Movies

Fast X (Action, Adventure, Crime)

After accelerating the blockbuster franchise to more than $7 billion in global box office sales, the summer sensation “Fast X” races onto 4K, Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, Aug. 8, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The film is also now available to own on Digital.

Ever since their saga started on the streets of L.A.’s underground racing scene, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel, the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise) and his family have overcome impossible odds to outsmart, out-nerve and outdrive every foe. Yet, when the team took down a nefarious kingpin back in Brazil, they had no idea his son Dante (Jason Momoa, “Aquaman”) was watching from the shadows. More lethal than any other enemy they’ve faced, Dante now rises as a terrifying new nemesis who is fueled by revenge and determined to shatter their family and destroy everything and everyone that Dom loves. From London and Brazil to Antarctica and Rome, new alliances are forged and old enemies resurface. But everything changes after Dom discovers his 8-year-old son is Dante’s ultimate target.

Showcasing an all-star cast with full-throttle action and high-octane thrills, “Fast X” also stars Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior and Alan Ritchson, with Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron and a few surprise cameos from the franchise’s past.

The 4K, Blu-ray and Digital releases of “Fast X” boast over an hour of bonus content, including two music videos from the original motion picture soundtrack (“Toretto” by J Balvin and “Angel Pt. 1” by Kodak Black and NLE Choppa featuring Jimin of BTS, Jvke and Muni Long) and six behind-the-scenes featurettes detailing the making of the film from the streets of Los Angeles to the Colosseum in Rome: “This is Family,” “Xtreme Rides of ‘Fast X,’” “Belles of the Brawl,” “Tuned into Rio,” “Little B Takes the Wheel” and “A Friend in the End.” The 4K, Blu-ray and Digital releases also include the extras featured on the “Fast X” DVD: a gag reel, a feature commentary with director Louis Leterrier, scene breakdowns with Leterrier and the featurette “Jason Momoa: Conquering Rome.”

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Comedy)

Experience “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in all of its brilliant glory, as the classic comedy is now available to own on 4K Ultra HD for the first time from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Writer/director John Hughes’ seminal comedy about a high school student’s wild adventures in the Windy City during a single, magnificent day off continues to be enjoyed, quoted and revered. The enduring classic captures the uproarious antics of Ferris and his friends as they relish the freedom of being not quite grown up.

Matthew Broderick (“The Producers”) stars as the delightfully charming Ferris who, with his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara, “Timecop”) and best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck, “Succession”), ditches school to enjoy one perfect day as a kid with no responsibilities.

In 2014, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, which serves as a compendium of films that have been judged to be culturally, aesthetically or historically important. The remastered 4K Ultra HD release of the film features Dolby Vision and HDR-10, as well as Dolby Atmos audio for a truly immersive experience. The release also includes John Hughes’ original director’s commentary, which has not been available on disc since the first DVD release in 1999, along with access to a Digital copy of the film and the following legacy bonus content: “Getting the Class Together: The Cast of ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’” “The Making of ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’” “Who is Ferris Bueller?,” “The World According to Ben Stein” and “Vintage Ferris Bueller: The Lost Tapes.”

Night of the Assassin (Action)

Written and directed by first-time auteur Kwak Jeong-deok, the action-packed adventure “Night of the Assassin” lands on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, Aug. 8, from Well Go USA Entertainment.

After a deadly, long-dormant health condition surfaces during a mission, Joseon’s most lethal assassin goes into hiding to seek a cure without revealing his identity. But upon witnessing a ruthless campaign of terror against local villagers, the region’s deadliest killer comes out of retirement in order to exact his own brutal brand of vigilante justice.

Set in Korea’s Joseon-era and featuring spectacular swordplay, “Night of the Assassin” stars Shin Hyun-joon (“Guns & Talks”), Lee Mun-sik (“Night in Paradise”) and Kim Min-kyung (“Spiritwalker”). The film is presented in Korean with optional English subtitles.

TV Shows

1923: Season One (Drama, Western)

The next installment of Dutton family, “1923: Season One” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, Aug. 8, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

From a whirlwind romance out of Africa to the rugged mountain frontier of Montana, the sweeping series “1923, A Yellowstone Origin Story” chronicles the unhindered passion and the shocking truths of the American West. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing post-war world, Western Expansion reveals the depths of human greed and the forced assimilation of Indigenous Peoples. The critically acclaimed drama recounts the journeys of a multi-generational ensemble as they fight for their legacies to endure and hope that those they depend on will return to the places and people they call home.

From MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, “1923, A Yellowstone Origin Story” is created by Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan (“Hell or High Water”) and stars Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford (“Witness”) and Academy Award and Primetime Emmy winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”). The cast also features Timothy Dalton, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann, Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph, James Badge Dale, Marley Shelton, Sebastian Roché and Jennifer Ehle.

Fans who purchase “1923: Season One” can enjoy more than 2 hours of bonus content, including three all-new featurettes that explore the making of the hit Paramount+ series, the powerful story of Teonna Rainwater (Nieves) and the forced assimilation of Indigenous children, and the editorial techniques used in the storytelling of “1923.” Extras include a “Behind the Story” for all eight episodes, “Unstoppable Change: The Adventure of ‘1923,’” “Inside the Series,” “Reflecting Humanity: The Art & Craft of Editing ‘1923’” and “I Am the Land: Teonna Rainwater.”

House of the Dragon: The Complete First Season (Action, Adventure, Drama)

Relive the beginning of the reign of House Targaryen, as “House of the Dragon: The Complete First Season” is now available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” the series finds the Targaryens ruling over the Seven Kingdoms — and on the brink of a civil war within their own house. Prior to the birth of a son, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) sent shockwaves through the kingdom and declared his daughter, Rhaenyra (played by Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy), his heir. Once a healthy boy entered the picture, plans were afoot to make sure she would never sit on the Iron Throne. Now, with schemes hatched on both sides — and the kingdom in the balance — viewers will see the house that dragons built and learn how they tore it all down.

“House of the Dragon” debuted last August to the largest audience for any new original series in the history of HBO. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series features many familiar faces, including Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno and Rhys Ifans.

“House of the Dragon: The Complete First Season” includes all 10 hour-long episodes of the hit series’ first season, plus over an hour of bonus features. Extras include the featurettes “A New Reign,” “Returning to Westeros,” “Before the Dance: An Illustrated History with George R.R. Martin,” “Height of an Empire,” “Noble Houses,” “Familiar Places” and “Introducing the Characters.” Two exclusive featurettes are also included on the 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD releases: “Returning to the Seven Kingdoms,” which reflects on the legacy of “Game of Thrones” and its connection to “House of the Dragon,” and “Welcome to Westeros” with creator/producer Ryan Condal, director Miguel Sapochnik and creator George R.R. Martin.

Calling all action movie fans! Front Row Features is giving away a copy of “Night of the Assassin” on Blu-ray to three lucky readers. To enter the contest, simply email socalmovieeditor@aol.com by Aug. 14 for your chance to win. Good luck!