Episode 46 - Duet for One (1986)

For the last film of season 3 we cover this little known drama from 1986. A woman discovers she has a disease that will eventually takes her life and begins reassessing everything she is and has built for herself. Needless to say, it's not the sort of movie we usually cover here.

It's not a bad movie, though. It's a bit typical and expected of a subversive and hedonistic view at mortality, but it has good performances and directing. As usual you can hear our full thoughts in the episode above.

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


Up Next: Season 3 Wrap-Up!

Episode 45 - Firewalker (1986)

We're back to Norris, but not the sort of thing you might expect. This 1986 movie directed by the director of most of Bronson's '80s films is an attempt at a world-hopping buddy comedy with typical Chuck Norris action. This is not what you would normally see from Cannon and it comes together in a surprising way.

As always, check the full episode above for proper impressions. Nonetheless, we had fun.

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


Up Next: Duet for One!

Non-Cannon ~ Episode 22 - They Live (1988)

As teased, we dive into this cult classic from 80s favorite John Carpenter. In a world fractured by modern life and the drab ennui of an endless conveyor-belt existence, someone discovers they key to it all. It turns out that while we sleep, they live. And now it's time to fight back.

This is an extremely controversial film in a lot of ways, and is not one that would release today, with an intense brutality and bleak worldview that was ahead of its time. We cover that a bit, but also if it holds together as a film. As usual, check the episode for our full thoughts.

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


Up Next: Firewalker

Episode 44 - Murphy's Law (1986)

Bronson is back! In this action adventure buddy comedy, cop Jack Murphy finds himself paired with a criminal as they attempt to solve a conspiracy and clear his name. Directed by J. Lee Thompson (who directed every Bronson film from the era aside from Death Wish 2, 3, and 5) this is a bit different than what either of these pair had been up to at Cannon.

However, it isn't exactly perfect, and we'll go into that further in the episode. Suffice to say, it is a movie worth finding (which we had trouble doing) and one of Charles Bronson's better later career movies.

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


Up Next: Non-Cannon! Better ready your sunglasses...

Episode 43 - 52 Pick Up (1986)

Today we cover a movie as surprising as it is compelling. This film is based on an Elmore Leonard novel. In fact, it's based on the same one as earlier episode The Ambassador is! The production history behind this one is bizarre, being that the same company is even involved in it.

However, unlike that movie, this one had direct involvement from the author to create a picture that fits the Cannon mold while still striking a perfect chord for noir thriller fans.

As always, check out the episode for our full thoughts!

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


Up Next: Murphy's Law!

Episode 42 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

In the '80s there were few genres as easily exploitable as horror. While action required a budget to blow things up and shoot people to pieces, horror merely required a few actors and a costume or puppet to make bank. This is why it is funny that Golan and Globus didn't actually invest all that much in the genre despite their penny-pinching ways.

And nowhere does that show more than here. After locking down horror master Tobe Hooper to a three picture deal, they had him make whatever he wanted with this sequel to the film that broke him. The result is not an '80s slasher film as you might expect, but a black comedy. Yes, you read that right.

But does it work? As always, check the episode to find out!

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


Next: 52 Pick-Up!

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!