I Eat Movies #31: Elmore or Less - The Ambassador (1985) / 52 Pick-Up (1986)

Cohosts Dino and Mike aren't necessarily being blackmailed (yet) but, reinforcements were greatly appreciated in I Eat Movies #31: Elmore or Less - The Ambassador (1985) / 52 Pick-Up (1986)! Joined by cohosts of CinemaTalk, Ben Reiser (cohost of 70 Movies We Saw in the 70s and Lifers) and Jim Healy, (Director of Programming at UW Cinematheque), the heat is on as the quartet discuss the dual Cannon Films adaptations of Elmore Leonard's novel. Relocated to Israel, we dive into the heavily deviated from its source material (save for the blackmailing scheme) take in The Ambassador and discuss the controversy that led to Robert Mitchum joining the production. In addition, we applaud Ellen Burstyn's physicality and the workhorse-like directing chops of J. Lee Thompson who made Cannon films his home for the 1980s. Next up, we hightail it to the City of Angels for the undeniably better and sleazier take of the same material in 52 Pick-Up. In addition, Ben and Mike share their love for Jaws 2, Jim crushes it with his best John Glover "Balmorese" impression and Dino gives insight on the machinery displayed throughout the film. Plus, Frankenheimer, porn stars and Vanity slaying round out this hefty convo on one of Cannon's most taut thrillers.