NOVOCAINE (2025)

 

Directed By: Dan Berk & Robert Olsen

Written By: Lars Jacobson 

Cinematography: Jacques Jouffret 

Editor: Christian Wagner 

Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Matt Walsh, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, Lou Betty Jr., Conrad Kemp 

When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.

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It Might be my age, but I didn’t expect this film to be so gruesomely violent. Which is just one of the surprises of this film. Though it also made it a bit hard to watch at times.

As it involved, broken protruding bones, and fingernails being taken out. Which are usually two of the things I can’t stand seeing on screen as far as violence luckily teeth being knocked out or removed is not shown on screen.

No, this is a surprisingly enjoyable action film with comedic elements at times obviously dark comedy that reminds me of the mid budget action films that studios used to release and that you would get excited for to watch that weekend as this film does have a high concept, but is worth it as it has layers that to help enforce the concept, but also serve the film and its characters as well as a story

It’s not a genius film, but it certainly is entertaining and gives the audience what it wants and offers maybe a little more than what they expected.

The cast is great throughout Jack Quaid, who is in many films. These days proves he does have that leading man, charming charisma as an every man Amanda Midthunder is perfectly cast as a love interest that he goes through all these hardships for sweet enough yet enticing enough to be believable as a woman that you risk it all for

The rest of the cast for Phil, their roles and characters excellently that they come off as believable, and that you actually care even if some of them are a little bit more disposable than you expected, Within the rhythms of the film. 

You never find yourself bored you might even think that this film was made by the filmmaker of the crank movies with its intensity, though this is definitely a softer core version of those films not to mention the humor isn’t quite as offensive, nor is the plotting as over the top.

The film is a fun ride. It’s memorable but doubt it will be anyone’s favorite though it might be one that you would tell your friends about. Definitely one that is a premier example of its kind that are rarely made by a studio anymore.

As the premise and cast would make you believe that this film would be more suited for streaming, but its quality is definitely made more for movie theaters.

Grade: C+

I LOVE YOU FOREVER (2024)

 

Written & Directed By: Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani

Cinematography: Christine Ng

Editor: Autumn Dea, Colin Fair and Natalie Toppino

Cast: Sofia Black D’Elia, Ray Nicholson, Cazzie David, Jon Rudnitsky, Olvier Cooper, Raymond Cham Jr., Michael Manasseri, Owen Thiele 

A subversive romantic comedy gone wrong that follows a young woman into and out of an emotionally abusive relationship.

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This film tries to say something with a more sarcastic voice in this film, though not quite loud enough it’s more like an affection.

Which is a shame, consider considering the films potential but it’s definitely a film worth checking out.

The film horrifies you and opens your eyes to a certain type of behavior and the hearts that lie within. Which can be worse as it is more intimate than spontaneous.

Though the film goes for overkill at times, and clearly shows his ridiculous scarring mental state and no one seems to note or notice it even him, and he never sees his own problems. Though we continuously see the damage it causes to our lead who is young and impressionable, even though she has had dating in relationship experience.

You wonder in the audience if the film would’ve hit harder if maybe she had a bit more experience or was a bit older and didn’t come off as desperate at times to a degree. So eager to PLEASE, but that might be the weakness of that the character played by Ray Nicholson is looking for.

The lead played by Sophia Black D’Elia is supposed to be kind of an every woman showing how anyone can fall into a trap or be prayed upon by such a person. though you can see why she would fall for this guy when her one other romantic partner is such a jerk and we never see anyone else show any interest in her

which makes sense for us in the audience to see that her choices in the dating pool are limited and messed up in someway, or are not surely looking for anything more than sex.  

Ray Nicholson seems to be the actor these days to play romantic psychopath as he appears to be quite gifted at it would be nice to see if he is truly a character actor by playing something a little different maybe a little more normal

The ending packs of punch, but also kind of treats it like a dark joke. It needed to show a bit more as you want more answers, but it leaves the audience like the main character wondering what

As the abuse scene hit hard and will have you screaming at the screen, causing an emotional reaction. Is though the film is supposed to be a comedy at times and her friends seem stuck in comedic roles, yet most of the film feels more like a drama for the most part.

So at times the film has two different styles working against each other, though for quite a few scenes they seem to work hand-in-hand.

it does make you wonder if when it comes to his friends who are very minor in this film if he pays for them to be so willing to feed into his paranoia or they doing it out of loyalty.

All the film is a subversive, romantic comedy one wishes it was a bit more subtle and stronger with its punch and it’s punchlines.

There are things to admire, but it feels a bit after school special-ish only without a typical ending.

For a debut feature The film is a great showcase for all involved, especially Cassie David, who costars who wrote and directed the film. It’s quite assured and defitnely  has something to say. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Grade: B-