Episode 57 - Too Much (1987)

It's Cannon's take on Short Circuit with that usual low budget touch. There isn't anything else to say aside from that this might be one of the worst movies we've ever covered. The fact's surrounding this film are more interesting than the movie itself.

As always, tune in to see why that is. There isn't much more to say about this one. Avoid at every cost.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: Three Kinds of Heat!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 26 - Trancers (1985)

We're back with another episode of Non-Cannon. This time we cover another Empire movie--Trancers. This a hard-boiled time travel monster movie featuring much of the same cast as previous Empire favorite Zone Troopers. And this one might be just as good!

So join us for this episode where we talk about this weird film from a weird era made by a weird studio. It doesn't get more peak '80s and the golden age of B-movies than this flick. Movies like this make me glad we decided to do this project in the first place.

You won't see many other movies like Trancers, and that's a shame.

Randy's Score: 3/5
JD's Score: 3/5



Up Next: Too Much!

Episode 56 - American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987)

On this Mother's Day we take a look at at movie dads would enjoy much more. That's right, it's American Ninja 2! The crew that made the original such a surprise hit is back, though it has taken an additional year for it to arrive.

Oddly enough, because of this gap between 1985's original and the 1987 sequel doesn't effect the quality of this one at all. It feels more like a Cannon film from 1986 would. Unfortunately the wait, uncommon for Cannon, also made sure to take some of the wind out of the film's sails. Of the 5 movies this is the only one with most of the same cast and crew of the original. Nonetheless, it's a Cannon movie, so you know what you're getting: super ninjas, action, and mayhem.

Not quite on the level of the original, but what is?

Randy's Score: 2/5
JD's Score: 4/5



Up Next: Trancers!

Episode 55 - Street Smart (1987)

A pet project from Christopher Reeves and one of Morgan Freeman's breakout roles, Street Smart is a drama about pimps and hookers. The streets ain't a fun place to be. Suffice to say this is a bit darker than one would expect from Cannon. A reporter lies about a story (shocker) and it comes back to bite him hard. Soon enough he learns just what horrible things wait out there in the darker corners of the city.

This is not the sort of movie you might expect from Reeve but it is not too out of joint for pictures from that era. Listen to the above episode to hear our full impressions.

Randy's Score: 3/5
JD's Score: 3/5



Up Next: American Ninja 2!

Episode 54 - Down Twisted (1987)

To easily explain what this movie is about I would need to grow about fifty IQ points. The story is such a mess with so many holes that it is a wonder this got made. Albert Pyun is a strange director in that much of what he made is simply disposable trash but he does have a few gems worth seeking out, some of which we have yet to cover. However, this is not one of them.

Ostensibly a thriller filled with betrayals and double-crosses, but none of said turncoat moments make sense if one were to think about them for more than five seconds. The film then builds to an ending that makes the story we came from even more pointless making doubly sure we wasted our time. There is nothing worth recommending here.

If you want a more in depth reaction you could always listen to the above episode. It is certainly more entertaining than the movie we watched.

Randy's Score: 1/5
JD's Score: 1/5



Up Next: Street Smart!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 25 - Zone Troopers (1985)

This was a surprise. A science fiction WWII movie inspired by old black and white B-movies and pulp stories. For a film with next to no budget the characters, their group dynamic, the special effects, and the plotting is well done. In fact if there was a black and white edit of the film it would be hard to tell just when it was made.

Nonetheless this is definitely one of Empire's best pictures and up there with the likes of Re-Animator and a few others we have not yet covered. Seek it out, but first give a listen to the above episode. Zone Troopers is worth your time.

Randy's Score: 3/5
JD's Score: 4/5



Up Next: Down Twisted!

Episode 53 - The Barbarians (1987)

This is a rather weak fantasy film that was meant to catapult its stars into superstar status. That didn't quite happen but that doesn't mean this one is without merit. Cannon has done much, much worse. It just simply doesn't hold together as a movie.

That said it wasn't the worst thing we watched. To see what we liked you can see the episode above just as always.

Randy's Score: 2/5
JD's Score: 2/5



Up Next: Zone Troopers!