Cannon Films | Offscreen
The Cannon film studio, run by Israelian cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, is synonymous with the eighties – a time of superficial excess and bravado, rampant consumerism and neoliberalism. President Ronald Reagan like none other symbolises the political zeitgeist and Cannon Films almost seems to be the official propaganda service of the White House, with All American Heroes like Chuck Norris, Charles Bronson and Sylvester Stallone defending the Free World from the communist “Evil Empire”.
Cannon also stood for a production model in which outright pulp films got blown up to blockbuster proportions. Ninjas, bodybuilders and bazookas take over the cinema screens, and JCVD gets moulded into a Hollywood film star. The bravado of the two Cannon founders had such a great impact on film production and marketing that its influence is still noticable in today's film industry.
Neatly divided between Cinema Nova and Cinematek, no less than 18 Cannon productions – the good, the bad and the worst of their colossal filmography – appeal to the ultimate “guilty pleasure” gut feeling.
Masters of the Universe
He-Man leaves the planet of Eternia and lets his biceps roll over LA in this poorly recieved yet memorable toy film. With Courtney Cox by his side, Dolph Lundgren takes on the evil armies of Skeletor in the skimpiest of underpants. Pure camp!
King Solomon's Mines
The world famous adventurer Allan Quatermain goes on a quest for the legendary diamond mines of king Solomon. Cannon attempts to hook onto the success of Indiana Jones and more than succeeds with this amusing adventure film. The cast features Richard Chamberlain, John Rhys-Davies and a young Sharon Stone.
The Apple
At a song contest, Alphie and Bibi draw the attention of Mr. Boogalow, a Mephisto-like music mogul. They become tools in an evil master plan to conquer the world by song and dance. Disco glitter a-gogo in this awful musical that hits so stupendously wide off the mark that only hilarity remains.
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
When an unscrupulous developer wants to bulldoze the local youth centre, a group of breakdancers tries to stop him in his tracks. Electric boogie, neon colours, tight lycra, disarming naivety and hair brushed sky-high: the eighties shine in all their fluorescent splendour.
- ‹‹
- 2 of 2
Offscreen photostream
