This newsletter edition covers the following (click on the title to skip to the section):
- Introduction
- Summer Internship
- May Film News
- News That We Couldn’t Cover
- Non-Review Essays in May
- Nollywoodweek Festival 2021 Daily Reports
- May reviews
- Highlights of June Releases
- Poll
Dear reader,
This month’s edition marks an end (more like a break) to coercing you to leave comments. With this month’s newsletter, I would like to say a very big thank you to all of our active readers who have been constantly leaving comments, helping us stay alive in the world of film. My sincere appreciation goes to you all. And to new readers, please leave comments…oops!
On that note, you can move to another level of support by sharing our content frequently, those you agree with , as well as the reviews you disagree with. You can send them all to your friends and roast the hell out of us in your private inbox. Also, telling them how much you agree with our thoughts would be appreciated. I see you playing a huge part in our growth. With that, you can always call yourself WKMUp’s day one, boasting “I jumped on WKMUp and hooked others with the blog before anyone else”. It doesn’t get hotter than that. Play the role of a ‘Day One’ for us and we will remember you forever. You could possibly receive an invitation to our summer parties. Binge parties, of course, not open grilling. Film blog, not food blog. Other cool items and merch could also come your way. So many perks of being a ‘Day One’, but I will stop for now. Keep an eye out in the coming months for an introduction of the ‘Day One’ benefits.
Summer season begins…
We’ve a twitter thread of movies to look forward to between the months of June and September. The list comprises blockbusters, superhero movies, a number of horror flicks and the movie adaptation of that wild-ass twitter thread (from years ago)…yes, finally, ZOLA!
Which movie(s) or genre will dominate this summer? I believe people want to feel alive again, so action thrillers and superhero movies should reach high numbers, as people seek the rush and grand scale excitement that’s been missing from their lives for a while. You can find the thread here.
We have started putting out amazing content on social media, please follow us on Twitter and Instagram for engaging content. We’re funny sometimes and always up-to-date with the latest news.
Summer Internship
We are currently accepting applications for a summer internship program intended for teens. You can read the full job description here. Kindly share with your loved ones, you also count as one.
May Film News a.k.a ICYMI
- Netflix released a trailer for its next African original series, Jiva! It promises dance, drama, rivalry and bright colours— all SA style. Watch the teaser here.
On News That We Couldn’t Cover
- The cast of Knives Out 2, a sequel to the Rian Johnson whodunnit, is growing. So far, we have Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monáe, and Leslie Odom Jr. They will be joining Daniel Craig, who returns as inspector Benoit Blanc.
- A sequel to 2011 movie, Attack on the Block, which starred John Boyega, is in the works.
- MGM, home to the James Bond franchise, is now owned by Amazon.
- A Rick and Morty spinoff, The Vindicators, is in the works.
- We were treated to a new Eternals trailer, an upcoming Marvel superhero movie, directed by Chloé Zhao, set to introduce the next phase of the MCU.
- La Casa De Papel (Money Heist) final season release dates announced: part 5 vol. 1 premieres on Netflix on september 3, and vol. 2 follows on december 3.
- About a Boy, a movie by Diji Aderogba, won the audience award at the Nollywoodweek festival after its world premiere at the four-day event.
- A Marvel series focusing on Danai Gurira’s Okoye (Black Panther) backstory is in development.
- Eyimofe makes history as the first Nigerian film on Criterion Collection.
- We should be seeing a new Aki and Pawpaw project soon. It should be a full blown out comedy like back in the days.
- HBO Ma x and Cartoon Network have announced two new DC animated series: Batman: Caped Crusader and My Adventures with Superman.
- Elevator Baby, 2019 Nollywood movie, directed by Akay Mason, has gotten a Bollywood remake titled Thank You Brother!
Non-Review Essays in May
- WKMUp sat down with budding Nollywood all hands-on director, Taiwo Egunjobi. We discussed his new movie, All Na Vibes and the state of Nollywood. He also shared his hopes and lets us in on his chosen style of filmmaking. Read here.
- An anime starter pack that also serves as our resident critic’s introduction into the anime world during the 2020 lockdown.
Nollywoodweek Festival 2021 Daily Reports
We reviewed the following movies:
Highlight of New Films and TV Series in June
THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT: It reveals a chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they’d ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense. In theatres on June 4. 
CONFUSION NA WA: In this 2013 Nollywood movie, a misplaced cell phone’s incriminating content becomes a prime blackmail opportunity for a pair of petty thieves who soon regret their greedy scheme. On Netflix on June 9. 
IN THE HEIGHTS: Lights up on Washington Heights…The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. In theatres on June 11. 
SWEET TOOTH: On a perilous adventure across a post-apocalyptic world, a lovable boy who’s half-human and half-deer searches for a new beginning with a gruff protector. The TV series premieres on Netflix on June 4. 
LOKI: Loki takes centre stage in this upcoming series dedicated to his mischief and ploy. It premieres on June 9 on Disney+. 
LUPIN: Pursued by Hubert and his henchmen, Assane scrambles to find Raoul and wins an unlikely new ally as he draws up a grand plan to reveal Hubert’s crimes. The second season premieres on Netflix on June 11. 
MY VILLAGE PEOPLE: It follows the tale of a prince, who finds himself in a bizarre love triangle with the marine world and a coven of witches as a result of his reckless lifestyle. Hits theatres on June 11. 
ELITE: A strict principal and four new students arrive at Las Encinas, bringing an onslaught of romantic entanglements, intense rumors and a fresh mystery. The 4th season premieres on June 18 on Netflix. 
AYINLA: a semi-biopic based on the life of Ayinla Omowura who lived a short life and took the traditional music scene by storm before his tragic death. It arrives in theatres on June 18. 
THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD: The world’s most lethal odd couple – bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) and hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) – are back on another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius’s even more volatile wife, the infamous international con artist Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek). As Bryce is driven over the edge by his two most dangerous protectees, the trio get in over their heads in a global plot and soon find that they are all that stand between Europe and a vengeful and powerful madman (Antonio Banderas). Hits theatres on June 18. 
FATHERHOOD: A widowed new dad copes with doubts, fears, heartache and dirty diapers as he sets out to raise his daughter on his own. Inspired by a true story. On Netflix on June 18. 
RICK AND MORTY: The 5th season of the intergalactic animated series premieres on June 20. Now, where is season 6? 
JIVA!: A talented street dancer from Umlazi, Durban must confront her fears and deal with family objections to pursue her dancing dreams. The series premieres on Netflix on June 24. 
F9: Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto is leading a quiet life off the grid with Letty and his son, little Brian, but they know that danger always lurks just over their peaceful horizon. This time, that threat will force Dom to confront the sins of his past if he’s going to save those he loves most. His crew joins together to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered: a man who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother, Jakob (John Cena, the upcoming The Suicide Squad). Hits theatres on June 25.
Special mentions: Skater Girl (11th, Netflix), Zola! (30th, theatres), Luca (18th, theatres), iCarly (17th, Paramount+), Blindspotting (13th, Starz), Good on Paper (24th, Netflix), and The Mysterious Benedict Society (25th, Disney+).
The following TV shows return in June: Dave season 2 (16th, FXX), The Good Fight season 5 (25th, Paramount+), Too Hot to Handle season 2 (23rd, Netflix), Sistas season 3 (9th, BET), Feel Good season 2 (4th, Netflix), and Love, Victor season 2 (11th, Hulu).
Which of the film(s) and TV show(s) are you looking forward to the most? Did we forget a certain one? Let us know in the comments below.
You can read the reviews to a number of the mentioned films and TV series in June. Keep an eye out. You can subscribe to email notifications and follow us on our social media pages.
A quick poll before you leave:
Bis bald,
Ikeade Oriade
(Managing Editor)
2 Comments
What about my most anticipated Nollywood Ayinla, when is the release date?
It’s right there when you swipe the gallery images under ‘June Highlights’.
Release is June 18.