By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

Movies

Cats

“Cats,” the much-maligned big screen version of the beloved award-winning stage musical, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday April 7, from Universal Home Entertainment.

Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, based on T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.”

The film stars James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and introduces Royal Ballet principal Francesca Hayward. It also features a world-class cast of dancers showcasing styles from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap, this film reimagines the stage musical for a new generation. The home entertainment versions are chock full of extras including a making-of featurette, interviews with the cast and much more. Judge for yourself.

Dolittle

Robert Downey Jr. takes the title role in the family friendly adventure comedy “Dolittle,” arrives on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand Tuesday April 7. It also is now available on Digital, from Universal Home Entertainment.

The adventurous tale is brought to life with an all-star cast that includes the voice talents of Academy Award winner Emma Thompson (“Last Christmas,” “Late Night”), Academy Award winner Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Mr. Robot”), Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), John Cena (“WWE”), and Tom Holland “(“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and more. The film is directed by Stephen Gaghan (“Syriana”) and produced by Downey and wife, Susan Downey.

Dr. Dolittle is a remarkable veterinarian but he’s definitely not a people person. After losing his wife, Dolittle hermits himself away behind the high wall of his manor but is forced to set sail on an epic adventure when the queen falls gravely ill. Helping Dolittle in search of a rare cure are his rambunctious animal friends—including Chee-Chee (Malek), an anxious, self-conscious gorilla; Dab-Dab (Octavia Spencer, “The Help”), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck; the bickering duo of cynical, neurotic ostrich Plimpton (Kumail Nanjiani, “The Big Sick,” “Silicon Valley”) and chilly-but-chill polar bear Yoshi (Cena); as well as a headstrong parrot named Polynesia (Thompson).

Catch incredible bonus content that you can only see on the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital release showcasing the making of the film and insight to all the cast. Own the movie all the animals are talking about and go an epic journey with a hilarious always-cold bear, an anxious gorilla, a lovable giraffe, a ferocious tiger and more. 

Gold Dust

The rollicking family friendly western adventure “Gold Dust” arrives on DVD and Digital Tuesday April 7, from High Octane Pictures. Dancing assassins, opera in uncharted canyons, armed children on dirt bikes, mines, hostages and mirages all form the wild whirlwind called Gold Dust.  The film features music from Grammy winning artist Cage the Elephant.

Gregory’s Girl

“Gregory’s Girl” is set to debut on the Film Movement Plus streaming service Monday April 6 just in time to celebrate Tartan Day, the celebration of Scottish heritage.

The digitally restored film is a quirky, endearing ’80s-era comedy—one of the most loved British films of all time—from Glasgow-born director Bill Forsyth (“Local Hero”).

Following an eight-game losing streak, a desperate (and sexist) Glasgow school soccer team coach reluctantly accepts hotshot female player Dorothy (Dee Hepburn, who trained six weeks for the role). Although demoted to goalie, teenage knucklehead Gregory (John Gordon Sinclair), falls hard for his new teammate. Prodded by the advice of his smart-mouthed 10-year-old sister, Madeline, (Allison Forster), he does make his move, but there are behind-the-scenes feminine conspiracies en route.

 Due to the worldwide health epidemic which is keeping most people at home, Film Movement Plus is offering a 30-day free trial and half off the first month. With a growing library of more than 450 feature films, documentaries and shorts—all award-winners from around the globe and every prestigious film festival—there’s no end to the absorbing entertainment for cinema aficionados, available anytime across all devices and platforms.

Like a Boss

“Like a Boss” debuts on Digital April 7, and on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand April 21, from Paramount Home Entertainment. The Digital and Blu-ray releases deliver even more laughs with deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes bonus content featuring interviews with the uproarious ensemble cast.

Best friends, Mia and Mel (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) are living their best lives, running their own cosmetics company until a villainous beauty mogul (Salma Hayek) conspires to steal it from under them. When her devious plan drives the besties apart, Mia and Mel learn that sticking together is the only way to turn the tables and take their company back. The beauty business is about to get ugly. The film also stars Jennifer Coolidge and Billy Porter.

Little Women

Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Greta Gerwig’s fresh, unique and modern adaptation of the timeless Louisa May Alcott masterpiece “Little Women” comes home on Blu-ray and DVD April 7 and Digital Friday March 10, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The Blu-ray, DVD and digital releases will take viewers even deeper into the beloved story of Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth with more than 45 minutes of bonus features. See how writer/director Gerwig led this modern adaptation of a literary classic with a magnificent new cast, incredible art direction, elaborate costumes, set pieces and how she took inspiration from the real-life Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott lived and wrote “Little Women” in the late 1860s.

Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) has crafted a feature film that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of “Little Women” author Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author’s alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life. Gerwig’s take on the beloved story of the March sisters—four young women each determined to live life on their own terms—is both timeless and timely. Portraying Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth March, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen, with Timothée Chalamet as their neighbor Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.

The film has been honored with an Academy Award for Best Costume Design plus five nominations including Best Picture, Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), and Best Music (Original Score). Ronan’s transcendent performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, while Florence Pugh’s nuanced and insightful take on the character of Amy earned her a nod for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. 

The Night Clerk

The thriller “The Night Clerk” arrives on DVD Tuesday April 7, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Tye Sheridan stars as hotel night clerk Bart Bromley who is a highly intelligent young man on the autism spectrum. When a woman is murdered during his shift, Bart becomes the prime suspect. As the police investigation closes in, Bart makes a personal connection with a beautiful guest named Andrea (Ana De Armas), but soon realizes he must stop the real murderer before she becomes the next victim. The film also stars Helen Hunt as Ethel Bromley and John Leguizamo.

Same Boat

A time-traveling assassin finds himself on a cruise ship, where he falls for the women he’s supposed to kill, in “Same Boat,” arriving Tuesday April 7 On Demand, from Dark Star Pictures.
 
James is a time-traveling assassin from the 28th century sent to 2018 to kill a woman, but when his intern gets sick and he loses his paperwork he has some time to kill, so to speak, while enjoying the cruise he accidentally falls in love with the woman he’s supposed to kill. “Same Boat” is a film about duty, love, friendship, and how kindness is more powerful than destruction. Chris Roberti, Tony Glanz and David Bly star in a Chris Roberti film. Josh Itzkowitz, Chris Roberti and Mark Leidner wrote the screenplay. This sci-fi rom-com was covertly shot on a cruise ship.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Get ready for epic fun and super-sonic action when everyone’s favorite hedgehog races home in the blockbuster hit “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which is available now on Digital and will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and for rental on demand or disc Tuesday May 19, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The Digital, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with sensational bonus features: See Sonic the Hedgehog’s next adventure around the world in a new animation; get more of Sonic in deleted scenes; laugh at the hilarious blooper reel; explore the origins of the legendary blue hedgehog; see Jim Carrey bring Dr. Robotnik to life; watch along with awesome commentary by director Jeff Fowler and the voice of Sonic, Ben Schwartz; and more!  Plus, for a limited time, the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo packs will include a printed, limited edition comic book featuring an adventure with Sonic and The Donut Lord.
 
Powered with incredible speed, Sonic the Hedgehog (voiced by Ben Schwartz), a.k.a. The Blue Blur, embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until he accidentally knocks out the power grid and sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now it’s super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using his unique power for world domination. Sonic teams up with The Donut Lord, aka Sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), to save the planet in this action-packed hit that’s fun for the whole family.

Strike

The family-friendly stop-motion animated adventure “Strike” arrives on Digital Tuesday April 7, from Indican Pictures.

“Strike” follows Mungo Morrison (Lizzie Waterworth, “Bob the Builder”) as he struggles to save his family and community, while also trying to achieve his dream of representing his country in soccer during the Wild Cup in Russia.

Mungo is a young mole who is due to begin work by his proud father’s side in their hometown’s legendary gold mine. While his best friends are excited to be in the mine, Mungo secretly dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. However, desperate not to upset his father and facing the challenge of being a small mole unable to play soccer in bright light, Mungo sadly resigns himself to life as a miner. But, when the mine is forced to shut down after a mysterious accident, an evil and gold-obsessed supervillain, known only as ‘The Boss’ (Ken Stott, “The Hobbit” franchise) attempts to bully the townsfolk into selling him the mine. Against all odds and with a little help from his crazy friends, Mungo begins an epic adventure of thrills, laughs, action and danger as he hurtles towards the Wild Cup finals in Russia and has a final showdown with The Boss.

From Director Trevor Hardy (“Pushkin”) and producer Edward Catchpole (“Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends” series and “Bob the Builder), “Strike” is a heartwarming stop-motion adventure film about a mole with a goal to play professional soccer and save his community. The “Strike” DVD is available for $14.98 (SRP).

Winter Flies

“Winter Flies” will premiere on the Film Movement Plus streaming service Friday April 10.

Two young boys hit the road for mischievous adventure in Olmo Omerzu’s award-winning coming-of-age road trip dramedy, winner of four Czech Lion Awards and Czechoslovakia’s Official Oscar Submission for “Best International Film” last year.

Rebellious 14-year-old Mára sets out behind the wheel of a stolen Audi with his eccentric friend Hedus. Together they head into the frozen wastelands of the Czech Republic in search of adventure. When the police finally catch up with them, the mischievous breeziness of Mára’s story provides more questions than answers for the baffled authorities. Filled with directorial playfulness, Omerzu’s winter road movie about boyhood friendship and unexpected adolescent detours was the winner of four Czech Lion Awards including Best Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor and Actress.

Calling all “Star Wars” fans! Front Row Features is giving away a digital copy of the final film in the epic Skywalker saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” to three lucky readers. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by April 13 with the name of your favorite “Star Wars” character in the body of the email. Winners will receive their digital code as soon as the statewide government mandate in California to close all non-essential fulfillment houses due to COVID-19 is lifted. Good luck and May the Force Be with You!