kadiri_alex Reviews

Breath of Life (2023)

Fairly Decent Nigerian Masterpiece

[8/10 · 17 May 2024]

So, I'm not a big fan of Nollywood movies (since most of them are overhyped nonsense or complete balderdash) and I rarely ever watch one unless it gets enough buzz to catch my attention. A few have recently, like Gangs of Lagos, Anikulapo etc. This one did too, after it won at the AMVCA. After seeing a few comments admitting it was much better than Tribe of Judah, I decided I was going to see it and judge for myself (especially since I absolutely DNFed TOJ for the simple fact that it was boring, overhyped, both poorly acted and overacted etc).

Now, from the first few scenes of this movie, I already could tell I liked it better than any Nigerian movie I'd ever seen. The picture quality was sharp. The plot seemed unique (compared to other Nollywood titles anyway). Some of the acting was impressive. And the general tone of the movie, together with the voice over-which although could've been better-was just something out of the usual. After only three or four scenes, by Nigerian standards, I knew I was watching something close to a Nigerian masterpiece.

Having said all of that, I must add that I in no way thought this movie perfect. There definitely were some cringe moments, some second-rate acting, and some directing issues. To begin with, I absolutely did not like the CGI. I mean, who even uses CGI for things like a barrel fire or burning a car or shooting a person? Everytime I saw a fire, it annoyed me. The CGI wound and blood from the headshot was laughable at best. The only more laughable thing than the CGI was the scene with the man being riddled with bullets from a fusillade. The man looked like a dancing puppet the whole time, flapping his flaccid wrists and fingers like that.

As for the acting, I must say I believe we can do better. Some of it was stilted, even from the leads e.g scene where Timi walks in on Elijah and the projector and (very awkwardly) wastes no time breaking down in tears even after nearly 50yrs of mourning. Only one that seemed faultless was the girl's character and maybe her father's.

Also, as a writer, I just couldn't bring myself to accept some of the dialogue, especially in the scene where Elijah and his woman have their big fight. It just didn't flow and was nowhere near seamless. Someone with less savvy might point to the actors but I can always tell when the fault is from the writing. The dialogue just wasn't fluid. The individual parts didn't connect and it made everything feel both forced and disjointed.

Overall, while I thought this movie was great (again, by Nigerian standards), while I did come away reasonably entertained, I must say there definitely is plenty room for improvement.

Life Itself (2018)

An Absolute Beauty

[10/10 · 20 March 2024]

Even though I'm about six years late, I just had to leave my hot take, especially since some people seem to think this movie is bad. First off, this is the kind of movie that I enjoy (especially as a writer of fiction myself). The plot is nonlinear and broken into individual chapters that come together to make WHOLE lot of sense. In the beginning, you're unsure where it's headed or who the lead character is but soon you understand why. You think one thing is happening but it's something else. You see different generations of people who are all interconnected. Overall, this movie is like piecing back a broken glass so perfectly there are no signs of the crack.

Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman (2022)

Almost Perfect

[7/10 · 11 February 2023]

Right from the opening scenes, I found this movie visually stunning. The music and dancing too were a delight. Most of the acting was great as well. I particularly wasn't impressed with the interpretation of the Pilkings' role. Their range of facial expressions was too limited, their acting a tad too flat. But that was expected. And quite frankly, even their acting was better than I've seen in most Nollywood flicks where they throw in a couple of random white people. Regardless, this is probably one of the best Nigerian movies I've seen. Simply put, it is rich in culture and craft.

Moving on, there were a few things that just didn't work for me. First, the singing that went on for too long. There was also Olunde's well-fitted suit that jarred with the times (this was the 1940s). The conversation between Olunde and Mrs. Pilkings also felt unrealistic. He said rude things without eliciting the faintest reaction from her. It was almost like she was deaf to his comments; one minute insult, the next they're smiling. In real life, she wouldn't have been so affable about the matter. And then I had my biggest eye-roll moment when Elesin Oba committed suicide at the end. If he could do that all along, why didn't he do it earlier to preserve tradition? Wouldn't that have been better than the unrealistic conversation with Mr. Pilkings where the white man understood hardcore Yoruba and the illiterate Yoruba man understood thick British English? Even worse, I still can't wrap my mind around how he managed to make a noose out of his shackles. Just how did he do it 'cause that absolutely damaged what could have been a phenomenal movie.

Other than these concerns, the movie was a breath of fresh air and I sincerely look forward to seeing more Nigerian movies of this quality.

Shanty Town (2023– )

Satisfactory

[6/10 · 25 January 2023]

How come everyone giving this a 10/10 posted their review on the 24th of Jan? The answer is obvious. That said, I just finished seeing this series and IMO it isn't too bad. Definitely a step-up from the typical Nollywood dross. Some of the acting was good, others not so much. But apparently what qualifies as great TV nowadays is sharp visual effects. Get a good cam, throw in some good actors, along with some bad ones. Add a bit of nudity and voila---you have a 'great' TV series. Otherwise tell me why Peter Okoye needed to be in this film. Everytime he opened his mouth, I cringed. He's a singer, not an actor. Even Nancy whom I love didn't impress. As far as I'm concerned, only two people did their homework: Chidi and Shaffy. Nse is a huge favorite of mine but I can't say she killed her role in this one either.

As for the plot, I thought it was decent. Nothing ingenious, just decent. Oloshos (or courtesans as they put it) trying to leave the hustle disappear mysteriously and the cycle continues. The authorities get wind of this and an undercover agent (in Nigeria btw) joins the ring just to gather enough information to bring it all down. Of course there are a few bumps along the way, but eventually she succeeds. THE END.

Now, even though they're not too many, here are some issues I had with this: Who kills and decapitates people right in the middle of the road? Why was there a fight scene between two characters neither of whom we knew nor cared about? Why were the fight scenes so poorly choreographed? Why would Chief Fernandez show up to an uncompleted building at all? Why would Ini edo who can 'fight' suddenly become helpless in the face of actual danger (rape & torture)? Who recorded or sent the VN to Shalewa? If it really had been recording the whole time, wouldn't Jackie's killers have seen it on the display and taken precautionary measures?

Overall, this was an average film with a rushed ending. Much better than most I've seen from Nollywood recently though. Would I recommend? Not really, but I'll say this for sure---it's not a bad watch. My verdict: Satisfactory.

Dry (III) (2015)

DRY

[2/10 · 2 January 2023]

An aptly named movie. Dry in every sense of the word. I tried to watch this today and by the time I reached the 12th minute, I decided life's too short to waste it watching actors who wouldn't even make the cut if they auditioned for a pornographic film. That's how bad the acting was. Downright atrocious. Especially from the non-Africans who were consistently monotonous in their delivery. Other than the affected accent, Stephanie's acting was decent. As for the story, I didn't have the patience to see it unravel, what with all the numerous nonactors clowning about onscreen. Frankly, I gave up at the point where a woman was supposedly 'beating' a boy's legs in admonition. It was beyond insulting to see how there was clearly no contact; how had there been, such contact wouldn't even have the slightest impact on an infant since the woman was merely flicking her wrist; and how there was no attempt to disguise this silliness. Being a tribute to a real life hero, this movie certainly deserved better.

PS: The labour room scene made me cringe with how bad it was.

2 stars for the doctor about whom this film was made.

King of Thieves (2022)

7.5 for the strong cast

[8/10 · 3 December 2022]

I don't know how I feel about this one, but after just seeing Anikulapo, I guess it was relatively easier to like this. The acting is better, musical score too. Even the dialogue and perhaps script. The dialogue is garnished with proverbs (and not the hackneyed kind).

I generally thought it was a good movie, and this, coming from someone who has no patience for Nollywood. I like that they had the initiative to film a couple of our local stunts. I liked the dance and cultural display. I especially liked the performances of Odunlade and the bandit king.

I didn't like the whole dynamics surrounding the hierarchy of spiritual warfare (three powers merge but can't touch a hair on his head, yet a mere hunter can?). I didn't like that characters were somewhat flat, with hardly any personality or backstory. And whose idea was it to film a slaughtered goat and tag it a deer?

Regardless, what I liked surpassed what I didn't and so I commend the effort. I'd meant to give this a 7.5 but I'll just round it up to an even 8 since there's no provision for that and since it kept me glued for the most part.

Anikulapo (2022)

Interesting concept, underwhelming execution

[6/10 · 2 December 2022]

While I found this movie visually stunning, I couldn't get over the empty dialogue. Most of it felt cringey and lacked deep thought. The movie is also replete with tired proverbs and cliches (patient dog eats fattest bone etc). Proverbs aren't bad, but at least avoid the most trite ones. This use of cheap and hackneyed proverbs easily contributed to (or exposed) the weak dialogue.

I typically do not watch Nollywood flicks but I decided to give this one a chance for the hype and production quality. I do not regret it, but really, that's all there is to it - hype and good visuals. Story was halfway decent. Acting wasn't exactly wooden, but it was definitely subpar; I can't name one stellar performance.

Anyway after getting over the idea of a human physically assaulting a bird that's half-spirit, I switched the audio track to English and was immediately irritated. Everything is translated verbatim, regardless of awkward wording. Needless to say, I switched back to Yoruba because at least that was bearable.

Other issues that readily come to mind include:

* While they punish Saro after the affair is exposed, Arolake is able to lurk around, completely free, with no one hunting her down.

* People die so frequently in the (supposedly small) village you have to wonder how anyone was even left until Saro's arrival.

* At the ceremony where Saro first spots the Ayra Starr-looking princess, her hair is jet black and permed. I didn't realize they had relaxers/conditioners back in the day.

Overall, the movie was a decent attempt and I assume if more of our films adopt similar production quality (and we start taking advantage of the wealth of talented writers we have) we'll get it right soon enough.

No Exit (I) (2022)

Gripping and almost perfect

[10/10 · 18 November 2022]

Although this movie isn't an actual 10 in my opinion, it sits pretty nicely between 9 and 8. My perfect rating is just so it gets a bump from the unfair 6.1 which in no way depicts the true quality of entertainment to be derived from seeing this. Most of the acting is top-notch, especially the lead whom I've learned is a newbie (and that makes it all the more interesting). A lot that happens in this movie is compelling. The thrills are there. The unpredictability. The score. It does have its faults (such as people don't get cold and the ending could have been better) but they're so insignificant you'll scarcely notice them, except of course you set out to find them, as I've noticed some people do. Overall you'll like this one. I'm pretty certain even those giving a 1-star rating actually sat through and enjoyed it. One of the best I've seen this year.

Set It Off (1996)

A Classic

[10/10 · 11 November 2022]

Rarely do I ever give a movie a 10 but this one deserves a 20. I watched this movie growing up, before the advent of IMDB, probably around 1998 when a lot most likely went over my head as a Nigerian kid watching an American movie (with accents I hadn't entirely developed an ear for). But even then, I know I cried every single time I watched this. Why did I cry? I cared. I cared about every one of the girls. They grew on me and it was like watching people I knew on a personal level. Anyway, I've rewatched this twice in the last two years and it still gets me every time. This movie is beautiful, engaging and cathartic, plus you get to see how far these actors have come in their individual careers. Also, Set It Off ranks right along with Titanic and a couple others as one of my top classic movies of all time.

The Woman King (2022)

Beautiful and heartfelt

[8/10 · 8 November 2022]

Even though I thought some of the performances weren't stellar, this was a really good movie and I can say for a fact that I caught my eyes misting over a couple of times. Plot was good. Cinematography excellent. Costumes, not exactly accurate (IMO) but pretty decent. Overall the movie keeps you invested, tugs and yanks at your emotions. Even the fight scenes were surprisingly good. As expected, Viola was superb in this one, along with some of the supporting cast. This is the sort of movie to be loved by marginalized communities, but perhaps hated by 'you know who.' its theme is 'Freedom' and it does a good job of it.

The Time Traveler's Wife (2022)

Astonishing

[10/10 · 27 May 2022]

I must admit that I find time travel movies a little confusing sometimes but that doesn't make them any less interesting. I've seen the movie for this and it was great. Haven't read the book, although I hear it is very good too. As for this series, there's just one word for it-lovely. I find the leads very interesting to watch. There's wit and chemistry and all the other things that make TV couples exciting to watch. Only seen the two available episodes so far and I especially liked the episode 2 scene where Clare asks Theo's dead mother a question and instantly gets the answer on a tape recorder. Brilliant.

This Is Us: Us (2022) Season 6, Episode 18

Farewell to this masterpiece.

[10/10 · 26 May 2022]

One word for this show is CONSISTENCY! This is us consistently had me in my feelings, consistently taught me real life lessons. This last episode made me wanna cry for no apparent reason. Maybe Nostalgia, maybe the fact that I'll no longer get to await new episodes. God, I love this show and I'm gonna miss it. I'm thankful that I got to know about it and watch it. The storytelling is beyond topnotch, it's out of this world. I'll miss them all, the triplets and all the other Pearsons that graced my screen and made me laugh and cry and smile all these years. I've come to know and love them all like they were my real life friends. Bye TIU.

61st Street: The Two Trials (2022) Season 1, Episode 7

That Slap Was Weak

[7/10 · 17 May 2022]

Liking this show but the slap at about 46:00. Was that for real. How does one take the show seriously after seeing that lazy flicker of a wrist. Should've at least been edited to look real.

This Is Us: The Night Before the Wedding (2022) Season 6, Episode 14

Grab that box of Kleenex

[10/10 · 8 May 2022]

I smiled, I cried and then I smiled and cried some more. Kelvin and Sophie really share some intense chemistry. When I saw the previous episode, I liked it but still thought it to be a filler anyways. Now, seeing this, it all makes sense. These writers better stop toying with our emotions, making grown men cry over TV. If anyone had walked in on me and seen my tears, my excuse would have been 'onions'. THIS IS US remains one of my favorite shows of all time.

In the Blood (I) (2014)

Watchable but tedious and very nearly terrible

[5/10 · 17 April 2022]

This is a movie which had the potential to be great but perhaps the worst mistake of all was selecting a lead actor whose lines are constantly monotonous in their delivery. Her facial expressions are always flat. Voice too. You have to wonder if it's her first movie. Her husband is just as bad.

The storyline is the one thing that works. It keeps you guessing. However, a lot of other stuff just didn't make sense. First, I felt nothing watching these one-dimensional characters who have no real back story or depth to help you feel some kind of connection to them. I didn't even care if any of them died.

Second, there is a scene where Ava seizes a hostile and walks away with him while two of his armed companions follow behind. Get this, the man she holds hostage is in front, easily out of harms way if his friends decided to shoot Ava full of holes but instead they opt to play escorts/spectators. Lol it was at that point I gave up on this one.

There's a whole lot of other things that just don't make sense, especially the scene with the raft and the closing scenes. Watch it and see for yourself.

61st Street (2022– )

Must Watch

[8/10 · 13 April 2022]

Usually, when a new show gets released, I try the pilot just to be sure I wanna see more. Did that with this show and wasted no time getting the second. So far, just two episodes have been released and after taking a chance on them, I found myself wholly engrossed. Pretty addictive if you ask me. Acting is good, story (so far) is good. Literally can't wait to see the rest of it.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Engaging, yet shallow.

[7/10 · 27 January 2022]

This movie is one of those that had the potential to be better but somehow ended up shallow. Although the plot is pretty basic, it's done well enough that you're immediate pulled in. However there is no depth to this one. The characters are all shallow and lack and semblance of depth. There is a killer on the loose (whose acting is pretty much the highlight of this one), however we have no clue what the motivations are for him and some of the other characters. We don't even get a glimpse into who they really are or what makes them tick and so we don't actually feel anything for them. Still the movie does pretty good; that is until the last few scenes. The way the conflict is resolved is just ridiculous, and then you begin to wonder how it all comes to a meaningful conclusion. It doesn't. That last scene is even more ridiculous. Perhaps it's just me though. Overall, a flawed but entertaining movie.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Pointless, dull and average at best

[5/10 · 27 January 2022]

Not a completely bad movie but I can't say I enjoyed this one, and I'm someone who's very patient with movies, even those that have been called boring. I can't quite put my finger on it but it felt like something was missing. Or like something didn't quite measure up. It was sometimes funny, but a lot of times boring. I couldn't even watch it in one go. Had to take a nap midway and then continue afterwards. Acting-wise, it's pretty good, especially with the Lebowski dude. But that wasn't enough to save this snore-fest. It just felt like a journey with no sensible destination. And it did end quite senselessly too. It won't bore you to death, but it will most certainly bore you. Weird characters and yet not enough laughs. Watch if you're the patient type and you don't have anything else to see. Otherwise skip this.

Green Book (2018)

Absolutely stunning & heartfelt

[9/10 · 17 January 2022]

This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I had it for quite a while but didn't watch it cuz I didn't think I'd like it, and then when I did attempt it, I couldn't look away. This movie kicks you in the gut. It makes you feel things. It's funny and raw and emotional. It's movies like this that inspire me to write. From the scene with the two cups, I already knew I was gonna love it. AND I DID.

This Is Us (2016–2022)

My All Time Favourite

[10/10 · 6 January 2022]

This show is simply the best. My happiest days are those that bring the release of new episodes of THIS IS US. Every time I have a line up of shows to watch, I don't even have to think about it before I choose to begin with THIS IS US. Every episode gets me in my feelings. Characters are likeable, profound and relatable. Dialogue is deep and witty. Acting is topnotch. Storyline is so good you begin to wonder how the writers have managed to sustain the magic this long. Frankly, I can't think of one season where I felt disappointed. And I hope it never goes off air.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Absolute stunner

[8/10 · 5 January 2022]

I'm not sure why this is rated a 7. Almost ditched it because of that but then I saw the reviews that said it's done in Quentin Tarantino style. Without saying too much, this movie is intriguing, captivating, beautiful, weird and amazing. It's over 2hrs long and yet you don't notice the length. It's full of twists. You never know what to expect. Perhaps because of weird storyline and how daring it is in doing so, it's not a perfect movie. Still, it'll have you glued. Pretty entertaining stuff. Definitely watch this.

Baggage Claim (2013)

Clichéd mess

[4/10 · 1 January 2022]

The acting in this one is just terrible. Storyline is a hot mess. The lines are cringy. Mother who's failed at 5 marriages wants her oldest daughter married. If that's not an issue in itself, there's the scene where her own daughter says in a speech (with the mother present) that "It's not about getting married, it's about staying married." I wonder who would say that knowing the statement is an indirect attack on their own mother. There's the issue of predictability. About three scenes in, I already knew the neighbour was the man she'd end up with. Overall, the movie feels cheesy and not well-done, and you can tell it begins with the writing. Not something I'll see twice. Don't wanna lose brain cells.

Echoes of Violence (2021)

Watchable

[5/10 · 28 December 2021]

It's interesting how I was able to see this one all the way to the end (I won't lie and say I didn't nod off cuz I definitely did). It's a decent movie. Problem is the poor acting and loopholes. Marakya is 'African' but doesn't sound one bit African.

24 (2001–2010)

Binge-worthy

[9/10 · 19 December 2021]

This show is quite the ride. Love it for the unpredictability (even though sometimes it's a little far-fetched). Love it for the heightened action and the way it is sustained. Hate it for the many plot holes e.g every season introduces that one mole in CTU. Gosh! It's so repetitive. I doubt they'd be that careless in real life. There'd surely be measures taken to curb the menace. Yet, what we get is mole after mole. Moving on, it's absurd how the White House and president are so accessible. Why are some characters so dumb? Some things just aren't plausible given the time-frame; it's hard to believe it's all happening in 24hrs. Doesn't make sense how a terrorist controls a drone but has to wait until the president is at Wembley. Couldn't she have just blown up his residence. And if I hear 'immunity' one more time. Meanwhile, I love Logan lol. He's evil but fun to watch. Comic relief material. The love stories are beautiful and sometimes they brought me to tears. Overall, a good one. I binged this one. All nine seasons.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan: Stay in Your Lane (2021) Season 1, Episode 7

Decent show

[6/10 · 7 September 2021]

So, I loved Power and have stuck with it through every spin-off, including this one. Not a bad show. Matter of fact, I enjoy watching it but some things just don't make sense to me.

First off, did Nicole's father actually audition for his role? His acting is so bad it's cringey. Secondly, in what world would Nicole actually have a pipe, or even smoke crack? She who persistently lectured Jukebox about living right. When she first sneaked the crack from Juke's bag, I knew where the plot was headed but I chose not to believe it because it was completely implausible. And then, Voila!!!...that's exactly where the plot went. A bit of bad writing there if you ask me.