Meilin 'Mei' Lee is a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian whose life is changed when she discovers that she turns into a giant red panda whenever she becomes too excited or stressed.
Not a lot of films take on the subject matter of adolescence with such heart, humour, and dazzlement like Turning Red does. The trailers definitely do not do justice to this unforgettable roller coaster of a ride.
From Disney and Pixar comes the tale of a girl who must find a way to reverse her condition when she begins turning into a giant panda shortly after clocking 13.
The protagonist Mei finds out that her predicament runs within her family and her quest for a lasting solution leads to a clash with her overbearing and doting mother who is bent on raising the perfect daughter.
Over the years, Disney has made very good animated films but with Pixar, they always strike gold. Here, they bring their Midas touch to bear, creating a whole new experience for fans of the animation genre.
While I won't really heap praise on the character designs, I would say the animation is bright and colourful; the vibrance seems to leap off the screen, especially in the visual effects sequences.
I have a lot of positive words to say about this film but at the heart of all the glitter is a story we can all relate to; a child who wants nothing more than to grow up and experience life for herself.
One of the best things about Turning Red is the humour. I laughed most of the time and was sober during the film's touching moments.
The characters are memorable, the plot is engaging, and the third act is epic in every sense of the word.
It's been a while since an animated movie brought out a wide range of emotions in me, and I say a big kudos to the Mouse House and Pixar for this wonderful feature.
Turning Red is an amazing film, one of Disney/Pixar's best in recent memory and I guarantee that fans of the genre will not be disappointed.
The story of a baker trying to win the heart of the woman he loves by using his talents as a baker but soon finds out that relationships are just like cake, layered and complex.
Cake is a quirky romantic comedy that follows the hilarious ride of Tomiwa Akinlolu, a talented baker caught in a love triangle with two beautiful women.
The lead characters in this movie find out that just like cake, relationships are really layered and complex. The plot reveals how experimental a baker can be in using his talent to get the love he desires.
The film stars Tope Tedela, Sophie Alakija, Folu Storms as the main characters, supported by Big Brother Naija alumni Saskay, Patience Ozokwor, Emmanuel 'Koloman' Jibunor, and Philip Asaya.
One spectacular slice leads to another in this romantic movie about three people with entirely different ideas of love. The film is a quite straightforward one as it follows the story of a young baker who realises he is in need of a wife and wants to find one.
His mother (Patience Ozokwor) had told him his new bakeshop would help him find love. As he is to open the business, he meets a woman he falls head over heels for but doesn’t realise that his assistant, played by Storms, is in love with him.
As he goes to declare his love for her, it turns out she is engaged. He then goes on a mission to win her over with his cake-baking abilities in a storyline.
Cake is a must-see because it sweetly captures the essence of modern-day romance in cosmopolitan cities and the attendant twists and turns.
Prosper Edesiri tells the story brilliantly and fans will be wowed with the good work done by the entire production team. Patience Ozokwor brings the needed experience to a film that elevates the art of young Nollywood creatives.
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. Tope Tedela gives a nuanced but really powerful performance as Tomiwa in the movie. Everyone will no doubt love the quirky yet unforgettable character he portrays. He is undoubtedly an outstanding actor and we can't wait to see more of what he has to offer.
We know head-turning beauty when we see it and when you're looking for one in Cake, look no further than Chalya Walshak, played by none other than our very own Sophie Alakija. She is a very sweet and fun person, a bit naive if you ask me but she is the Hollywood version of a Disney princess.
Folu Storms takes the unnoticed background lover to a whole other level. She embodies the bright-eyed and optimistic Mfon character in the film. She is sublime in this role, everyone will undoubtedly love her spunk.
If there is a face that most people wanted to see on the big screen in this movie, it no doubt is Tsakute Ladi Jonah a.k.a. Saskay, an ex-BBNaija star who plays the role of Ifeoma.
She plays the role of the side chick to Chalya's fiancee which in turn makes Tomiwa mad. Her bold purple hair really accentuates her skin and personality and it in some ways reminds us of the fact that what we love might not exactly love us back.
All in all, the movie raises some bars when it comes to scripting because it looks like they really took their time to write and perfect the script. The back and forth was on point and they knew what to say and exactly when to say it.
The scenery, make-up, and wardrobe department did an amazing job. And that Saskay hair was both fire and inspired. I really was impressed.
The set design also is exquisite and the fact that they had to come with it from scratch makes it more impressive.
I do think the acting and portrayal could have been better though as there were some cringy moments in the movie, more like the character forgot their lines or something of that sort.
The directing is top-notch and the fact that this movie is director Prosper Edesiri's first movie just goes to show the amount of talent that has found its way out from under the rubbles of obscurement.
The sound faltered a bit as did the lighting in some parts of the movie but in summary, it was a bright movie that has the titular flair we all expect.
I enjoyed it. It was good, not overly good as I think some work could still be put into it. But all in all, a good watch, and the cinema ambiance, laughter amongst the crowds, gave the whole place a feeling of being at home amongst loved ones.
It is family-friendly and I recommend it.
Robert Pattinson steps into the role of the Caped Crusader who joins forces with officer Jim Gordon and Selina Kyle to solve a string of murders by The Riddler.
Easily one of the most anticipated films of 2022, The Batman delivers when it comes to storyline, drama, and acting. Those expecting something outstanding will be a bit disappointed.
Being familiar with director Matt Reeves' earlier works made me prepare myself for a film that would focus more on the plot than other aspects like action, stunts, and special effects. While this is a good thing, it is not enough when it comes to the superhero genre.
I won't delve into the story as fans of the Dark Knight know basically what it entails. Be that as it may, the plot progression is commendable and the bits and pieces fit in realistically, with a unique twist at the end.
Robert Pattinson is convincing as the nocturnal superhero; there is charisma, poise, and even the scowling behind the mask. But as Bruce Wayne, he doesn't impress much.
Zoe Kravitz equally shines as Selina Kyle/Catwoman but I feel she was underutilized. Her chemistry with Pattinson is smothering but her character isn't given much to work with.
Jeffrey Wright is a talented actor who plays Detective Jim Gordon well but doesn't really bring anything new to the role.
As Alfred Pennyworth, Andy Serkis is more of a grumpy foster dad/mentor than the capable butler I expected him to be.
I enjoyed the score as I feel it was well-suited for the film, especially in the scenes where the eponymous character shows up.
Also, this is where Batman really puts his detective skills to work. The way he unravels the mysteries behind the riddles and murders is portrayed in a way never before seen onscreen.
While this is definitely not the best Batman film, it does manage to stir something more positive than what we saw with Ben Affleck's previous outings.
Based on the popular video game franchise, this film sees a young Nathan Drake join Victor 'Sully' Sullivan on an adventure to locate the greatest treasure never found.
Adapting a video game to the big screen has always been a tricky task. Most of the ones before have failed to meet up with the lofty expectations of fans so I went into the cinema with a little bit of skepticism for this one.
Spider-Man star Tom Holland stars as a younger version of Nathan Drake who is approached by Sully (Mark Wahlberg) to assist him to find some treasure that may lead to the former's long-lost brother.
The duo is joined by Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali) who constantly walks the line between friend and foe. Also hunting for the treasure is the ruthless Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) who is bent on restoring glory to his family name.
As Nathan and Sully begin the quest that sees them journey to exotic locations around the world, the cat-and-mouse game turns deadly, and the inevitable betrayals that ensue test their fragile bond.
Uncharted is full of the expected cliches and cheesy one-liners for the first half of its runtime but Holland and Wahlberg's great chemistry more than make up for that.
Holland is perfect as Nathan Drake; his charm, charisma, and daredevil persona is quite the contrast from his Peter Parker role but there were times I felt like I was watching his MCU character.
Wahlberg plays the reluctant mentor part quite well. He has been appearing in action films for a long time but doesn't eclipse his younger co-star as both of them shine in the lead roles.
Banderas doesn't bring anything special in the antagonist area and I was pleasantly surprised when it was revealed that he was only the secondary villain.
The dialogue is interesting (the never-ending quips and banter between the hero and Sully is fun), the cinematography is pretty cool (especially in the action scenes), and the direction while not sublime, is far beyond mediocre.
I was disappointed by the fight scenes early on until they became glorious and epic in the third act, featuring one breathtaking sequence after another; a good homage to what we have seen in the source material.
If I had to summarize Uncharted in one sentence, it would be this; Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg kick ass and make this film more fun than expected with their bromance.
An agoraphobic tech worker hears what she presumes to be a prelude to murder and in her quest to unmask those involved ends up pitting herself against a powerful corporation whose leadership will stop at nothing to silence her.
Zoe Kravitz plays the protagonist, Angela Childs, a tech genius with a mental and behavioural disorder whose normal day becomes interesting when she hears what she assumes is a recording of a woman being killed.
I started watching this movie without any prior knowledge of what to expect since I knew nothing about it and didn't see the trailer.
The first 20 minutes or so were a test on my nerves as I was tempted to stop watching at a point, no thanks to the slow pacing and director Steven Soderbergh taking his time to flesh out the character of Angela, her insecurities, desires, and isolation.
Things became interesting when Angela begins her quest to find out who murdered the woman in the recording. It's a path that leads her to the higher powers in her own company and before she knows it, she finds herself on the run as her pursuers close in from every direction.
We live in a world of technology. While that has greatly aided us in a lot of ways, it could also prove to become our undoing as is portrayed here.
Kravitz stuns with her acting skills; I can't fault her in any way as she perfectly embodied everything you come to expect from an agoraphobic person.
The editing (especially the sound editing) is flawless (I was reminded yet again how much of a professional Soderbergh is in making the irrelevant and uninteresting appealing).
The attention to detail in the scenes where Angela navigates her way on her computer while doing her job is as naturalistic as it is convincing.
When things begin to build up for the climax where the heroine must fight to live or die trying, the viewer is thrust straight into the events unfolding on screen and with bated breath can only hope that the story ends well for Angela.
Kimi is one of those movies that can't really be called outstanding but grows on you, making you realize that a film doesn't have to be to be enjoyed.
From the dialogue, Soderbergh's interpretation, and Kravitz's riveting outing, this is a unique film I found interesting and recommend to those patient enough for the reward it brings eventually.
A wealthy single mother faces a dilemma as to who would suceed her at the company after she retires, but all three daughters have to prove they are worthy of their mothers love.
For a lot of cinema goers like myself, our biggest fears revolve around watching a much-hyped movie turn into a lacklustre boring two hours watch. It's always very annoying to say the least. Not only will they have managed to waste our time, they also would have forced us to endure the agony of watching a bad movie.
Some movies however, always manage to live up to the hype and make every single minute of the movie worthwhile. Dabby Chimere’s Head Over Bills, is one of such movies. I had great expectations for it and very sincerely, it didn't fail me.
Head Over Bills tells the story of the CEO of Starlight Group of Companies, Mrs Ofili (Shaffy Bello), a wealthy, industrious mother who has three full-grown daughters to worry about since the death of their father.
She grew the family business alone as a single mother after all she and her husband worked tirelessly for was taken away by his family.
Her concerns deepen when she realises that none of her daughters are fit to take the mantle from her with her dreaded retirement looming closer and faster than she would have liked.
The first daughter (Anita Joseph), is a very disrespectful philanthropist who enjoys sleeping with younger men, the second (Bimbo Ademoye) a wasteful spender who once lavished 20 million naira on birthday shopping while the last one, the seemingly bright one (played by Ego Nwosu) and the Brand Manager of Starlight Group, is in a very complicated romantic relationship with the CEO of their fiercest rival.
The Head Over Bills plot and storyline is a somewhat straightforward and smooth one; it gives the movie a feeling of elitism and the aura of being born into affluence and plenty.
It's very unlike me to really rate a Nollywood movie, but this one stands out as the writing is commendable and engulfed me in a euphoric feeling right from the first few scenes. The movie is supposed to be elite, the writer made sure that it was. Good job on that.
However, the film seemed overstretched as it ran for 125 minutes. Some stories have stronger effects when they aren’t unnecessarily long, and unfortunately, the writer of Head Over Bills took away that effect.
Regardless, the subtle comic character of Bimbo Ademoye played a huge role in not making the film boring. Kudos on that.
Another problem with the story is that it seemed the writer was tired, and considering she had spent a lot of time doing the unnecessary, she rushed the ending.
What happened to Starlight Group eventually and its competitors? That resolution was too essential to have been ignored.
The directing was also a good one, and although there are a few flaws here and there, the director did a good job although she did somehow fail to pay attention to specific details.
Regardless, the director did an excellent job with the casting. The three sisters have similar physical attributes and choosing Shaffy Bello as the mother was indeed inspired and laudable.
The acting was one of the highlights of Head Over Bills. Shaffy Bello killed that elite mother role, and even the young version of her character did an amazing job.
Bimbo Ademoye is a beautiful actress and the way she can switch from the comic Bimbo to the emotional one and then the serious one? It was the icing on the film.
I must add that what the director did with Anita Joseph’s character was good. Speaking of the cinematography, costume, and makeup, they were top-notch.
Shout out to the costume especially those dresses which were hot and got the perfect bodies to flaunt them!
In all, Head Over Bills is a good watch and would get a 6/10 from me.
The Beecrofts are back and this time, they have a new family member to contend with as the CEO of the late patriarch's company is bent on stopping them from getting their hands on their inheritance.
So a lot of times, I find myself mincing words on movie reviews majorly because no matter how bad a movie was, the efforts put into creating that movie should count for something and should at least be given a bit of accolade.
This movie, however, will see no such kindness from me. Not only did it keep me angry hours after watching it, but it also poured ashes into my mouth.
I’ll start with the obvious; the story lacked an actual story. The storyline was so haphazardly placed, I can almost fully wager that my little cousin would have come up with a better story than this if I bribed him enough. It was almost as if the directors and scriptwriter didn’t watch the prequel and just came up with the script overnight. One could even argue that the dialogue was made on the spot.
I’ll go on and mention a few of the things that angered me as much as it confused me about the movie because quite sincerely I can’t even pinpoint the right adjectives to describe the emotions I felt while watching this much-hyped movie.
First, I still can’t seem to wrap my head around how Chief Daddy would have a daughter who had so much power over his company without his lawyer having even the slightest idea about it.
I mean, for God’s sakes, a well-seasoned lawyer not knowing about the highest shareholder in her client’s company. In their haste to actually introduce Laila to us, they might have actually forgotten that a lawyer must know the ins and outs of their clients if a will is ever to be created and subsequently read.
Also, the family fights felt forced. It looked more like everyone was bored and they just couldn’t wait to leave. The family clashes and fluid drama that we somewhat enjoyed in part one was nowhere to be found in the second part. Was it an omission by accident? Amnesia? Or just plain silliness, I don’t think I’ll ever find out.
I also should add that I was worried about what went wrong with the notable beautiful sibling relationship between Ireti and Dammy. They were friends in part one, right? Or was I watching the back of my TV? And how come she didn’t apologize to him at the end for almost ruining his relationship? Or even to the family for putting their business out there for the world to see? I really need to meet the director!
I’ve seen reconciliations in this life but what in the name of all things pure was that reconciliation at the end? All of a sudden, Laila is giving a toast and a speech and they all suddenly are now best of friends? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Please, abeg!
Were the Dubai and London scenes necessary? No!
Now the most disturbing part of this movie is they tried too hard to create a story for every character and then ended up getting distracted from the main reason for the actual production of Chief Daddy 2; Laila. It was cringeworthy.
However, I can’t fail to notice the great efforts put into the cinematography. It was exquisite as it is now the norm for Ebony Studios.
The casting should also be readily applauded as the movie boasts a staggering 17 lead actors (a major feat if you ask me). So whatever the movie lacked in plot, it genuinely made up for it in casting and the obvious talents of the actors. Good job.
The locations too undoubtedly speaks luxury and the lush array of landmarks used is just plain beautiful to watch. The production quality as a whole should be given the accolade it deserves too.
Mawuli Gavor (Dammy) also stands out as a very active presence in a movie heavily populated with oversized and underwritten characters.
This film would have been more tolerable if it made us laugh more often and didn’t try too hard to bring out jokes at least appropriate times.
Thomas Anderson is a man who struggles daily with his own existence. He has flashes of memories he thinks were never real. Everything changes when he meets the legendary Morpheus and his band of rebels, resulting in a return to The Matrix and a quest to reunite with the love of his life, Trinity.
Lana Wachowski has managed to make something worthwhile where most thought she would fail monumentally.
Even though it lacks the visual grandeur and the spellbinding nature of the original, The Matrix Resurrections has enough to entertain, delight, and give fans a little bit of nostalgia along the way.
The original trilogy are among my all-time greatest films and I wasn't pleased when I heard about a fourth chapter being made.
Like many fans, I formulated a lot of possibilities and theories about the plot and was shocked that none of them was seen here.
The long and short of the story is this; Neo has been brainwashed into thinking that the events of the Matrix never happened and when he stumbles on the truth (yet again), there are new threats waiting and an old flame ready to be rekindled.
I have learned not to be fooled by trailers and I'm glad I decided not to depend on the trailers for this one because they show very little about the plot.
Keanu Reeves is my favourite actor but even I was scared that his return wouldn't be able to save this film from being a huge mess. Though his performance here pales in comparison to the first three movies, I'm happy to say he didn't let me down.
Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity doesn't really kick ass as I expected her to but what her character accomplishes by the third act left me dumbfounded.
I was pumped to see a few cameos and the supporting cast weren't too bad in their respective roles. The stand out for me was Jessica Henwick. I so loved seeing her and couldn't get enough of her character interacting with Neo.
Abdul Yayha-Mateen II as Morpheus was not too remarkable and I missed Laurence Fishburne greatly. Thankfully, there were a lot of distractions to make me forget that.
The plot is ingenious and I commend the director for her efforts; a lot of questions are answered by the end of the film but there are still some unsolved riddles as well.
One of the main things I looked forward to the most was the action. While it is as good as I wanted it to be in some ways, there was never anything that was groundbreaking about any of the sequences.
Those hoping to see Reeves do those amazing things he did as Neo (flying and the rest) will have to be patient and understanding as not everything will play out the way they want.
In all, The Matrix Resurrections won me over because it is actually a love story masquerading as an action sci-fi.
The chemistry between Reeves and Moss was great to see and I look forward to further exploration of this new chapter with endless possibilities.
The web-slinging superhero faces his toughest test yet when a botched spell opens up the multiverse and leads to supervillains showing up to take their pound of flesh.
While fighting to right the wrong with the help of Doctor Strange, Spider-Man/Peter Parker must learn what it truly means to be a hero and ultimately embrace his destiny.
For me, this was the most anticipated film of 2021 and it was unfortunate that I didn't get to see it on time. Now, that I have, I would say that it wasn't the superhero bits that impressed me the most but the gut-wrenching drama.
There is no need to delve into the multiple fan theories and speculations. Marvel fans who haven't seen the movie but who have filled their heads with all sorts of stuff about what happens in the film only have to know that they will see both what they expect and what they never bargained for.
Tom Holland gives what is without a doubt his most powerful performance as Spidey. For the first 30 minutes or so, we see the normal, cheerful, and carefree dude but as the plot goes into darker territory, the protagonist goes through some of his worst experiences yet and the impact is both cathartic and reality-altering (pun intended!).
As many expect, things really get interesting when the villains from other universes show up; Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe as Doc Ock and Green Goblin particularly impressed me. Having seen all the other Spider-Man movies, I was really pumped to witness their cinematic return.
Before now, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon as MJ and Ned weren't really given much to do other than be Peter Parker's friends. Here, their roles become more important and their acting rises spectacularly to the occasion.
The plot is a work of genius and I daresay that this is both the funniest and darkest Marvel movie yet. Every funny line seems to have significance and the humour doesn't ever feel out of place.
The action is the only thing that didn't really live up to my expectations. But that is not to say that it wasn't good (I think my favourite action sequence was the mirror dimension fight).
As for the special effects, they do not disappoint (this is a Marvel movie, why would they?). Doctor Strange doing his magic stuff added to the overall visual appeal.
The third act resonated so well with me and the drama was so touching that I almost teared up at some point. I commend the director Jon Watts for his homage to all other Spider-man films (you only have to see this film to understand that!).
Many reviews are hailing Spider-Man: No Way Home as the best Marvel movie. I disagree with that. In my opinion, it isn't the best but it definitely ranks up there as one of the best.
As a Marvel fan and a superhero geek, I really enjoyed this one.
A mother whose health seems to be deteriorating tasks her three sons to get married by Christmas. The catch is that whoever ties the knot first will inherit her property.
Kunle Afolayan excels in making comedy movies as well as serious ones. With A Naija Christmas, he brings the holiday cheers and fun with a thoroughly entertaining flick.
Starring the late Rachel Oniga as Agatha Agu, this film revolves around her character who is unhappy with the fact that none of her three sons have settled down in life.
After she is rushed to the hospital, Agatha tells her sons that whoever marries first will get the mansion she resides in.
The three young men (played by Kunle Remi, Efa Iwara, and Abayomi Alvin) must race against time to get a lady to say yes to their proposal amid the sibling rivalry and bickering that threatens to tear them apart.
Since the film is a comedy, the tone is light and there are exaggerated acts here and there, spiced with the needed jokes in between. Everything works in tandem to give the viewer a truly satisfying experience.
The late Rachel Oniga steals every scene she appears in but it's the competition among her sons and their endless disagreements that make the film very entertaining.
The actors who portray the three sons are all impressive in their performances but I feel the last one, Chike (Abayomi Alvin) was sidelined a little.
Let me also mention that Adedimeji Lateef's portrayal of a creepy antagonist is both comical and unsettling. I also found it convincing.
The cinematography is very good, the shots and sound editing perfect and the entire story ended in the best possible way.
A Naija Christmas is the perfect holiday movie and once again Kunle Afolayan shows that he is at the top of his game.