July 18, 2022
This week’s releases include a heist gone wrong; DC’s vampiric hero; an epic Viking saga; a new chapter in a cutthroat series; a classic adventure; and a commonplace thriller.
Ambulance [Collector’s Edition] (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), desperate for money, turns to his adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) for help. A career criminal, Danny instead offers him a huge score. But when their heist goes awry, the desperate brothers hijack an ambulance with a wounded cop and paramedic (Eiza González) onboard. Will and Danny must evade a city-wide law enforcement response, keep their hostages alive, and somehow try not to kill each other, all while executing the most insane escape L.A. has ever seen.
Director Michael Bay is known for blockbuster movies with big special effects, but this film doesn’t quite reach that scale in spite of some impressive high-speed car chases around the city. All it takes is one unanticipated heartfelt gesture to upset the brothers’ plans, sending them spiralling out of control. They make so many bad choices, but Danny is also incredibly clever and constantly scheming to get them out of the terrible situation in which they find themselves. However, at more than two hours, it is definitely too long — there’s only so many times you can watch an ambulance outrun a bunch of cops and their helicopters.
Special features include: “Bayhem”; “Pedal to the Metal”; “Aerial Assault”; “Finding Ambulance”; “Chase Capital of the World”; and “A Tribute to First Responders.” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
Billions: Season Six (DVD)
In season six, the dust clears to reveal a world that has evolved. With Axe (Damian Lewis) gone and Michael Prince (Corey Stoll) assuming his place, Chuck (Paul Giamatti) must develop a new strategy that is keener and more sophisticated than before. All the players, from Wags (David Costabile) to Wendy (Maggie Siff), from Taylor (Asia Kate Dillon) to Sacker (Condola Rashad), and of course Senior (Jeffrey DeMunn), must sharpen their weapons and look for new alliances in order to survive.
The start of the season is a bit unusual as all the key players are in unexpected roles, ranging from farming to ice cream creation. Thus, it’s difficult to reconnect with the characters in the first couple of episodes. However, once the show finds its familiar groove, it’s back to the same questionable practices audiences are used to and expect. Prince is an interesting contrast to Axe as he tends to bend rather than break the rules (and law), though his claims of good ethical business are quickly tarnished as he takes an any means necessary approach to his business endeavours. Though there’s a big reveal near the end of the season, it’s not that difficult to predict the direction of the narrative if viewers follow all the clues.
Special features include: “The Spark: Paul Giamatti”; “Becoming Wags”; and “Blue Chip Cameos.” (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark steelbook (4K Ultra HD & Digital copy)
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his feisty ex-flame Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) dodge booby-traps, fight Nazis and stare down snakes in their incredible worldwide quest for the mystical Ark of the Covenant. Experience one exciting cliffhanger after another when you discover adventure with the one and only Indiana Jones.
Indiana Jones, or “Indy” as he’s affectionately referred to, is the archetypal, fictional hero. He’s courageous, bordering stupid or insane; charming, but not romantic; imperfect, but reliable; and handsome, but not concerned with his appearances. Consequently, even though there’s always a woman who plays a key role in the tale, it’s never the crux of the narrative. Any hint of a love story always takes a backseat to the adventure. The films combined action and mystery for the best possible results, even when our encumbered hero is racing against the clock and battling Nazis. He was one of the first to make archeology look like a much more exciting profession than it is, while also becoming a household name for decades to come.
Special features include: trailers. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
Morbius (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) attempts a desperate gamble. While at first it seems to be a radical success, a darkness inside him is unleashed. Will good override evil — or will Morbius succumb to his mysterious new urges?
This is a familiar narrative in the world of comic book heroes and villains. Michael immediately understands he’s made a terrible mistake, forced to decide if his newfound vitality and personal survival is worth the risk to everyone at large if he fails to control his blood urges. However, as in many of these stories, not everyone views the cure in the same light, revelling in a life without weakness or oppression, regardless of the cost. Nonetheless, the film is very well cast. Unlike Leto’s previous foray into the superhero universe with DC’s Joker, he is much better suited to play Michael Morbius. He effectively portrays the nuances of the character’s personality, as well as his struggle first with his disease and then its cure. In spite of Matt Smith’s everlasting connection to the quirky and loveable Eleventh Doctor, he has once again demonstrated that he’s an excellent bad boy and should definitely be considered for more villainous roles in the future.
Special features include: “Defining the Antihero”; “From Human to Vampire – Visual Effects”; “Lights, Camera, Action”; “The Good, Bad & Ugly – Supporting Cast Doing the Stunt Work”; “Living Vampire from Comics to Screen”; “Nocturnal Easter Eggs”; and outtakes and bloopers. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
The Northman (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
After witnessing firsthand the murder of his father (Ethan Hawke), a Viking prince, Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), devotes his life to avenge his father’s death, save his mother (Nicole Kidman) and reclaim his kingdom.
This is an epic tale of revenge based on and true to Norse legends. Amleth is just a boy when his family is torn apart, yet he is committed to his oath to avenge his father and hunt down his killer. It takes decades before the now grown man is in a position to fulfill his promise. Years of fighting molded him into a strong, capable warrior, but his feelings for a slave woman indentured to his target still manage to surprise him. As if a curse has befallen his father’s murderer, Amleth haunts the man’s land and kills his allies before finally revealing his identity and demanding retribution. It’s almost Shakespearean and definitely hearkens Beowulf. The cast is excellent and incredibly devoted to the picture as they shoot on location in Northern Ireland in mud and bad weather — but all their efforts pay off to create an awe-inspiring movie that includes an impressive single-take battle sequence.
Special features include: commentary with co-writer/director Robert Eggers; deleted and extended scenes; “An Ageless Epic”; “The Faces of Vikings”; “Amleth’s Journey to Manhood”; “Shooting the Raid”; “Knattleikr Game”; and “A Norse Landscape.” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
Offseason (Blu-ray)
Upon receiving a mysterious letter that her mother’s grave site has been vandalized, Marie (Jocelin Donahue) quickly returns to the isolated offshore island where her late mother is buried. When she arrives, she discovers that the island is closing for the offseason with the bridges raised until Spring, leaving her stranded. One strange interaction with the local townspeople after another, Marie soon realizes that something is not quite right in this small town. She must unveil the mystery behind her mother’s troubled past in order to make it out alive.
As the movie begins, it almost feels as if you’ve seen it before as there’s been a recent string of thrillers that take place in quaint seaside towns. The bait that brings Marie to her mother’s hometown is already pretty weak, but choosing to ignore all the signs that she should not proceed makes for foolish characters rather than compelling storylines. Regular flashbacks to memories about Marie’s mother gradually explain what’s wrong with the town, but audiences get enough information in the first one to surmise what’s happening and the probable direction of the narrative. The whole thing drags a bit as viewers watch Marie make one bad decision after another until finally it ends as expected.
There are no special features. (RLJE Films)
