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 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 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 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 137 - Aladdin (1986)

Here is a triple decker of weirdness. It's a 1980s family movie, it's made by Cannon Films, and it is Italian. Those are three aspects that do not tend to blend together well, but in this case, it somehow works out to make a surprisingly fun experience.

Aladdin, known in Italian as Superfantagenio, is a goofy family comedy, with an escalation you have to see to believe, and starring one of the true heavyweights of the Italian world, Bud Spencer himself, to deliver a movie somewhat out of its time, and yet is one that could only be made at the time it was, before family filmmaking became standardized in the 1990s with the PG-13 and G rating. Check this one out for an experience you might not quite expect.

As always, we reveal more in the full episode!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Up Next: Street Hunter!

Episode 113 - Dangerously Close (1986)

Once again we went back to cover a movie we missed the first time. In this case it is Cannon Cruisers favorite Albert Pyun, and his third film Dangerously Close. This one is about a school "neighborhood watch" type group going a bit mad with power.

This one is a bit different from the usual Pyun fare, being oddly coherent and down to earth. However, this also keeps it from having that weird factor a lot of his other films do. Despite that, it's not a bad watch. Just not the most memorable movie.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Tammy & the T-Rex!

Episode 111 - The Naked Cage (1986)

Here's an obscure one we missed from 1986. It's the women prison movie, The Naked Cage. This is more or less what you expect, except with a bit of a Cannon edge to it. If you've watched any of their action or horror movies, I think you know where this is going.

That said, it isn't quite manic enough to impress, despite enough going for it to drag it out of pure middle of the road entertainment. Hard to fully recommend, but it does hold together as a story. If even just barely.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Death Warrant!

Episode 46 - Duet for One (1986)

For the last film of season 3 we cover this little known drama from 1986. A woman discovers she has a disease that will eventually takes her life and begins reassessing everything she is and has built for herself. Needless to say, it's not the sort of movie we usually cover here.

It's not a bad movie, though. It's a bit typical and expected of a subversive and hedonistic view at mortality, but it has good performances and directing. As usual you can hear our full thoughts in the episode above.

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


Up Next: Season 3 Wrap-Up!

Episode 45 - Firewalker (1986)

We're back to Norris, but not the sort of thing you might expect. This 1986 movie directed by the director of most of Bronson's '80s films is an attempt at a world-hopping buddy comedy with typical Chuck Norris action. This is not what you would normally see from Cannon and it comes together in a surprising way.

As always, check the full episode above for proper impressions. Nonetheless, we had fun.

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


Up Next: Duet for One!

Episode 44 - Murphy's Law (1986)

Bronson is back! In this action adventure buddy comedy, cop Jack Murphy finds himself paired with a criminal as they attempt to solve a conspiracy and clear his name. Directed by J. Lee Thompson (who directed every Bronson film from the era aside from Death Wish 2, 3, and 5) this is a bit different than what either of these pair had been up to at Cannon.

However, it isn't exactly perfect, and we'll go into that further in the episode. Suffice to say, it is a movie worth finding (which we had trouble doing) and one of Charles Bronson's better later career movies.

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


Up Next: Non-Cannon! Better ready your sunglasses...

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!

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!

Episode 39 - Invaders From Mars (1986)

A remake that is fairly unnecessary, yet well done, Tobe Hooper's 1986 horror film is not the sort of movie made anymore. This is more or less a 1950s horror movie made in the 1980s featuring the sort of atmopshere, neighborhoods, and locations that don't actually exist anymore. It's a story of a child's nightmare and all that one might find scary.

As it is, the movie is not the most original, but it does have quite a bit of spirit to it. We enjoyed our watch of it, even though it ended up being one of the last movies Tobe Hooper made for a big studio. As always, find out our full thoughts above.

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


Up Next: Detective School Dropouts!

Episode 38 - Thunder Run (1986)

Initially sold as a high speed chase stunt film, Thunder Run is not quite what its marketing would have you believe it is. What it is is a slow paced film that takes far too long to get going and isn't much in the way of exciting when it finally does. It also doesn't help that there is nothing to engage the viewer along the way.

I would recommend skipping this film, but not our episode. Find out out full thoughts above.

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


Up next: Runaway!

Episode 37 - Cobra (1986)

I've been waiting to get to this one. Cobra is a movie that separates the weak from the strong and the men from the manchildren. A pure testosterone fest thriller of shooting, chases, and over the top carnage, Cobra is the epitome of 1980s action film. Whether it is the best or not is up to interpretation, but it definitely covers all the bases. Feel the heat!

What did we think of this movie? Well, tune in to find out. Perhaps our scores will give you a hint.

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


Up Next: Thunder Run!

Episode 36 - Behind Enemy Lines (1986)

No, that title isn't wrong and neither is the poster. This is a film with a troubled production and release history and with names like that you can probably imagine why. It hasn't been fondly remembered or has any cult status, and it's for good reason.

The movie simply isn't good. There's no way to say it without dancing around the subject. Tune in to see why we felt why.

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


Up Next: Halloween Spectacular

Episode 35 - America 3000 (1986)

In a world where plot doesn't exist and characters just as forgotten, one company will make a nonsensical film that will become a cult classic. For some reason. In case you haven't figured it out, I am referring to Cannon's America 3000, hands down one of the worst films we've reviewed yet.

If you're wondering why I didn't mention the plot then listen to the episode to understand why. It's quite the flop of a movie.

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


Up Next: Twilight Zone: The Movie!

Episode 34 - Highlander (1986)

It's time for a quickening. That's right, on this edition of Cannon Cruisers, we are covering the action adventure classic, The Highlander. Starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown, this is well known for a reason. Immortals, sword fights, and a kick butt soundtrack await you in this 1986 picture.

But what did we think of it? You might be surprised. Or maybe not.

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


Up Next: America 3000