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!

Episode 15 - Ninja III: The Domination (1984)

Happy New Year! Today we great the end of 2017 with the end of Cannon's Ninja Anthology trilogy. Unlike the first two, this one is bonkers.

Starring Lucinda Dickey and Sho Kosugi, Ninja 3 contains horror elements, dance movie elements, and action movie elements into one almost cohesive whole. None of the three actually mix, but they're all pretty inoffensive and make up for one entertaining package.

That said, it is the weakest of the three and will probably only be enjoyed by those who liked the first two. It still remains recommended, however.

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


Up Next: Missing in Action

Episode 14 - The Exterminator 2 (1984)

*Note* Merry Christmas! We are sorry for delivering this a bit late than usual, but we hope it was worth the wait!


Four years after the surprise hit action film, Cannon releases a sequel. Is it as bad as the original? Listen as we discuss whether it holds up or not.

Regardless of how it compares, the film is also not very good. There aren't really any action scenes aside from the ending, the plot barely holds together, and the heavy editing works against the movie. This is not recommended, and it is clear why Cannon did not pursue this franchise further. There isn't really anything to build on.

There are far better action pieces from Cannon, including one coming very soon.

Randy's Score: 1/5
JD's Score: 2/5


Up Next: Ninja III: The Domination

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 4 - The Exterminator (1980)

This action movie was a surprise hit when it was first released in 1980. Before action movies took the scene by storm, vigilante movies like Dirty Harry and Death Wish were the thing to be. This one starred Robert Ginty as a Vietnam veteran who is pushed too far and decides to slaughter perps after they attack a friend of his.

To be frank, this movie is terrible. There is no plot and no central villain. Characters dip in and out of the story. The main character destroys any justification of his crusade out of the blue. The ending makes no sense. Nothing follows. The direction is pedestrian. The acting is atrocious.

Randy disliked it, but JD outright hated it more than any movie they have covered thus far. Find out why in this episode!

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


Up Next: The Exterminator 2!