Halloween GAIDEN Special #6 - Maniac Cop 2 (1990)

A movie that is very much the end of an era, and one of the last big horror movies before the genre fell into decline in the 1990s. Maniac Cop 2, for all intents and purposes, is the second half of the original Maniac Cop, building off the promises, the atmosphere, and the not quite so satisfying ending to bring the story into full bloom before capping it off with an explosive send off that brings it full circle. As far as horror sequels go, this is one of the best.

This is also one of my personal favorite horror flicks, and I hope you'll listen to the episode above to learn why that is. And yes, this one is being posted on Wasteland & Sky just as the other episodes in this special were.

I would like to thank you for sticking around this past week and enjoying the Halloween excitement. It's been a treat doing something different and sharing it with you. Tomorrow, I'll see you again with a regular Cannon Cruisers episode, where we will return to our normal schedule. It's been fun!

Have a Happy Halloween!

JD's rating: Recommended

Up Next: Hard Ticket to Hawaii!

Halloween GAIDEN Special #5 - Maniac Cop (1988)

On our fifth day of Halloween celebrations, we are taking a look at 1988's noir-ish horror thriller Maniac Cop. This is one that has been gaining in cult appeal over the years, and for good reason. As far as "slasher" style horror goes, it is one of the best.

But Maniac Cop is more than a slasher. Its quite an engaging story of revenge and the price of greed and order over justice. To say more would be to spoil it. Watch the episode above to understand just what I'm referring to.

Just as always, check the link to Wasteland & Sky if you'd prefer to watch it there. All of these are still being cross-posted there.

Remember to have a Happy Halloween! We have one more episode left to end this week long special. I hope you'll continue to join me as we finish this  series up.

JD's rating: Recommended

Up Next: Maniac Cop 2!

Halloween GAIDEN Special #4 - Dead Heat (1988)

For our fourth day I'm going to go into the relatively forgotten and unknown gem, Dead Heat starring Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo. On the surface, this might seem just like any other buddy cop movie from the 1980s, but there is quite a bit more to it than that.

Part action movie, part dark comedy, part zombie horror, and with surprisingly effective themes, this is one of those pictures that could only work in the era that spawned it. As a result, it deserves an episode to itself. You're not liable to see anything like this out of Hollywood ever again. That much is absolutely certain.

This one is also being crossposted on Wasteland & Sky, just as before, so watch it wherever you'd prefer. Remember, we're not done yet!

JD's rating: Recommended

Up Next: Maniac Cop!

Halloween GAIDEN Special #3 - House II: The Second Story (1987)

Continuing from yesterday, I decided to cover the very different sequel to the original House. This one isn't a horror movie, being more of an adventure story. In many ways it is the opposite of the first film, yet it retains many of the themes at the same time. It also helps that has much of the same staff and crew from the first movie to help retain quality.

As always, check the episode above for full impressions! This one is cross-posted on Wasteland & Sky, just as the rest in this mini-series will be. So check it out wherever you prefer.

JD's rating: Recommended

Up Next: Dead Heat!

Halloween GAIDEN Special #2 - House (1986)

Today we're getting a gander at the obscure favorite, House, from 1986. This is a haunted house story with enough dark comedy to unsettle most audiences, but still manages to retain a chilling atmosphere at the same time. From the director of Friday the 13th Part 2 and Part 3, as well as Warlock, and the writer of Night of the Creeps and Monster Squad, comes a hidden gem that shouldn't be as hidden as it is. Find out why in tonight's episode!

As an aside, a reminder that this it being cross-posted at Wasteland & Sky, my other blog! You can enjoy this episode at either location. It's up to you! 

JD's rating: Recommended

Up next: House II: The Second Story!

Halloween GAIDEN Special #1 - Night of the Demons (1988)

Bet you didn't see this coming!

That's right, since we didn't get a chance to record a Halloween episode this year, for obvious reasons, I decided to make some bonus episodes of Cannon Cruisers GAIDEN to take us to the 31st! So get ready for six extra episodes of Cannon Cruisers GAIDEN as I chat about some seasonal movies. It's being crossposted on my other blog, Wasteland & Sky!  

Up first I decided to cover a bit of hidden favorite, Night of the Demons from 1988. This is an odd one that I thought deserved discussion. Check the episode above for my thoughts!

JD's rating: Recommended

Up next: Tune in tomorrow!

Episode 81 - Kickboxer (1989)

From the director of The Perfect Weapon and also the producer of Bloodsport. Kickboxer is the third of three official Cannon movies Van Damme did (there is one more they produced, but was released by another company) and was one of the most successful Cannon did period. It also led to four sequels starring Sasha Mitchell and Mark Dacascos throughout the '90s. Needless to say, this was easily one of Cannon's biggest hits of 1989, and one of their last before their demise.

So how does it hold up? Very well. Much like Cyborg and Bloodsport, Kickboxer injects a vitality and spirit missing from much of Cannon's output at this period. As always, our full impressions can be heard in the episode above.

Randy's score: 3/5

JD's score: 4/5

Up next: A Halloween surprise!

Episode 80 - Outlaw of Gor (1989)

We're already back with another episode of Gor goodness. We decided to watch this one via MST3K for variety, but mostly for a change of pace. It didn't end up changing much, because it's more Gor. The difference is that Outlaw of Gor has a more connected story and constantly has things going on. Of the two Gor movies, this is the more enjoyable.

On another note, this was the last episode we recorded before our unexpected hiatus threw us off. Do our opinions hold up? Find out for yourself. (Enjoy a treat at the end due to the otherwise short episode)

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up next: Kickboxer!

Episode 79 - Cyborg (1989)

One of the few standouts in this latter period of Cannon has been Jean Claude Van Damme. As the once powerful studio continues its downhill tumble towards bankruptcy, it is Van Damme that begins his ascent. He made four films for Golan and Globus, and this is the second of the quartet.

Cyborg is a post-apocalyptic action movie directed by Albert Pyun. We've had a rocky relationship with Pyun on Cannon Cruisers, but this is one of his better efforts, most likely saved in editing (once again) by Van Damme's secret skill. Because it is otherwise the weakest Van Damme picture from his early career. But it's still not bad. In fact, it has many interesting parts worth discussing, which we do in the episode above.

Cannon might be on its last legs, but that doesn't mean they didn't still put out some winners. This is one of them. Check it out today!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Outlaw of Gor!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 53 - Streets of Fire (1984)

It's time for a movie I've wanted to cover for a long time! From legendary director Walter Hill (Hard Times, The Driver, The Warriors, 48 Hrs.) comes a Rock & Roll fable with enough romance and wonder to shake a stick at. It's the criminally overlooked and unfairly underrated Streets of Fire from 1984! It's also one of my favorites.

Of course it doesn't mean the film is perfect, as the episode will show, but the purpose of covering it is to give you a look at a movie that might be one of the most influential in a decade full of influential films. There isn't really anything like Streets of Fire, and if you haven't seen it may this be your excuse to do so. No better time than the present.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: Cyborg!