The Black Book

Not your typical Nollywood movie.

Edima reminded me of The Equalizer naija version.

Where do i start, This movie was a joy to watch, wasn't expecting this, thought it would be another, just something to watch type of movie. But no, oh no, this movie Kept me gripped and focused from start to finish.

The cinematography was sharp,really felt like i was in Lagos, the graphics were so sharp and the acting was really great, no fake wanna be accents. Truly exquisite.

Look forward to seeing more of these kind of movies. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Bravo and well done to the team. Thoroughly enjoyed this.👏🏾👍🏾😊 Daddi Kuul.

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.

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.

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.

I think the 4.9/10 rating is a deliberate attempt to minimize the great achievement and multifacetedness of this movie. When it comes to African Diasporic cinema, whatever is done in its authenticity to remain African is never enough. However, when we appease the Western gaze through movies about Slavery or the LGBTQ+ community, our cinema is a masterpiece.

Cinematically, the film has great execution, direction, and imagery that is unprecedented in comparison with other Nollywood films. The cast was perfectly selected in my opinion with all actors/actresses effectively playing their characters. I love the collaboration with women to achieve the demise of corruption, a bit that is often if not always overlooked and or exaggerated for dramatic purposes. I also appreciated all the movie was able to encompass. It drew a keen interest and understanding of Nigeria beyond what two-dimensional films often portray. However, the difficulty in seamlessly capturing this richness made the film harder to comprehend.

The various storylines, the length of the firm, and alignment with the film's title made it really difficult to remain engaged with this project. Though this allowed for unpredictability which negated the disengagement, it struggled to flow with the plot and development of the story. Nonetheless, I believe this is a bigger and more present issue with Netflix film productions than this actual film.

I highly recommend watching! It is an emotional rollercoaster packed with thrills. You will cry, jump, and shout. Honestly, there is no better movie-watching experience than that.

Lastly, big congratulations and kudos to the entire team behind this project. I can speak for most Nigerians by saying THANK YOU for restoring our faith in quality Nollywood films. I hope great things come from this endeavor.