Cannon Group, Inc a film studio founded by Dennis Friedland and Christopher C. Dewey was quite a renowned production house that generated more than a dozen films every year. It was more prominent in the 80s when stalwarts like the late Menahem Golan and his cousin Yoram Globus were associated with the studio.
Who wouldn’t remember the iconic Cannon promotional video in the voice of the late Don LaFontaine going “We are Cannon Films and we are dynamite.” To be fair, there was an explosion right after that. However, within a few months of the promo video and a BBC documentary, Cannon saw a sharp decline almost as quickly as it had experienced success.
While Cannon can be contributed with several productions in the later 1980s, box office failures like Superman IV and Masters Of The Universe came with their own consequences.
To add to that films like Spiderman and a sequel to the Master of the Universe did not work out despite spending $2 million on the latter’s sets and costumes. It wouldn’t take a bright mind to guess why Cannon failed.
Even in the light of its failure, there is no reason not to celebrate this legendary film studio. Let’s take you through 12 of the cheesiest but entertaining B-movies that The Cannon Group has churned out so far.
Alien from L.A. (1988)
The film is premised on Wanda Saknussemm, a geeky social oddball who wears large glasses and has an odd squeaky voice. She is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her for her lack of sense of adventure.
On receiving a letter that states her archaeologist father fell into a bottomless pit and died, Wanda, not wanting to believe that, decides to go looking for her him. Soon, she finds herself in a strange subterranean world, one where she is not only mistaken to be a secret agent but also wanted dead.
You might be surprised to know this that ever since Alien from L.A. was featured on Joel Hodgson’s Mystery Science Theater 3000, this sci-fi flick has been considered a cult classic. If you are wondering why, it might be because the 1988 movie roped in supermodel Kathy Ireland portray Wanda.
To understand the plot of Aliens from LA, add a teaspoon of Alice in Wonderland, a bit of The Wizard of Oz, and mix them well with Blade Runner and Spacehunter. But mind you, do not make the blunder of expecting this movie to be as good as any of the ingredients that we have mentioned.
That being said, the movie is so outré that who knows, you might actually end up loving it. Everyone’s aware of the low budget but the sets on display happen to be quite the highlight. You also cannot deny the ‘Roger Corman cult atmosphere’ encircling the whole movie. Just don’t take the story seriously and you are good to go!
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986)
This movie came as a sequel to the 1985 movie, King Solomon’s Mines. This film sees Allan Quatermaine being paired with Jesse Huston yet again. Here they are seen looking for the former’s long-lost brother, Robeson who vanished as if in thin air while exploring Africa. Allan and Jesse learn of the ‘Lost City of Gold’ and decide to explore more.
Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone’s reprisal of the roles of Allan Quatermain and Jesse Huston respectively works well for this film. Credits must also be given to Henry Silva for shining in the role of the evil High Priest, Agon who adds on to make this movie an interesting watch.
Mark our words when we say that Gary Nelson’s Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold is hilarious to a whole new level, so much so that you might even have to grasp for a breath. We guarantee that you won’t be able to stop laughing.
Also, many have actually compared this film with Indiana Jones and the calling it a total rip-off. Well, here’s the thing – why not give it a shot and be the judge yourself?
American Cyborg: Steel Warrior (1993)
World War III has rendered civilizations barren and has led AI to take over the world. Amidst this chaos, the only woman to have been able to conceive a child must make her way through a perilous city to a seaport where a ship is to be on its way to Europe.
Soon enough, she is pursued by a robot assassin who is relentless in its task to get the woman and her baby while a cyborg mercenary vows to protect her.
Boaz Davidson’s 1993 science fiction action flick is mostly remembered for its action sequences: we are stressing on the kicks, shootouts and the running scenes of course. You are bound to fancy the set design; who would have ever thought that this low budget film would go out of its way to create that perfect post-apocalyptic atmosphere? Special mention to the makeshift cities and the hideouts on display they are visually outstanding and manage to look so alive.
You might feel the storyline of the movie a bit similar to Terminator but believe us when we tell you that this movie delves into a territory that none of the first two Terminator movies even thought of considering.
John Ryan as the killer android assassin happens to be way more intimidating than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800. American Cyborg: Steel Warrior is also the last film that was released by the Cannon group.
Trust us, this movie will drive you to the edge of your seats given its fast pace whilst also keeping you thoroughly entertained.
American Ninja (1985)
This film is premised on an orphaned drifter Joe Armstrong who finds himself on an Army base in the Philippines after the judge gives him the choice of either enlisting himself or going to prison.
During one of his first missions steering a convoy, his unit gets wiped out by a group of Black Star ninjas who kidnap Patricia Hickock, the commanding officer’s daughter. Joe manages to rescue Patricia and escort her safely to the base.
However, since most in the squadron are killed, Joe’s superiors are led to believe that he is guilty of weakness, association and incompetency. Meanwhile, the Black Star Master ninja swears to take vengeance on the soldier who interrupted his plans, and sends an army of ninjas to butcher him and also bring back Patricia.
While it’s true that initially this first installment in the American Ninja franchise did receive a mixed reception, there was nothing stopping this martial arts action film from becoming a financial success and cult movie.
Cut to 2021, Sam Firstenberg’s American Ninja might seem ludicrous and even unrealistic to many but do believe us when we tell you that the movie is ridiculous in the best possible manner.
The film boasts well staged 80’s action sequences- the sword fighting scenes in water definitely deserve a mention along with the shot that has a butterfly knife dangerously tossed back and forth against Joe.
The highlights are definitely the ninjas, who happen to be entertaining along with the late Steve James playing the role of Corporal Curtis Jackson. The latter, despite his limited screentime, effortlessly managed to put up a show.
American Ninja is highly recommended and there’s nothing that a crate of beer pints won’t do to give you some epic company.
The Barbarians (1987)
This 1987 sword and sorcery flick directed by Italian filmmaker Ruggero Deodato is based on the life of twin brothers Kutchek and Gore of the Ragnicks tribe. The brothers are on a mission to seek retribution from a diabolical tyrant who was responsible for not only ambushing and slaughtering their tribe but also had them separated and imprisoned in his fortress.
It’s hard to believe that Deodato happens to be the same director who came up with the 1980 Italian cannibal movie, Cannibal Holocaust, and as compared to that, this one here is pretty tame, lighthearted and most importantly, fun to watch.
We have real life siblings, Peter and the late David Paul, essaying the Barbarian brothers and both seemed to have an incredible time portraying them.
Our heroes are quite muscular, we have a damsel in need of saving, and the villain is an exaggerated version of all bad guys combined. What more can you want in a movie like this?
The Barbarians is a film that does not even try taking itself seriously. It’s a pure classic but in its own way.
Cyborg (1989)
Albert Pyun’s 1989 martial arts cyberpunk film is set in a post-apocalyptic setting, where the outbreak of the living dead has crippled evolution. A small group of surviving scientists do their best to work out a solution that can salvage what is remaining of humanity. But in order to complete their work, they need access to some data, which is stored in a computer in New York City.
Pearl Prophet, who steps forward for the dangerous mission, is made into a cyborg and sent to retrieve the info. Soon after she manages to lay her hands on the information, she is abducted by the malicious Fender Tremolo and his crew of murderous marauders. Now, it is up to mercenary Gibson Rickenbacker to not only save Pearl from his evil nemesis but also kill him, as he was the one who slayed Gibson’s family.
For a running time of 82 minutes, the film is pretty fast paced with a spectacular post-apocalyptic environment as the backdrop and some amazing action scenes on display. It goes without saying that Jean-Claude Van Damme as Gibson was convincingly badass. Apart from Jean, full credits to Pyun’s direction along with Lalo Schifrin and Kevin Bassinson’s mind-blowing musical score.
Many of you might not know this, but Cyborg happens to be the last certified theatrical release for the Cannon Group post going broke in 1987. So, while it might have been made on a low budget, that does not stop viewers from witnessing some cool cinematographic visuals, slick gore, and kickass action scenes.
Gor (1987)
Loosely based on the 1966 novel Tarnsman of Gor, Gor is a science fantasy flick directed by Fritz Kiersch which revolves around a socially awkward professor of Physics, Tarl Cabot, who is accidentally transported to the planet Gor, thanks to a magical ring. Now, it is up to Tarl to overthrow the evil despotic priest King Sarm and make his way back to Earth somehow.
What’s there not to love here? You have fantasy, action, a great deal of violence, a whole new setting, and a bevy of some spectacularly hot, sexy women.
Rebecca Ferratti as Talena looked drop dead gorgeous! It was also a sheer delight to witness the character development of Urbano Barberini, who was quite charming as Cabot.
A small piece of advice though, if you decide to give Gor a shot, we would sincerely urge you not to compare it with the novel it’s adapted from.
Hot Chili (1985)
A group of four adolescents takes a trip to Mexico in search of work and soon gets employed at a resort there. There, they indulge themselves in crazy adventures with a German dominatrix, a music instructor who gets horny while giving lessons, a chef boasting enormous breasts, and two older individuals who engage in partner swapping. However, one of the boys refrains from all the sexual activities in the hopes of finding true love.
The fact that this 1985 flick by William Sachs doesn’t take itself seriously is what makes this typical teenage sex comedy way more compelling and equally watchable. Meet Hot Chili, a total blast from the past, boasting some of the craziest characters on screen.
But the one that actually happens to truly steal the spotlight in the movie is undeniably the resort itself. Finding an actual ‘Hacienda Tropicana Cabana’ can be quite a task. After all, having exquisite suites and swimming pools are such a passé!
With a running time of 86 minutes, Hot Chili is an instant classic and therefore, highly recommended.
Ninja III: The Domination (1984)
A telephone line woman and aerobics Coach Christie Ryder was possessed by the malevolent spirit of a dying ninja who wanted to use Christie’s body to exact revenge on the police officers who were responsible for his death. Starting off with a noticeable behavioral change, Ryder gradually starts with the killings that only another ninja can stop.
Sam Firstenberg’s 1984 martial arts action horror film is the third movie in the Ninja trilogy anthology series produced by the Israeli cousins along with David Womark. We have the beautiful Lucinda Dickey here who literally had on display the most athletic built female back and let’s not forget those biceps.
Ninja III: The Domination features some epic action scenes. For starters, the black ninja takes 17 shotgun blasts before possessing Ryder. It’s all anything but boring and there are plenty of scenes here that will have you in splits. In simple words, never underestimate a ninja movie, especially one that’s blended with bits of The Exorcist!
The Naked Cage (1986)
The Naked Cage is a harrowing narrative of a young woman falsely accused of a bank robbery and is thrown into a prison run by a sadistic, crooked warden. Her life is nothing short of a struggle as she endures a prison life riddled with sexual assaults, bullying, and drug addictions that run uncontrolled.
Paul Nicholas’ 1986 American drama has literally everything that a viewer might expect in a woman centric prison film. Right from merciless prison guards, lesbian encounters, a mass shower scene, women fiercely fighting women and a lot of unwanted female nudity, you name it and this movie has it!
This movie showcases unprecedented with catfights, women slapping and pulling each other’s hair is pretty common. With a running time of 97 minutes, director and screenwriter Nicholas not only keeps a brisk pace but also maintains a more than perfect sordid tone throughout the movie. Also, it’s pretty tough to disregard Shari Shattuck’s hard-hitting dialogue here, “After everything you have done to me, you don’t think I have the guts to kill you?”
While this film might not blow the audience away you are still likely to have an entertaining watch.
Night Terrors (1993)
Night Terrors is premised on a young woman who takes a trip to Cairo to visit her father and becomes involved with a bizarre sadomasochistic cult led by the domineering Paul Chevalier who claims to be a descendant of the Marquis de Sade.
Tobe Hooper’s Night Terrors was bombarded with negative reviews however it does not mean the movie was without its own merits. The cast does not fail to impress with their acting prowess with several symbolisms scattered throughout the film and a dark story to keep the audience engaged.
This film is neither a mainstream horror nor slasher film but an old school horror narrative with in-depth details of evil and corruption. The pace is intentionally slow until the end where everything finally starts making sense.
Believe us when we tell you that you have simply no reason not to watch this flick here.
Breakin’ (1984)
Joe Silberg’s 1984 musical-themed film is premised on a struggling young jazz dancer Kelly Bennett, also known as ‘Special K’ who comes across Ozone and Turbo, two street dancers. Spellbound by their dancing, the trio join forces to become an independent dance troop that soon becomes a street sensation.
Breakin’ went on to become the most financially successful movie of Cannon Films as distributors. The film was said to have been inspired by Golan’s daughter who had wished to see a group of break dancers performing before a crowd at the beach.
The dancing on display is exceptional and probably the main reason you will be hooked if you decide to give it a shot. Watch it for Lucinda Dickey, who looks breathtakingly beautiful here. And if you tend to be a Jean-Claude Van Damme fan, you cannot afford to miss his cameo!