New on DVD:
“Black Panther”; 3.5 stars: The film begins in the wake of the bombing in “Captain America: Civil War” that killed King T’Chaka (John Kani). After the death of his father, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. The transition is threatened from outside forces who want to get their hands on the country’s most valuable asset, vibranium.
The script for the massive box office hit by director Ryan Coogler (“Fruitvale Station”) and Joe Robert Cole shows there’s room for both brain and brawn when it comes to the genre. There’s a maturity to their story that’s a major leap forward for a Marvel movie in both respecting the audience and the material.
“Black Panther” does have its problems. Coogler gets a little bogged down with scenes to the point they begin to edge toward the tedious. There’s a massive car chase scene where Black Panther gets to show off his skills that should have stopped a few miles sooner. And, much of where the film is headed is telegraphed so loudly it almost drowns out critical dialogue. Take note. If a character in a movie spends a long time explaining how a piece of equipment works, you can be certain that machinery will become an important part of the story.
It would be enough to herald “Black Panther” because of how it prominently features a black superhero. It’s still a major move forward.
“The Bold Type”; 3 stars: The Freeform series, a 21st century version of “Sex and the City,” updates the idea of stories going from boardrooms to bedrooms with an the approach that takes a look at the living, loving and working by three BFFs working at Scarlet, a women’s magazine.
The modern day trio of smart, social media-supported women include Jane Sloan (Katie Stevens of “Faking It”), Kat Edison (Aisha Dee of “Chasing Life”) and Sutton Brady (Meghann Fahy of “Necessary Roughness”).
Each represents very distinct types, from Sloan’s anxieties over her creative skills to Edison’s awakening political and social issues.
Also available on DVD May 15
“Landing Up”: Two young women con their way to surviving on the streets. That changes when one of them finds romance.
“Die Hard — 30th Anniversary”: John McClane (Bruce Willis) battles a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), on Christmas Eve.
“LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High”: The young heroes face a new challenge from the likes of Poison Ivy, Killer Frost and Harley Quinn.
“It’s Alive Trilogy”: The horror films are being released in a three-disc set that includes new interviews.
“Forgiven”: Forest Whitaker stars in this look at the aftermath of apartheid in South Africa.
“The Shannara Chronicles: Season Two”: The return of magic has created fear to go along with an organization called The Crimson that is hunting down those who use magic.
“Masterpiece Mystery!: Unforgotten, Season 2”: Pair of murder cases test the skills of Detective Chief Inspector Cassie Stuart and Detective Sergeant Sunny Khan, played by Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
“Submergence”: Two people (James McAvoy, Alicia Vikander) dream of being together when they are apart.
“10 x 10”: The dark truth behind a kidnapping is slowly revealed. Luke Evans stars.
“The Monkey King 3”: An impish magical primate and his crew accompany a monk on a mission to retrieve sacred scriptures.