Episode 20 - The Ambassador (1984)

This week we take a look at a political thriller starring Robert Mitchum, Rock Hudson, and several other older (for the time period) actors. Unfortunately, the movie wastes a good set up and plot idea with a lot of meandering followed by an ending that is just too out there to work. This was based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, but very loosely. It can definitely be seen in the creakiness of the story.

It is a shame because there are some good aspects to this film. Listen to the episode to hear them and our other thoughts.

As a whole, however, we just didn't go for it.

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


Next week: Missing in Action 2: The Beginning

Episode 19 - Hot Resort (1985)

Welcome back to the Cannon Cruisers! We hope you enjoyed February and are ready for more 80s goodness! This season will cover 1985, the year Cannon began to get its groove.

Unfortunately, we start season 2 with a fairly boring comedy from 1985 entitled "Hot Resort" starring Bronson Pinchot. It is a better comedy and more consistent than older films like Last American Virgin, but it is still horrifically dull. There are much better (and worse!) Cannon films to waste your time with.

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


Up next: The Ambassador

Season 2 Teaser

With just under two weeks to go the two of us figured you all would enjoy a small teaser. So here you go and we'll see you in March!

Episode 18 - Season 01 Wrap-Up

And with this episode we reach the end of our first season.

This has been an interesting project for us so far. We started Cannon Cruisers purely for a project that celebrated a forgotten era of film and ended up surprised at what we ran into. Movies were a very different beast back in the 1980s than they are now. As pieces of pure entertainment, good or bad, there was very little about this season that wasn't fun to do on a least some level.

We ended up seeing a lot of different films which helped put this time period in perspective. Season ended up covering Cannon's genre films from 1980 to 1984, almost half the decade. This was because Cannon mostly focused on re-releasing foreign films for much of this time or co-producing with other studios while having little involvement themselves. But future seasons should be much different. As of season 2 we'll be covering each year in a season until we reach then end of the '80s. As you can imagine, this means there will be many more movies to cover.

And yes, this is confirmation that Cannon Cruisers will be continuing. Season 2 should begin in March after a quick break and catch up on other projects we are working on.

But until then we leave you with our season wrap up episode where we ramble unedited for an hour and say a lot of things we probably regretted later.

Enjoy, and we'll see you in season 2!

Episode 17 - Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)

The original Breakin' was a surprise hit for Cannon. No one expected it to be that big, and yet it was a phenom. There was nothing particularly great about the film. It was a dance picture with a lot of charm and spirit and was a guilty pleasure for many. But it was also a surprise hit, being one of Cannon's most profitable movies. This led to a sequel being cranked out remarkably fast to capitalize on their success. Unfortunately, the result of striking when the iron was hot lead to this film.

While the original was unremarkable and yet absorbing, this film is an objective failure on every front. The plot is missing, the dancing is ridiculous, and the acting is even worse. Breakin' 2 is everything a sequel shouldn't be, and well deserves the reputation it has.

To find out our full thoughts, check out the episode above. Needless to say, we hated it.

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


Up Next: Season 01 Wrap-Up!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 5 - Radioactive Dreams (1985)

This week we decide to watch a very underrated film that is not even out on DVD or Blu-Ray in Region 1. This is the Noir/Comedy/Post-Apocalyptic genre pic named Radioactive Dreams directed by Albert Pyun.

A fever dream of a film, this is quite unique and original for its time and manages to hold up splendidly. Of all the films we have reviewed so far, this might be the one the both of us have agreed on the most as to its high quality. If you have not seen this one and are a fan of '80s films then you are missing out. This is a great one.

And it is also our final Non-Cannon film for Season 1!

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


Up Next: Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo

Episode 16 - Missing In Action (1984)

Here we are. It's Norris time.

The main main stars in his first Cannon film as Col. James Braddock, a Vietnam Veteran with unfinished business. Lots of action and mayhem ensue.

This is a simple film with a simple goal, and it takes a few watches to settle in, but once MIA clicks, it clicks hard. While Randy enjoyed it well enough, JD liked it enough to give it his first perfect score for an official Cannon movie. This story of a man who lost it all and fights to get it back simply resonated for him too much to sit on.

To hear our full thoughts, be sure to listen!

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


Up Next: Non-Cannon: Radioactive Dreams!