AllNews Movie Reviews

Kunle Afolayan improves with each new film he creates; with Swallow, he weaves an engrossing tale about a woman who is forced into what she abhors when her world begins crashing down.

Starring popular singer Niyola, this drama captures the experiences of two friends living in Lagos in 1985. While Niyola's Tolani is a reserved woman who just wants to make a name for herself, her friend Rose (played by the talented Ijeoma Grace Agu) is a wild and adventurous lady who believes in taking advantage of every opportunity.

When Tolani's only source of income is cut off, thanks to her womanizing boss, she dares to venture into the world of drug peddling to survive.

The film is based on Sefi Atta's novel of the same name (the writer co-wrote the script alongside the director). I haven't read the book but the film got me hooked from start to finish.

When it really comes down to it, there is really nothing particularly outstanding about this movie. But it is its simplicity in presentation and execution that makes its message unmistakeably clear.

If I'm not mistaken, this is Niyola's film debut and in portraying the lead character, she gives a commendable performance. Her acting is quite convincing even though she could have done better in some scenes.

While Tolani is the protagonist, I daresay another character ended up stealing the show here. That person is none other than her friend Rose.

As Rose, the actress known as Ijeoma Grace Agu is simply amazing. With every scene, every line spoken, and every action taken, the viewer can't help but get enthralled by her. For me, she is the real MVP and I just wanted to keep seeing her do her thing.

Apart from a few lapses in one or two scenes where the 1980s setting wasn't properly depicted, I didn't quite see any major faults in this film.

The cinematography is an obvious improvement from Afolayan's previous films, the costumes are acceptable for the period the movie portrays, and the camera shots and angles are perfect.

Another thing I would love to point out is the prominent use of the Yoruba language and its cultural influence as seen in the advice given to the heroine by her father in flashback scenes. I can't say how much I love seeing this as it helps promote our cultural heritage to the rest of the world. 

Nollywood films are still not where I want them to be when compared with some of the great works from Hollywood and others but with Swallow, Afolayan shows that we are getting there.

Martin Campbell's film is an absolute blast from start to finish. Maggie Q and Samuel L. Jackson light up the screen in this enjoyable action fest.

Q stars as Anna, an assassin who hunts those behind the brutal killing of her friend and mentor, fellow killer Moody (Jackson). The trail of vengeance leads to Vietnam where she meets a mysterious individual named Michael (Michael Keaton) whose affiliation with a powerful syndicate pits her in a situation where she will have to fight for her life.

I deliberately didn't finish the trailer because I misjudged the plot and concluded that it was another brainless action film with forgettable characters. The first 15 minutes proved just how wrong I was.

The Protege is a remarkable movie that is well-made, thanks to a director whose attention to detail shows in every way. As the lead, Maggie Q is impressive (as she always is) and Samuel L. Jackson is a joy to watch.

The action scenes are done well, but that's not all there is. There is drama that makes the characters well-grounded in reality and their motives are understandable.

The cinematography and visual effects also work in tandem to provide a visually appealing experience action lovers won't forget in a hurry.

It's sad to see that we're in a time when less attention is paid to the elements that make for a compelling action flick. I'm glad to say that this film doesn't fall into that category as Martin Campbell stays true to the genre while adding a little extra suspense to keep viewers glued to the screen.

I really enjoyed this film and the performances from the actors (especially Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Keaton) are top-notch.

I really wanted to like this film but in the end, I found a lot of reasons not to. Though Lil Rey Howery and John Cena put in a lot of effort into what should be hilariously fun characters, they (and pretty much every other person in film) come off as buffoons.

Vacation Friends revolves around a man named Marcus (Howery) and his fiance Emily (Yvonne Orji). They go on a trip to Mexico where they meet the extrovert duo of Ron (Cena) and Kyla (Meredith Hagner). Their lives are forever changed as it's one bizarre adventure after the next, with their newfound friends showing up uninvited to their wedding.

This R-rated comedy is directed by Clay Tarver, with a script that is predictable, a few times funny, but mostly annoying. The only thing that made me sit through it to the end was the fact that I had to so I could write this review. I will try to keep it short as best as I can.

First off, I don't know why Hollywood keeps going with the trend of making almost every comedy film R-rated. It doesn't have to be hardcore to be enjoyable.

Secondly, the humour here is totally outrageous and borrows from basically almost every comedy movie ever made. I kept a straight face almost throughout as I didn't exactly find it funny. I only laughed in two or three scenes.

Thirdly, all the actors (and I mean ALL of them) try too hard to be funny that they only end up being really silly. I expected John Cena (who has shown that he has some potential in the genre) to be a good distraction but even his performance here falls flat. His acting is only bearable to watch the very few times he is serious.

I don't care how many other reviews praise this film; for me, it sucks big time. Putting a lesson about not judging people for their shortcomings and the positive ways they could impact your life even if they cause you misery doesn't change that.

For me, this was a wasted opportunity.

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is a blast from start to finish. With superb writing, impeccable 2D animation, and memorable voice work from Theo James, it is sure to please anime fans.

Directed by Kwang Il Han, it follows Vesemir, a witcher who abandoned his impoverished past to embrace the world of demon/monster hunting for coin.

When a job pits him against his most dangerous adversaries yet and reunites him with a childhood friend, the protagonist finds himself in the fight of and for his life.

As the hero, Vesemir is easily likeable; he loves his job, swears a lot, is full of swagger, and is bloody good with a sword. His journey sees him face both his inner and outer demons.

I decided to stop watching 2D animated films some years ago but the new wave of outstanding movies in the genre has made me a believer in them again.

With this film, director Kwang Il Han succeeds in making something unique and entertaining. The action is visceral, the dialogue is witty, and the special effects are awesome. Also, the musical score is out of this world.

I like the direction Netflix is going with its anime content. Not all of them are great but they are doing a good job with most of them so far.

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is a visual triumph.

This film starts with a very interesting premise, gets entangled in a web of its numerous plotlines, but manages to redeem itself, with Hugh Jackman bringing the emotions to his well-layered character.

Set in a dystopian future where the people now cling to memories to relive the best moments of their lives, Reminiscence sees Jackman take the reins as Nick, a man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman named Mae (Rebecca Ferguson) after she comes into his life and disappears without a word.

Knowing that something is wrong, Nick follows a cold trail that leads him to uncover more and more about the dark past and true nature of the lady he thought he knew, all the while navigating the corrupt underbelly of the flood-ridden cities.

The concept of humans reliving their most treasured memories is an intriguing one and the science-fiction here is believably realistic.

Midway, the film begins to lose its way by taking on too many subplots and I then asked myself if it was a sci-fi thriller, an action sci-fi, an action thriller, or a romance thriller.

Anyway, as the lead, Hugh Jackman makes you care for his character. He is a man hanging on to the one person who lit up his dreary existence and like a moth to the flame, he will pursue her even if it means dying in the process.

Thandie Newton is amazing in a supporting role. Besides Nick and Mae, she is the most interesting to watch. Unlike the protagonist, she doesn't hold on to any fantasy to get by; she forges ahead in spite of life's tragedies.

Rebecca Ferguson as Mae is your typical femme fatale; she comes into Nick's life and from the moment he sees her, is swept off his feet (Hollywood needs to stop with the overly melodramatic romance themes). Her acting is never in doubt but I wished she didn't have to be so predictable in the damsel in distress role most of the time.

I commend the director Lisa Joy for tackling this film which must have been challenging to make. Even though it doesn't become what it aims to be, it leaves a lasting impression.

Reminiscence should be better than it is but that notwithstanding, it proved to be an enjoyable sci-fi thriller for me. 

Brian Andrew Mendoza's film started out as something promising but unfortunately ends up a lackluster movie that fails when the plot takes on a most unrealistic turn.

The imposing Jason Momoa is Ray Cooper, a man who lost his wife to cancer. The drugs they were promised were taken off the market just when she needed them the most and after her demise, Ray vows to get vengeance on the pharmaceutical company responsible.

Along with his teenage daughter (played by Isabela Merced), Ray has to go on the run after a journalist looking into the shady deals made by the pharmaceutical company is killed while divulging some secrets to him.

Father and daughter have to hone their survival skills in their race for dear life, with the former determined to bring down the corrupt boss of the company once and for all.

Though he hasn't fledged his acting skills well enough, I always enjoy watching Jason Momoa perform. There is a scene where his character is overcome by grief while watching his beloved wife die slowly. It is unarguably the most touching and dramatic scene in the entire film. I was impressed by the actor's potential to carry on the emotional tone from there but after the death of his wife, the plot becomes a muddled affair with numerous plotholes.

In the final act, a major twist ruins the entire story and brings up loads of unanswered questions that remain so until the film reaches its conclusion.

The action pales in comparison to how it should be and Momoa's character keeps making one stupid decision after another. As his daughter, the actress Isabela Merced has her moments but ultimately leaves the viewer wanting more (one moment she is complaining, and the next she is all for the plan).

When Sweet Girl reaches its finale, it ends up being so anti-climatic that I didn't even care whether or not one of the major characters lived or died.

This film had something going for it but it was ruined by an unwise decision by whoever penned the script to inject a twist that wasn't needed.

In the end, there is nothing sweet about Sweet Girl. It just leaves a sour taste.

Thanks to Matt Damon's compelling performance, Stillwater is an evocative look at the lengths a father would go to help his daughter.

Directed by Tom McCarthy, this film sees Damon return to the big screen with a bang. As the lead character, you never want to take your eyes off him because he gives you different reasons to hang on till the end credits begin rolling in.

Damon plays Bill Baker, a father who learns that there may be a way to prove his daughter's innocence after she has spent a few years behind bars for a crime she says she never committed.

Bill stumbles on a lead in the closed case and pursues it relentlessly. Along the way, he tries to make up for being the shitty father to his estranged daughter while forging a new bond with a single mother and her little daughter.

I won't give more than the above information so that I will not end up revealing too much about the plot. I will just urge movie fans to see this because it is worth watching.

Even though it's a thriller, Stillwater leans more on its dramatic side, bringing out convincing performances from all the actors. 

Abigail Breslin who plays the convicted daughter doesn't disappoint. Her character learns to embrace her imperfections and slowly the bond between her and her dad grows, giving them a chance to mend old wounds from their traumatic past.

In the end, this film is a triumph as its shows life in its truest forms; messy, tragic, pleasant, and unpredictable. A mystery creeps up in the end that leaves the viewer using his or her imagination to solve the riddle. 

The director and everyone involved did a fine job with this one (I especially laud Damon again because the dude makes almost every film he appears in good).

A truly compelling drama.

Chase Palmer's dark comedy has its moments but ends up being underwhelming even though lead star John Boyega is fun to watch.

Boyega plays Casi, a burned-out lawyer who accepts a proposition from his friend (Bill Skarsgard) to rob a Mexican cartel and finally have the means to make something of their mundane lives.

Casi and Dane's robbery plan also involves getting Lea (Olivia Cooke) from the clutches of the bad guys as she is neck-deep in something she doesn't want to be in.

As is expected, the plan doesn't go according to plan and along the way, everyone involved has to improvise, leading to a chaotic but satisfying ending for the good guys.

The above pretty much sums up the movie. The plot was a bit confusing at times and I couldn't get where the dialogue of some of the characters was heading.

As a fan of John Boyega, I have looked forward to him flexing his acting muscles and thought this might be it but that is not the case here as he is limited by a script that switches between realistic events, bizarre comedy, and mumbo jumbo science talk.

Bill Skarsgard and Olivia Cooke make good work of being memorable supporting characters but the viewer forgets about them once the end credits begin rolling in.

I sat through the film because I was eager to see how it would end. Having done that, I would say Naked Singularity is one of those films that attempt to soar beyond a mediocre script. While it fails to do that, it still manages to make for a pretty decent watch.

John David Washington drives this pulse-pounding thriller with a sublime performance. Starting at a slow pace, Beckett picks up just in time, and from that moment on the viewer is hooked until the very end.

The lead actor plays the titular character; a man who is on vacation with his girlfriend (Alicia Vikander) in Greece. A car accident at night leads to her death and him injured.

Beckett is rescued by the authorities and goes back to the crash site; a costly mistake as some cops try to kill him. He goes on the run, not knowing why he is being hunted down.

As events unfold, the protagonist learns that he saw what he was not supposed to see and those who know about it will go to any length to end his life.

A haunting soundtrack, excellent camera work, and superb acting by all the actors involved make this film very engaging. As the hero, Beckett's dilemma is one that the viewer understands, and empathy is easily evoked.

Washington plays the hunted hero to perfection; his inner conflict and the range of emotions are shown in every scene. The plot structure is excellent as it gives the viewer some time to guess before the mystery is slowly unraveled.

Beckett is a taut thriller, one with heart and a stupendous lead star. With a compelling story and a remarkable protagonist, the director creates a film that will leaves a major impression.

For me, this is one of the year's best. Two thumbs up!

Vivo is entertaining enough, thanks to its unique array of musical numbers. What it lacks in story and depth, it makes up for in the wonderful songs and dazzling visuals.

Helmed by Kirk DeMicco, this animated musical stars Lin-Manuel Miranda as a mammalian creature named Vivo who is gifted in music. When his longtime pal unexpectedly passes away, he takes it on himself to fulfill his dying wish and go to Miami, Florida where he must deliver a song to a famous singer.

Vivo hides in the backpack of a girl named Gabi (she is the grand-niece of his late friend). Though musically inclined, she lacks the finesse that the art form needs.

Together, Vivo and Gabi go on a journey of adventure, friendship, and musical renditions, learning some valuable lessons along the way.

The plot is cliche and the story is more or less a rip-off of most musicals and animated movies. The character designs are a little disappointing, with the first 20 minutes of the film almost unbearable to watch.

Thankfully, the pace picks up and things become interesting when Gabi and Vivo begin their musical journey. 

The voice acting is not bad and the best part of the movie is the songs and the bright and colourful visual illustrations that go with them. 

Lin-Manuel Miranda may not be an outstanding voice actor but the dude sure knows music and how to compose memorable songs.

In all, Vivo isn't on par with some of Disney's best animated movies but it carries with it the basic elements that make for a fun and entertaining encounter.