So it's another edition of you know what. Let's get to it.
Why Didn't I See Queen of the Ring?
I honestly didn't know this movie existed. I mean it. I don't recall seeing a single ad both on TV, streaming services like Tubi, or a pop-up ad on YouTube. I didn't know about it until I saw the DVDs and Blu-Rays.
What is Queen of the Ring?
Queen of the Ring is a biographical sports drama about female professional wrestler Mildred Burke, more specifically the biography book The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds and the Making of an American Legend. Sumerian Pictures distributed but also produced along with Intrinsic Value Films. The movie was both written and directed by Ash Avildsen.
The story is, Mildred Bliss dreams of getting into the professional wrestling to only do something more in her life but also provide for her son. After changing to her ring name Mildred Burke and wrestling in some carnival sideshows, Mildred is setting the world on fire. But her greatest battles won't be fought just inside the ring, but in her personal life and trying to get women's wrestling unbanned.
My Thoughts
The Good: Now since this is a movie about pro wrestling how are the wrestling matches. Whether the scene is about the matches being staged or a "shoot" (aka real) the scenes are actually pretty fun to watch. They're very visceral and exciting. Another thing to praise is the atmosphere. The 1940s to 1950s setting from costumes to sets to the cinematography is incredible. The 40's setting feels authentic without being too flashy. The last thing I'll praise is Emily Bett Rickard's performance. Rickard's was amazing whether the moment had to physical or emotional for Mildred Burke. She's very convincing playing the role of a women who was just a simple waitress working at a small diner to trailblazing wrestling star. Rickard's performance is the movie's greatest and biggest strength.
The Bad: I've got nothing.
The Okay: This is something you probably saw coming a mile away, but the story does have some familiar sports bio beats. You get relationship complications that can get really dark, setbacks around every corner, etc. A lot of underdog story elements. However I still think the story will interest you because you get this bit of pro wrestling history from the women not allowed to wrestling because it's the law to seeing pro wrestling being more of a carnival show and far remove from what you see from something like WWE.
Final Verdict: Good.
Why Didn't I See Novocaine?
Simple, I was far more focused on The Electric State and The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. So I couldn't do a review for Novocaine and had to save it for this segment.
What is Novocaine?
Novocaine is an action-comedy that was produced by Infrared Pictures, Safehouse Pictures, and Circle of Confusion with Paramount Pictures distributing. Dan Berk and Robert Olsen directed while Lars Jacobson wrote the screenplay.
The story is, Nathan Caine is mild-mannered introvert assistant manager with a rare genetic disorder called CIPA which doesn't let him feel pain. One day he's life changes for the better when he finally goes out on a date with Sherry a woman he's been in love with. Then before he knows it bank robbers not only steal the money from the trust union he works at, but also take Sherry as a hostage. Now, Nathan uses his inability to feel pain to his unexpected advantage to save Sherry.
My Thoughts
The Good: I know some people are tried of Jack Quaid's vulnerable yet charming shtick, but I think he was perfect for this role. Not to mention he perfectly balances the movie's romantic side, the comedy side, and the action side. Speaking of comedy, I did get a kick out of the humor. Sometimes Nathan's CIPA can wear thin is some areas, but you also have other get bits of comedy like the truth of Roscoe's Harley Davidson. That was a pretty good gag. The last thing I'll praise is the action. The action has a lot of brutal scenes. Like using the glass that was impaled into hand as a weapon, using broken bones as a weapon, or just some exciting chase sequences and shoot outs.
The Bad: It's the villains. There's nothing really much to say about them other than they are generic.
The Okay: It's the story. We've seen this kind of set up before. Guy falls in love with the woman, there's some romance, and then next thing you know Guy has to save the woman. It's very simple and has been done before and will continue to be done till the day you, me, and the rest of our generation is long dead. Having said that, I do feel as thought the ride we got on with the dark comedy and bloody mayhem do save the movie quite a bit. Because yet again, I'm firm believer even if your story is predictable the lease you can do is make it's never boring.
Final Verdict: Okay.
Why Didn't I See Popeye the Slayer Man?
It's the same story as why I didn't see Popeye's Revenge. I was keeping track then I forgot as other things were on my mind.
What is Popeye the Slayer Man?
Popeye the Slayer Man is a horror retelling of Popeye. It was produced by Millman Productions, Otsego Media, Ron Lee Productions, and Salem House Films with Vantage Media being the distributor. Robert Michael Ryan directed and wrote the story along with John Doolan, Cuyle Carvin, and Jeff Miller.
The story is, a group of friends set out to film a documentary about the legendary Sailor Man before the cannery he supposedly haunts is torn down. But they quickly find out the legend is true. Now the friends must fight for their lives and get out of the cannery before the Sailor Man kills them all.
My Thoughts
The Good: I've got nothing.
The Bad: Once again we got a problem with the portrayal of Popeye. Sure the filmmakers were a bit committed to the bit what with the previous one I reviewed [Popeye's Revenge]. What with this one being an actual sailor, saying at least one of his iconic catchphrases, and even having spinach be part of his story. But his still being treated as a monster who primarily speaks through grunts and small sighs, okay scratch that, he had three lines and then it's primarily just grunts and sighs. But still, if you're gonna do a horror version of Popeye go all in and don't just slap a sailor suit and put on the cartoonish proportions and call it a day.
The Okay: Now there are a couple of decent things. Such as the practical effects. There are times when it's pretty obvious but I'll take those over some of Popeye's Revenge's bad CGI any day. Then there was the pacing. Sometimes the movie goes along at a fairly decent pace and it's easy to sit through. But then you have moments where things just drag on. I'll also give slight credit to the use of humor. The filmmakers knew this was ridiculous so they put in a few humorous moments. Sometimes it wasn't as balanced as it should've been but it worked for the most part. The last thing I'll touch on is the acting. Sometimes the actors and actresses were actually pretty decent. Which was an improvement compared to Popeye's Revenge and the acting in that. But there were moments where the actors came off as wooden. Although that wasn't the cast for Jason Robert Stephens who plays Popeye or "The Sailor Man" as the character is called in this. Stephens did a pretty good job with all of the physical acting whether it was kills or just standing around being intimidating. So props to Stephens.
Final Verdict: Okay.
Okay that's going to do it for me. Come back on Thursday, Apr 2nd, for a brand new Raiders of The Lost Media. Until then, enjoy the rest of your day.
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