Disc Reviews

“The History of Black New York” thematically explores various aspects of the black experience through the use of historian testimony and period specific media. The documentary begins with the early arrival of the Dutch on Manhattan Island and their fair treatment of black slaves. With the arrival of the English, morality and race became intertwined in New York, as with the rest of America, leading to the ensuing years of black oppression and segregation. Quickly, the DVD jumps into an analysis of the role of blacks in the American military, ranging from the Colonial & Civil Wars to the rise of Colon Powell to military prominence.Then the film shifts focus from the blacks' martial experience to the social, with a brief discussion of the Harlem Renaissance and its impact upon the evolution of modern black culture.A brief biography ofcongressional pioneer Adam Powell, a glimpse into the life and rhetoric of Maclom X, a tip of the hat to baseball legend Jackie Robinson, and various other black heroes highlighted the portion of the documentary which touched upon the Civil Rights movement.

As a documentary viewed in a vacuum without prior knowledge of the history of blacks in America, this film would make little sense.Yet, most Americans are familiar enough with at least the basic story of the the civil rights movement in the United States to understand a good portion of “Black New York.”Perhaps the filmmakers bore this in mind when they left out key transitions between subject matters, jumped around in time to further a topical point, and chose to include obscure anecdotes by historians instead of the bare bones structure of narrative.

"I wish I could have enjoyed it more. It's only due to the flaws in my character which I'm rather proud of." 

Douglas Adams once told us in his series of Hitchhiker's Guide books that the secret to life, the universe, and everything is 42. While Adams was a great writer and had a wonderful imagination, his math is a little suspect. Any of us who have grown up with This Is Spinal Tap over the last 40 years, we know the real answer is 11. If that confuses you, then stop reading right now. Go out and rent, stream, buy, or pinch  a copy of 1984's This Is Spinal Tap. Once you've watched that film, you can come back and rejoin the conversation on the long-awaited sequel: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. It will all start to make some sense, and when that happens, then you know you're gone completely bonkers ... and that's OK. We'll wait for the rest of you to catch up. Wasn't that a hoot? Now that we're all on the same page, we can take a look at the Blu-ray release from Bleeker Street.

"Hi, Dad. It's me, Frank Jr. I want to be just like you, but at the same time be completely different and original. So, if you're proud of me, give me a sign. Like, maybe make me see an owl or something." 

The Naked Gun (2025) is a beautifully absurd film that had me and everyone in the theater laughing in tears. It is both a continuation and reboot to the original franchise that introduces a new generation of characters, which still honors the classic formula of deadpan delivery, absurd plotlines, and visual gags that gave the original its significance. It was like a breath of fresh air in a lackluster era of Hollywood which felt was seriously rich in soul. I can’t even joke; my face was hurting from laughing and smiling throughout the entire movie!

"I know my life isn't too exciting. I know I'm not to exciting either. I don't have a fancy job. I don't drive a fancy car. I'm not a member of any kind of country club but I do have a nice house, a strong back and a heart full of love to give. The world is so full of bad things it's frightening especially if you're alone. No one should be alone. People should be happy. I think I can make you happy." 

So Tony Tost wants to make me happy. He's released Americana now on home video and streaming. Here's what I need from you to make that happen. As a writer give me a great story that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Show me and don't tell me wherever it's possible to do that. As a director I'll need you to give me a cast that can carry the weight of it all and I want compelling characters. You see, Tony. I want very much to care about the people I'm watching. I want to become quickly invested in who they are and what they want or need. Being a first-time feature director I'm even willing to give you a little slack as long as you are trying to take care of those needs. Here's what doesn't make me happy, Tony. Don't try to pull some iconic film styles and ideas from other, likely better and more experienced directors.

“This is not going to end well.”

I can’t tell you how telling that quote was for me. At least the movie has a catchy opening song in “Everything Goes With Blue,” courtesy of Smurfette, a.k.a. Rihanna, who voices the character. Interesting detail: all Smurfs movies from the 21st century have had Smurfette voiced by a famous singer. In The Smurfs (2011) and its sequel The Smurfs 2 (2013), Katy Perry voiced the character. In Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), Demi Lovato provided the voice, and in this 2025 reboot, she is voiced by Rihanna. Another interesting detail: this marks Rihanna’s second animated movie she has lent her voice to, with the first being Home (2015), which was released 10 years earlier. However, where Home had was a success, I’m afraid I can’t really say the same for this reboot, even with a star-studded cast that includes James Corden, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Nick Kroll, and Kurt Russell.

"Again, history repeats itself. And, uh, I mean, let's talk about 1956. Let's talk about the number 56 for just one minute. In California, Jesuit-educated Gavin Newsom. And he said to California, as he became the first governor to lock down his state, he said, "56% of you will get Corona in eight weeks". Which is exactly 56 days. Of course, they keep looking at that lab in Wuhan, China. And if you look at that lab in Wuhan when it was established, it was 1956. Of course, that's the year Tom Hanks was born, the first celebrity with the virus. Mr. Sleepless In Seattle. By the way, Jenny Durkan was the mayor of Seattle when it became the first city in the world outside of China to have someone get the virus. And she was the 56th mayor." 

Remember COVID 19? remember all the crazy theories that went around? Remember the circular logic? In so many ways the months of the pandemic and lockdowns, social distance, mask mandates, and debating if going to religious services is considered essential activities -- all of that feels like it was a million years ago in some dark prehistory. But then it feels so raw and tender even now. Hell, I still encounter people wearing masks out there, and I think the National Teacher's Association still isn't sure we should be letting our kids go to school. I live in Florida where the national news treated us like we were some black plague ground zero. I had to go to New York City for surgery in October of 2020, and one nurse turned white as a ghost when she heard we were from FLORIDA!!!. Turned out ol' Andy in New York was cooking the books, and they were having far worse nightmares than we were. What I just said there, that's divisive, yeah? So why did writer/director Ari aster decide it was time to bring it all out in a movie?  I will tell you that Eddington isn't as divisive as many others say it is. Aster is actually pretty fair to both sides, and even though we know exactly what side he's on, he faithfully points out the wackos on both sides, and yes, there were wackos on both sides. Maybe that's the message I should have walked away with when it was all over. But I didn't. Swing and a miss.