MARVEL STUDIOS BLACK PANTHER. (DVD Artwork). ©Marvel Studios.

By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther,” the celebrated story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), a young African prince who takes on the mantle of King and Superhero, has captured the imagination of audiences around the world. Now, fans can bring home the cinematic phenomenon, packed with humor, action and a powerful message, when the film becomes available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand Tuesday May 15.  With both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos immersive sound, 4K Ultra HD offers consumers a transformative viewing experience. “Black Panther” also is available Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD and Movies Anywhere.

Extras on the Blu-ray include a director’s intro, “From Page to Screen: A Roundtable Discussion, which delves into the film’s making, “Crowning of a New King,” where viewers can explore the world of “Black Panther” in all its color and complexity, “Warriors Within,” where viewers get to know Wakanda’s women and the actors who portray them, “The Hidden Kingdom Revealed,” which delves into Wakanda’s diverse people, “Wakanda Revealed,” which explores the kingdom’s advanced technology, deleted scenes, a gag reel, an exclusive sneak peek at “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” “Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years—Connecting the Universe,” and a director’s commentary. Additionally, the digital exclusives show Wakanda “tourism ads,” before and after.

The global cultural phenomenon of “Black Panther” has dominated the box office charts emerging as the third biggest movie of all time domestically with more than $665 million—the first film in eight years to spend five weeks at No. 1—and rising to the global top 10 of all time with more than $1.3 billion.

T’Challa returns home to the hidden high-tech African nation of Wakanda to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king, following the death of his father. But when a man named Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) appears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he’s drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Pitted against his own family, the king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and embrace his future as an Avenger.

“Black Panther” also reveals a fierce group of Wakandan women, including Nakia (Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o), a War Dog and Wakandan spy; Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s little sister and tech wizard; and the Dora Milaje, the all-female Wakandan Special Forces led by Okoye (Danai Gurira). They team up with reluctant ally CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) to help T’Challa defend Wakanda against the forces threatening to destroy it. The extraordinary ensemble cast of “

The action-packed film includes veteran actors such as Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett as Ramonda, T’Challa and Shuri’s mother; Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker as Zuri, the spiritual leader of Wakanda; and Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, an illegal arms dealer; and standout performances by Academy Award nominee Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Royal Counsel to T’Challa; Winston Duke as M’Baku, the formidable leader of the Jabari tribe; and Emmy Award-winner Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, a Wakandan War Dog.

The Oscar-winning sword-and-sandal epic “Gladiator,” debuts Tuesday May 15 on 4K Ultra HD, from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  Featuring both the theatrical and extended editions, “Gladiator” is the stunning historical epic that follows Maximus Decimus Meridius, the brave general who was forced into slavery, emerged as a gladiator and defied an empire. Masterfully directed by Ridley Scott (“Blade Runner,” “All the Money in the World”) and featuring a riveting performance from Russell Crowe, the 2000 historic epic is a combination of vivid action and compelling storytelling. It also is the winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.

The 4K Ultra HD includes an introduction by Scott (Extended Edition), a commentary by Scott and actor Russell Crowe (Extended Edition) and a commentary by Scott with editor Pietro Scalia and cinematographer John Mathieson (Theatrical Edition). On the Blu-ray, the extras include an introduction by Scott (Extended Edition), a commentary by director Ridley Scott and Crowe (Extended Edition), commentary by director Scott, editor Pietro Scalia and cinematographer John Mathieson (Theatrical Edition), a featurette on The Scrolls of Knowledge, deleted scenes an index with optional commentary by Scott, “Visions from Elysium: Topic Portal,” “Strength and Honor: Creating the World of ‘Gladiator’—Image & Design,” a storyboard demonstration, the storyboard archive, costume design gallery, photo galleries, abandoned sequences and deleted scenes, “The Aurelian Archives—My Gladiator Journal” by Spencer Treat Clark and more.

Another Academy Award winning big screen blockbuster, “Braveheart,” debuts Tuesday May 15 on 4K Ultra HD, from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The richly detailed saga of power, passion, and the fight for Scottish freedom boasts Mel Gibson as William Wallace, as the bold leader of the movement who rallies his countrymen to liberation from oppressive English rule. “The 1995 blockbuster won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Special features on both the 4K UHD and the Blu-ray include a commentary by Gibson. Additionally, the Blu-ray contains featurettes on “Braveheart Timelines,” “Battlefields of the Scottish rebellion,” “Braveheart: A Look Back,” “Smithfield: Medieval Killing Fields,” “Tales of William Wallace” and “A Writer’s Journey.”

A family reunion turns horrific in the horror-thriller “The Manor,” arriving on DVD, Digital and On Demand Tuesday May 15 from Lionsgate. When Amy checks herself out of an insane asylum on her 18th birthday, her mom takes her on a weekend getaway to celebrate and rekindle family ties. But things take a turn for the worse. Amy struggles to survive a family reunion that has gone wrong. “The Manor” stars Christina Robinson (“Dexter,” “Syn”), Kevin Nash (“Magic Mike” franchise) and Rachel True (“The Craft”). The thriller is available on DVD for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $19.98.

Season two of “The Shannara Chronicles” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday May 15.  With the Four Lands in chaos, the re-emergence of magic has the populace terrified, and an organization called The Crimson is hunting down magic users, using fear and intimidation to sow discord among the races. Wil Ohmsford, scarred by the loss of Amberle and his separation from Eritrea, has turned his back on his magical destiny to become a healer. But when a mysterious woman named Mareth saves Wil from a Crimson attack, he is forced to rejoin the fight. After reuniting with Eretria, Wil and Mareth seek out Allanon, only to learn that the Druid’s former protege, Bandon, is on a mission to resurrect a creature of darkest evil: The Warlock Lord. Together, our heroes must band together to take down The Crimson and prevent Bandon from unleashing an even greater threat upon the Four Land before it’s too late. The three-disc Blu-ray or DVD set includes all 10 episodes from the second season as well behind-the-scenes featurettes on the characters, actors and more.

Adapted from Terry Brooks’ fantasy trilogy “The Sword of Shannara,” season two of “The Shannara Chronicles” is now available to watch over and over again on DVD and Blu-ray. Front Row Features is giving away a copy of the TV series’ dramatic second season to two lucky readers on Blu-ray. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by May 22 for your chance to win. Good luck!