RR’s Most Anticipated movies of 2021

Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the movies we’d anticipated for 2020 failed to drop, but we won’t let that deter us from getting excited for another movie year. No, we won’t. With vaccines for Covid-19 already on the horizon, visiting the theatres will soon become a reality again. That said, here are our top 20 most anticipated movies for 2021.

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The Little Things – Jan. 29

Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

Coming 2 America – Mar. 5

Prince Akeem, who is set to become the king of the fictional country of Zamunda, finds out he has a son he never knew about — a street-savvy Queens native, Lavelle. To honor the former king’s dying wish to raise his grandson as the crown prince, Akeem and his younger brother, Semmi, once again leave for America.

Raya and the Last Dragon – Mar. 5

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. However, when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned, and it’s up to a lone warrior to track down the last dragon and stop the Druun for good.

The Many Saints of Newark – Mar. 12

A look at the formative years of New Jersey gangster, Tony Soprano. Tensions rise between African Americans and Italian Americans in Newark, N.J., in 1967.

No Time to Die – April 2

Recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist, globe-trotting spy James Bond finds himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain, who’s armed with a dangerous new technology.

A Quiet Place 2 – April 23

The Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Black Widow – May 7

At birth the Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanova) is given to the KGB, which grooms her to become its ultimate operative. When the U.S.S.R. breaks up, the government tries to kill her as the action moves to present-day New York, where she is a freelance operative.

Godzilla vs. Kong – May 21

Fearsome monsters Godzilla and King Kong square off in an epic battle for the ages, while humanity looks to wipe out both of the creatures and take back the planet once and for all.

Minions: The Rise of Gru – June 17

The untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

In the Heights – June 18

The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City.

Luca – June 18

Luca is an upcoming American 3D computer animated film produced by Pixar set to be released on June 18, 2021

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings -July 9

Shang-Chi is a master of numerous unarmed and weaponry-based wushu styles, including the use of the gun, nunchaku, and jian.

The Suicide Squad – Aug. 6

The Suicide Squad is an upcoming American superhero film based on the DC Comics antihero team the Suicide Squad.

Candyman – Aug. 27

Intrigued by local legends, Helen investigates the myths and superstitions surrounding the one-armed Candyman. However, she confronts her worst nightmare when a series of murders start taking place.

Dune – Oct. 1

Paul Atreides leads nomadic tribes in a battle to control the desert planet Arrakis.

The Eternals – Nov. 5

The saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilisations.

Spider-Man 3 – Dec. 17

Not much is known about this yet untitled Spider-Man movie, but we’re already excited for it with all the casting sneak peeks we’ve been getting.

The Matrix 4 – Dec. 22

The Matrix 4 is an upcoming American science fiction action film and the fourth installment in The Matrix franchise.

Judas and the Black Messiah – TBA

Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O’Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

Mortal Kombat – TBA

Mortal Kombat is a mysterious, intergalactic tournament of ancient martial arts. Shaolin Monk Liu Kang, from Earth, gets invited as a competitor.

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Honourable mentions: Top Gun Maverick (July 2), The French Dispatch, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Space James 2: A New Legacy (July 16), Cruella (May 28), Mission: Impossible 7 (Nov. 19), Reminiscence (April 26)

2020: Rinzy’s Top 20 Movies of the Year

The way we consume movies changed drastically this year 2020. This kind of change happens every few decades and another is fast upon us by the arrival of streaming services in time for the unforeseen Coronavirus pandemic. A few movies stuck to the cinemas, many saw their release dates pushed back multiples times, even into 2021, and those that couldn’t wait fell into the swooning arms of the streaming service with the most cash to spare them. Most of the movies on this list belong to the latter category.

In no particular order, here are my top 20 movies of the year 2020.

1. Palm Springs (Rom-Com of the year)

Stuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over again. Read review here.

2. Soul (Animated movie of the year)

Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz — and he’s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have soul. Read review here.

3. His House (Horror film of the year)

A refugee couple makes a harrowing escape from war-torn South Sudan, but then they struggle to adjust to their new life in an English town that has an evil lurking beneath the surface.

4. Sylvie’s Love (Love story of the year)

Sylvie has a summer romance with a saxophonist who takes a summer job at her father’s record store in Harlem. When they reconnect years later, they discover that their feelings for each other have not faded with the years. Read review here.

5. The King of Staten Island (Comedy film of the year)

A semi-autobiographical comedy-drama about Pete Davidson growing up in Staten Island, including losing his father during 9/11 and entering the world of stand up comedy.

6. Tenet (SciFi film of the Year)

A secret agent is given a single word as his weapon and sent to prevent the onset of World War III. He must travel through time and bend the laws of nature in order to be successful in his mission.

7. The Devil all the Time (Crime Drama of the Year)

A young man is devoted to protecting his loved ones in a town full of corruption and sinister characters.

This movie had Tom Holland in a quality performance outside the MCU, it made me appreciate him more and, now, I find myself looking forward to all the stuff he’s got coming out in 2021.

8. Da 5 Blood (War Drama of the Year)

Four African American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide. Read the review here.

9. Extraction (Action Thriller of the Year)

A black-market mercenary who has nothing to lose is hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. But in the murky underworld of weapons dealers and drug traffickers, an already deadly mission approaches the impossible. Read the review here.

10. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Go behind the scenes with the people who brought an unsung trailblazer, otherwise known as the Mother of Blues, to the big screen in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Read the review here.

11. The Trial of the Chicago 7

The film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The trial transfixed the nation and sparked a conversation about mayhem intended to undermine the U.S. government.

12. The Croods: A new Age

Searching for a safer habitat, the prehistoric Crood family discovers an idyllic, walled-in paradise that meets all of its needs. Unfortunately, they must also learn to live with the Bettermans — a family that’s a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. As tensions between the new neighbors start to rise, a new threat soon propels both clans on an epic adventure that forces them to embrace their differences, draw strength from one another, and survive together. Read the review here.

13. The Invisible Man

Cecilia’s abusive ex-boyfriend fakes his death and becomes invisible to stalk and torment her. She begins experiencing strange events and decides to hunt down the truth on her own.

14. Escape from Pretoria

Two white South Africans, imprisoned for working on behalf of the African National Congress, are determined to escape from the notorious Pretoria Prison.

15. Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton, an orphan, arrives in New York to work for George Washington. After the American Revolution, he goes on to become the first Secretary of the Treasury of the US.

16. Onward

Teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley embark on a magical quest to spend one more day with their late father. Like any good adventure, their journey is filled with cryptic maps, impossible obstacles, and unimaginable discoveries. But when dear Mom finds out her sons are missing, she teams up with the legendary manticore to bring her beloved boys back home.

17. Love and Monsters

Seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson, along with the rest of humanity, has been living underground ever since giant creatures took control of the land. After reconnecting over the radio with his high school girlfriend, Aimee, who is now 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall for her again. As Joel realizes that there’s nothing left for him underground, he decides to venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way. Read the review here.

18. The Gentlemen

Mickey Pearson is an American expatriate who became rich by building a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business, it soon triggers an array of plots and schemes — including bribery and blackmail — from shady characters who want to steal his domain. Read the review here.

19. Vampires vs. The Bronx

Vampires vs. the Bronx is a 2020 American comedy horror film directed by Oz Rodriguez and written by Oz Rodriguez and Blaise Hemingway. The film follows a group of teenagers who are forced to protect their neighborhood in the Bronx when a gathering of vampires invades. Read the review here.

20. Bad Education

Roslyn Schools Superintendent Frank Tassone and his assistant Pam work together to put the district on the map. However, a school reporter uncovers an embezzlement scheme, which threatens their reign.

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Honourable mentions: Small Axe, Nomadland, One Night in Miami, Sound of Metal, Spies in Disguise, The Old Guard, Freaky, The Banker, Enola Holmes

‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Reunion’ Is A Cathartic Trip Down Memory Lane

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion is a cathartic trip down memory lane. Nothing less than what I expected from a show that was as funny as it was poignant in dealing with life issues, on and off camera.

A very beautiful part of this reunion, for me, was watching Janet Hubert’s return;

• Her reconciliation with Will Smith after their long feud, and
• Her loving embrace with Daphne, her replacement as Aunt Viv after she was booted off the show, a move she says isn’t unconnected to 23 y/o Will Smith’s behaviour to her at that time.

These moments and revelations were high points for me, and I loved them.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a lovely show; I’m glad we can still talk about it fondly 30 years after its debut, and I’m hoping we get to see more cool reunion episodes like this one, featuring these wonderful actors doing Carlton’s famous dance.

2019: RR’s Top Netflix Movies

Since it first delved into producing original contents in 2013 with the premiere of House of Cards, Netflix has helped redefine the way movies people consume movies and TV shows. With one of the most diverse catalogue of any studio/service, Netflix hasn’t relented in its resolve to keep providing something for everyone, irrespective of labels.

This year, the streaming giants took things a step further with the release of Martin Scorcese’s The Irishman, a vastly unprecedented move that’s sure to further redefine how movies are released and consumed. Like my friend Magnus would say, paraphrased, the age of cinema might just be over.

The downside to a lot of content (both good and bad) is that it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep up. So, if by some miracle you’re hoping to dive into the new year binge-watching something worthy, this ranking should help with that.
In the order of my previous ratings, here is a list of what I think are the top 10 Netflix movies of 2019

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1. The Irishman 4/5

Martin Scorcese helped bring Robert Deniro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci under one movie roof again, for which we’re grateful.

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2. Marriage Story 4/5

Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver greatly shine in this intend story about love and divorce, no wonder award buzzes are really going off.

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3. Dolemite is my Name

It felt so good to see Eddie Murphy back in action.

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4. The Two Popes 3.5/5

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce are two well-respected legends; so I they’ve got a story to tell about the Vatican, we listen.

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5. Klaus 3.5/5

If you’ve ever wondered where Santa came from, this movie tries to provide answers.

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6. Murder Mystery 3/5

Before Jennifer Aniston capped-off 2019 with her phenomenal role on The Morning Show as Alex Levy, there was this inane comedy with Adam Sandler.

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7. El Camino 3/5

Who’d ever say no to more details on what happened to Jesse after his tryst with Walter White? Not me.

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8. The King 3/5

Ambitious and murderous Timothee Chamalet was something I never knew I needed until I saw this.

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9. Extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile 3/5

Even though it’s difficult for some people to look past his High School Musical days, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to deny Zac Efron is evolving into more mature roles. That’s a good thing.

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10. Someone Great 3/5

Break ups are painful. This movie doesn’t shy away from the topic.

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Some honorable mentions: 6 Underground, Velvet Buzzsaw, and The boy who harnessed the wind.

4 Reasons You Should Watch ’93 Days’

Release Date: September 16, 2016

Starring: Bimbo Akintola, Donald Glover, Somkele Iyamah, Alastair Mackenzie, Charles Okafor, et al.

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Even if you haven’t seen 93 Days, at least you should already know there’s a movie out there characterizing the fierce battle Nigeria fought against the Ebola virus in 2014 and how the country triumphed. It’s the least you could do to show solidarity for all those the disease took away, top on that list is Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh (Bimbo Akintola), a woman whose professionalism and bravery helped intercept what could have been an even more catastrophic attack and all the brave people at First Consultant Medical Center, Obalende.

If you’re still sitting on the fence, here are four reasons why I think you should see 93 Days before it leaves Netflix.

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1. It Is A Good Movie
It’s one of the best Nollywood movies ever made and boasts of nice performances from members of its main cast. Bimbo Akintola, Danny Glover, Alastair Mackenzie, and Somkele Iyamah all did great. The camera shots, angle, and picture quality are awesome too. So is the music.

2. You Need To Know What Happened

Some people are still in denial over the plausibility of the attack and if the Ebola virus ever found its way into the country. I kid you not, that took place. Only if you see the movie will you be able to fully grasp what happened and how the sacrifices of a few ensured the survival of many.

3. It’ll Give You Closure

Maybe you lost a loved one during the crisis. Seeing how their sacrifices weren’t in vain might just be what you need to hurt less.

4. It Inspires Patriotism

At a time like this when many have lost faith in Nigeria, a movie like 93 Days might just be what we need to remind people that the country belongs to all of us. Like the brave men and women of First Consultant, it’s on us to raise up to the occasion and act selflessly towards uplifting our Fatherland, when the need arises.

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93 Days are currently streaming on Netflix. You should see it before it leaves.

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Directed By: Steve Gukas

Rinzy’s Rating: 3.5/5

You Should Visit The Cinemas More Often

Last weekend, I did something unusual. I went to see an average movie at a very cool theatre.

Now, this movie, ‘Black and Blue‘, is the usual bad cop-good cop kind of movie we’ve seen a gazillion time already. Nothing special about it.

The music, acting, and plot were all basic, but the effects of the theatre bolstered the experience and made it seem extra-special. This leads me to what I’m really trying to say.

Naomie Harris in ‘Black and Blue’ (2019)

When you pay to see a movie, you’re basically paying for the viewing experience first, before the movie.

Cinematic effects have been known to make otherwise dull movies, like ‘Justice League‘ (2017) appear shiny, and that’s no one’s fault. It’s the full package you pay for.

So, if you’re still sitting on the fence about giving your hard-earned money to some bunch of strangers, I think you should come around, the experience might just be worth it.

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Rinzy’s Rating for Black and Blue: 2.5/5
Naomie Harris does her best to carry this movie but its greatest disservice is in its inability to offer anything new to this genre. And I think
Frank Grillo really needs to stop starring in this kind of movie.

Does ‘King Of Boys’ Really Need A Sequel?

Fall 2016 introduced the world to a new side of Kemi Adetiba with the release of The Wedding Party, a movie she co-wrote and directed. Kemi Adetiba the feature film director, a not-so-wide but significant departure from Kemi Adebita the music-video director. At that point, we knew she was going to change the world, a mandate she remained true to when it was announced she’d excused herself from the 2017 sequel, which turned out to be a critical disaster.

Unfortunately, Kemi Adetiba seems to be falling into the same kind of quagmire most stakeholders of a financially successful film find themselves in – milking the cow for everything it’s worth until all that’s left is pain and disgrace in the minds of fans who once loved the franchise.

Don’t get it twisted, King of Boys is a beautiful movie, one of the best Nigeria’s ever produced, and one of the two top movies of Nollywood’s 2018. Thanks to same industry’s 2020 Oscars selection, King Of Boys is on everyone’s lips again, which is testament to its very scintillating art quality.

King of Boys 2 is happening. Though the nature it’ll take isn’t yet public, it’s been confirmed by Kemi Adetiba via her Instagram handle. But does this sequel really deserve to happen?

The answer’s NO, and that’s mostly because the story left itself in a tight corner with that resolution.

The way King of Boys progressed towards the end of its second act into its third makes it near-unreasonable for a direct sequel to happen. It takes away what little credibility the rest of the story up had, from that point. Perhaps, in a world where either Kemi (Adesua Etomi-Wellington) or Kitan had survived, and Eniola (Sola Sobowale) went down as most viewers expected, maybe a direct sequel wouldn’t be sounding so scary.

There’s an easy solution though. Making the sequel more of a prequel than an actual sequel.

The thought of seeing Makanaki (Reminisce) and Odogwu Malay (Illbliss) share a scene again is exhilarating. Both musical artistes made their acting debuts in King of Boys to critical acclaims. And a prequel would gracefully handle their reunion without worrying about the implications of how the first one ended. It could also give Toni Tones more avenue to shine as the younger, more enigmatic version of Eniola Salami.

Time will tell the direction this sequel will take, until then it’s all speculations.

Top Ten Disney Live-Action Characters

Once upon a time, animated characters from Disney were a thing to love and treasure, but these days the bulk of the attention is on giving these classic characters the live-action treatment. And at the rate the mouse house’s going with these adaptations, it’s only a matter of time before their library gets exhausted, but that’s a story for another day.

In honor of my still-in-session binge-watching of Once Upon A Time for a third time now, I’ve compiled a list of the ten times Disney’s impressed me while trying to bring some of these classics to life. Some of these picks are from standalone titular movies, while the rest are from the hit ABC Network show.

In no particular order, here are my pics:

1) Beauty And The Beast (2017)

2) Elsa from Frozen (OUAT s04)

3) Cinderella (2015)

4) Shere Khan from Jungle Book (2016)

5) Winnie The Pooh from Christopher Robin (2018)

6) Mowgli from Jungle Book (2016)

7) The Evil Queen (OUAT)

8 Maleficent (2014)

9) Brave (OUAT s05)

10) Prince Charming (OUAT)

Did your favorite make the list? Tell me what you think of my list in the comments. ❤️

FX Legion: Time Travel Is Impressive

Dan Steven has been killing it as David Haller since Legion first premiered, and it’s a joyous thing to see he hasn’t lost his touch one bit. It’s even more pleasant when you realize the show is fully embracing time-travel in all its Glory. The season three premiere opens with it quickly establishing its own set of rules for one of the most popular topics in SciFi, and one of my personal favorite.

Its theory builds upon previously existing concepts of time travel we already know, like taking care to not array to close or far from event(s) intended to alter, but it’s the tease of a time demon that gets me really excited for all the many ways things could really go to shit for this season.

The season three premiere goes out of its way to give a little extra of everything this show’s come to be unanimously applauded for – mind altering cinematography, excellent performance from its cast, stunning visuals, even the impromptu musicals aren’t left out, making it more difficult to prepare to say goodbye.

Division 3 didn’t come to play – David’s got to die. It’d be fun if the bulk of the season will be about David manoeuvring a vindictive Sydney with equal amount of hate as she once loved him, as Farouk rightly pointed out, but I know that’s a bogus lead. The Shadow King is too good to keep playing ball for long, he’s definitely got a few sinister tricks up his sleeves especially since there’s a time-traveler on board. With Professor X slated to appear somewhere down the line, I’d like to see how all these pieces play out together.

Give me more Lenny, crazy David-Farouk moments, time-travel, and I’ll be your loyal bitch this season, Legion.