A Golan-Globus Production

Golan-Globus Productions, the legendary cinematic carnival, masterminded by Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, took the 1980s by storm like a Hollywood hurricane. After seizing control of Cannon Group in 1979, they transformed it into a factory of fantastical flicks, churning out everything from adrenaline-pumping action sagas to delightfully dreadful exploitation fare. Here’s a dive into their most dazzling hits and their most gloriously disastrous duds.

Best Movies:

Breakin' (1984)

• A kaleidoscope of neon spandex, gravity-defying headspins, and the infectious beats of 80s hip-hop, Breakin' wasn't just a film; it was a seismic dancequake that rocked the world. Starring dance legends like Shabba Doo and Boogaloo Shrimp, this cinematic gem catapulted breakdancing from the streets to the silver screen with unparalleled energy.
• Audiences couldn't get enough of the electrifying dance battles, making Breakin' a box-office bonanza that ignited a global dance fever, inspiring a sequel, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, and cementing its place in pop culture history.

52 Pick-Up (1986)

• Starring Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret, 52 Pick-Up (1986) is a wild, gritty spectacle, a noir-tinged rollercoaster of betrayal, blackmail, and bullets. Directed by the legendary John Frankenheimer, this explosive adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel is a no-holds-barred dive into the seedy underbelly of 1980s Los Angeles, where glamour and grit collide in a deadly dance.
• In the grand circus of Golan-Globus productions, 52 Pick-Up shines as a dark jewel, a gritty noir thriller that showcases the best of what this dynamic duo could achieve when they aimed for the stars. It's a brutal, brilliant blend of style and substance, a film that continues to enthrall and disturb, a testament to the audacious spirit of 80s cinema. So, buckle up and brace yourself for a ride through the twisted alleys of crime and retribution, where every deal is deadly, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Runaway Train (1985)

• My favourite of the Golan-Globus output, this is a locomotive of tension and raw emotion. Runaway Train barreled onto the screen with Jon Voight and Eric Roberts delivering powerhouse performances as escaped convicts hurtling towards doom. Under the masterful direction of Andrei Konchalovsky and based on a screenplay by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, this film was a tour de force of suspense.
• Lauded by critics and showered with accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Voight and Roberts, "Runaway Train" was a testament to Golan-Globus' ability to produce art amidst their popcorn blockbusters.

Worst Movies:

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

• In an attempt to resurrect the Man of Steel's cinematic glory, Superman IV swooped in with grand ambitions but crashed spectacularly. Christopher Reeve donned the cape once more, battling the sun-powered nemesis Nuclear Man in a plot riddled with cheese and lackluster effects.
• With a budget seemingly powered by kryptonite, this debacle spiraled into infamy, dragging the iconic Superman franchise into the depths of cinematic despair and serving as a cautionary tale of hubris for the Cannon Group.

Masters of the Universe (1987)

• Behold the live-action spectacle of He-Man, the buffest hero in the cosmos, battling the sinister Skeletor! Starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, this film promised epic battles and mythical magic but delivered a campy, convoluted mess that left fans bewildered.
• Despite the muscled might of Lundgren and Langella’s hammy villainy, the film’s meager budget and hokey special effects turned it into a gloriously gaudy flop. It remains a nostalgic treasure trove of 80s kitsch and a guilty pleasure for many.

Lifeforce (1985)

• Directed by the horror maestro Tobe Hooper, Lifeforce unleashed a bizarre blend of space exploration, vampiric seduction, and apocalyptic horror. Featuring Mathilda May as a mesmerizing space vampire and a plot that defied logic, it was a hallucinatory ride through chaos.
• Though it aimed for the stars, Lifeforce crash-landed with audiences, its absurdity overshadowing its ambition. It has since achieved cult status, adored for its sheer audacity and outlandish execution.

Influence and Legacy:

Golan and Globus were the wild-eyed ringmasters of an 80s film circus, cranking out movies with a devil-may-care attitude and a relentless drive to entertain. Their fearless production spree resulted in a rollercoaster filmography, blending cult classics with magnificent misfires. Love them or laugh at them, their influence on the era's cinematic landscape is undeniable. They dared to dream big, often stumbling spectacularly, but always leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood's history.