Great storytelling rules, regardless of decade. Such is the case with “The Twilight Zone: Season Two” (CBS DVD). Take your pick – 1950s and ’60s version, or the 2020s version, the series rocks. Obviously, DVD shelves and online retailers are stocking the newest version, executive produced and hosted by Jordan Peele.
All 10 episodes transports viewers, just as in the original series, “into another dimension not only of sight and sound, but mind.” One episode of the new series, “Downtime,” was written by Peele.
Cast members for the new Season 2 include Jenna Elfman, Joel McHale, Morena Baccarin, and Tony Hale. The three-DVD set includes bonus features, such as exclusive deleted and extended scenes, and a gag reel.
Other titles
“The War with Grandpa” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) showcases Robert De Niro in a family-friendly comedy that leaves audiences in stitches. De Niro plays a grandfather who moves in with his daughter, forcing his grandson to begrudgingly give up his bedroom. The sixth-grader devises a series of increasingly elaborate pranks to drive out grandpa. But “war” ensues, but with side-splitting consequences. The comedy also stars Rob Riggle, Uma Thurman, Cheech Marin, Jane Seymour, Laura Marano, and Christopher Walken.
“Tenet” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) is made by filmmaker Christopher Nolan. ‘Nuff said. The word “tenet” is, indeed, the key, during a journey through a twilight world of international espionage that reveals the inversion of time. Perhaps the movie of the year can now be enjoyed on 4K UHD Blu-ray combo pack, Blu-ray, and DVD.
“Lupin III: The First” (Shout! Factory and GKids) introduces the beloved characters in CG animation for the first time. The title featuring the “gentleman thief” is presented in both the original Japanese version and a new English-dubbed version, featuring the return of the beloved English cast that has voiced previous “Lupin” films and series. This release is available as a standalone DVD, a Blu-ray plus DVD combo pack, and a SteelBook edition of the Blu-ray combo pack. The SteelBook edition includes a 16-page booklet featuring character concept art. Bonus features include interviews with the director and Japanese cast, English-voice cast reunion, and more.
“Once Upon a River” (Film Movement), based on Bonnie Jo Campbell’s best-selling novel, concerns a Native American teenage in 1970s rural Michigan who searches for her estranged mother. Newcomer Kenadi DelaCerna shines in the starring role. John Ashton costars.