Non-Cannon ~ Episode 21 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Bit of a curve-ball this week. We go back even further into the past to one of the films that started the current modern age of Horror cinema. That's right, it's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is a movie that changed pretty much everything, and not in the best of ways. However, that is not the film's fault.

If you know much about our tastes you also know we're not all that big on slasher flicks. However, this film is quite a bit different and not all that similar to that subgenre. This is to its credit. So our take on this one might surprise you. Or it might not. Tune in to find out!

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


Up Next: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2!

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!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 20 - Runaway (1984)

Coming out of nowhere we cover this 1984 science fiction cop not-quite-Cyber-Punk-really Tom Selleck flick written and directed by Michael Crichton. Yes, that Michael Crichton. This story is about a near future where robots are used for everyday tasks. However, they sometimes go rogue and become "Runaways" and certain cops are tasked with stopping them. And our movie centers on just those cops.

This film isn't quite what you would expect with a premise like that or the talent behind it. This is no action film, but more of a thriller. You would have to set your expectations accordingly. But we did enjoy what we saw. See our full thoughts in the episode above.

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


Up Next: Invaders From Mars!

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!