Showing posts with label Nollywood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nollywood. Show all posts

Sunday

#TBDaily Rain, Rain, I Better Stay (and Watch TV)


I have a great plan for how to survive Lagos (when it rains)- stay at home. 

There really is no point stepping out where the first the drop of rain seems to send a signal to the Traffic Fairy to sprinkle Traffic dust on even the side roads.
What is the point?



Stay at home, watch television, bring out a puzzle or read.

Speaking of reading, what was the last good novel you read?
I find that the jet age has not only made us less social, but also less interested in anything that actually involves the physical turn of a leaf. Why buy a Jeffrey Archer when you can read it online? But you know you can’t replace the feel nor smell of a book. And that page turn is very special. So by all means read. And then tweet your review of the book! Don't forget to cc me on twitter when you do!

Television watching is surely an art. My favourite time is when the remote control is in my hand and i am in control of what i watch. (It sure beats years ago when I was the remote control. As in, “Tosyn, change it to LTV”). It is lovely when the scheduling is so great that 'Judge Judy' comes on after 'Evil Twins' which comes after a movie or so, unlike days when three of my favourite shows air at the same time! 'Why Evuls?' It sucks because you then have to do the five minute or commercial break dash when you switch between each show every five minutes, or at commercial breaks.

 What is your current favourite thing to watch on television?
I am looking forward to watch the FIFA Womens' World Cup and of course, Judge Judy! 

Tuesday

Isoken the Movie Premiere...Glitz, Glam, and a very good film

Vibrant. Regal. Beautiful.
Words not only to describe the Premiere of the movie ‘Isoken,’ but the film itself. The theme of the night was "African Royalty," so the Landmark centre was full of men in traditional outfits from different Nigerian regions, those who rocked unconventional trad-inspired looks, like Akah Nnani in an aṣọ-òkè jacket, and then there were the ladies. The ladies did not come to play! From the director Jade Osiberu’s gown made of a pink shimmery aṣọ-òkè, cast member Damilola Attoh’s Black dress topped off with a beautiful head tie, guests in traditional coral beads and head-dresses and full on geles with ìró and buba, there was so much fashion eye-candy, I was overwhelmed. I love a good theme! 
Once in the hall, there were performances by Femi Leye, new kids on the block Bemyoda and Falana, both of whom are in the movie, and the legendary Sir Victor Uwaifo, who showed us some moves I didn’t even know a 70 year old could have! All this while enjoying a really yummy dinner and drinks. Food is bae, and so is good music; 5 stars to the organizers on that. 

After performances and a speech from the director, Jade Osiberu, we settled in to watch the film. Isoken is the story of a 34 year old successful single woman with younger married siblings, whose overbearing mother is pressuring her to get married. Sound familiar? Yup.



The film itself was thoroughly enjoyable. Dakore Egbuson as the lead, with brilliant comedy from Funke Akindele-Bello as her friend Agnes and Lydia Forson as Kuku, did a fantastic job showing how a lady can have it together in every way, yet still be treated like an alien if she hasn’t had kids or gotten married by a certain age. Acting veterans Patrick Doyle and Tina Mba were great as Isoken’s parents, while TV presenter and media darling Bolanle Olukanni made her solid film debut as Isoken’s younger sister.




This isn’t meant to be a review, and I don’t want to give away the whole plot, but this film is one you will enjoy. You will laugh. You will see in the characters someone you know, or maybe even yourself; you will love the beautiful costumes, kudos to Dami of Fierce and Modish for a fantastic job styling the movie, and you will have more than a few jaw dropping moments.
After the movie, the cast and director walked out to a standing ovation, and then we got down to the after party! Who doesn’t love a good after-party, right? Free flowing Moet and small chops plus good music? I almost forgot it was Sunday night!

All good things must come to an end, so a few selfies and some dance moves later, I called it a night. 

 




I will definitely go see it again when it comes out on the 16
th of June, and I hope you do too. Not just because it’s a Nigerian movie, but because it is a well told, well shot film, which I think is another feather in the “New Nollywood” cap.

Friday

#NewMusic: Banky W tugs at our heart strings with his song for 'Susu'

It was a simple Friday.. still is.
I was just sitting here trying to work, and then next thing, i stumbled on Banky W's new video.

Incase you have been sleeping under a rock, here's the back story.

R 'n' B singer, Banky W, and actress and 'It' girl, Adesua Etomi, announced their engagement a few weeks ago. They then had an introduction and dinner then flew to Dubai to wrap filming on 'The Wedding Party' 2, the sequel to the highly successful 'Wedding Party' movie.

Now, the video to Banky's song, "Heaven (Susu's song)" is out and we swear there is something in our eyes.
Watch the sweet tribute which also gives us the inside scoop on that incredible engagement again.


Thursday

ABCs of a Successful Job Search

Hi guys,

Did you notice the same trend i did? People now taking to the streets to look for jobs?
Two ladies, one in Port Harcourt the other in Lekki, Lagos, took their job search to the streets. 

Twitter: @findjobng 
Your first reaction could be to laugh or wave them off as crazy, but think about it; it means these people have searched so much that they feel going on the streets is the next step! Twittersphere was naturally divided with some people making fun and condemning them while others could see why it was neccessary.

Personally, I think you should do what you can to get what you want, as long as you do not hurt others in the process. These ladies looked at the sad job situation in Nigeria, and went out to the streets to get a job, they should be saluted for this. Still it is sad. Sometimes, I really wish I could employ everyone.
However, since I cannot, I can share a few tips I have found useful over the years. So it doesn’t have to get to the extent where you carry a placard and march to the street.
1.      

      Learn a Skill
The employment situation in Nigeria is bad. Yet, there will always be jobs for skilled people. So regardless of what you studied in school, or have a degree in, learn a skill, whether or not related to your field of study. This skill can be learned while you are still an undergraduate or during your service year. ‘The craft of a man (or woman) will pave a way for him (or her)’ is a popular and very true saying.
(Kudos to the interns who come to Top Radio 90.9 all the time to learn skills!)
2.      
      Build and Use a Network
Even if you are a natural introvert, you need to learn to reach out to people, talk to them and save their contacts. Attend workshops and seminars related to the industry you would like to work in. Apply for competitions too. You will find yourself growing a network, which you can then use when the time comes.

3.       Social Media
The lady from Port Harcourt, her picture went viral, because a job search handle @findjobng on Twitter tweeted her picture, and soon people were calling her to offer jobs. 
Twitter: @findjobng
The lady from Lekki too had her picture taken and it was shared on Twitter, and soon she got a call from Andela, an IT firm. The lesson? Make use of social media networks- Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to boost your search.
Not only can you use them to search, but you can also find. A lot of people advertise offers and openings on their social media networks. Remember when a popular actress hired a p.a off instragram? Exactly!

Hope this helps you, and o, before i go off, quick one; can you do what those ladies did?

Friday

#BrunchThots Lunch with Ramsey Nouah

He is a prolific actor, one who many consider to be a front runner of 'Nollywood' as we know it. While he may not have the notoriety a lot of the newer actors are famous for, Ramsey Nouah has had that staying power, Peter Panning his way to our screens once in a worth-it while.

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Just fresh off a movie- '30 Days in Atlanta', and with new one, 'Gbomo Gbomo Express' out soon, Ramsey is both busy but quiet, and somehow still manages to captivate us and make us star struck.

So what can we learn from someone like Ramsey who has stayed relevant in a tough industry?

  •  The first thing you need is PASSION. What has kept him going in the industry for this long is passion and the love he has for it
  • Keep Paying your Dues. There is no such thing as you are done paying your dues because that means you have put a ceiling on your growth.
And what's his secret to his youthfulness? He says Be Happy, Don't Keep Things In and Learn to Let Things Go!!!

It was a great session with Ramsey and we are thankful that he left us with some good thoughts!


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Tuesday

#EventWednesday All the pretty dresses and highlights from AMVCA 2016




All the pretty dresses, all the emotional speeches; the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice awards had all the makings of a great awards show and I was there with my popcorn to observe.

First of, whaaaaa? We saw so many awesome dresses on that carpet that had me beaming like a proud sister. My personal favourites were Rita Dominic, Adesua Etomi, Mercy Aigbe, and Osas Ighodaro
P.s, re: Rita..; Asking "Will Rita Dominic slay", is same as asking, "Will the sun shine?"

For skin and beauty, I give it to Kate Henshaw and Beverly Naya. Kate is one of the most beautiful women I know and her make up artistes must love her skin! Beverley Naya was also a vision in green with that power up do!

The guys were guys. They either play safe or rock colours and patterns.


Rita 'slay' Dominic

Adesua Etomi

Mercy Aigbe Gentry

'Osas Ighodaro





RMD

Uti Nwachukwu


The award show itself ran smoothly and I'm hoping other event organisers look at events like 'Love Like A Movie' and 'AMVCA' to see that it CAN be done. We can keep to time, run smoothly and (try to) have fun.

IK is one of the best show hosts out there and he did a good job with a quip or two at the right times during the show. Funniest on the night was of course Salvado with his boisterous personality, wit and spot on jokes. I waited all night for him to come on and I wasn't disappointed.
Salvado with Thomas Gumede 


Yemi Alade was a vision both on the red carpet and during her performance. I didn't know what song she performed though so couldn't 'karaoke' along as I would have wanted to.



The winners were either truly shocked, a little prepared, all over the place or very composed. Adesua Etomi gave one of the best speeches on the night, ending with the quote " ". Stephanie Linus whose movie 'Dry' had one of the highest number of nominations and won *, was so elegant that she had us spell bound. Buki Ajai had me in tears with the now infamous, "are you all standing for me?" question as she picked up her Lifetime Achievement award, and special shout out to Lala Akindoju and Folarin Falz Falana (Best Male in a Comedy).



All in all, a decent show which left me feeling inspired!

Kudos to the organisers, the guests and all the nominees and winners.

#SkincareSaturday Three things to do for your skin this weekend!

Ideally, we should pamper ourselves every day.  Unfortunately, with the hustle and bustle that is Lagos, we usually end up with at best, ...