WE ARE X. (DVD Artwork). ©Magnolia Home Entertainment.
By ANGELA DAWSON
Front Row Features
From the producers of 2012’s Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” comes “We Are X,” a transcendent rock and roll story about one of the biggest and most successful heavy metal bands most of the world has never heard of. The documentary, directed by Stephen Kijak, is available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD Tuesday, April 25, from Magnolia Home Entertainment (on its Magnet label).
Under the enigmatic direction of drummer, pianist, composer, and producer Yoshiki, X Japan has sold over 30 million singles and albums combined—captivating such a wide range of admirers as Sir George Martin, KISS, Stan Lee, and even the Japanese Emperor. An astonishingly intimate portrait of a deeply haunted–but truly unstoppable—virtuoso and the music that has enthralled legions of the world’s most devoted fans. The band has sold more than 30 million albums and singles, performed countless sold-out concerts and have fans in North America, Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Special features include deleted scenes, deleted featuring Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi and clips from Kitty Con, the New Economy Summit, Tateyama and the X Museum, as well as interviews with band members Yoshiki, Toshi, Pata, Heath and Sugizo; seven interview vignettes of Yoshiki on “We Are X;” live performances of “Forever Love” and “Kurenai” of the band’s “The Last Live” concert at the Tokyo Dome and a fan video, “Born to Be Free.”
The “We Are X” Blu-ray and DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.98 and $26.98, respectively. The Digital HD is available via iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Video and additional digital retailers.
Tye Sheridan (“X-Men: Apocalypse”) stars in the thriller “Detour,” available Tuesday April 25 on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, from Magnolia Home Entertainment (on its Magnet label).
Harper (Sheridan) is a seemingly naive law student, who obsesses over the idea that his shifty stepfather was involved in the devastating car crash that left his mother hospitalized and comatose. He drowns his suspicions in whiskey until he finds himself suddenly engrossed in conversation with volatile grifter Johnny (Emory Cohen) and his stripper companion, Cherry (Bel Powley). As daylight breaks and the haziness of promises made become clearer, Harper has to deal with the repercussions as well as a violent duo on his doorstep. Employing a split-narrative structure to tell this tale of deception and murder, writer/director Christopher Smith takes his audience on a wild ride of twists and turns, where it’s never quite clear what or who can be trusted.
“Detour’s” special features include interviews with filmmaker Christopher Smith and star Tye Sheridan as well as a special look inside the making of the film. It is available on Blu-ray and DVD for an MSRP of $29.98 and $26.98, respectively.
A new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “The Witness for the Prosecution” debuts on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday April 25. Based on the best-selling novelist of all time’s iconic short story, this Acorn TV and BBC One television movie stars Toby Jones (Detectorists, Sherlock) and Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City). When an heiress (Cattrall) is brutally murdered, all the evidence points to her young lover (Billy Howle, “On Chesil Beach”), but he insists to his solicitor (Jones) that his wife (Andrea Riseborough, “Bloodline”) can prove his innocence. Extras include interviews with the cast and featurettes on the story as well as the fashion. The DVD and Blu-ray are available for an MSRP of $34.99 each. The film also is available on the Acorn TV streaming service (https://signup.acorn.tv/)
This spring, Peanuts fans can get set for exciting, animated sports action with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s (WBHE) DVD release of “Peanuts by Schulz: Go Team Go!” This all-new collection features sports-themed cartoons from the newly launched Peanuts cable television series. The release includes 19 shorts, which are based on the legendary print comic strip created by the beloved cartoonist Charles Schulz. This animated title will be available in stores Tuesday April 25. The DVD will retail for an MSRP of $18.94.
Revisit some of Schulz’s most captivating comic strips from the 50-year history of Peanuts with this brand- new animated cable television series, based on some of the most endearing Peanuts themes. These delightful new cartoons are based directly on original Peanuts print comics, which are brought to life via beautifully animated vignettes that recreate the look and feel of Schulz’s iconic strip. “Peanuts by Schulz: Go Team Go!” features over two hours of sports-themed tales. From baseball and football to tennis and ice skating, the Peanuts gang learns the values of winning, losing, friendship and good sportsmanship in this entertaining release. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang for some good, old-fashioned fun and games. “Go Team Go! Peanuts” premiered in the U.S. on Boomerang, Cartoon Network’s sister station, last year.
Calling all M. Night Shyamalan fans! Front Row Features is giving away a copy of the writer/director’s latest hit, the intense psychological thriller “Split,” on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack to one lucky reader. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Tuesday April 25 for your chance to win. Good luck!
Calling all dog lovers! Front Row Features is giving a copy of the emotional family film “A Dog’s Purpose” on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack to one lucky reader. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Tuesday May 9 with “A Dog’s Purpose” in the subject line for your chance to win. Good luck!
