Episode 123 ~ Class of 1984 (1982)

You're probably aware of a few bizarre and even obscure trilogies in cinematic history, but are you aware of Mark L. Lester's "Class Of" trilogy? It's an over the top look at the school system through a B-movie lens, through making prediction, noticing pattern behavior, and framing it through pure entertainment.

The first entry, Class of 1984, is about the decaying school system as framed through Fear City-style exploitation somewhere between the first two Death Wish movies. It is surprisingly prescient, and also brutal, look at a world they thought might have been but ending up existing not that long after the release of the movie.

How does it hold up? That is the subject of today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

 

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Up Next: Class of 1999!

Episode 122 - Angus (1995)

The 1990s were known for the plethora of family films and dramas, but one that has fallen almost entirely under the radar is 1995's Angus. It's primarily known these days for having a soundtrack of alternative rock from the time, including some rare tracks from certain famous bands from the era. But how does it hold up as a movie?

Fairly well, though it is definitely not without its blemishes, which we dig into in this episode. Because, while it is a good movie overall, it could have been a great one. Learn why Angus could have been better remembered with a few tweaks.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: Class of 1984!

Episode 121 ~ Over the Edge (1979)

At the end of the day there are quite a lot of movies we've just plain missed out on. There were so many movies released over the course of the 20th century that we will never see, never mind get to on Cannon Cruisers.

Thankfully 1979's Over the Edge is not one of those movies. It's also not the kind we cover here a whole lot, though it does very much fit in with what we do.

This is a drama that is played seriously enough to be effective but not overly exploitative or grim to turn off those who want entertainment with surprising substance. It's thoughtful without being preachy, and is definitely not the sort of thing that could be made today.

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Angus!

Episode 109 ~ The Last Match (1991)

This is a movie about a football team that illegally infiltrates another country to rescue the daughter of one of their players held on dubious charges. They do not free her gently and not without extreme malice on their part.

That said, there is still a bit more you need to know about the movie. This is an Italian movie from the 1990s, after all. It goes without saying that it will not be a smooth ride. The Last Match is not all sunshine, but it is worth seeing!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: Detention!

Episode 102 ~ City of Violence (2006)

Here's a rarity from us: a '00s movie and one from Korea! This is City of Violence, a little gem of a film from a part of the world we have yet to cover on Cannon Cruisers before!

That said, it's also a lot of fun! Check out today's episode to learn how.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Bubba Ho-Tep!

Episode 98 ~ Fortress (1985)

We're back with . . . another Fortress? Yes, actually. This one is a very different movie than the last one, but it is also quite unique itself. Essentially a story of survival based on a real story, Fortress is intense and nail-biting with a cast of mostly kids that does not grate.

And it also succeeds in ways you might not think it would! Be sure to check out today's episode and please excuse the Discord quality. We had to make due with this one.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Castle Freak!

Episode 95 ~ The Heatwave Lasted Four Days (1975)

Time for another screwball! This time we cover the little known Canadian drama The Heatwave Lasted Four Days, part of a project for language learning. It's not quite the sort of subject we cover and this movie is an odd one.

That said, it also manages to hold together for the final project to become an interesting film in its own right, project limitations aside. See how that is in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Hundreds of Beavers!

Episode 93 ~ Alphabet City (1984)

Now we're getting back into it. Today we cover an underground gem you might have otherwise never come across. Alphabet City is like the portrait of a time and place that existed in one snapshot and time before completing vanishing to the mists of modernity.

That said, the plot itself isn't all that unfamiliar, but it is the execution that makes it work. Check it out how in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Dolls!

Episode 83 ~ D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

Another curveball! This week we took a turn into the high concept family films from the 1980s with the oft-forgotten D.A.R.Y.L. from 1985. And make no mistake, it's not quite what you expect from this sort of movie!

That said, there are still some well-worn tropes and ideas you might or might not enjoy. Check out today's episode to see what works!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Nightmare at Noon!

Episode 74 ~ Happer's Comet (2022)

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Cannon Cruisers where we cover a movie unlike anything we've done before. It's time for something a bit different.

How to describe this film? It can't really be done here in the limited space available, so instead I will leave it vague. Do you like vibes and strange atmosphere? There's nothing quite like this one out there in movie land.

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: Behind the Mask!

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

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Up Next: Happer's Comet!

Episode 68 ~ Kickboxer II: The Road Back (1991)

Finally we get to another sequel we've meant to cover for some time now! It's the sequel to the Van Damme classic Kickboxer. This one stars Step By Step's Sasha Mitchel and is directed by the one and only Albert Pyun!

However, it might not be the movie you are expecting from either of them, for good or bad. Check out today's episode to see why!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf!

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

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Up Next: Real Genius!

Episode 50 ~ The French Connection (1971)

We finally got some Friedkin in! It's been a journey to get to this point, but considering the DNA in this movie, it was one we had to get to eventually. So for our special 50th episode of Bonus Feature (and technically 350th overall!) we decided to cover this increasingly overlooked classic! To this day, there's nothing quite like The French Connection.

If you wish to know why that is, I suggest kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying today's episode. We really loved this one.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Top Secret!

Episode 48 ~ Cube (1997)

Today's movie is a strange one. It's a nearly flawless independent flick done on a miniscule with a lot of ambition and creativity. Despite its limitations Cube is a unique film that has gone nearly forgotten in the near two decades since its release.

So you might read this then wonder about the rating below. If it's nearly flawless, the why are the scores what they are. Well, the truth it there is only one major flaw with the movie and this one flaw damages the film in a way that was easily avoidable and ruins the experience. It's not really a plot twist, but more of a narrative decision that undercuts a lot of potential.

Find out why that is in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: The Skateboard Kid!

Halloween Spectacular VII! (Episode 30)

Welcome back to our seventh Halloween special since starting Cannon Cruisers! If you're wondering what the sixth special was last year, it ran from summer from the start of winter. That was a big one, but this year we decided to do something a bit more traditional.

Like most other years we decided to take on a classic Hollywood franchise from back in the day. Our choice? One of the heavy hitters from the 1970s: The Exorcist!

However, much like our Psycho episode, we decided to skip the most well known film everyone already knows about and has talked on incessantly over the years. It's great, you know it's great, what else can we add? Instead we decided to cover the following two entries in the series. And boy are they different!

Don't worry, though, there is plenty of talk of the original (and we even give our scores for it) as we go into what makes this sequels succeed or fail. It's quite the journey!

We've got much to cover so I won't waste your time here. Anyway, strap in and enjoy in this extra long special episode!

As always, have a Happy Halloween and a great All Saints Day!

The Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

The Exorcist III: Legion (1990)

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 4/5

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Up Next: Gymkata!

Episode 29 ~ The Sandlot (1993)

Well here it is, the end of our long-running sports special. And what better film than the last one to really stand out from the pack? It's 1993's The Sandlot, a well-regarded classic of the genre. But does it still hold up?

Obviously, yes, it does. We spanned nearly two decades in this run and it was interesting seeing the beginnings and where this genre eventually ended up. After this it would mainly be repetitive takes on the Mighty Ducks, and sometimes with adults, but this is the last one that really emphasized the importance of the sport in conjunction with the lives of the characters. And in many ways it was one of the best at doing so.

If you haven't seen it, you're missing out. Few films nail childhood in the 20th century nearly as well as this does. Give it a look.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Halloween Special VII!

Episode 28 ~ Days of Thunder (1990)

We've reached the 1990s and the tail end of our sports special! Finally we can go into the fan favorite, Days of Thunder! Does it hold up as well as you remember?

You might actually be surprised. Though originally criticized as being Top Gun with cars, the film goes beyond such a simple descriptor to showing the power of the blockbuster movie. It's a throwback, in all the best ways. Find out why that is in today's episode!

Randy's Score: 4/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: The Sandlot!

Episode 27 ~ Best of the Best (1989)

Finally, we come to this one! We've been wanting to cover Best of the Best for years, but never quite got the opportunity to do so. Not only do we get to do it today, but we finally get to dig into it for the first time!

Does it still hold up, or is it too tied to its time and place? Believe it or not, the movie might have aged better than you thought! Check out today's episode for the full scoop.

Randy's Score: 5/5

JD's Score: 5/5

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Up Next: Days of Thunder!

Episode 26 ~ The Blood of Heroes (1989)

What do you get when you combine Rutger Hauer, sports, the desert, and the post-apocalypse? Turns out you get a cult favorite most have forgotten about. It's also quite unlike any of the other movies we covered and only barely fits the theme. So that made 1989's The Blood of Heroes the perfect choice for this series!

However, it isn't all sunshine and roses. Check out today's episode to learn why!

Randy's Score: 3/5

JD's Score: 3/5

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Up Next: Best of the Best!