The Twilight Zone: Season 1

This is the mid-1980s makeover, not Rod Serling's early-TV classic, and even though you might remember this as fairly cheesy, the Me Decade's version of The Twilight Zone is still compulsively watchable. The very first piece, "Shatterday," in the opening episode of this anthology series hints why: it's based on a story by Harlan Ellison, directed by Wes Craven, and stars Bruce Willis. Behind the camera and in front of it, the roster of creative talent who contributed to this first season (1985-1986) is stunning: Stephen King and Arthur C. Clarke, William Friedkin and Joe Dante, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren, William Petersen and Frances McDormand. Yes, it's true that most of the spooky stories here rely on "surprise" endings that are eminently predictable, or are based on science-fiction stories that show their age today. And, yes, it's true that this re-imagining cannot recreate the eerie atmosphere that Serling's deadpan voiceovers and the moody use of black-and-white brought to the original series. Retread or not, however, I'm hooked. Collecting all 24 first-season episodes, DVD extras on this six-disc boxed set include an interview with Craven, over a dozen audio commentaries (with Craven, Ellison, and Greg Bear, among others), and photo galleries. Recommended. (M. Johanson)