Episode 165 - Bolero (1984)

We wrap up both our 2023 and our final regular episode with one of Cannon's most notorious films. Even compared to some of Cannon's most infamous flicks, this one is considered terrible. But does it deserve it's reputation? The short answer, is yes.

Ostensibly a film about sexual exploration and "maturity", Bolero is also known as nonsensical and ridiculous. It earns that description and then some.

Check out this last episode of the year to find out why that is. You might not believe just how off the rails this one gets.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: Top 25 Non-Cannon Films Special!

Episode 164 - The Wicked Lady (1983)

Though this might not entirely be seasonal appropriate, it is a bit of a miracle that this turned out to not be a waste of time. Ostensibly a saucier remake of an old film about that titular wicked lady who revels in sin which slowly kills herself and those around her, there is a bit more to this picture than you might first think despite the attempt at a comical poster and image. This isn't really a sex comedy despite the image and the typical 1980s obsession with random breasts to pull people into the theaters and video store.

That said, 1983's The Wicked Lady does suffer from tonal issues and its more blue elements don't really stand the test of time in helping it as a film experience. Despite that, there is a core story that is quite good and the typical Cannon madness does help it stand out. For that reason it becomes a recommendation to the both of us.

As always, check out today's episode to understand why that might be.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Bolero!

Episode 163 - One More Chance (1981)

Today we look at a rare early Cannon flick that we had to scour around to find. This would be 1981's One More Chance, Sam Firstenberg's first movie! This one is a surprisingly wholesome movie about a man looking for another chance at life.

We weren't expecting much out of this, especially since it started life as a student film, but the final product turned out to be treat in ways we didn't expect. Check out the full episode to learn just why that might be. We were a bit taken aback by how much we enjoyed it. This isn't much like Cannon's usual fare!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: The Wicked Lady!

Episode 162 - Link (1986)

Now we get into something a bit weirder, though "weird" is very much in the cannon milieu. This is a killer monkey movie of the sort you've probably heard of. However, this one is made by the director of Psycho II, which gives it a but of a kick and an interesting spin you might not expect, including an ending that surprises a good deal. There is much to discuss in the overlooked thriller horror gem of 1986's Link.

It's a shame this one isn't as well known as it should be, even if it's not quite as great as it could be. That said, check out today's episode and learn just what you've been missing! You definitely won't see this one coming.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: One More Chance!

Episode 161 - Deja Vu (1985)

This might seem strange. Weren't we done with Cannon? Well, actually we are near the end, but since we were so close to 300 total episodes, we decided to just go for broke and do one last run of five Cannon movies to help hit the magic number. This is the first of our final run.

As for 1985's Deja Vu, it ended up being quite a strange watch, but one of our least favorite Cannon flicks. As always, check out today's episode to see why that might be.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: Link!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 129 - An American Werewolf in London (1981)

For our final film in our Non-Cannon special we decided to end it with a flick that one of us had yet to see. The unmatched atmosphere of An American Werewolf in London survives intact and the experience remains great to this day. We go into why in today's episode! It is amazing how much there is to talk about in this influential film.

Be sure to check this episode out, and we will see you next week when we begin our final run of Cannon flicks. It's going to be a blast.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: Deja Vu!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 128 - Boogedy Double Feature Special [1986 + 1987]

Two movies, one experience. This episode we decided to shake it up a little, covering two different movies from a period of time few seem to remember. The Boogedy movies started as a pilot that gained a lot of infamy as a special on TV back on the day which led to a full length movie sequel a year later attempting to expand on the original.

But how do they hold up? Well, as usual, you will have to tune into the full episode and see just how. Regardless they are a unique experience of the kind you won't get these days. They don't make them like this anymore!

Mr. Boogedy (1986)

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Bride of Boogedy (1987)

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: An American Werewolf in London!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 127 - Poltergeist (1982)

Hope you had a productive weekend, it's time for more Non-Cannon! This time we have a surprise: one of the biggest movies from the time that we have yet to cover, and one that one of us had yet to see! That's right, it's time for Poltergeist from 1982!

Does it still hold up, or is there something holding it back from being a classic? Check out today's episode to find out!

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: Boogedy Double Feature!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 126 - Watcher in the Woods (1980)

We've still got a few spooky season episodes left to go! We're going to try and take this into the holiday season, so strap in. This time we took a look at the nearly forgotten favorite, Watcher in the Woods, from 1980!

This one holds up surprisingly well despite a twist that is kind of lame, but the movie still salvages it with some creepy effects and some gorgeous scenery. The entire thing actually holds together and is well worth watching today. Check out today's episode to learn how that might be!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Poltergeist!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 125 - Return to Oz (1985)

Our season long special continues, this time covering the obscure favorite, Return to Oz! This one is not what you might think, especially if you only know it by reputation. A bit eerie, a bit adventurous, all creative, this one could only have been made in the era it was made in.

Check out the full episode for our opinion on this strangely misunderstood and unappreciated film to learn our full opinions. You might surprised as to what we thought on this one!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Watcher in the Woods!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 124 - Arachnophobia (1990)

Here is a movie most of us remember exists but tend not to remember much about it. Surprisingly, despite that, Arachnophobia holds up surprisingly well. Aside from some nitpicks, it's a fairly good horror movie from an era when they still worked well.

It's not the greatest genre flick ever or anything, but you might surprised by how well it actually holds up. That said, it fits our current long-running special extremely like a glove!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Return to Oz!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 123 - The Witches (1990)

This time we watch an obscure favorite where Jim Henson meets Roald Dahl. The last movie produced by Henson, yet released after his untimely death, The Witches is a surprisingly well done fairy tale over the older style, with much of Dahl's darker elements. Though it can be a bit crude, there isn't quite another film like this one.

Today's episode will tell you just why that is. Let us learn just what has made this one a cult classic over the years.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Arachnophobia!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 122 - Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Based on the Ray Bradbury book, this movie should really have it all. The source material is a classic, and should have been an easy home run for Disney to make into a comparable movie. The author himself even contributed to making it.

However, the final product leaves a little to be desired. There are some great things in this adaption of the Bradbury story, but also some head scratching decisions. As always, to find out the full deal, dive into today's episode! It's a bit of a puzzler.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: The Witches!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 121 - The Gate II: Trespassers (1990)

Today we look at the sequel of a movie we watched ages ago: the follow-up to the cult favorite The Gate. We were hoping for another inventive hidden gem that we might have missed out on, like last time. Unfortunately, that isn't what we found this time.

The Gate II, instead of being another good time, ended up being a surprising disappointment from people that should have known better than this. What we ended up with this time ended up being so typical that we almost found ourselves at a loss for words describing it.

As always, check out today's episode to hear our full thoughts on this totally unnecessary sequel to a much better watch.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: Something Wicked This Way Comes!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 120 - Little Monsters (1989)

Today we cover a different sort of horror experience. Little Monsters is a movie that doesn't have much of a reputation beyond one rumor revolving around a behind the scenes incident. Aside from that you don't tend to hear much about it.

However, this one is also quite a bit different than you might have heard it was. Though very much of its time, Little Monsters also manages to build its own identity apart from similar movies of the same era. Check out how it does in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: The Gate II!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 119 - The Peanut Butter Solution (1985)

I am not even sure how to properly describe this movie. It is barely a horror film, at least at first, until you understand exactly what the premise leads to and how it all ends up. This is a weird film, and a time capsule at that, unlike most of the other ones we have covered so far. Nonetheless, we chose to watch it for a very good reason.

Check out today's episode to to see what exactly makes The Peanut Butter Solution a surprisingly good family horror film. You will be surprised!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Little Monsters!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 118 - Monster Squad (1987)

Now for the next movie in our bizarre Summer/Halloween special, we chose a movie only one of us has any real nostalgic attachment to. Watching this today over three decades after its release is quite an experience, but a much different one than you might think. Of all the movies we've covered on Cannon Cruisers, this one has aged in a very peculiar way that probably no one involved saw coming.

Regardless, film has this effect of eventually making itself a documentary given enough time, and that is certainly a big part of the appeal of Monster Squad. See exactly what that means in today's special episode!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: The Peanut Butter Solution!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 117 - Maximum Overdrive (1986)

As you might have guessed, we've decided to do another series of Non-Cannon movies. You'll have to guess the theme for yourself, and whether this is technically a summer or Halloween special or a combination of both. Either way, you're in for a weird time.

For our first movie we decided to take on the obscure by choice Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive! Learn just how it succeeds and fails, as well as how it could have been wilder! The movie isn't as bad as you might think, but it could also be better.

This is only the first in this wave of Non-Cannon weirdness!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Monster Squad!

Episode 160 - Season 08 Wrap-Up! [Part Two]

 

Welcome to the second half of our long season ending episode! In this one we cover near 25 films. It was a very, very long season as we went through so many movies, so stick around for the back half of this lineup to see what you might have missed.

This is an extra stuffed episode, so please enjoy. After this we will be doing a new special series to prepare for out big finale to come. Thank you for sticking around so long and we will see you next week for more movies!

Cannon Cruisers is not quite done yet!

Up Next: Maximum Overdrive!

Episode 159 - Season 08 Wrap-Up! [Part One]

That's write, this hour long episode is only part one in our big season finale for Cannon! Since we covered over 50(!) movies in this season alone, we decided to split this episode in half. Next week you will be able to hear the rest of our conversation as we delve into the best and worst Cannon movies in this extra long never-ending season!

I promise the episode is nowhere near as endless as the season itself was. No, we had a pretty good time talking. We covered just about everything we could over these fifty films and as brief a coversation as possible.

Check out today's episode to see just how it went!

Up Next: Season 08 Wrap-Up Part 2!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 116 - Season 08 Wrap-Up!

We've finally made it to the end of this incredibly long eighth season of Cannon Cruisers! Instead of our usual Cannon movie round up, we decided to first start with our Non-Cannon episodes. Those (yes, it's more than one) will be saved for next week. In this episode the two of us cover 30+ Non-Cannon movies and talk for an hour!

Hope you're ready to settle in. It's a long one!

Up Next: Season 08 Cannon Wrap-Up Part One!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 115 - Cyborg Cop II (1994)

Here it is, folks: the final Sam Firstenberg action movie. Released in 1994, after Cannon's destruction, it was also the last movie in this vein that our Cannon staple would make, mostly sticking to dramas and the like for the few films remaining after this. That said, boy did he go out with a bang on this one!

Cyborg Cop II is kind of infamous in some circles as being over the top and explosive, but you haven't seen anything until you actually watch it. This one might not reach the heights of his Cannon Films peak, but it comes close at times. Find out how in today's episode, our last movie of the season!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Non-Cannon Wrap Up!

Episode 158 - Schizoid (1980) [Revisited]

We finally made it! This is the final normal episode of Cannon Cruisers. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we decided to cover the very first movie we talked about once more. That's right, it's time for Schizoid again!

That said, there isn't much else to add. The movie is still kind of a mess and doesn't really hold up. Check out the episode to see why that might be the case!

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: Cyborg Cop 2!

Episode 157 - Robotech: The Movie (1986)

Here is a rarity for the Cannon Cruisers. For the first time we cover an animated movie, since it is also the one and only time Cannon itself released one. Not only that, but it is an entry in the infamous 1980s franchise Robotech, and one that has been buried even by those who made it. The producers of Robotech, Harmony Gold, have even long since left this one to obscurity. A rarity for them.

Ostensibly an old lost version of the anime OVA Megazone 23 Part I, Robotech: The Movie has quite the story behind its production and general existence. It's also not quite what you might expect from with Cannon Films or Harmony Gold.

It's quite a strange little picture regardless. See today's episode to find out just why that is the case.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Schizoid!

Episode 156 - Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

It's been awhile, but we finally made it here! This one has been a long time coming, but today we took a look at the infamous fourth Superman movie. Is it really as bad as they say, or is it a hidden gem? Well, there is more to it than all that. Check out the episode to see how it shakes out.

On the other hand, perhaps it does deserve its infamy. You'll see what I mean. there is a reason it has that reputation it has.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: Robotech: The Movie!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 114 - Troll (1986)

No, this isn't that movie. It is, instead, the original film in the "series" that isn't really a series. This one isn't so much horror as more of a family friendly joint. As a result it doesn't quite hit the mark in either camp, falling short in both categories.

There are some interesting effects and ideas here, but it altogether doesn't quite add up to a great watch. Unfortunately, it's missing both the chills of horror and the thrills of an adventure. Check out the full episode to see why that might be.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace!

Episode 155 - Otello (1986)

Cannon did more than one Shakespeare movie back in the day. The difference between the two, however, is quite staggering. The other we covered is a very loose adaption of King Lear that didn't quite cut the mustard. Today's movie is quite different.

This adaption of Othello is not only very faithful, but also an operatic version that remains one of the most popular versions of the play to this day. Why exactly is that the case? You'll have to five into today's episode to learn just why! Let us just say that it transfers to the medium of film surprisingly well.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Troll!

Episode 154 - The Hanoi Hilton (1987)

Ostensibly another war movie, 1987's The Hanoi Hilton feels more like a TV mini-series cut down into movie form. It's disjointed, choppy, and not very exciting, though it isn't quite the worst we've seen. In fact, it's not quite other films we've covered on Cannon Cruisers. There are things here not in the other similar flicks.

That said, it's also not very good. It very easily could be much better. Check out our full opinions in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: Otello!

Episode 153 - The Seven Magnificent Gladiators (1983)

Though we have covered the three typical Lou Ferrigno movies he did with Cannon, what is less spoken about is the movie later edited clumsily into the inferior sequel to Hercules. There is probably a reason for that, including the fact that The Seven Magnificent Gladiators was simply not released on a wide scale back in the day.

That said, this is the only movie Bruno Mattei did with Cannon, and in that aspect it is a bit of a disappoint. A movie made by those two should have been a lot wilder. That said, the final result is a simply a fun peplum flick--a sword and sandal version of The Seven Samurai / The Magnificent Samurai. It could have been more impressive, but as it is The Seven Magnificent Gladiators is a pleasant watch.

It could have been more than that, but the flick still works. It isn't a patch on Ferrigno's Sinbad movie, though.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: The Hanoi Hilton!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 113 - UFOria (1984)

A long time ago, there was a period where movies would be made then sit on a shelf for years because the studio did not know how to advertise it. UFOria is just this sort of movie, releasing in the theatre after sitting in a vault for years, then getting a VHS release a couple of years afterwards, and then disappearing entirely out of the public consciousness for decades. This was a tough film to find.

Seeing that might make you think this movie is a disaster of some kind. It's just a bit off-kilter. A comedy about aliens, belief, and community, it's not really your typical genre film. And that's probably why it wasn't an easy sell.

But does this any of this make UFOria a bad movie? No, actually, it's quite worth watching. Check out today's episode to see why that might be the case.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: The Seven Magnificent Gladiators!

Episode 152 - King Lear (1987)

This is a film we wanted to cover before, but never quite got around to. A Shakespeare "adaption" in the loosest possible sense of the word, King Lear is a supposed French New Wave picture about the general themes (in a way) of the original play except in a Post-Apocalyptic environment with about as much effort as a college indie art film.

I would go more into it, but you can't do much justice to it in words. You're going to have to experience the full episode to understand just why this movie is the way it is. Even the two of us were polarized over the final product. There is a very good reason for that! Needless to say, it's very much not for everyone.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: UFOria!

Episode 151 - Field of Honor (1986)

Once again we dove into obscurity to round out our Cannon Cruisers library. Once again, however, we stumbled into a bit of a dud. There is a very big difference between a Cannon film that doesn't quite work and one that misses much of what the appeal of Cannon is actually about. This is the latter. Find out just how much it whiffs in today's episode. 

There is a very good reason this one is almost completely unknown today.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: King Lear!

Episode 150 - Too Much: The Robot With a Heart (1987) [Revisited]

There are a few movies we've covered on Cannon Cruisers we didn't quite give a fair shake to. This is for various reasons, including overall mood and timing of when we watched them. One such film is the completely unknown 1987 family flick Too Much: The Robot With a Heart. There is a lot to go over with this one.

It isn't that this one is particularly good, but more that there is a lot more to talk about than we originally thought. Thankfully we decided to give it another look and came in with fresh opinions on a flick that is more enjoyable than you might think it is.

As always, the full episode will tell you why that might be the case.

In addition, thank you for 150 episodes of normal Cannon Cruisers! We certainly did not think we'd make it this far. Please keep supporting us as we hobble over the upcoming finish line. It's been quite a journey!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Field of Honor!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 112 - Road House 66 (1985)

No, this isn't a revisit but another movie with Road House in the title. And this one is much different than either the 1989 classic or the 1948 noir favorite. In fact it is so bizarre that I decided to include both covers/posters for the movie to show you how difficult this film was to advertise back in the day. It is neither a comedy nor an action thriller, making both covers off in describing just what this is (the later bland DVD art is FAR worse, however) and cannot quite sell the film to the viewer. This movie is a fairly different sell for the post-1980s market. No wonder reception was so mixed at the time, and now.

But let us get to it.

Road House 66 is a throwback to old black and white pictures where a drifter comes into town, partnered up with a mysterious stranger, stumbles into a new situation, and eventually has to solve it at the end.

We use the term "they don't make 'em like that anymore" a lot here, but that was definitely the case when this movie came out. It doesn't neatly fit into the "action", "drama", or "comedy", boxes, but has many elements of each. It is truly an example of a throwback work before genre-fication occurred. Nonetheless, check out the episode above to hear about a hidden gem you've probably never heard of before. Who knows? You might end up finding a new favorite! I know I did.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Too Much: The Robot With a Heart!

Episode 149 - Shy People (1987)

In another strange turn, we cover a nearly unknown drama from the director of Runaway Train, and it also turns out to be a good watch. Shy People is a brand of film Hollywood cannot make anymore, a character study of opposites who have more similarities than one might think. It's also surprisingly well paced despite its length and general content. This one is a much smoother and more interesting watch than you might think on the surface.

We definitely didn't expect to like it as much as we did. Check out the full episode to see just how much we dug it!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Road House 66!

Episode 148 - Hanna's War (1988)

Once again we find another obscure Cannon movie, directed by Menahem Golan, no less. but this Hanna's War isn't the hidden gem we were hoping for. No, in fact, it is one of the biggest misfires we've seen in quite some time. This would be where I go into a summary of our overall feelings, but that would be better served listening to this episode instead. There is too much to go over.

Long story short, this is just a complete belly flop of a movie. It isn't disastrously terrible of the like. No, it is disastrously boring, the worst thing a movie can be. Check out the full episode to learn just how a Cannon movie achieves such a state. There is a good reason Hanna's War has been completely forgotten.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: Shy People!

Episode 147 - Surrender (1987)

Here is another one we almost covered during an earlier season but just missed out on. It doesn't help that this movie, despite starring two very popular actors, has still gone without a re-release in decades at this point. 

In many ways Surrender is a typical romantic comedy, but still a surprisingly good one. We definitely thought it was part of an old breed that no longer exists anymore. As usual, you can check out the full episode to see why that is.

You might be surprised with this one. We were.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Hanna's War!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 111 - Alien Private Eye (1989)

Sometimes a movie comes out of nowhere to surprise you in ways you might not expect. Sometimes it exceeds your expectations in ways you might not expect while also falling short in areas that are just plain bizarre. Alien Private Eye is such a movie. Part detective story, part alien flick, and part action, it's all low budget but with a lot of charm. This is one very much of its era and couldn't have been made in any other time or place.

Think Miami Connection only for detective movies and you might get close to what makes Alien Private Eye tick. Of course, as always, the full episode will give you the full score on this one. A description can't really do it justice.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Surrender!

Episode 146 - Over the Brooklyn Bridge (1984)

Another one we've had a hard time trying to locate. The more generic title probably didn't help, but this is a film that more or less fell through the cracks over the years. It's a fairly simple drama about a man living in the Jewish community of New York back in the 1980s, and it's fairly well done for what it is. But it doesn't have much to help it stand out, nor does it have much in the way of that Cannon Films flavor that made them so well known.

That said, Over the Brooklyn Bridge is a solid watch and well worth seeing, if you can find it. Just don't expect anything too out there or unique. It's just a good movie. Check out what we mean by that in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Alien Private Eye!

Episode 145 - To the Death (1992)

This one was found at the zero hour. While Cannon has a lot of action movies full of character, American Kickboxer 1 was not one of those movies. It was dull, characterless, and completely forgettable. It was its non-Cannon (and non-canon) sequel, American Kickboxer 2 that was more of a proper action flick, and a lot more fun at that. So it comes as even more a surprise that the almost unknown, yet hated by those who do, official sequel is better than both. To the Death, is pure Cannon Films, and it is amazing that it is not more well known.

The story is essentially about our main character dragged into fighting illegal, underground matches of death battles and a villain who choose more scenery than starving termites and a cast of characters more eccentric than is needed ( but is very much welcome) while this unfolds. What this leads to is a surprisingly enjoyable action flick that deserves far more visibility and notoriety than it has!

As always, the full episode has all the details. Check it out and see just why To the Death is better than its reputation, if it even has any, suggests it is.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Over the Brooklyn Bridge!

Episode 144 - Terminal Bliss (1992)

This one took some time to find. Though this is a drama starring Luke Perry during his peak years of popularity, Terminal Bliss has become nearly impossible to find. Though, after watching it, we can possible understand why that is.

Though it is a rather simple idea for a drama (rich kids live an empty life and fall apart) it is rather aimless and disjointed, a movie where nothing of consequence happens. Until it does, then it just sort of wanders to the next thing then ends. One might argue that is the point, but it doesn't make for a very exciting watch. In fact, it makes for a terrible experience. Find out what that means in the full episode above.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: To the Death!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 110 - American Kickboxer 2 (1993)

This is a bit of a side-track, and tangentially related to Cannon, but is overall a subject related to what we cover here. American Kickboxer is a Cannon movie, the sequel, for whatever reason, is not. The actual sequel is titled To the Death (and has been proven a tough find), a movie with a completely unrelated title to this one.

That said, American Kickboxer 2's cool reception is completely unearned. This is a fun action movie with a lot of thrills and funny comedy, on a completely different level than the original movie. This one should be much more well known than it is. Find out just how enjoyable this one is in today's episode. This was worth the detour to fin.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Terminal Bliss!

Episode 143 - Penitentiary III (1987)

Finally, a film we've been trying to cover for awhile. It has also been one we have been unable to find for quite some time now. Today, we finally discuss it. Penitentiary III is the only Cannon entry in this prison boxing series that goes back to 1979. We decided to just cover the movie Cannon themselves put out. The prequels are not the subject today, and would have given us far too much to cover. Trust me, this one has more than enough to discuss.

Though the premise is generally about prison boxing, this entry adds a dash of Cannon madness to the proceedings, creating a movie you have to see to believe. It isn't quite what you might expect, even if you can guess the general beats. One can't really give Penitentiary III justice by talking about it in a few words. Check the episode out and learn about a Cannon movie that deserves to be far better known than it currently is.

This is up there with some of the better known flicks.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: American Kickboxer 2!

Episode 142 - That Championship Season (1982)

Another strange home-run, Cannon adapts a popular stage-play and Pulitzer winner by the man who played Fr. Damien Karras in the original Exorcist movie. Not only that but he directed this film himself as his only outing as director. Not only that, but the movie is also swimming in Catholic themes as well. It's an odd one, even for Cannon Films!

That Championship Season is about a group of middle-aged men who reunite every year with their coach to relive the glory days. On this reunion, their 24th, the group end up spilling their souls in a night of strange confessions and reassessment over the direction of their life, what they lack, and what they need to understand their place in the world. How often do we lose our way along the road to life? What do we need to steer our way back?

It's a bit heavy, and it is dialogue heavy since it is based on a stage play, but there is a good reason it was so highly regarded when it released. Jason Miller truly did a great job with this adaption, and it will hopefully be re-evaluated in the future. It is quite unique, even in the Cannon catalogue. Jusst don't expect much in the way of car crashes or explosions!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Penitentiary III!

Episode 141 - Ordeal By Innocence (1984)

In this unexpected adaption of an Agatha Christie novel, Cannon manages to present something a bit different than the usual. Ordeal By Innocence ends up being far more noir-ish than one might expect, with an execution that has to be seen to be believed. Cannon didn't really do much else like it, but then, neither did anyone else.

That said, it's still an Agatha Christie story, so expect some twists and turns and reveals as we barrel towards an ending hedging on the theme of the importance of innocence. It's not quite perfect, but it is perfectly unique. check out the episode to understand why.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: That Championship Season!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 109 - Road House (1989)

You knew this one was coming eventually.

What can one say about Road House that hasn't been said over a hundred times by now? But since it has regained the reputation it has deserved since the grimdark age of the 2000s, it is worth talking about even now. Probably Patrick Swayze's best known role outside of Dirty Dancing and Ghost, 1989's Road House is the movie that should have made him an action icon. It's cool, it's tough, and it's fun, an outright blast to watch with something interesting always going on.

Whatever negative idea you might have of Road House will definitely melts away when you actually see it. There really isn't anything else like it out there, and there probably never will be again. Road House is a cult favorite for a very good reason.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Up Next: Ordeal By Innocence!

Episode 140 - A Man Called Sarge (1990)

Cannon Films tackled a lot of weird genres over their brief existence, but one of the lesser known tries involved parody. In fact, 1990's A Man Called Sarge is one of the few examples of an Airplane style parody done outside of the larger studio system. The main difference is that the humor is a lot more scattershot in quality from what you might expect from a Top Secret or Hot Shots Part Deux that were more well known from the era.

That said, it's not boring, and there's always something new to see. Overall, it's a fun time, though not anything all too out there. Check out the full episode to see how it works out!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Road House!

Episode 139 - Dr. Heckyl & Mr. Hype (1980) [Revisited]

Keeping up with our habit of re-watching movies from early Cannon Cruisers episodes, we finally dove into the subject of our second episode from over five years ago! That's right, it's time for a look back on Dr. Heckyl & Mr. Hype from 1980!

Unfortunately, it has not stood the test of time. Even though we weren't fans of it the first time around, another viewing has not helped it to stand up better. In fact, it is even worse. Check out the episode to understand why.

All around a misfire, we simply can't recommend this under any circumstance. Oddly enough, we still ended up giving it the same ratings as the first go around. Weird how that works. Regardless, this one simply does not work.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Up Next: A Man Called Sarge!

Episode 138 - Keaton's Cop (1990)

This one was a bit of a surprise. Essentially a buddy cop comedy (of sorts) starring Lee Majors and Abe Vigoda, this is really Abe Vigoda's show as a reformed gangster dodging assassins and figuring out just who is after him. It's not quite as wild as it could be, but it's also not quite as slow as it is frequently portrayed as, yet it is very engaging from start to finish.

Keaton's Cop won't be anyone's favorite Cannon movie, but it's hard to not admire its spirit and its commitment to entertaining the audience. It's just an all around good time. Check the episode to see what that means.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Dr. Hekyl & Mr. Hype [Revisited]!