Non-Cannon ~ Episode 27 - Eliminators (1986)

For this Father's Day we cover a movie that dads and sons would enjoy watching together. In this Empire film a mandroid goes on a quest for revenge with a scientist, a mercenary, and a ninja, and battles with the forces of evil along the way.

Despite the low budget, this one oozes charm and excitement from everywhere. Those looking for an adventure movie with fantastical elements that could have used a Saturday morning adaption back in the day would be well versed in checking this one out. You will have a blast.

We sure did.

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




Up Next: Big Trouble in Little China!

Episode 59 - Masters of the Universe (1987)

Better known as the He-Man movie, this is one of the most well known films in Cannon's oeuvre. This is also Dolph Lundgren's only work with them. At the same time it is also one of Cannon's most expensive movies, and their last one with any real budget.

Suffice to say, there is much to say about this one. Tune in to see just what the two of us think of a movie that is more infamous than it is loved.

Randy's Score: 2/5

JD's Score: 3/5

Up Next: Eliminators!

Episode 58 - Three Kinds of Heat (1987)

Unfortunately, we once again meet another movie that doesn't quite cut it. After Too Much we were hoping for something better than abysmal, instead we got something worse. Another Robert Ginty flick, this one is at the same level of his others we have reviewed.

And that is a shame as this police thriller needed a budget higher than an hour's worth of minimum wage. We we are left with is movie worth nobody's time.

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



Up Next: Masters of the Universe!

Episode 57 - Too Much (1987)

It's Cannon's take on Short Circuit with that usual low budget touch. There isn't anything else to say aside from that this might be one of the worst movies we've ever covered. The fact's surrounding this film are more interesting than the movie itself.

As always, tune in to see why that is. There isn't much more to say about this one. Avoid at every cost.

Randy's Score: 1/5

JD's Score: 1/5

Up Next: Three Kinds of Heat!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 26 - Trancers (1985)

We're back with another episode of Non-Cannon. This time we cover another Empire movie--Trancers. This a hard-boiled time travel monster movie featuring much of the same cast as previous Empire favorite Zone Troopers. And this one might be just as good!

So join us for this episode where we talk about this weird film from a weird era made by a weird studio. It doesn't get more peak '80s and the golden age of B-movies than this flick. Movies like this make me glad we decided to do this project in the first place.

You won't see many other movies like Trancers, and that's a shame.

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



Up Next: Too Much!

Episode 56 - American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987)

On this Mother's Day we take a look at at movie dads would enjoy much more. That's right, it's American Ninja 2! The crew that made the original such a surprise hit is back, though it has taken an additional year for it to arrive.

Oddly enough, because of this gap between 1985's original and the 1987 sequel doesn't effect the quality of this one at all. It feels more like a Cannon film from 1986 would. Unfortunately the wait, uncommon for Cannon, also made sure to take some of the wind out of the film's sails. Of the 5 movies this is the only one with most of the same cast and crew of the original. Nonetheless, it's a Cannon movie, so you know what you're getting: super ninjas, action, and mayhem.

Not quite on the level of the original, but what is?

Randy's Score: 2/5
JD's Score: 4/5



Up Next: Trancers!

Episode 55 - Street Smart (1987)

A pet project from Christopher Reeves and one of Morgan Freeman's breakout roles, Street Smart is a drama about pimps and hookers. The streets ain't a fun place to be. Suffice to say this is a bit darker than one would expect from Cannon. A reporter lies about a story (shocker) and it comes back to bite him hard. Soon enough he learns just what horrible things wait out there in the darker corners of the city.

This is not the sort of movie you might expect from Reeve but it is not too out of joint for pictures from that era. Listen to the above episode to hear our full impressions.

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



Up Next: American Ninja 2!