Greetings again from the darkness. In decades past, we wouldn’t have been surprised in the least to see a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Dennis Quaid. In fact, in 1973 Jack co-starred with Dennis’ brother Randy in one of my favorite films, THE LAST DETAIL. Well, here we are more than fifty years later, and Dennis’ (and Meg Ryan’s) son Jack Quaid is co-starring with Jack’s son Ray Nicholson in what is sure to be one of this year’s most outlandish action-comedies. The screenplay is by Lars Jacobson and the film is co-directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, who also collaborated on BODY (2015).
REM’s “Everybody Hurts” plays over the opening credits and sequence which provide hints to the measures Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid, COMPANION, 2025) has taken around his house. With tennis balls shielding sharp corners and a stop to prevent scalding water in the shower, Nathan appears to be quite accident-prone. We learn he’s a good-guy Assistant Manager at a local San Diego bank, and profiles as nebbish in his looks and skittish mannerisms … especially around new bank teller Sherry (Amber Midthunder, THE ICE ROAD, 2021). Sensing his awkwardness and attraction, Sherry takes charge and asks Nathan to lunch. A bite of cherry pie leads Nathan to disclose his rare genetic disorder – he simply cannot feel pain (thus explaining the earlier tennis balls).
One personal disclosure leads to another, which leads to an art gallery, which leads to romantic intimacy and what easily could spin off into a familiar quirky rom-com with these two. Instead, while Nathan is riding an emotional high, three men dressed as Santa Claus violently rob the bank on Christmas Eve and take Nathan’s new squeeze Sherry as hostage. This sends our wimpy superhero Nathan (nicknamed Novocaine by junior high bullies) on a rescue mission. His previous fighting experience has been limited to online video game sessions with Roscoe (Jacob Batalon, Ned from Marvel movies), although the two have never actually met.
The fight sequences are quite violent and absurdly comical in how they take advantage of Nathan’s blend of physical disorder, nice guy tendencies, and commitment to rescuing his first love. Creativity is at maximum volume as Nathan takes on a red-hot frying pan and boiling oil in a restaurant kitchen skirmish, replete with bodily poundings that would leave anyone else shattered. Things really pick up in a wickedly booby-trapped house that sets up a HOME ALONE joke. Mostly, however, the body horror serves as punchline after punchline … some surely to tweak even the most squeamish movie goers.
Ray Nicholson (I LOVE YOU FOREVER, 2024) provides a jolt of adrenaline and psychotic violent behavior to ensure no one watching still believes this is a rom-com in the making. His Simon thrives not so much on the money from the robberies as the power and control he displays and the torture he doles out. The finale battles between Simon and Nathan are extreme and creatively unique. While the entertainment value is present, there are still some minor issues with the story and proceedings. The detectives on the case are played by Betty Gabriel (GET OUT, 2017) and Matt Walsh (“Veep”). These two talented actors are given very little to do and it’s a shame their roles weren’t beefed up a bit. Additionally, there is a key twist that will surprise almost no one. Is it even a twist if they tell you it’s coming?
The action scenes are purposefully absurd, and although some bits are over-the-top, others are pure comedy-action brilliance. Jack Quaid is fitting right in to his lead character roles, and Ray Nicholson is mastering the wild-eyed psycho dude. Amber Midthunder shows yet again how immensely talented she is, and it’s likely her future roles will take advantage of what she brings on screen. My personal biggest hope is that the filmmakers avoid a sequel … one which would likely leave us viewers disappointingly numb (had to work in one pun).
Opens in theaters on March 14, 2025
Posted by David Ferguson 
Below are recaps of some of the short films I watched at this year’s Slamdance Film Festival.
Greetings again from the darkness. Every year this festival serves up at least a few feature film debuts that not only entertain, but also instill optimism for future projects. Writer-director Woody Bess has delivered an amusing debut that fits snugly in the rare genre of comedy-horror. As an added bonus, the acting is pretty darn good as well.
Greetings again from the darkness. Jackie Chan starring as … Jackie Chan! He’s an international action-comedy star appearing in this international action-comedy as himself. In fact, one of the running gags has various people questioning if it’s really “him” and whether or not he can actually fight like he does in his movies. The film is from writer-director Luan Zhang and co-writers Wei Xu and Meng Yida.
Greetings again from the darkness. So, may we interest you in a Valentine’s Day movie about an abusive relationship doomed to failure? What if I told you that it’s meant to be funny, but it’s actually quite depressing and dark? Cazzie David (Larry David’s daughter) and Elisa Kalani are co-writers and co-directors on this film rumored to be ‘inspired’ by Ms. David’s relationship with a certain former SNL comedian (the one known for dating a steady stream of beautiful women).
Greetings again from the darkness. Empty nest syndrome has always fascinated me. As parents, we strive to build independence in our kids so that they can go out in the world and fend for themselves (better described as not moving back home or remaining on the family ‘payroll’). And then there are parents like Susan in this excellent and entertaining new film from co-writers and co-directors Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart (partners, spouses, and collaborators).
Greetings again from the darkness. In the age of sequels, here’s one we can actually give a warm welcome to. Pixar has followed up the brilliant INSIDE OUT (2015) with one that picks up Riley a couple years later as she hits those teenage years, which as all parents know, means puberty. The first film won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and director Kelsey Mann (in her first feature film) is hoping for a repeat. This follow-up is terrific, yet it faces some tough competition in a year that also delivered three other exceptional (and worthy) animated features.
Greetings again from the darkness. There may have been a movie that surprised me more than this one during 2024, but off the top of my head, I can’t think of one. My expectations were low for a film based on the true story of a British boy band pop star whose music I wasn’t too familiar with … oh, and he’s played by a human-sized CGI chimp. Robbie Williams is the pop star, and though he has little popularity or recognition in the United States, his story is quite interesting … and certainly presented in a creative and entertaining manner by writer-director Michael Gracey (THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, 2017) and co-writers Simon Gleeson and Oliver Cole.
Greetings again from the darkness. They’re back! The last ‘Wallace & Gromit’ short film was in 2018, and their last feature-length film, WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, was released in 2005. Creator Nick Park is back as co-writer and co-director with fellow W&G collaborators Mark Burton and Merlin Crossingham, respectively. This creative consistency is crucial to the franchise success, and helps overcome the 2017 passing of Peter Sallis, longtime voice of Wallace.
Greetings again from the darkness. Every movie review provides the opportunity to walk the line between telling enough, but not too much. Some movies pose more of a challenge than others, and this is one. Director Steffan Haars (the ‘New Kids’ movies) and writer-actor Nick Frost team up to deliver a devilish and campy folk horror-slasher-comedy that brings a bit of innovation to genre that could use a boost.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 