Movies

Baby Assassins (Action, Comedy, Drama)

Director Hugo Sakamoto (“A Janitor,” “Hangman’s Knot”) and action director Kensuke Sonomura (John Woo’s “Manhunt,” “Nowhere Man”) combine their talents for the critically acclaimed martial arts action-comedy “Baby Assassins,” hitting Digital, Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, August 16, from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Upon graduation, highly trained teenage assassins Chisato (Akari Takaishi) and Mahiro (Saori Izawa) are informed by upper management that they will need to hold down “normal” jobs as a cover, and — even worse — become roommates. However, after an unfortunate run-in with a Yakuza member, the girls must band together to survive an epic fight for their lives. The cast also includes Masanori Mimoto (“Enter the Fat Dragon,” “Hydra,” “God of War”).

A Jury’s Special Award Winner at the 2022 Fantasporto Film Festival, “Baby Assassins” premiered at the 2021 Fantastic Fest and played at the 2022 Glasgow Film Festival and New York Asian Film Festival. The film has a runtime of approximately 95 minutes and is not rated. It is presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

The Black Phone (Horror, Thriller)

Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 82 percent, “The Black Phone” comes to Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, August 16, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The film is also available on Digital and is currently streaming on Peacock.

From producer Jason Blum (“The Invisible Man,” “Get Out,” “Split”), written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill (“Dr. Strange”) with Derrickson directing, “The Black Phone” stars Ethan Hawke (“Moon Knight”), Jeremy Davies (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Lost”), James Ransone (“It Chapter Two”), Mason Thames (“Walker”) and Madeleine McGraw (“A Christmas Wish”).

Finney (Thames), a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer (Hawke) and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims — and they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney. The film is produced by Derrickson & Cargill’s Crooked Highway and presented by Universal and Blumhouse.

“The Black Phone” releases on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital with exclusive bonus content, including two deleted scenes (“Is This America Now?” and “No Dreams”), a feature commentary by director, producer and co-writer Derrickson and Derrickson’s short film, “Shadowprowler.” There are also four behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast and crew that detail everything from how Hawke transformed into the character of The Grabber to the decision to shoot the film’s dream sequences on Super 8 film.

Jurassic World Dominion (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi)

Boasting 14 minutes of never-before-seen footage, an alternate opening, more dinosaurs and more action, “Jurassic World Dominion” debuts on Digital, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, August 16, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Two worlds collide as the epic saga that began with “Jurassic Park” comes to a grand conclusion in “Jurassic World Dominion.” Directed by Colin Trevorrow and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, the director of the first two “Jurassic Park” films, “Jurassic World Dominion” takes place four years after Isla Nublar’s destruction when dinosaurs roam the Earth again. Facing the cataclysmic consequences of a planet once again dominated by prehistoric predators, two generations of “Jurassic” heroes unite as doctors Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) and Alan Grant (Sam Neill) return to join Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) for an incredible adventure that will determine the destiny of humans and dinosaurs once and for all.

Having generated over $950 million in global ticket sales, “Jurassic World Dominion” topped the box-office charts in 72 markets around the world during its release weekend and broke franchise records in 16, earning an A- CinemaScore. In addition to the extended cut of the film, the exclusive special edition home entertainment release includes captivating behind-the-scenes content chronicling the making of the movie from its start to its final night of filming, the original short film “Battle at Big Rock” directed by Colin Trevorrow and more.

Everyone loves dinosaurs, which is why Front Row Features is giving away a copy of “Jurassic World Dominion” to one lucky reader on 4K Ultra HD. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com with your favorite moment from the “Jurassic” franchise in the body of the email by Aug. 22.

Front Row Features is also giving away a copy of the martial arts action-comedy “Baby Assassins” on Blu-ray to three lucky readers. To enter that contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Aug. 22 with your favorite martial arts superstar in the body of the email for your chance to win. Good luck!