Summer Special #29 - Surf Ninjas (1993) [Non-Cannon ~ Episode 77]

That's right, we're covering what was once the punchline of '90s movies for ages now. But does it deserve its reputation as one of the worst, or is the disgust overblown? You might be surprised with the answer to that one.

Surf Ninjas is surprisingly memorable for what it is, the two of us remembered the majority of this movie despite not seeing it since the 1990s. That means it has more going for it than you would think. However, it also has a few flaws that are inescapable. It was a kids movie in the 1990s after all, so you can already imagine some of the tired tropes of the era that would morph into the goo we have today. They are, unfortunately, here. Unlike the international cut of 3 Ninjas, Surf Ninjas feels much more of its 1990s era. To its detriment.

That said, it does hold up oddly well. Find out how in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Heat!

Summer Special #28 - The Manhattan Project (1986) [Non-Cannon ~ Episode 76]

We are back with another obscure cult classic from the vault. This time it is the relatively unknown and forgotten The Manhattan Project from 1986. An adventure film that doesn't get made anymore from an era full of such films, you might figure it doesn't stand out. However, it does quite a few unique things to help make this an enjoyable picture worth seeing. This one was a pleasant surprise.

Of course, it isn't perfect, but few movies are. That said, if you're looking for a movie like this to watch then you can do a lot worse. Listen to the above episode for our full opinions! We went on about it a bit too long.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: It's Surf Ninjas!

Summer Special #27 - Gleaming the Cube (1988) [Non-Cannon ~ Episode 75]

Skate or Die, dudes! This time we watched the 1988 cult classic skateboarding adventure movie, Gleaming the Cube starring Christian Slater! That's right, it's time to take a trip to 1980s California to solve a murder and do some shredding along the way.

This is one of those films that takes a bizarre concept and runs with it without any sort of wink and nod towards the audience, which is something the decade was known for. Therefore you get a 1980s skateboarding movie with enough drama and suspense to shake a stick at. One thing I can say with 100% certainty is that you will never see another movie like Gleaming the Cube in your life. And considering this is the 1980s, that is saying something.

Of course it isn't perfect, but it is an overall unique and fun movie to watch. Check out our full opinions in the episode above.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: The Manhattan Project!

Summer Special #26 - Pray for Death (1985) [Non-Cannon ~ Episode 74]

It's finally time for another Sho Kosugi flick! I've been dying to do another one for awhile now, but we just haven't had the opportunity. That changes today.

In this one, our hero faces down a syndicate of ruthless gangsters who assault his family and other innocent people until he has finally reached the limit. At which point it is ninja time! Remember: only a ninja can stop a ninja: or in this case, can deal justice to an entire cadre of murderers. And since it's Sho Kosugi, you know it's a thorough cleansing.

There isn't much else to say. With a title like Pray for Death you know what to expect, and that's more than enough for a summer popcorn romp. See the episode above for our full thoughts on this 1980s ninja flick.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Gleaming the Cube!

Summer Special #25 - Space Camp (1986) [Non-Cannon ~ Episode 73]

Summer rolls on! This week we're looking at a forgotten summer family movie that came out at an unfortunate time and disappeared as quickly as it was put out. That's right, it's 1986's Space Camp, a film that has all the ingredients for success!

On paper the movie looks like an underrated gem begging to be rediscovered. The reality is that the execution fails on every single level. Space Camp is a surprisingly terrible movie with no redeeming qualities that gets just about everything wrong that it can. It is bafflingly bad, even seperated from the advertising issues it suffered when it was released. There is a very good reason this movie has gone forgotten and will likely stay that way.

Find out how it flubs an easy concept that it gets right in the description by checking out the full episode above. You will be surprised!

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: Pray for Death!