Episode 132 - The Fourth War (1989)

In this strange Frankenheimer picture, tensions between East and West in the Cold War are stoked due to a feud between two members on opposite sides and their personal beef. The Fourth War is a story that is acted and directed extremely well, but comes apart at the seams due to one important flaw. The writing is just not up to the task and lets the rest of the project down. Check out the full episode to see just why it falls a bit flat.

Despite that, the movie is worth a watch. There is more potential in the concept than is shown here, but that doesn't make it a waste of time. The Fourth War is still a fun time overall. It just could have been more than the sum of its parts.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Ninja III: the Domination (Revisited)!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 105 - The Hidden (1987)

Possibly one of the most overlooked movies of one of the best periods of movies ever, The Hidden is a fantastic experience of horror, action, comedy, and everything in between. This has everything you would expect a movie about aliens creeping into Earth from the shadows should be about. From the director of the underrated Alone in the Dark comes this flick that isn't quite like anything else released at the time, even with a premise you've seen before.

Check out the above episode to see just why we loved it so much, and why you should see The Hidden as soon as possible. You will not regret it.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: The Fourth War!

Episode 131 - Mercenary Fighters (1988)

One would think a 1980s action movie from Cannon Films starring Reb Brown would be a match made in Heaven. There are plenty of genre classics made that tick more than one of these boxes, so one that hits them all should work out for everyone. Unfortunately, Mercenary Fighters fumbles the ball in just about every way and manages to make this sure winner a disappointment. How this happened is anyone's guess.

It's not quite a total flop, but Mercenary Fighters misses the mark where it counts and where other Cannon movies (and Reb Brown flicks) managed to understand why people went to see these films. It's just not what it could be.

Check out the full episode to see just what we thought on this one.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: The Hidden!

Episode 130 - Lifeforce (1985) [Revisited]

We went back to the well once again to cover a film that hasn't really got a lot of attention over the years, possibly from coming out during a time that was stacked with releases. Lifeforce, however, is quite a unique movie made by some of the top talent of the time that could not have existed at any other period. It takes everything Cannon and director Tobe Hooper was known for and pushes it to the limit, ending up with a chilling horror adventure straight out of the pulps that they simply could not make today, in many ways.

A story about the evils of temptation and putting base pleasures first, Lifeforce has actually aged like fine wine and turns out to be one of the hidden gems of the 1980s. That is wasn't a hit actually feels almost insulting watching now. Despite that, it holds up as a marvel of practical effects, traditional horror storytelling, and some of the best acting from the time period. This is one that will hopefully get the attention that it deserves sooner than later.

Lifeforce turns out not to be the misfire it is unfairly pigeonholed as, but one of the most unique movies of the 1980s. Do not skip out on it.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: Mercenary Fighters!