Halloween Spectacular! (Non-Cannon - Episode 2)

Today we have a special Halloween edition of the show! Here in this extra long unedited episode we talk about three Halloween movies. Specifically the first three movies in the Halloween series. Why those three specifically? Tune in to find out.

Grab a bag of popcorn and a seat. This one's gonna take a while.

As a cliff notes version, here are our ratings for all three of the films.

Halloween

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Halloween II

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Halloween III: Season of the Witch

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Enter the Ninja!

Episode 8 - The Last American Virgin (1982)

A long time ago there was a genre of film called the teen sex comedy. It was about a bunch of horny teenagers trying and scheming to find a way to have sex with anything that moves. Before the advent of the internet, it was an intensely popular genre, and The Last American Virgin was one of the first of its kind. But it's not the best.

This is an update of the Israeli film Lemon Popsicle for a 1980s American audience. The performances are good, the soundtrack is excellent, and there is nothing outright terrible about the movie other than the execution.

Unfortunately, we just couldn't get into this one. Check the review to see why.

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


Up Next: The Halloween Spectacular!

Episode 7 - Death Wish II (1982)

After last week's Non-Cannon premiere, we now walk into the sequel to Charles Bronson's '70s classic.

Death Wish II is a bit of a different film from the original. While the first film was a bit more of a commentary on crime and the state of civiliztion vs barbarity, Death Wish II is a straight up revenge flick. In this one, Paul Kersey is merely after those who killed and assaulted those he cared for. What ends up transpiring is more of a straight up action film than the original.

As it is, it's not as strong as the original, which we go into more in the episode itself. However, it is still solid and fun '80s entertainment.

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


Up Next: The Last American Virgin

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 1 - Death Wish (1974)

*Apologies for the sound recording. There was a microphone issue*

The special surprise we teased from last week is here. From now on, the Cannon Cruisers will be running special episodes here and there featuring films not centered on Cannon films. We're doing it for two reasons. The first is that Cannon made many sequels to certain film series, but not the originators. The second is that we might sometimes feel like a break from the Cannon material and want to do something different. This week we tackle the original Death Wish.

We were quite impressed with this 70s classic as a film that (with Dirty Harry) helped lay the groundwork for the 80s action film, including the entries in the series that Cannon made. As a movie about a man who lost it all and fights to destroy what destroyed him, it is a fantastic film.

If you have not seen this movie yet, it is highly, highly recommended.

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


Up Next: Death Wish II

Episode 6 - Hospital Massacre (1981)

Next up we have a horror film that goes by many names (X-Ray, Ward 13, and Be My Valentine, Or Else) but is primarily known as Hospital Massacre. Directed by Boaz Davidson, and starring Gay Austin, Den Surles, and Barbi Benton, this slasher film is by far the most over the top of any we have seen so far. The story is about a boy who was scorned for his Valentine's Day gift as a child then grows up to hunt the very girl who scorned him.

The bloody carnage begins on a Valentine's Day just like any other. Until out heroine is roped into a situation the spins out of control and bodies start to pile up.

We didn't care for this movie. But we didn't hate it quite as much as earlier slasher films like New Year's Evil, choosing to round our combined scores to 1.5/5. Still not good, but better than you would think.

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


Next Week: Non-Cannon Death Wish (1974)

Episode 5 - Enter the Ninja (1981)

Finally, after four episodes, we come to our first good film.

This was the movie that set off the ninja craze of the 1980s, and one watch of it easily shows why. From the same director as The Apple (stunning as that may be) comes a well directed and acted action movie with impressive choreography, stunts, and moments that epitomize the lighter atmosphere of 1980s films.

Enter the Ninja is the first of Cannon's ninja anthology trilogy, and their first action movie altogether. The surprise success of this film would define the future direction of the company. But before we get there, we have a few more lesser films to get through.

This isn't one of them, however. If you are a fan of ninja movies, action films, or 80s cinema in general, you need to see this film. It is a great watch. Check the podcast to see our full reactions.

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


Up Next: Hospital Massacre