DVD Review: The Iron Ivan

The Iron Ivan recounts the tale of Russian wrestler Ivan Poddubny, a man who began his career in the circus in the late 1800s and would go on to win basically every match he entered, in his homeland as well as in France and the United States. He started from humble beginnings and would eventually capture the heart of a people. The Iron Ivan stars Mikhail Porechenkov as Ivan, Katerina Shpitsa as Mimi/Masha and Alexander Mikhailov as Ivan’s father.

It begins in 1878, in the village of Bogoduhovka, with Ivan as a child. When he is cornered by a group of boys, he looks defiant, angry. He crouches, as if to attack, but then breaks through their ranks and runs. They call after him, “Coward!” And apparently his father shares this viewpoint, for when he runs to him to tell him what happened, his father whips him for not fighting. The film then jumps to 1925, when Ivan is arriving in the United States by boat. He is greeted by a man who recognizes him, so we know he has achieved some degree of fame. And though he is in his fifties, we learn that he is to continue his wrestling career in the U.S.

From there the film goes back to 1896 to show how he got his start. And this for me is some of the most interesting material. Ivan worked as a stevedore, and is present when the boat carrying the circus arrives, a certain trapeze artist named Mimi catching his eye. I’ve long found circus folks to be fascinating, and there are some funny moments backstage with the wrestlers, indicating it’s all an act. When those in the audience are invited to test their strength against the winner of the first wrestling bout, Ivan steps into the ring. He wins his match almost immediately, stunning the crowd, and is offered a contract to remain with the circus while it is in town. Perhaps it’s the money, but this also gives Ivan a chance to get to know Mimi, who sets him straight about a few things regarding the circus (such as the fact that her real name is not Mimi). When Ivan is instructed to lose his last fight, he refuses, and with the help of the local police chief, manages to collect the prize money. The movie goes back and forth in time from the late 1800s/early 1900s to the 1920s, showing the progress of two different parts of his career, addressing the similarities but highlighting the differences.

The film is partly a love story, but it is also about a man who is still looking for approval from his father. The boy who was called a coward never backed away from a fight again, but then his career as a fighter is also met with disapproval. When he requests permission to marry, his father does not grant it. That scene is actually quite good, adding another layer to his relationship with Mimi (by the way, Katerina Shpitsa is adorable as Mimi). And later when he finally loses a match, though unfairly, he goes a bit mad, and the film provides his viewpoint, in an unsettling sequence. This movie handles the tragic sequences really well, as in one scene where we stay with Ivan rather than witness what happens in the ring, so we experience the event as he does.

There are a couple of odd things about the DVD that I feel I should mention. When characters speak in English or French, the English subtitles remain at the bottom of the screen, but someone dubs the dialogue in Russian. So you can actually hear the English dialogue underneath the Russian translation. It’s a bit disconcerting, but fortunately doesn't happen all that often. Also, the picture at times jolts a bit, like frames are missing, but that may just be my copy.

The Iron Ivan was released on DVD on June 13, 2017 through MVD Visual. The film is presented in its original Russian language, with optional English subtitles. The DVD contains no special features.

DVD Review: My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Magical Movie Night

The Equestria Girls, the ponies’ teenage human counterparts, seem to be having just as many adventures as do the ponies these days. The new My Little Pony DVD, Equestria Girls: Magical Movie Night, presents three special episodes, each connected to the others, as well as related to earlier Equestria Girls specials. Join Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Sunset Shimmer as they spin their special brand of magic.

“Dance Magic”

In the first episode, “Dance Magic,” the girls are trying to raise money to repair Camp Everfree (which you Bronies and Pegasisters will remember from Legend Of Everfree). They’ve done all they can, and yet are only halfway to their goal. Rarity soon learns of a music video contest that offers a substantial cash prize, and is inspired by the sight of a red dress. Unfortunately, she reveals her idea to the competition from Crystal Prep, girls who are not as trustworthy as Twilight Sparkle and the gang. There are several cute moments, like when one of the students from Crystal Prep tells Rarity, “That sounds like a very good concept,” with another adding, “If you’re going for way-too-over-the-top,” to which Rarity innocently and happily responds, “Thanks!” And later when Rarity attempts to rally the girls to confront the students from that school, she says, “Who’s with me?” She then adds: “No, seriously, who is with me? I have no idea how to get to Crystal Prep.” And of course I love Pinkie Pie’s music video idea. This episode, as you might surmise, contains a song.

“Movie Magic”

In “Movie Magic,” the girls get to visit the set of the new Daring Do adventure movie, as the director went to Camp Everfree himself and wanted to reward those who helped save the camp. They meet Juniper, the director’s niece, who shows them around. Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie goes on a search for the elusive cupcake fountain. But things are not all roses and cupcakes, as the shoot has troubles, including missing costumes and props. The girls take it upon themselves to solve the case, and goofy fun ensues.

“Mirror Magic”

In “Mirror Magic,” Juniper returns, and is not happy with Twilight and the gang, holding them responsible for her being at a dead-end job at the mall when she should have achieved stardom. Plus, the music video the friends created is apparently a hit, for it is playing at the mall, further tormenting Juniper. Well, a magic mirror that shows her as she wishes to be might change things for Juniper. Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer is summoned back to Equestria to pick up a new journal, and ends up also picking up Princess Twilight’s pupil, Starlight Glimmer, who just may be some help when things get weird. This, for me, is the best and most interesting of the three stories. And Pinkie Pie is hilarious. “Wow, we are a really forgiving group.”

Special Feature

The DVD includes a sing-along for “Dance Magic,” the song from the group’s music video.

My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Magic Movie Night is scheduled to be released on August 8, 2017 through Shout! Factory.

Blu-ray Box Set Review: The Pink Panther Film Collection

I loved the Pink Panther films when I was growing up, and watched a few of them multiple times. Now with the release of The Pink Panther Film Collection, we have a chance to not only enjoy the films again, but also to learn more about the productions through a variety of special features, many of which are new to this set. This six-disc box set contains the six Pink Panther movies starring Peter Sellers (so, not included are Inspector Clouseau, Curse Of The Pink Panther or Son Of The Pink Panther, or the two re-makes), as well as plenty of bonus material. In fact, there is a lot more bonus material than what is mentioned on the back of the box (I will list all of the special features, disc by disc). This set is part of Shout! Factory’s Shout Select series.

Disc One: The Pink Panther

Even before the film starts, this disc makes me happy, with that wonderful theme by Henry Mancini playing over the menu. In fact, two of this series’ most important and memorable elements have little to do with the films’ plots: the music and the opening animated sequences. In this first film, the delightful animated sequence takes place all within the diamond after which the movie is named. The film is about a diamond thief nicknamed the Phantom who authorities are certain will attempt to steal the Pink Panther. The authorities, however, are represented by one Jack Clouseau (Peter Sellers), who might be able to piece things together if only he could figure out how his wife could afford a mink coat from her housekeeping savings. But Clouseau is only one of several interesting characters we’re introduced to in the lengthy, playful early sequences. The film also stars David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale. Yes, some scenes go on way too long (particularly the seduction scene with Charles and the Princess), but the movie holds up and features some incredibly funny sequences. “Take your filthy hands off my asp.”

Disc One Special Features

The Pink Panther Story is a half-hour featurette from 2003, and it includes an interview with Blake Edwards. Edwards talks about growing up in the business, about the cast (including some big changes, with two leads leaving during production), about the way he likes to frame a shot, and about the score.  And of course there is plenty about Peter Sellers, and about his talent for voices. There are also interviews with Walter Mirisch, editor Ralph E. Winters, stunt coordinator Joe Dunne (who often doubled Sellers) and script supervisor Betty Abbott Griffin.

Behind The Feline: The Cartoon Phenomenon is about the animated opening sequence, as well as the series of theatrical animated shorts that came about as a result of its popularity. This is also from 2003, and is approximately eleven minutes. A Conversation With Robert Wagner: Coolest Cat In Cortina is an interview with Robert Wagner, in which he talks about getting cast in the film, about his fellow cast members, and about getting hurt on the film, blinded by detergent used in the bathtub scene. This is approximately eleven minutes. An Italian Indian: The Pink Panther Princess, a new feature, is an interview with Claudia Cardinale, in which she talks about Blake Edwards and about the film. She provides some interesting anecdotes, particularly the one about the magic cigarette. This, too, is approximately eleven minutes.

Diamonds: Beyond The Sparkle is a short featurette about diamonds, about the ways they are evaluated, and includes a bit on the history of diamonds. It’s approximately seven minutes. The Tip Toe Life Of A Cat Burglar is a conversation with former jewel thief Bill Mason, in which he tells anecdotes about specific jobs. The special features also include the film’s trailer, a still gallery and a poster gallery. There is also a commentary track by director Blake Edwards. When Peter Sellers first appears on screen, Blake Edwards calls him “the enigma of my life.”

Disc Two: A Shot In The Dark

Not originally envisioned as a Pink Panther movie, A Shot In The Dark nevertheless introduces some of the important recurring characters of the series, including Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) and Kato (Burt Kwouk) (the name would be spelled as Cato in the later films). It also stars Elke Sommer as Maria Gambrelli, George Sanders as Benjamin Ballon, and Tracy Reed as Dominique Ballon. The entire opening sequence is wonderful, with different characters moving up and down various staircases, ending with gunshots. That leads to the animated title sequence (this time without the Pink Panther, of course). While this movie might not be as fun a ride as the first one (partly because it lacks the great cast of the original film), it features some of the best lines of the series. “I believe everything, and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one. I gather the facts, examine the clues, and before you know it, the case is solved.” And of course this is the first of the films to include the phrase “a bump upon the head.” It’s also the first of the movies in which Clouseau assumes disguises.

Disc Two Special Features

Back To The Start: Origin Of The Pink Panther is an interview with executive producer Walter Mirisch. He talks about working with Blake Edwards, and tells the stories behind both the first film and this one, as well as about meeting Peter Sellers, and about the way Sellers worked. This is a new feature, and is approximately twenty-three minutes. There is also a segment of Blake Edwards appearing on The Dick Cavett Show, where he shows outtakes from A Shot In The Dark.

The special features also include five trailers, including two that are for a double feature of The Pink Panther and A Shot In The Dark. There are also three photo galleries, as well as an audio commentary track by Jason Simos of the Peter Sellers Appreciation Society.

Disc Three: The Return Of The Pink Panther

The Return Of The Pink Panther came out more than a decade after the first two, and wastes no time in getting back to the Pink Panther diamond. In the opening scene, tourists are shown the famous diamond, and one woman asks if the museum worries that someone might steal it. She also asks why it’s called the Pink Panther, for those who might have forgotten the first film during the intervening years, and that leads to the delightful opening credit sequence, with the animated pink panther and that great theme. And then of course someone does steal the diamond, and a monogrammed glove is left in its place, leading Clouseau to assume that it’s the work of Sir Charles, the Phantom (in this film played by Christopher Plummer rather than David Niven). Clouseau has been demoted and then suspended, but is re-instated for this case. He employs a number of disguises, and looks especially funny at the club. There are some wonderful details. For example, when Clouseau tosses the bomb toward his neighbor’s apartment, watch the guy on the television. He actually reacts to the explosion too, which is hilarious. And there is a seriously funny improvement on the “follow that car” gag. There is also some total silliness, like the bit with the light bulb. And Chief Inspector Dreyfus goes even more mad. The cartoon panther makes another appearance at the end.

Disc Three Special Features

A Bit Of Passion And A Lot Of Laughs is an interview with actor Catherine Schell, in which she talks about getting the job and offers a humorous anecdote about her contract. She also talks about her friendship with Peter Sellers. This new feature is approximately twenty-two minutes. There is also an interview with production designer Peter Mullins. This movie was the first Pink Panther he worked on, and his favorite, though he talks about moments from the productions of other Pink Panther films as well. This new feature is approximately twenty-eight minutes.

The Return Of Laughter is a promotional featurette. Interestingly, the narrator says, “Inspector Clouseau is on the trail of the Pink Panther,” inadvertently mentioning the title of a future film in the series. This includes some behind-the-scenes footage, and is approximately eight and a half minutes. In addition, the special features include three trailers (one of which shows outtakes from the film), television spots, radio spots, and three photo galleries. There is also an audio commentary track by Jason Simos of the Peter Sellers Appreciation Society.

Disc 4: The Pink Panther Strikes Again

The Pink Panther Strikes Again is the one I remember watching the most while growing up. It begins with former chief inspector Dreyfus doing better at the mental hospital where he has been staying. That is, until Clouseau shows up to speak on his behalf, at which point Dreyfus goes further into madness. But somehow he manages to escape, and his goal – now more than ever – is to kill Clouseau, who is now Chief Inspector. To that end, he becomes a criminal mastermind, kidnaping a professor and his daughter and forcing the professor to help him build a doomsday device to conquer the world (“Have a sweet”). Yes, this is all in order to get Clouseau. Ah, Peter Sellers and doomsday devices! What does any of this have to do with the Pink Panther diamond? Absolutely nothing. But no matter. It’s fun. This is an incredibly goofy and delightful film, featuring some of my favorite lines “This is Chief Inspector Clouseau’s residence. This is Chief Inspector Clouseau speaking on the phone.” And there is a reference to the so-called “Heidi Bowl,” when President Ford says, “Call the FBI, the CIA and the Pentagon; find out who won the game.” Herbert Lom is wonderful in this film. And Lesley-Anne Down is stunning in her full-length fur coat. “There is a beautiful woman in my bed and a dead man in my bath.” Omar Sharif appears as an assassin (though is uncredited), and Julie Andrews can be heard singing. This is also the movie in which Clouseau puts on his hunchback disguise, complete with inflatable hump.

Disc Four Special Features

Panther Musings: A Life in Films is a new interview with Lesley-Anne Down, in which she talks about getting her start as a child, and about her career goals, and how she doesn’t work anymore. Of course she also talks about her work on The Pink Panther Strikes Again, including a funny anecdote about getting the role. This is approximately twenty-two minutes. A Cut Above: Editing The Pink Panther Films is a new interview with editor Alan Jones. He gives us his personal feelings about the series, and talks about how Blake Edwards was a big fan of Enter The Dragon, and how that led to the fights between Clouseau and Cato. There is also a bit of behind-the-scenes footage in this featurette. This is approximately twenty-five minutes.

Clouseau: The Greatest Fumbler In The World is a promotional featurette including interviews with Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers, as well as behind-the-scenes footage. It is approximately seven minutes. The special features also include four trailers, five television spots, four radio spots, and three photo galleries. There is also an audio commentary track by Jason Simos of the Peter Sellers Appreciation Society.

Disc Five: Revenge Of The Pink Panther

In Revenge Of The Pink Panther, a criminal organization calling itself the French Connection plans to show its strength by eliminating Clouseau. The theme during the opening credits sequence has an updated, late 1970s sound, which is kind of weird, but fun. Then, while Clouseau is purchasing new disguises, he is handed a bomb. “Special delivery: a bomb. Were you expecting one?” He must avoid getting killed by hired assassins, as well as avoid attacks by his faithful servant Cato. When it seems that Clouseau has been killed, Dreyfus makes a sudden and complete recovery (though wasn’t he killed in the previous film?), and is reinstated in his previous position (even though he destroyed a building and threatened the entire world in the previous movie). Clouseau lets the world think he’s dead, so that he can investigate his own murder. That leads to plenty of disguises and wonderful lines like, “I’m working under the covers, you know.” I love what Cato does with the place in Clouseau’s absence, and I am particularly fond of Tanya the Lotus-Eater and her furry bed. (But what happened to the Russian chick from the last movie?) There are some goofy gags, like his special car which lasts half a block. And there is a brief appearance by Andrew Sachs as a hospital inmate (you probably know him as Manuel from Fawlty Towers). As with the previous film, this one has nothing to do with the Pink Panther diamond.

Disc Five Special Features

This disc includes two trailers, five television spots and five radio spots. There are also three separate photo galleries, including photos from Alan Jones’ personal collection. And there is an audio commentary track by film historian William Patrick Maynard.

Disc Six: Trail Of The Pink Panther

Trail Of The Pink Panther was made after Peter Sellers’ death, but features footage of him cut from some of the earlier films (and some footage straight from those films). It’s the only Pink Panther movie I saw in the theatre upon its initial release (I was ten years old), so it does have some nostalgia value. But it’s a largely pointless and unnecessary film. It opens with another theft of the Pink Panther diamond, this robbery happening much more quickly and easily than that at the beginning of Return Of The Pink Panther. The opening titles sequence has a Pac-Man theme for a while, clearly a product of its time. The film stars David Niven, Herbert Lom, Richard Mulligan (as Clouseau’s father), Burt Kwouk and Capucine. It also stars Joanna Lumley as a television reporter who is doing a story on Clouseau after his plane goes missing and he is presumed dead (a decade later, we’d all fall in love with Joanna Lumley as Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous). Star Trek fans will recognize Denise Crosby, and Star Wars fans will enjoy a performance by William Hootkins as a taxi driver. The Pink Panther diamond is not recovered, or even mentioned much. By the way, the film is dedicated “To Peter… The one and only Inspector Clouseau.”

Disc Six Special Features

This disc includes two trailers and three photo galleries. There is also a commentary track by film historian William Patrick Maynard.

The Pink Panther Film Collection was released on June 27, 2017 through Shout! Factory, as part of the Shout Select series.

DVD Review: The High Schooler’s Guide To College Parties

Even though I’ve long since stopped being a teenager, sometimes I am still in the mood for a teen comedy. The High Schooler’s Guide To College Parties tells the tale of Shaquille (Nate Rubin), a teenager who hopes to get a college scholarship by throwing a big party. If that sounds like a stupid idea, it’s because it is. But when you’re seventeen, it’s not like you’re seeing all your options clearly, and you’re sometimes likely to latch onto whatever opportunity comes by first. Nate has latched onto the idea of getting a scholarship from self-described “success wizard” Wilford Gates, whose “self-help” tapes he listens to avidly.

During the opening credits sequence, little text messages pop up on screen, along with a sound effect (over a rock version of “Deck The Halls”), which is annoying. Fortunately, there is only one other moment in the movie when that happens. We are introduced in fairly quick succession to a number of characters, whose names – along with a few important personal details – appear on screen. Nate’s closest friends are Sideshow (Kris Kiley) and Chelsea (Brina Palencia), the latter of whom has something of a crush on him. Shaq’s plan is to attend his cousin Brett’s winter break costume party because Gates is going to be there. But when it turns out the party has been canceled because that house is going to fumigated that weekend, Shaquille offers the use of Sideshow’s house (as his parents will conveniently be out of town that weekend). Brett agrees, but stipulates that no other high school kids can attend.

Sideshow, oddly not bothered by the fact that he wasn’t consulted about his house being used, smartly reminds Shaquille that he doesn’t even know anything about throwing a high school party, never mind a college party. But Shaquille has a notebook, a guide to college parties. Thus, the title!  He hands it to Sideshow, who comments, “It’s blank.” Shaquille responds, “I haven’t had time to fill it in yet.” His delivery is great, as he doesn’t try to sell the line. Some bits – like that bit about the notebook – are really funny, and some bits – like that thing about a spirit ribbon – are not. Also, as far as I can recall, that notebook, so well established, is then never mentioned again. It feels like the movie misses a lot of good opportunities like that. Anyway, the film then follows the kids as they try to buy alcohol, book a band, and keep their high school peers from finding out about the party.

There are several funny scenes and moments in the film. I love when a girl suddenly asks, “Why do all the guys say I’m crazy?” She had asked if she looked fat, and Sideshow told her that was crazy, and she erupted in response, startling him. And the bit where the band manager says that “bass players are temporary at best, hardly part of the band at all” is funny. The film also has some decent performances, particularly by Brina Palencia as Chelsea.

But it also resorts to a lot of clichés, as well as scenes and moments stolen from other films. For example, there is a scene where a girl uses a banana to demonstrate how to give a blow job, which of course will remind you of the carrot scene from Fast Times At Ridgemont High (and hey, who carries a banana in her purse anyway?). And Brett’s two friends apparently are also named Brett, which should remind you of the three girls named Heather in Heathers. And, geez, there is a scene where Chelsea goes to a liquor store and nervously purchases several things she doesn’t need, while attempting to purchase a keg of beer. If that sounds familiar, it’s because you saw that scene already in American Graffiti (“Let me have a Three Musketeers, and a ballpoint pen, one of those combs there, a pint of Old Harper, a couple of flashlight batteries and some beef jerky”). The scene where they go to a drug dealer’s house to pick up some weed has also been done several times before. Though in that scene it’s funny when the dealer says “staring at the ceilings.”

There are also some minor continuity issues, as well as problems with the editing. For example, Shaquille tells Sideshow to keep the band’s lead singer away from alcohol, and in the next scene, the band’s manager warns Shaquille about the singer’s problems with alcohol. What the hell? They reversed the scenes for some reason. And actually, when Shaquille and Sideshow arrive at Sideshow’s house, somehow there are already a lot of people inside, and the place is decorated. How did that happen? In a better movie, these might be a bigger problems, but this entire movie feels disjointed, and it just doesn’t add up to much.

The High Schooler’s Guide To College Parties was directed by Patrick Johnson, and was released on DVD on May 23, 2017 through MVD Visual. The DVD contains no special features.

Blu-ray Review: Where The Buffalo Roam

I wish Hunter S. Thompson were alive now to write about the current political climate in our country. His book Fear And Loathing: On The Campaign Trail ’72 is what initially got me interested in politics back in my early twenties (and is the book that informed me that I’d been born the day of the New Hampshire primary). This book is also one of the sources of inspiration for the 1980 film Where The Buffalo Roam, which stars Bill Murray as Hunter S. Thompson, and Peter Boyle as Oscar Zeta Acosta (here named Carl Lazlo) (though the main source is a piece that Thompson wrote about Acosta). I’ve always enjoyed this film, even in its slightly screwed up VHS version. And now Shout! Factory, as part of its Shout Select series, has released a special Blu-ray edition that restores the original soundtrack (something lacking in that VHS edition, as well as earlier DVD versions). I can’t imagine a better time to revisit this movie, when our entire nation is filled with fear and loathing.

The film opens with a rendition of “Home On The Range” sung by Neil Young (a song which was included in earlier home video releases). And then we meet Hunter S. Thompson, who as usual is working against a looming deadline. He is surrounded by elements of his work, including a bat hanging overhead and a life-size Nixon doll with a Grateful Dead Skull and Roses T-shirt. He is writing about Lazlo, and the film then takes us back to 1968 in San Francisco, where Thompson has checked himself into a hospital to do some writing and to enjoy a nurse’s company. His lawyer Lazlo comes to the rescue, and soon both Thompson and we are treated to seeing this lawyer in action. Peter Boyle, as always, delivers a good performance. (That scene also includes Craig T. Nelson as a cop who thinks a pack of cigarettes might contain a bomb.)

The movie then moves to Los Angeles in 1972, as Thompson is assigned to cover the Super Bowl. Yes, the movie is episodic, something which bothered critics at the time of its release, but which never frustrated me. Before the game, Lazlo shows up in a Nixon mask, saying, “I am the president of the United States and I can do anything I want.” Hey, did Donald Trump see this film and take that line to heart? He certainly seems to have some affinity for Nixon. Well, Lazlo pulls Thompson off that assignment to take him on a much weirder one. But my favorite part of this film is the 1972 campaign trail material. This section features a wonderful performance by Rene Auberjonois as another journalist caught on a short leg of the campaign with Thompson. “It’s my turn to fly,” indeed. Also, Mark Metcalf, whom you’ll recall from his performance in Animal House (which he then recreated for a famous Twisted Sister video), plays Dooley, Thompson’s adversary. The scene where Hunter S. Thompson has an unlikely meeting with Nixon is great.

At the end of the film, Thompson says, “It still hasn’t gotten weird enough for me” (a line that often pops in my head when things get strange). And again, I wish Hunter S. Thompson were alive today. If he were, might he say things have gotten weird enough? Or perhaps even too weird?

Special Features

This Blu-ray edition includes Inventing The Buffalo: A Look Back With John Kaye, an interview with screenwriter John Kaye. He talks about how Universal originally wanted to do a film version of Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, but had problems getting the rights to the book. John Kaye at that time read a piece Hunter S. Thompson wrote about Oscar Acosta, and thought that would make a better film anyway. Kaye is candid when talking about the time he spent with Thompson in preparation for the project, and about the film’s reception across the country. He also tells a wild anecdote concerning Hunter S. Thompson and Dennis Murphy. This featurette is approximately forty-two minutes.

The Blu-ray also includes the film’s theatrical trailer.

Where The Buffalo Roam was directed by Art Linson, and was released on Blu-ray through Shout! Factory on June 6, 2017.

DVD Review: All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, And The Spirit Of I.F. Stone

I’ve always believed that governments somewhat routinely play with or ignore the truth. But I’m not sure any leader has lied with such unfailing consistency as does the current occupier of the White House. Not a single word he utters is to be trusted. But perhaps something good can come of it. Perhaps it will get people questioning and thinking critically about everything that’s told to them by government officials, rather than blindly accepting such stuff as truth. The documentary All Governments Lie: Truth Deception, And The Spirit Of I.F. Stone celebrates some of the independent journalists who, in the spirit of I.F. Stone, work to uncover the truth on subjects not being discussed in the mainstream media.

The film opens with that famous footage of Trump’s role model Richard Nixon swearing that he never obstructed justice and that he’s not a crook. It cuts then to Colin Powell talking about Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction, and swearing he’s delivering facts. And it’s not long before we get footage of Donald Trump speaking of his proposed Muslim ban, and telling his supporters that Mexicans are rapists. These are clear examples of the government lying to its people, but of course if the government is willing and eager to tell these large lies, why should we trust them not to tell us smaller ones as well?

I.F. Stone was an independent investigate journalist who published his own newsletter, I.F. Stone’s Weekly, in which he routinely exposed the lies of the government. The film does include snippets of interviews with him, including footage of his appearance as a guest on The Dick Cavett Show in 1969. But in large part it follows current journalists who in a way are continuing Stone’s work, folks like Matt Taibbi, John Carlos Frey, Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill and David Corn. And through this, the film also delves into certain stories. For example, the mass graves found along the U.S./Mexico border. Sound familiar? No? Well, that’s because big media companies didn’t cover the story, as many of the choices they make are related to the entertainment value of a story, and the deaths of immigrants aren’t seen as entertaining. The film raises the question of whether those running large media empires are any more ethical than those in charge of oil companies or tobacco companies. After all, they profited from Trump’s campaign, getting plenty of entertaining news out of it. I wish we could go back in time and see what would have transpired had the media simply not covered Trump’s campaign, or at least not given him so much coverage.

And if you’re wondering, no, Barrack Obama is not left alone in this film. His questionable activities with drones are addressed here. Hillary Clinton likewise does not escape attention. And that’s the point, really. All governments lie. But the work of the journalists shown in this excellent documentary does give me hope. The film also includes interviews with Noam Chomsky, Ralph Nader, Carl Bernstein (who says that conventional wisdom is “the real enemy of great reporting”), Dick Cavett, and Michael Moore (who talks about the use of humor, and how “it is very hard to respond to it”).

Special Features

The DVD contains several bonus scenes, including more on Jeremy Scahill addressing young journalists about The Intercept and about the risks of investigative reporting, and Kai Wright talking about The Nation and objectivity. There is also footage of Sharif Abdel Kouddos speaking of how he became active in political journalism. John Carlos Frey talks about getting himself hired as a grape-picker in order to get the footage he needed. There is also more with Glenn Greenwald, Ralph Nader, Carl Bernstein and Chris Hedges.

All Governments Lie: Truth Deception, And The Spirit Of I.F. Stone was directed by Fred Peabody, and is based in part on All Governments Lie: The Life And Times Of Rebel Journalist I.F. Stone by Myra MacPherson. It was released on DVD on May 23, 2017 through First Run Features.

Blu-ray Review: Voodoo Black Exorcist

Voodoo Black Exorcist is a strange one about a man who was entombed alive and who now many years later finds a chance to come out of his sarcophagus while it is being transported aboard a luxury ocean liner by a scientist, his associate and his secretary/lover.

The opening scenes show a man and woman making love in a canoe until the woman’s husband arrives, ruining the romantic moment. The man kills the husband, but then in a violent ritual, the woman is executed and the man is entombed. These scenes, completely devoid of dialogue, are effective in commanding our attention. While the man is being entombed in a psychedelically lit cavern, an authoritative off-screen voice tells us about life repeating itself. “Blood will be spilled, terrible things will happen again, and everything will start again.” No, it’s not the best narration. But no matter. Oddly, the film then cuts to a rocket taking off into space, and the opening credit sequence is shown over images of the moon. A strange choice for a mummy film, but this movie doesn’t allow us to take it seriously. Every time we might get the inclination to do so, it delivers some goofy bit of humor.

Back on Earth, the coffin is being loaded onto the ocean liner. And there are actually some carefully crafted shots, like the one when the coffin is being moved to the cargo hold of the ship. The camera stays on the face on the lid of the sarcophagus. Poor Freddy is left to guard the coffin, instructed by Dr. Kessling that he’ll even have to sleep there in the cargo hold. Geez. But I suppose they must take precautions. After all, there are some strange characters aboard this ship. Like the guy who flirts with a married woman using the line, “I have a slaughterhouse in Chicago.” How could she not fall for him? Or the drunk woman who is first shown with a giant deck of playing cards, and then shown reading the Tarot and predicting an unexpected visitor will come aboard the ship. In a slightly better movie, this character would be played by Shelley Winters. She and her hapless husband provide much of the humor of the film.

Of course, it’s not long before the coffin opens and our friend emerges. Hey, where did Freddy go? The mummy immediately wins me over by showing his distaste for cats. Interestingly, we then get shots from the mummy’s perspective, and apparently all he wanted to do was go above deck and look out at the ocean. While he does so, we see his skin slowly return to its former glory. Well, as the narrator warned us, “Everything will start again,” and it turns out everyone involved in those opening scenes is traveling on this ship. The executioner from the ritual is now a bartender. And the woman the mummy once loved is Dr. Kessling’s secretary/lover, Sylvia. You see, this is actually a love story of sorts. However, seeing her makes him return to his ugly mummy state for some reason. Hot redheads can have that effect on men, I suppose. But after a bit of rest in the coffin, he’s able to deliver a gift to Sylvia. Sometimes it’s tough buying for a woman, particularly if you’ve just met her and don’t know her taste. However, most men know that women don’t generally like receiving severed heads.

At one port, Dr. Kessling is supposed to meet a colleague, but the mummy – looking human – takes the other scientist’s place. And this is where it gets weird, because the mummy actually wants to help Dr. Kessling with his research on voodoo, telling him he could provide more help than the other scientist ever could. Ah, all any of us wants is to feel needed, I suppose.

By the way, the other character that is there mainly for humor is the detective trying to solve the murder of the bartender. At one point he says: “You see, I have a system. When I don’t have a lead, I drink gin and wait.” You’d be surprised how many crimes are solved with this system. Then later, when Dr. Kessling asks him how he’s doing, the detective replies: “Terrible. Moody. Perplexed. It’s so damn hot here, don’t you think?” There is some unintentional humor as well. During the fight scene when the mummy retrieves his special ring, be sure to look in the mirror and say hi to the camera man, who is plainly visible. And the mummy tells the scientist that he learned English from being in museums for so many years, which of course makes me wonder just where was Dr. Kessling transporting the sarcophagus from? And where was he taking it?

And if you’ve been wondering about the exorcist, I’m going to spoil the surprise and tell you there isn’t one. No exorcist in Voodoo Black Exorcist. This movie was released in 1974, a year after The Exorcist, and I’m sure that other film’s popularity had something to do with the choice of English titles for this film. It’s not a great movie, but it is truly enjoyable. The end, however, feels rushed.

Voodoo Black Exorcist is being released on Blu-ray and DVD today, May 23, 2017, through The Film Detective. The film has been digitally remastered, restored from the original 35mm film elements, and it looks good. The Blu-ray contains no special features.