Throw Down: An Action Cinema Podcast The Twin Geeks

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 The 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.

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 The 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.

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 The 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.

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 The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

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 The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.

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 The Twin Geeks, Letterboxd, Twitter, and Bluesky.