Nobody Can Cool

Although it starts in familiar territory--2 opposing couples forced to spend the night together in the boonies with no phone-- it quickly switches gears turning unpredictable, ratcheting up the tension. Nobody Can Cool strays from "tried and true" plot conventions to make a taut original outsider thriller.

You won't say, "I've seen this before", and that's exactly part of its charm. The other part is the immersive experience created through the quality of the production and the performances. The actors inject distinctive personalities into each character that make them fun to watch. You care about them and become invested in their stories. I don't want to describe the characters because it is better to get to know them as the film unfolds. I don't want to ruin it, but they do bad things and are in a jam. Sometimes it is pretty funny.

The directors deftly weave the couples' interpersonal conflicts (many allowing for the humor) with a suspenseful smart crime plot that gradually unfolds throughout the movie. The shots are varied and confident with some visually arresting angles that add to a forbidding aura. The sound design adds a complementary background to the plot enhancing the tension and suspense. It's one of the few microbudget films I've seen with a multi-layered plot, complex characters and impressive production design, color, and cinematography to create a distinctive style. Too many films cherry pick what they decide to do well. You get good gore, but no story and cookie cutter characters. It's always a pleasure when a film cares about its plot, characters, and visual appeal at the same time. Nobody Can Cool is that kind of film. It's an original that should be sought out and given some real attention. I rated it ten stars because it impressively succeeds at a high degree of difficulty on no budget, and it's a remarkably well-crafted first feature. Full of chills, thrills, a tight plot that works, it grabs you early on and takes you on a colorful race to the end.

If you are tired of mainstream Hollywood movies, but afraid of boring indies, here's one for you. Not a remake, reboot, or sequel, this is an ambitious and slick little thriller that sneaks up on you, draws you in, and takes you for a ride. The plot is tight and clever, and the dialogue is snappy and peppered with hardboiled humor.

The production values are amazingly good for an indie. The cinematography looks like a pulp noir watercolor book cover come to life. The shots are creative and well composed without drawing attention to themselves. The detailed sound design enhances the suspense which leads up to the gun and fight scenes which are skillfully done.

The caliber of acting is also surprisingly good. Nick Principe plays "Len" a ruthless criminal, but with a moral code that just makes his character have more edge and complexity. Catherine Annette's "Susan" brings a plucky likeablity to a role that drags her through some tough and unflattering situations. Nikki Bohm plays a unique and memorable character, a sultry pregnant villain I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. Intrigued? Buy it and support an entertaining original.

I gave it 7 out of 10..held my interest, not a bad thriller for a low budget,..sure their are flaws, but overlook em.....n enjoy...

Meaning the film scenes are mostly at night and the lighting is so dim that I went through the whole film feeling like I was missing something... Just plain annoying! Story line was pretty good, acting was sub-par but... may as well have been listening to it on the radio.

I bought this movie after reading the Jezebel articles about it and the directors. This in one hella good movie. I watch and support a lot of Indie movies and this one is truly special and original as an Indie and as a genre movie. It's exciting to see something well executed and new at the same time. Something that I wish more filmmakers would try to do instead of copying what's already been done many times over. This movie does a remarkable job of mixing gripping scenes with humor creating an unusual fun experience. I did read the reviews before I purchased this film. It was interesting to read all the praise for Nick Prinicipe's job as the villain and the reviews are 100% accurate. He plays a mix of evil and funny and is a joy to watch. But I was surprised at the lack of recognition for the 2 female actresses. First, Catherine Annett, who plays Susan, delivers a subtle and strong performance as a someone who is at the end of her rope trying to survive a night of madness. She has determination, smarts and is willing to fight when necessary. There is a surreal escape scene with Annet that has so much tension and innovative, and the direction and her performance make it feel like a dream. Likewise, Nikki Bohm, who plays the female villain creates a pregnant badass and is totally fun to watch. She's like a mustache twirling evil sexy monster. This is one of the most unique portrayals of a pregnant woman on film. I agree with the review I read that this is a powerful debut movie. I want to see what the directors Dpyx do next.