... Chris Prentice returns to the show to help lend insight to yet another combo pairing of Lundgren efforts! In what ways did these films succeed in utilizing Dolph as the commodity that he's become…? And in what ways do they fail (well, one of them at least)? Listen in as Chris and I tackle this double dose of Dolph, prisoners, shootouts, and fights! Major thanks to Chris Prentice for once again joining me! Please be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Also, check out the show's official website and Facebook page: http://www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix. Closing song is "It's On" performed by Matthew Reese, which played in the closing credits of Riot!

On this month's episode, we're chatting Lundgren's most recent film, Section 8! In this star-studded effort (which is currently available on streaming), Dolph stars alongside Ryan Kwanten, Dermot Mulroney, Mickey Rourke, and Scott Adkins in a tale filled with revenge, government espionage, and way more twists than you'd expect from a 90-minute actioner! Ryan Kwanten takes the lead as Jake Atherton, a retired soldier who's back on US soil after a stint in the middle east. Yet the violence has a way of finding him when he's recruited by a shadowy covert organization to carry out government assassinations. And when it's clear that Jake is actually working for the bad guys instead, he enlists his former army buddy and mentor (played by Dolph!) to help him take out Section 8! Returning to the show to help me discuss this one once again is action movie expert, Vern from the website, outlawvern.com! How does the film do in balancing its cast? How is Mickey Rourke utilized in his brief role? Just how integral is Dolph Lundgren to the movie? How is it that so many seem to know about Section 8 and seemingly do nothing about it? And how does Scott Adkins' presence (and late arrival) save this film? Listen in as Vern and I enter Section 8! Major thanks to Vern for coming back! Please be sure to check out his website: www.outlawvern.com. You can also read his many books, Seagalogy, Niketown, and Worm on a Hook available on Amazon or where ever books are sold! Section 8 is currently available on video on demand as well as AMC+! Please be sure to check out the the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Also, please check out and follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast.com. Opening intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, Dolph Lundgren goes to World War II, and he's bringing Mickey Rourke, Luke Goss, and Chuck Liddell with him! Yes, we're chatting the WW2 epic film on a budget -- 2015's War Pigs! In this "men on a mission" war film, Lundgren, Goss, and Rourke star as grizzled Army soldiers who must lead a ragtag team of young recruits to go behind enemy lines and take out a super Nazi weapon! Joining me to chat this one is Jacob Gustafson, author of the Awful Awesome book series! How does Utah do in doubling for Western Europe? Just how nondescript and bland are the titular “War Pigs” soldiers? How hard is everyone working behind the scenes on this one? And just what is going on with Dolph's accent? Listen in as Jacob and I travel to WW2 and chat War Pigs! Major thanks to Jacob Gustafson for joining me! Please be sure to check out his Awful Awesome books, which examine the "so bad, they're great!" films in the action, horror, and science fiction genres: amazon.com/Jacob-Gustafson/e/B0B4XVZHV7/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1. Please be sure to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, feel free to check out both the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com, as well as the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode we're chatting the 2015 martial arts thriller, Skin Trade!  In this highly ambitious direct-to-video film, Dolph Lundgren teams up with Tony Jaa as two detectives who join forces to take down a Serbian mobster and destroy his worldwide human trafficking network!  Yet for Dolph, this mission is more than serving justice... it's personal!  Also along for the ride in this film is a star-studded cast of many who are more than familiar with the action genre, including Michael Jai White, Ron Perlman, Peter Weller, and Cary Tagawa!  Returning to the show to help me discuss this one is Ben Johnson, host of the Kung Fu Movie Guide! What is it about this film that makes it look much more cinematic than so many of Dolph's other films post-Expendables?  Just how generous is Dolph to his cast in letting everyone have their moment to shine in the film?  How amazing is the fight between Dolph and Tony Jaa?  And how does the film do at tackling the very weighty subject matter of human trafficking?  Join us as Ben and I answer these questions and many more as we chat Skin Trade! Major thanks to Ben Johnson for joining me! Please be sure to check out both his website and associated podcast -- the Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please be sure to check out the show's official webpage and Facebook page: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's opening and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this special interview episode, Steven Luke joins the show to discuss his career in the world of independent WW2-set films! Steven Luke is a multifaceted talent with experience in the realms of acting, writing, directing, and producing! He also has his own movie prop company, Man the Line, which provides military props, uniforms, and equipment for other various reinactments and productions! In 2015 Steven was able to see his first feature-length script come to life thanks to the help of none other than Dolph Lundgren! That film was War Pigs in which Dolph, Luke Goss, and Mickey Rourke all teamed up to train a ragtag band of rebels in completing a deadly mission behind enemy lines! In this discussion, Steven and I chat his movie prop company and how it services hundreds of productions, as well as how he manages to line up name stars for his independent films! We also chat the next two WW2 films he has gearing up for release, which coincidentally both have him reuniting with Lundgren -- Operation Seawolf and Come Out Fighting! What's it like staging a period war film while adhering to a budget and residing in South Dakota? Listen in to find out! Major thanks to Steven Luke for joining me! Please check out his company, Man the Line! www.mantheline.com. Also, be sure to be on the lookout for his next two Dolph Lundgren / WW2 films, Operation Seawolf and Come Out Fighting! Please be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Lastly, check out the show's official website and Facebook page — http://www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and closing music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix; break music is "The River Kwai March" remix, which played in the initial teaser for The Expendables III in 2013!

This month we're chatting the 2016 fighting flick, Female Fight Squad! In this one, martial arts and stunt sensation Amy Johnston takes the lead as Becca, a fighter who begrudgingly enters an underground fighting tournament in order to save her estranged sister! Dolph Lundgren takes on a supporting role as Holt, the girls' wrongly imprisoned father who lends his fatherly words of wisdom to his two badass daughters as he sits behind bars! Joining me to chat this one is the elusive action movie scholar -- Vern, author of the books, Seagalogy (the ultimate Steven Seagal filmography analysis), Niketown, and Worm on a Hook! What kind of martial arts prowess and presence does Amy Johnston bring to this film? In a film about fighting, why is there so little of it? And what does Dolph bring to what is essentially a cameo role? Listen in as Vern and I get ready to throw down and enlist in the Female Fight Squad! Major thanks to Vern for joining me! Please check out his website, www.outlawvern.com. You can also check out his numerous books, which can be purchased on Amazon or wherever books are sold! Please be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Also, check out the show's official website and Facebook page -- www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com; www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Show's intro. and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're going back to school and discussing the remake/sequel that no one really asked for -- 2016's Kindergarten Cop 2! Dolph Lundgren takes over for Arnold in this in-name-only sequel that hits all the beats of the 1990 comedy classic, while managing to miss much of what made the first film so charming. Lundgren plays Zack Reed, an FBI agent who must infiltrate a pricey elementary school in order to find a flash drive that will put away an Albanian gangster! Yet this won't be the easiest of assignments, as Reed is forced to tangle with the politically correct ways of his class of rambunctious six-year-olds! Returning to the show to help me chat this one is major cinefile, Nathan Burt! Just how disconnected is Dolph's FBI agent character from reality? What's with the bizarre Twix product placement? And in what ways is this sequel completely inferior to its predecessor? Listen in as Nathan and I head back to school to discuss the direct-to-video sequel, Kindergarten Cop 2! Big thanks to Nathan Burt for joining me once again! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, take a look at the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Lastly, please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Intro. and outro. music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

Did you know that Lundgren starred in a syndicated television show back in 2013? Yeah, no one else did, but that didn't stop us from trudging through the entire ill-fated season! This month we're begrudgingly going back into the world of television and discussing the forgotten syndicated TV soap opera, SAF3! Premiering in the Fall of 2013, SAF3 might have seemed like a relatively wise career move to Dolph Lundgren at the onset... Yet when the producers of BAYWATCH are running the show, the writing was on the wall well before this conceit even lifted off... In this 20-episode series, Dolph plays John Eriksson, the leader of SAF3 -- a division of the Malibu Fire Department who specialize in rescues involving the Sea, Air, and Fire (get it... SAF3?!)! Yes, Dolph gets to be a David Hasselhoff who's in charge of a bunch of pretty lifeguards, and somehow BAYWATCH seems so much better! Returning to the show to help me discuss this one is Richard Hawes of The DTV Digest! Just how bored and out of place does Dolph seem in this? How does the South Africa scenery do at doubling for California? How much filler and padding is included in this show? And just how dated was this conceit in 2013? Listen in as Richard and I suit up to chat SAF3! Major thanks to Richard Hawes for joining me! Please check out his podcast, The DTV Digest: https://thedtvdigest.podbean.com/. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Please check out both the show's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast, as well as the official webpage for the show: http://www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Show's opening and closing music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix.

This month renowned writer Bryan Edward Hill joins the show to chat his career in the worlds of writing film, novels, and comic books! We also chat his first screenwriting gig, THE MECHANIK / THE RUSSIAN SPECIALIST! In this gritty revenge tale from 2006, Dolph Lundgren took on both starring and directing duties where he played Nikolai Cheranko, a former member of the Russian Special Forces who seeks out the criminals who took the lives of his family! To this day, it shines as one of Dolph's very best films, so it was an absolute honor being able to speak with the individual who worked closely with Dolph in helping bring the film to life! In this conversation, Bryan and I chat his experiences writing the film, as well as his work writing comics! Please be sure to check out his many comic writing gigs for DC, Marvel, and Image Comics! You can also check out his other cinematic efforts -- the show, TITANS (currently streaming on HBO Max) and ZONE 414 (a gritty sci-fi action thriller starring Guy Pearce)! Major thanks to Bryan Edward Hill for joining me! You can follow him on Twitter @bryanedwardhill. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, take a look at the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Lastly, please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Break music is "Cut Me" by Brian James Schram, which played in the closing credits of THE RUSSIAN SPECIALIST / THE MECHANIK! Intro. and outro. music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're taking on not just one, but three films all released between 2013-2014! In 2012-2013, Dolph signed on for three productions to be be filmed all back to back with director, Giorgio Serafini and actors Vinnie Jones and Gianni Capaldi. The results were Blood of Redemption, Ambushed, and Puncture Wounds! In these low-budget productions, Dolph took on the roles of a DEA agent, a mafia bodyguard, and a sadistic drug dealer! On paper, these might have sounded good (well, some of them may have!), but with tight shooting schedules, foreign sales at the forefront, and questionable acting, these are not necessarily high points in the filmography of Lundgren. So we're taking a deep dive and knocking them all out in one conversation! Show stalwart, Chris Prentice is back once again, and he's helping me break down each of these low-rent movies... Is it safe to say that the paychecks (and not necessarily quality) were essentially driving Dolph's decisions in signing up for these three films? What's going on with the Tarantino wannabe that is Ambushed? Does anything even make sense in Blood of Redemption? And could Puncture Wounds be one of the most repugnant movies ever? Yes, we're discussing a cop drama, a mafia drama, and a revenge / gangland tale, and we're begrudgingly going to power through them all! Join us as Chris and I take on the Serafini trifecta of films! Major thanks to Chris Prentice for once again joining me! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, take a look at the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Lastly, please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Intro. and outro. music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're taking a look at the 2012 siege thriller, Stash House! In this variation on Panic Room and Assault on Precinct 13, Sean Faris and Brianna Evigan are a young married couple who buy a recently foreclosed house. Yet unbeknownst to them, the house is actually the property of a drug syndicate... And they've sent a couple of their enforcers to retrieve what's rightfully theirs! Dolph Lundgren plays Spector, a beleaguered company man working for the cartel who will do anything to ensure that his job is seen through! Yes, Dolph goes back to playing a villain once again, albiet in a smaller film, but there's still some fun to be had! Joining me to discuss this one is Cam Sully from The Jacked Up Review Show Podcast! Which tropes of the confined thriller subgenre does this film play with, and which does it leave out? What's with all the security camera footage? What works with Dolph's villainous character... and what doesn't? And just what was stripped from this film, narratively? Listen in as Cam and I enter the Stash House! Major thanks to Cam Sully for joining me! Please be sure to check out his podcast -- The Jacked Up Review Show: https://jackedupreviewshow.podbean.com/. Also, please check out Cam's writings and reviews over on The Action Elite: https://theactionelite.com/author/cam-sully/. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, take a look at the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Lastly, please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Intro. and outro. music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, we're looking at the most recent effort from both Dolph Lundgren AND Scott Adkins -- Castle Falls! Yes, we realize that we're jumping way ahead in the filmography of Dolph, but this film is just too cool to not discuss now! In fact, not only is Dolph in front of the camera, but he also steps behind the camera once again, marking his return to directing in ten years (not to mention his sixth starring/directing gig!)! In this throwback to the action films of the '80's and '90's, Lundgren and Adkins play two regular working class men with some very real money problems... However, over $3 million that is ripe for the taking sits in an abandoned hospital that is ready to be demolished. Standing in their way though is a gang of deadly thieves who are also laying claim to the loot! Returning to the show to help me chat this one is Mike Fury, author of the books, Life of Action, Volume I and Life of Action, Volume II! How did the onset of Covid hamper and help this film's production? How do Dolph and Scott Adkins do re-teaming once again? And in what ways does this film stand head and shoulders above all the other films currently being released in the DTV action genre? Listen in as Mike and discuss Castle Falls! Heads up — SPOILERS AHEAD! Castle Falls is currently available on Video on Demand. It is also being released to DVD and blu-ray on December 28th in the US; January 10th in the UK! Major thanks to Mike Fury for joining me once again! Please be sure to check out his website where you can also pick up copies of either of his books: https://www.mikefury.net/. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Please check out both the show's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast, as well as the official webpage for the show: http://www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Show's opening and closing music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix.

On this special interview episode, Kim DeLonghi, star and executive producer of Castle Falls joins the show to discuss her career and what fans can expect from the next action-packed Dolph Lundgren and Scott Adkins pairing! In Castle Falls, Lundgren, Adkins, and Kim DeLonghi all play interested parties in a stash of stolen loot that is hidden in a hospital primed to be demolished! But will each party be able to get the cash, and get out ALIVE before the explosions go off? You'll have to watch the film to find out, which is currently available on streaming and on demand. It is also being released to DVD and Blu-Ray on December 28th courtesy of Shout! Studios! Major thanks to Kim DeLonghi for her time. Please check out her website, www.kimdelonghi.ca. Also, please follow her on Instagram @kimdelonghiactor! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Please check out both the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast, as well as the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Show's opening and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this special interview episode, we're chatting Dolph, Christmas, and... dogs?! Alex Merkin, the director of Dolph Lundgren's next upcoming release, PUPS ALONE drops by the show once again, this time discussing his film, and what fans can expect in arguably one of Dolph's wildest performances yet! In this family Christmas comedy, Dolph plays a thief who sets his sights on robbing from the new neighbors just in time for the holidays. Yet the neighborhood pets have other things planned as they band together to protect their owner's home! In this conversation, Alex was gracious to chat this film, which is slated for a theatrical release on November 19th, as well as Video On Demand and DVD on November 23rd! We also chat his participation in the WHAT HAPPENED BRITTANY MURPHY? documentary, which is currently streaming on HBO Max! What's it like directing an action icon alongside kids AND dogs? Listen in to find out! Major thanks to Alex Merkin for his time! Please be sure to check out PUPS ALONE coming on November 23rd to VOD/DVD! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe. Please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast and the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Show's opening intro. and closing music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

We're going back to sequel town and joining everyone's favorite band of elite mercenaries in 2014's The Expendables 3! Sylvester Stallone reunites the previous films' crew of aging action stars, only this time, he's adding a few more to the mix including Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, and Harrison Ford! In this outing, Stallone's Barney Ross must track down Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), the co-founding member of The Expendables who's gone the route of international arms dealer! Yet Barney's team of grizzled tough guys won't be enough, and he's going to need even more help this go round, by way of a much younger (and bland!) team of recruits! Returning to the show to help me to discuss this one is Catherine Gonzalez, host of Latinex Lens! In what ways could they have alleviated the overstuffed and cramped nature of this film? Does Stallone make a single good decision in this film? What exactly do all of the new additions bring to the movie? And why is more not always better? Listen in as Catherine and I chat the fun, but tonally inconsistent The Expendables 3! Major thanks to Catherine for joining me! Please check out her podcast, Latinex Lens as well as her website, ShuffleOnline.net! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, take a look at the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Lastly, please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Intro. and outro. music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

When an Asian city is overrun by the undead, the only chance for survival are a rogue army of robots and a lone mercenary named... Max Gatling! Yes, this month we're talking Dolph, zombies, and robots in 2013's Battle of the Damned! In this post-apocalyptic adventure, Lundgren stars as Max Gatling, a tough as nails soldier who is sent into a zombie-infested city to rescue an industrialist's daughter. Luckily, he has a small group of survivors and a few robots at his side to help him see his mission through! Joining me to chat this one is Ryan Rebalkin from Going the Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast! In what ways does this film cut corners in lieu of its budget (and to its advantage!)? How did Dolph and director, Christopher Hatton make the most of what was offered their way? And how is Dolph able to successfully outun the undead? Listen in as Ryan and I join the fight in the Battle of the Damned! Major thanks to Ryan Rebalkin for joining me! Please check out his podcast, Going the Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast, which looks at all the films in the Rocky franchise. His show can also be found on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network, which features other shows looking at the careers of fellow action stars! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Intro. and outro. music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode, it's Russian gangs, warring assassins, and... a dog? No, we're not talking another John Wick film... Although, in many respects, this is also the progenitor to the John Wick franchise! Yes, we're chatting the 2012 hitman thriller, One in the Chamber! In this modern-day take on the classic Yojimbo story, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Dolph square off as seasoned assassins who are being manipulated by rival Russian mobs! Joining me once again to discuss this tightly-wound hitman thriller is Doug Greenberg from The Rocky Minute! How are the traces of John Wick apparent in this early effort by scribe, Derek Kolstad? For a film set in Prague with presumably Russian characters, why is everyone speaking English? How is the chemistry between Cuba and Dolph? And could Dolph's Boca Raton-dressed hitman be the very best thing about this film? Listen in as Doug and I discuss all things One in the Chamber! Check out One in the Chamber, streaming for free on Tubi! Major thanks to Doug Greenberg for coming back! Please check out his podcast, The Rocky Minute, which can be found on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Doug is currently at work on Season III of the show, which covers Rocky III; stay tuned for its release! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you go to subscribe! Be sure to check out the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast, as well as the show's official webpage: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Show intro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's interview episode, Patrick Kilpatrick, one the world's most recognizable movie villains joins the show to discuss his storied career! Kilpatrick has had the pleasure of squaring off against just about every actor on both earth AND in outer space, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Steven Seagal, and dozens of others! In addition to acting, Kilpatrick has his hands in a number of other endeavors, including screenwriting, producing, public speaking, and now politics! Listen in as Patrick Kilpatrick and I discuss his career, as well as some of his most memorable roles! We also chat the film, Black Water, in which he went toe to toe against both Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme (marking the second time he menaced JCVD on film!) How does one balance playing bad guys onscreen and remaining such a stand up guy offscreen? Listen in to find out! Major thanks to Patrick KIlpatrick for his time! Please check out his website: https://www.patrickkilpatrick.com/. Also, check out his memoir, Dying for Living: Confessions of a Hollywood Villain and Libertine Patriot, Vol. 1. Stay tuned for Volume 2, which will be hopefully arriving here in the next year! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Check out the rest of the shows over on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Please check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast, as well as the official web page for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

It's time to go back to war and join everyone's favorite band of mercenaries for another adventure! On this month's episode, All Outta Bubblegum's Brenton Haysom is back once again as we discuss the second installment in The Expendables trilogy, 2012's The Expendables 2! In this action-packed showdown, Sylvester Stallone reunites his battle-hardened team of all-star tough guys — Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, and Jet Li for their next battle! This time, the team find themselves on a quest for revenge after their newest recruit is killed by international arms dealer Jean Vilain (played by the Muscles From Brussels himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme)! And joining the Expendables in this fight, some other iconic action stars are also along for the ride including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Chuck Norris! How does the film do at balancing the weight of its star-studded cast? Is the film's meta-nature a perk to the movie or an insult? Why is Dolph's Gunnar character treated as the comic relief? And just how amazing is Jean-Claude's villain character? Join Brenton and I as we crack open a couple Belgian ales (in celebration of Van Damme's inclusion!) and geek out for The Expendables 2! Major thanks to Brenton Haysom for once again joining me. Please check out his website and YouTube channel: www.allouttabubblegum.com! Please be sure to rate and review the film on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, be sure to check out the other shows on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network. Please check out the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Also, please visit the show's official webpage: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com!

On this month's interview episode, we're chatting with the visionary mind in charge of designing the characters and sets of 1987's Masters of the Universe! Renowned artist and production designer, William Stout dropped by the show to discuss his artistic contributions to the worlds of movies, dinosaurs, comic books, movie posters, and album covers! He also goes into detail describing his process in transitioning the Masters of the Universe toyline and cartoon to the big screen! William Stout has had a storied career, and it was an absolute honor chatting with him at length! Enjoy! Major thanks to William Stout for his time! Please be sure to check out his website: https://www.williamstout.com/. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, be sure to check out the rest of the shows on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Check out and follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast, as well as the official webpage for the show: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com. Opening show music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

It's an Expendables reunion! On this month's episode, Steve Austin and Dolph Lundgren deliver a heavy dose of high-octane action in 2013's The Package! In this gem of the direct-to-video genre, Steve Austin plays Tommy Wick, an enforcer and courier for a local mob boss who's sent to deliver a small package to Dolph Lundgren's vicious crime lord (cleverly named The German)! Jesse V. Johnson, frequent collaborator with Scott Adkins, directs a script written by Derek Kolstad, the man responsible for giving the world John Wick! And the results are everything you'd expect considering the talent working both onscreen and behind the scenes! Joining me to discuss this one is Richard Hawes, one of the hosts of The DTV Digest! What kind of flourishes does director Jesse V. Johnson employ to help elevate this film above the tons of others in the direct-to-video genre? In what ways are the origins of John Wick onscreen here? And what is it about this one that makes it one of Dolph's best films in the wake of The Expendables? Join us as Richard and I open up The Package! Major thanks to Richard Hawes for joining me! Please be sure to check out his podcast, The DTV Digest, which examines all of the films that bypass theaters and go the route of DTV! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, check out the fellow podcasts on The Last of the Action Heroes Network! Opening intro. and outro. music to the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix. Follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Lastly, check out the show's official webpage: www.imustbreakthispodcast.wordpress.com.

This month we’re chatting Dolph’s follow up to The Expendables, 2011’s In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds! Can’t say that working on a sequel to the notorious flop, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale was necessarily the next film I had hoped Dolph would sign on for after The Expendables, but hey, a job is a job! Directed by the notorious Uwe Boll, Dolph plays Granger, a former special forces commando who’s now teaching children’s karate classes in Vancouver. But when he’s suddenly sucked through a portal that puts him back in medieval times, Granger must unleash an ancient dragon and overthrow a diabolical king if he wants to make it back home! Joining me to chat this one is gaming enthusiast, Mat Bradley-Tschirgi, host of Sequelcast2 and Friends! He also knows a thing or two about the films of Uwe Boll; Mat wrote a book on Boll’s movies — The Films of Uwe Boll, Volume 1: The Video Game Movies! Why is Dolph even in this film? Better yet, why was Lochlyn Munroe cast as the king? And considering the scope of the movie, why does this have such an underwhelming final battle? Join us as Mat and I embark on a quest to review In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds! Major thanks to Mat Bradley-Tschirgi for joining me! Be sure to check out his podcast, books, and his other endeavors on his website: https://matwbt.weebly.com/. Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you subscribe. Check out the show's official website: www.imustbreakthispodcast.com/wordpress.com, and the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Also be sure to check out the other related podcasts on the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network! Opening intro. and outro. music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix.

This month we’re discussing relatively new territory for Dolph — television! Thanks to the success of The Expendables in 2010, Lundgren had a huge public resurgence where he began to be recognized as a pop cultural icon of the ‘80’s who was game for anything! Since then it’s seemed like nothing is off limits, and he’s had fun playing with his image by popping up in commercials, reality game shows, and scripted television shows. On this episode David Rosen from the Piecing It Together Podcast returns to the show, and we discuss Dolph’s cameo forays in three comedic TV shows — 2010’s Chuck, 2015’s Workaholics, and 2019’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia! How does Dolph do at trading in his boxing gloves and machine guns for comedy? Listen in to find out! Major thanks to David Rosen for joining me! Please check out his podcast, Piecing it Together, which examines new releases and the movies that inspired them! Be sure to also check out his website: www.bydavidrosen.com! Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you subscribe! Also, the show is now part of The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network, so be sure to check out the other related shows on that feed! Lastly, be sure to follow the show’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Opening intro. and closing music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix.

On this month's special interview episode, prolific writer and director, Stephen Tolkin joins the show! Stephen Tolkin has had a storied career for almost 40 years where he's written, directed, and produced dozens of TV shows and movies. In his early days, Tolkin worked for the notorious and wild studio, Cannon Films, where he had a hand in contributing an uncredited rewrite of the 1987 classic, Masters of the Universe! In this fun discussion, Tolkin fills me in on what it was like working with Menham Golan and Yoram Globus at Cannon, as well as his experiences writing Masters of the Universe and the unproduced sequel! Tolkin also allows me to take a slight detour and we chat his approach to adapting the star-spangled superhero of Marvel Comics, Captain America for the (in my opinion underrated!) 1990 Captain America film! Major thanks to Stephen Tolkin for his time! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Opening intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix. Be sure to follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Also, be sure to check out the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network, where you can find new episodes of not just this show, but other fellow podcasts that examine action movies and their stars!

With a film as awesome as The Expendables, one episode simply wasn't going to be enough! In Part II of our Expendables discussion, we have two regulars coming back to the show -- the always dependable Chris Prentice is back once again, this time reminiscing with me on the announcement, hype, and overall excitement leading up to the release of The Expendables in August 2010! After, Matt Poirier from the Direct to Video Connoisseur blog and podcast comes back to the show and we discuss the film’s effect on the action genre, particularly the direct-to-video market. In what ways was this film a boon and an almost last hurrah for these types of movies? And how did this film change the trajectory in Dolph’s career going forward? Listen in as we close out the discussion surrounding The Expendables! Major thanks to Chris Prentice and Matt Poirier for coming back! Be sure to check out the Direct to Video Connoisseur: http://dtvconnoisseur.blogspot.com/, which examines the plethora of movies that bypass theaters and head direct-to-video! Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Also, please be sure to check out the Facebook page for the show, www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Lastly, the show has now joined the Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network, so please check out that feed, which also contains shows looking at the careers of other cinematic action heroes including Stallone, Bruce Willis, James Bond, and more! Intro. and outro. music to the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

In the first of a two-part special, we're talking the action extravaganza, the ultimate team-up for the ages, and Dolph Lundgren's momentous return to the big screen! This is The Expendables! In this love letter to '80's and '90's action films, Sylvester Stallone stars, writes, and plays ringleader to The Expendables -- a team of mercenaries who take on the impossible mission of liberating an island from its dictatorship regime! Stallone leads the ultimate task of tough guys including Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, and many more! And we're pulling out all the stops for the conversation! In this episode, I was invited on by the Sylvester Stallone Fan Podcast Network for their monthly Stallone Movie Breakdown, in which The Expendables was chosen as their next discussion! Ryan Rebalkin from Going the Distance: The Rocky Series Podcast, Doug Greenberg from The Rocky Minute, Craig Cohen from the Slycast, and I all sit down to geek out and break down this momentous Summer 2010 release! Enjoy! Major thanks to the Sylvester Stallone Fan Podcast Network for the invite! You can check out this episode as well as other Sly-related discussions at their respective feed: https://goingthedistance.libsyn.com/ Stay tuned for Part II of the conversation in which Chris Prentice and the DTV Connoisseur's Matt Poirier come back to the show and we discuss the hype and excitement surrounding The Expendables, as well as its impact on the direct-to-video action market! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Feel free to follow the show on Facebook as well: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Opening intro. music to the show is "Sports Action” by Audionautix; closing outro. music is "Diamond Eyes" by Shinedown.

On this special episode, we're stepping slightly outside of the Dolph cannon and this time discussing everything He-Man! Corey Landis, one of the directors behind the documentary, Toy Masters, joined the show to discuss not just his documentary, but the iconic toyline, animated series, and 1987 movie! For those unaware, Toy Masters is the long awaited documentary where super fans Corey Landis and Roger Lay Jr. went on a journey exploring the He-Man and Masters of the Universe franchise and its pop cultural impact over the years! Yet as they explored the origins of Eternia, they discovered that two very real characters have been engaged in a 40-year battle over who really created He-Man. Enter Roger Sweet and Mark Taylor, both employees of Mattel who each swear that they invented the character, leading the viewer down a rabbit hole that is even stranger than fiction! Completed in 2012, the documentary has since sat unreleased to the public. But that didn't stop Landis and Lay Jr. from allowing fans to see the film in some form... podcast form. Released in the Spring of 2020, Toy Masters takes many of the film's bits and lays them out for listeners in a five-episode series that is a blast to listen to! In this discussion, Corey Landis and I chat making the documentary, the enigma that is Roger Sweet, and our general thoughts on the toyline, show, and movie. We also geek out and discuss our favorite figures (some of which, we may still have)! Listen in as Corey and I hold the power and discuss Toy Masters! Major thanks to Corey Landis for his time! Please check out his Toy Masters podcast available on all major podcast apps! And be on the lookout for the documentary film, which will hopefully be released some day soon! Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please be sure to follow the shows Facebook page, www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Intro. and outro. music is “Sports Action” by Audionautix.

This month we're discussing Dolph's fifth turn as star-director and looking at 2010's Icarus (ridiculously retitled Dolph Lundgren is the Killing Machine upon its North American DVD release)! In this homage to Luc Besson's The Professional and David Cronenberg's A History of Violence, Lundgren plays Edward "Eddie" Genns, a real estate broker leading a double life; unbeknownst to his family, he embraces his hidden KGB-trained background and moonlights as a cold contract killer going by the codename, "Icarus." Yet when Eddie's cover is blown, he must race to protect his family and destroy those who outed him before it's too late! Joining me to discuss this one is returning show regular, Chris Prentice, and making his inaugeral appearance on the show is major cinephile, Mike Flynn! Just how different is the final product from what was initially intended? How has Dolph grown into his own as both a star and director? How does this film utilize its Canadian production values to its benefit? And what is with the ending? Join us as we take aim at Dolph Lundgren and Icarus! Major thanks to Chris Prentice and Mike Flynn for joining me. Feel free to check out Mike's film reviews on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mikedrewflynn/. Also, please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe. Be sure to follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. Opening intro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix. Closing outro. music is "Smoking Gun" by Fall of Envy, which played in the opening titles sequence of Icarus!

On this month's interview episode, Michael Nachoff, the writer of the 2011 action-fantasy, In the Name of the King 2 dropped by the show to discuss his career in the fields of writing, visual effects, and cartooning! For the uninitiated, In the Name of the King 2 was the sequel to the 2008 film in which Lundgren took over for Jason Statham as a modern-day karate instructor and war veteran who is whisked away to medieval times! In this discussion, Nachoff and I chat his early gigs in film, including the horror-comedy, Slither! We also discuss how he began collaborating with Uwe Boll and working on many of his productions. It was here where Michael Nachoff was tapped to write sequels to two films directed by Uwe Boll -- In the Name of the King 2 and Bloodrayne: The Third Reich! Nachoff has a true passion for cinema, especially these lower-budget indie action flicks that we all love and enjoy! Major thanks to Michael Nachoff for his time. Please be sure to check out his visual effects work on SyFy's Van Helsing, currently going into its fifth and final season! You can also follow him on Twitter @Michael_Nachoff including his online comic strip, Chi Coffee Shop! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please be sure to check out and follow the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. The show's intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

It's time to jump back into the Universal Soldier saga once again, this time looking at the final (and darkest) installment in the franchise! In this wild nightmarish sequel, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren return once again, this time joining forces (!) and taking a backseat to martial arts sensation, Scott Adkins! Adkins stars as John, a family man who finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between an army of rogue Unisols and the government trying to reclaim control of them. John Hyams also returns to the director's chair once again, and this time he brings in a Lynchian element to the Unisol franchise, combined with Apocalypse Now and The Manchurian Candidate! And if you thought Hyams' vision in Universal Soldier: Regeneration was brutal, Day of Reckoning goes to a whole other level! Joining me to discuss this film is Ben Highton and Alex Balerdi of The Arniethology Presents podcast! Just how different is this installment from the 1992 original? How does Scott Adkins do at taking the reigns of the franchise? How bold is the direction they’re taking JCVD’s Luc Devereaux character? And does this film cross a line in terms of its unrelenting violence? Join us as Ben, Alex, and I embark on our own day of reckoning and break down Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning! Major thanks to Ben and Alex for joining me! Please check out their podcast, The Arniethology Presents! https://soundcloud.com/arniethology Their current season, Keanucopia examines the entire filmography of Keanu Reeves! And while you're at it, check out their back catalog with previous seasons examining the filmographies of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe. Also, check out the Facebook page for the show: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. New intro. and outro. music is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's interview episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with screenwriter, Chris Millis, author of the novel, Small Apartments and its 2011 film adaptation! In this bizarre dark comedy, Matt Lucas portrays Franklin Franklin, an eccentric recluse who must dispose of a body all the while encountering an oddball assortment of characters residing in his apartment complex! Directed by Jonas Akerland, Small Apartments boasts an eclectic and talented assortment of actors including Billy Crystal, James Caan, Johnny Knoxville, and Dolph Lundgren (in his very first comedic performance!)! Rocking black, slicked back hair, Dolph plays Dr. Sage Mennox, a self-help guru in a performance that's unlike anything he's done before! In this conversation, Millis and I chat his inspiration for writing the book, its transition to the big screen, and how this little film managed to attract such a large cast. We also discuss his work in the fields of cartooning and teaching, as well as what he has lined up for 2021! Major thanks to Chris Millis for his time! Please check out his website, www.chrismillis.com. Feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe. Also, please check out the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast. New opening intro and outro music for the show is "Sports Action" by Audionautix.

On this month's episode we're jumping into sequel territory and looking back at the reunion no one had expected -- 2009's Universal Soldier: Regeneration! In this direct sequel to the 1992 original, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren reunite as Luc Deveraux and Andrew Scott -- resurrected soldiers who rekindle their feud, this time at a Chernobyl reactor! The clock is ticking, and the heroic (?) Luc Deveraux has just a few hours to save hostages, defuse a bomb, take out a Russian militia, and square off against not just the next upgraded universal soldier, but a clone of his mortal nemesis, Andrew Scott! Joining the podcast to help me discuss this one is David Ullman from his podcast, Long Walk for a Short Drink! David is a huge fan of the work of Jean-Claude Van Damme, so it was a pleasure bringing him on the show to help discuss the second reunion of JCVD and Dolph! But did it live up to our expectations? Let’s just say that David and I had different reactions, which made for a fun conversation... Just how cold, oppressive, and brutal is this film in comparison with the original? In what ways is this film akin to Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman? How little are Lundgren and Van Damme actually in this film? And what kinds of artistic flourishes does John Hyams bring to this one? Join us as we suit up and jump back in on the action that is Universal Soldier: Regeneration Major thanks to David Ullman for joining me. Check out his podcast, Long Walk for a Short Drink and his website: www.davidullman.net! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Feel free to follow the show’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast

On this month's interview episode, Will Beall, one of the writers on the 2018 smash hit, Aquaman dropped by the show to tell us his story and how he broke into the entertainment industry! Beall has an especially unique story... Before he started penning big-budget blockbusters, Beall worked as a detective for the LAPD. It was those experiences that led him to writing his novel, L.A. Rex, a gritty cop tale set in the world of the LAPD's 77th precinct. From there, Beall's writing caught the attention of Hollywood, where he crafted some police procedural stories for both the big and small screen including Gangster Squad, Castle, Training Day (the series), and Deputy. He was then tapped to jump on board the DC Comics superhero adaptation, Aquaman, and the rest is history! In this conversation, Beall tells us his journey how he went from detective to screenwriter and his experiences writing Aquaman. He also talks about his love and appreciation for Dolph Lundgren, and how he geeked out upon learning of his casting! Enjoy! Please check out Will Beall's work, both on the big screen as well as television. Also, be sure to give his debut novel, L.A. Rex a read; fans of Training Day will approve! As always, please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you go to subscribe. Be sure to check out the show's Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast

This month we're DIRECTING our sights on the 2009 Dolph Lundgren-Nu Image production, Direct Contact! In this goofy '80's throwback, Dolph plays Mike Riggins, an ex-Special Forces badass who's released from prison to find a kidnapped American in Bulgaria! Yet when it's apparent that he's has been manipulated and lied to by his employers, Riggins arms himself with the appropriate firepower to punish those who've wronged him! Coming back to the show once again to help me break this film down is Doug Greenberg from the Rocky Minute! How does this film compare to the other "direct" movie, Direct Action? How heavily is this film embracing its fondness for '80's action cinema? Just how unstoppable is Dolph as he lays waste to Bulgaria? And does the film even understand what Stockholm Syndrome is? Join us as Doug and I answer these questions and so many others as we look at Direct Contact! Major thanks to Doug for coming on once again! Please check out his movie-by-minute podcast, The Rocky Minute! Stay tuned for Season 3, covering Rocky III minute-by-minute, to be released here soon! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever else you go to subscribe! Please be sure to like and follow the Facebook page for the show! https://www.facebook.com/imustbreakthispodcast/

On this month's interview episode, director, writer, and editor, Alex Merkin stopped by the show to chat his time in Hollywood, as well as directing the film, Altitude starring Dolph Lundgren and Denise Richards!  In Altitude, Richards stars as a no-nonsense FBI agent who finds herself up against a plane hijacking headed by Lundgren!  In this discussion, Merkin and I chat working in the world of independent cinema, the troubles and successes in filming Altitude, and how he continues to add his own artistic flourishes to these independent films.  We also discuss his next film with Dolph Lundgren, which is a vast departure from a film like Altitude -- a family-friendly Christmas comedy set to hopefully be released this year!  It was fun discussion with a true talent! Major thanks to Alex Merkin for his time!  Please be sure to check out Altitude, as well as his other films, which are all available on Amazon and iTunes! Also, be on the lookout for the Christmas comedy co-starring Dolph, Eric Roberts, and more! Please feel free to rate and review the show on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you go to subscribe!