By ANGELA DAWSON
Front Row Features
Movies
A Good Woman is Hard to Find
Sarah Bolger (“Mayans M.C.,” “The Spiderwick Chronicles”) stars in the thriller “A Good Woman is Hard to Find, from Film Movement.
Set in the dark underbelly of Northern Ireland, director Abner Pastoll’s sophomore feature tells the story of a single mother struggling to raise two young children while searching for answers about the unsolved murder of her husband. After being coerced into helping a low-level drug dealer, she finds herself the target of a dangerous crime boss. Desperate to keep her family safe, Sarah turns the tables on her victimizers in one final act of brutal vengeance.
Bonus features include a director’s commentary, deleted scenes, a making-of featurette, an alternate opening and more.
The DVD is available for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $24.95.
Burden
“Burden” arrives on Digital Now and DVD Tuesday June 23, from 101 Studios.
Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (“The Butler,” “Black Panther”) and Garrett Hedlund (“Mudbound”) star in this powerful and timely true-story of faith and love overcoming hate.
Set in a racist community, an unlikely friendship forms when an African American reverend (Whitaker) helps a Klan member (Hedlund) leave that group. Written and directed by Andrew Heckler in his feature debut, “Burden” is produced by Robbie Brenner, the Academy Award nominated producer of “Dallas Buyers Club.”
The supporting cast alongside Whitaker and Hedlund includes Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson (“Selma,” “Michael Clayton”), Andrea Riseborough (“Waco,” “Battle of the Sexes”), Academy Award nominee Tess Harper (“No Country for Old Men”), Crystal Fox (“Big Little Lies,” “Driving Miss Daisy”), Grammy Award winner Usher (“People You May Know,” “She’s All That”) and Dexter Darden (“Maze Runner” series, “Joyful Noise”).
The DVD and Digital editions of “Burden” feature an exclusive bonus content piece going behind the scenes of the unlikely friendship of the film’s two subjects, giving audiences a meaningful look at this remarkable and compelling journey of personal discovery that inspires hope.
Corpus Christi
“Corpus Christi” arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Tuesday June 23, from Film Movement. Newcomer Bartosz Bielenia stars in this darkly humorous film about faith and second chances by Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa.
After spending years in a Warsaw prison for a violent crime, 20-year-old Daniel is released and sent to a remote village to work as a manual laborer. The job is designed to keep the ex-con busy, but Daniel has a higher calling. Over the course of his incarceration he has found Christ, and aspires to join the clergy but his criminal record means no seminary will accept him.
When Daniel arrives in town, one quick lie allows him to be mistaken for the town’s new priest, and he sets about leading his newfound flock. Though he has no training, his passion and charisma inspire the community. At the same time, his unconventional sermons and unpriestly behavior raise suspicions among some of the townsfolk, even more so as he edges towards a dark secret that the community hasn’t revealed in the confessional booth.
Bonus features include a making-of featurette and a bonus short film by Komasa, “Nice to See You,” in which a college student is taken by surprise when her father mysteriously shows up asking her to move back home.
The Blu-ray is available for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $34.95 and the DVD for $24.95 (SRP).
Dark Fortune
Dark Fortune arrives on DVD and Digital Tuesday June 23, from Corinth Films.
Shortly after finishing her master’s thesis, child psychologist Eliane Hess (Eleni Haupt) is summoned to the hospital to help provide care for Yves (Noé Ricklin), a young boy named Yves who’s the sole survivor of a car wreck that claimed the lives of his entire family. Though spared physically, Yves carries psychological wounds that may go far deeper than originally thought. Such begins “Dark Fortune,” a taut and powerful drama based on the book by Lukas Hartmann and helmed by Swiss director Stefan Haupt (“The Circle”), winner of a coveted Teddy Award at the Berlin Film Festival for his documentary, “Der Kreis.
Yves’ remaining relatives, a feuding grandmother and aunt, arrive and fight for custody, and Eliane is asked to make a formal evaluation so that the court can determine where to place him. During this time, Yves is allowed to stay with Eliane for further observation and a special bond develops between them, blurring professional lines. When past traumas surface, however, and unwelcome custody is awarded to his aunt, it’s the beginning of an emotional journey that will bring truth to light for both the therapist and the orphan in an award-winning festival favorite drama
“Dark Fortune” is available for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $24.95.
Devil’s Night
Kyyba Films’ Devil’s “Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge,” arrives Tuesday June 23 on VOD and digital platforms.
Directed by Sam Logan Khaleghi and starring Nathan Mathers (Eminem’s brother), Jeri Jensen, and Swifty McVay (from Eminem’s hip hop group D12, the story centers on a military veteran who returns home, works in law enforcement and she’s assigned to a supernatural case that’s surrounded by urban myth and legend.
The Ghost of Peter Sellers
“The Ghost of Peter Sellers” will be available On Demand Tuesday June 23.
Staking his claim in a rich screen history that no filmmaker ever sets out to be a part of—nonfiction features about movies that went wildly awry—acclaimed director Peter Medak (“The Ruling Class”) digs deep into his own psyche while unearthing long-buried archival materials. He seeks closure on how his Columbia Pictures 17th-century-set pirate comedy “Ghost in the Noonday Sun” sank almost without a trace in 1973 despite—and/or because of—its mercurial-genius star Peter Sellers, personally exchanging candid and cathartic accounts of the shoot with key participants.
Four decades later, Medak retraces his steps in sunbaked Cyprus, where Sellers acted out and up again and again; the latter’s best mate Spike Milligan added to the creative ferment and chaos; and shooting on the water swamped logistics. Haunting the director still is his deep compassion for the legendary Sellers, who would be gone forever a few years after filming.
The Rental
“The Rental” arrives On Demand, as well as in theaters and select drive-ins Tuesday July 24, from IFC Films.
Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a whole new light. Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Jeremy Allen White, and Sheila Vand star in this unnerving debut thriller from Dave Franco.
Tape
“Tape” arrives on Digital Tuesday June 23, from acclaimed directed Deborah Kampmeier (“Split,” “Hounddog”).
Based on true events and set in New York City, the film is the story of two aspiring actresses (Isabelle Fuhrman and Annarosa Mudd) who cross paths with the darker side of the entertainment industry.
The drama addresses burning societal curiosities, taking the audience into the room where questionable behavior goes unseen, finally answering the question “How could this kind of thing happen?”
TV Shows
South Park: The Complete Twenty-Third Season
“South Park: The Complete Twenty-Third Season” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday June 23.
This uncensored collector’s edition is all about “Tegridy,” featuring the 300th episode of the series! Join Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny and Randy as they explore the wonders of the human biome, tackle the consequences of immigration and get banned in China. The season includes fan-favorite characters Randy and Towelie, the PC Babies, Scott Malkinson and different theme songs for almost every episode, a first for the series.
“South Park: The Complete Twenty-Third Season” will be available in a 2-disc DVD or 2-disc Blu-ray, both of which include exclusive concept art. The Blu-ray additionally includes #SocialCommentary with fun trivia and behind-the-scenes tidbits on each episode.
Stuck with You
Debuting Tuesday June 23, UMC features the DVD debut of the UMC Original romantic drama, “Stuck with You.”
This steamy and tumultuous series stars Tammy Townsend (“Love Is…,” “K.C. Undercover”) and Timon Kyle Durett (“Queen Sugar,” “Single Ladies”) as a seemingly perfect couple, Candace and Luvell, whose relationship is envied by all, especially after the release of their hit tell-all relationship book. But while their careers are soaring to new heights, their model marriage is falling apart. To protect their brand and status, they decide to hold off on divorce and live separate lives while living under one roof. All six episodes are featured on a one-disc DVD ($19.96, Amazon.com).
“Stuck with You” previously premiered in February on UMC, the first and leading streaming service for Black film and television from AMC Networks.
Calling all “South Park” fans! Front Row Features is giving away a copy of “South Park: The Complete Twenty-Third Season” on Blu-ray to two lucky readers. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by June 29 and tell us what your favorite episode is from the hit Comedy Central series. Good luck!