The budgets for Nollywood films are so tight they can make The Blair Witch Project seem like a James Cameron production. However, what Nollywood lacks in technical expertise, it more than makes up for in entertainment value, while showing aspects of African life we seldom see.

Here are three Nollywood films on DVD that Patrik thinks you should check out:

This Is Nollywood (2007)

Don't know much about Nollywood? Start with This Is Nollywood, a fascinating documentary offering an insider's view of the industry. Celebrated Nollywood filmmaker Bond Emerwua follows one of his peers (and his cast and crew) for the chaotic nine-day shoot of Check Point, a film budgeted at $20,000. The director's go-for-broke spirit is infectious, as is this documentary, which is as compelling as some of the Nollywood films it documents and celebrates.

Beyonce: The President's Daughter (2006)

This smash-hit Ghanaian series has captured the attention of viewers around the globe. The film's stars, — Van Vicker (Raj), Nadia Buari (Beyonce) and Jackie Agyeman (Ciara) — are as popular with Nollywood fans as Western superstars such as Angelina Jolie, George Clooney and Keira Knightley. An out-and-out campy hoot, Beyonce concerns star-crossed lovers: working-class girl Ciara, handsome good guy Raj and complicated wealthy girl Beyonce, who is determined to keep the lovers apart. Patrik suggests watching the first video in the series — there are innumerable spinoffs and ripoffs — but, like any guilty pleasure, you won't want to stop once you've started. Here's a sample.

Games Men Play (2006)

Games Men Play is the sequel to the Nollywood classic Games Women Play, a glamorous, over-the-top relationship-driven melodrama written by Emem Isong and directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen — both are leaders of the Nollywood film movement. Games Men Play takes on a roundelay of indiscretions among several elite Lagosians. In this film, Patrik says, you'll get doses of the style and substance of Nollywood fare.

Patrik Henry Bass discusses the Nollywood phenomenon with John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji on Wednesday's Takeaway.

Editor's note: The number of Beyonce offshoots was removed, reflecting uncertainty over movies in the proper Beyonce series, movies starring the actress who portrays Beyonce and movies that are just plain ripoffs.