By ANGELA DAWSON

Front Row Features

Movies

Boogie (Drama)

From acclaimed writer, producer and restaurateur Eddie Huang comes his directorial debut “Boogie,” the coming-of-age story of Alfred “Boogie” Chin, a basketball phenom living in Queens, New York, who dreams of one day playing in the NBA. “Boogie” is available to own on Digital, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

While his parents pressure him to focus on earning a scholarship to an elite college, Boogie must find a way to navigate a new girlfriend, high school, on-court rivals and the burden of expectation. The sports drama stars Taylor Takahashi, Taylour Paige, Pamelyn Chee, Mike Moh, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Alexa Mareka, Perry Yung and Pop Smoke.

Bonus features on the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital include “The Road to Boogie-town,” in which Takahashi and Huang discuss their evolving friendship, as well as they journey to identifying Taylor as the right person to play Boogie; “Eddie Huang: It’s Personal,” where writer/director Huang talks about his personal connection to the cultural complexities at the heart of the story; “Shout Out to Pop Smoke,” a look at Pop Smoke’s huge contribution to the film, and how bright his acting future was and more.

48 Hrs. and Another 48 Hrs. (Action Comedy)

Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte push the limits of both action and comedy in the acclaimed classics “48 Hrs.” and “Another 48 Hrs.,” arriving separately on Blu-ray in the Paramount Presents line Tuesday July 6, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

In “48 Hrs.,” Nolte is unforgettable as Jack Cates, a rough-edged Inspector on the hunt for two vicious cop-killers. Unlikely ride-along con Reggie Hammond (Murphy), is given 48-hour leave from prison to help Cates on the case. The laughs fly almost as much as the punches, as both men pursue two very different goals in a short amount of time.

In “Another 48 Hrs.,” eight years after the first 48 hours of mayhem, Reggie (Murphy) is about to be released from the pen. But, after the bus transporting him flips over (17 times), Inspector Jack Cates (Nolte) enlists the ex-con for another seemingly impossible two-day task to nail an elusive drug lord with a price on Reggie’s head.

Both films have been newly remastered from 4K film transfers and are presented with new bonus content featuring insight from director Walter Hill along with vintage behind-the-scenes footage to look back at the making of his high-octane classics. This is the Blu-ray debut of “Another 48 Hrs.” The limited-edition Paramount Presents Blu-ray discs come in collectible packaging featuring a foldout image of each film’s theatrical poster and an interior spread with key movie moments. The discs also include access to a digital copy of the film along with the theatrical trailer.

Locked In (Action Thriller)

Mena Suvari (American Beauty) and Jeff Fahey (Lost) star in the heart-stopping, action-thriller “Locked In,” available on DVD Tuesday July 6, from Paramount Home Entertainment. The film also will be available on Digital and On Demand.

After a diamond heist takes a fatal turn, a pair of thieves must entrust their fortune with an accomplice at a high-tech storage facility while they lay low. Hiding the goods within the labyrinth of storage units, the thieves’ inside man pays the ultimate price when he turns against them. Now, hell-bent on recovering the missing stones, they seize the facility and kidnap surviving employee Maggie (Suvari), threatening her family unless she helps them. Locked in with nowhere to run, Maggie’s only chance to escape alive is to fight back and stay one step ahead of her captors in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

The action thriller is written and directed by Carlos V. Gutierrez and also stars Manny Perez, Costas Mandy or, Bruno Bichir and Jasper Polish.

Percy vs Goliath (Drama)

Academy Award winner Christopher Walken, along with Zach Braff and Christina Ricci star in the true story of a small-town farmer taking on one of the largest agricultural and food manufacturing corporations, now available on DVD, Digital and On Demand, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Percy Schmeiser (Walken), a third-generation farmer, is sued by a corporate giant for allegedly using their patented seeds.  With little resources to fight the giant legal battle, Percy joins forces with up-and-coming attorney Jackson Weaver (Braff) and environmental activist Rebecca Salcau (Ricci) to fight one of the most monumental cases all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Ran (Action)

The sweeping action epic from legendary director Akira Kurosawa (“Rashomon,” “Seven Samurai”) gets a stunning 4K transfer when “Ran” arrives on Digital July 6 from Lionsgate.

The film stars Tatsuya Nakadai (“Hara-Kiri,” “Kagemusha”), Akira Terao (“After the Rain,” “Half a Confession”), Jinpachi Nezu (“Kagemusha,” “Farewell to the Land”) and Daisuke Ryû (“Kagemusha,” “Legend of the Devil”). Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director, “Ran” will be available on Digital in 4K for $12.99 (SRP).

Silat Warriors: Deed of Death (Action Thriller)

When their younger brother brings a ruthless criminal gang to their door, a family must fight together against the threat in the action-packed Malaysian martial arts film “Silat Warriors: Deed of Death,” which debuted exclusively on the martial arts streaming service Hi-Yah! on June 4, and will now hit Digital, Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday July 6, from Well Go USA Entertainment.

When a reckless young gambler’s wild lifestyle of illegal betting, drag racing, and brutal street fights pits him against a ruthless criminal enterprise, his luck finally runs out. The gang shows up at his father’s home to collect on the debt, forcing his family to fight in order to save their land—and his life.

In addition to actors Namron (“One Two Jaga”) and Fad Anuar (“Dollah Superstar,” “KL Gangster: Underworld”), first-time film director Areel Abu Bakar selected much of the talent from martial arts training facilities and competitions in order to give a sense of realism the exciting action sequences. His first-time actors include Khoharullah Majid, Feiyna Tajudin, Taiyuddin Bakar, Megat Shahrizal and Azlan Komeng. The film won the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the 2020 New York Asian Film Festival, the first Malaysian film to win the award.

“Silat Warrior: Deed of Death” will be available on Blu-ray for $29.98 (SRP) DVD for $24.98 (SRP).

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (Documentary)

“Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street,” a documentary that takes audiences inside the minds and hearts of the “Sesame Street” creators, artists, writers and educators who together established one of the most influential and enduring children’s programs in television history, will be available on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday July 6, from Screen Media.

Inspired by the activism of the late 1960s, socially conscious television executive Joan Ganz Cooney and Sesame Workshop co-founder Lloyd Morrisett conducted a revolutionary experiment: to harness the burgeoning power of television and create an educational, impactful, uplifting and entertaining show that could reach children nationwide, especially those living in urban areas. Cooney recruited trailblazing Muppets creator Jim Henson and acclaimed children’s television writer and director Jon Stone to craft the iconic world of “Sesame Street.”

Directed by Marilyn Agrelo and inspired by Michael Davis’ “New York Times” best-selling book, this documentary reintroduces this visionary “gang” of mission-driven artists, writers, and educators that audaciously interpreted radical changes in society and created one of most impactful television programs in history.

With more than 20 interviews with original writers, cast, and crew, and never-before-seen behind the scenes footage, “Street Gang” is told from the inside with humor and emotion, weaving together personal narratives and eyewitness accounts. The film explores the original mission that created this cultural phenomenon, now spanning 50-plus years and reaching more than 150 countries. The Blu-ray and DVD includes bonus materials including the origin of the opening theme song, “Sunny Days,” a “Sounds of Sesame Street” featurette and more.

“Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street” on Blu-ray and DVD will be available for $24.98 (SRP).

TV Shows

Bäckström: Series 1 (Crime Drama)

“Bäckström: Series 1” arrives on DVD Tuesday July 6, from Acorn TV.

Evert Bäckström is a rock star among cops. Starring as a TV expert doesn’t help his ego or reputation. He thinks he’s a genius, and he is, at solving crimes. When a woman’s skull is found, it seems she was murdered recently, but DNA points to her death in the 2004 tsunami. Prosecutor Hanna Hwass believes it’s a mistake, but Bäckström sees a case only he can solve: a woman who has died twice. The series premiered on Acorn TV.

The two-disc DVD will be available for $33.99(SRP).

Defending Jacob (Thriller)

“Avengers” star Chris Evans stars in the acclaimed limited series “Defending Jacob,” arriving on DVD July 6, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

A gripping, character-driven thriller based on the 2012 “New York Times” best-selling novel of the same name, the story unfolds around a shocking crime that rocks a small Massachusetts town and one family in particular, forcing an assistant district attorney (Evans) to choose between his sworn duty to uphold justice and his unconditional love for his son.

“Defending Jacob” was created, written, and executive produced by Mark Bomback (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”), and directed and executive produced by Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum (“The Imitation Game”). The series also stars Golden Globe nominee Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey”), Jaeden Martell (“It,” “Knives Out”), Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”), and three-time Emmy winner Cherry Jones (“The Handmaid’s Tale”).

Produced by Paramount Television Studios and Anonymous Content, “Defending Jacob” was one of the most watched series premieres for Apple TV+. The three-disc DVD set features all eight riveting episodes, along with exclusive bonus content including deleted scenes and two behind-the-scenes featurettes. “Defending Jacob” also will be available on Blu-ray through manufacturing-on-demand.

Calling all martial arts fans! Front Row Features is giving away a copy of the action-packed, martial arts extravaganza “Silat Warriors: Deed of Death” on Blu-ray to three lucky readers. For your chance to win, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by July 12 to enter the contest. Good luck!