‘Abominable,’ ‘Fantasy Island,’ ‘Underwater,’ More on Home Entertainment

ABOMINABLE. (DVD Artwork). ©Universal Home Entertainment.

By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

Movies

Abominable

Come face to face with stone-cold terror when “Abominable” arrives Tuesday April 14 on DVD and Digital, from Uncork’d Entertainment.

A research team embarks on a journey to obtain a plant that can advance medical research by centuries. While stumbling upon clues of the previous expedition, they discover that a Yeti creature lurks within the Himalayan mountains and will do anything to protect its terrain.

Agent Toby Barks

A fun, heartwarming adventure for the whole family, “Agent Toby Barks” will arrive on DVD, Digital, and On Demand Tuesday April 14, from Lionsgate.

Could America’s greatest super-spy be living in your own backyard? Bret and Kate don’t think so—until they learn that their beloved pet dog Toby (voiced by former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Jon Lovitz) is a secret agent working for the U.S. government.

In this fun family adventure starring Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”), two teens must join forces with their talking, fighting, computer-hacking pooch to rescue their beloved Auntie B—who’s also a spy—from a mad villain who wants to use B’s crazy inventions to rule the world. The comedy adventure received the Dove Seal of Approval for All Ages. The “Agent Cody Barks” DVD will be available for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $14.98.

Fantasy Island

The big screen version along with an unrated cut of the classic TV series “Fantasy Island” arrives on Digital Tuesday April 14, from Columbia Pictures and Blumhouse. The horror flick is slated to arrive on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday May 12.

The enigmatic Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña) makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives. Produced and directed by Jeff Wadlow, “Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island” is written by Wadlow, Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. It also is produced by Jason Blum and Marc Toberoff.

Bonus material includes deleted scenes as well as commentary on the unrated version of the film by the director and cast.

The Gentlemen

Get lit in the stylish ensemble caper, “The Gentlemen,” written and directed by Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes,” “Snatch”), arrives On Demand Tuesday April 14, from STXfilms and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

This engaging and unpredictable film is available now on Digital, soon to available Tuesday April 21 on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.

Set in the underworld cannabis industry in London, Ritchie’s star-studded action-comedy makes a grand return to his signature, kinetic style, enthralling and surprising audiences with every scene, made even more dynamic by the performances of its star-powered ensemble cast. The home release includes exclusive bonus content bringing audiences deeper into the provocative world of the film.

“The Gentlemen” follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”), who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever, it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his lucrative domain out from under him.

Starring alongside Oscar winner McConaughey is Charlie Hunnam (“Pacific Rim,” “Sons of Anarchy”), Golden Globe nominee Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey,” “Good Behavior”), Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (“The Lobster,” “In Bruges”), Henry Golding (“A Simple Favor,” “Crazy Rich Asians”), Golden Globe winner Hugh Grant (“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”, “Love Actually”), Jeremy Strong (“Succession,” “Molly’s Game”) and Eddie Marsan (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” “Atomic Blonde”).

Goldie

The urban coming-of-age drama “Goldie” arrives on DVD and Digital Tuesday April 14, from Film Movement. The film stars supermodel Slick Woods making her debut.

Goldie (Woods) is a star. Well, not quite yet, but at least in the eyes of her little sisters Sherrie and Supreme she is. The rest of the world is bound to take note soon too. Her big break surely awaits, she’s just got to pick up that golden fur coat she’s had her eye on first. And land a role as a dancer in a hip-hop video. And keep child welfare services from separating her from Sherrie and Supreme, after their mother is locked up. Holding onto those dreams isn’t easy when fate has placed such daunting obstacles in her path. A Crystal Bear nominee at the 2019 Berlinale and an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival, this sophomore effort from Dutch director Sam de Jong, stars Danny Hoch, Marsha Stephanie Blake and A$AP Ferg, arrives following Film Movement’s national theatrical release. The DVD includes the bonus short film “We Love Moses.” The DVD and Digital will be available for $24.95 (SRP).

Just Mercy

Based on the true story of a hero, “Just Mercy” arrives Tuesday April 14 on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton (“The Glass Castle,” “Short Term 12”), from a screenplay he co-wrote, based on Bryan Stevenson’s bestselling memoir.

Michael B. Jordan (“Creed,” “Black Panther”) and Oscar winners Jamie Foxx (“Ray,” “Django: Unchained”) and Brie Larson (“Room,” “Short Term 12,” “Captain Marvel”) star in this inspiring drama.

The main cast also includes Rob Morgan (“Mudbound,” “Stranger Things”) as Herbert Richardson, a fellow prisoner who also sits on death row awaiting his fate. Tim Blake Nelson (“Wormwood,” “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”) as Ralph Myers, whose pivotal testimony against Walter McMillian is called into question. Rafe Spall (“The Big Short,” “The Ritual”) as Tommy Chapman, the district attorney who is fighting to uphold Walter’s conviction and sentence. O’Shea Jackson Jr. (“Straight Outta Compton,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”) as Anthony Ray Hinton, another wrongly convicted death row inmate whose cause is taken up by Bryan and Karan Kendrick (“The Hate U Give,” “Hidden Figures”) as Walter’s wife, Minnie McMillian, who stands by her husband.

Cretton co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Lanham (“The Glass Castle”), based on Stevenson’s book “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.” Published in 2014, the book has spent more than 180 weeks on “The New York Times” Best Sellers List and counting. Stevenson won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence, an NAACP Image Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Nonfiction.

The Blu-ray edition includes special features, including deleted scenes and making of, in hi-definition and a Digital version of the movie.

Rhythm Section

From the producers of the James Bond franchise and Emmy-winning director Reed Morano (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) comes “The Rhythm Section,” arriving on Digital to buy Tuesday April 14, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Blake Lively (“Gossip Girl”) stars as Stephanie Patrick, a woman on a path of self-destruction after her family is tragically killed in a plane crash. When she discovers the wreck was no accident, Stephanie enters the dark, complex world of international espionage seeking vengeance. Her search leads to Iain Boyd (Jude Law, “The New Pope,” “Captain Marvel”), a former MI6 agent who trains her to hunt down those responsible. With nothing left to lose, Stephanie transforms from victim to assassin and discovers that neither revenge nor the truth are what they appear.

The DVD and Blu-ray editions arrive on Tuesday April 28, and boast more than 40 minutes of exclusive bonus content, including deleted and extended scenes and multiple featurettes detailing the creation and look of this visceral action-thriller. “The Rhythm Section” also arrives on Digital to rent and On Demand April 28.

The Sharks

The Sundance coming-of-age drama “The Sharks” arrives on VOD Tuesday April 14, from Breaking Glass Pictures.

“The Sharks” follows 14-year-old Rosina, who ticks the days of a restless summer in a sleepy beachside town away, until she sees an ominous dorsal fin during a swim. The rumor of sharks quickly spreads, unsettling the town, but Rosina remains unfazed, instead focusing on her enigmatic coworker, Joselo, who she becomes increasingly attracted to and begins circling, much like the mysterious predators lurking just under the surface.

The directorial debut of Lucía Garibaldi, “The Sharks” has its world premiere at Sundance, where Garibaldi took home the prestigious Directing Award in World Cinema—Dramatic; with additional screenings at San Sebastian International Film Festival, Guadalajara Film Festival winning the Special Jury Award, and Buenos Ares Film Festival where the film won the Special Jury Award and the FEISAL Award. The film will be available on DVD Tuesday April 28.

Underwater

Kristen Stewart stars in the sci-fi thriller “Underwater,” arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Movies Anywhere Tuesday April 14, from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

The crew of the Kepler undersea mining rig knew there would be hardships on their current mission, but nothing prepared them for the terrors they’re about to face. The heart-stopping adventure begins when a devastating earthquake damages the rig, including its communication devices and escape vehicle. Although quick-thinking mechanical engineer Norah Price (Stewart) manages to temporarily stave off imminent disaster, the need to evacuate escalates quickly. Their only hope is to walk across the ocean floor to an abandoned vessel, in hopes that its communication equipment still works. As if their journey isn’t treacherous enough, they begin to sense that they’re not alone in the murky ocean depths. The thriller also stars Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie and T.J. Miller.
Dive into a digital exclusive alternate ending with audio commentary, and a wealth of other bonus content when the digital code is redeemed.

TV

Balthazar: Series 1

The smash hit French crime drama, “Balthazar: Series 1” arrives on DVD Tuesday April 14, from Acorn TV.

Suave, smart, and somewhat strange, Raphaël Balthazar (Tomer Sisley, “Messiah”) can make the dead speak like no one else. As a forensic pathologist in Paris, he works with chief inspector Hélène Bach (Hélène de Fougerolles, “Le Secret d’Elise”) to solve the city’s most disturbing crimes. But there’s one case that continues to haunt him—the murder of his wife more than a decade ago.

Now on a two-disc DVD set ($39.99, Amazon.com), “Balthazar” previously premiered on Acorn TV in November. The second series (season) of “Balthazar” will premiere exclusively on Acorn TV on Monday, April 20.

The Heart Guy: Series 4

“The Heart Guy: Series 4,” the award-nominated Aussie medical drama from Oscar-nominated and BAFTA award-winning writer Tony McNamara (“The Favourite”), arrives on DVD Tuesday April 14.

This season follows hotshot surgeon Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser, “The Doctor Blake Mysteries”) in the wake of last season’s unexpected pregnancies and heartache. Hugh’s sobriety and successes are tested by ever-evolving professional struggles and a new probationary resident at the clinic. With the added stress of navigating parenthood, Hugh faces his most challenging time yet.

“The Heart Guy” has been nominated for several Logie awards, including Most Popular Drama Program and Most Outstanding Drama Series as well as Corser for eight nominations for his starring role (Gold Logie, Most Popular Actor and Most Outstanding Actor).

The 10-episode, three-disc set of “The Heart Guy: Series 4” will be available for $59.99 (SRP).

Unidentified: Inside America’s UFO Investigation: Season 1

History’s groundbreaking nonfiction series “Unidentified: Inside America’s UFO Investigation: Season 1” arrives on DVD Tuesday April 14, from Lionsgate.

Executive produced by and featuring Tom DeLonge, former Blink-182 lead guitarist and co-founder of To the Stars Academy of Arts and Science, this series follows an impressive team of investigators and former government insiders as they gather testimony from military eyewitnesses and uncover tangible evidence to build a compelling case for proof.

The two-disc set features a look at newly authenticated evidence and footage, interviews from eyewitnesses and former military personnel who have never spoken out before. The “Unidentified: Inside America’s UFO Investigation: Season 1” DVD will be available for $14.98 (SRP).