Episode 73 - Penitentiary II (1982)

Finally back with a sequel we've been meaning to get to for awhile! It's the follow up to the '70s cult favorite and the prequel to the '80s Cannon gem! Today we get tot talk about the last final flick in the trilogy, 1982's Penitentiary II!

After watching this trilogy out of order we came to a very strange conclusion about it, though maybe not in the way you would think. In many ways this is the perfect middle ground to the more grounded original and the insanity of the Cannon-produced finale. This one is also fortunate enough to have Ernie Hudson's most insane performance ever.

Check out today's episode to learn how they might be the case!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Happer's Comet!

Episode 71 ~ Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004)

It's very rare that you can get three entries into a series and it manages to retain quality. It's even rarer that a fourth entry manages to stack up and be recommended, but Tremors has not only managed a hat trick, but has scored a fourth goal as well.

Essentially a weird western, Tremors 4 shakes up the formula by not only completing the life cycle of the Graboid (something each movie has contributed to) but also goes as far the formula can go. Check out today's episode to see just what that means.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Phantasm IV!

Episode 69 ~ Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf (1985)

We finally get around to the sequel to director Joe Dante's breakout movie, and boy is it not what we expected. I hope you like Christopher Lee and Reb Brown (and you should!) because they are in fine form in this bizarre flick!

I don't know what else to say because there isn't anything about this movie that is straightforward. Check out today's episode to learn why that might be!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Bloodsport II!

Episode 66 ~ Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001)

Finally, we made it back to Perfection! In our sequel summer special we made the jump to the third entry in Tremors! Though there are a lot of different opinions on the movies past the first one, there is one thing that remains true: (so far) they have all been worth watching. The third entry continues the trend.

How do they manage to do it? Find out in this episode where we learn that somehow the crew has still got it!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Phantasm III!

Episode 64 ~ Critters 2: The Main Course (1988)

It's time for more Critters! We've taken our time to finally get to this sequel that we've wanted to do for some time now. You might expect this one to jus be more of the same, but no, it is a proper sequel to the cult classic original!

What happened after the events of the last movie? And can they possibly top the madness of that one? You might be surprised!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Best of the Best II!

Episode 59 ~ Lieutenant Jangles (2017)

We're still in the future with this episode. Taking another swerve, we cover this Aussie sendup/tribute to 1980s action movies and all the madness they contained. This one doesn't always land, but it does have a breeziness to it that modern action (and comedy) films seem to lack. That said, it still comes recommended.

Just be ready for the toilet humor!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Razorback!

Episode 57 ~ Real Genius (1985)

Now here is a real blast to the past! Val Kilmer's first starring role, and a comedy of the like we don't cover much made this an obvious choice to cover. All that said, does this hold up as much as you remember?

You might be surprised! Val Kilmer was an absolute treat even this far back. Check out today's to learn why that just might be!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Turbo Kid!

Episode 56 ~ Batteries Not Included (1987)

Here's one we've been trying to get to for awhile. Part Spielberg, part family friendly, part whimsy, with all the elements of the era you know so well. A movie once very well known, it has fallen hard into obscurity over the years. Why is that?

Actually,, there is a bit of a reason. While no turkey or masterpiece, there is a solid film in here worthy of discussion. However, there is a very good reason this one has slipped between the cracks. Find out why in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Real Genius!

Episode 54 ~ Amanda & the Alien (1995)

I'm not even sure how to talk about this weird example of a movie. Originally a TV flick, it has a bit of an infamous reputation, especially in regards to how 1995 it is. All the tropes are there, good and bad, and it makes this one a strange one to watch today.

Though not quite as bonkers as Tammy and the T. Rex, it's definitely of that same era. Certainly not for younger audiences, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its charms. One just might disagree that they are charms to begin with . . .

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up next: VFW!

Episode 53 ~ Short Circuit (1986)

We finally did it. After years of digging through the more obscure pictures to float about the entertainment landscape, we finally hit on one we somehow avoided. We didn't avoid it for any real reason, it just slid through the cracks.

Today we cover 1986's Short Circuit and discover just how alive Johnny 5 really is. (And we learn the famous quote is not even from this movie!)

Have yourself a Happy Easter and we will see you next week!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Amanda & the Alien!

Episode 51 ~ Top Secret! (1984)

A rarity for us! We cover one of the lesser known parody movies from the most well know parody movie creators of the 20th century. We also discover what makes these movies so much better than the ones that would come later.

On top of it, this is the first starring role of one Val Kilmer (RIP!) and what a turn he makes. All in all, there's nothing quite like Top Secret! and we're going to talk about just why that is in today's episode! It holds up really well, despite the nature of what it is.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: The Skateboard Kid 2!

Episode 49 ~ The Skateboard Kid (1993)

We're taking a break from our more recent serious fare this week to deliver an episode on one of the least talked about cult movies there is. It's time for The Skateboard Kid, the talking skateboard movie with more twists than you can shake a stick at.

But does it hold up? The scores might leave you scratching your head, at least, until you check out today's episode. The truth lies somewhere in the between on this one. And can you believe there's another one of these? Randy can't, and you'll hear all about it, believe you me!

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: The French Connection!

Episode 46 ~ Lake Michigan Monster (2018)

Today we go a little bit outside of our ballpark and discuss a more recent movie (relatively recent) than our usual fare, based more on older films than what we typically cover on Cannon Cruisers. However, it's for a good reason.

This flick shows much potential for underground and indie film in how something with such a low budget still managed to look, sound, and feel, better than modern day studio movies. Find out how that might be in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Grizzly II: The Revenge!

Episode 44 ~ Mac & Me (1988)

What can we say about Mac & Me? Seriously, it's a bizarre movie in more ways than one. In fact, it's one we go over for quite a while trying to wrap our heads around it.

More than just a rip-off of another family friendly alien movie, this might be the craziest film we've covered in some time. Find out why that is in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 2/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Ninja Terminator!

Episode 43 ~ Tango & Cash (1989)

Finally we get to one of the most influential buddy movies of them all. That's right, it's 1989's Tango & Cash! However, it's not quite what you might think it. In fact, it's very unique.

That said, it's still a blast watching it after all these years and well worth digging into. Find out why in today's episode.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Mac & Me!

Episode 42 ~ The Great Land of Small (1987)

We're finally back!

Starting from this week, the first day of February, we're returning to our normal weekly schedule again. And we've decided to start it with another "Tale's For All" movie. This time it's The Great Land of Small! How does what is described as "the Canadian Neverending Story" hold up today? Lets just say that you might be surprised.

Or not. This is "Tales For All" after all.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Tango & Cash!

Episode 35 ~ Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)

It's been long enough that we finally got around to a sequel to one of Cannon Cruisers' favorite flicks. Which is just as well since the sequel also took about as long to be made too. Finally, it is time to cover Tremors 2!

The magical part is that the film ended up being as enjoyable as the original movie, avoiding all the sequel traps along the way to make itself a worthy follow up to a classic monster movie. How did Tremors 2 do it? Tune in to find out!

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Phantasm II!

Episode 32 ~ Here For Blood (2022)

And now for something you might not expect--we finally cover a completely modern movie! In this low budget indie movie, mayhem abounds in a bit of a throwback to an older style of horror story that you just don't get too much anymore. Oh yeah, and plenty of practical effects to go around! That's always great to see.

However, it's not quite perfect. There's more to a successful chiller than throwbacks. Check out why that might be in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: The Primevals!

Episode 23 ~ The Best of Times (1986)

In the annals of the movie halls of "Films That Could Have Existed But Unfortunately Didn't (But Somehow Do?)" with the likes of Extreme Prejudice comes this movie that no one seems to remember. Starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell in an unlikely duo you would not expect, this football film is not quite what you might think it would be. 

At least in some ways. In other ways, The Best of Times falls a bit short of being a forgotten gem. Regardless, it's a solid watch. Find out why that is in this episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Hoosiers!

Episode 19 ~ Brewster's Millions (1985)

Finally, more Walter Hill! It's also a bizarre picture from him, being not only a comedy but a sports adjacent one. It was also the hit he needed to get back on track for the rest of the decade. On top of it, this flick has quite the cast.

That said, it's not quite perfect, but it manages a charm about it that feels so foreign to today. Might help that it's a remake of a much older movie, but there's more to this movie than just that. Check out today's movie to see why that might be the case!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Spotify link here!

Up Next: Vision Quest!