The long-awaited return of Dominic Toretto and crew in all their muscle car glory tops the DVD releases for the week of Sept. 21.
“F9: The Fast Saga”: In addition to Vin Diesel’s Toretto, the ninth “Fast and the Furious” installment features beloved characters Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Mia (Jordana Brewster) and Han (Sung Kang), back from the dead.
The movie also sees the return of director Justin Lin, who “evolved the franchise from minor street racing thrillers into outlandish displays of car ballet,” writes Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review. Once again, “Lin ups his own ante with the outrageous vehicular stunts in ‘F9.’”
Walsh praised the film’s flashback storyline as well, finding that “while it is the ridiculous set-pieces in ‘F9’ that take the franchise soaring to new heights, it’s the meta moments and the willingness to dive into the past in a real way that make this movie innovative within its own formula.”
Also new on DVD
“Cruella”: Disney’s live-action prequel exploring the origins of the “101 Dalmatians” villain is a battle of the Emmas, with Emma Stone as the young Cruella and Emma Thompson as the film’s antagonist, The Baroness.
“Last Call”: A successful real estate developer returns to his blue-collar Philly neighborhood and must decide whether to save or raze his parents’ bar.
“A Dark Foe”: An FBI agent with a crippling fear of the dark investigates the serial killer who killed his mother and kidnapped his sister when he was a child.
“Batwoman: The Complete Second Season”: In Season 2, Ryan Wilder, an original character created for the CW series and played by Javicia Leslie, assumes the mantle after Kate Kane (Ruby Rose) disappears.
“Berlin Station: Season Three”: Final season of the Epix spy drama starring Richard Armitage as a CIA officer operating in present-day Germany and Eastern Europe.
“Boys From County Hell”: Evil forces terrorize a construction crew when a new road disrupts the ancient burial ground of a legendary Irish vampire.
“I Carry You With Me”: An aspiring cook makes the dangerous journey from Mexico to New York for the chance to become a chef, but must leave behind the man who may be his soulmate.
“Lady of the Manor”: A supernatural buddy comedy about a woman hired to be a tour guide at a historic estate, only to meet the ghost of the 19th-century lady of the manor.
“Nancy Drew: Season Two”: Season 2 of the CW show based on the classic mystery series about a teenage sleuth, starring Kennedy McMann in the title role.
“Resident Alien: Season One”: Syfy comedy-drama with Alan Tudyk as an extraterrestrial who crashes in Colorado and assumes the identity of a small-town doctor.
“The Blacklist: Season 8”: James Spader stars as Raymond “Red” Reddington, a criminal now helping the FBI, in the long-running NBC crime drama.
“The Equalizer: Season One”: CBS reboot with Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a former CIA operative with a particular set of skills now determined to help those in need.
