The Black Book

This movie was beautifully executed, and I appreciate its relevance to some of the issues we face in Nigeria today, such as government cover-ups involving innocent lives. While the plot bears resemblance to Liam Neeson's "Cold Pursuit," I must commend the director for their remarkable work. Films like this have the potential to engage Nigerians more in Nollywood.

However, there are a few aspects I'd like to address: 1. The dialogues: The accents sometimes felt forced, attempting to mimic Hollywood, which didn't work well.

2. It would be better if the characters embraced their Nigerian identity more.

3. Some dialogues were cringe-worthy and led to second-hand embarrassment.

4. While there were talented actors, some of the cast members came across as inexperienced.

5. Certain relationships in the movie lacked a solid foundation or exploration.

In summary, I enjoyed the film and its message but believe that Nigerian movies should avoid emulating Hollywood excessively. I'd rate this movie 7/10.

The Black Book

This Nigerian Crime Thriller sees its lead character, Paul Edima, on a revenge journey against those involved in the unlawful killing of his son.

As with many blockbusters that Nollywood has been churning out in recent years, The Black Book is star-studded, from the insignificant to the important characters. This helps the movie maintain a firm grip on the performances from the cast, but Ade Laoye and Bimbo Akintola (even with her limited screen time) deserve praise for their portrayals.

The Black Book starts with a simple plot, and the first quarter is backed by its emotional core. But as the movie unfolds it becomes complex, and the twists employed don't always help the story's progress. Some relationships are glossed over, and some characters are unimportant.

Even though the plot needs refinement, the cinematography is beautiful and elevated with its choice of locations and set designs.

The Black Book can best be summed as Nigeria's answer to the American John Wick.

6/10.

It is quite appealing that this movie is a showcase of reality as something similar to this movie has in recent times,occurred in Nigeria. From police harassment, unlawful killing, injustice to corruption. Kudos to the director and the actors because they know their onion well and fully delivered. I had an emotional breakdown when RMD wasn't allowed to carry his son to bury framing him father of a criminal to say that this movie is heartbreaking. This movie came with a lot of suspense and cutting of scenes which left me wondering what happened in the background and I really wished they showed us more without withholding the action part. Nollywood is yet to reach its peak, getting better and better and with that the shortcomings in the movie are not an issue for me as the main focus of the movie was established.

LIKES 1. Visual Aesthetics 2. Locations and Set Design 3. Bimbo Akintola's Performance 4. Strong First Act

DISLIKES 1. Narrative Complexity and Lost Interest Unfortunately, I became more and more confused as the movie went on, which led to me losing interest in the third act. The intricate plot lacked clarity.

2. Budget and Production Quality: There are lingering questions regarding the film's reported $1 million budget.

3. Challenges with Action Scenes: The film's potential impact was marred by poorly shot and chaotic action scenes. Clear directing and cinematography should maintain clarity, even in chaotic scenes.

4. Inconsistent Performances: Olumide Oworu's performance felt out of place, and the foreign father-son dynamic left me disconnected from the film.

5. Heavy American Influence: Those expecting a more authentic Nigerian narrative may find "The Black Book" distracting due to its overly Americanized tone.

6. Overambitious Social Commentary: Although the film's intention to provide social commentary is admirable, it becomes bloated.

7. Plot Twist and Unnecessary Elements: The movie's reliance on excessive explanations, visual effects and the plot twist involving Vickie and Mr. Edima made it feel superfluous.

8. Unexplored Relationships:

9. Unnecessary Characters

SUMMARY: To summarize, "The Black Book" fails to meet expectations despite its attractive visuals and capable performances. The movie's convoluted plot and heavy reliance on American cinema prevent it from exploring the intricate relationships and societal themes that could have made it truly compelling. If you're looking for a clear and coherent storyline, "The Black Book" may leave you feeling confused and disappointed.

We clap for Editi Effiong👏🏾 The Black book was a breath of fresh air and a beautiful production!

Only wished the film had kept the same vigor that it started out with😔

DELICIOUS

-The cast was a nice fusion of older generation (RMD, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo) and the newer generation (Ade Laoye, Denola Grey, Olumide Oworu)

-Big shout out to the production crew! Impeccable the sound quality. Yinka Edward, as always, nailed the photography. And the set design adequately suited the rough and tough ambiance

-It was obvious the movie wanted to encourage the people to rise up and act against the framing and killing of innocent young men: 'Silence is the enemy'

BLAND

-The film started on a powerful note with a vigorous altercation between police and armed men, later the momentum increased more when deacon Paul's son was framed.

Then about the time Shaffy Bello was introduced, the pace started slowing down. The dialogues became plain and the scenario casual, without creating any suspense or excitement

-Alex Usifo, Sam Dede, and Shaffy Bello, though playing notorious roles, delivered a theatrical performance.

Plus, the level of violence/fighting choreography was low and the screenplay became predictable

-The absence of symbolism failed to intensify the meaning of the story or help the audience relate to deacon Paul and his pain...