Tag: Christian Wagner

NOVOCAINE (2025)

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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 fulfill, 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+

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER (2023)

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Directed By: Andre Ovredal

Written By: Bragi Schut Jr. And Zack Olkewicz

Based on Log Of The Demeter “DRACULA” By Bram Stoker

Cinematography: Tom Stern 

Editor: Julian Clarke, Patrick Larsgaard and Christian Wagner 

Cast: Corey Hawkins, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchain, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Walley, Jon jon Briones, Stefan Kepicic, Martin Furland 

A crew sailing from Varna (Bulgaria) by the Black Sea to England finds that they are carrying very dangerous cargo.

This is not a bad film, but it does feel like a lost opportunity where the audience keeps thinking how much better it could be if it used practical effects so there wasn’t so much CGI. Also if the movie was filmed on actual film and not digital, it wouldn’t look so dark and feel more of the period. And if it had been made in the 1980s, it would feel more like either an adaptation or a surprise filled with more imagination, and a studio would maybe Mohr put its full weight behind it either in theaters or even if it was a movie that was faded to end up straight to home video.

As it stands now, it feels too slick and not quite sincere enough to be a success which it should be. 

This is another film, directed by Andre Ovredal. Who adds a black lead to a supernatural historical tale. Which does add excitement and some color to the proceedings. Though here The film remains predictable.

I have seen some audience members attack the film because of the beginning And readers of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the novel, which lets us know what happens or the fate of the crew and characters, but truthfully, that is what most slasher and horror films are guilty of we watch for the how wise and who’s we most likely what will happen? We just come to see how it happens, though. The same can be true of action films and sequels. Especially with stars and specialized starring in those types of films and playing virtually the same character or the same type. So picking on this film for the same reason feels like low-hanging fruit that you know coming in what it would be like and most likely that would be predictable. 

At least the screenwriters and filmmakers offer to flash out that chapter of the book and use their own imagination to ramp up, not only the characters and suspense but, ultimately their fates also try to create a claustrophobic atmosphere on the ship.

Stay entertaining, filled with characters that could have easily failed as this film obviously has passion and quality behind it.

Unfortunately, it comes off as a well-intentioned B-movie. With competing and battling accents among the actors to see who can be the most authentic to a certain rogue or region.

The film has a cast, and Cory Hawkins deserves more leading roles. As well as Aisling Franciosi who always seems to play characters who are surviving in pain.

Though the film seems to be trying to offer an origin to a franchise. we know unfortunately isn’t coming or the beginning of a fruitless search for justice. It’s a shame as the film has all the right ingredients. It’s just that the meal or main course isn’t as tasty as it should be. 

Grade: C