Sunday, November 30, 2008

Someone to watch: Saheed Balogun


Saheed Balogun is a Yoruba speaking Nigerian actor that I have been paying some close attention to for some time now.
I am watching one of his latest experimental projects "Modupe Temi" in which he stars with only one cast member in a character study on a marriage and its disintegration.
I must bow my head in shame and say that I have watched it on "Youtube".
The acting is a bit too much but I loved the opening credits...seems someone is making attempts to do something different.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

PICTURE FROM

REVIEW COMING SOON
PRELIMINARY GRADE A+

One just has to go see it...

Saturday, November 8, 2008

What I did yesterday instead of homework...the whole day

1.


Starring: Dele Odule
Directed by: Mustapha Bakry
Production Company: Millenium Films and Otolo Films Production
Language: Yoruba (no subtitles)
Country: Nigeria

Synopsis: A politician's blind ambition for a senatorial post leads him to indulge in psychic practices that jeopardises his family's spiritual, emotional, physical and economic well being. This is only the first installment, a fact that was apparently not put forward at the point of purchase.
Grade: C+. I prefer Yoruba movies overall and the storyline was somewhat credible. However, if you have a low tolerance for psychic-ly toned features, you might not like it. And neither did I. I cannot take so much of going to witch doctors and doing all sorts of crazy shenanigans to get things to go my way. Still, an interesting flick.

Should you watch it: Yes. Make sure you have the sequel.
2.

Starring: Van Vicker, Psalm Adjetefio, Naana Hayfod, zGottfred Opoku Mensah, Bernard Poku and Michael Afranie.
Directed by: C'Emeka Uba
Production Company: Miracle Films
Language: English
Country: Ghanian

Synopsis/Plot: A wealthy man comes becomes benefactor to a poor young woman with whom he desires a relationship. Initially she returns his affection out of gratitude for her change in social status but that soon wears off and she desires to break free from the smothering constraints of her relationship. Problem: old man won't let go. He holds on and with tragic consequences...

My analysis: Oh dear, where do I begin. Is it with the lead female character who was supposedly so impoverished and yet was spotting green contacts, acrylic tips and a bull's eye tatoos? Or with the public assualt scenes where everyone just seemed to be going on with their business even though gun shots had supposedly been fired? Or with the wardrobe choices that made almost all the women look like walking drag queens? Or the fact that the makeup artist was scrimping so much that she could not layer on the foundation and concealer to hide the leading lady's horrible acne ravaged skin which apparently her character could not find a solution to even with an elevation in socio-economic status? Don't even let me start on the weaves.....

My grade: D. Simple, uneventful and a collection of poor performances poorly matched with good ones. Van was ok as usual. Psalm was his usual, huge self with speech that made me think if the poor guy had once had a stroke. The only character that stood out a little bit was of the woman who played his wife. See her weep her way through an entire movie in Crime to Christ as the christian mother. I forget her name in Desperate Desire...

Should you watch it?: If someone gives it to you for free.

3.
Starring: Sola Asedeko, Ayo Badmus & Toyin Adewale
Directed by: Babatunde Olaoye
Production Company: Olaoye Global Concept
Language: Yoruba (no subtitles)
Country: Nigeria
Synopsis/Plot: (Pulled from the DVD cover...I kid you not...my reactions in red italics)

"O'npe is the story of a baroness Toyin Adewale who deals on (m'kay...we deal on something now?)female trafficking Queen )Sola Asedeko) the leader of the ladies group met a man (Ayo Badmus) that wanted to change her life, she was caught between the pastor and the baroness who does not want to compromise her business. The die (as per death or dye as per colour?) was now cast for queen to struggle for her survival or get killed by the wicked baroness. Happy viewing (thanks. abi?)."
Grade: I think you can figure that out for yourself from what is written above. To go any further will be too much work and frankly I don't think anyone besides myself is reading this blog so....

Should you watch it?: If you have nothing better to do and someone forgot it in your house or general vicinity....
4.
Starring: Van Vicker, fred Amugi, Kojo Damenya, Nadia Buari, Kalsum Sinare & Juliet Ibrahim
Directed by: Daniel Ademinakor
Production Comany: Aa Production
Language: English
Country: Ghana
Synopsis: Princess takes a drug rap for her husband thinking he is innocent. She comes out of jail and her husband now has some crazed infatuation for her younger sister. Being a high ranking military officer, he has the power and training to make things happen his way irrespective of the colatteral damage. Little sister, Jasmine is involved with fine guy and is oblivious to it all. She is more concerned with avoiding fine guy's ex girl friend who still believes she is in a relationship with fine guy. Drama ensues all over the place.
My grade: B+. Fred Amugi was good. Kalsum kind of lost me. Nadia and Van already know how to look good together so imagine every good shared scene they ever had, and replicate it here. Juliet Ibrahim, I am convinced needs acting lessons and instructions or at the very least, a good wardrobe change...There were some very good moments of suspense and my aunt who was watching with me even shouted. I didn't, she did....
Should you watch it: Yep, go buy it and watch it.
5.
Starring: Femi Branch, Yemi Afolabi, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Kayode Odumosu (Pa Kasumu) & Rotimi Makinde
Directed by: ....
Production Company: Bakky Adeoye Film Productions & Mustoy Film Productions
Language: Yoruba (with subtitles)
Country: Nigeria
Synopsis: Six Words. DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN. Yoruba version. Plagiarised completely
My grade: G- for innovation
B+ for quality of performances
Should you watch it?: If you could not follow the original because you do not speak English well, the producers have thankfully got your back.
6.
Starring: Funke Akindele, Lola Alao, Bimbo Akinsanya, Soji Taiwo, Yinka Quadri, Eniola Afolayan and others....
Directed by: Nojeem Adisa
Production Company: Emma Films Limited
Language: Yoruba (no subtitles)
Country: Nigeria
Synopsis: (Pulled from the jacket cover...this one is on another level)
Adisa (Yinka Quadri) Murdered a mmanager whom he driver to and his wife, slandering (rotflmbao...slandering in different directions? where is my dictionary?) their children and housemaid (Lola Ajao) in Different directions. Now a notorius armed robber baroon yinka Quadri has three set of gangs for different operations. Grown up Kubura leaves with their former housemaid (Lola Ajao), suraju is now a musician while ramon, who has been given a mystical power by the witches has vow to stop every robbery operation that may occur in the community. The stage is set, ready for battle. The dogs are in pursuance of the tigers. (ok, now we are hunting British style?) Yinka Quadri, Funke Akindele, Bimbo Akinsanya are the Tiger,(so p'olorun) Lola Alao, ramon, Ayo Badmus, Police and the community are the dogs. Eee pa Aja ma Nlepa ekun oooo hin-in-in. (whatever the hell that means).
My Grade: well, after laughing at all that. I will give it a D. Nothing spectacular. I cannot even remember if I watched it all or it still had a sequel because all I know is that of what I saw, nothing major stuck except maybe Soji Taiwo whose razzness is some sort of comic genius.
Should you watch it?: we have to support the artists. they too are trying to feed.
7.
Starring: Bukky Ajayi and a whole bunch of Yoruba actors
Directed by: Lasun Ray ( who also has a cameo at the end)
Production company: Lasun Ray Productions, Toymax film holdings & Dynamic Pictures
Language: Yoruba (with Subtitles)
Country: Nigeria
Synopsis: I think I am going to leave this for someone else to tell me what this was about. I was sleepy and completely did not get how some woman was so rich, she pilfered a husband off another chick who had been financially supporting his broke, dependent ass and that of his parents. The man moves in, wahala( problems) begin and then the plot is all over the place.
My grade: H-. I don't even begin to know who would give funding for this....God, what I would do to start my own production outfit.
Should you watch it: after what i have said above, you are on your own.
8.

Starring: Baba Wande, Ayo Badmus and a whole bunch of amateurs

Directed by: Sola Aderounmu

Production Company: Brim Faze Productions, MAB Movie and Music Company

Language: Yoruba (no subtitles)

Country: Nigeria

Synopsis: A couple are plunged into heartache when their first pregnancy turns into a two year ordeal. The wife's quest to be rid of her burden lands in so many precarious situations that almost tears both her family and that of her husband apart, not to talk of her marriage.

My grade: C. Very psychic. Baba Wande lit up the screen in all his scenes. Unfortunately, they were few and far between. The experienced actors were evident and comfortable and the effort of the amateurs was evident...maybe too much.

Should you watch it: yes, if only to watch the scene where Baba Wande meets his daughters suitor for some serious laughter.

9.

Starring: Adebayo Salami, Funsho Adeolu, Any Akhigbe, Tunde Dickson and some other famous Yoruba actors

Directed by: Kunle Afod

Production company: Isolak Ventures, Alhaji Isola Saheed, Dickson Production, Mama Mistura Production

Language: Yoruba (with subtitles)

Country: Nigeria

Synopsis: A cautionary tale of what could happen when a parent or parents exercise too much control over their children's lives and push them into relationships and lifestyles that they either would not choose or do not want but have to concede to because of the parental hold.

Grade: B-. The intimacy between the love birds were a bit nauseating but in all, it was a relatively good movie.

Should you watch it: yes.

So, I have dropped a few points in my IQ from some of the movies in listed above and have done absolutely no homework...but hey, one has to make some sacrifice....

Monday, November 3, 2008

*Sigh*

I have been behind in my reviews. I have been meaning to put up posts but life has been so crazy...will get to it.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

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Sunday, September 7, 2008

VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA VS BANGKOK DANGEROUS

WAS ABLE TO SEE TWO MOVIES THIS WEEKEND. THE FIRST WAS WOODY ALLEN'S "VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA" STARRING JAVIER BARDEM, PENELOPE CRUZ, SCARLETT JOHANSEN AND REBECCA HALL. SET IN SPAIN, IT IS DRY HUMOUR TYPE FLICK ABOUT TWO FRIENDS WHO TAKE A SUMMER VACATION IN SPAIN DURING WHICH THEY RUN INTO THIS EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED PAINTER AND HIS SOMEWHAT PSYCHOTIC WIFE.

VERDICT: I WAS LOST IN THE DIALOGUE. I FOUND ALOT OF WHAT WAS SAID UNBELIEVABLE AND CLICHED...WHICH IN MOST OF THE REVIEWS SOME PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK WAS DELIBERATE. I HOWEVER HAD MOMENTS WHEN I FOUND MYSELF CHECKING MY WATCH TO SEE HOW CLOSE I WAS TO THE END.
THE BEST PART OF THE MOVIE WERE FOR ME WHEN BARDEM AND CRUZ SHARED THE SCENES. THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS SO COMBUSTIBLE AND YET EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING. YOU ALMOST WANT THEM TO KEEP HURTING EACH OTHER FOR YOUR MORBID ENTERTAINMENT. JOHANSSEN LOST ME. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY THINK SHE CAN ACT.
ITS STRONG MOMENTS THOUGH PRESENT WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

GRADE: C+


THEN I SAW NICHOLAS CAGE IN "BANGKOK DANGEROUS", AN ACTION FLICK SET IN THAILAND ABOUT A HITMAN WHO GOES THERE TO COMPLETE HIS LAST JOB AND FINDS HIMSELF EMBROILDERED IN MUCH MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR.
ALL I CAN SAY IS SHAHKRIT YARMNAM!!!!!!!





YES, CAGE WAS HOT. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED ASSASIN FLICKS AND THIS ONE MADE ME WANT TO DROP MY ARCHITECTURE DEGREE AND MOVE TO SOME REMOTE ISLAND, LEARN MARTIAL ARTS AND HOW TO SMUGGLE A BARETTA IN MY BRAIDS. BUT GOD DAMN, HIS COSTAR WAS HOTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!




WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THAI MEN WERE HOT? MEN, I SALIVATED OVER SHAHMAN OR WAS IT SHAHKRIT AND ANOTHER ACTOR SPOTTING GOLD HAIR...SEXY!!!




YOU'VE GOT TO SEE IT IF YOU LIKE


1. ASSASSINS


2. MEN IN BIKER LEATHER


3. SPECIAL EFFECTS INVOLVING SLOWED CAMERA FRAMES (OR WHATEVER THEY CALL THOSE SLOW-MO CAMERAS)


4. SEXY THAI MEN


5. ASIAN CITIES


6. A NICE STORY
GRADE: B+. STORY WAS SIMPLE. THE ACTION WAS BASIC BUT SLICK. AND I HAVE A NEW CRUSH!!!!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Production Grants needed...

Anyone in the know of grants I can apply for film projects developments?

Monday, June 30, 2008

I need therapy


I am sending Waffarian my therapy bill for making me stumble upon this travesty that was Beyonce and Rihanna. I could not believe what I was seeing...

The storyline would have been fine on its own if it had been developed properly but the title alone destroyed any chance or possibility for a well executed piece. I had heard that it was bad, but somehow, I was either slowed by the Tylenol I had taken for a headache or had underestimated the reviews because there are no English words to quantify the disaster that it was.

Grade: H- ( I mean after F, there is G and then there is the grade for this film)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

TOTURE, THY NAME IS "DARLING"

I have received my latest batch of Indian movies from Desicompany. I borrowed this movie because of the male lead, Fardeen Khan. It was horrible.
I am sorry for the spoiler. Aditya (Fardeen Khan) cheats on his wife with employee, Geeta (Esha Deol) who imagines that he will leave wife for her. He doesn't. They fight. She dies. Then she begins to hunt him. And for almost two hours, i try not to cry as I realise I have just flushed $3.50 down the toilet.

Low budget, D- movie....

Sunday, June 22, 2008

I just finished....

I just finished THE BLOOD OF FLOWERS, a sweeping tale set in seventeenth century Iran detailing the life of a young woman with a talent and love for carpet making and the ill fortune of loosing her father and thus the source of dowry to provide her with a marriage.

This is the kind of book that makes me question if indeed, I do possess the talent and skill to make it as a successful writer. The words flowed like melted butter and transported me easily to the very time and place of the narrator's tale. It subtlely blends fiction and myth to provide insight as to what life would have been like and might still be like for a young woman's whose entire existence is dependent upon the protection that alliance with a man can provide; either as a daughter or as a wife.


The book written by Iranian born and American raised Anita Amirrezvani has been shortlisted for the 2008 Orange Prize for Fiction.

Friday, June 6, 2008

IRAPADA...Finally something for us to write home about

IRAPADA

The DVD arrives in the US and UK second week in July. The reviews have been amazing and I am salivating over this flick....
Cannot wait. This is the competition.

Friday, May 30, 2008

MONGOL...The anticipation


I can't remember the last time I wanted to see a movie so bad. It arrives June 6th.
The soundtrack already has me in pre-orgasmic state.
Move over Hans Zimmer, A.H Rahman make a place for Tuomas Kantilinen...
This is why I love movies.....



Tuesday, May 20, 2008

14th and Serenity/ Falling in love again with Chiewetel




As I prepare for 14th and Serenity, I turn to my muses for inspiration. I thus put together my dollars and cents, ask for a student discount and sit down to immerse myself in the latest project of one my favourite actors and after two hours, I leave the cinema dazed and tantalised. I have fallen in love again with Chiewetel Ejiofor.




I fell once before after seeing KINKY BOOTS. That movie introduced me to a talent unlike any other and a young man destined to turn the world of film on its head. Since that project, he has participated in bigger and better ones using shining in whatever role he plays.

Tonight, he shone for me in RED BELT. He mesmerized me with the unwavering strength of his voice. I desired his presence. I wished for the same discipline and self control that he possessed. I wanted to be him. I wanted him.
The film is about a martial arts instructor who gets lured into the shady world of competitive fighting while he struggles to hold on to the principles that he holds.
I loved it and I will see it again.
Catwalq Grade: A+

Friday, May 16, 2008

COMING SOON....


WATCH OUT!!!!!

COMING SOON....


WATCH OUT!!!!!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Anambra bans condoms




I put up the link to the original post on the Anambra state condom ban and it was broadcast as part of the news on Current TV. Go here, to look at the comments to the broadcast....

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

L-Shandi; comment and vote




Comment and Vote on the Current TV website so that it can be considered for airing.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

My latest project: Opportunity Africa




U can go on Current TV to leave your comment and to vote for it to make TV

Friday, March 28, 2008

Children of Beslan: a documentary












Sunday, March 9, 2008

A sister delivers......

The Album 'African Girl' will be available everywhere in the UK -**MARCH 10, 2008**
Its can be pre-ordered at any of the following links below.

WEBSITE -http://www.nayomusic.com/

HMV -http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1&sku=776187

AMAZON -http://www.amazon.co.uk/African-Girl-Nayo/dp/B0013PJGCO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1204209002&sr=8-1

In addition, we'll be hosting a live **Secret Village Show** atthe Soho Revue Bar in London - March 13th to celebrate the album release.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE -http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=257575

INTERVIEW ON CELEBRITY CORNER -http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1437286070&channel=495713462

EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOADS: TIMES ONLINE -http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3461978.ece

FACEBOOK GROUP -http://www.facebook.com/pages/NAYO/12423665655?ref=s

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Eta Inu courtesy Ijinleman


I was conversating with Solomonsydelle, a few week or so ago and she shared with me a link to this guy on Youtube who has basically gone through the ardous task of posting Yoruba movies online in bits and pieces. His name is Ijinleman. Whether or not what he has done is legal, I am not too sure but anywas I decided to check him out and the first movie, I saw from beginning till end, courtesy his video posting services, was Eta Inu.


The movie stars Fathia Balogun, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Ope Ayeola, Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Dupe Jaiyesinmi, Funsho Adeolu, Femi Brainard and a host of others in a cautionary tale of children who seek to rebel against the conventional moral codes of society and that of their parents.

The movie was actually quite good and the only thing I can say (based on what was presented and the usual quality that the movies have) was that I could have done without certain religious conservative concepts being rammed down my throat. Funke Akindele's character, Kuburat/KB going down on her needs in the final scene of the movie to pray the Islamic way was a bit too much for me and all the subtle messages being put forward that those who go to parties are loose and immoral or that wearing skirts and short sleeves was not befitting of a well brought up child was not to my taste.

Nothwithstanding, I was laughing so hard at the dialogue that my classmates thought something was seriously wrong with me. Infact, I even placed a call to my aunt at home and asked her to get on the internet and see for herself what the fuss was about.

See the movie. I am going to try and get myself a copy for my library because it is something that will be appropriate for a movie night where you and a couple of your friends can come together and have a good laugh over soda (not alcohol) and some suya (oven style) for those who are not home...not as good but we can all pretend).

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Desi craze: always make an evening of it

There might come an unfortunate time in one's life when one might behold a sight so ghastly or have an experience so traumatic that you know that it will take a lifetime of therapy and prayers to restore you to the whole being that you once were. For me last night, it was sitting down to watch Jhoom Baraber Jhoom

I had sworn after seeing the preview that I was not going to watch the movie come what may but when you borrow Indian movies online from a company like Desicompany, you are typically at their mercy when it comes to what they include as your free flick. Thus, I opened my package to find that they had deigned to provide me with the opportunity to waste almost two hours of my life on this film. I cannot even begin to describe the waste of acting real estate that this movie was.
I mean, what was Abhshek thinking? And what did Preity Zinta imagine was going on? And I don't know what Hindu deity I have to call on for divine intervention because I need someone to explain in great detail what Amitabh Bachan was doing in the general geographical location of where the film was being shot. What went wrong at Yashraj Productions? If they were trying to give an inexperienced writer and producer a chance at the big time, I applaud the thinking but to waste all that money on such a poorly constructed script and an even worse off combination of acting was a bad business investment if I ever saw one. At least, I was sure no Nigerian filmmaker, even on their least budget would have come up with this and that made me feel so much better.

The night was however salvaged by Shahrukh Khan. Now, I am not necessarily one of his greatest fans as I consider him a more commercial actor than an artistic and diversified one. But he came and made my night in Chak De, the feel good and inspirational movie about the Indian women's hockey team.

The cast is refreshingly unknown and earthy. The music was wonderful and the suspense in the game scenes were just appropriate that even though I had a good idea how the movie was supposed to end, the plot took me on a few turns that made me think that maybe my assumption was wrong. I wished I could have met the characters in real life and at one point the ridiculous thought popped into my head that maybe, I could join a sports training camp. Then after seeing what they had to go through, I changed my mind. I think I am going to watch it again. SRK was amazing but most of all, so where the girls who made up the cast of the hockey team. I did not even know that there were oriental looking people of Indian citizenship....shows you how much I know about the country.


Then I finished up the night (or morning) with Rani Mukerji in a movie that touched so close to home in its simplicity and honesty that I was near moved to tears. No, the movie was not soo great but the story, i understood implicitly of a family where the man lives in the misplaced glory of his past and the wife is left to shoulder the burdens of keeping up appearances. I understood implicitly the daughter who flees to the city in search of a means to save her family from ruin and in the process herself is led to self ruin in a society that does not care that it rips its underdog to pieces while it indulges itself. And the hypocritical and pretentious image it projects.

No, this movie will win no awards no break in no new ground as far as contents go. The story is too familiar and has been well played out b4 but it was still a delight to watch
I have loved Rani since Chori Chori and will continue to do so. The cast was well selected and once again, I was reminded of why I am no longer watching anything Aishwarya Rai-Bachan does since she married the man of my dreams, Abhishek.

It was a good night.

Jhoom: Don't even waste your time or that of your enemy if you have one. G-

Chak De: you might find that you want a copy on DVD. B+

Laaga Chaunari: You should see it. C+


Sunday, February 10, 2008

Post medical woes

After an entire week of eratic health issues, I was able to sit up to immerse myself once again in public media and television was one of my first treats. Last night, I sat and watchedmovies on cable. Back to back.


One was "Bernard and Doris" a fable created out of the controversial relationship between Doris Duke, one time richest woman in the world and her irish born butler, Bernard Lafferty.
The movie starring Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes was aired on HBO and with most things that network produces, I told myself that I was not going to miss this. Plus its trailer indicated that it would be my kind of flick and so propped up on the reclining chair and unsuccessfully trying to shut out other sounds, I took a deep breath and began my plough through the movie.


And a plough it was. It started off slow and had I not had a complete and utter devotion to Sarandon and anything she touches, my sock clad feet would have hobbled my exhausted frame away from the living room or my finger would have pressed the forward button to change the channel. Somehow, the director/ writer/whoever-was-responsible-for-the-whole-shebang-in-the-first-place decided early enough what direction the movie was to take and I found myself sitting through to the end.
Sarandon playes Doris Duke, the woman who inherited from her father at the age of thirteen in the early 21st century a fortune totalling close to 100 million in wealth and assets and the film takes place at around the last stage of her life, in her late seventies, when Lafferty is introduced into her life as her butler. This man whose intentions, past and sexuality is debatable to the very end, suddenly rises through the ranks to become her most trusted confidante, so much so that she choses him as a travelling companion on one of her endless worldwide trips that takes up to a year. Upon her death, he is made trustee of her fortune and at the end of the film, you cannot help but ask if that was his intention afterall.
The film shows their relationship completely different from what was actually reported in the press at the time of her death with Lafferty being portrayed as a more siniterious character. Most of scenes were in her home and thus the cast was not expansive but enough to give you some idea of how the woman lived in a world where she trusted no one and where everyone and everything had its price.
Not too bad a flick to see. If it had come out in the theatres, it would have tanked and so HBO was as brilliant ever to present it free on cable. I'd see it again, after I am through with my homework or something.
Grade: C+. I mean, Sarandon is in it and her wardrobe is gorgeous.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Please watch and vote/ comment on Current TV

Friday, January 25, 2008

27 Dresses


Yes people, I did see a wide release comedy. JUNO's second show for the night would have meant that I would need to walk home from the metro at two in the morning which was not happening and PERSEPOLIS was sold out. So, I walked six blocks in the cold...yeah, I do dumb stuff like that sometimes and went to see the only film, in my opinion that was worthy of my time.


27 DRESSES stars Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy, Knocked Up), Ed Burns (The Groomsmen, 15 Minutes, Sabing Private Ryan, One Missed Call) and James Marsden (X-Men, Enchanted, Hairspray) with Heigl as Jane, a young woman who has been a bridesmaid 27 times, Burns as her boss with whom she is in love and Marsden as Doyle a columnist for the New York Journal whose focus is the wedding circuit where he bumps into Jane and becomes intrigued by her character and this role she has played for so long; the perfect bridesmaid.


I will apologise to myself for having subjected myself to something that would have probably carried more weight for me if I had taken my time to watch it free on Lifetime TV. It is definitely a chick flick, if you are such a chick who wears pink, and secretly plans to run her future household like something out of the repressive fifties where women dressed pretty and frilly and read Barbara Cartland. The reason I did not sleep off in the movie was that the money I spent on the ticket was hard to come by and thus, I was going to make sure I missed nothing.


However, I am in love with James Marsden. That is why I was so happy to see Jean Grey die in X-Men II. Thus I rested all my hopes on the moments when he was on screen. Burns was the typical Burns: you know he can act. He has done it before but is not necessarily shining in this flick, maybe because he did not have that many lines....


There were some amusing parts to the film. Heigl is always lovely to regard. The lady who played her sister however, kept me wondering why her head moved so much in the film. With every sentence, I thought she was trying to draw squibbles in the air with her neck. Also, some of the conversations were not as natural as they could have been.



Still, you might want to see it. It will be a neutral selection if no consensus can be reached when you and your girlfriends get to the cinema and your original choice is sold out or not showing. Ladies, please don't force your boyfriends to go see it. You might not like what they will force you to go see when it is their turn.

27 Dresses was okay.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Silence on the set.....



HEATHCLIFF ANDREW LEDGER

1979- 2008

Friday, January 11, 2008

China in the House

CONFESSION OF PAIN



So, I was really stressed out yesterday after the man at Geek Squad told me that it would cost me nearly half the price of a new laptop to fix my old faithful. As I trudged depressed through the mall, I stumbled upon one of those kiosks that one finds in malls that sells Asian movies. I have seen them in every mall I have been to in the DC/MD/VA area and the rumour is that they are owned by the same guy. Well, after dropping $50.00 for four movies, I am sure the owner is doing very well for him self.

Any ways, walked away with four additions to my Asian film collection and sat down to watch the first of them yesterday. Title: Confesion of Pain. Starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Xu Jinglei, Shu Qi, and Takeshi Kaneshiro (from left to right). Okay, here goes. I selected this movie solely because of Tony Leung. I fell in love with this man after seing Zhang Yimou's Hero
and I have not stopped loving him. I saved and went to see Ang Lee's Lust Caution


even though I was on my last dollar just because he was in it (post for another day).


So, my grade for the film: C+.

I was not too impressed. I had to put the story together myself to comprehend it and I felt his talent was wasted. He looked good but loving him was not enough to sustain the movie and I was left wishing I could return the DVD for a refund.


Synopsis: Lau (Tony Leung) is a high ranking police detective (think the junior brother of the CIA, china style) and his friend Bong (Takeshi) works on his team. Lau's father inlaw is murdered and horribly too for what is initially believed to be a robbery gone bad carried out by junkies who were found dead. Lau's wife Wei (Xu Jinglei) believes is being stalked and by her father's real killer, which would mean that the case is much deeper than what the police and her husband says it is. She solicits the help of Bong to crack the case as Bong has left the force and is now battling alcoholism after his girlfriend commits suicide over her lover whom she is pregnant for. You know from the beginning who really commited the crime, what we don't know is why.

At the end, all is revealed and the killers exit is well done.


The movies's strong moments were very good and its weak moments were very weak. See it..... when it comes out on cable.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Happy New Year

Welcome to the new year. It's so nice to see all your beautiful and somewhat bewildered faces when you discover this blog( for those that do not know that I manage three blogs)

I watched THROUGH THE FIRE last night, a film produced by Chuks Etolue of NigerAmerica Pictures. I was a bit skeptical to watch it because I had loaned it to friend and she had all but bashed the thing to the ground. Having seen the movie and knowing that she is from Barbados, I will say that I am sorry that she is upset because her country has no film industry of their own.



What grade will I give the film? Ans: B+. It was well written, well shot and most of the actors did well. The voice over of the narrator did not do it for me, the constant flash backs were kind of exhausting even if they were sharply done and some of the cast would have been better off with their natural accents.

Nonetheless, the Nigerian based cast headlined by Patience Ozonkwo were on point with Ozonkwo in her typical role of the mother-in-law from hell. The film also had an above average selection of US based actors, most of whom I am sure are friends and not actors but who did quite an impressive job of delivering on their roles.

The story was simple: a couple who have lost two kids at birth, transplant themselves under family opposition to their continued union to the United States with the hopes that access to better medical care will save the current pregnancy the wife is carrying. When they get there, things are not what they seem and the family has to make some tough decisions as they fight to keep their status, dignity and child. KPOM!!!
I understood the story, I commiserated with the characters and sat with the same amount of trepidation and hopelessness that they portrayed.

The soundtrack: Something I always focus on, was well put together and simple. There was no off key singer, with irritatingly descriptive lyrics sung in a wannabe-foreign, heavily Igbo accented voice. They got it right for suspense, tragedy and dramatic scenes. Was well done.

Wardrobe: Well put together. No one was not dressing in contradiction to their personality and body type. Although the black mesh shirt that the character Koffi wore in the final scenes is a no-no.

I would recommend that you go see it.

Also, I watched a couple of films by Oodua Afrik Films, a Yoruba film production company that is headlined by Ogogo. I am of the opinion that one day, I will hand a huge sum of money over and tell Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) that he should just go ahead and make whatever he wants to make. I have been in his corner since Owo Blow and he has shown no indications that he wants me to leave so that is a producer that I will say, pay some attention to.

I like the simplicity of his stories. No one is sitting under some banana tree somewhere and fanning a shrine's fire to cause calamity. Most of his stories are about simple action and reaction. KPOM!!! Me, I likey very very much.

I saw Eni Akoko (First Person) and Ire Nwami Nitemi/ The Gold Digger ( I do not agree with the English title but hey, no be me get am for film). Two good films I tell you.


And I bought, started and finished Half Of a Yellow Sun. It was well written but I was not as spellbound as I had been with Purple Hibiscus. Something seemed forced about the story, in my opinion but it was still superbly written and worthy of all the accolades it had received. It was an OK read.

So, here is to a new year of bigger and better productions in TV, film and literature.