Tag: Ray Nicholson

Spoiler-Free Review of “Novocaine” in Theaters: Jack Quaid Gives us Quirky Charm in this Enjoyable Action Flick

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I can’t feel pain…”

Novocaine is an action-comedy film that released on March 14th 2025 in theaters. The film stars Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Jacob Batalon, Ray Nicholson, and Betty Gabriel. It runs for an hour and fifty minutes.

When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped after a bank robbery, a man who cannot feel pain becomes an unlikely hero to try and save her life.

Here is the trailer:

Novocaine features some hilarious and heartwarming moments along with some terrific fight scenes. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Light and fun!

It’s good to see a movie like this every once and a while. This film didn’t take itself too seriously at all. I thought it was super fun with a lot of humor that actually landed. The chemistry between our two main leads was sweet enough and the dynamic with the villains was fantastic (mostly courtesy of the brilliant Ray Nicholson killing it again).

Jack Quaid’s awkward, but endearing charm worked well here, making him an unlikely hero to root for against all odds.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Creative and entertaining fight scenes.

In a lot of ways, this film reminded me of a watered down version of Crank starring Jason Statham. I liked that film better, but Novocaine had the same type of outrageous fight scenes that were very entertaining.

The fight scenes were silly, but they were also great to watch on screen. It was awesome hearing the rest of the theater audience react during certain gruesome parts.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

A touch too long.

I personally think this movie should have been just under 90 minutes. The beginning was a little sluggish. It also felt very by the numbers. We learned about why we should care about these two characters while getting a touch of chemistry between them. I think the chemistry could have been fleshed out a little bit more, but I didn’t need this movie to be any longer than it was.

Once we got to the robbery and action, things picked up a lot, but it was a slower start for me.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I’m in!!!

Novocaine is a fun and breezy comedy-action flick packed with inventive fight scenes.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts on Novocaine in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Borderline” on Demand: Deranged Rom-Com Thriller Delivers

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Tonight is the night…”

Borderline released on Demand on March 14th 2025. The comedy thriller film stars Samara Weaving, Ray Nicholson, Alba Baptista, Jimmie Fails, and Eric Dane. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-four minutes.

A sociopath obsessed with a pop star in the 1990’s escapes a mental institution to track her down so they can live happily ever after together.

Here is the trailer:

Borderline is an entertaining thriller that holds your attention until the very end. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

A twisted thriller with plenty of outrageous moments.

When I first saw the trailer for this film, I knew it was right up my alley. I love guilty pleasure thrillers about obsession and I appreciated that this film added in some elements of comedy as well. The blending of genres here was terrific, making this a fun popcorn watch perfect for the weekend.

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

Brilliant performances.

I’m pretty much seated for any film starring Samara Weaving (especially with the possibility of her getting covered in blood) and she did a good job here. I did want a little bit more from her character, but I wasn’t disappointed. It was also fun seeing Grey’s Anatomy and Charmed star Eric Dane in this.

But, I have to give it up to Ray Nicholson (Panic) and Alba Batista (Warrior Nun). They were bloody fantastic and stole the show for me. They really went all out with their performances and elevated this film in lot of ways.

The music in this one was fantastic as well.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

Pacing issues.

The second half of this film was a lot stronger than the first half. Once we got to the core plot, I was much more invested. There was some fluff to deal with in the beginning and I thought we spent too much time jumping around to other plot-lines, which took away from the intensity going on at the house.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

I’m in!!!

Borderline is twisted, outrageous, and a lot of fun.

This was my kind of thriller and a solid watch overall.

More rom-com thrillers, please!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Borderline in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Panic” on Prime Video: Let the Game Begin

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Every small town has a secret…ours has a game.”

Panic premiered on Amazon Prime Video on May 28th 2021 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Olivia Welch, Ray Nicholson, Jessica Sula, Mike Faist, and Camron Jones. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes. 

After graduating from high school in a small Texas town, the seniors compete in a secret dangerous game to score a chance at a competitive cash prize that will grant them an escape from their boring lives. The series is based on the book of the same name by Lauren Oliver.

Here is the trailer:

Panic may initially appear to be a standard YA series filled with tropes and drama, but the show manages to hook its audience with the very first episode, reeling us in for more and more as the clever plot reveals the secrets and mysteries behind the game. Is Panic worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Panic Spoiler Free Review 1

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Draws you in with adrenaline filled episodes.

This show was very effective at maintaining a fast pace even with some of the drama and set-up sprinkled in. I was invested from the start and by the time we got to the explosive end of the first episode, I needed to know what happened next and this continued to happen with the remaining episodes.

The episodes are only about 45 minutes in length but I often felt like I was only watching for five minutes because I was so drawn in. 

Addicting premise with characters to root for.

The game itself is actually really interesting and intense. I found myself playing along with the characters, but it also helped to have really interesting characters to root for. I thought that each character had a lot to offer, but Heather, Ray, and Natalie were my favorites and I wanted each of them to succeed for different reasons.

The Cons:

Panic Spoiler Free Review 2

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Predictable teenage drama.

This is a YA series and we do get quite a lot of teen drama sprinkled into the mix. There is the obvious love triangle, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, the girl who is trying to do right by her family, and the supportive best friend. There was nothing truly unique or extraordinary here, but I kind of dug some of the drama and it wasn’t enough to overshadow everything else going on.

Also, it seemed like the cops were just really dumb in this show. It’s a small town so it shouldn’t be this hard to crack the case, but as long as you go into this show expecting to see some tropes and unrealistic moments, you will still be highly entertained.

So am I in or out?

Panic Spoiler Free Review 3

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

I went into this show thinking I was going to get a watered down version of The Hunger Games and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with this show. This show is absolutely worthy of your next binge-watch and I think that Prime Video is really stepping up its game with YA thrillers. After the success of The Wilds, I am hoping that people will enjoy Panic also because I would love to see a second season…especially after that ending!

This show was so entertaining and really addicting. If you’re looking for a fast paced show with lots of twists and reveals, you are in the right place. 

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Panic in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt Coming Soon

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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