The last season of Dimension 20, Keep blowing it upwas one of the most fun yet for Dropout’s flagship actual play series. And a big part of that was the series’ inspiration from action movies, with direct influences from Die Hard, Spythe Fast and the Furious franchise, James Bond films and more. It all came together into an irresistible package of ridiculous, fun times, with an all-star cast and a GM who embraced “freedom and joy” this season.
Maybe you, like me, miss the new Wednesday episodes of Keep blowing it up and crave it. Or maybe the show gave you a taste of over-the-top, ridiculous action movies and you just want more. We’ve got you covered – Polygon spoke to cast members of the show and asked them about their favorite action movies. We’ve rounded them all up here, along with a few of our own suggestions below that fit the bill Keep blowing it up.
Rekha Shankar: Rush Hour and Jackie Chan’s Filmography
Where to watch: For digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
“I enjoyed it very much Rush hour when I saw it. It’s very nice, and I like martial arts. Jackie Chan is great, we should all love Jackie Chan. View every frame of a painting about Jackie Chan. So good.”
Where to watch: For digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
“Simple premise, great, great choreography, huge sets, murderous deaths, some of the most creative deaths I’ve ever seen in a movie. And it’s a simple story. You have to get to the top of the building.”
Ify Nwadiwe: The Fast and Furious films
Where to watch: Most are available on Peacock, except Fast X (on Prime Video) and Hobbs and Shaw (for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV).
“It’s a movie series that creates problems that normally can be solved with anything else, but for some reason in this situation can be solved with cars. If you know how to drive a car, well, you become a superhero in this world.”
Isabella Roland and Brennan Lee Mulligan: Die Hard
Where to watch: Hulu, or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
Isabella: “Die Hard. I love it. I love John. I love Hans. I love what’s-his-face. I love every supporting character. It’s perfect.”
Brennan: “The script is perfect. I love Christmas. The dialogue, the pacing. Poor dear Alan Rickman, he was lost far too soon, one of the greatest villains of all time. I love the whole idea of the switch, the motivation of the bad guys, they’re just thieves. They’re just trying to get rich. And find a line that makes you want to shoot through the roof with excitement more than “Yippee Ki-Yay, motherfucker.”
Alex Song-Xia: Crazy, Stupid Love
Where to watch: For digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
“My favorite action movie is Crazy, stupid love. (Isabella interrupts and says, “I hate you.”) The part where Steve Carell jumps out of the car? That’s action. And there’s a big fight scene at the end. It’s my favorite movie in general, and I’m sorry if this is a cop-out.”
A few quick recommendations from me that seem to be in conversation with Keep blowing it up.
Where to watch: Free with ads on Tubi, or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
Keep blowing it up it reminded me most of The last action heroa delightful meta action comedy from Die Hard director John McTiernan about a teenager who loves action movies and magically turns into an action movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the star of the fake movie, while Charles Dance is the delightfully over-the-top villain.
Where to watch: Max and the Criterion Channel, or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
The ridiculous antics of Keep blowing it up reminded me of The heroic trioa cheerfully absurd Hong Kong superhero film directed by the great Johnnie To and starring Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and Antia Mui as a crime-fighting trio.
Where to watch: Netflix, or for digital rental or purchase on Apple TV
I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend it JavaneseThe highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 and a return to form for star Shah Rukh Khan. It has everything: Slick action sequences? Check. Passionate romances? Check. Gripping revenge tale? Check. Groovy dance sequences? Check. An inspiring “power to the people” message? Check, check, and check.