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Ambulance Review | The Action Movie of the Year

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Michael Bay films certainly aren’t for everyone, and they’re certainly not winning any Oscars, but his latest film Ambulance is one of the most enjoyable times I’ve had in the cinema in a very long time. It’s action cinema at its biggest and deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible. It’s not going to win over anyone that’s not already on board with Bay’s body of work, but Ambulance is the definitive big Hollywood action movie. It’s the action movie of all action movies that’s a kamikaze of flying bullets, broken glass and car chases.

Loosely based on the 2005 Danish film of the same name, Ambulance is one of the rare instances of the English language remake being a great improvement on the original. Veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) desperately needs money for his wife’s experimental surgery so he goes to his adopted criminal brother Danny played by the ever-charming Jake Gyllenhaal who offers him a score: the biggest bank heist in Los Angeles history- $32 million.

The heist does of course go wrong with cops getting in the way and the two of them end up trying to escape in a hijacked ambulance with a wounded police offer that’s bleeding out and a paramedic named Cam (Eiza González). Things just go from bad to worse for the two brothers with every single cop in the city on their tail. It’s like when you play Grand Theft Auto with a 5-star wanted level and there really is just no escape. And it just keeps going for over two hours.

Once the action gets going it really does not stop until the end of the film. Ambulance is essentially 2 hours of non-stop action. There are car chases and shootouts galore and it’s a joyous spectacle. It’s bonkers in the most Michael Bay sense and yet it’s his best film he’s ever made. The action is so entertaining to watch and the final product is just complete euphoric Bayhem.

There are dizzying shots with the camera flying around our characters- and that’s just for the dialogue scenes. When it comes to the action it’s so well shot and with some truly remarkable camera angles with the camera sweeping around the city and I have absolutely no idea how some of the shots were achieved. Sometimes it does cut to another shot too soon, but Bay really made the most of the city of LA being completely empty during lockdown as his action scenes are absolutely huge with loads of cop cars being destroyed and blown up in true Michael Bay fashion.

It is of course full of Bay’s signatures with plenty of cheesy dialogue and in fact, one character even talks of The Rock, one of Bay’s own films. There’s a wounded police offer in the back of the ambulance that’s been bleeding out and on the verge of death for about two hours by the end of the film and he really should already be dead but you don’t need to pay that too much attention. And it’s really shoving the LA location down your throat. The film opens with a shot of the Los Angeles skyline and an “LA” title card pops up. It’s just so ferociously American as his films always are and perhaps the film, especially the ending, is far too over-dramatic for what it is but the film is so much fun and an absolute blast from start to finish.

I had a huge grin on my face for the entire runtime of the film because it’s action cinema at its greatest. You need to see this film on the biggest screen you can because it’s a true cinema experience. It may not be the highest quality display of filmmaking you’ll ever see but in terms of action cinema, this really is one of the greats and an action filmmaker at the top of their game. It draws you in so well and even Bay’s characters are better than they normally are and despite not being the most compelling characters, the two leads bring them to life so well so that we do actually care about them and we’re not just waiting for the next big explosion.

It’s incredibly funny too, and whilst I may have sometimes been laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of it all, this film had me in stitches laughing many times. Ambulance will go down as one of the greatest action movies of all time because it’s just an insanely good time at the movies. This is why we go to the cinema, to see the biggest, loudest, dumbest and most chaotic film we can and Ambulance delivers on all of that.

Ambulance really is the most action movie ever made. It’s over 2 hours of complete carnage and destruction. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish and I genuinely had an incredible time watching it. It’s the very definition of a big Hollywood action movie and as much as we can ridicule some of Bay’s other films, Ambulance is ridiculously entertaining. It’s the action movie of the year for sure.

Ambulance is in UK cinemas now.

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Disney

Disney’s Latest Star “Wish”

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Ariana DeBose as Asha in Wish (Disney)

Plot

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

Ariana Debose as Asha in Wish (Disney)

Movie Review (no spoilers)

The film is inspired by Disney’s centennial, which ties together a central theme across most of the Disney-related stories — of wishes and dreams coming true. One can view it as the origin story for the wishing star, albeit a funny star. Disney delivers a feel good story filled with humor and the occasional teases and links to other Disney-related works. Ariana DeBose braces the big screen as the hero, Asha who discovers a sinister secret about King Magnifico and his use of the wishes.

Ariana’s performance performance is amazing and I enjoyed listening to the songs she performed. I foresee “This Wish” topping the charts at Spotify soon.

This Wish by Ariana DeBose (Spotify)

Chris Pine plays the part of King Magnifico and delivers a good performance as the villain. We hear him sing a song alongside Ariana, At All Costs.

At All Costs by Chris Pine & Ariana DeBose (Spotify)

The story delivers the usual fun characters that Disney brings along in all stories, amazing graphics of a magical world, and an amazing song library for everyone to listen to. This movie is excellent for young and old, delivering a feel-good movie for all. Wish is yet another treasure in the world of Disney.

I’m really excited for the next 100 years of Disney magic. The movie Wish has the potential to become a sequel, or even provide potential spin-offs exploring the wishes and dreams of others in the magical Disney Universe.

My wish is for more many more years of movie magic from Disney. What is yours?

My rating is a 4 out of 5 for Disney’s Wish. Watch at a cinema near you and join in the Disney centennial celebrations!

Wish Official Trailer (Disney)

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Reviews

‘The Holdovers’ Review | Paul Giamatti, Alexander Payne Reunite For This Year’s Most Beautiful and Poignant Comedy

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Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa in 'The Holdovers' (Focus Features)

“They don’t make them like that anymore” is one sentence that we hear a lot when it comes to cinematic brilliance. Most of the times, it is used for titles that might be considered a classic. Sadly, this sentence is being used too often these days and even for those projects, that might not even qualify. However, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is undoubtedly one of the movies that deserves to be called an instant classic and I can wholeheartedly say: “They don’t make them like that anymore.”

The holiday season has arrived and audiences want to see movies that makes them feel that holiday spirit. Although it is very rare to see both these qualities in the movies these days, ‘The Holdovers’ has quietly gained popularity among cinephiles this holiday season, emerging as one of the year’s best films among audiences.

The movie is set in a boy’s boarding school in New England in 1970. Paul Hunham is a stern yet brilliant professor who refuses to give passing grades to rich students just because their parents are some of the school’s biggest donors. He is firm and doesn’t let these brats take advantage of him. On the other hand, we have Angus Tully, who is the son of wealthy parents attending the school who tends to ready the students for top universities. It’s Christmas time and everyone is going home, but things take a wild turn for Hunham when he is forced to babysit for children whose parents are unable to let them return home for the holidays. Eventually, Tully ends up being the only child in Hunham’s supervision. As the two begin to spend time with each other, they slowly begin to know much more about each other and understand why they are how they are.

Dominic Sessa, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Paul Giamatti in ‘The Holdovers’ (Focus Features)

There is no doubt that Paul Giamatti’s role as Paul Hunham is one of his most compelling roles. Make no mistake, Giamatti has given several amazing performances, but Hunham turns out to be a role that makes audiences realise how truly amazing he is as an actor. The way he insults people in this movie is hilariously brilliant. It seems Giamatti had a lot of fun while shooting this film and went down the memory lane to prepare for the role. Giamatti is just breath-taking in this role. On the other hand, Dominic Sessa is truly a revelation here and delivers a performance that touches everyone’s heart. In the beginning, you might not like his character but as the story moves forward, you understand why he is like this and Sessa completely nails it.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph delivers a deeply heartbreaking performance as a grieving mother in the film. Randolph gives a detailed performance showing both deep sadness and moments of happiness. It’s a portrayal of grief that feels very genuine and touching.

Even though there are moments that makes the film touching, ‘The Holdovers’ is hardly a serious drama. It’s a very welcoming holiday movie that doesn’t shy away from being funny and absurd. These characters have faced sadness, loss, and pain. However, the movie bravely allows us to laugh alongside them, as their humorous shortcomings transform a typical holiday stay at home into unexpected hospital visits and adventurous trips spanning multiple cities. For many people, it will be nostalgic to see this old-school sweet holiday movie that they must have seen in their youth and takes them to a time where people cared about feelings.

All in all, THE HOLDOVERS is a moving, bittersweet comedy drama that instantly becomes a Holiday classic. A story where you’d think how emotions don’t change even though life has.

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Reviews

‘Nightingales In The Cocoon’ Review | A Captivating Tale Celebrating Hope and Joyous Shared Moments

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Official poster of 'Nightingales in the Cocoon' (Unchained Pictures)

Nightingales in the Cocoon is a vivid and heartwarming portrait of transformation and connection in a bustling city. The short beautifully captures the essence of hope, resilience, and the power of shared experiences. In just five minutes, this story carries a profound message that transcends its simplicity. Dharavi, often characterized by its challenging environment, serves as the backdrop for the story’s beginning. It sets the stage for two children’s life-altering decision to break free from their past. This decision, in itself, is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the pursuit of a better life.

The symbolism of leaving behind what is perceived as “trash” is a powerful metaphor for shedding the burdens of the past. The discarded keyboard, seemingly insignificant, becomes a symbol of forgotten dreams and overlooked opportunities. As fate would have it, two young kids in Navi Mumbai stumble upon this abandoned keyboard, which becomes the catalyst for a heartwarming journey. The excitement and curiosity the keyboard sparks in them are relatable and heartening. It reminds us of the pure joy that simple discoveries can bring, especially to young minds eager for new experiences.

A still from ‘Nightingales in the Cocoon’ (MUBI)

The act of acquiring batteries to breathe new life into the neglected instrument is a moment of resourcefulness and determination. It’s a reminder that even in the face of challenges, a little effort can rekindle lost passions and unlock new possibilities. The transformation of the once-silent keys into a source of melodies that fill the air is a beautiful metaphor for the transformative power of art and creativity. The kids’ dance to these newfound tunes is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures and the joy of shared experiences.

This story serves as a reminder that shared moments of happiness can bridge the gaps between individuals and communities. In the bustling city where stark contrasts exist, the shared joy and rekindled dreams bring people together. It’s a testament to the universal language of music and the ability of the human spirit to find connections even in the most unexpected places.

Nightingales in the Cocoon beautifully captures the essence of hope, resilience, and the universal desire for connection and joy. It’s a brilliant and simple narrative that reminds us of the beauty in the everyday moments of life and the power of transformation and human connection.

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