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Reviews

August 19, 2024

House of Ga’a, Reviewed: The Fall of an Oyo Empire Kingmaker

Bolanle Austen-Peters’ meaty biopic and historical epic about Bashorun Ga’a succeeds in keeping audiences perched on the edge of their seats, aided by good production and Femi Branch’s charisma.
Paula Willie-Okafor

August 19, 2024

Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story, Reviewed: A Winning Depiction of the Igbo Apprenticeship System

With the Igbo culture of stakeholder capitalism as backdrop, Kayode Kasum tells a riveting story of friendship and success, powered by Anyanwu Sandra Adaora’s authentic screenplay and a compelling cast with Stan Nze, Alexx Ekubo, and Kanayo O. Kanayo.
Orji Victor Ebubechukwu
Afamefuna

August 19, 2024

Breath of Life, Reviewed: Faith, Redemption, & Male Friendship

A story with significant potential, BB Sasore’s AMVCAs-winning film succeeds in positioning the lives of these two men separated by class, religion, and belief systems, even as it fails to probe the depths of their characters.
Iheoma Uzomba
Breath of Life

July 25, 2024

Ebrohimie Road, Reviewed: A Literary Legend as Father & Husband

Centred on his former Ibadan residence, family memories of a young militant Wole Soyinka casts strange light on his increasingly contentious legacy as an activist.
Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera
Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory

February 28, 2024

A Tribe Called Judah, Reviewed: A Box Office-Breaking Heist of Authenticity & Heart

Funke Akindele’s dramedy of five brothers who embark on robbery to save their ailing mother, thoughtfully written by Collins Okoh, proves something we already know: Nollywood is at its best when telling authentic stories — which is why this became its first film to make N1 billion.
Paula Willie-Okafor
A Tribe Called Judah

January 25, 2024

Jagun Jagun, Reviewed: New Heights for the Nollywood Historical Epic

Producer and star Femi Adebayo’s Yoruba-language saga of the clash of two great warriors is a feat of indigenous storytelling and a thoughtful class commentary.
Orji Victor Ebubechukwu
Jagun Jagun

September 18, 2023

The Real Housewives of Lagos, Recapped & Reviewed: Glamour & Drama in Las Gidi

The clashes are instant in this interesting, fashionable take on Africa’s largest city, yet the show’s Season 1 is unable to stamp its own identity or manufacture original conflicts.
Otosirieze
The Real Housewives of Lagos, Season 1

August 20, 2023

Battle on Buka Street, Reviewed: Blockbuster Dramedy with Emotional Burn

As warring sister chefs, Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson, aided by a tight script, torch each other in an entertaining, and ultimately touching, tale that became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of all-time.
Otosirieze
Battle on Buka Street

August 19, 2023

The Trade, Reviewed: Kidnappers Vs. Police

Blossom Chukwujekwu puts in an indelible layered performance as a criminal defined by a deep-seated sense of manhood.
Paula Willie-Okafor
The Trade

August 17, 2023

King of Thieves (Agesinkole), Reviewed—A Captivating Yoruba Historical Epic

A magnetic Femi Adebayo doubles as producer and star of this story about a kingdom caught in ancestral turmoil.
Paula Willie-Okafor
King of Thieves (Agesinkole)

June 8, 2023

Gangs of Lagos, Reviewed: A Crime Thriller with Big Ambition

In Prime Video’s first Africa Original, Jade Osiberu takes on forceful, compelling ideas to varying results, but most of the cast shine, especially the singer Chike.
Paula Willie-Okafor
Gangs of Lagos film poster

June 8, 2023

Brotherhood, Reviewed: A Policeman and a Robber

Aided by Tobi Bakre’s AMVCA Best Drama Actor-winning turn, director Loukman Ali and producer Jade Osiberu’s shot at telling a memorable story prioritizes spectacle over relationships.
Paula Willie-Okafor
Brotherhood film poster

May 25, 2023

Shanty Town, Reviewed: Crime and Punishment, Fate and Freedom

A strong ensemble including Nse Ikpe-Etim and Nancy Isime, playing off a domineering leading performance by Chidi Mokeme, enhances Netflix’s intense limited series. But its grittiness can veer, avoidably and frustratingly, into violence porn.
Otosirieze
Shanty Town poster

March 11, 2023

A Sunday Affair, Reviewed: A Stumbling Story of Romance & Tested Friendship

Despite characters that are not fully realized, and a convenient central dilemma, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Nse Ikpe-Etim serve the strength of connection between women.
Paula Willie-Okafor
A Sunday Affair poster

November 20, 2022

Prophetess, Reviewed: A Modernist Portrayal of Faith

Toyin Abraham is a vulnerable seer in Niyi Akinmolayan’s detailed depiction of spirituality and sports betting.
Emmanuel Esomnofu
Prophetess by Niyi Akinmolayan

October 25, 2022

Blood Sisters, Reviewed: A Rousing Murder Thriller

Like in a Nigerian Thelma and Louise, two friends are on the run in this fast-paced series by Kenneth Gyang and Biyi Bandele.
Uzoma Ihejirika
Blood Sisters TV poster

October 22, 2022

La Femme Anjola, Reviewed: An African Neo-Noir Titillates in Crime and Lust

Rita Dominic and newcomer Nonso Bassey deliver powerhouse performances in Mildred Okwo’s elegant and raw psychological thriller.
Kanyinsola Olorunnisola
La Femme Anjola film poster

October 22, 2022

Swallow, Reviewed: Perturbance in Ordinary Lives

Kunle Afolayan’s beautifully shot adaptation of Sefi Atta’s novel explores humanity and morality, but even with popstar Niyola in lead, it doesn’t rise above its source material.
Paula Willie-Okafor
Swallow film poster

October 22, 2022

Ife, Reviewed: Lesbian Love in Bourgie Lagos

Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim’s short depiction of two women in love is a social landmark in Nigerian cinema.
Otosirieze
Ife film poster

October 22, 2022

Nne, Reviewed: Two Mothers and a Son, Bound by Love

Chiege Alisigwe and Swanky JKA break hearts as a maddened mother and her lost son in Victor Iyke’s AMVCA-winning Igbo language film.
Uzoma Ihejirika
Nne film poster

August 19, 2024

House of Ga’a, Reviewed: The Fall of an Oyo Empire Kingmaker

Bolanle Austen-Peters’ meaty biopic and historical epic about Bashorun Ga’a succeeds in keeping audiences perched on the edge of their seats, aided by good production and Femi Branch’s charisma.
Paula Willie-Okafor

August 19, 2024

Afamefuna

Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story, Reviewed: A Winning Depiction of the Igbo Apprenticeship System

With the Igbo culture of stakeholder capitalism as backdrop, Kayode Kasum tells a riveting story of friendship and success, powered by Anyanwu Sandra Adaora’s authentic screenplay and a compelling cast with Stan Nze, Alexx Ekubo, and Kanayo O. Kanayo.
Orji Victor Ebubechukwu

August 19, 2024

Breath of Life

Breath of Life, Reviewed: Faith, Redemption, & Male Friendship

A story with significant potential, BB Sasore’s AMVCAs-winning film succeeds in positioning the lives of these two men separated by class, religion, and belief systems, even as it fails to probe the depths of their characters.
Iheoma Uzomba

July 25, 2024

Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory

Ebrohimie Road, Reviewed: A Literary Legend as Father & Husband

Centred on his former Ibadan residence, family memories of a young militant Wole Soyinka casts strange light on his increasingly contentious legacy as an activist.
Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera

February 28, 2024

A Tribe Called Judah

A Tribe Called Judah, Reviewed: A Box Office-Breaking Heist of Authenticity & Heart

Funke Akindele’s dramedy of five brothers who embark on robbery to save their ailing mother, thoughtfully written by Collins Okoh, proves something we already know: Nollywood is at its best when telling authentic stories — which is why this became its first film to make N1 billion.
Paula Willie-Okafor

January 25, 2024

Jagun Jagun

Jagun Jagun, Reviewed: New Heights for the Nollywood Historical Epic

Producer and star Femi Adebayo’s Yoruba-language saga of the clash of two great warriors is a feat of indigenous storytelling and a thoughtful class commentary.
Orji Victor Ebubechukwu

September 18, 2023

The Real Housewives of Lagos, Season 1

The Real Housewives of Lagos, Recapped & Reviewed: Glamour & Drama in Las Gidi

The clashes are instant in this interesting, fashionable take on Africa’s largest city, yet the show’s Season 1 is unable to stamp its own identity or manufacture original conflicts.
Otosirieze

August 20, 2023

Battle on Buka Street

Battle on Buka Street, Reviewed: Blockbuster Dramedy with Emotional Burn

As warring sister chefs, Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson, aided by a tight script, torch each other in an entertaining, and ultimately touching, tale that became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of all-time.
Otosirieze

August 19, 2023

The Trade

The Trade, Reviewed: Kidnappers Vs. Police

Blossom Chukwujekwu puts in an indelible layered performance as a criminal defined by a deep-seated sense of manhood.
Paula Willie-Okafor

August 17, 2023

King of Thieves (Agesinkole)

King of Thieves (Agesinkole), Reviewed—A Captivating Yoruba Historical Epic

A magnetic Femi Adebayo doubles as producer and star of this story about a kingdom caught in ancestral turmoil.
Paula Willie-Okafor

June 8, 2023

Gangs of Lagos film poster

Gangs of Lagos, Reviewed: A Crime Thriller with Big Ambition

In Prime Video’s first Africa Original, Jade Osiberu takes on forceful, compelling ideas to varying results, but most of the cast shine, especially the singer Chike.
Paula Willie-Okafor

June 8, 2023

Brotherhood film poster

Brotherhood, Reviewed: A Policeman and a Robber

Aided by Tobi Bakre’s AMVCA Best Drama Actor-winning turn, director Loukman Ali and producer Jade Osiberu’s shot at telling a memorable story prioritizes spectacle over relationships.
Paula Willie-Okafor

May 25, 2023

Shanty Town poster

Shanty Town, Reviewed: Crime and Punishment, Fate and Freedom

A strong ensemble including Nse Ikpe-Etim and Nancy Isime, playing off a domineering leading performance by Chidi Mokeme, enhances Netflix’s intense limited series. But its grittiness can veer, avoidably and frustratingly, into violence porn.
Otosirieze

March 11, 2023

A Sunday Affair poster

A Sunday Affair, Reviewed: A Stumbling Story of Romance & Tested Friendship

Despite characters that are not fully realized, and a convenient central dilemma, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Nse Ikpe-Etim serve the strength of connection between women.
Paula Willie-Okafor

November 20, 2022

Prophetess by Niyi Akinmolayan

Prophetess, Reviewed: A Modernist Portrayal of Faith

Toyin Abraham is a vulnerable seer in Niyi Akinmolayan’s detailed depiction of spirituality and sports betting.
Emmanuel Esomnofu

October 25, 2022

Blood Sisters TV poster

Blood Sisters, Reviewed: A Rousing Murder Thriller

Like in a Nigerian Thelma and Louise, two friends are on the run in this fast-paced series by Kenneth Gyang and Biyi Bandele.
Uzoma Ihejirika

October 22, 2022

La Femme Anjola film poster

La Femme Anjola, Reviewed: An African Neo-Noir Titillates in Crime and Lust

Rita Dominic and newcomer Nonso Bassey deliver powerhouse performances in Mildred Okwo’s elegant and raw psychological thriller.
Kanyinsola Olorunnisola

October 22, 2022

Swallow film poster

Swallow, Reviewed: Perturbance in Ordinary Lives

Kunle Afolayan’s beautifully shot adaptation of Sefi Atta’s novel explores humanity and morality, but even with popstar Niyola in lead, it doesn’t rise above its source material.
Paula Willie-Okafor

October 22, 2022

Ife film poster

Ife, Reviewed: Lesbian Love in Bourgie Lagos

Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim’s short depiction of two women in love is a social landmark in Nigerian cinema.
Otosirieze

October 22, 2022

Nne film poster

Nne, Reviewed: Two Mothers and a Son, Bound by Love

Chiege Alisigwe and Swanky JKA break hearts as a maddened mother and her lost son in Victor Iyke’s AMVCA-winning Igbo language film.
Uzoma Ihejirika

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