Redview of London Premier of Nicholas Beveney's Kingmakers

The movie Kingmakers premiered at the Odeon Cinema Greenwich on Friday 22^nd  May 2015. Prominent on the red carpet were Movie Director Nicholas Beveney, cast and crew of the movie including Ken Smart, Collins Archie Pearce, Yvonne Hayes, stakeholders in Nollywood UK including Riyike Alayande, Kenneth Benson, Nelson Spyke, Florence Blaster Okonkwo, and a host of other important people.

Storyline:  In this movie, the President of the African state "Karombe" (Collins Archie Pearce) has just died. While alive, he was a tyrant. The country had diamonds and petroleum and as such western countries had economic interest in the country including who its leader was.

The death of the President prompted an international political battle between western parties intent on determining his replacement in order to protect their economic interests. Governments and their secret services in the western world maneuvered to benefit their economies and this led to disastrous effects. Kingmakers is a story of kinship, betrayal, murder and love.

Let me start by saying that this is not a traditional Nollywood movie that we are used to watching. It is more of a collaboration based around what happens in developing countries with Africa as the centre point of the storyline. Also, we were informed that what was shown is a cut from a 13 series TV series yet to be shown.

As is my style, let me start from the positives. This movie exposes some of the ills and greed of the so called developed countries. As was seen in the case of Iraq, all the so called allied countries were interested in was the oil in the country and as shown, there were no chemicals of mass destruction found in the country. The same is the case here where secret services of developed countries come together and conspire to the extent of eliminating people so as to get their choice as the next President. 

The movie also highlighted the parts the Africans play in power politics and how far they would go including the use of voodoo and African magic and how people are willing to betray each other and even ill for power.

In my view, while this would have been an excellent storyline if well captured, the essence of the movie became lost as the movie dragged on for too long. In my view, some of the scenes did not make any sense and I wonder what was the relevance in the movie. One of these was the continued showing of a child and his father in the forest. Their roles were not quite explained or told to show their relevance to the movie as a whole. I can only guess it had to do with survival.

To be real with those that read this review, the person that sat next to me had to comment that the movie dragged on for too long and one or two people asked me if I could understand what the whole movie was about and I had to explain what was my own take on the movie.

As a movie critic and reviewer, I keep stressing that within the first 10 minutes of a movie, the audience should have a clue about the storyline even if they don’t know where the movie would end and there are elements of suspense. In my view and to be brutally honest, I think this was missing in the cut that we were shown tonight.

Also and to the dismay of many people who wanted to see where the movie would end and who amongst all the parties would take over the reins of power amongst all the power brokers, personally I was disappointed that the movie was to be continued. While I understand that the movie was a cut from a TV series, people paid money to come and watch the cut and it is those same people that can become a source of advertisement for the movie when it becomes live on TV. I would have preferred if there was a form of conclusion in the cut that was shown so people understand the movie properly. The cut to me represented being in between land and the deep blue sea. I guess what I am saying is that I believe the cut shown was a bit premature and probably should have been shown on conclusion of the whole script. That way,  people would have left with a better understanding of what the writer intended. You may say I am a bit harsh, but that is my honest opinion.

I said in my last review and I would re-iterate it, sometimes less is better. The shorter and tighter a storyline is and subsequently the movie, in my view the better the movie would turn out to be.

Cast: The film starred Pamela Nomvete, Ken Smart, Collins Archie Pearce, Ronnie Nyakale, Cornelius Maccarthy, Maggie Saunders, David Webber, Adanna Oji, Nolo Phiri, Ken Christiansen, Charles Mpana, A Dot Comedian, Yvonne Hayes, Princess Abiye, Princess Shoyelu Adebisi amongst others. It was written and directed by Nicholas Beveney.

In this movie cut, apart from some scenes where I had to say that the President’s wife was good, I think the cast just stuck to the script and what the Director expected. I cannot pin point any exceptional character especially amongst the lead characters. However, in some cases, I found it difficult to understand what some people were saying. Also maybe because it is a TV series, there were too many people in the cast and losing some of them would have made the storyline tighter.

The lady in the Radio station is an example. Not commenting on her acting but the question is how her role actually added anything to the movie as a whole. She was meant to be a freedom fighter but a scene with a group of freedom fighters would have been more realistic that give such a lead to someone and people are wondering what her role actually represents. Again, that is me speaking, but as a Director, I would not have cast her as a single role. Her role added no value to the movie. The same was the case with father and son in the wilderness or forest as discussed earlier.

In concluding this section, while I cannot pinpoint any exceptional character, I also cannot pinpoint any member of the cast who was below par and I am writing at the early hours of the morning when the movie is still fresh in my mind.

Picture Quality: The picture quality was generally good.  I would not say that they were excellent as I have seen some Nollywood movies with better picture quality. However, I did not notice shaky pictures or pictures that were out of frame and for this I commend the team. Not much to say on the picture quality.

Sound Quality: With regards to the sound, again for most parts, the sound was of very good quality. However, in some cases, I could not understand what the people were saying. I really did not have cause for concern with the general sound quality of the movie. However, I thin with relation to the sound, there could have been a bit of improvement.

Overall performance:  Overall, I think the Director needs to think about what he wants to achieve when writing the continuation of this movie. I have already dealt with the fact that the movie was lengthy. People have to be able to follow the storyline especially if it is going to be a series.

I cannot but mention one or two things or I would not be doing justice to this review. In some scenes, I saw one that someone was shot in the head and we saw the swelling on the head and no blood. There was also the case of the child who was pierced with a knife in the hand and no blood gushing out. I think when telling a story, people need to be convinced that the storyline is real and this was not the case here.

We also saw a man killed and his body was left in the studio. Although he was killed with a knife and stabbed from the back, it was too artificial. We now saw someone taking from his corpse I believe his heart and eating it raw. If we needed to show that (and in my view) this did not tally with the entire story, it needed to be done properly. What was the role of the DJ and was he meant to be portrayed as a cannibal?

What I am saying in earnest is that while the storyline in itself was real and one that I commend, a whole lot of the movie could have been done away with and emphasis placed on certain parts. I would lie to see another cut of this movie when the concluding parts have been written which would be shorter and more realistic and then I would rethink the review I would write.

I said this before and would continue to re-iterate it. As producers and directors, little things count. Stories have to be told to look real for the people watching. People want to come watch a movie and keep thinking about it till they watch the next one.

As a reviewer and critic, while I would like to commend the cast and crew for effort, but I am looking forward to a better finished production. Having said all that, the question is if I would recommend this movie. As a movie critic and reviewer, the cut that I saw is not a finished product and could do with a lot more editing.

Seeing that the series has not been concluded yet, I would like to see another cut when the conclusion has been written. As much as I would lie to recommend this movie, I cannot and would say back to the drawing board if this is to be a movie.

As a TV series, from the 1^st episodes people would make up their minds if it is for them. I would recommend tighter storylines for the series. I may be seen as harsh on this review, but I only write what I see.

Watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta69D5jYAAc

Review of Kunle Afolayan's October 1

 

Kunle Afolayan’s movie October 1 was screened at the Ritzy Brixton on Monday 3rd November 2014 as part of the Royal African Society’s Annual Film Festival. Babso.org was priviledged to send its Associate Reviewer Naimat Timson to watch and review the movie. I delayed the publication of this review till I saw the movie myself as there were too many positives and I wanted to be sure that I was publishing the correct facts. I have now been priviledged to watch the movie and can now publish the review written by our Naimat Timson.

When I first heard about the movie while in post-production, like every other person she thought it was based on the Nigerian independence until she saw the trailer. I have been following Kunle’s work since his first production, Irapada in 2006, The Figurine in 2009 and Phone swap in 2012 and in her opinion one thing that I noticed about all his movies is that he always takes each movie one notch above the previous one creatively.

Storyline: It’s September 1960, and with Nigeria on the verge of independence from British colonial rule, a northern Nigerian Police Detective, Dan Waziri played by Sadiq Daba, is urgently dispatched by the Colonial Government to the trading post town of Akote in the Western Region of Nigeria to solve a series of female murders that have struck horror in the hearts and minds of the local community. On getting to Akote, more murders are committed, and with local tension high and volatile, Waziri has a race on his hands to solve the case before even more local women are killed.

Set against the backdrop of the national celebratory mood of the impending independence, Waziri is pulled into a game of cat and mouse as he and the killer try to outwit each other leading to the climatic end in which the life of a popular local female teacher and village belle, Tawa played by Kehinde Bankole, is held in the balance. Waziri has to race against the clock to capture the killer, save Tawa and solve the crime before the British flag is lowered and the Nigerian flag raised on Independence Day October 1.

In my view, the storyline was excellent. I believe this was a worthy story that needed to be told and I commend the scriptwriter and the cast for telling the story in a unique way.

Cast: The cast included Sadiq Daba as Inspector Waziri, Demola Adedoyin as Prince Aderopo (the Kings only son and first Akotean to Graduate from the University), Kehinde Bankole as Miss Tawa (prince Aderopo’s childhood friend whom his has a special interest in), Kayode Aderupoko as Sergeant Afonja, Kanayo O. Kanayo as Okafor,  Ibrahim Chatta as Sumonu, Femi Adebayo as Banji, Kunle Afolayan as Agbekoya (the farmer full of mystery), David Bailie as Ackerman, Nick Rhys as Winterbottom, Colin David Reese as Father Dowling, Lawrence Stubbings as Tunkine and Ifayemi Elebuibon as Baba Ifa and Deola Sagoe as Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Fabian Adeoye Oladejo(of Jacobs cross) played Corporal Omolodun a well-educated personnel so optimistic and driven amongst others.

I have to commend the entire cast. This was a collaboration with British actors forming part of the cast to tell the story. I must also commend the Director and Casting Director for bringing a mixture of experience ranging from Kunle Afolayan himself to the likes of Sadiq, a versatile actor before the days of Nollywood to the likes of Kanoyo, Ademola  and Kayode who as I said earlier was a well-educated personnel so optimistic and driven but will leave you all guessing and the likes of Kehinde. All I can say is that the cast was well balanced and produced what can be called a wonderful movie.

Picture Quality: The pictures for most parts of the movie were clear and the cinematography projected the intent of the movie. As a movie showcasing the pre 1960’s, I would have liked to see a lot of more black and white scenarios and less of technology to depict that era in Nigeria. This is only to make the movie more believable and more relevant. Having said that, there was nothing wrong with the picture. They were not out of frame and generally good.

Sound Quality: In my view, the sound quality was good for the context of the movie. Unlike in most movies, there were no noticeable external sound interferences. In my view, the sound effects used in various scenes were also good. On the whole, I would not say the sound was excellent but compared to most Nollywood movies and bearing in mind the movie was shot in Nigeria and in remote areas, the sound was good.

Overall performance: I was so impressed with the level of professionalism and experience that was shown in the entire production. This included the directing, the script (written by Tunde Babalola) and I believe that the entire production was ridden with excellence and was well executed. The movie was very easy to follow. I exceptionally love how the writer infused different tribes and languages in Nigeria. Also, all the locations that were used in the movie were on point.

From production to post production, there was consistency and the transition was smooth. As stated earlier there was depth and meaning to the script. While I commend the Director for a job well done, there was a snag in the script and that was the cat was let out of the bad too soon. The suspense was broken before the end of the movie and it became obvious who the killer was.

Worthy of note is that October 1 has gotten the interest of Netflix for digital download and viewing, this is a great achievement for the Nollywood industry.

As a movie critic, I will have to say this is one great movie, and I would be  recommending it both when it premiers in the United Kingdom and when it goes on Netflix so you can get enjoy it  first-hand. (At the time of publishing this review, October 1 and other Nollywood Movies are now on Netflix). October 1 will be premiering within the next couple of months or sooner information will be made available soonest, watch this space.

Watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7wJuPv_7o

Review of Austin Chima's London Premiere of Busted Life

The movie Busted Life premiered at the Odeon Cinema Greenwich on Friday 8^th May 2015. Prominent on the red carpet were Ramsey Nouah, Majid Mitchel, Austin Chima, Riyike Alayande, Kenneth Benson, Toyin Moore, Nelson Spyke, Ruke Amata, Obi and Amaka Emenloye, Dr and Mrs Alistar Soyode, Roselyn Sanni Ajose, Florence Blaster Okonkwo, Brun Njua, Nonso Nwaiwu and a host of other important people.

Storyline:  Busted Life is a highly tensed drama based on the true life story of two immigrants from Nigeria living together in America in search for better life. Starring Uzor, (Ramsey Noauh, winner of best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards 2010) and Femi, (Chet Anekwe from the Hollywood movie PHAT GIRLZ)

In this thrilling movie, Femi's lifestyle of greed, lust for women and betrayal takes centre stage of his friendship with Uzor and the bond of brotherhood was broken. While Femi is apprehended by the authorities and sent to jail for some time, Uzor finds himself unemployed and frustrated and is kicked out of the house by his wife. Uzor takes refuge in the arms of an African American lady named Lisa. She introduces him to her drug cartel and he becomes a part of the family. Soon Uzor rises to become the Don.

Uzor's unfinished business with Femi resurfaces when their paths cross again in a drug deal. This time all caution thrown to the wind and all hell is let loose!! It is about betrayal, unforgiveness and the effects of such societal ills even years after. The movie was written by Austin Chima and produced by Austin Chima and  Bianka Johnson and directed by Bayo Akinfemi.

Let me start from the positives of the movie. It is always a good thing to tell a true life story so that people can learn from it and I commend the Producer Austin Chima for trying to do that. Also taking away the fact that it was based on a true story, the fact is that people leave the continent of Africa and try and go to the so called developed countries in search of a better life and in some cases end up in shady things as drugs or prostitution.

In this movie, the story of betrayal was well told and the moral was clear that one has to be careful about the friends they keep and trust as the people we think are our friends can stab us at the back where it hurts the most. I would say that the major themes of the movie as highlighted could be understood by the average viewer.

However in my view, the essence of the movie became lost as the movie dragged on for too long. When in a movie people begin to sleep or leave the cinema, then that tells me something is wrong. It has nothing to do with the timing of the movie or when it is shown but about the movie itself. I would give an example. I was with some people who went to watch the Avengers recently and their comment was that from beginning to the end it was all action packed, so even if that movie went on to air at midnight people would stay awake to watch it.

My point therefore is that the film should have been compressed so as not to lose its essence and focus and people go out saying only positive things about the movie. I watch a lot of cooking programs and in the words of John Torode and Gregg Wallace of Master Chef UK, less is better. The shorter and tighter a storyline is and subsequently the movie, in my view the better the movie would turn out to be.

Cast: The film starred Ramsey Nouah as Uzor, Chet Anekwe as Femi, Sarah Fasha as Sheryl, Ron Bush as Chief Scott, Koby Maxwell as Mr. Max and Pascal Atuma as The Clerk. The movie had 4 or 5 major characters and a lot of additions.

I would like to start by saying that in my view both Chet and Ramsey played the role as they were expected to. They put in their wealth of experience in the industry to actually depict the characters they were expected to. Adding comedy and not forgetting their native land by speaking pidgin English for example were an added advantage. However, I believe someone else probably a known face in the Nollywood industry would have played the role of Sheryl better. I understand the fact that the movie was based on a real story and that Uzor came to the United States to make a better life but in my view Sarah did not do much justice to that role and was even artificial in some places.

While I believe in collaborations, in my honest opinion, the industry is Nollywood and should promote our own talent. To buttress my point, even when telling an African story, unless there is a prolific African star that can play a lead role, roles would be given to people like Will Smith even though we have the likes of Pascal Atuma or Chet that can readily play such roles. Back to this movie, apart from that I believe the right people played the roles allocated to them.

Picture Quality: The picture quality was generally good.  I would not say that they were excellent as I have seen some Nollywood movies with better picture quality. However, I did not notice shaky pictures or pictures that were out of frame and for this I commend the team. Not much to say on the picture quality.

Sound Quality: With regards to the sound, again for most parts, the sound was of very good quality. You could hear what the people were saying and even the artificial sounds of guns were clear. I really did not have cause for concern with the general sound quality of the movie. In my view if anything, there could have been a bit of control with noise levels. Generally, there wasn’t much echo and distortion and I commend the crew for this.

Overall performance: 

Overall, I think this was a good effort, but certain things could have been improved on. I have already dealt with the fact that the movie was lengthy.

I cannot but mention this next one or I would not be doing justice to this review. This movie was shot in the United States and I watched the end of the movie where there was a gun duel amongst the rival cartels (Uzor’s and Femis). But for the fact that I watch Nollywood a lot, I would not have understood what happened to Femi in the end and his gang. You can tell me to imply this, but not everyone many have understood it. I would have expected a lot more cinematography to be used in this scene to make the movie top class.

I was disappointed that in spite of all the bullets that went past and the fact that Uzor was hit by stray bullets (if you can call them that), I did not see one single drop of blood even though he kept limping. Am I expected to imply that as well. To me that is lack of attention to detail. It is either he was hit or he was not hit. We saw him hit by a bullet and fall so is he superman that no bleeding and he was still so fine to stand and talk to his woman. Without flogging the issue, as producers and directors, those little things count. Stories have to be told to look real for the people watching. We know that actors don’t normally die, but they may be injured, nothing wrong with that 

As a reviewer and critic, For a movie shot in the United States, I would have liked to see excellent sound and picture qualities bearing in mind the high level of technology available now. This was a good effort but if there was more attention to detail, it would have been an excellent movie. I would like to commend the cast and crew for effort, but I am looking forward to a better production next time.

On a final note, Busted life has won an award for 2014 NAFC Awards: Best Drama Diaspora Film and is making its festival and limit theatrical releases across the globe.

Having said all that, the question is if I would recommend this movie. As a movie critic and reviewer, I would  recommend this movie as there are things that could be learnt from the movie.

 Watch the trailer:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3NPD6CdGcc