Episode 136 ~ Seed of Chucky (2004)

Surprise! We're continuing our run of Child's Play movies with the controversial Seed of Chucky from 2004, the long awaited follow-up to 1998's Bride of Chucky!

How is this so controversial, you might ask? Well, it takes the more comedic direction from the last movie and pushes it to 11. So you either like this movie or hate it. However, we actually did quite like it, though perhaps not in the way you might think. All in all, it's another successful entry in the series, and we discuss why in today's episode!

For those who wonder, I changed my score to reflect that I consider the last movie and this one on equal level. The first two I still think are the best ones.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Curse of Chucky!

Halloween Spectacular X! (Episode 135)

Welcome to our tenth Halloween celebration! We haven't always done dedicated episodes for Halloween, but we've always done something special for it every year. And our ninth anniversary of Cannon Cruisers is no different!

This year we went for a combo we've never touched before! In addition to our month long look at Child's Play, we made today's special looking at the Fright Night movies! These movies were a lot bigger once upon a time, and we'd like to remind you why today!

In the 80s, slashers were king, but there were other types of horror at play as well, and one such example include vampires!

Also, for those unaware, I changed my opinion on the second film between recording the episode and putting it out, so I'm putting the revised score below. My overall thoughts have not changed on the movie, but the more I thought on it, the more my opinion solidified. I think it is as good as the original now.

That aside, let us dive into today's episode as we look at two forgotten gems from one of the best decades for horror movies!

Fright Night (1985)

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Fright Night Part II (1988)

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 5/5 (Post review revision)

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Up Next: Seed of Chucky!

Episode 134 ~ Bride of Chucky (1998)

Where to even start with this one?

In every horror franchise there comes a point where the formula runs stale, so you have two choices: run it into the ground, or go in a new direction. Thankfully, the Chucky franchise made the right decision with 1998's Bride of Chucky. Like most "Bride" horror movies, this movie turns the formula on its ear to deliver a new context to the old favorite. Child's Play is done, now it's Chucky's turn to be the main character.

And boy is it a ride. Find out how in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Halloween!

Episode 133 ~ Child's Play 3 (1991)

This is it, 1991's Child's Play 3: the end of the trilogy, but not the series. This ends the Andy arc of the series as eight years after the events of Child's Play 2, and almost a decade after their meeting, Andy is a teenager and about to become an adult. It is time to put away childish things, but what if childish things don't want to be put away?

The idea behind this movie is a good one, as there is little way to keep it fresh after the previous two entries, so the third entry is kind of the last go: the last moment before the child becomes an adult, thereby retiring the series title (at least, until the 2019 remake), and changing the series focus to Chucky himself instead.

That said, though it isn't perfect, it is a good ending to the trilogy of one of the more overlooked horror franchises. We can't wait to see where it goes after this!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Bride of Chucky!

Episode 132 ~ Child's Play 2 (1990)

Surprise! More Chucky!

We go into the sequel to the horror classic where Chucky finally becomes the icon everyone recognizes and where the stakes are ratcheted up even more! Can poor Andy finally find peace after Chucky ruined his life in the first film? Check out today's episode and find out!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Spotify link here!

Up next: Child's Play 3!

Episode 131 ~ Child's Play (1988)

Time for spooky season!

This month we've decided to pick one series to focus on throughout the month of October, with a different surprise for Halloween itself. We decided on a series we've yet to cover: Child's Play starring the infamous living doll Chucky!

It's also quite a surprise of a movie, managing to remain tense and even darkly funny at times, while remember what made genre classics like the original Halloween and Nightmare On Elm Street work where so many others did not.

Find out why we're starting this month with a bang with 1988's Child's Play!

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Child's Play 2!

Episode 125 ~ Class of 1999 II: The Substitute (1994)

The end of the trilogy! Finally we reach the poorly named final entry in Mark L. Lester's trilogy, capping off in a surprisingly fun way. It's the most straightforward and obvious of the three movies, but no less entertaining.

In fact, the entire trilogy is quite a unique experience, well worth watching today. There isn't much else to compare it to. Check out today's episode as we wrap the series up!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: North!

Episode 124 ~ Class of 1999 (1990)

We continue on with the second instalment in Mark L Lester's "Class of" trilogy with an entry that shakes up what the audience would expect from the first entry. This one is from the students' perspective instead of the teachers', and also adds more fantastical elements to the affair. It's also more action movie than exploitation film this time.

It's also more over the top with heavier horror elements, and also happens to be out personal favorite of the trilogy. Find out why in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Class of 1999 II!

Episode 123 ~ Class of 1984 (1982)

You're probably aware of a few bizarre and even obscure trilogies in cinematic history, but are you aware of Mark L. Lester's "Class Of" trilogy? It's an over the top look at the school system through a B-movie lens, through making prediction, noticing pattern behavior, and framing it through pure entertainment.

The first entry, Class of 1984, is about the decaying school system as framed through Fear City-style exploitation somewhere between the first two Death Wish movies. It is surprisingly prescient, and also brutal, look at a world they thought might have been but ending up existing not that long after the release of the movie.

How does it hold up? That is the subject of today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

 

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Up Next: Class of 1999!

Episode 119 ~ Stay Tuned (1992)

Every now and and then on Cannon Cruisers we come across a hidden gem that should be far more well known than it actually is. Today's episode features one of those movies. 1992's Stay Tuned is one of the best movies you've never heard of.

Perhaps it was a bit too ahead of its time, and just outside the decade full of movies it is most similar to, but this film is one unlike any you've seen. Think if Joe Dante had decided to direct a Ray Bradbury style story about a salesman selling a satellite dish made by demons and you might get close to this one. There isn't much else like it.

So check out today's episode to learn more about this cult classic. It deserves more than it has gotten so far.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Brink!

Episode 112 ~ Spookies (1985)

This week we watch a movie with such a troubled production history that it's a miracle there was a final product at all. 1985's Spookies is a mid-decade horror that wants to chase a few trends but can't quite settle on one. This leads it to be quite the schizophrenic watch.

That said, it still contains a good deal of entertainment value despite it's insanity. Just do not expect it to make any coherent sense.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Masterminds!

Episode 111 ~ Tucker & Dale Vs Evil (2010)

What happens what a horror movie isn't a horror movie but just a wild series of crazy misunderstandings? That's the plot of Tucker & Dale Vs Evil, the cult movie from 2010. Despite its popularity, its never had a sequel and one might wonder why that is? That is because it has something to do with the way the movie itself is.

This is a unique film that uses horror movie conventions to make a humorous twist on the usual tropes. It works well, almost too well, which means it can't ever really be replicated again. Find out why in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Spookies!

Episode 110 ~ Detention (2011)

Honestly, I'm not exactly sure how to describe what Detention is. Given it's release, it was a parody of the plethora of faux-deep overindulgent teen movies from the '00s, but it's also kind of a parody of slashers movies from the same period. It's a bit hard to peg.

Outside of its context, the movie is simply nonsensically weird in a way you will either like or not. How effective is it? You'll have to listen to today's episode to find out!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score 3/5

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Up Next: Tucker & Dale Vs Evil!

Episode 106 ~ Undefeatable (1993)

Easily Cynthia Rothrock's most infamous movie, there is nothing quite like this insane fever dream of a martial arts and slasher movie mashup. The script is awkward, the direction is helmed by the infamous Godfrey Ho, and it is a tonally bizarre movie.

And despite of all that, it somehow works incredible well at what it's trying to do and is a very engaging watch. Find out what makes Undefeatable such a crazy watch in today's episode! We promise you've never seen anything like this movie.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Dollman!

Episode 103 ~ Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

A surprise curveball (as most of our episodes tend to be), we actually cover the first Bruce Campbell movie we've ever covered! And it's not the ones you'd think!

No, we checked out (apparent) favorite director, Don Coscarelli's 2002 cult favorite Bubba Ho-Tep, a movie about Elvis and a mummy. Despite the description, it's not quite the movie you think it is, and is actually quite the interesting watch. Find out why in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: Quiet Cool!

Episode 101 ~ Primate (2026)

For the first time we cover a hot new release almost exactly when it releases. Not only that, but we also really liked it! Considering the problems we tend to have with modern movies, how can that be? Surely there must be a catch?

You'll have to check out today's episode to find out and see! What exactly does this simple killer monkey movie do so differently? You might be surprised.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: City of Violence!

Episode 100 ~ Cast A Deadly Spell (1991)

We did it: we made it to 100 episodes (again)! In case you aren't keeping track, combined with our pre-Bonus Feature lineup, we now have a total of 400(!) episodes Cannon Cruisers. At this rate we might even hit 500 next year for our 10th(!) anniversary. Crazy to think about.

All that aside, today's episode is also a weird one: a film that was so obscure it only aired on HBO back in the day yet might be one of the most influential films of the decade. If you haven't heard of Cast A Deadly Spell, well, now is the time to hear about it. Because even still despite so many years passing and others aping it, there is still nothing quite like it.

And that's why we give it top marks.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Primate!

Episode 99 ~ Castle Freak (1995)

It took some time but we finally came across another stinker. Unfortunately it happened during our parsing of Stuart Gordon films, as this is easily the weakest of his efforts that we've come across so far, and it isn't even close.

1995's Castle Freak has all the ingredients to make something interesting, even with its miniscule budget, but it just doesn't manage. Unfortunately, Jeffrey Combs is not enough to salvage this train wreck of a production. Find out why in today's episode.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

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Up Next: Episode 100!

Episode 97 ~ Fortress (1992)

Here's a rarity for us, and a bit of a treat. Finally we get to cover another Christopher Lambert film, and it also just happened to be directed by Stuart Gordon. On top of all that, it is a futuristic prison movie with quite the build up and possibly a bit of a heist movie element(?) . . . we'll have to check with Randy on that last part.

Regardless, 1992's Fortress is a bit of a hidden gem with a lot more going for it than you might expect. It doesn't hurt to have Jeffrey Combs in it either.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Fortress!

Episode 94 ~ Dolls (1987)

Here is a screwball pick! We decided to check out cult favorite Stuart Gordon's third movie on a whim and discovered a real gem.

A strange gothic horror picture about killer toys before they became such a favorite in the 1990s, there is a real sense of fairy tale whimsy and classic chiller vibes missing from those latter entries. Despite its lengths and its relatively unknown nature, Dolls stands well on its own. There isn't much else like it, even now, and that's what makes it a great watch.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: The Heatwave Lasted Four Days!