Author: Ayodele Olawumi

Michael B. Jordan stands on both sides of the camera in the second sequel of Creed, a spin-off franchise of the Rocky films. Continuing in his role as Adonis Creed, Jordan also takes on the directing role just like Sylvester Stallone did in Rocky Balboa (2006), joining a long list of actors turned directors. Being Jordan’s first foray into directing, one could be forgiven for being sceptical of how the film would turn out but it’s obvious he has gathered ample knowledge from the several directors he has worked with in his career. He takes on both roles in a…

Now and then we get supposedly high concept nollywood movies having long-winded plots with details that mix like oil and water but are somehow intertwined to make a whole story. Here Love Lies is a peculiar hybrid, a mix of a family drama graduated into a rom-com then warped into a Get Out style horror thriller, with most of the action taking place across Nigeria and the USA.  ‘A Sunday Affair’ Review: EbonyLife’s Latest Romantic Drama Suffers From More Than a Lack of Attention to Detail Official poster for Here Love Lies Amanda (Tope Oshin) is a pastor’s daughter and…

The most popular response to the pandemic around the world was lockdowns aimed to curb the spread of the virus. Nigeria was not left out. Immediately after the first few cases were confirmed, a nationwide lockdown was announced and we were overcome by a new reality of constant face mask-wearing, social distancing and working from home. ‘Before Valentine’s’ Review: Relatable But Plastic Romcom that is just Tolerable for the Season Official poster for Love in a Pandemic. Via Bleeding Arts Production. The pandemic affected people in unique ways, especially through the lockdown. People had to experience being locked in with…

It’s that season again when we are assaulted with the bloody colours of love, the relentless oppression by those showing off their emotional euphoria; the season most choose to express how they feel about their loved ones with gifts and other forms of showing affection. A season that comes with lots of drama and gists; when love stories are ignited and the flames of others brutally extinguished. Before Valentine’s, previously released in the cinemas in 2022 around this time of the year too, is a film that encapsulates what this season is all about, with all the colours, depicting the…

Pretty Evil is a mystical film directed by Great-Valentine Edochie (Laws of the Heart) and produced by Yvonne Chioma Ajoku. It tells the story of a philandering husband, Ramsey (Efa Iwara), whose guilt over his infidelity to his wife, Alora (Ameh Lucy), drives him to make a decision to quit his cheating shenanigans. But the sight of Esinda (Linda Osifo) is too irresistible to pass over that he decides to come out of retirement just one last time. What is meant to be a quick fling becomes his undoing as Esinda is not who she pretends to be and has…

Set in the city of Ibadan, All Na Vibes tells a story that depicts the dysfunctional state of the country and the several ways it could affect the youth; the dangers of unchecked youthful exuberance; and a love story that never takes off. When Lamidi (Molawa Davis) comes to Abiola’s (played by Tega Ethan) house to seek his help in organising a party, little did he know that the consequences of helping his friend out would be more than he bargained for. Lamidi organises a party, defying the odds and challenges that posed themselves such as a lack of support…

To Freedom is a somber psychological thriller that tells the story of a man, Tobi (Daniel Etim-Effiong), whose wife, Shola (Osas Ighodaro), suddenly goes missing on a simple trip to the supermarket. His whole life is torn apart as he is unable to come to terms with the reality of his wife’s disappearance. After one year of disappearance, with close friends and family urging him to move on and accept the loss and assume his wife is dead, he starts seeing signs that suggest that his wife is indeed alive but all his attempts to follow up on any leads…

2022 was a special one for Nollywood, interesting movies were produced and released, writers were more adventurous with their ideas and Nollywood viewers were treated to interesting and exciting stories. While most of these movies were initially released on the big screens, some of them have been re-released on streaming platforms. If you were unable to squeeze some space into your schedule to go see these films at the cinema or simply want to rewatch them in your own space, they are now available on streaming platforms- Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Here are nine 2022 Nollywood cinema movies already…

Crime dramas have always been a constant offering in Nollywood. Recently, there has been a renaissance of crime dramas in the industry, notably starting with Kemi Adetiba’s King Of Boys. Since then, there have been several more, including Brotherhood, The Trade, and Rising City of Dreams, all of which depict gritty crime stories (some of which are purportedly based on true events). This fever is still raging as there are several titles whose releases are anticipated: Gangs of Lagos, No Man’s Land, and even more to come in the KOB world. It is undoubtedly exciting times for Nollywood viewers, who…

In recent years, one of the most committed crimes in Nigeria has been kidnapping, with an increase in the number of reported kidnapping cases, including a recent high profile case where passengers on an Abuja to Kaduna train were attacked and kidnapped. The kidnapped victims were not released to their families until hefty sums of ransom were paid to secure their release. I can’t say if I feel like The Trade couldn’t have come at a better time, because of the current state of insecurity in the country and how it captures a possible scenario, but it does address a…