The Cannon Cruisers

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re diving into the 1986 sci-fi comedy Short Circuit, directed by John Badham. The story follows Number Five, a military robot who gets struck by lightning, gains sentience, and escapes into the real world. With Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy, and Tim Blaney voicing Johnny Five, this one mixes 80s charm, humour, and just a bit of existential pondering.

We talk about the film’s practical effects, its take on artificial intelligence, and the pop culture flavour that still sticks. The story’s simple, but Johnny Five’s personality and the film’s tone carry it. Tune in for our thoughts on what works, what doesn’t, and why Short Circuit still sparks interest decades later.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re diving into The Skateboard Kid 2 (1994), the sequel that somehow ups the weirdness with an alien skateboard and a plot that barely holds together. This time, it’s about a kid named Sammy who gets a flying skateboard from space and tries to win a local skate competition—because why not?

We break down the film’s baffling story choices, odd character interactions, and moments that left us scratching our heads. From awkward age gaps to logic-defying twists, this one had us equal parts frustrated and entertained. Tune in for our take on how The Skateboard Kid 2 stacks up—and tumbles down—in the world of 90s family films.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re taking a wild ride through Top Secret! (1984), a chaotic spoof from the Zucker Brothers that mashes Cold War spy tropes with 1950s rock musicals. Val Kilmer makes his film debut as Nick Rivers, a rock star who stumbles into a plot involving a kidnapped scientist and an underground resistance in East Germany.

We talk about the film’s genre mashup, its ridiculous musical numbers, and the offbeat humour that sets it apart from other parodies of the time. It’s packed with visual gags and absurd setups, from underwater brawls to prison cows. We also reflect on Kilmer’s legacy and what makes Top Secret! a strange but memorable entry in the comedy genre.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re cruising through The French Connection (1971), the gritty neo-noir thriller directed by William Friedkin. Gene Hackman stars as Popeye Doyle, a relentless narcotics cop navigating the dangerous streets of 1970s New York. It's a tense, street-level look at crime, obsession, and moral ambiguity.

We break down the film’s legendary car chase, the grim feel of Fear City, and the messy, complicated characters that drive the story. We also dig into its impact on the crime genre and how it reflects the era’s urban decay. Tune in as we talk through what makes The French Connection a standout piece of American cinema.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re looking at The Skateboard Kid (1993), a family comedy about Zach Tyler, a kid who’s adjusting to life in a new town. With help from a magical talking skateboard—voiced by Dom DeLuise—Zach deals with bullies and stumbles into a treasure hunt full of odd misadventures.

We break down the film’s strange premise, its low-budget effects, and some of the more questionable plot points, like the sudden romance between Zach’s dad and the neighbour, and the skateboard’s bizarre abilities. Tune in for a critical look at this 90s curiosity and how it’s held up over the years.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re diving into Cube (1997), a Canadian indie sci-fi thriller that traps seven strangers in a deadly maze of rooms rigged with lethal traps. Directed by Vincenzo Natali and made on a tiny $350,000 budget, this cult classic stands out for its tense atmosphere and unique premise.

We get into the film’s claustrophobic setting, sharp character dynamics, and the hidden meaning behind the characters’ prison-inspired names. From the clever use of numbers to the minimalist design, there’s a lot to unpack. We also talk about a key character shift that changes the tone and impacts the story. Tune in as we break down what makes Cube such a memorable entry in Canadian cinema.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re trudging through Grizzly 2: Revenge (2020), a film that spent 27 years in limbo before finally being released. Featuring blink-and-you’ll-miss-them early roles from George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Charlie Sheen, this bizarre sequel to the 1976 original blends horror with concert footage in a way that barely holds together.

We break down the film’s messy plot—vengeful grizzly, nature poachers, and a rock concert in the woods—while tackling its disjointed storytelling, odd editing, and pacing that makes the bear seem more supernatural than terrifying. A true cinematic train wreck, Grizzly 2 is proof that some movies should probably stay unfinished.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re diving into The Lake Michigan Monster (2018), an adventure comedy horror film that follows an alcoholic sea captain and his misfit crew on a mission to take down a mysterious lake monster. Made for just $7,000, this indie oddity is packed with absurd humour, wild storytelling, and a distinct low-budget charm.

We break down its black-and-white aesthetic, ambitious effects, and chaotic narrative, along with the surprisingly creative monster design. With nods to classic horror and a style that swings between clever and completely unhinged, this episode explores what makes The Lake Michigan Monster a true indie curiosity.

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re diving into Ninja Terminator (1985), the chaotic cult classic directed by Godfrey Ho. Starring Richard Harrison, this film mashes together ninja action and baffling storytelling using Ho’s infamous “Frankenstein” editing style, splicing footage from unrelated Hong Kong films into one hilariously disjointed adventure.

We’re breaking down the nonsensical plot about magical statue pieces, the endless fight scenes, and the unforgettable moments with toy robots and Garfield phones. It’s a bizarre mix of slapstick humor, random explosions, and pure absurdity. Tune in for a celebration of everything weird and wonderful about Ninja Terminator!

Hey Cannon Cruisers fans! This week, we’re taking a wild ride through Mac and Me (1988), the sci-fi family film directed by Stuart Raffill. This one follows a young boy in a wheelchair who befriends Mac, an alien separated from its family after a NASA mishap on Mars. What follows is a bizarre adventure packed with product placements, questionable logic, and unintentional comedy.

We break down the film’s surreal narrative, its blatant E.T. rip-off elements, and the over-the-top marketing for McDonald's. From the unsettling puppetry that brings Mac to life to moments that leave you asking, “Why?”, we dig into what makes Mac and Me one of the most infamous “so bad it’s good” movies of all time.

Of course, we can’t ignore the McDonald’s dance-off, the Coca-Cola-fueled alien revival, or the sheer absurdity that somehow makes this film unforgettable. So grab your Skittles (upside down, of course) and tune in for a breakdown of one of the strangest cult films out there!