‘Starship Troopers’ Sequel, ‘Wonder Woman,’ ‘Dean Dillon’ Doc, More on Home Entertainment … plus giveaways!!!

STARSHIP TROOPERS: TRAITOR OF MARS. (DVD Artwork). ©Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

Original “Starship Troopers” stars Casper Van Dien and Dina Meyer return to voice the iconic sci-fi action heroes Johnny Rico and Dizzy Flores in the all-new CG animated sequel “Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars,” available now on digital and on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday Sept. 19 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The 4K Ultra HD disc features both Dolby Vision high-dynamic range (HDR) and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Directed by celebrated anime filmmaker Shinji Aramaki (“Appleseed Alpha,” “Appleseed Ex Machina”) and written by sci-fi master Ed Neumeier (“Starship Troopers,” “RoboCop”), “Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars” sees Rico and Dizzy reunite on screen 20 years after the release of 1997’s sci-fi classic “Starship Troopers” for an action-packed and animated outer space military adventure co-starring comedian and “Starship Troopers” superfan DeRay Davis (“Wild ‘N Out,” “21 Jump Street”).

The home entertainment release includes the featurette “Expanding the Universe,” which offers fans a comprehensive look at the making of the animated sequel, interviews with star Van Dien and screenwriter Neumeier, and reflections from cast and crew on the legacy of the original film. Additional bonus materials include a deleted scene and photo gallery.

Also debuting on Sept. 19 is the original “Starship Troopers 20th Anniversary Edition” on 4K Ultra HD. Experience the sci-fi action classic like never before with all-new 4K picture and Dolby Atmos audio. This special anniversary release also includes the film on Blu-ray, featuring classic special features including director and cast commentary, deleted scenes, 19 featurettes, screen tests, and more.

The summer box office hit “Wonder Woman” arrives Tuesday Sept. 19 on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. Gal Gadot returns as the DC superhero in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins (“Monster,” “The Killing”).

The Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, and Blu-ray Combo Pack will include an all-new bonus scene never before seen in theaters.

Israeli actress Gadot stars as Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior.  Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers and her true destiny to become the superhero Wonder Woman.

Joining Gadot in the international cast are Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” franchise), Robin Wright (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), Danny Huston (“Clash of the Titans”) David Thewlis (the “Harry Potter” franchise), Connie Nielsen (“Gladiator”), Elena Anaya (“The Skin I Live In”), Ewen Bremner (“Exodus: Gods and Kings”), Lucy Davis (“Shaun of the Dead”), Lisa Loven Kongsli (upcoming “Ashes in the Snow”), Eugene Brave Rock (“Hell on Wheels”) and Saïd Taghmaoui (“American Hustle”).

The Warner Bros release was produced by Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder and Richard Suckle, with Stephen Jones, Geoff Johns, Jon Berg, Wesley Coller and Rebecca Steel Roven serving as executive producers.

“Wonder Woman” will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $44.95, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95, Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and DVD for $28.98. The Ultra HD Blu-ray features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the theatrical version in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc also featuring the theatrical version.

The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in 3D hi-definition and hi-definition; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray; and the DVD features the theatrical version in standard definition. The Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack will include a digital version of the movie with UltraViolet.  “Wonder Woman” also is now available from digital retailers.

Additionally, all of the special features, including an all-new bonus scene, interviews with filmmakers, featurettes, and extended scenes, can be experienced in an entirely new, dynamic and immersive manner on tablets and mobile phones using the Warner Bros. Movies All Access App, available for both iOS and Android devices. When purchased digitally and redeemed on UltraViolet, the Warner Bros. Movies All Access App allows users to watch the movie and simultaneously experience synchronized content related to any scene, simply by rotating their device.

Synchronized content is presented on the same screen while the movie is playing, thus enabling users to quickly learn more about any scene, such as actor biographies, scene locations, fun trivia, or image galleries. Also, users can share movie clips with friends on social media and experience other immersive content. The Movies All Access app is available for download on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

The Blu-ray discs of “Wonder Woman” features a Dolby Atmos soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar; however, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.

“Tennessee Whiskey: The Dean Dillon Story,” arrives on DVD Tuesday Sept. 19. A legend in Nashville, the noted songwriter finally comes out of the shadows and shares his music, his life and the stories behind the hits.  The documentary features interviews with Dillon along with many of the artists from whom he has written—George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith, among others. Dillon wrote over 30 No. 1 hit songs for the biggest artists in country music over the past four decades, yet most have never heard his name.

Considered by many to be the last troubadour of songwriters, Dean is back on the road singing his songs and telling his stories in honky tonks and bars, stories behind the song that played when you had your first kiss, the first dance at your wedding, the one on the radio when your child was conceived. A legend in Nashville, yet relatively unknown outside of music city, Dean finally comes out of the shadows and shares his music, his life, and the stories behind the hits in this honest film about a man responsible for songs that shaped an era and helped to create some of music’s biggest stars.

Action icon Steven Seagal takes on a new mission in the exhilarating thrill ride “Cartels,” arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD, and Digital HD Tuesday Sept. 19 from Lionsgate. The action thriller is currently available On Demand. “Cartels” follows a team of DEA agents who get a special assignment—shadow a drug kingpin to keep him safe from harm—but the tables are turned when the drug lord’s former gang decides to try to take him out. Loaded with thrilling action from start to finish, the film also stars MMA Champion Georges St-Pierre and Luke Goss. Written and directed by Keoni Waxman (“Contract to Kill”), the “Cartels” Blu-ray and DVD will be available for an SRP of $24.99 and $19.98, respectively.

From the makers of “Jack Irish” and “Rake,” and akin to an Australian “Doc Martin,” with its fish-out-of-water premise and eccentric characters, the new medical dramedy “The Heart Guy: Series 1” (“Doctor Doctor” in Australia) makes its DVD debut Tuesday Sept. 19, from Acorn TV, an RLJ Entertainment brand. The series follows a charming and genius doctor forced to return to his hometown and become a local doctor after his personal life spins out of control. This three-disc DVD set features 10 episodes (SRP $49.99, Amazon.com). “The Heart Guy: Series 1” made its U.S. premiere in June on Acorn TV.

Gifted but arrogant heart surgeon Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser, “Glitch”) leads a charmed life in Sydney. He believes his talent lets him live outside the rules—until an incident involving drugs and alcohol brings his world crashing down. Placed on probation and banned from performing surgery, Hugh retreats to his rarely visited hometown of Whyhope in rural Australia.

Working as a GP at an underfunded hospital with a no-nonsense boss (Hayley McElhinney, “The Babadook”), Hugh struggles to re-acclimate to rural life. And his complicated family situation makes his fall from grace even worse. Between his politically ambitious mother (Tina Bursill”), emotionally distant father (Steve Bisley, “The Great Gatsby”), and his ex-girlfriend Charlie (Nicole da Silva, “Wentworth”)—who is now married to his younger brother—Hugh is constantly reminded why he left Whyhope. Hoping to start afresh, he must battle his bad-boy tendencies that could end his medical career for good.

Warner Bros. first cartoon superstar gets an unprecedented presentation on DVD with the Warner Archive Collection (WAC) release of “Porky Pig 101,” a compilation of everyone’s favorite pants-free porcine—from his humble ensemble beginnings to a signature starring role in the studio’s premier cartoon series, Looney Tunes. Presented in chronological order, with key commentaries on select shorts, the five-disc “Porky Pig 101” will be available for purchase starting Tuesday Sept. 19, through wb.com/warnerarchive and your favorite online retailer.

From his start as the break-out star of a schoolhouse talent show in “I Haven’t Got a Hat” to his slimmer, slap-happy sidekick stage alongside Daffy Duck in “Porky Pig’s Feat,” “Porky Pig 101” spotlights the character’s ascent from rascally school gang member to superstar spokespig in this all-encompassing cartoon collection.

“Porky Pig 101” arrives from WAC after the long-planned collection’s five-year internal journey, including the restoration and remastering process of 101 animated shorts. Nearly half of these cartoons have had no previous Home Entertainment release in any format. Many have not been seen in decades subsequent to their original theatrical release, or as part of early television-era airings, which came from substandard, edited elements. All of the cartoons in the collection have now undergone varying degrees of remastering from the best available 35mm elements, including archival nitrate sources.

Fans will finally get a chance to see these cartoons just as they were originally seen in the theaters, and that includes some treasured shorts including Slap Happy Pappy and early Chuck Jones works like Porky’s Prize Pony and Porky’s Ant that actually haven’t been publicly seen in decades.

“Porky Pig 101” gives a unique overview not only of the title character, but of the growth and development of the Warner Bros. cartoons, and the incredible animation legends responsible for their creation. That assemblage of Hall of Fame talent includes animators such as Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, Chuck Jones, Robert McKimson and Frank Tashlin. Porky Pig 101 also offers insight into the auditory excellence of Warner Bros. cartoons with the impact of Mel Blanc’s arrival at the studio, and his outstanding vocal characterizations leading the studio’s already-impressive array of voice performers, and Carl Stalling’s brilliant musical direction to underscore these shorts with unparalleled wit and acumen.

Bonus features on Porky Pig 101 include commentary on 13 animated shorts by animation and film experts like historians Jerry Beck and Michael Barrier, notable animators Mark Kausler (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Eddie Fitzgerald (“Tiny Toon Adventures”), musicologist Daniel Goldmark, animator/director John Kricfalusi (“Ren & Stimpy”), renowned inker/painter Martha Sigall, and legendary live-action directors Frank Tashlin (“Susan Slept Here,” “The Glass Bottom Boat”) and Joe Dante (“Gremlins,” “Innerspace”).

That’s not all, folks! Front Row Features is giving away a copy of Warner Archive Collection’s “Porky Pig 101” on DVD to one lucky reader. The five-disc collection features more than 100 classic Porky Pig cartoons, with nearly half of the animated shorts making their home entertainment debut. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Tuesday Sept. 26 for your chance to win. Good luck!

Front Row Features also is giving away something fans of all ages can enjoy—a copy of Universal Pictures’ “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial 35th Anniversary Limited Edition” in a Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD), with more than three hours of bonus features. To enter the contest, simply email frontrowfeatures@gmail.com by Friday, Sept. 24, with your favorite moment from “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.” Good luck!