THE WOMAN KING

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from director Gina Prince-Bythewood and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of THE WOMAN KING.

It is 1823 in West Africa and General Nanisca (Viola Davis) lives in the kingdom of Dahomey. As the leader, she takes the group of women warriors known as the Agojie, to free Dahomean women who are taken by the Oyo Empire. Their motive is to sell the women to slavers. 

King Ghezo (John Boyega) is outraged and knows it will be war against the Oyo. Preparing, Nanisca begins to train a new batch of women who want to be Agojie warriors. Among these is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a young girl who refuses anyone that her father wants her to marry. Fed up with her defiance, he drops her off at the gates of the Agojie training camp. Immediately, Nawi becomes friends with Izogi (Lashana Lynch) who is very close to Nanisca.

The Oyo are not done with the Dahomean people as Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes), a Portuguese slaver, is working with General Oba Ade (Jimmy Odukoya). Nawi learns from her friendship with a young Malik (Jordan Bolger), that the Oyo plan to attack and she tells Nanisca. Nanisca has a few secrets of her own to tell Nawi about a time she was captured by Oba and the terror she endured.

Nanisca and the warriors attack the Oyo but Nawi and Izogie are captured and put on the market. Nanisca is told by King Ghezo to stand down but she makes it clear that she is not going to leave Nawi in the hands of those who will harm her.

Now, the Agoji and General Nanisca are about to show what courage and determination look like!

Davis as Nanisca is dedicated to training and fighting for her King. Training the new women is important and makes it clear how they work together as a team and the importance their history. Davis gives us a strong character with moments of real emotion and strength but then again, that is exactly how we have come to see this amazing actress.

Mbedu as Nawi is equally as strong as a young girl who will not be tied to domestic life. Being dropped off with the Agojie becomes the focus she needs to starting a new life. Mbedu’s performance is full of defiance and it makes for such an appealing character to watch from start to finish.

Boyega as the King is basically a leader who wants to do right by his people. Realizing Nanisca is a strong female presence for his people, even if he forbids her to do things, he also knows she is going to do what’s right.

Bolger as Malik is a young man who understands the old kingdom and the new slavers. Knowing what is right and wrong, his friendship with Nawi allows him to do what’s right. Odukoya as General Oba Ade shows the attitude and oppression of slavers which is a rough role to take but important at the same time.

Other cast includes Sheila Atim as Amenza, Masali Baduza as Fumbe, Jayme Lawson as Shante, Adrienne Warren as Ode, Siv Ngesi as Migan, Angelique Kidjo as Meunon, Zozibini Tunzi as Efe, Makgoso M as Iniya, Thando Dlomo as Kelu and Julian Tennon as Moru.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Content includes A Caterpillar’s Destruction, Viola Davis on Set, Representation Matters, Woman/Warriors, Storytellers, Thuso Mbedu Auditions, Filmmaker and Commentary.

The African-American Film Critics Association has given the film Best Picture as well as the National Board of Review Top Ten Film. The film is also a nominee with the DiscussionFilm Critics Award, Hollywood Critics Association Creative Arts Award, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Satellite Awards, Sunset Film Circle Awards and The Female Movie Star of 2022 for Viola Davis.

THE WOMAN KING is a thought-provoking look at a time in the history of African slavery. To see the amazing Agojie come together with a single goal of protecting a kingdom, its people and fighting against slavery on their own front.

Davis leads a cast that is strong and as fierce as the warriors they portray. It is a story of strong connections, family, love, and knowing that everything they believe in deserves to be protected and cherished.

In the end – inspired by true events!

 

 

 

Netflix Brings Immortality with THE OLD GUARD

Jeri Jacquin

Currently as a Netflix original film from director Gina Prince-Bythewood and Skydance is a story based on the graphic novel bring to life THE OLD GUARD.

Andy (Charlize Theron) is the leader of a group of mercenaries that go where they are needed to right wrongs in the world. Along with her crew Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), they are on a mission but finds it to be a set up. After a firefight, those doing the shooting realize that the Andy and crew are not as dead as they thought.

While recuperating, soldier Nile (Kiki Layne) is doing her duty and trying to find a wanted man in Afghanistan. Thinking they had their man; it quickly turns badly and Nile is grievously injured. When she wakes up, Nile knows that something is different, and it isn't until she is captured by Andy does she know what it is.

Andy quickly explains that she is now one of them, an immortal and not just any immortal. They are hundreds of years old and Nile is the newbie. When they are attacked again, Nicky and Joe are captures and taken to a man named Merrick (Harry Melling) with the help of Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor).

They want the secret of the immortals, Copley for humanitarian reasons and Merrick for purely selfish reasons. Andy isn't about to let that happen and with the help of Nikki they are going to get Nicky and Joe back, whatever it takes. When push comes to shove, nothing stops an immortal!

Theron as Andy is as strong of a character as she has ever played. It is truly great to see this actress continue to take on roles that are strong, tough and kick-ass. I would expect nothing less after seeing her in the 2015 MAD MAX: Fury Road and 2017's ATOMIC BLONDE. In this film she once again proves that she may be down again…and again…and again, but always doing right is timeless.

Layne as Nile quickly becomes Andy's sidekick being equally as tough and strong even being new to the immortal game. Knowing that what she has become changes her life in more ways than she could possibly imagine, she discovers quickly that she easily fits into this new life that she had no control over. Well done Ms. Layne!

Schoenaerts as Booker has been with the group for more years than he can count, and he recalls what his life has been like so far. It is good to see Schoenaerts in an equally heavy character role and he makes it look so easy. Ejiofor as Copley has his own personal reason for wanting to find THE OLD GUARD, but he isn't going about it the right way. Ejiofor seems to choose roles based on duality of his characters in dilemma situations but if you're good at something, don't mess with the formula, right?

Marinelli as Nicky is just as tough, even if there is a relationship with Joe played by Marwan Kenzari. This duo put together are tough and strong in a situation that they have faced time and time again.

The surprise might be Melling as Merrick and it’s going to drive people nuts trying to figure out why he looks familiar. I'm not about to give it away either because I think it will be such a surprise when it comes to the viewer. Melling gets a chance to be a full grown greedy bad guy.

Other cast include Van Veronica Ngo as Quynh, Natacha Karam as Dizzy, Mette Towley as Jordan, Anamaria Marinca as Dr. Kozak, Micheal Ward a Lykon, Shala Nyx as Gita, Majid Essaidi as Sadeq and Joey Ansah as Keane.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information please visit www.netflix.com.

THE OLD GUARD is a film that mixes the possibilities of being immortal with what is means to live as an immortal. Living through the ages, Andy and her crew have seen it all and they have even experienced loss, but on a level that most humans cannot even comprehend.

Director Prince-Bythewood has directed a story based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka that leaves the door wide open for another film and more story to tell. There are two points to notice at the end (and no I'm not telling you) that will make it clear that it is possible, and I actually wouldn't mind seeing where the story goes.

Netflix is working its flix-off to give subscribers some real quality entertainment choices. THE OLD GUARD is exactly what the quarantine ordered with adventure, action and a solid storyline that is easy to follow even if you have not read the graphic novel. So, break out the popcorn and have a Friday or Saturday night at-the-movies right in your own home.

In the end - forever is as hard as it looks!