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“Criminal” 2024 Nollywood Thriller starring Uzor Arukwe

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Are you willing to risk it all just to save your own blood from dieing?

“Criminal” (2024), directed by Dolapo Adigun and produced by Victoria Akujobi, is a captivating Nollywood movie that has garnered significant attention since its release on May 31st. With a talented cast, including Funlola Aofiyebi, Uzor Arukwe, and Segun Arinze, this film promises to deliver an intense and suspenseful experience.

 

Storyline:

The movie’s premise, centered around a principled doctor faced with a deadly dilemma, sets the tone for a gripping narrative.

Uzor (Uzor Arukwe), an ex-convict brings his gun wounded brother to the hospital under emergency. He was told by the assistant doctors that the hospital is occupied at the moment and he might need to take his brother to a nearby hospital for immediate attention which he refused because he had researched prior to when they got to the hospital and discovered that Green leaf hospital run by the principled Dr. Amara Nwachukwu (Funlola Aofiyebi) is the best.

Now, Dr. Amara has a critical case of a pregnant woman in labour to attend to.

She’s caught in between two seas. Who is she going to save? Will Uzor get away with his crime this time? How will the hostages make it out alive? Well, this is the more reason you should see “Criminal” the movie. It has answers to your burning questions.

Three lessons stood out for me in this film and that is; Morality will always win -There’s no gain in living a life of crime. Ethics can be compromised in extreme situations and redemption is possible but requires effort and sacrifice. The saying “You can take a pig out of his sty but you can never take the sty out of the pig” stands true in this film.

Cast performance:

Uzor Arukwe’s portrayal of the dangerous criminal is commendable. He bodied the role so well and delivered. His performance brought depth and nuance to the story. Funlola Aofiyebi shines as the principled doctor, delivering a convincing and empathetic performance. We need more Doctors like Dr. Amara Nwachukwu, her act was stellar.

Technical Aspects:

The soundtrack, a mix of pulsating rhythms and haunting melodies, perfectly complements the film’s tense atmosphere. The set design, capturing the chaos of a bustling Lagos hospital, is commendable. Costume and makeup are also noteworthy, adding to the overall authenticity of the characters.

Criticisms and Analysis:

The pacing could be tighter, with a few scenes feeling slightly dragging. However, “Criminal” is a well-crafted thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie’s themes of morality, ethics, and redemption are expertly woven throughout the narrative, adding depth and complexity.

“Criminal” (2024) is a captivating Nollywood thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its engaging storyline, strong performances, and impressive technical aspects, this movie is a must-watch for fans of Nollywood and thriller enthusiasts alike.

Rating: 7.9/10

The Black Book” is another Nollywood thriller you should see. Check out the movie review here.

 

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Movies

3 Cold Dishes: Africa’s Thriller That Hits Home

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When three women’s pasts collide in a story of survival and justice, the result is a film you won’t forget. 3 Cold Dishes, premiering on November 7, 2025, brings together a Pan-African cast, multiple countries, and a story that’s as intense as it is personal.

A Story of Survival and Retribution

Esosa (Osas Ighodaro), Fatouma (Fat Toure), and Giselle (Maud Guerard) were trafficked as teenagers from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin. Two decades later, they reunite to confront the men who destroyed their youth. The film follows their calculated journey for justice, moving between suspenseful confrontations, emotional reckonings, and unexpected alliances. It is a thriller, but one rooted in real struggles that many African women face.

Across Africa, Through the Lens

The film’s striking imagery comes from its authentic locations: Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, and Mauritania. Each country is more than a backdrop; it shapes the story. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the serene landscapes of Senegal, the locations add texture, grounding the film in real African spaces that viewers will recognize and connect with.

Cast and Crew That Shine

Directed by Asurf Oluseyi and co-directed by Apolline Traoré, 3 Cold Dishes is driven by performances that linger long after the screen goes dark. Osas Ighodaro gives a layered portrayal of Esosa, while Fat Toure and Maud Guerard bring depth and subtlety to Fatouma and Giselle. Wale Ojo, Femi Jacobs, and Bambadjan Bamba add gravitas to the story, portraying the men whose past actions come back to haunt them.

Executive producers Burna Boy, Osas Ighodaro, and Bose Ogulu bring vision and energy, while Tomi Adesina’s screenplay balances suspense with the human side of trauma.

Music That Speaks

Music is a silent character in the film, with contributions from Angelique Kidjo, Asa, Tems, Johnny Drille, Ayra, and Burna Boy. Each track heightens key moments: a tense confrontation, a quiet reunion, or the flashbacks that haunt the protagonists. The result is a soundtrack that stays with viewers long after the credits roll.

Buzz Before the Premiere

Even before its debut, 3 Cold Dishes has caught attention. Osas Ighodaro received a nomination for Best African Actress, and the screenplay earned a nod at the Septimius Awards. The combination of suspense, real issues, and stellar performances has critics and audiences alike marking their calendars.

Why It Matters

3 Cold Dishes shines a light on the lingering impact of human trafficking while telling a story of courage, friendship, and reclamation. It is an African story told on an African canvas, with locations, actors, and music that make the experience distinctly homegrown.

For Nigerian audiences, the film offers more than entertainment. It sparks conversation, invites reflection, and reminds viewers of resilience. Keep an eye on cinemas nationwide, as 3 Cold Dishes is one you’ll be talking about long after leaving the theater.

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Eternity Official Movie Trailer

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Eternity Movie Cover

“Eternity” an interesting American Fantasy Romantic film. The premier is set to be in September and will be released in the United States of America in November, is the kind of love you’d see in a triangular form that unfolds in the afterlife.

Plot:

Larry didn’t believe where he saw himself when his afterlife coordinator (Anna) met him, it felt surreal until Joan came into the picture.
Nothing feels surprising, heartbreaking and confusing seeing your two lovers in a place where you didn’t expect – Elizabeth Olsen casting as Joan couldn’t hold back her surprise and mouth agape when she didn’t just meet Larry but was also introduced to her first life lover in the afterlife – Callum Turner casting as Luke.

The scenario showed the tip of what would be happening afterlife now they are in the place, leaving Elizabeth Olsen to choose between Miles Teller(Larry) and Callum Turner(Luke)

The moment left her speechless.

How would she be able to choose between her two lovers who didn’t hurt her in any way?

The time spent was memorable, filled with joy and happiness, argument and fight, it was sparked with romantic scenes, but what was still left on her was “choice.”

Who will she choose to live with till eternity – Luke or Larry?

Cinematography:

The environment for casting is so beautiful, cool and not giving too much by the way.

The tone and sound that accompanied each scene not just suited but also gave sudden expectation and anticipation of “what really would happen here?”

The calm but quite chaotic conversations matched with the scene’s argument, making emotions and odd feelings flow all together.

Each background music matched, high and low to draw what actions came from each love and down scenes.

Eternity Movie Cover

Eternity Movie Cover

Characters:

The characters delivered and left no crumbs.

Elizabeth Olsen(Joan) didn’t leave any stone unturned – her shocking moment when Luke came into the picture afterlife, the heated argument with Larry about how death all occurred and them finding themselves all in one place and now, she having to choose one person to spend eternity with is “a lot.”

Her facial expressions in every scene made it stand out and this carried her act along in the trailer to anticipate more of what next will happen and who exactly will she choose.

Not leaving Miles Teller(Larry) and Callum Turner(Luke) behind, the two men who were both in love with Joan, fighting for who will truly spend eternity with her – it displays real love, competition, selfishness, patience and sacrifice. They fought – but who exactly would it be?

There’s also Da’vine Joy casting as Anna who is the afterlife coordinator, came with her A-game of making sure that this decision is worth it and should be examined before it takes place.

Conclusion:

Set to be released in September(the premier) at the Toronto International Film Festival and November, 2025 when the movie will be officially released, Eternity is a must watch.

Elizabeth Olsen brought in her acting in action, as the main character – she killed her role and the trailer showed it.

The trailer – filled with love, competition, suspense, fear and sacrifice.

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Celebrity-Approved Ways to Style Denim on Denim

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Do you have two denim pieces in your wardrobe and you’re confused on how to style them? Or do you feel like it’s a little outdated to wear denim on denim? The good news is your favorite celebrities have brought back this denim trend and they’re giving us different ways to style them.

Let’s take a look at some of your favorite celebrities who styled the trend in different ways and you could learn one or two from them.

Princessdaprada Keeps It Oversized and Laidback

Are you the type that prefers oversized styles? Then Princessdaprada is here for you. Dressed in a light wash denim set, and paired it with a button down white shirt beneath the jacket. It brings a natural contrast to the look, the wide-leg Jean made the style more fit for a casual day. She adds a black Chanel mini bag that matched her earrings. Finished it off with a black base ball cap, sunglasses and a transparent pointed toe heels.

Beverly Naya Structured Piece

If you’re not a fan of oversized style, Beverly Naya is here to prove that Jean can be tailored. She styled a denim top fitted almost like a corset, the jean trousers were slightly baggy with visible stitching here and there, big pockets that gave off a cargo look. The look was paired with bold gold jewelries, cream mini hand bag and an open-toe heels.

Liquorose Cowgirl’s Style

Liquorose decided to add a little Western style look to her outfit. The long-sleeve denim jacket was unbuttoned to the midsection and tucked neatly into the matching denim pants. At the waist was a bold belt that had a cow-head buckle. A coat was draped over her shoulders in mixed colours. she carried blue bag, black shoe and topped it all off with a black cowgirl hat.

Chioma Ikoku’s Unique Style

This proved that denim-on-denim doesn’t have to be predictable, a little mix can elevate your look.
Chioma’s style comprises of a denim jacket, the sleeves on the other hand were a rich brown leather material. Worn unbuttoned, revealing a white tank top beneath it. Paired with a high-waisted jean. She completed the outfit with a white low heel complementing the tank top, an oxblood purse. Her accessories were simple- layered necklaces, stud earrings, and a stylish sunglasses.

Chinenye Nnebe’s Personal Style

Chinenye took a slightly different approach that might have been inspired by the weather or simply her personal style. A black coat was worn over her denim, the jacket was a bit darker than the jeans trousers. Her choice of accessories kept the outfit minimal — It was paired with a black chain bag, black shoes, and a pair of sunglasses. A simple wristwatch and earrings completed the look.

Tokemakinwa Likes It Dramatic 

If love glamorous styles, then you should take lessons from Tokemakinwa.
Her denim jacket featured shoulder cutouts, while keeping its long-sleeve structure. The high-fashion detailing didn’t stop there — the jeans had the same cutout at the hip. She opted for metallic silver heels and a color-pop bag in bright orange and blue — Simple round earrings, a necklace and oversized sunglasses.

Medlinboss Keeps It Casual

Last but definitely not least, we have Medlinboss giving a more laid-back denim style. This is the kind of outfit you’d wear for a relaxed fun day. She went for an open denim jacket layered over a white V-neckline tank top Her jeans were neither tight, nor loose, it had unique patterned detail at both knees.
Different from the previous looks, she paired hers with sneakers, her pink mini bag complemented the sunglasses. Then finishes it off with a lemon yellow cap.

Final Thoughts
So whether you’re going bold like Toke or laid-back like Medlinboss, denim on denim is officially back and it’s here to stay.

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