Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy are back with another episode, covering Blast (1997), directed by Albert Pyun. This Die Hard-inspired thriller stars Linden Ashby, Andrew Divoff, and Kimberly Warren, with Rutger Hauer stealing scenes in a memorable role. The film follows Jack Bryant (Ashby), a janitor thrust into action when terrorists take the US Olympic swim team hostage. Despite its low budget, Blast delivers solid action, a simple yet effective plot, and well-paced tension. We’ll discu...
Nov 24, 2024•24 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy are back to talk about The Primevals (2023), directed by David Allen and co-written by Randall William Cook. This long-awaited film, nearly 50 years in the making, stars Juliet Mills, Richard Joseph Paul, and Liam Rusum. The Primevals takes inspiration from classic Lost World adventures. It follows a group of explorers who encounter an ancient civilization and extraordinary creatures. Originally conceived in 1978, its journey to release was delayed by produ...
Nov 17, 2024•25 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy are back this week with something a little different—a look at the 2022 horror throwback Here for Blood . While it's not from the 1980s, this modern homage delivers on practical effects, over-the-top storytelling, and a wild premise that’s sure to grab your attention. The film follows a wrestler stepping in to babysit for his girlfriend, only to face a masked cult of sex perverts and a supernatural twist. Think Evil Dead 2 meets Friday the 13th , with a low...
Nov 10, 2024•26 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy are back with another thrilling bonus feature, diving into the 1985 martial arts classic, Gymkata . Directed by Robert Clouse and based on Dan Tyler Moore’s novel The Terrible Game , this film offers a unique fusion of gymnastics and karate with gold medalist Kurt Thomas in the lead role. This week, we follow Jonathan Cabot, played by Thomas, as he enters a deadly competition in the fictional country of Parmistan. With a coup brewing and Richard Norton’s ch...
Nov 03, 2024•23 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy are back with a spine-chilling Halloween special, diving into the haunting world of The Exorcist franchise. This episode, we’re tackling the infamous Exorcist II: The Heretic and the compelling Exorcist III . First up, we’re unraveling the chaos of Exorcist II: The Heretic . Released four years after the iconic original, this sequel takes a bizarre detour, undoing everything that made the first film a classic. Join us as we break down why this movie is cons...
Oct 31, 2024•49 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here, wrapping up our epic summer sports special with a nostalgic classic, The Sandlot from 1993. Join us as we dive into this timeless coming-of-age story, following Scotty Smalls and his neighborhood friends as they bond over baseball. Directed by David Mickey Evans , The Sandlot captures the essence of growing up, making friends, and the simple joy of a game on a sandlot. We’ll explore why this movie resonates with all ages and how it became a beloved cl...
Oct 27, 2024•24 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here, back with another exciting episode in our summer sports special. This week, we’re diving into the high-speed world of the 1990 racing film, Days of Thunder . Directed by Tony Scott , the film stars Tom Cruise , Nicole Kidman , and Robert Duvall . Despite mixed reviews at first, it became a staple in sports cinema. Join us as we break down the film’s direction, performances, thrilling NASCAR scenes, and its lasting impact. Buckle up for a ride through ...
Oct 20, 2024•27 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we’re diving into the 1989 American martial arts film, The Best of the Best . Directed by Bob Radler and featuring a star-studded cast including Philip Rhee, Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones, Sally Kirkland, Simon Rhee, and Chris Penn, this martial arts epic stands out from the typical films we cover. Unlike the usual revenge-driven narratives, The Best of the Best focuses on true competition, showcasing a team of five martial artists represe...
Oct 13, 2024•22 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. We're back with another exciting episode in our sports summer special, diving into the 1989 post-apocalyptic sports film, The Blood of Heroes . Directed by David Webb Peoples, known for his work on Blade Runner and 12 Monkeys , this film features a stellar cast including Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, and Vincent D'Onofrio. Set in a dystopian future, The Blood of Heroes introduces us to the brutal sport of Jugger, where players battle to place a dog skull o...
Oct 06, 2024•23 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. We're back with our summer sports special, diving into the 1988 American golf classic film, Dead Solid Perfect . Directed by Bobby Roth and based on Dan Jenkins' book of the same name, Dead Solid Perfect stars Randy Quaid, Katherine Harold, Jack Warden, Corinne Bohrer, and Brett Cullen, with a memorable soundtrack by Tangerine Dream. This HBO film follows the life of a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, exploring the complexities of his career and r...
Sep 29, 2024•19 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we’re diving into the 1986 sports drama film Hoosiers . Directed by David Anspaugh and written by Angelo Pizzo, Hoosiers stars Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, and Dennis Hopper. The film tells the story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that brings in a big-city coach, Norman Dale (Hackman), to lead them to the state championships. The movie is inspired in part by the Milan High School team that won the 1954 state champions...
Sep 22, 2024•26 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. Today, in our summer sports special, we're diving into the 1986 American sports comedy-drama film, The Best of Times . Directed by Roger Spottiswood and written by Ron Shelton, this film stars Robin Williams and Kurt Russell. It follows two friends attempting to relive a high school football game after losing it miserably ten years prior. Robin Williams plays Jack Dundee, a man haunted by his failure to catch the winning pass, while Kurt Russell portr...
Sep 15, 2024•22 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we're diving into the 1986 skater drama, Thrashin' . Directed by David Winters and starring a young Josh Brolin, Robert Rusler, and Pamela Gidley, this film is often described as "West Side Story on skateboards." However, the film's plot is more reminiscent of The Karate Kid , centering on a young skateboarder, Cory Webster (Brolin), who faces off against a local gang called the Daggers while falling for the sister of the gang's leader. Joi...
Sep 08, 2024•24 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we’re diving into the 1986 sports drama film Youngblood . Directed and written by Peter Markle, Youngblood stars Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and Cynthia Gibb. This film follows 17-year-old farm boy Dean Youngblood, played by Lowe, who travels to Canada to join a junior hockey team, the Hamilton Mustangs. Along the way, he navigates the challenges of the sport, the fierce competition, and his own personal struggles....
Sep 01, 2024•23 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we're diving into the 1985 American coming-of-age sports drama, Vision Quest , also known as Crazy for You . Directed by Harold Becker and starring Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Schoeffling, and Ronnie Cox, this film tells the story of high school wrestler Loudon Swain, who is determined to drop weight classes to face an unbeatable opponent. Along the way, he develops a complicated relationship with an older woman named Carla, p...
Aug 25, 2024•25 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we're cruising through the 1985 comedy classic Brewster's Millions . Directed by Walter Hill and starring the iconic Richard Pryor and John Candy, this film follows minor league baseball player Montgomery Brewster, who inherits $30 million with a catch: he must spend it all in 30 days to receive a $300 million inheritance. But spending that kind of money isn't as easy as it sounds, thanks to a series of complicated stipulations. Join us as ...
Aug 18, 2024•25 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we’re diving into the 1984 sports film The Natural . Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert Redford, this movie follows Roy Hobbs, a baseball player who gets a second chance in the big leagues after a tragic event. We’ll chat about its mythological vibes, stunning cinematography, and why it’s still a classic. Whether you love baseball or just great stories, you won’t want to miss this one. Hit play and find out why The Natural is a ...
Aug 11, 2024•23 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we're diving into the 1983 Australian family adventure, BMX Bandits. Directed by Brian Trenchard Smith and starring a young Nicole Kidman, the film follows a group of kids who stumble upon walkie-talkies used in a bank robbery. Join us to discover why BMX Bandits is a quirky gem worth checking out!
Aug 04, 2024•21 min
Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! JD and Randy here. This week, we’re continuing our sports special with the 1982 comedy-drama Six Pack . Directed by Daniel Petrie and starring Kenny Rogers, Diane Lane, and Anthony Michael Hall, Six Pack follows race car driver Brewster Baker as he encounters six young car thieves who change his life. Join us as we explore this hidden gem's nostalgic charm, laid-back vibe, and heartwarming found-family dynamics. We'll also touch on its memorable country soundtrack and w...
Jul 28, 2024•24 min
Hold onto your seats because this week on The Cannon Cruisers, JD and Randy take a wild ride with the 1981 action-comedy classic, "The Cannonball Run." Directed by Hal Needham and featuring an all-star ensemble cast, this film is a madcap adventure across the USA that you won't want to miss. Whether you're a fan of classic comedies or high-speed action, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on why "The Cannonball Run" remains a beloved classic and how it con...
Jul 21, 2024•26 min
Get ready for a gritty exploration into the world of 1979's "Penitentiary" on this week's episode of The Cannon Cruisers! JD and Randy take you on a deep dive into Jamaa Fanaka's directorial debut, a raw and unfiltered look at prison life through the lens of a wrongfully accused man who turns to boxing as his means of survival. Join us as we dissect the film's straightforward yet compelling plot, from the protagonist's wrongful imprisonment to his rise as a prison boxing champion. We'll discuss ...
Jul 14, 2024•23 min
Get ready for a nostalgic trip back to the 1970s with our latest podcast episode! We will be diving into "Skateboard: The Movie," a cult classic that captured the early days of skateboarding. The film, directed by George Gage and written by Dick Wolf, is a must-watch for fans of retro sports and cinema. Join us as we explore the story of a Hollywood agent who forms a professional skateboard team to pay off his debts. The movie features impressive tricks and a vibrant 1970s soundtrack and was rec...
Jul 07, 2024•24 min
This week on The Cannon Cruisers, JD and Randy dive into the raucous world of minor league hockey with the 1977 sports comedy cult classic, "Slap Shot." Directed by George Roy Hill and written by Nancy Dowd, this film stars the legendary Paul Newman alongside Michael Ontkean, and a host of real-life hockey players, creating an unforgettable blend of humor and brutality. Join us as we explore the chaotic charm of the Charlestown Chiefs, a struggling hockey team in the Federal League that resorts ...
Jun 30, 2024•26 min
This week, JD and Randy check out the 1976 American sports comedy gem, "The Bad News Bears." Directed by the adept Michael Ritchie and penned by the imaginative Bill Lancaster, the film features the incomparable Walter Matthau and the prodigious Tatum O'Neal, establishing a benchmark for all subsequent underdog narratives in cinema. Tune in as The Cannon Cruisers dissect the movie's masterful fusion of wit, warmth, and nuanced storytelling. Revel in the transformational journey of Morris Butterm...
Jun 23, 2024•22 min
"In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist. But there will be... Rollerball." This week in our ongoing summer sports special, the Cannon Cruisers are delving into the dystopian future of the 1975 sci-fi sports classic, "Rollerball," directed by Norman Jewison and starring James Caan. Join JD and Randy as they explore the film's unique blend of brutal sport and societal commentary with their signature wit and charm. Discover how Rollerball, a sport designed to suppress individualis...
Jun 16, 2024•30 min
"The Great Depression's Bare-Knuckle Brawler" - Summer Special Episode Step into the world of underground street fighting during the Great Depression with our latest podcast episode! This week, we dive into "Hard Times" (1975), a gripping action drama directed by Walter Hill and starring Charles Bronson and James Coburn. Join us as we explore the film's authentic portrayal of the 1930s, its timeless quality, and the standout performances by its cast. Learn about the movie's influence on later wo...
Jun 09, 2024•22 min
"The Mean Machine is Back in Action!" This week, JD and Randy kick off their summer special with a deep dive into the 1974 classic sports drama, "The Longest Yard," starring Burt Reynolds as Paul "Wrecking" Crewe. Directed by Robert Aldrich, this film blends drama, comedy, and sports in a prison setting. How does this 70s film hold up today? What makes it a trendsetter for future sports movies? Join JD and Randy as they explore the film's pacing, direction, and memorable characters. From its gri...
Jun 02, 2024•24 min
"Take off on the ultimate fantasy adventure!" This week, JD and Randy check out the 1986 family film, "Flight of the Navigator." How has the film held up after all these years? Can JD and Randy put aside any nostalgia they might have for it? Start listening now to find out!
May 26, 2024•27 min
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, JD and Randy could not meet and record together in 2020. During this time, JD recorded a series of 26 GAIDEN episodes that were not previously released on our podcast feed but only appeared on the JD-maintained Cannon Cruisers Blog. This week, JD begins his dive into the PM ENTERTAINMENT catalogue of films, starting with: Shotgun (1989) Maximum Force (1992) Rage (1995)
May 19, 2024•19 min
In a previous episode, JD discussed the 1979 horror movie "Phantasm," directed by Don Coscarelli. Over time, JD became curious to hear Randy's thoughts on the movie. So, this week, JD and Randy will discuss "Phantasm" again. "If you're looking for horror that's got balls... IT'S FOUND YOU ."
May 12, 2024•27 min
