Author: Ayodele Olawumi

When it was announced in 2019 that Halle Bailey (of the Chloe x Halle singing duo) had been cast as the little mermaid in the live-action remake of the 1989 Disney classic, it caused a lot of furore because the representation of the eponymous character was originally a white character with red hair. This public anger must have settled into a sense of futility for the dissenters when the project forged ahead with the announcement of a release date in 2021. This development sparked reactions as talks of ‘erasure’ and ‘replacement’ trailed the remake, with hashtags like #NotMyAriel and adult…

Ile Owo, a Nollywood psychological horror thriller that graced cinema screens last year, has been available for streaming on Netflix since May 19. Directed by Dare Olaitan (Ojukokoro), Ile Owo transports us into the life of Akanni Owo, a wealthy man who wants nothing more than to live forever despite his abundance. He consults with the witch Fijabi (Bisola Aiyeola), who tells him that his soul has been claimed but that she may still save his sons’ lives from death. However, in order to appease the spirit of Sagbadewe, a rite in which a pure young bride is sacrificed every…

It is 1984, the world of basketball sportswear is dominated by fashion giants, Adidas and Converse. Nike, a relatively small sportswear company at the time compared to Adidas and Converse, are finding it hard to break into the world of basketball and play with the big boys, due to lower budgets and less clout than their competition. Basketball scout Sonny Vicero (Matt Damon) is tasked with finding the next basketball superstars to be the face of Nike in the NBA. Sonny sets his sights on future basketball icon Michael Jordan. He is so convinced about Michael’s potential that he is…

The collection of a bride price, when a man wants to wed a woman, is a common feature across several cultures that are practised in Nigeria. It is an age-old practice that some cultures are letting go of gradually, while others do not take it lightly and hold on to it as part of their identity. As the title states, this movie from Astra Pictures is centered around this tradition, an instance where it is abused, and how it affects the groom and his relationship with his in-laws. ‘The Kujus Again’ Review: Underwhelming Sequel Lets Down Original, The Clan and…

Tobi (Timini Egbuson) is a poor school teacher, he is the typical disadvantaged Nigerian kid with amazing credentials. He studied a purportedly feasible degree in university and graduated with high grades but yet can’t make anything of himself. Tobi’s condition is compounded by the nature of his romantic relationship; his girlfriend (Sandra Okunzuwa) is from an affluent family. Due to their opposite backgrounds, he is unable to join her in activities with her other affluent colleagues. Tobi sees a chance to improve his fortunes when he meets Obi (Junior Pope), the elder brother of his primary school classmate Kaima (Nancy…

When I mentioned to a friend that I would be seeing The Kujus Again, they were pleasantly surprised that there was a sequel. They spoke excitedly about the original, how it was so funny and dramatic. “You should see it,” they said and they asked to tag along to see the sequel. I didn’t get the time to watch the 2020 original but hearing someone speak about it so excitedly, I had my hopes up for The Kujus Again. My friend (with hopes of an interesting continuation) and I (hoping to be pleasantly surprised) went into the theatre, but judging…

Since Prime Video extended to Nigeria, the platform has provided Nollywood lovers with interesting selections of films, from post theatrical releases of recent films and the licensing of some older ones. While they have just one Nollywood original so far, the platform can still boast of a decent catalogue of Nigerian films. We have curated the best of them, in order of their release year. Ten Non-Comedy Nollywood Films and Shows Currently Available To Stream Eyimofe (2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlO8ORoSJ5E Written and directed by brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, Eyimofe (This is my Desire) contains two touching narratives set in Lagos. It…

Aoy (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying) is the first born of three children. As first born, it’s her responsibility to run and later take over her family’s small stir-fried noodles shop in Bangkok. One day, a customer gives her an invitation to join team ‘Hunger,’ Thailand’s number one luxury Chef’s team led by the brilliantly inventive, but notoriously unpleasant, Chef Paul (Nopachai Jayanama). Aoy is thrust into a shockingly unfamiliar world of fine dining as she learns how people are defined by what they eat.  ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Review: The Carnage Continues in a Franchise Best for Invincible Keanu Reeves Official poster…

I must have been too young at the time when the original Domitilla was released. Older siblings and friends talked about it in hushed tones to avoid queries from the adults around as to how they got to see the film. Domitilla (1996) was a first of its kind type of film in Nigeria whose plot presented single women as central characters having such risque adventures. Domitilla, the 2023 reboot, sports a similar plot to the previous installment but remolded to fit contemporary times, as director Zeb Ejiro (also director of the original), who is making an industry comeback with…

Nollywood films of the comedy genre enjoy the spotlight than their counterparts of other genres. Well, there seems to be a general bias from viewers towards them, possibly due to the need to wind down after enduring a stressful country or the general reliability of the genre. But non-comedy can also serve the same purpose: helping to wind down and being relatable to our condition. 5 Nollywood Comedy Titles to Get You Through This Period Here are ten non-comedy Nollywood titles currently available to stream. Diiche (Showmax) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yikxDbEe-W4 A psychological thriller and murder mystery created by Ifeanyi Barbara Chidi, Odiiche…