The year 2024 saw Nollywood bless the cinema industry with awesome movies that entertained families and individuals who forked out money for tickets despite the economic hardship in Nigeria.
In this write-up, we take a look at Kemifilani’s Top 7 Naija Cinema Movies of 2024, giving praises and criticisms of their stories, cinematography and acting.
- Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti isn’t just a movie; it’s a captivating journey into the life of an icon, a beacon of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters and penned by the talented Tunde Babalola, this film delves deep into the remarkable story of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a pioneering women’s rights activist in Nigeria whose legacy continues to inspire generations. She was the mother of late Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
At the heart of this masterpiece lies the outstanding portrayal of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti by the 2024 AMVCA Best Actress, Kehinde Bankole. With every expression, gesture, and word, Kehinde Bankole breathes life into the character, embodying her passion, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice. The actress and the activist even share an uncanny resemblance when juxtaposing their photos. From her early years of defiance to her pivotal role in the Abeokuta Women’s Union, Kehinde Bankole’s portrayal is nothing short of mesmerizing. She effortlessly captures the complexities of Funmilayo’s character, from her moments of strength to her vulnerabilities, which enabled me to connect with the woman behind the legend. Iyimide Ayo-Olumoko played a young Funmilayo, while veteran actress Joke Silva played the aged activist. Other stars included Adunni Ade, Adebayo Salami, Omowunmi Dada, Jide Kosoko, Delete Odule, Ibrahim Suleiman, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, and Yewande Osamein.
- Ajosepo
In 2024, director Kayode Kasum gave us another brilliant movie, Ajosepo, which follows his successful film Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story, which is still the talk of the town.
Ajosepo is a comedy mixed with romance and tragedy that entertained me. I never felt I wasted my time heading to the cinema to see the movie. It is about a disjointed family that was about to have their son Dapo (Mike Afolarin) get married to the love of his life, Tani (Tomike Adeoye), a lady from a conservative Christian family. The wedding festivities were characterized by drama that would have prevented the union from holding.
I wish I could hint at what happened on the night before the wedding, which almost crashed plans, but that would be a spoiler. I must commend the writers (Dare Olaitan and Stephen Okonkwo) for the way the movie took that unexpected twist. That incident was something I thought the about-to-wed couple was never going to recover from, considering the series of dramas that unfolded on the day.
The movie stars Ronke Oshodi (Groom’s mother), Yemi Sholade (Groom’s father), Timini Egbuson (Groom’s brother), Kanaga Jr. (Best man), Bisola Aiyeola, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ibrahim Yekini, Muyiwa Ademola, Adewale Ayuba, Gbohunmi David, and Lizzy Jay.
- Everybody Loves Jenifa
Funke Akindele did it again with her new film Everybody Loves Jenifa, a follow-up on her successful Jenifa franchise which also produced a TV series.
Everybody Loves Jenifa, which opened in cinemas on December 13, had the biggest opening day for a Nollywood movie, raking in N45.2m. It has surpassed N1 billion in revenue at the Box Office, breaking the record she set with her movie A Tribe Called Judah.
The movie tells the story of Jenifa, portrayed by Funke Akindele. She is a lady well-loved in the estate where she lives until a new neighbour moves in to steal the show and the love she has from the community.
The new fish in town, Lobster, portrayed by Stan Nze, also runs an NGO like Jenifa, but his is a front for obtaining grants from unsuspecting humanitarian organisations worldwide.
Everybody Loves Jenifa stars the usual characters, such as Shege, Adaku, and Toyosi, and is portrayed by Falz, Omotunde Adebowale David, and Olayode Juliana, respectively.
Others in the star-studded movie include Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, Destiny Etiko, Chy Nwakanma, Patience Ozokwor, Lateef Adedimeji, Bisola Aiyeola, Chimezie Imo, Jide Kosoko, Ayoola Akinyoola, Michael Uba, Tobi Makinde, Hilda Baci, Wendy Ubakanma, Paschaline Alex, D’banj, Layi Wasabi and Cute Abiola, to mention a few.
- Alakada: Bad and Boujee
Alakada: Bad and Boujee is the latest instalment of the Alakada franchise produced by Toyin Abraham. The movie is already nearing the N1 billion mark in revenue at the Box Office.
This new comedy and drama stars Bimbo Ademoye, Bimbo Akintola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Chimezie Imo, Idowu Adeyemi, Ik Ogbonna, Ini Edo, Kola Ajeyemi, Lizzy Jay, Odunlade Adekola, Okusanya Lolade, Olumide Oworu, Ronke Odusanya, Toyin Abraham.
Directed by Adebayo Tijani, the movie tells the story of Yetunde, a girl from a poor background who is ever ready to make up lies just to fit into the elite society or even escape from situations she considers condescending. This synopsis is no different from what was used to promote the other instalments of the franchise. This might leave enthusiasts thinking the new release has nothing new to offer.
Alakada: ‘Bad and Boujee has too many Vibes! Vibes!! Vibes!!. This may be because the comedy dragged on for far too long, leaving the film without any serious purpose. The few times it tried to stray away from comedy, no real purpose was delivered. However, I was still able to learn the lesson that telling too many lies may benefit a lot, but a day will come when you will need support from one of those whom you fooled but won’t get it because you lost their trust.
- Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds
Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds is about King Towobola (Odunlade Adekola) who was surrounded by diabolic women, from his wives to his mother (Sola Sobowale). Faced with the threat of abdicating the throne for not having a male heir, he brought home a strange woman who spelt more trouble for him.
Who was the woman King Towobola brought home? Adaralewa, played by Eniola Ajao, the producer of the movie. Adaralewa was an antelope in the animal kingdom and a woman in man’s world seeking to avenge her murdered parents.
Firstly, I’d like to talk about the costume department. They disappointed me right from the first scene that showed King Towobola with a beard. The king looked like someone plastered with hair picked from the floor of a barbershop. I wondered why they made him have a beard in that scene when the other scenes had him without such.
- Blacksmith (Alagbede)
Blacksmith (Alagbede) is a Yoruba movie you will enjoy even though it might not have any hook on you afterwards. The movie is a mix of romance, comedy and drama. Directed by Usman ‘Blackky’ Ogunlade and produced by Motunrayo Adeoye and Jaiye Kuti, the film is packed with good acting and nothing more than needed.
Blacksmith (Alagbede) tells the story of a blacksmith named Adio (Femi Adebayo) and his sweetheart from a well-to-do-home, Omolewa (Kehinde Bankole). As a poor young chap, Adio was left with no choice but to struggle to measure up to the standard demanded by Omolewa ‘s mother (Bimbo Oshin), who was ready to give her daughter’s hand in marriage to a rich guy. Backed by his friend Wole (Gbenga Afolayan), Adio decided to get wealth through money rituals. This led to a lack of peace of mind, and wealth became undesirable to him.
Firstly, the romantic part of this movie is more like a remix of the stereotypical Nollywood movies of the 90s and early 2000s, where a broke boy with no future ambition will have the beautiful daughter of a wealthy man in love with him. However, I like that the writers plotted the romance to lead to money rituals and spiced the movie with light comedy. Even during serious scenes, many others and I, viewing the movie at the cinema, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
- Lakatabu: The Monster
Lakatabu (The Monster), an action drama produced and directed by Odunlade Adekola, added to the belief that Yoruba movies have taken centre stage in today’s Nollywood. Even though I saw the film with my critical lens on, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the stark positive difference between Yoruba movies of the past and what is produced today, which includes Anikulapo, Kesari, Jagun Jagun, Ajakaju, Alagbede (Blacksmith), King of Thieves, etc.
Lakatabu (The Monster) tells the story of a dreaded kidnapper, portrayed by Odunlade Adekola, who kills the man who fortified him with the charms and powers he uses for his evil business. This he did to keep his Achilles heel secret. However, a lady he abducted led to his undoing.
The movie casts Dimeji Lateef, Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Adebayo ‘Oga Bello’ Salami, Aderinoye Babatunde, Adunni Ade, Akin Lewis, Bolanle Ninalowo, Eniola Ajao, Ibrahim Chatta, Mr Latin, Odunlade Adekola, Tope ‘Teddy A’ Adenibuyan, Yomi Fash-Lanso, and Broda Shaggi, amongst others.
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