anohso121 Reviews

Still Here (V) (2023)

An Enjoyable Movie

[7/10 · 25 November 2023]

Over the past few years I have been thankful for Nollywood movies because they allow me to enjoy an all Black cast without the script being about thuggery. I have been put off African-American made movies in recent years because I can't stand to hear my beautiful Black people calling themselves the N-word and the B-word and behaving as if gangsterism is what we are about. Still Here has renewed my faith in African-Americans because it showcases that Black people can deliver a thrilling movie, with depth and class. The writing was top-notch, the acting was convincing and the plot was well paced and leaves you satisfied in the end. So a big thank you to Chris Stokes for this wonderful production. I look forward to his other projects.

Go Go (2023– )

A Rather Poor Effort

[3/10 · 9 June 2023]

Watching this show makes me feel stuck waiting for an overdue delayed flight. The cast is definitely hot, and one cannot get enough of seeing gorgeous men in sexy underpants. But as that 80s singer said, we don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time. Therefore, the producers mistakenly thought half-naked hot men would be enough to keep an audience engaged. But not even this thirsty viewer could overlook the flaws.

The show started with a hint at what would center its plot, but thereafter, it's like it landed in the middle of the story. Not only that, the jumping of scenes in the club setting, makes me feel trapped. And to make matters worse, the awful Hip-Hop music being played only serves to reduce the potency of the scene. When will movie makers realize that rap music does not add value to their project? Hip-Hop does not add value. It makes it cheap and tacky. Hence the reason I did not go past 15 minutes.

Horseplay (2022)

Five stars for the eye-candies

[5/10 · 6 November 2022]

Horseplay is just a remake of Taekwondo, but with more nudity and homoerotic moments. There are identifiable themes emerging from the horsing around, but none of these were explored. Therefore, it leaves the film lacking in substance. I believe the person who made Taekwondo is responsible for Horseply, so I am at a loss as to why they would make a similar film without building the characters or explore the hinted themes to build a narrative that is relateable and teachabe! To be honest, I have seen adult films with better plots. So watch for the eye-candies and not for the storyline because one doesn't exist.

King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021)

A Brilliant Series From Nigeria!!!

[10/10 · 2 September 2021]

I am so happy I came across this series. I enjoyed it thoroughly from the beginning to the end. I hope there will be a season two.

My family loves to watch Nigerian films, but I often find the production rather poor, and I was often put off by the obsession with Christianity and the tendency to demonize traditional Nigerian spirituality. But this series cast a fair balance. Yes, religion is a big part of Nigerians' life, but so too are many other things, and the creators of this series gave us a glimpse of the huge potential Nollywood holds because this series actually rivals many similar films coming out of Hollywood.

The writing and directing were on point, the actors were superb: the lead actor, Sola Sobowale, was unbelievable brilliant. I also love the costume. Another thing to mention is the many Nigerian proverbs shared throughout the episodes. I didn't know Nigerians have so many wise sayings. They gave the writing/drama a strong boost.

Son of Macho Dancer (2021)

A Big Disappointment

[3/10 · 18 July 2021]

I watched the original Macho Dancer a year or so ago, and I was so impressed I gave it 7 stars. The original was a film done in the 1980s with, what I would imagine, limited resources. Therefore, I was completely disappointed to see the follow-up so poorly done 30 years later in an era where we have access to improved video-making technology. I have seen films made by iPhone with Hollywood picture quality. But the major faults go beyond cinematography and fall squarely in the laps of the scriptwriter and director.

What I watched was a film without a clear direction and a pace that felt very rushed. The fact that the writer sets this film during the Covid-19 Pandemic, but failed to reflect the reality of the Covid-19 measures, tells us that this film was not fully thought-out.

I will not blame the actors because I did not get the impression that they were incapable of delivering, but poor directing brings out poor acting. I give this film 3 stars simply because the macho dancers were well-picked. Unfortunately, the producers did not know how to make good use of them because, after 30 years, you'd expect some improvements with their choreography.

Don Filipo (2021)

A Gay-Themed Horror Well Done!

[8/10 · 1 June 2021]

I have come across a few American-made gay-themed horror movies and I am always left disappointed by the amateurish acting and banal script. Don Filipo, on the other hand, has won me over on so many levels. I find the story quite riveting in its presentation. It is not about originality, but the proper use of directing. The actors did a fantastic job capturing the scenes that even though the movie did not have the benefits of Hollywood special effects, the pacing, lighting, background music and the actors presence make each scene authentic and interesting. Kudos to the writer and director because this was a gay-themed horror done tremendously well.

Dance of the 41 (2020)

All My Sympathies Went To The Wife

[6/10 · 13 May 2021]

I have no patience for people who use others. The wife was willing to compromise but the husband was too hellbent on fulfilling his desires. The neglect of the wife irritates me so much I could not sympathize with the 41.

It's a Sin (2021)

A Moment In Time We Must Never Forget

[9/10 · 27 January 2021]

After reading about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and saw several documentaries about it, I have always tried to avoid watching movies that deal with the subject matter. But I am so glad I watched this film because it was so beautifully done. Quite sad, I must admit. But there are many moments of love and hope - I suppose it was that love and hope which have helped us to reach where we are today where HIV/AIDS is not the death sentence it was back in the 90s. Kudos to the writers, directors and the beautiful and talented actors. You have taken us back to an era we must never forget.

Dry Wind (2020)

A Thrilling Film

[10/10 · 2 January 2021]

I gave this film a ten-star rating because it deserves, at least, an 8! I love it when a film which is targeted to a mature audience delivers on its promise, and this film accomplishes this perfectly.

Yes, there are graphic sex scenes and nudity of beautiful men, but at no time did if fall into a porn-flick. And anyone who argues otherwise does not know what is porn.

The cinematography, the background sounds, music, and the arrangement of the scenes are enough to keep your mind focus that this is a serious film about love, identity, fear, a clash of cross-generational perspectives of acceptance of one's homosexuality, among other issues. Ricardo, who appears younger is ready to commit and declare to the world his love for Sandro. But Sandro is stuck in the era when gays navigate the underworld even when in plain sight.

The film is almost 2 hours long but it felt shorter than some Shorts I've watched. This is another indication of how brilliant this film is. The plot was well-developed and easy to follow. The actors played their role confidently. I was very impressed by Renata Carvalho's performance. She did an exceptional job in the supporting role.

There is so much more to be said about this film, but I will end by saying that this will be one of my favorite gay-themed films ever, and I hope there will be more daring and satisfying films like this one in the near future.

Funny Boy (2020)

Can We Be Mature?

[8/10 · 10 December 2020]

I just watched this film, and I enjoyed it so much I rushed here to give it my rating - My decided rating usually reflects the overall IMDb score. Therefore, I was surprised to find a 5.5 score. However, I saw that one person gave Funny Boy a 1-star rating based on the fact the language spoken was incorrect. Seriously? This film does not bill itself as a true story; it is a work of fiction set in a location and period of historical significance. But even so, no mature person rates a film based on one flaw. What about cinematography, the plot, the dialogue, the acting, etc. All these things should inform a person's score. Therefore, this film deserves a far better score than what it presently has.

Brave New World (2020)

Sometimes A Beautiful Cast Can't Save The Day

[4/10 · 13 September 2020]

I thought I'd give Brave New World a go because I enjoy watching shows set in the future. I watched the pilot, and though it did not give a compelling reason to continue on, I kept watching. Episode 3 and 4 were entertaining, but after the dust settled down, I could not help asking myself repeatedly: Why am I watching this show? Where is it going? Brave New World is packed with eye candies, but it lacks substance. It is obvious that the new world is full of problems and its occupants are high on anti-depressant. Therefore, 6 episodes shouldn't pass without some glimpse into the alternative world; surely, it's not a return to "savage land." I guess I will never know because I have given up.

Northern Exposures (1993 Video)

This has nothing to do with surfing

[5/10 · 2 August 2020]

I do not know who posted the storyline on IMDb, but this video has nothing to do with surfing. The setting was mostly in the woods and far away from any beach. The plot is basically about Francis Scott coming to spend time with his ex-lover, Claude Jourdan, while he attends some fest. Claude lives with his current lover, Storm, who agrees to host Francis. After Claude got the call from Francis, he and Storm had sex in the lawn. When Francis got there, Storm took him to see the surroundings on Claude's request, and they end up having sex in the woods. While having sex, their clothes and pickup got stolen by Rod Majors. From there on all the other sex scenes were disconnected from the main plot.

Coming of Age (2018)

A Coming of Age of what?

[1/10 · 16 July 2020]

The error made by this film is that it dares to paint pre 80s and post 90s gay men with a broad brush. The activities of monogamy and promiscuity have always been a part of the gay experience. Grindr simply replaced much of the toilet and park cruising. From ancient Rome, we have men desiring to marry each other. One could argue that the idea of gay promiscuity was a direct response to homophobia. But there are many accounts of gay men choosing to pursue exclusive relationships. I am certain many gay men escaped the gay pandemic because they were in faithful relationships. And this idea of faithfulness still exists among younger gay men of 2020. There are many gay men today who want to fall in love with one man and live faithfully, and if the need to fool around with others comes about, it would be organic. I distinctly remember during the fight for gay marriage that many older gay guys were arguing that those in favor of gay marriage were seeking to pander to a heteronormative worldview. Thus, another mistake made by the writer is when they blended the circa 80's fight for gay rights with the push for gay marriage. Let's face it gay relationships, regardless of the generational differences, are not as black and white as is suggested by this film.

Prodigal Son (2017)

Definitely Not The Prodigal Son

[2/10 · 13 July 2020]

The biblical prodigal son tells a story of redemption: a father's unconditional love for his wayward child. Amalia Ramirez's Prodigal Son tells a different story. This son was ambitious and hardworking. Unlike the son in the gospel story, this son was not whoring around or wasting his parents' investment, his only sin is that he's gay. Therefore, there is really no prodigal son in this film. That is not to say there is no lesson to learn here, just that the writer failed to use this opportunity to deliver one that is inspiring.

Bliss Point (2017)

Well done but needed a bit more insight

[6/10 · 21 June 2020]

There is no dialogue in this short. Therefore, everything rests on facial expression, body language and the background music/sound. I believe the activity of rowing a small boat across a lake to an isolated spot surrounded by nature was a brilliant choice. However, while the two guys were able to demonstrate chemistry and passion within the brief minutes of the film, there was nothing to give me a sense of who they were. But I always appreciate a film with a romantic, unsimulated sex scene.

Present Still Perfect (2020)

An Excellent Romance Film

[9/10 · 31 May 2020]

I have watched a lot of gay-themed romance movies, and I must say that this was the best one I've seen so far. I tend to expect to see some steamy sex scenes to enjoy these kinds of films, but I was captivated by the strong and endearing storyline and the authentic performance put on by the cast that I didn't miss the lack of nudity. I can see this film going on to become a classic because it is so filled with charm that melts your heart. The comedic expressions did not come across forced or unnecessary. The pace of the film was also perfect as it pulls you in and let you experience the moments being lived by the main actors. Overall, Present 'Still' Perfect is an excellent film, and I look forward to seeing more like it.

A Stormy Night (I) (2020)

I Am Surprised

[1/10 · 18 May 2020]

I am surprised I actually made it past 22 minutes. This movie is more tiring than a walk to nowhere. The choice to use black and white over color sparked my interest, but the failure to add intriguing details or at least interesting dialogues ended up making a colorless film more dull. 22 minutes in and I there was nothing to ignite some energy or to give you a sense of where the writer wants to take you. David Moragas would have done better had he filmed a day in the life of a stray cat. I wish him better luck on his next project.

Fantasy Island (2020)

This movie deserves at least a 6.5 if not a 7 rating.

[10/10 · 18 May 2020]

I just finished watched this movie and I am surprised to see that it has a 4.8 rating, hence the reason I gave it a 10 to push it up. While this is not your typical haunting or gore horror, and not scary, I can appreciate the "horror" thematically. A beautiful island where people come to live out their most desired fantasy turns out to be a disappointment as lives are lost and expectations ruined. I find the cast quite entertaining as I recognize some of them from other movies, so I know they are competent actors. They carried the story well and I was able to watch the entire movie without feeling bored. Therefore, this movie deserves a better rating because I have seen horrible movies getting a 6+ rating.

Fuccbois (2019)

An Enjoyable Film

[7/10 · 29 April 2020]

I really enjoyed this film. The storyline was intriguing enough to keep you watching (not to mention the cast was beauiful), and the acting was believable. The buildup to the climax was well paced and it should give viewers the chance to sympathise with the main characters. There is room to develop the characters to see how they came to end up in the predicament they were forced to experience. The ending leaves a lot of questions. Therefore, I hope there will be a part two.

Little Fires Everywhere (2020)

A stellar performance from a talented cast

[9/10 · 27 April 2020]

I saw a lot of people making a fuss about Kerry Washington's facial expression: I am going to assume these people form their opinion after the second episode or without understanding the character or able to detect what kind of emotion was demanded. Kerry Washington played her part brilliantly. She was deep and dark. Purposely melancholic from a life of pain, hurt and disconnection. Therefore, I am surprised that these people expected Kerry to be laughing, smiling or expressing some emotions that would ruin the general tone of the series. In fact, we know that this was the correct emotion demanded by the creator, because when Tiffany Boone plays the younger Kerry, we see her also displaying the same expression. There was also a scene in one episode where Kerry's "expression" was mentioned; thus, it was intentional, and I believe it was the correct choice. I gave this series a 9 star rating because I was captivated right fro the start. I am not a big fan of teens in films, but the story each of the younger cast tells was powerful, and they played their role with the level of conviction needed to make it believable. Reese Witherspoon is a gem. She walked throughout her character like she lives it a thousand times. I love the fact that Reese can put a smile on your face even when you have to take her dramatic role seriously. This series deserves every award it will get.

Girl on the Third Floor (2019)

It was fairly good...

[6/10 · 1 November 2019]

I love horror movies and so I have come across my fair share of complete failures when it comes on to making a decent horror flick. Now this was not your typical let me scare you with creepy sounds and ghoulish images from the onet, but the makers were able to capture a sense of dread to keep you watching. In the end, I would say this was more of a thriller than horror. But overall, I would say the acting was decent, especially after finding out the main actor was a wrestler. I also found him quite sexy in this movie and I can tell the director was not shy about flaunting the actor's sex appeal. I always welcome a movie that appreciates that men can also be sexy. So do not watch this movie expecting a major fright, just be happy with the little horror-like delights.

Black Lightning (2018–2021)

I Love This Series

[8/10 · 20 August 2019]

I just recently discovered BL and I finished watching both seasons within a week. I love the characters, and the African American point of view that comes out really strong in terms of the themes tackled. I love the music that is played to capture the moments. I am surprised that its IMdB rating is not over 7.5stars because it is that good. Thankfully, there will be a season 3!

Ambitions (2019)

An Enjoyable Series

[10/10 · 2 August 2019]

I am amazed that so many people are being negative about this series. I think it is a very enjoyable and engaging series. The actors are gorgeous, the settings are attractive and the plots are quite intriguing (for the soap opera standard). The only temporary drawback I had was with Givens' delivery of the role: For the first two episodes, I thought she was a bit too dramatic and wanted her to tone it down. But now, after seven episodes, I love her persona and she is now one of my favorite characters. I am not a fan of Will Packer (for other reasons), but I do love Ambitions and thank him for creating this series. I know its rating will go up, just like the Tyler Perry series; and I must add that I do think Ambition is better directed and scripted than Tyler's THATHN and ILYIW. For that reason, I give Ambitions 10 stars because it deserves better than the 4 it has.

The Flash (2014–2023)

I loved it and then hated it

[4/10 · 2 August 2019]

When I discovered The Flash, I fell madly in love with it. The actors were lovable and engaging. The storylines were also well crafted and enjoyable. However, over several seasons, I became a bit annoyed that they introduced a storyline and when I watched the following episode thinking to get a conclusion, it was if it never happened. It took about three instances for me to realize I needed to watch The Arrow or Supergirl to find out what happened to that particular story. I can imagine this was a good idea to get persons to watch these other series. But I was in love with The Flash and not with The Arrows and Supergirl and I had no intention of watching those other series. Therefore, I felt cheated to be intrigued by a storyline and then not getting to know how the story concluded because it was assigned to The Arrow. The next issue I had, and the most upsetting, was the writers' obsession with Tom Cavanagh. They casted him in several different characters to the point it became RIDICULOUS! It's as if they were conflicted about whether to have The Flash as an Action/Fantasy or a full out comedy. I could not bear it.

Irreversible (2002)

Don't Waste You Time

[1/10 · 14 April 2019]

This movie is pure vile filth. Anyone who thought to make such a movie was worthwhile is a corrupted and evil person. Everything about this film is sickening and I seriously do not think I could ever watch anything by these actors because to agree to perform in such sickness makes me question your humanity.