Halloween Spectacular IV! (Non-Cannon - Episode 80)

Welcome back to a new year of Halloween specials! Last year we took a side-detour with yours truly covering some movies we probably wouldn't have covered on the main series. This year we return to the old setup of a longer special episode dedicated to a small series of films. And of course we ended up choosing something off the wall.

What did we choose? The two Guyver movies from the early '90s, based on a darker Japanese tokusatsu/superhero franchise with roots back in the 1970s. How do they relate to horror and Halloween? Well, you'll have to tune in and find out.

It was a bizarre time as we also looked into a bit of the old series and source material to see how it compares and by the end we were all Guyver'd out.

Nonetheless, have a watch and stay safe on this spooky Halloween. All Saint's Day is just a stone throw away!

The Guyver (1991)

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Guyver: Dark Hero (1994)

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Rescue Me!

Episode 101 - No Place to Hide (1993)

Welcome back! Today we take a gander at weird attempt at a thriller that doesn't quite work. Though Cannon's movies have been surprisingly consistent in this latter days, this one has all the hallmarks of an undercooked project. It just doesn't work.

This is one of those movies that starts out with promise but somehow manages to take every turn down the wrong road when it has the chance to be a much better project than the results end up being. As such, it's just not a good watch. Just as with every episode, click the full episode to see just why we weren't impressed with this one.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: Halloween!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 79 - Tombstone (1993)

Today we decided to cover a genre we haven't really had the chance to cover since it was hibernating for most of the time period Cannon Cruisers covers. Today we took a look at a western! but not any western. We took a look at the 1993 classic Tombstone starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, among many other talents.

But does it hold up?

You'll have to see the full episode to see, but the short answer is that it plays even better today than when it came out. A story about Justice, centered around the legend of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday and the shootout at the OK Corral, it packs just about everything in you want to see in a western, an action movie, and a drama. And all of it still plays perfectly today.

You'll have to listen to the full episode to hear our thoughts, but rest assured that the movie is worth your time. They definitely don't, and can't, make them like this anymore.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: No Place to Hide!

Episode 100 - Street Knight (1993)

It's been 100 episodes, can you believe it? Counting our Non-Cannon episodes and specials we have actually covered well over 100 movies by now, but this is the main series. Four years kater we never would have expected making it this far.

Street Knight isn't the most exciting movie to make our 100th episode, but it's a solid action flick with some great scenes worth seeing. Unfortunately, we all more or less know Jeff Speakman's story, which sabotaged his career in the field. Nonetheless, this is his second best movie and worth seeing after The Perfect Weapon. you might be surprised at how enjoyable it is. We were. 

In fact, we were expecting this batch of Cannon to be the worst we've covered, but they aren't really. Odd how that worked out. Who would have thought Cannon Films of all studios would be the one to maintain quality standards for so long? Either way, check out the episode above for our full thoughts on Street Knight for our 100th episode!

Thanks for listening these last four years, and hopefully you'll stick around as we head into 2022. We've still got more Cannon to cover, after all!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Tombstone!

Episode 99 - American Samurai (1992)

No, it isn't quite the American Ninja sequel we've been waiting for, but American Samurai continues the proud tradition of Cannon action movies buoyed by two things: hot blooded males and insane obstacles that must be overcome. What's more, it is very close to American Ninja in just about every way except with samurai instead of ninja.

For our watch along we found the uncut version that was only released overseas, for some reason, and it feels like a movie that should have come out back in Cannon's heyday but was left to flounder on home video and with a censored cut. It should have had a harder push than it did. Nonetheless, it is a solid actioner that deserves far more attention than it currently garners, especially by action movie aficionados.

Not quite on par with the original two American Ninja movies, it is quite a bit better than the overwrought Avenging Force or dull American Ninja 3, American Samurai is definitely worth seeking out. Just be sure to watch the original uncut version.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Street Knight!