Episode 74 - Haunted Summer (1988)

For the last movie of 1988, we cover an interesting idea for a movie. In this period drama, Percy and Mary Shelley visit Lord Byron in an infamous meeting of the minds. For those that know about these figures, there is much to mine from this situation, the last time any of the three would meet in this world. What would these famous poets and storytellers talk about? The possibilities are endless.

Unfortunately the movie wastes some good performances and ideas on a story that never comes together to be more than the sum of its parts. There is not much to it outside of the surface idea. The entire project feels under-cooked. To understand our disappointment be sure to listen to the episode above.

Randy's Score: 1/5
JD's Score: 2/5



Up Next: Season Wrap-Up!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 44 - In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

Where to begin with this one? One of John Carpenter's overlooked movies, this is a true Lovecraft story done without adapting a specific one of Lovecraft's story. One of the few successful attempts. To go into it more than that would be giving away too much of the experience. However, if you have yet to see this one then you might want to give it a go before indulging in this episode.

With that out of the way, this is definitely one of the most interesting movies of the '90s, and one of the last usages of excellent practical effects just before CG took over. To find out more, check out our episode on this great flick. This is reality.

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



Up Next: Haunted Summer!

Episode 73 - A Cry in the Dark (1988)

Every now and then they hit it out of the park. Even in these final days of Cannon they still manage to put out interesting work. Take this True Crime and courtroom drama from 1988. It is suitably tense, unnerving, and well acted and shot. It also produced one of the earliest known memes. You'll figure out what in the episode above rather quickly.

Suffice to say, A Cry in the Dark (or Evil Angels as it is known in some places) is quite surprising in its quality. It is one of the best movies we covered in this season, no question.

Watch as we struggle to come up with complaints, and air our frustrations with True Crime stories in this episode.

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



Up Next: In the Mouth of Madness!

Episode 72 - Platoon Leader (1988)

Welcome to the 2020s!

In this one we take a gander at a Michael Dudikoff picture. As you know, we are both fans of Mr. Dudikoff, and his performance here is just as good as always. This is a Vietnam movie about his character as he deals with the war happening around him. Despite the poster, it's not one of those action movies.

The issue is that there is not much to write home about. It's pretty standard without a main story to hook into. That said, it's not as bad as all that made it seem. Check the episode to see what I mean.

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



Up Next: A Cry in the Dark!

Episode 71 - Doin' Time On Planet Earth (1988)

I'm not certain just how to describe what this movie is about, but I can attempt to try to explain it. An awkward teenager thinks he is an alien, and so do other people. Hi-jinks ensue. That is more or less it.

But despite that, there is no clear progression of any sort of story. The film is confused and does not know what it wants to be. It is also not funny. Needless to say, we didn't like this one. We go into why in the episode.

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



Up Next: Platoon Leader!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 43 - Stakeout (1987)

Part cop movie, part drama, Stakeout was one of the first buddy cop movies to come around during the explosion of the genre with Lethal Weapon. In this one, to down on their luck officers end up with a crummy assignment that ends up being a much bigger deal than expected.

We haven't covered much in the way of Emilio Estevez on this show as of yet, but that's about to change with this episode. Does Stakeout hold up? Listen to the episode and find out!

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



Up Next: Doin' Time On Planet Earth!

Episode 70 - Messenger of Death (1988)

Back for more Bronson! Instead of an action movie this is a slower paced affair where we follow a journalist as he dives into a plot that is more than it seems at first. Even for Cannon this is different for them.

That said, there isn't a lot here, script-wise to save it from mediocrity. Despite good direction and acting, the story itself is weak and under-cooked. See out opinions in the episode above.

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



Up Next: Stakeout!