A Point of Geeks report

It would be hard to find another character who has been as undervalued and scrutinized more than Wonder Woman. One of the longest running superhero comic books in existence has been overlooked for a big screen adaptation for over 75 years. That is an incredibly long amount of time for one of the most recognizable characters in popular culture.
Last year the announcement of a Wonder Woman solo film and the casting of Gal Gadot made headlines all over the world. It was the first time in history the iconic character would be seen on the big screen and fans were excited. It didn't take long for the inevitable backlash to hit shore however, full of armchair critics picking apart the physical appearance of Gadot. The actress recently spoke to Robot Underdog about the avalanche of criticism that she received when her casting was initially announced.

    "They said that I was too skinny and my boobs were too small. [Laughs] I’m really lucky nothing in my life was instantaneous. When I was younger I would take criticism really hard. But now it mostly amused me. The true Amazons had one boob so it won’t bother them in their archery. So it’s not going to be like real Amazons. We always try to make everyone happy but we can’t...."

It is more vital that an actor embody the essence of a character, over simply looking like a carbon copy. If adaptations were that stringent, we would have never gotten Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne or Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight. Both portrayals looked visually different from the comic book counterparts, however the actors and director were able to figure out what makes the characters tick and connect it with the larger audience. In so doing, they were able to actually add to the mythology of the characters.The upcoming superhero universe that Zack Snyder is creating will continue to modify and add to the legend of all of the DC Comics' characters who are involved. The opportunity to play such an iconic role has not been taken for granted by Gadot. She went on to explain her excitement level for playing the character.

    "Playing Wonder Woman is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t describe to you how much I wanted to play this character without even knowing I wanted to play her. I met a lot of people from the industry in LA for meetings. They always asked me ‘what’s your dream role?’, and I never could define it. I always answered that I wanted to play a women that is strong and will be a source for women empowerment. I don’t want to play a damsel in distress that needs to be saved. I don’t like it when women in the movies are shown as the victims. I always thought that if I could send out a massage I want to show the strong side of a woman and how she can handle tough situations. Yes, I get to play the strongest most empowering woman ever – Wonder Woman. I’m so grateful and I thank god every day. I want to devour it and enjoy every bite."

It seems as if she is taking the right approach to the role and the added pressure that comes along with it. After the introduction of Diana Prince in next year's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, the Wonder Woman solo film will be the next to carry the baton for DC Comics on film. This will be the largest scale female-led superhero film ever at that point, so the fact that Gadot is eagerly "devouring" the pressure is an encouraging sign. Her acting potential is unknown at this point, with only really the Fast and Furious on her resume. Living up to the legend of Wonder Woman will not be measured in cup sizes, but in the humanity that she is able to bring to the screen. The world has been awaiting the arrival of DC Comic's first lady for years. Gadot's confidence in the project seems genuine and hopefully we will soon get to see the legendary icon take her rightful place in comic book movie history.
Wonder Woman is coming to theaters June 23rd, 2017.

Menswear has come a long way from the classic black suit. Style has evolved from the classic black, to blue, grey, orange and now print. Also, not just print but also colourful print.
We have noticed the emergence of the male fashion icon and how he is not afraid to express his style through whatever medium, be it coloured socks, a pile of accessories or suits in the brightest print. Not just Ankara print but also tartan, plaid and even the chevron print.
Nigerian designers are also on to this trend with the likes of McMeka and JReason churning out collections with the most interesting print suits we have ever seen.
This trend is gradually taking over. So, would you rock a print suit?

 Words by Mide Coker

Armed Fulani herdsman (illustrative purposes only)

 (Nigerianwatch)
Fulani herdsmen in Enugu State have reportedly killed a community leader in the Udi Local Government Area of the state.

85-year-old Tagbuo Oguejiofor was said to have been killed on his farm in Oma Eke village, according to Punch.

Oguejiofor is said to have chased some herdsmen off his farm after their cattle destroyed crops and polluted a well on his land.

This action is believed to have led to his death at the hands of the herdsmen.

“The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, through its operatives. has commenced full scale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of a man as well as its motives at his farm land at Oma Eke in Udi Local Government Area of the state on 19/3/15,” police spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu said confirming the incident.

“The deceased identified as one Tagbuo Oguejiofor, believed to be about 85 years, had on Thursday, gone to his farm, located at Oma Eke in Udi with his wife, when some men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, struck and killed him as he was allegedly inflicted with injuries on his head,” Amaraizu added.

“The deceased body is now deposited in a nearby hospital for autopsy while a manhunt for the fleeing assailants has intensified,” the officer said.

This comes after Fulani herdsmen attacked some communities in Benue State reportedly leaving 95 people dead.

At least five people have died in Taraba State after Fulani herdsmen launched an attack on Ananum village in the Donga Local Government Area of the state.

The herdsmen were also said to have left many people injured during the invasion which occurred on Monday, March 23.

The attackers, numbering about 200, were said to have been brandishing guns with which they inflicted bullet wounds on many residents.

An eyewitness, Ages Tarza said that the Fulani herdsmen had been attacking Tiv villages in the area for a while.

“Instead of providing security, security personnel have been arresting and detaining our people, who are innocent and have not attacked a single Fulani man,” Tarza told Vanguard.

“The herdsmen attacked two of our villages, Ananum and Wahanye, and reduced them to rubble,” he added.

The incident has been confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Joseph Kwaji.

Kwaji stated that investigations into the attack were already underway.

APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu (The Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that many members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) would soon join its ranks.

The defectors from the PDP to the APC are expected to come from Kebbi, Niger and some North-Central states.

This was disclosed by the Kebbi State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Sanni Dododo during a meeting on Thursday, March 19.

“In Niger State, the governor did not perform so his deputy came with some advisers and members of the PDP to our party and they hatched a plan. Some decided to stay in the PDP but by next week, you will see many of them will join the APC,” Dododo said.

“So the issue is that Niger State is 90 per cent of APC. In Kebbi, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip and Deputy Whip and nine others in the House of Assembly have joined the APC from the PDP,” he added.

“Five commissioners and local government chairmen have joined us. So North-West and most parts of North-Central are now speaking with one voice. Because of some strong governors like Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State who are giving us support we are spreading. So we will deliver during the elections,” he said.

Dododo also said that the mass defection would occur within the next four days.

Ethiopian scriptwriter and film director Hermon Hailay says she grew up close to prostitutes.

"I know them as young, beautiful women, mothers, sisters and friends," she tells me at a popular cinema in the middle of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

"I always wanted to tell their story, because I know it well. As a kid, I did not see the shame in what they do."

At just 28, Ms Hermon has already written and directed three feature films, all tackling social issues like poverty and the perils of rural to urban migration.

She was getting ready to travel to Burkina Faso for Africa's biggest film festival Fespaco, where her latest film, Price of Love, has been nominated for the top prize.

It follows the life of a young taxi driver who in the course of his job falls in love with a prostitute.He is then forced to confront his past, having been raised by his mother, who also earned her living from prostitution.

This is not uncommon in Ethiopia where prostitution is widespread, but is at times spoken of in low tones.

Despite the country's impressive and fast-growing economy, a large part of the population still lives on less than a dollar a day.

Every evening, heavily made up "business ladies", as they are called, line up on Addis Ababa's streets in short skimpy dresses."In the three movies I have done before, I had small roles of prostitutes and I always wanted to have a major role in one of them," says Ms Hermon.

"It's of course a very controversial topic and people ask me why I include such roles in my movies but I think we have never told enough, and if we think prostitution is bad, we should change that by loving them, not shunning them - that is the message of my movie."

'Change a life'

Creator Matt Weiner, along with cast members Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, and John Slattery were in attendance when executives revealed “The Draper Bench,” a simple black piece modeled after the iconic final frame of Mad Men’s opening credits.

Mad Men fans endured temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Monday morning to catch a glimpse of the show’s stars outside New York’s Time-Life building—which also houses the fictional agency depicted in AMC’s drama.