Aliens from “V” now on DVD

“V: The Complete Series”

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Other than a few classic cases – “Twilight Zone,” for example, or the various “Star Trek” franchises – science fiction has been the television equivalent of outer space: a lot of nothing broken up by the occasional bit of substance. At its best, the NBC sci-fi series “V” was fun and chilling. It had big alien space ships hovering over Earth’s cities long before Roland Emmerich did the same thing with “Indpendence Day.” The 1983 miniseries, which is available through Warner Home Video, was followed by the 1984 series. All 19 series episodes are included in this three-disc package, including one (“Breakout”) that wasn’t broadcast during the initial run (it was seen later when the series went into syndication). One bit of special fun: look for a pre-“Nightmare on Elm Street” Robert Englund as “Willie” the friendly alien. (DVD only; three discs; not rated.)

“Hellboy”

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Another in a recent line of movies made from graphic comics, this Mike Mignola creation is the vision of Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, who brings some unexpected life to what could have been just another orgy of special effects. What makes the movie work is the title character, played by Ron Perlman (who was also in del Toro’s Spanish-language film “Cronos”). Accustomed to playing characters under loads of makeup, Perlman says more with just his eyes, his voice and his ability to drop one-liners than any other actor working today. His character is a spawn of hell, created in Nazi labs during the final days of World War II. Caught and raised by a scientist (John Hurt), Hellboy is used to “bump back” against other forces of darkness. As he did with the excellent “Blade 2,” del Toro manages the action well. And Selma Blair, as a firestarter, has never looked prettier. But this is Perlman’s movie. (DVD, VHS; 2:02; rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and frightening images.)