Watching movies like Extraction feels like a desiderate trip down memory lane, an attempt to capture and revive the essence of a film genre that seems to have been lost. The hero of the Extraction series, Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), is, similar to other action heroes, a hulking male figure armed with a variety of life-ending skills. They fight an impossible number of foes and come out unscathed; they can take as many blows, stabs, and gunshots as are required for them to reach their goals. Tyler Rake might not reach the levels of acclaim reached by characters like Rambo…
Author: Ayodele Olawumi
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Daddy begins in a Taken-esque manner: daughter gets kidnapped and the father has to do all he can to get his daughter back. This desperation of a father to save his child is the overriding theme of the plot but it is quickly shelved not long into the film as other characters take centre stage. The father-and-daughter struggle is swept to the sidelines, and the kidnappers take all the focus. It is Bella’s (Zenitta Yakubu) birthday and her dad, played by Femi Jacobs, takes her out for some daddy-daughter time. The outing goes awry when they are attacked by carjackers…
Sista was released earlier this month on Prime Video, telling a touching story of the struggle of a single mother, abandoned by the father of her two kids, who strives to give her children a good life. With other emotional narratives that will draw empathy from viewers and might even have you bawling your eyes like Sista available, here are ten tear-jerking Nollywood films to stream. Ten Non-Comedy Nollywood Films and Shows Currently Available To Stream Ije: The Journey (Netflix) Omotola Jalade and Genevieve Nnaji steal the show in Ije, a compelling story of a woman fighting for her innocence…
Sista, Biodun Stephen’s family drama, is a touching homage to tenacious single parents. It draws inspiration from both her mother’s experiences as a single mother and her own as a mother. From the first scene, where we see teenagers Victoria (Adedamola Adewale) and Folarin (Chimezie Imo) discussing a pregnancy result, we are given hints on the type of plot we are about to see, but with a combination of tattle-like storytelling and strong acting performances, we are made to suspend our disbelief and enjoy a good film. Movie Review: Jade Osiberu’s ‘Gangs of Lagos’ is a Timely Allegory 10 Tear-Jerking…
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…