MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

Eti Keta 

Producer - Saheed Balogun

Cast - Saheed Balogun, Kate Henshaw, Doris Ademinokan, Prince Jide Kosoko and others 

Here is a highly stylized albeit not a highly skillfully made film that speaks to people who are desperate and think that they can walk outside divine paths. Starring the irrepressible Saheed Balogun and Africa’s leading actress Kate Henshaw-Nuttal in lead roles, the movie simply put, revolves round two brothers--one who heeled abroad in search of greener pasture but who did not eventually live to enjoy the fruit of his search abroad and the other who in a desperate move to be comfortable and to pay back monies he had used to sponsor his elder’s brother trip abroad, joins a robbery gang that was later to be responsible for the death of his returning blood brother.  The movie gets weirder from that point.  

I have heard people say that Eti Keta is the best film of Saheed’s career but I don’t entirely agree. I think the movie merely represents just one of the best in his even career as an actor and producer.  And I say this because I have seen some of his earlier efforts like Modupe Temi starring Doris Ademinokan, to know that this movie with its bigger than life backdrop and equally outsized storyline could have been better rendered than it is. I will gloss over the ill-conceived idea of using only Ankara textile as costume for a movie with different periods and settings and just say that Eti Keta would have appealed to me if we didn’t have to rummage around cities on per minute basis for various sub-plots that even if taken out wont affect the main plot. I found those movements from Ilorin today, Lagos tomorrow and United States the next day particularly distracting. Besides, the version of the movie I saw at the National Theatre, begs for serious post-production redemption. If Saheed intends to exploit festivals with this as I read somewhere, he may have to take a second look at the sound in some scenes; at lighting which is why there are a couple of poor visuals and on some of the obvious sync difficulties that litter the movie. The steady actor must also consider subtitling the multi-lingual movie so that some of the high points of the movie would not be lost on moviegoers. Good subtitling too will also make up for some of the slurred lines of a few of the actors.

But the movie does its best to be more than just a movie that is intended to excite. Apart from Saheed’s clever combination of low comedy and high melodrama, the movie maintained a certain sense of dramatic gravity that helped to temper its predictability path and limp conclusion. The movies other strength is in Saheed’s ability to pull the right cast. Kate Henshaw-Nuttal proved her versatility in the movie with the few flawless words of Yoruba she managed. This will be Kate’s first major outing in a Yoruba flick and she was roundly on top of her game. The Efik princess had room to breathe here and she didn’t disappoint at all. Indeed Kate, Doris Ademinokan and a few of the actors (but certainly not the white chap and his daughter in the movie) contributed in giving the movie its acting credits.

 

Find this to watch. Nothing in the story is new but it resembles a great adventure and it appears riveting enough to hold attention.  There are also a couple of lovely scenes in the movie. I particularly like that scene where Saheed appears to his fiancée at the very end. I also like the scene where the armed robber disappears and appears on a busy highway in Lagos. There was a deafening applause when that scene played out in the cinema. But before I forget, how come there was not a single gun shot hole on the car that was being chased by the police during one of the final crackdown? Details people. That’s what adds to making a movie more believable.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

ROYAL FAMILY

Producer- Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi

Director – Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi

Actors- Jim Iyke, Omotola Ekeinde, Emmanuel Ayalogu, Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, Sam Obiakeme and others

Princess (Omotola Ekeinde) the snobbish daughter of a wealthy chief is in love with this returnee spoil spot David (Jim Iyke). David is a banker who doesn’t know a quid about the profession. To make up, he engaged the services of one Michael (Emma Ayalogu) who is greatly disliked by Princess and her father Oba (Sam Obiakeme). Michael is loathed on each time he accompanies David to see Princess. As time pass, the Princess is struck by Michael intelligence and humility. She develops a liking for him; pays him a visit and the movie ends. There is a needless sequel because what is left of the story cannot fill a tape.

This story, a take on changed fortune excites. But it lacked the expected intimacy and it failed too to take wing and soar to a level of a great adventure because of the movies obvious low production value. Except for casting, it scored below average in all other departments.

It was however was refreshing to find Emma Ayologu, who mostly operates behind the scene in a supporting lead role here. His actions like that of the screen diva Omotola Ekeinde filled the entire flick with excitement and rhythm. Not sure who is at fault here. But the hyper active actor Jim Iyke appeared far out of his depth. When this happens to an actor who has been known to be consistent, then the problem most times will be with the script. This didn’t offer the actors much in terms of challenge. It was weak. The audio and visual quality of the flick wasn’t particularly any better.

In all, this represents a lame effort that has some cheap thrills. It particularly ran so low perhaps because Ikpoenyi, the celebrated one album gospel music star who called the shots here as director spent more time trying to improve his act as an actor than he did directing. Wonder why he thinks he should feature in all his movie offerings?

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

MADAM DEAREST

Producer- Tade Ogidan

Director- Tade Ogidan

Actors- Akin Lewis, Yemi Solade, Opeyemi Aiyeola, Sola Sobowale, Deji Adenuga, Lere Paimo and others

The assertion that players in the self styled Nigerian home video culture dubbed Nollywood have strayed too far from telling engaging stories with likeable characters and a happy and unpredictable ending may not be true after all. Here is an engaging account-Madam dearest, from the stable of OGD pictures run by one of the sectors substantial movie directors and producers Tade Ogidan that is likely to welcome back patrons of good movies who may have perhaps concluded that the players here have stopped spinning good tales.

A brief synopsis so we don’t give out the story.  Biodun (Akin Lewis) a victim of circumstance is jailed for 85 years. His jail term is inexplicably cut short. He returns two years later to discover that a lot has happened behind him. His wife, Bukola (Opeyemi Aiyeola) had literary moved on. She had settled for Daniel, their educated and handsome houseboy of Ghanaian origin whom she had a son for. Biodun’s unexpected arrival spoils the fun for Daniel and Bukola. The movie ends minutes after Daniel eloped with the child. There is a sequel and the way this played out it is difficult to tell how it would eventually end. What is possible however is that the couple-Daniel and Bukola may become one again in spite of that costly interruption in the married life. 

This excites. It is decently acted and represents one effort that is worth your time and quid. It also gets thumb up for some underlying sarcasm about the realities of life. Though with much to trim and not enough timeline in between scene, the convincing performance by its competent cast, Sola Sobowale, Yemi Solade, Akin Lewis et al makes some fault here easily forgivable. As Daniel, Yemi Solade is likeable. He truly presented himself as someone thrust into a situation he couldn’t control. Sola Sobowale got it right here. She has a way with roles that are interpreted with slapstick desperation. She and Solade are about the best element of the film. That is not to suggest though that the other characters did not drop off a sincere performance. They all created a genuine depiction of their characters.

This without doubt has the richness of a rich and simple story. Not that it said anything new but it was confidently shot and represents a satisfying fare. Take a snack break when you feel a scene is too wordy or when you feel a scene is playing out like a scene in a soap opera.

BED OF ROSES

Producer – Chimezie Oguzie

Director  - Mac Collins Chidebe

Actors – Justus Esiri, Kanayo Kanayo, Eucharia Anunobi, Emeka Enyiocha, Jennifer Eliogu and others.

Married to a girl whose father is stupendously wealthy, Festus (Kanayo Kanayo) is handed a cheque of a huge amount as take off grant. His father in law thinks he should put some spark back into his life. He wants him also to quickly revive his moribund petroleum business. He transforms from a petty trader that he was to a business tycoon. But weeks after, Festus gets heady. He keeps late night and became so reckless with funds. Somewhere else he talks his younger brother into accepting to marry a wealthy dude Angela (Eucharia Ekwu) whom he had encountered. Festus wants Phillip (Emeka Enyiocha) to become as successful as he is and even more but all-on Angela’s wealth. Well Phillip approves of the proposal. He agrees to wed Angela and this means dumping Amaka his first love. But Phillip and Amaka had hardly settled down as man and wife when things turn sour. Angela becomes so quarrelsome and disrespectful. Amaka his earlier love wont try a bit of what Angela does. It was on that note of regret that the movie taxies off.

This is tasty. Mac Collins Chidebe who called the shot as director brought a light tone to this two part movie which made it resemble a rich and simple story even though predictable. But for the light tone, it could have easily been brooding and overtly stuffy.

Comparably this is a tale with its own integrity. Aside the fact that it has a number of life lessons to teach part of which is the warning that life is not all a bed of roses, it has many things going for it especially in the plot and plausibility department. Though its not the first to examine such miseries, it gripped us occasionally because of the refreshing manner it was told and principally because it was told with a thoroughly charismatic cast. Kanayo Kanayo holds the movie together with his precise characterization. He combined very well with the other cast members and he got good support from them.

See it. It doesn’t pretend to be a brilliant account but it’s a movie with a soul. 

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

DANGEROUS BABE

Producer – Kingsley Ogoro

Director  - Chico Ejiro

Actors – Regina Askia Williams, Charles Okafor, Ayo Adesanya Hassan, Paul Obazele

The producer’s first choice for a movie cop Ayo Emmanuel returns in Dangerous Babe and for the umpteenth time Ayo finds himself playing a cop as if that is all he is good at.

But the story is not about the gangling and ebony black “screen cop”. Somehow the plot zeroed in on Janet Obahon (Regina Askia-Williams) who walks into a conspiracy and earns a jail term. Rita (Ayo Adesanya Hassan) her friend who was responsible for the death of her husband Steve (Paul Obazele) and who planned it all takes on Emeka (Charles Okafor), the family lawyer. She insists on having an affair with Emeka (who has his eyes though on her friend Rita) and also wants her husbands ‘will’ altered. Janet soon gets out of jail and predictably she falls in love with Emeka. Not pleased, Rita frustrates the relationship. But by some stroke of luck, Emeka steps on a revelation that finally nails Rita. The movie rolls to its climax when Emeka eventually weds Janet.

Ogoro and Chico’s got something gripping here even though it was obvious that realism was sacrificed for aesthetics. It was evident too that the crew took so many things for granted and so details became second place. There were a few drawbacks aside the unpardonable synch problem with the songs Janet mimed to and wrong institutional representation where a suspect was hounded into jail without proper investigation. In the flick, Regina Askia was introduced as Janet Obahon. This leaves her as someone from the Edo/Delta axis. But when she soliloquized at some point, she did it in Efik? Two. Was the chap that brought Janet out of prison a warder? He didn’t look a bit a warder. Three. Was there a costume and make-up artist on set? There was none because a good costume and make-up artiste would have properly made up and costumed Janet if for nothing to justify time lapse after she was released from jail.

Grab a copy though. Aside the drawbacks, this movie with the signature of the self proclaimed Mr Prolific of the Movie- Chico Ejiro, makes for an interesting viewing and has a number of life lessons to teach. Great soundtrack too and spectacular performances especially by Charles Okafor, Ayo Adesanya Hassan and Paul Obazele.

LAGBAJA

Producer – Muyideen Alade Aromire

Director – Alade Aromire

Actor – Jide Kosoko, Yomi Ogunmola, Grace Adejobi, Peter Fatomilola etc.

Lagbaja the newest flick by Muyideen Aromire aka Alade lurks at a video outlet near you. Muyideen unarguably one of the first generation folk home movie producers latches on the popularity of the phenomenal musical character called Lagbaja to drop an interesting folk story- a simple but yet intriguing take on a defiant ruler. Nearly every one who has seen this movie has recommended it to someone else. They hold that it represents on of the “best Yoruba movie” offering in recent time.

 The story in brief: Otun (Ade Ajiboye) alleged to have attempted rape is derobed before the shrine of Lagbaja on the orders of Oba Aderigbibe (Gbolagbado Akinpelu). Ojekunle (Yomi Ogunmola) son of the shrine attendant is tied to the stake and shot over a spurious allegation. Vengeance is next. A killer mask that adorned same costume as the village mask- lagbaja but which was later discovered to be an aggrieved Otun leads the onslaught and renders the village ungovernable. Enters the twist. Death toll is on the rise. Oba holds Alagba responsible. The thinking is that he may have invoked the wrath of the masked god Lagbaja to avenge the death of his son. In between Oba seeks divine intervention. Ifa absolves Alagba of any blame. There is a further twist when Ifa names Adediyun (Toyin Oguntayo), the Oba’s only daughter as the architect of the many problems of the land. Oba is adviced to make peace with Otun. But Otun rejects the overture. The plot rolls to a poignant end when Otun is discovered to be behind the killer mask and when Adediyun incestuous activities were revealed by one of her trusted aides. Otun and Adediyun are tied to the stake and shot. And Lagbaja ends.

An engaging story, the movie Lagbaja in terms of story, plot execution and to some extent photography is no doubt far away from the rest. Just a few draw backs but definitely not in the area of acting because the actors put up a convincing performance. The natural acting talent of the late Yomi Ogunmola (this was one of his last movie appearances) and the promising actress Toyin Oguntayo oozed through out the flick. Peter Fatomilola (Oluawo) was as usual in his acting best. Subtitling was okay and it was merely expressive of dialogue. But the chaps here need to spend time on spell checks. There is no word or expression like “Faulsehood” or “becaming”. But see Lagbaja. Stock it if you can. It’s vintage Muyideen Aromire who always tries to impress. You will like that scene between Ajani and Adediyun. It was well enacted.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

MY BEST FRIEND

Producer – Michael Ezeanyache (OJ)

Director – Andy Amanechi

Actors – Omotola Ekeinde, Ngozi Ezeonu, Charles Ukpong, Enebeli Elebuwa and others

Mama (Bukky Ajayi) seeks the divorce of Bridget (Ngozi Ezeonu) on account of childlessness. Godwin or sometimes-called Godi (Enebeli Elebuwa) her son puts up a resistance. To placate her in-laws Bridget seeks her best friend Uju (Omotola Jalade Ekeinde) and talks her into accepting to have a child for her husband- a way of securing her marriage. Well Uju accepts the offer painstakingly though but what was not established at this point was the condition in which the ‘contract’ was entered. The twist comes when Uju consults a sorcerer to secure Godi’s attention. She succeeds but the caveat is for her to return to the sorcerer every six month to renew the spell. Well somewhere in the story Bridget is confirmed pregnant but she soon looses the pregnancy to Uju’s evil machinations. Just when Bridget thinks all is lost she ridiculously gets help from her late mum, gets pregnant again and hey! she is delivered of a baby boy. With help no longer coming from the sorcerer for Uju, a once shackled Godi is freed. He seeks Bridget. Uju is pardoned and they all live happily ever after.

A riveting encounter, My Best Friend came through as a dramatization of one of those fictions that are served in the weekly issues of some of the popular soft sell magazines. Its an unlikely Nigeria telling perhaps because of the way the plot was executed. But this was one movie that had a lot of things going for it. Except for the stiff steward and security officer Lekan Salako, this is one movie that pulled a good cast. The elder artiste Bukky Ajayi was at home in her role as Mama so for Tony Umole who was outstandingly in character in his role as Pastor Peter. No Umole, a veteran of Nigerian soaps, made those other screen pastors look like clowns. He interpreted his role with quiet confidence.

Stock the movie if you like movies with good scenery, appropriate theme and mood music, rich costumes, crisp pictures and right set materials. You are likely not going to be alone if you find the story incomprehensible - not with the fabulous and illogical way it was treated. But see it though. You may be inspired to keep some of your friends away from your matrimonial home. That seemed the intended message but it wasn’t impactful probably because it was Bridget who set the stage for the misfortune she suffered.

MY MOTHERS MARRIAGE

Producer- Chuks Anthony

Director- Alex Mouth

Actors- Ofiafuluagu Mbaka, Ben Nwosu, Stephnora Okere, Ayo Mogaji, Sylvester Madu and others

Thought with movies like “What I Want” and “Love without Barriers” and so many others with that thematic thrust movie goers were through with stories with someone threatening a relationship that is built beyond barriers. Well here is a deftly handled addition which Chuks Anthony and Alex Mouth safely titles “My Mother Marriage”. Some other people would have titled this “The Refusal” or wait for this- “My Mama Can’t Stop Me”. Trust some of the folks here with titling.

Anyway Ofiafuluagu Mbaka that well built actor who is steadily improving with each new effort takes another shot at a lead performance here. He was fairly convincing as Chike in this flick with some dot of interesting moments.

The story briefly- Chike in love with one Funke (Stephnora Okere) proposes but Mama Chike played by the actress who plays the devious mother in every flick Patience Ozokwo would choose to take her life than allow her son to “marry a Yoruba girl”. In what is now very typical of the roles Ozokwo interprets, Mama Chike heads to a sorcerer to put a clog in the wheel of progress. By a twist, the oracle approves of the marriage, no thanks to Mama Chike insistence even though aware of the consequences-that the couple would remain childless. 6 years later she brings in one Ijeoma and insists that Ijeoma must marry her son Chike. Moving on now, the table soon turns on Mama Chike. She seeks to upturn the curse on the Chike’s but to do that she must die…

A good movie even though not at par with some of its predecessors, My Mothers Marriage may not have much thematic depth but it represents some 90 minutes of exuberant entertainment. On the score card, it scores low on costumes and lighting and this is aside some noticeable difficulties in transition. But it is roundly watchable. Viewers would like that scene between Mama Funke (Ayo Mogaji) and Mama Chike. The scene played out well. In fact it seem the only remarkable conflict in the entire flick.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

STRENGTH OF LOVE

Producer – Adim Williams

Director  - Adim Williams

Actors – Stephanie Okereke, Kenneth Okonkwo, Sola Sobowale, Bruno Iwouha etc.

Love seems the bye word now in Nollywood. Everyone here wants to shoot a love-based story. No sin though but what is particularly amusing is their choice of titles and at the rate they are going they may soon run out of them. Saw one during the week titled “love disappointment’. It merely shows that the movie is in dire need of those who can cast very good titles.

Anyway here is one of the many love-based stories but Adim Williams safely titles this “Strength of Love”. Someone actually described it as a movie I could not ignore. I took the advice and I was somewhat rewarded even though this interpretation (because it has a number of predecessors) fails to make it to the lofty perch attained by its predecessors.

The story in brief: A slight brush brings Richard (Kenneth Okonkwo) and Ifeoma (Stephanie Okereke) together. Predictably they fall in love. Richard, a banker proposes marriage but George Ojukwu (Bruno Iwouha) Ifeoma’s wealthy father who despises bankers because he has his money trapped in a failed bank would not hear anything of such. Way down, Richard is framed for fraud and detained. This sets the stage for the true test of love. And Stephanie did not do badly at all. Well somehow Richard gets out of jail. Ifeoma provides the lead that enabled him to foot the medical bills of his mother. The Ojukwu’s accept him as son in law and yip the movie ends.

A far more interesting version even though with a whiff of anti-climax and a pace that is less frantic, ‘Strength of Love’ has the emotional subtlety, which a few of its predecessors lack. Adim exhibited good directorial vision but the picture quality dropped especially in terms of composition and angles at some point and each time he hopped on set to play the lawyer. Why does he think he must act in all the movies he directs?

Anyway see it. It’s watchable. Ayo Emmanuel that cop in very movie finds something else here. But it appears that he acts better anytime he is playing a cop. Now whose off the set voice was that in that scene where Richard was typing?

SOUND OF SILENCE

Producer- Emeka Label

Director- John Uche

Actors- Robert Peters, Emeka Okolo, Maureen Ihua, Rycardo Agbo, Chidi Mokeme, Zack Orji, Omotola Ekeinde and others

The actor and host of the Gulder ultimate reality show earns his first lead this seasons in this Lion Base production directed by John Uche. Chidi plays Michael in this well thought out but improbably told story that may have been inspired by the success of that Tade Ogidan engaging account ‘Dangerous Twins’.

Michael is not comfortable with Martha’s nagging posture at home. If Martha (Omotola Ekeinde) isn’t nagging, she would be pulling calls to her boyfriend Sammy (Emeka Okolo). Its Sammy’s birthday that weekend and he wants her out. Martha is in a fix because it’s her husband’s birthday too. The only escape for her is to get her twin sister Miriam whom we later met in the story to play ‘Martha at home’ for just that weekend. Miriam agrees but she is stuck in Michael hands after Martha’s reported demise. Though Miriam played on, it was later discovered that she was only putting up for Martha. She is confirmed pregnant but Michael would not have anything to do with it. However after so much persuasion he shows up at the maternity ward and the movie ends.

This is good. It resembles a spinning top. John Uche who called the shots here approached it with some sense of style. He also showed a resolute ability to blend actors and an ability to keep his director of photography busy. But this telling left a few of us phewing at the end. Though it was predicated on an interesting concept, the flick belched from that point where we were never given a glimpse of Miriam’s life before the switch. May be that would have made it possible for us to appreciate the twinning game and to reckon with that scene where a chap (Robert Peters) who claims to be Miriam’s boyfriend showed up and threatened to spill the milk.  Not only that we found it difficult to buy into that ‘boyfriend add on’ a clear after thought, we found it improbable too to believe that the chap who played Miriam and Martha’s uncle, (the role was played by Zack Orji) could not tell the differences between his nieces almost a year down the line. We can pardon that of Michael. It is possible that he might be too dazed to begin to look out for distinguishing features but not the Uncle who as we were made to understand raised the girls.

Acting was not in short demand here. In fact that’s the real victory for this flick that would have worked pretty well had the crew paid attention to details and the structure of the flick.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

SHATTERED ILLUSION

Producer – Emem Isong, Rob Emeka Eze

Director  - John Uche

Actors – Jim Iyke, Dakore Egbuson, Ngozi Ezeonu, JT Tom West and others.

Dakore Egbuson, the actress of the Emotional Crack fame who lived the role of a lesbian with great aplomb and confidence returns to the screen as one of the lead actors in this touching piece that was told under the direction of John Uche. Dakore is Jumoke, the singer and daughter of Chief Falemi, a senatorial aspirant in this flick that starred the banned actor and the acclaimed ‘lover boy in every movie’ Jim Iyke.

Indeed most fans of the ‘movie lover boy’ would be more used to seeing him solving crime than committing one. But In this Emem Isong story which she safely called ‘Shattered Illusion’, Iyke who was before the reported ban placed on some top actors in Nollywood, the toast of urban based movie producers, find a role here as a poacher and serial killer

Abandoned as a tot and battered as he grew along, Joshua (Jim Iyke) turns a serial killer. His targets are women. He chose to get back at them for forcing him into the streets as such an early age.The police are on his trail and have sworn to track him down. At another divide, Chief Falemi (Justus Esiri) has difficulties taming the excesses of his returnee daughter Jumoke (Dakore Egbuson), a strong upholder of justice and equal right. She runs into Joshua at a pub and they both fall in love. The movie peaked when Joshua leaves a murder threat for Mrs. Falemi (Ngozi Ezeonu) on a wall soon after he discovered that Mrs. Falemi was his biological mother. The movie reached its climax when the police swoop on an attempt by Joshua to maim Jumoke. He comes face to face with Mrs. Falemi, his biological mother. He pulls the trigger at her and the police pull it on him too perhaps as a way of averting further loss of life.

This is well told. It’s tough going for the mind. But it’s a bit predictable and too contrived to be real. That a fellow was abandoned and battered as a child should not be enough motivation for serial killing particularly when targeted at the wrong people. Again the conclusion was disappointingly limp and too grating. One had thought that both Mrs. Falemi and Joshua should be given a chance to make amends unless the folks behind these are suggesting that all those who were abandoned by their mothers should seek them and kill them.

In any case this produced a breathless session of gripping theatre. The art and expression in Emem language also worked in favour of the flick. Dakore Egbuson, Jim Iyke and J.T Tom West combined so well to give this movie its credit. But John Uche who directed the flick takes full credit for some degree of compelling direction. He ensured that the artistes lived enough to contribute to the energy of the flick. This is likely to get his viewers glued firmly to their seats.

THE HEART OF MAN

Producer – Chilozie Okonkwo

Director – Andy Chukwu

Actors   - Maureen Solomon, Emeka Enyiocha, Pete Edochie, Kanayo Kanayo and others

Igwemba, King of Osumonu dies and the king makers meet to decide on who should succeed him. They resolve to move the traditional stool from the Igwemba family. De Ofoma (Pete Edochie), eldest son of the late King who had led two of his brothers to the meeting and who had nursed the ambition of succeeding his father stormed out of the meeting depressed. He blames his younger brother, Sam Nkoye, an engineer for not putting in a word in spite of his influence. Sensing mischief, De Ofoma moves to eliminate Nkoye. He does and turns a devious character from here. He dies later but sowed a seed of discord between his two surviving sons Ebube and Uzoma and his younger brother Ndudi whom he had earlier visited with just a fraction of senility when the later requested for a share of the family land. Ebube and Ofoma become very disrespectful from here. The movie peaks when Ebube takes on his Uncle Ndudi for insisting on claiming his rightful inheritance. The movie ends here but there is a sequel. Predictably, there will be no peace for the wicked.

This is good in spite of its very dull title. But is not particularly an athletic account. Not only is it stagy, it has little meat between the bones and this made it loose its charm. It has even nothing ground breaking to speak of. The coldness of the story and the manner at which the actors conceptualized their roles contributed in making it so. Indeed except for Kanayo Kanayo, none of the characters or plot generated enough of an arch to raise the roof.

But it’s worth a look on. It has a number of life lessons to teach and boast of a number of exciting moments even though the moments are far in between. Not sure if you would like to sit through a sequel since the major players like Pete Edochie have been written off the flick. 

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

SHAKARA

Producer- Anayo Nwafor

Director- Mc Collins Chidebe

Actors- Victor Osuagwu, Uche Jombo, Ofiafuluagu Mbaka, Ricky Eze and others

The comic actor who is obviously ‘out of circulation’ (he has not featured in any movie lately and he is not on the list of the ‘banned’ actors) Victor Osuagwu aka ‘Man na Mumu’ and the actress of the Ibinabo and Adure fame Uche Jombo are the lead actors in this comic encounter that has one of those titles you flag on a movie when you have no good idea of what to call it. Shakara simply suggests that the movie would be a pretty simple take on how human nature changes over time.

The synopsis briefly:  Agnes (Uche Jombo) heads to the city on the invitation of her kinsman Hyginus (Victor Osuagwu). On her arrival in an imagined Lagos, Agnes who has never traveled out of her village is led into some form of prostitution. Hyginus got busy fixing her up with men. Months pass and a once timid Agnes break loose. She becomes a master of the game. The movie however taxies off at the point where the city dame Agnes is nabbed for trafficking.

This falls in the genre of ludicrous dramatic ideas. But it was plausibly acted and realized. Its real victory is in the sheer acting energies of the lead characters particularly that of Uche Jombo and Victor Osuagwu. But Osuagwu gushed his lines out in most cases uncontrollably so much that he gave the impression that the movie was unscripted. Someone mentioned once that it is always difficult to get both Osuagwu and his other half Nkem Owoh who is popular as Osoufia to abide to a script. This explains why in most cases they make a disaster of grammatical expressions and make it difficult for shots to be precise in the movies where they star as lead characters.

If you love Nollywood’s brand of occasional comic performance that doesn’t generate half the excitement that its making made us believe it has, you would appreciate this Collins Chidebe account even when the outcome is telegraphed from the start. But keep a straight face on this and just enjoy some of Osuagwu’s occasional scene stealing performance and Uche Jombo’s ‘runs’ in the movie.

AFTER THE FIGHT

Producer – Obinna Okeke

Director – Tchidi Chikere

Actors – Kanayo Kanayo, Stella Damasus, Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu and others

Amaka Okeleke, the video outlet attendant who recommended this said we would find it interesting. The only snag being that she does not think that so much thought went into the casting. When we saw the movie, we agreed and concluded that the fact that one is a recognizable face does not make the person a novel concept in a movie.

Let’s attempt a brief synopsis. Jenny (Stella Damasus Aboderin) is unable to cope with the depression of pregnancy. So she pounces regularly on her husband Dominic (Kanayo Kanayo) and her elder cousin Jessica (Eucharia Ekwu). This got Dominic falling out of love with Jenny. He thinks Jessica is domesticated enough so he settles for her so as to ward of frustration. The result? Jessica is pregnant and wants to keep it. But Dominic wants it aborted. She says the pregnancy must stay. The revelation that Jessica was pregnant for her husband was what later led to Jenny’s untimely death or so it seemed.

This excites. It is likely to keep you hanging out with it because there is plenty to enjoy just as there is much to trim off. In fact this didn’t have to run for about 140 minutes since it was a one plot story-a nagging wife and a cousin is to the rescue. Here we like to play scenes out even when just a mention of the event would have served the purpose.

But After The Fight was decently acted and the convincing performances by its competent cast led by the dependable Kanayo Kanayo and the watch able Stella Damasus makes some slip here like in cinematography and continuity easily forgivable.

Stella Damasus was likeable as Jenny but not Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu. She had a built for a role that made her appear a miscast. But for Stella’s staying power, Eucharia who more than exaggerates her actions would have dwarfed the widowed actress. May be it would have worked if the roles were reversed.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

MONICA (Lewinsky)

Producer-Temitope Duker

Director- Fidelis Duker

Actors- Zack Orji, Grace Evaly, Tony Akposheri, Felida Essi, Forster Ojeabaru, Obey Etuk and others.

Most people who got this off the shelf would have concluded that this, because of the title, represented a disguised telling of the famous Monica Lewinsky’s saga. But it didn’t come near that widely told story which would have undoubtedly made an engaging flick. This is why there is a suggestion that the folks behind this should be charged for deceptive titling.

The story that was Monica revolved around a lady about town- Monica (Grace Evaly) who is well married to one Gozie (Zack Orji). Gozie realizes way down his life that he was married to the wrong woman. Gozie would not believe the tale making the rounds that his wife was a whore until his close friend evidenced the fact. Gozie hands Monica a marching order and the movie walks off but not after the revelation that Monica’s long standing friend is HIV positive.

This has a solid message. But on the whole it represents a lame effort and walks off too as some fetish fantasies brought to life. It has a number of limitations which includes the fact that it is creepy, overdrawn, and unoriginal. Though it boasts of some cheap thrills but they are not enough to raise the roof. In fact this bare of any real human emotions. Besides, not much attention was paid to lighting. A few day time scenes played as if the crew lost light. Indeed Duker’s effort has never run so low.

But this gets thumb up for direction. The director did a commendable job of managing the movies flow especially in terms of the cast performance as evidenced in the impressive outing of some of the supporting players. The model and actress Grave Evaly got a role here. Not that she did anything particularly different with what is already known of her voice and body, but that her chirpiness was shaped into something expressive was the plus. Fidelis Duker who called the shots found a role here too. But shots were incoherent once he was on set. The bearded actor Zack Orji who is often cynically cited as ‘the one who plays the good husband in every movie’ returns to a role that is not markedly different from the others. He played the good husband here again.

ARROWS

Producer – Ugo Emmanuel& Alex Okeke

Director – Ekenna Udo Igwe

Actors   - Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwo, Tony Umez, Benita Nzeribe and others.

One Mokeme (not sure whether he is a chief or an Nze) dies and Chief Okoye (Pete Edochie) leads a band of Mokeme’s surviving brothers-Atuegbu (Remy Ohiajianya) and Obinna (Stan Nnadi) to an asset-sharing meeting in the late Mokeme’s house. There, Mokeme’s wife Hellen (Patience Ozokwo) and only son Kingsley (Muna Obiekwe) are stripped off of their due inheritance. A courageous Kingsley puts up a resistance that left his sight impaired for the better part of the flick-the handiwork of Chief Okoye and Atuegbu who had earlier visited a sorcerer. Events just plod along from here until the law of retributive justice takes it toll on the devious characters. Anyway Kingsley got his sight restored. Mother and child reclaim their inheritance and the movie ends…. not a happy one though for the devious Chief Okoye; the polygamist Atuegbu; for the unfaithful Gloria (Kingsley’s fiancée) and Ken, Kingsley’s friend and confidant who somewhere in the movie coveted his fiancée.

This two-part account even though didn’t say anything new, goes down pleasantly well as you watch it. One of its plus is that it makes complete sense from start to finish but its greatest draw back is the fact it’s too drably an account for a movie. All that story of Arrows could have been told in a single outing. But no! The chaps here in an attempt to impress will add ‘salt’ to a meal even when the meal is already tasty. Ekenna Igwe who penned this and also took the credit for directing the movie could have saved us the agony of watching all those unnecessary details particularly those scenes with Atuegbu and his wives. It didn’t add up to the movie, which dealt primarily with the twin issue of harmful traditional norms and the quest for justice. So in trying to throw up a ‘loaded account’ Ekenna devoted precious time to details that does not add up to the main plot. When you have too much of something it becomes boring. That was almost the case with this movie with a long list of the sectors famous actors- Pete Edochie, Pete Ene, Benita Nzeribe and this fellow King Joe Okechukwu who fitted snugly into the role of Pastor James.

You may wish to see Arrows. The most interesting thing about the movie outside its didactic intent is the fact that it rewards the banking industry. That claim which ‘the xyz’ bank redeemed in the flick is likely to lure many people to ‘save’ against such eventualities. Really this is worth a look. It’s slow going but it keeps you engaged.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

RETURN FROM EUROPE

Producer – Oragwam Edwin

Director – Reginald Ebere

Actors   - Nkem Owoh, Tony Akposheri, Monica Sibjyle and others.

Hard as he tried, Eluwa (Tony Akposheri) could not convince his kinsmen that Thomas (Nkem Owoh) his elder brother, who is in far away Bosnia was hale and hearty. Eluwa has up to the Easter of that year to produce Thomas or confirm the allegation that he may have conspired to use Thomas for rituals. He calls up Thomas who finally agreed to return home ‘loaded’ with dollars. Days later, Thomas returns with a Bosnian wife but without the anticipated ‘dollars’ and ‘goods’ which he claims are on the high sea. Unlike most returnees, Thomas soon turns a dependant to the chagrin of members of his immediate family and the entire community some of whom had made plans around his ‘load of dollars’.

Most people who opted to see this movie with a laundry list of faults did because they thought that like ‘Osoufia In London’ and because it starred Nkem Owoh, the lead actor in ‘Osoufia in London’ they were going to find it fascinating. But it turned out a disappointment- the central problem being that it lacks originality and it’s lined with some tasteless jokes. The fact that it even engaged one of the sectors most sought after comic actors Nkem Owoh couldn’t save it from its drabness. It couldn’t even make for the movies technical and artistic limitation. Hard as Owoh tried, he couldn’t just transform this into something mildly better. There was nothing to hold on to not even a fantastic moment that would make a discernable viewer root for it.

Indeed it was obvious from the story that the folks behind this went on location when they discovered that some other movies with a similar thematic thrust ‘were selling like pure water’ as they say in Moviedom. This, apart from coming through as a failed disguised representation of the successful comic flick ‘Osoufia in London’, reeked of amateurism particularly in the screenplay, dialogue, acting and photography.

LAGOS BABES

Producer – Peter Obiefuna, Maduka Okechukwu

Director   - Chico Ejiro

Actors      - Ashley Nwosu, Peter Bruno, Eucharia Ekwu, Collins Onwuchei and others

Night. Poorly lit scene. Benita played by Stephnora Falana nee Okere runs into a necking session between her fiancé Roland (Ashley Nwosu) and her arch rival Lisa played by the weighty actress Eucharia Ekwu nee Anunobi. Benita spits fire but Lisa is unperturbed. She vows instead to covet more of Benita’s “assets” just as she had done during their lewd sojourn in Port Harcourt and Abuja. Benita a self confessed shrewd business woman who later denies one Amanda of the man in her life, retreats and lays out a revenge plan. Lisa is arrested but eventually released. Lisa falls in again when she snuffs life out of one Rose whom she tried to lure into prostitution. She is jailed and the movie ends…that’s all to this story that was stretched beyond limits.

Anyway this consciousness raising effort that is tinged with violence and profanity is one good entertainment that lands fairly well. It pulled a rich cast and the pictures stayed bright and shining. But the movie, which carelessly leaped over plot holes, failed to make it to the lofty perch largely because it was stagy (and that’s because it’s a movie with so many storyline) and uneven. Sub-plots are broached and later disregarded – the problem with most movies here.

It is good. You might only be bothered if you thought very highly of it at first. The producers intended this as a moralistic campaign against prostitution. But this somewhat gratified it-the way it was resolved.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

DEADLY MISSION

Producer – Zeb Ejiro

Director – Andy Amanechi

Actor – Kate Henshaw Nuttall, Robert Peters, Benjamin Joseph, Bruno Iwouha, Tony Aleg, Gogo Ombo Gogo and others.

Whoever saw a female detective of Nigerian extraction demobilize a hunky male suspect in a manner only a Bruce Lee can? Here comes Rocky, the only lady in a team of three detectives sent on a mission to track down a notorious assassin. The Efik Princess on the movie run way Kate Henshaw Nuttal plays Rocky. She is in a lead performance in this racy (by industry standards) dramatic offering, which smacks off suspiciously as a remake of some of these cheesy American detective flicks with action sequences.

Here is the plot. A minister of an unidentified republic was reportedly assassinated and the police are after the assassin. They come close to tracking down the prime suspect but an unknown person shoots him in the process and he dies instantly. But later on in the flick, a bearded fellow walks off shot after laughing heartily suggesting that he may be behind the whole crime. The movie ends suggesting too that there would be a sequel to this political drama from the stable of Zeb Ejiro and movie land productions.

This loose but gorgeously looking Nigerian retelling is a joy to watch and the pure joy in this movie is in the lead characters-Kate Nuttall (Rocky), Robert Peters (Meche) and Benjamin Joseph (Dotun) who showed that they were not a bad pick for their individual roles. But it was Joseph as Dotun who held the movie together. He bursted into most frames sounding confident at every point.

This has a fair share of remarkable assets and a staying power that is likely to place the audience in a mood of heightened expectations. But it is marred by a number of improbable scenarios and poor lighting too. That fight scene between Rocky and a fellow in one of the scenes where a lady was nearly murdered is likely to leave viewers torn between irritation and anger. It nearly stained the credulity so well established by Henshaw’s earlier accurate performance. Indeed future film students would find that scene a case study of how not to sequence a fight scene. Find ‘Deadly Mission’. It’s a satisfying fare.

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IMPATIENCE 

Producer – Theodore Anyaji

Director  - Theodore Anyaji

Actors - Georgina Onouha, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Amaechi Muanagor, Emeka Onyiocha

Izu (Bob Manuel Udokwu) heads to the city in search of greener pastures. He has his mother Mama Izu (Chinwe Owoh) and a village beauty Abigail (Chidi Ihezie) his fiancée to cater for. Predictably providence brings Izu before a ‘money miss road’ ala an elder Jennifer played by the fast rising actress Georgina Onouha. In “Impatience” Jennifer is portrayed as a desperate whore who is in search of a chap with Izu’s description. Well Jennifer says she is simply “a liberated woman” and her understanding of liberation is to flaunt wealth at a stranger and force him into a relationship? Though tales abound on such occurrences but this was cheaply interpreted. Anyway from here one thing leads to another and they are soon in love. Izu now comfortable cuts off all forms of communication with his mother and Abigail. He returns to the village much later with a shocker for Abigail who though stunned like most members of Izu’s family accept her faith. The end of the road for Izu was when he discovers later after they have been joined in holy matrimony with Jennifer that she was a wolf in sheep clothing.

This looks so much like a story that has been over flogged. There are a number of movies with this tale about people heading to Lagos and jettisoning their vows. There are still a dozen others that make real the popular saying that  “all that glitters is not gold”. So the movie “Impatience” is not new at all. But there is an Anaemeke Okoro who is laying claim to the story when the major difference between this version and its predecessors is the treatment. In fact what Theodore Anyaji and his sponsors have merely done is to rehash and re-title one of those accounts, this time relying on a splendid cast that include Emeka Anyiocha (Osita) and the ageless actress Franca Brown (Mrs Ibekwe) of the Behind of the Clouds fame.

Those who have not seen a movie of like theme would find this a joy to watch. Theodore’s interpretation was refreshing but he was “Impatient” so played blind to some details, which left some of the scenarios illogical and fabulous. The acting was plausible save for this skinny fellow whom Anyaji always throws up to provide some form of comic relief. The lady who had a cameo as Dull Baby (she was not listed on the credit lines) provided an ‘annoying relief’ instead of the intended “comic relief”.

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MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

PERSONAL ASSIGNMENT

Producer- John Chukwu Ani

Director- Ndubuisi Okoh

Actors- Francis Duru, Bruno Iwouha, Chinwetalu Agu, Larry Koldsweath, Rita Tony Edochie and others

Morning. The gong wailed and the benevolent Nwafor is confirmed dead. It was obvious from side talks that Nwafor’s kinsmen, among them Egbo (Larry Koldsweath), Ani Obodo (Chinwetalu Agu) and Adaoga (Rita Edochie) were responsible for his death. Someone confirmed it when he declared at the venue of the final burial rites that some people ‘kill and cry’.  Weeks later, Melunwu (Francis Duru), Nwafor’s son is killed ostensibly to pave way for his uncle and aunt to descend effortlessly on Nwafor’s wealth. But Agbonma (Kelechi Koko), Nwafor’s only surviving child takes on the murderers from here through to the land of the living dead. She triumphs and the movie ends

 This is good. It is not particularly a breezy account but it has a fair share of remarkable asset. One of his strong points is the variety of imagery and then the quality of acting. The lights worked too. It helped in mood setting and in creating a story telling ambience at the start and why not? The lighting here has the signature of one of Nigeria’s significant lighting designers Molinta Elendu. The ace lighting designer pulled off something substantial here, as if to show some of his junior colleagues on the turf how this is done. Kelechi Koko who played Agbonma had a good run here even though her outing does not make her a stunning actor. But Duru was believable same for Chinwetalu Agu who has proven over time that he can be relied upon. He drops off something new in every performance.

But ‘Personal Assignment’ lost it structurally from the point where the cross to take on the ‘murderers’ was passed to Agbonma to bear. The battle especially when the tradition from where the story was adapted from or situated is to be considered would have been left to Melonwu and not his sister Agbonma. So what we would have had was a situation where it would have been Melonwu and not Agbonma that would have made the long trip to the groove. There is an assertion that women from that environment hardly take on such battles and even when they do, they are never left unhurt.

LIVING DEAD

Producer – Ugo Emmanuel and Alex Okeke

Director  - Ekenna Udo Igwe

Actors – Kanayo Kanayo, Edith Jayne Azuh, Robert Peters, Franca Brown, Chinwetalu Agu and others.

Chris (Kanayo Kanayo) a notorious drunk is jobless. Adaobi (Franca Brown) his elder sister holds strongly that Patricia (Edith Jayne Ayologu) Chris’s dutiful wife is responsible for her brothers low state. Somewhere in the story Chris disappears after one of his usual drinking runs. He is declared missing. The Police acting on an earlier description of Chris, found a headless body on the street and declared even though unprofessionally that it was the remains of the wanted Chris. Patricia heads to the village for the burial rites. There she is accused of ritual murder and forced to undergo some very awry pre-burial rites. But for the Police she would have been stoned to death ‘as custom demanded’. Anyway Chris stages a dramatic comeback later. His tale was that he was picked up by the Police for wandering. Adaobi is arrested for what the improperly dressed police officer said was ‘inciting to commit murder’ while Ikuku (Chinwetalu Agu), the false messenger of the gods who had pronounced Patricia guilty ‘as charged’ was picked up for ‘false information’. Pat returns to the city and ‘Living Dead’ as Chris was later called returns to make amends.

This is well told and Ekenna Igwe takes credit for helming the show together. It may not be an athletic account but it’s a thoughtful exploration about how not to be cruel and an expose on some harmful traditional practices. It has some intensely crafted seriousness and some intriguing shot and dramatic moments that kept the suspense level slightly high. However the movie is likely to try the patience of its viewers because it was too much of everything. It is this habit of having everything play out in a single diet that may have informed Ekenna’s decision not to eliminate that shot where the camera revealed a safety pin that helmed the bra of his lead actress.

But this is good. Viewers would likely find themselves discussing the movie days after it taxies off. Here performance particularly that of the make up person and some of the lead actors measured up all round. But it was Kanayo Kanayo and Edith Ayologu who stole the show. They gave an engaging performance, which is likely to get a few people sobbing even when they didn’t ask for it.

Go get Living Dead. It’s a good attempt. You really don’t get to see a movie that is this engaging here all the time.

MOVIE RUN By Shaibu Husseini

DANGEROUS BABE

Producer – Kingsley Ogoro

Director  - Chico Ejiro

Actors – Regina Askia Williams, Charles Okafor, Ayo Adesanya Hassan, Paul Obazele

The producer’s first choice for a movie cop Ayo Emmanuel returns in Dangerous Babe and for the umpteenth time Ayo finds himself playing a cop as if that is all he is good at. But the story is not about the gangling and ebony black “screen cop”. Somehow the plot zeroed in on Janet Obahon (Regina Askia-Williams) who walks into a conspiracy and earns a jail term. Rita (Ayo Adesanya Hassan) her friend who was responsible for the death of her husband Steve (Paul Obazele) and who planned it all takes on Emeka (Charles Okafor), the family lawyer. She insists on having an affair with Emeka (who has his eyes though on her friend Rita) and also wants her husbands ‘will’ altered. Janet soon gets out of jail and predictably she falls in love with Emeka. Not pleased, Rita frustrates the relationship. But by some stroke of luck, Emeka steps on a revelation that finally nails Rita. The movie rolls to its climax when Emeka eventually weds Janet.

Ogoro and Chico’s got something gripping here even though it was obvious that realism was sacrificed for aesthetics. It was evident too that the crew took so many things for granted and so details became second place. There were a few drawbacks aside the unpardonable synch problem with the songs Janet mimed to and wrong institutional representation like where a suspect was hounded into jail without proper investigation. In the flick, Regina Askia was introduced as Janet Obahon. This leaves her as someone from the Edo/Delta axis. But when she soliloquized at some point, she did it in Efik? Also there was something not just right with some of the costumes. The warders in the flick were presented as if they were private guards. It seemed as though there was no costume and make-up artist on set? Well a good costume and make-up artiste would have properly made up and costumed Janet if for nothing to justify time lapse after she got out of jail.

But see this.  Aside the drawbacks, this movie with the signature of the self proclaimed Mr Prolific of the Movie- Chico Ejiro, makes for an interesting viewing and has a number of life lessons to teach. Great soundtrack and spectacular performances especially by Charles Okafor, Ayo Adesanya Hassan and Paul Obazele.

WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER

Producer – Gabriel and Damian Moses

Director   - Ifeanyi Azodo

Actors      - Patience Ozokwo, Ini Edo, Tony Umez, Steph Nora Falana and others

Here is one of those efforts with a suggestive title. It falls in the category of the “title say it all stuff”. There is just nothing more left to see in this flick when from the title alone, the producers have suggested that there is no stopping what God has destined. That was the synopsis the title suggested but this didn’t play out like that though. Rather than allow Ada played by Ini Edo and Harry played by the stiff actor Tony Umez to remain man and wife despite the mounting odds, the producers choose to end the movie gratingly for Umez and on a happy note for Ini who survived the devious antics of her in-laws.

The story. Harry married to Ada, secures a visa to travel abroad. Henry assures that he will keep in touch and provide for her upkeep. He does even against the wish of members of his immediate family. Irked by Harry’s over abundant expression of love to Ada, Harry’s mum and younger sister Janet (Patience Ozokwo) and Sandra (Steph Nora Falana) descend on a helpless Ada. Harry returns and he is cowed into divorcing Ada. He sends her packing and allows himself to be forced into another marriage that turns out a disaster. With counseling from a priest Ada picks up again, re-marries and repudiates all attempts to settle her scores with Harry. We are told via a postscript that Harry was eventually forgiven while Ada and her new love lived happily ever after.

On the whole, this is involving and it entertains too even though some of the scene didn’t enjoy the right amount of light. It made some of the scenarios to appear improbable. A few of us didn’t even find probable those shots that were intended as “offshore shots”. Those locations don’t look a bit like Europe. We found incomprehensible, the attempt to re-create Europe just by asking someone to pose outside a building with those winter dresses.

See it. One plausible aspect of the flick aside its didactic content is the fact that the movie with a collection of some of the sectors famous faces, threw up an actress who if given the right push will go places. Here again is Ini Edo. Ini was believably in character. She didn’t allow herself to be dwarfed at all by the older hands in the flick. Her steady characterization and Ifeanyi Azodo’s directorial effort gave this movie its credit.