Nobody Can Cool

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.

Nobody Can Cool proved to be a moody and atmospheric suspense thriller. Its color palate cleverly supports a pair of menacing characters, Len and Gigi, who are awaiting the arrival of someone they fear. Before that encounter, they must deal with the unexpected intrusion of a pair of young professionals, a shallow couple with problems of their own. In a remote cabin that each couple expected not to share, trouble begins when the young professionals discover that their bedroom door has been locked. Not willing to accept this situation, Susan, the more assertive and ambitious of the pair, climbs out the bedroom's window and, as the plot develops, into increasing conflict with the looming Len and the aggressive but very pregnant Gigi. If Nick Principe, who plays Len, did not say a word, his presence would bring to the screen echoes of the unhinged villains encountered in comic books. He promises to be the constant source of the misery that Susan and her companion will confront. However, the malice of the expectant Gigi, who speaks with a foreign accent, is not long kept in check. Her pregnancy has not softened her or made her life affirming. In fact, the sequence that establishes her character conveys something grotesque, vulgar or sordid. Such plot elements are woven into a tight and compelling script. The exchanges between the characters are convincing and quickly move the action forward. There are no wasted words. The low-level lighting, in many of the scenes, adds to the film's gritty depiction of the situations of the characters. The very tall, bald, slightly bearded and heavily tattooed Len, in fact, often seem to emerge out of darkness, as if he were an element of a distressing dream. Moreover, every one of the film's agents is in some sort of nightmare or trap. Other stylistic elements contribute to the film's unsettling atmospherics. Attention is often called to the passing of time, as the film's unwinding moves us closer to inevitable catastrophe. One could add to this the nighttime setting, the remoteness of the cabin and the eerie sound effects. What most struck me in the film's first half hour was how well it was put together. Each scene moved seamlessly to the next; the visually jarring elements were intentionally so. The camera's movements were well considered, and the final product seemed the result of careful consideration of how the cuts between shots would contribute both to the revelation of character and to the tensions that were basic to the action. The brevity of some of those early shots, coupled with the red and green colors that dominate each frame, suggests that the film's directors might have wanted to evoke the panels of classic crime comics. But there is no detective or comic book hero to resolve the villainy and mayhem in this film. Nobody Can Cool shows what can be done with a well-developed script and a cast that works together. Highly recommended.

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.

A hint of menace is felt even in the opening scene as a Gen-Y couple, Susan and David, en route to a remote cabin for a getaway weekend, seems to be talking past each other. On arrival, an eerie atmosphere takes over when they find another couple already there. The tatted Len – the ominous Nick Principe -- and his pregnant girlfriend Gigi are tough and jumpy. What secrets or crimes are they hiding? The scenes, including a gem of comic relief, are swift and twisty and seamlessly intercut. The dialog is crisp and realistic. The actors play off one another with natural believability. Subtle clues reveal the past of the four principal characters but the plot holds its twists and surprises to the end.

This is definitely one to see. Spread the word.