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    Movie Review

    The Woman King shows strength of female-fronted armies and movies

    Alex Bentley
    Sep 14, 2022 | 2:13 pm
    Viola Davis in The Woman Kingplay icon
    Viola Davis in The Woman King.
    Photo by Ilze Kitshoff

    One of the more striking aspects of 2018’s Black Panther was the Dora Milaje, the all-female army that served King T’Challa in Wakanda. What many may not know is that group was inspired by a real-life group of women warriors from the kingdom of Dahomey, which was located in what is now known as the West African nation of Benin for over 300 years.

     

    That actual history — or a fictionalized version of it — comes to life in the new film The Woman King. The titular character is General Nanisca (Viola Davis), who leads a group called the Agojie, who protect Dahomey and King Ghezo (John Boyega). Nanisca is one of the leading contenders to become the Kpojito, aka Woman King, of Dahomey, a honorific bestowed by the king on a woman who would be considered his equal.

     

    Much of the film is devoted to Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a girl who’s turned over to the Agojie by her father after refusing an arranged marriage. Nawi and other new potential soldiers go through intense training to be up to the standards of the group, which must take on rival groups in the area like the Oyo Empire, as well as protect Dahomey from the ever-encroaching threat of slave traders.

     

    Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, the film is at its most successful when dealing with the Agojie instead of the internal and external politics of Dahomey. The Agojie are full of interesting characters, including Nanisca, Nawi, Izogie (Lashana Lynch), Amenza (Sheila Atim), and Ode (Adrienne Warren). The film flourishes when showing their conversations, fighting skills, and camaraderie.

     

    Things get bogged down a bit when the story expands. It’s mentioned that, as progressive for their time as they were, Dahomey also aided and abetted the slave trade, even selling people from the Oyo and elsewhere. The thorniness of that revelation is never truly explored, something that becomes even more noticeable when two slave traders — Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) and Malik Diallo (Jordan Bolger) — become a big part of the story. Malik, the son of a slave and a slave trader, is even presented as a possible romantic interest for Nawi, a subplot that’s wholly unnecessary.

     

    The battle scenes are on par with any recent good action movie, staged well by Prince-Blythewood and Fight Choreographer Jénel Stevens. As is becoming more common, especially with female-focused movies, the crew is comprised of many women, including Davis, Maria Bello (who also has a story credit), and Cathy Schulman as producers. The attention paid to ensuring all of the female actors are represented well throughout the film is clear and appreciated.

     

    Davis is as impressive as actors come, but this role brings something completely different out of her. She is the picture of strength in both demeanor and physique, embodying the part of a general in every way one could imagine. The rest of the Agojie are also fantastic, especially Mbedu, Lynch, and Atim, with their chemistry together making them instantly likable. The men are fine, although Boyega makes for a less-than-compelling king.

     

     The Woman King is yet more proof that, given the opportunity, women can perform as well — if not better — than their male counterparts at stereotypically male pursuits. The real-life historical basis for this particular story brings that reality into even further relief.

     

    ---

     

    The Woman King opens in theaters on September 16.

    Viola Davis in The Woman King.

    Viola Davis in The Woman King
      
    Photo by Ilze Kitshoff
    Viola Davis in The Woman King.
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    Pickleball News

    Indoor pickleball concept from Georgia bounces into Frisco

    Raven Jordan
    Jul 7, 2025 | 7:06 pm
    Pickleball paddles
    Ace
    Pickleball paddles face off.

    There's a new indoor pickleball concept coming to Dallas: Called Ace Pickleball Club, it's a growing chain from Georgia, making its Texas debut in Frisco in an old BuyBuy Baby space at at 2930 Preston Rd. #600. According to a release, it opens July 12.

    Ace Pickleball was founded in Roswell, Georgia in 2023, and calls itself the only facility of its kind, delivering a member-focused approach and all-inclusive pricing.

    Professional-grade cushioned courts and a welcoming community create the optimal playing experience for all skill levels. The chain currently has 15 locations across the U.S. including Colorado, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

    They emphasize an inclusive community with unlimited open play, and offer clinics, tournaments, social events, and ball machine reservations. They also offer paddle demos so that members can test out the newest technology from a variety of brands to find their favorite.

    When they open, they'll offer free introductory pickleball clinics for beginners to go over the rules of the sport and feel more comfortable as they learn about the game.

     Ace Pickleball Club Ace Pickleball ClubAce Pickleball Club 

    Indoor facilities have an advantage in that they're impervious to weather so players can play year-round.

    The Frisco location is a nearly 33,000-square-foot facility with 11 full-size courts and one dinking court designed to welcome players of all skill levels. Memberships are $129 monthly with the first month free.

    Bringing the concept to Frisco is Juan Menchaca, a former corporate worker who is a pickleball player himself. When he and his wife relocated to the DFW area in May 2023, he brought with him a lifelong dream of opening a sports facility.

    Introduced to pickleball by his brother-in-law, who is now training to go pro in pickleball, Menchaca was instantly hooked by the game’s fast pace, simple rules, and strong sense of community.

    Opening a dedicated pickleball facility felt like the ideal first serve into the world of sports.

    “I saw the demand I knew Ace Pickleball Club was the right fit,” Menchaca says. “The model is perfect for all skill levels across the Frisco community. I’ve always wanted to create something people could rally around, and this not only provides that, but helps in bringing our community closer.”

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