The Cannon Cruisers

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week we're checking out D.A.R.Y.L. (1985), a science fiction family adventure directed by Simon Wincer and written by David Ambrose, Allan Scott, and Jeffrey Ellis. When a mysterious boy is found abandoned in the woods and taken in by a foster family, it's slowly revealed that Daryl is a Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform—a computer brain in a biologically grown human body. The film explores what it means to be human through the eyes of a boy learning to understand friendship, family, and feelings for the first time.

Join JD and Randy as they discuss the film's leisurely pacing, why the marketing spoiled the mystery, and how Barrett Oliver delivers a standout performance as a kid caught between machine and human. We break down the film's philosophical questions, the forced ending that undermines the rest of the story, and why the human elements outweigh the artificial structure problems. Tune in to hear why D.A.R.Y.L. is a solid family sci-fi film despite its mechanical flaws.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week we're diving into WolfCop (2014), a Canadian horror comedy about an alcoholic small-town cop who gets turned into a werewolf and solves crimes. Directed by Lowell Dean and written by Barnaby Dillon, this partially crowdfunded B-movie delivers exactly what the title promises: a cop who is also a werewolf. The film takes its time getting there, but once it does, it transforms into an over-the-top gore fest with practical effects and absurd humor.

Join JD and Randy as they discuss the film's uneven pacing, why the first half drags before the werewolf action kicks in, and how the practical transformation effects stand out. We break down the ridiculous action sequences, the liquor store robbery, and why the movie works best when it leans into its dumb premise. Tune in to hear why WolfCop is half boring setup and half wild B-movie fun, and whether the concept alone is enough to recommend it.

Trilogy of Terror (1975) & Trilogy of Terror 2 (1996) — Halloween Special — Horror Anthology

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! Happy Halloween! This week we're celebrating with a special double feature covering Trilogy of Terror (1975) and Trilogy of Terror 2 (1996), two made-for-TV horror anthologies created by director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson. The 1975 ABC original stars Karen Black in three roles, including the iconic Zuni fetish doll segment that inspired The Simpsons and Child's Play. The 1996 USA Network sequel stars Lysette Anthony across "Graveyard Rats," "Bobby," and "He Who Kills."

Join JD and Randy as they explore horror's evolution across two decades, from pre-slasher 1975 network TV to post-Scream cable in the 90s. We discuss Karen Black's performance, the Zuni doll's influence on horror, and why "Bobby" is the sequel's strongest segment. Tune in to hear why these Dan Curtis TV anthologies still work and how 21 years between them captures the complete horror boom.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week we're closing out spooky season with V/H/S: Halloween (2025), the latest Shudder original from the found footage anthology series. Released just days before Halloween, this collection features five shorts wrapped in "Diet Phantasma," a darkly comedic frame narrative that might be the best in the series. Directors Anna Asokavitch, Alex Ross Perry, and Casper Kelly bring wildly different tones, from terrifying to absurdist comedy.

Join JD and Randy as they break down each segment, including the haunted house tale "Coochie Coochie Coo," the Spanish-language procedural "Ut Supra Sic Infra," the disturbing "Kidprint," the Adult Swim-style "Fun Size," and the Goosebumps-meets-gore finale "Home Haunt." We discuss why this is the scariest V/H/S entry yet, how the tonal shifts affect the experience, and whether the Halloween theme elevates the franchise. Tune in for our take on this wildly inconsistent but consistently entertaining horror anthology.

Found Footage Horror / Anthology / Sci-Fi

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week we're diving into V/H/S: Beyond (2024), the seventh entry in the found footage franchise and what many consider the strongest of the Shudder originals. Directed by Jordan Downey, Virat Pal, Christian Long, Justin Long, and Kate Siegel with a script by Mike Flanagan, this sci-fi horror anthology abandons VHS for digital cameras and body cams while maintaining the series' signature intensity. The frame narrative follows a documentary investigating the mysterious Farrington House and unexplained phenomena, seamlessly connecting five shorts that explore alien encounters, rogue AI, and cosmic body horror.

Join JD and Randy as they break down each segment, from the action-packed "Stork" and the terrifying skydiving nightmare "Live and Let Dive" to the darkly comedic "Fur Babies" and the devastating "Stowaway." We discuss how the sci-fi theme creates the most cohesive V/H/S film yet, why the documentary format elevates the experience, and which shorts deliver the best gore and scares. Tune in to hear why V/H/S: Beyond currently stands alongside V/H/S 2 as one of the franchise's best entries.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re continuing our deep dive into analog horror with V/H/S 2 (2013), a sharper, bloodier follow-up that raises the bar for found footage anthologies. Directed by genre heavyweights like Adam Wingard, Gareth Evans, Timo Tjahjanto, and Jason Eisner, this sequel features four new shorts and a stronger frame narrative that connects directly to the first film.

Join J.D. and Randy as they unpack each segment, from cybernetic hauntings and zombie GoPro carnage to the unforgettable cult nightmare “Safe Haven.” We discuss what makes this sequel more consistent, more inventive, and ultimately more satisfying than its predecessor. Tune in to hear why V/H/S 2 stands as one of the best entries in the V/H/S series and a must-watch for fans of found footage horror, anthology films, and analog terror.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we crack open V/H/S (2012), the analog horror anthology that reignited the found-footage craze. Directed by a lineup of rising filmmakers including Adam Wingard, Ti West, David Bruckner, and the Radio Silence collective, the film stitches together six disturbing shorts framed by a story of petty criminals breaking into a house to steal a mysterious VHS tape.

We dig into each segment’s tone and effectiveness, from the unforgettable Amateur Night to the eerie Tuesday the 17th, and talk about what worked, what dragged, and how the series helped launch a new generation of horror directors. With its grainy style, uneven pacing, and flashes of brilliance, V/H/S stands as a messy but fascinating start to a modern horror franchise.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re looking at Remote (1993), a Moonbeam Entertainment family comedy directed by Ted Nicolaou. Starring Chris Carrara as Randy Mason, it follows a gadget-obsessed teenager trapped in a model home when three criminals move in, setting off a Home Alone–style showdown with RC cars, planes, and toys.

We talk about its padded runtime, oddball choices like Gunther the Hitler-lookalike toy, and why Buford the dog nearly steals the show. While far from a classic, Remote is a quirky 90s straight-to-video kids’ movie that mixes slapstick humour with remote-controlled chaos.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re diving into Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006), directed by Scott Glosserman. This cult horror mockumentary mixes dark comedy and slasher terror as an aspiring serial killer lets a film crew document his journey to become the next Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger.

We explore how this meta slasher cleverly deconstructs horror tropes while celebrating them, from Leslie’s meticulous preparations to the film’s shift into full-blown slasher mode. With sharp commentary on good and evil, standout performances, and a mix of humour and gore, Behind the Mask is both a parody and a love letter to the genre. Tune in as we unpack its legacy as a cult horror classic and a must-see for fans of horror comedy and slasher satire.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we dive into Happer's Comet (2022), a unique film written and directed by Tyler Tower. With a cast of the director's family and friends, this midnight mosaic of a suburban town explores isolation and alienation through vignettes that unfold under the night sky.

We unpack the film's dreamlike structure, where dialogue is absent and characters exist in their own worlds, gliding through darkness on rollerblades. We discuss the haunting cinematography, ambient sounds, and how the film captures fleeting moments. With David Lynchian influences and nighttime aesthetics, Happer's Comet challenges traditional storytelling and invites viewers to immerse themselves in its vibes.

Keep cruisin' that Cannon catalogue and everything beyond it.