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OLD SCHOOL VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH

Title: COOLEY HIGH
Year Released: 1975
Running Time: 105
Production Company: Orion/MGM
Director: Michael Schultz
Director of Photography: Eliot Schick
Screenwriter: Eric Monte
Author: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

REVIEW: TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: "COOLEY HIGH" IS A CLASSIC FOR THE AGES

One of my all-time favorite coming-of-age movies is "Cooley High."

Directed by Michael Schultz ("Car Wash," "Greased Lightning") and written by Eric Monte ("All in the Family" and "What's Happening!!), the funny, dramatic film became a...

NEW ON DVD

MAN OF WAR Title: MAN OF WAR
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 111
Production Company: Well Go USA
Director: William Kaufman
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

" MAN OF WAR" FIRES ON ALL CYLINDERS

There's just something about LaMonica Garrett that makes every movie or TV show he appears in a little better.

The San Francisco, California, native has built a reputation for portraying tough, no-nonsense characters across television and film, particularly in action, military, and law-enforcement roles. From "Sons of Anarchy" and "Designated Survivor," to "Special Ops: Lioness," Garrett has consistently brought a commanding presence and intensity to the screen.

In "Man of War--" which is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD--he takes that talent to another level as Michael "Mike" Connor, an elite U.S. Special Forces veteran whose mission to rescue his kidnapped adopted daughter/niece becomes an intensely personal fight for survival.

Garrett is terrific in the role, bringing just the right combination of toughness, vulnerability, and determination to a character who has clearly seen more than his share of war.

Jason Patric ("A Line of Fire") is equally effective as Mike's longtime military friend and government contact, Charlie Lewis, while Andrew Howard ("The Odyssey") makes an impression as Dany Sundakov, a battle-tested Ukrainian guide who becomes an invaluable member of Mike's rescue team. Linds Edwards ("Beat Down") also has fun with the role of the cocky, tough-talking British special ops soldier Peter "Bunny" Roberts.

Directed by William Kaufman (Osiris" and "Breach"), "Man of War" wastes little time getting down to business. Set during the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the film opens with Mike dejected and alone in a Barcelona hotel room, comforted by alcohol and a gun. That changes when he gets a FaceTime call with Riley (Rosemary Yaneva, "The Bouncer"), the young aid worker he helped raise after the death of her parents, turns into a nightmare.

Russian soldiers attack Riley's orphanage in Kyiv, and Mike is forced to watch helplessly as she and others are taken hostage. When he learns that the man behind the attack is the brutal Russian mercenary Stanismir Ivan Koniev, (a chilling Daniel Bernhardt, "Ballerina" and "Nobody 2"), Mike does what any determined action hero would do. He declares war on the people who took Riley.

From there, it is bullets, explosions, betrayals, close calls, and plenty of edge-of-your-seat action as Mike and his small team make their way through an increasingly dangerous landscape. The supporting cast adds to the story which could easily have become nothing more than an endless barrage of gunfire.

While "Man of War" is predictable at times, that doesn't make the ride any less entertaining. Once Mike begins his rescue mission, the movie rarely lets up, delivering one adrenaline-fueled sequence after another. Garrett is the anchor of the film and it's easy to get behind his character and root for him every step of the way.

Clocking in at 111 minutes, "Man of War" is a solid actioner filled with suspense, strong performances, and a hero you'll want to see make it to the finish line.
(Highly Recommended).

"Man of War," from Well Go USA is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. Watch This Trailer For "MAN OF WAR"

SEVEN SNIPERS Title: SEVEN SNIPERS
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 98
Production Company: Well Go USA Entertainment
Director: Sandra Sciberras
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"SEVEN SNIPERS": A LITTLE TENSION GOES A LONG WAY

The good folks at Well Go USA have brought the Australian drama "Seven Snipers" to Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD. This is one of those movies that quietly gets under your skin before you realize it has you hooked.

"Seven Snipers" is a tense action-thriller that takes its time setting the stage, slowly luring you into its remote Australian setting and the troubled world of a woman who thought her days of violence were behind her.

Retired elite sniper marksman Kris Hendricks, aka "Voodoo Child" (Radha Mitchell, "Take My Hand") has settled into a quiet life on a secluded ranch with her daughter Anja (Annabel Wolfe, TV's "Breakers"). But that peace is shattered when a ruthless warlord from her past, known as "The Dragon" (a menacing Tim Roth, "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man"), comes looking for revenge.

With her daughter in danger, Kris has little choice but to call on her former elite kill squad and prepare for one last fight. A few of these good men include Nico (Pacharo Mzembe ("The Bluff"), Junior (Charles Cottier, "Dead Eyes"), and White Dog (Damien Ryan, "Venus & Adonis: A Film About a Play About a Poem").

Loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s classic "Seven Samurai," director Sandra Sciberras ("The Green Door"), and screenwriter Andrew O'Keefe ("Crime & Punishment") give "Seven Sniper's familiar "assemble the team" premise an Australian flavor and a decidedly personal edge.

What works well is the way "Seven Snipers" doesn't immediately throw everything at you. Instead, it patiently builds its characters, establishes the threat, and lets the tension simmer before the action begins to take hold. Once Kris's old crew starts coming together, the movie finds its rhythm, with each member bringing a different personality and skill set to the increasingly dangerous situation.

The cast is solid across the board, with Mitchell anchoring the film, while Ryan Kwanten ("Dead Howling"), Ioan Gruffudd, ("Drummer Boy"), Lee Tiger Halley ("Beast of War"), who plays Anja's boyfriend Michael, and the rest of the ensemble add personality, although a little more backstory involving "The Dragon" and "Voodoo Child" would have made the movie even better. Even so, this brisk 98-minute character-driven thriller understands that sometimes the buildup can be just as effective as the payoff.

If you like action movies that take a little time to get the fuse burning before the fireworks begin, "Seven Snipers" is worth viewing. (Recommended).

Editor's Note: "Seven Snipers" is currently available on Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD.

Check Out This Trailer For "SEVEN SNIPERS"

BROKEN LAND Title: BROKEN LAND
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 100
Production Company: Well Go USA Entertainment
Director: Joseph T. Walker
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

DAVID MORSE SHINES IN "BROKEN LAND"

Anything starring David Morse ("Mayday" and TV's "The Last Thing He Told Me") is worth watching. The veteran actor has a commanding, understated screen presence that elevates every project he's in, and that's certainly the case with his latest film, "Broken Land," a quiet yet emotionally resonant modern Western that pulls you in faster than a calf can break from the herd.

The debut feature from writer-director Joseph T. Walker is another gem from Well Go USA and is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD exclusively through Amazon.

The film stars Morse as Carson Tidwell, a weathered Texas rancher still weighed down by grief and guilt over the death of his wife. His home is worn and weather-beaten, much like the man himself, but it's the only place he's ever truly belonged.

Carson spends most of his days tending his cattle, driving his beat-up pickup into town for groceries, and settling in each night to another lonely meal. One evening, after hearing a noise outside, he grabs his shotgun and fires into the darkness. By morning, he discovers that he has accidentally wounded a pregnant migrant woman named Irena (Jaklyn Bejarano, making an impressive feature film debut), who has been hiding on his property while fleeing danger.

When Carson finds the badly injured Irena bleeding in his barn, he brings her into his home and does everything he can to care for her, fully aware that helping her could have serious consequences. Making matters even more complicated is his estranged son, Harley (Bill Heck, TV's "Old Man" and "Wild Things"), a Border Patrol agent whose job puts him directly at odds with the choice his father is making.

Will Irena, who is from El Salvador and speaks very little English, earn Carson's trust enough for him to risk everything to help her reach safety? And if he does, what will it ultimately cost them both?

"Broken Land" is a deliberately paced but compelling drama about home, family, forgiveness, and the simple power of compassion.

David Morse once again proves why he's one of the most dependable character actors working today. He says as much with a glance as many actors do with pages of dialogue, creating a portrait of a lonely man whose hardened exterior slowly gives way to empathy and redemption. Equally impressive is newcomer Jaklyn Bejarano, whose performance is remarkably affecting despite having relatively little dialogue. She conveys fear, determination, and hope through expressive, understated acting, making Irena much more than a symbol, she becomes the emotional heart of the film. Together, Morse and Bejarano create a believable bond that feels genuine rather than forced.

Unlike many modern Westerns that lean heavily on shootouts, revenge, or larger-than-life antiheroes, "Broken Land" chooses a quieter path. Joseph T. Walker focuses on human connection instead of spectacle, using the wide Texas landscape as a backdrop for a deeply personal story about mercy, second chances, and doing the right thing when it's most difficult. It's a thoughtful, character-driven Western that values emotional honesty over action, making it a refreshing addition to the genre and a memorable debut for both its director and leading newcomer.
(Highly Recommended).

Editor's Note: Check Out This Trailer For "BROKEN LAND"

IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND Title: IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 98
Production Company: Well Go USA
Director: Li Liming
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

WING CHUN LIVES ON IN THE THRILLING "IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND"

Few figures in martial arts history loom as large as Ip Man aka Yip Man the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster whose teachings forever changed the landscape of Kung Fu and whose most famous student, Bruce Lee, helped introduce Chinese martial arts to audiences around the globe.

Decades after his life first inspired filmmakers, the character continues to captivate audiences, and "Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend," from Well Go USA Entertainment proves there are still exciting stories to tell.

Dennis To slips effortlessly back into the role for the fourth time, bringing both quiet dignity and explosive physicality to the revered master, while director Li Liming ("The Wolfman," and "Young Ip Man: Crisis Time" ) delivers an energetic, old-school martial arts adventure that honors the character's enduring legacy without losing sight of pure entertainment.

Picking up after "Ip Man: Kung Fu Master," the film finds Ip Man leaving behind his police career in hopes of opening his own martial arts school, only to become entangled in a conspiracy after a western boxing gym attempts to dominate the local martial arts community.

Framed for murder and forced to battle corrupt triads and foreign opportunists, Ip Man must rely on his unmatched Wing Chun skills to protect both his name and the traditions he holds dear.

The action here is crisp, hard-hitting, and wonderfully choreographed, with Dennis To once again demonstrating why he has become one of the most convincing screen portrayals of the legendary master.

Supporting performances from Zhou Xiaofei ("The Grandmaster," "Ip Man 4: The Finale") and newcomer Zhang Tingfei add heart to the story while never distracting from the film's relentless pace.

"Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend" embraces everything fans love about classic kung fu cinema--honor, perseverance, breathtaking fight choreography, and an underdog standing against overwhelming odds.

While it celebrates the mythology surrounding its iconic hero, it also serves as a reminder of Ip Man's immeasurable influence on martial arts culture and the generations of practitioners inspired by his teachings.

Whether you've followed the "Ip Man" films from the beginning or are simply looking for an exciting martial arts spectacle, this latest chapter delivers in every way. It's another worthy addition to one of the genre's most enduring cinematic legacies.
(Highly Recommended).

Editor's Note: "Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend" is currently available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. It will also land on Digital Aug. 11.

Take A Look At This Trailer For "IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND"