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OLD SCHOOL VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH

Title: SOUNDER
Year Released: 1972
Running Time: 105
Production Company: 20th Century Fox
Director: Martin Ritt
Director of Photography: John A. Alonzo
Screenwriter: Lonne Elder III
Author: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

REVIEW: "SOUNDER"-- A STORY THAT STILL SPEAKS

I remember the first time I saw the movie "Sounder"--back in 1972, when it first came out--at a downtown Los Angeles theater with my older brothers.

I was just a 11-years-old but watching that powerful story unfold on screen left a lasting impression.

I was captivated by the powerful performances of the late, great Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield,...

NEW ON DVD

THE MERCHANTS OF JOY Title: THE MERCHANTS OF JOY
Year Released: 2025
Running Time: 90
Production Company: Prime
Director: Celia Aniskovich
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

PINES, POWER PLAYS, AND HOLIDAY HAVOC: THE MERCHANTS OF JOY DELIVERS:

The Merchants of Joy may sound like the name of a feel-good holiday choir, but the documentary from director Celia Aniskovich ("What Happened at Fells Acres?")and writer Owen Long, reveals that the real song of the season in New York is the sound of Christmas-tree dealers battling for turf like it's the North Pole edition of Game of Thrones.

The film, which is currently streaming on Prime, introduces us to five families, aka, frenemies, who make the city smell like fir and fierce competition each December: the red-cheeked Gregory Walsh of Greg's Trees and his maybe-one-day-he'll-take-over son "Little" Greg; the eternally hustling single dad George Schmidt; Vermont's own tree-trading duo Jane Waterman and George Nash (with their wonderfully blunt daughter Ciree); and New Jersey's Heather Neville of NYC Tree Lady fame.

Each clan brings its own holiday flavor, from wholesome Santa energy to "please don't ask me about the time I got arrested" pragmatism. And who knew the Christmas-tree business was such a holiday blood sport, especially in New York, where even the wreaths seem a little stressed?

Hovering over all this good cheer is the documentary's unofficial villain Kevin Hammer, the mysterious figure who swoops in and outbids the families at prime lots like a holiday-season boogeyman with a taste for perfectly located sidewalk real estate.

When the filmmaker finally gets Hammer on the phone--because of course he only appears by phone--it's like hearing Ratso Rizzo reading from a playbook titled "How to Make Life Miserable for Seasonal Competitors."

Still, watching these families navigate the chaos with humor, grit, and an almost irrational love for 12-foot Frasers is unexpectedly charming.

All told, "The Merchants of Joy" makes for a surprisingly warm and funny watch with family as we head into the thick of the Christmas season. It might even make you appreciate the tree in your living room a little more, if only because someone probably fought a silent turf war just so you could enjoy it.
(Recommended).

"The Merchants of Joy" is currently streaming on Prime.

Watch This Trailer For "THE MERCHANTS OF JOY"

TURA! Title: TURA!
Year Released: 2025
Running Time: 105
Production Company: Quiver Productions
Director: Cody Jarrett
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

FROM SURVIVOR TO SHOWSTOPPER: HOW TURA SANTANA REWROTE HER OWN STORY

Comedian Margaret Cho co-executive produced and narrates this remarkable and unapologetically raw story of Tura Satana, a woman who didn't just survive the odds, she annihilated them.

Tura! is a powerful and unflinching documentary that pulls no punches in telling the life story of Tura Satana, Born Tura Luna Pascual Yamaguchi, a Japanese-American actress, exotic dancer, and pop culture trailblazer who turned her pain into power.

From surviving a brutal gang rape at just nine years old, to being pushed out of her home as a teen and nearly sold into marriage at the age of 13, Tura's life was defined early by cruelty and betrayal. But rather than be crushed by it, she fought back. She trained in martial arts, became a black belt in karate, and vowed that no man would ever hurt her again.

"Tura!" is about survival, of course, but more than that, it's about the refusal to be a victim.

Tura seemed destined for showbiz. Her father was a silent actor in Japanese films, and her mother was a circus performer of Cheyenne and Scots Irish descent.

The film explores Tura's meteoric rise from the underground club scene, where she worked as a dice girl in Illinois and danced burlesque in New Orleans, to the cult status she earned in Russ Meyer's 1965 exploitation classic "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" and director/producer Ted V. Mikels, 1968 sci-fi horror film, "The Astro-Zombies." She wasn’t just playing tough. She was tough. And for an Asian American woman in mid-century America to exude that kind of commanding sexuality and power was unheard of.

The documentary captures her onscreen magnetism and offscreen struggles with equal care, highlighting not only her performances but also the emotional cost of constantly having to fight for respect in an industry and a society that never knew what to do with a woman like her.

Through interviews with filmmaker John Waters, family members, co-stars, and historians, "Tura!" stitches together a complex portrait of a woman who was equal parts myth and flesh. We hear stories of her romantic entanglement with Elvis Presley. He supposedly proposed to Tura, and she turned him down. He insisted she keep the engagement ring. And she did. Tura also had a deep friendship with silent film legend Harold Lloyd.

Audiences experience the chilling accounts of how she tracked down her childhood rapists as an adult, bringing her own version of justice. She was fearless. And yet, the film doesn't shy away from showing the toll it took. There was loneliness, the suicidal lows, the rumors surrounding her violent injuries, and the relentless battles with depression as the industry left her behind.

But what lingers most after the credits roll is her legacy, not just as a cult figure, but as a cultural force. Tura Satana smashed stereotypes and redefined what strength could look like onstage, onscreen, and in life. This documentary doesn't simply celebrate her; it honors her and in such grand and deserving fashion.

With Cho's heartfelt narration, "Tura!" becomes more than a biography. It becomes a rallying cry for women who have had to fight to be seen, heard, and remembered.

Tura wasn't just ahead of her time, she was the time, and finally, the world is catching up. Say her name.
(Highly, Highly Recommended).

Look At This Trailer For "TURA!"

JUST BREATHE Title: JUST BREATHE
Year Released: 2025
Running Time: 96
Production Company: SHOUT! Studios
Director: Paul Pompa III
Review By: By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

"JUST BREATHE" EXPLORES THE PRICE OF SECOND CHANCES

Although summer is now officially behind us and fall is settling in, I am giving myself permission for one final indulgence from the summer slate, a gritty little gem of a thriller called "Just Breathe," from SHOUT! Studios.

Written and directed by Paul P. Pompa III in his feature film debut, "Just Breathe" is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that strikes a balance between raw tension and surprising vulnerability.

It centers on Nick Bianco (Kyle Gallner, "Smile 2"), a man fresh out of prison after serving a year for assault. This guy has some serious anger issues. Even his therapist (Sewell Whitney, TV's "Dark Gospels") must wonder if Nick can turn his life around. But Nick seems determined to give it a go and win back his beautiful, girlfriend Mel (a terrific Emyri Crutchfield, "Dark Harvest").

Nick's road to redemption hits a serious snag when he discovers that Chester (Shawn Ashmore, "X-Men" and "Darkness Falls"), his by-the-book parole officer, has also developed feelings for Mel.

What unfolds is a simmering, psychological standoff that threatens not only Nick's freedom but his fragile hope for a second chance.

Pompa's direction of "Just Breathe" is lean but deliberate, creating a moody atmosphere that mirrors Nick's internal turmoil. "Just Breathe" builds its suspense through emotional stakes and complex character dynamics. The film is especially effective in its use of silence and tension-filled pauses, letting scenes breathe--ironically, in contrast to its title--so the drama can unfold organically. These moments allow viewers to feel Nick's situation: one wrong move, one misread signal, and everything he's fought for could come crashing down.

Gallner delivers another exceptional performance. He plays Nick with a simmering vulnerability that makes you root for him, even as his past mistakes loom large.

His chemistry with Crutchfield is particularly meaningful particularly in scenes that explore the fragility of forgiveness. Meanwhile, Ashmore surprises as Chester, bringing a quiet menace to a character who could have easily slipped into cliche. Instead, Ashmore plays him with a layered intensity, making him both a threat and a tragic figure in his own right. Even William Forsythe's ("The Devil's Rejects," and "The Man in the High Castle") small role as Nick's father shines through.

"Just Breathe" isn’t just a battle between two men over a woman, it's a story about accountability, redemption, and the difficult road toward personal transformation.

Pompa's debut suggests a promising voice in the world of indie thrillers, one unafraid to delve into the moral gray areas that define real human conflict.

For anyone looking to savor one more bold cinematic experience from the summer, "Just Breathe" is a breath of fresh air worth taking.
(Highly Recommended).

Watch This Trailer For "JUST BREATHE"

ROBIN AND THE HOODS Title: ROBIN AND THE HOODS
Year Released: 2025
Running Time: 100
Production Company: Future Artists Entertainment/Silver Reel
Director: Phil Hawkins
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs

PLAYTIME GETS SERIOUS IN THE DELIGHTFUL "ROBIN AND THE HOODS"

Director Phil Hawkins ("Prancer: A Christmas Tale"), along with screenwriters Stuart Benson ("The Theory of Everything") and Paul Davidson (TV's "British Rationals"), delivers a lighthearted and whimsical fantasy adventure with "Robin and the Hoods."

Bursting with heart and imagination, the film which debuts on all major digital platforms Aug. 27, follows Robin (Darcy Ewart, "Prancer: A Christmas Tale"), a bright and spirited young girl who leads a tight-knit group of kids known as "The Hoods."

Together, they spend their days in joyful make-believe battles across a wild patch of land they've dubbed "The Kingdom." But they're not the only ones with a claim. Henry, (Eddison Burch, TV's Dreamland) the leader of his loyal crew the Knights, often challenges their rule.

Robin is sharp, fearless, and especially handy with a makeshift bow and arrow. Her clan is just as clever: Amaya (Gloria Ishikawa, in her debut) is fiercely loyal and quick-thinking, never backing down from a fight or a debate.
Glen (Bruno Edgington-Gibson, also debuting) adds a dose of magic as a livestreaming wizard. He is always ready with a spell or a clever trick when it matters most.

The fun and games take a serious turn when a pushy "realtor" named Clipboard (a funny and villainous Naomie Harris, "Black Bag") shows up with big plans to turn their beloved playground into a modern town leisure center. Clipboard pitches the idea to Robin's parents, but the kids see the truth. If the Kingdom disappears, so does their world of adventure.

Desperate to save it, Robin brings their concerns to the town's well-meaning mayor (Mark Williams, "Dream Hacker," "Harry Potter" franchise), who may not be hearing the full story from Clipboard.

Realizing they can't win this battle alone, Robin and the Hoods attempt the unthinkable: joining forces with their rivals, The Knights.

With help from a quirky, vegetarian witch (Gwendoline Christie, TV's "Game of Thrones" "Severance"), the kids set out on a bold mission to protect their treasured land, but the clock is ticking.
(Recommended).

"Robin and the Hoods" begins streaming on Digital platforms Aug. 27.

Watch This Trailer For "ROBIN AND THE HOODS"