Episode 43 - 52 Pick Up (1986)

Today we cover a movie as surprising as it is compelling. This film is based on an Elmore Leonard novel. In fact, it's based on the same one as earlier episode The Ambassador is! The production history behind this one is bizarre, being that the same company is even involved in it.

However, unlike that movie, this one had direct involvement from the author to create a picture that fits the Cannon mold while still striking a perfect chord for noir thriller fans.

As always, check out the episode for our full thoughts!

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


Up Next: Murphy's Law!

Episode 42 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

In the '80s there were few genres as easily exploitable as horror. While action required a budget to blow things up and shoot people to pieces, horror merely required a few actors and a costume or puppet to make bank. This is why it is funny that Golan and Globus didn't actually invest all that much in the genre despite their penny-pinching ways.

And nowhere does that show more than here. After locking down horror master Tobe Hooper to a three picture deal, they had him make whatever he wanted with this sequel to the film that broke him. The result is not an '80s slasher film as you might expect, but a black comedy. Yes, you read that right.

But does it work? As always, check the episode to find out!

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


Next: 52 Pick-Up!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 21 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Bit of a curve-ball this week. We go back even further into the past to one of the films that started the current modern age of Horror cinema. That's right, it's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is a movie that changed pretty much everything, and not in the best of ways. However, that is not the film's fault.

If you know much about our tastes you also know we're not all that big on slasher flicks. However, this film is quite a bit different and not all that similar to that subgenre. This is to its credit. So our take on this one might surprise you. Or it might not. Tune in to find out!

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


Up Next: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2!

Episode 41 - Avenging Force (1986)

A surprisingly bloody action flick from Cannon that almost starred Norris but instead has Dudikoff, Avenging Force is a decently fun time. It's bloody, intense, and has some good kills. It's about what you would expect from a Cannon action flick.

And that's also its weak point. Despite being a solid action film it doesn't really do anything particularly great to give it a push about good. That said, check out the episode to hear our full thoughts.

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


Up Next: Non-Cannon!

Episode 40 - Detective School Dropouts (1986)

A detective comedy from 1986 made by Cannon Films. Two bumbling private detectives find their way in the middle of a mob war. Hilarity ensues, or is supposed to. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. There is little that shouldn't work in a concept like this, and yet, nothing does. It's not funny, it's not clever, and it is monumentally slow. A total and monumental miss. Definitely skip this movie, but not our episode.

Apologies for the shorter episode this week. The movie just didn't merit much in the way of discussion.

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


Up Next: Avenging Force!