By ANGELA DAWSON
Front Row Features
Movies
Doctor Sleep
Dare to go back to the Overlook Hotel when director Mike Flanagan continues the story of Danny Torrance 40 years after his terrifying stay there with his parents, when “Doctor Sleep” arrives on 4K UHD/Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday Feb. 4, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
The supernatural thriller, based on the Stephen King follow up novel to “The Shining” as well as the Stanley Kubrick film (which took some license with the King story), stars Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars: Episodes I-III,” “Trainspotting”) as Dan Torrance, Rebecca Ferguson (the “Mission: Impossible” films, “The Greatest Showman”) as Rose the Hat and Kyliegh Curran (“I Can I Will I Did”), in her major feature film debut, as Abra.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance (McGregor) has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra (Curran), a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat (Ferguson) and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality. Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra’s innocence and fearless embrace of her shine compel Dan to call upon his own powers as never before—at once facing his fears and reawakening the ghosts of the past.
The Director’s Cut of “Doctor Sleep” features nearly 30 minutes of new, alternate and extended scenes, selected by Flanagan, not seen in theaters.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc features Dolby Vision HDR, which dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range, and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame. It will also feature HDR10+, a new HDR technology that optimizes brightness levels and contrast for each scene, making bright areas brighter and dark areas darker.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc of “Doctor Sleep” also features a Dolby Atmos soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead.
“Doctor Sleep” will be available on Movies Anywhere. Fans can also own “Doctor Sleep” via purchase from digital retailers.
The 4K UHD Combo Pack is available for a suggested retail price (SRP) $44.95. The Blu-ray is available for $35.99 (SRP) and the DVD $28.98 (SRP).
The Good Liar
Read between the lies when “The Good Liar” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday Feb. 4 on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Legendary award-winning actors Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Hitchcock”) and Ian McKellen (“Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “Gods and Monsters”) co-star on screen for the first time, in this smart and suspenseful thriller about the secrets people keep and the lies they live. Consummate con man Roy Courtnay (McKellen) has set his sights on his latest mark: the recently widowed Betty McLeish (Mirren), worth millions. And Roy means to take it all.
From their very first meeting, Roy begins plying Betty with his tried and true manipulations, and Betty, who seems quite taken with him, is soon going along for the ride. But this time, what should have been a simple swindle escalates into a cat-and-mouse game with the ultimate stakes—revealing more insidious deceptions that will take them both through a minefield of danger, intrigue and betrayal.
“The Good Liar” was directed by Bill Condon (“Gods and Monsters,” “Chicago”) from a screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher (“Mr. Holmes”), based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Nicholas Searle. The main cast also includes Russell Tovey (“The History Boys,” “Quantico”) and Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey,” “Shakespeare in Love”).
The Blu-ray features a Blu-ray disc with the film and special features in hi-definition, and a Digital version of the movie.
“The Good Liar” will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Fans can also own “The Good Liar” via purchase from digital retailers. The Blu-ray will be available for $35.99 (SRP) and the DVD $28.98 (SRP).
Grand Isle
Nicolas Cage and Kelsey Grammer co-star in “Grand Isle,” arriving on DVD Tuesday Feb. 4, from Screen Media.
Walter (Cage) and his neglected wife lure a young man into their Victorian home to escape a hurricane. When the man is charged with murder by Det. Jones (Grammer), he must reveal the couple’s wicked secrets to save himself.
“Grand Isle” is directed by Stephen S. Campanelli, from a screenplay by Iver William Jallah. The Blu-ray is available for $29. 98 (SRP) and the DVD is available for $24.98 (SRP).
Playing with Fire
The family comedy “Playing with Fire” debuts on Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand Tuesday Feb. 4, from Paramount Home Entertainment. It also is available now on Digital.
When firefighter Jake Carson (John Cena) and his team (Keegan-Michael Key and John Leguizamo) rescue three siblings in the path of a wildfire, they quickly realize that no amount of training could have prepared them for their most challenging job yet—babysitting. While trying to locate the children’s parents, the firefighters have their lives, jobs and even their fire station turned upside down and learn that kids – much like fires—are wild and full of surprises.
The Digital and Blu-ray releases deliver even more laughs with wildly funny bonus content. Sit down with Captain Jake as he reads a bedtime story with an amusing twist; see what you missed in theaters with deleted scenes and hilarious bloopers. Plus, enjoy behind-the-scenes featurettes with the cast.
The “Playing with Fire” DVD includes the feature film in standard definition.
Trauma Center
Nicky Whelan and Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy winner Bruce Willis (“Moonlighting”) star in the action-thriller “Trauma Center,” arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital) and DVD Tuesday Feb. 4 from Lionsgate.
Willis stars as Lt. Wakes, a vengeful police detective determined to solve the murders of his partner and an informant. Wakes joins forces with Madison (Nicky Whelan), a witness injured during the shootings, after the killers pursue her across the abandoned floor of a hospital and confirm Wakes’ worst fears: the two men are actually corrupt vice cops covering up a crime. As Wakes vows revenge, this heart-pounding action-thriller reaches an explosive climax.
“Trauma Center” also stars Tito Ortiz, Texas Battle, and Steve Guttenberg, and will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $21.99 (SRP) and $19.98 (SRP), respectively. The action-thriller is currently available On Demand.
TV Shows
FLCL: Progressive and FLCL: Alternative
Adult Swim’s popular anime series “FLCL: Progressive” and “FLCL: Alternative,” both release for the first time ever as a Blu-ray combo pack, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Tuesday Feb. 4.
Based on the original anime series written by Yōji Enokido and from director Kazuya Tsurumaki, the collection propels Haruko and her yellow Vespa back into action with 12 episodes from “FLCL: Progressive” and “FLCL: Alternative.” The Blu-ray Combo Pack is available for $44.98 (SRP). “FLCL: Alternative” will also be available on DVD for $19.99 (SRP).
From the legendary anime studio Production I.G and Adult Swim, “FLCL: Progressive & Alternative Combo Pack” will include a 15-minute never-before-seen documentary that dives into the making of both seasons featuring interviews with voice talent and crew. Additional special features include a “Meet the Creators” piece focused on the new era of show creators, a segment about “The Pillows” relationship with the series, a glimpse at the English voice actors behind FLCL together, and a look into the production of FLCL: Alternative.
The sequel to the 2001 original “FLCL,” “FLCL: Progressive” tells the story of 14-year-old Hidomi and her classmate, Ide, as the war between Medical Mechanica and Fraternity continues. Now in the form of their teacher, Haruko Haruhara returns alongside another otherworldly being, Jinyu, a gorgeous Chrysler Bel Aire and her yellow Vespa to unleash their hidden potential.
“FLCL: Alternative,” the third and final season centers on the misadventures of 17-year-old Kana and her friends, Mossan, Hijiri and Pets. Living a seemingly normal life, the group’s lives are flipped upside down when Mecha falls from the sky and arrives with the guitar-wielding Haruko Haruhara. Once again determined to take out Medical Mechanica, Haruko works to awaken Kana’s N.O. channel before the relentless iron takes over the world.
During its twelve-week run on Adult Swim’s Toonami, “FLCL” was No. 1 in its timeslot.
Keeping Faith: Series 2
Acorn TV features the DVD/Blu-ray debut of the thrilling and record-setting Acorn TV Original Series “Keeping Faith: Series 2” on Tuesday Feb. 4.
Eighteen months ago, Welsh lawyer, Faith had her life thrown into chaos after the disappearance of her husband, Evan. Striving to keep her family together, Faith must fulfill Evan’s debt to a vicious crime family as she fights her attraction to a former client. When a local farmer is found dead, Faith is drawn into a new mystery as she defends his wife.
With breathtaking scenery, addictive plot and a yellow raincoat, Series 2 tells the story of Faith (Eve Myles, “Torchwood,” “Broadchurch”), a lawyer, wife and mother, as she reels from the disappearance of her husband and the aftermath of events in Series 1.
The six-part thriller, which was filmed back-to-back in Welsh and English, is now featured on a two-disc set and includes a behind-the-scenes featurette. It is available for $39.99 (SRP).
“Keeping Faith: Series 2” previously premiered exclusively on Acorn TV in August.
Front Row Features wants you to enjoy some quality time laughing with your kids. That’s why we’re giving away a copy of the heartwarming family comedy “Playing with Fire” on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack to two lucky readers. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Feb. 10 for your chance to win. Good luck!
