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Tag: cinemas

  • Top eight movies to watch in cinemas this weekend

    Top eight movies to watch in cinemas this weekend

    The weekend has arrived, and seeing a fantastic film on the big screen is the best way to relax.

    This week’s roster offers something for everyone, regardless of whether you’re a devoted Nollywood fan, a follower of Hollywood blockbusters, or someone who prefers foreign films.

    There is the ideal movie waiting for you this weekend, whether you’re searching for an exciting suspense-filled thriller, a romantic date night movie, or a family-friendly adventure. We’ve put up a list of the most talked-about films that are presently showing in cinemas  to help you choose what to see. 

    Here are the top 8 movies to watch in Nigerian cinemas this weekend

    1. Everybody Loves Jenifa
    Funke Akindele returns with another hilarious instalment of the Jenifa universe! This time, the larger-than-life social media influencer and businesswoman faces stiff competition when a wealthy newcomer, Lobster, moves into her estate. As his charitable deeds win over the community, Jenifa is determined to reclaim her spotlight. Featuring an all-star cast including Falz, Juliana Olayode, Omowunmi Dada, Nancy Isime, and Stan Nze, this comedy is sure to deliver endless laughs and drama.

    2. Wolf Man
    If you love a gripping horror-thriller, Wolf Man is right up your alley. Blake and his wife Charlotte, hoping to repair their fraying marriage, retreat to his childhood home in rural Oregon. However, their getaway takes a terrifying turn when an unseen creature attacks them in the dead of night. As they barricade themselves inside, paranoia sets in—especially when Blake begins to change in disturbing ways. Is he becoming one with the beast? A chilling watch for horror fans.

    3. Paddington in Peru
    Everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear is back! Paddington embarks on a heartwarming yet thrilling adventure to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. But what starts as a simple reunion turns into a whirlwind mystery, taking Paddington and the Brown family deep into the Amazon rainforest and up the breathtaking peaks of Peru. Packed with humour, charm, and stunning visuals, this film is a delightful treat for all ages.

    4. One of Them Days
    What happens when you wake up and everything that could go wrong does? Best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa find themselves in a desperate situation when Alyssa’s boyfriend blows their rent money. Now, they must race against the clock, making one outrageous move after another to avoid eviction, all while trying to keep their friendship intact. A hilarious and chaotic ride, this film is perfect for comedy lovers.

    5. Something About the Briggs
    A heartfelt family drama, Something About the Briggs explores the ups and downs of the Briggs family; a couple and their four children as they navigate life’s challenges and triumphs. Through sibling rivalries, parental struggles, and moments of love, this film captures the beauty and complexity of family relationships in a deeply relatable way.

    6. Mufasa: The Lion King
    Disney takes us back to the Pride Lands with Mufasa: The Lion King. This prequel follows the origins of Mufasa, revealing his journey from an orphaned cub to a legendary king. Told in flashbacks through Rafiki’s storytelling to young Kiara (Simba and Nala’s daughter), we witness Mufasa’s first encounters with Taka (later known as Scar) and the trials that shaped his destiny. With Timon and Pumbaa adding their signature humour, this film is both nostalgic and fresh for Lion King fans.

    7. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
    The action-packed sequel to Den of Thieves is here! Big Nick is back, this time hunting down Donnie in Europe. But Donnie isn’t just running; he’s deep in the dangerous world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther Mafia. As they plan a daring heist on the world’s largest diamond exchange, the stakes skyrocket. Will Donnie outsmart his pursuers, or is he walking into a deadly trap? Expect high-octane action, intense heist sequences, and thrilling plot twists.

    8. Companion
    Tired of modern dating? Companion offers a dark, thought-provoking twist on romance. A new matchmaking service, FindYourCompanion.com, promises to pair people with their perfect match. But when users start to realise their “companions” may not be what they seem, the line between love and control begins to blur. A sci-fi thriller that will leave you questioning the future of relationships.

  • Mokalik ranks number one at cinemas

    Barely a week after its release, Mokalik, the latest film from Nollywood actor and producer, Kunle Afolayan, has been selling out, making it the number one movie to watch.

    It was an excited Afolayan that shared the news at the weekend.

    “Mokalik has been ranked number 4 at the box office and number 1 Nollywood film in box office,” he said.

    “Also it holds the record of 2019 highest selling Nollywood film in opening week.

    For the achievement, Afolayan who has also produced movies like October 1, Irapada and CEO, thanked his fans for making the feat possible.

    “All thanks to you, my fans and friends out there, let’s keep it going, spread the word and take your friends and family to watch MOKALIK at any of the Cinemas near you,” he said.

  • Ufuoma Mcdermott’s movie, ‘What Just Happened’ for cinemas September 14

    After a successful cinema run with her last movie ‘Christmas is Coming’, Ufuoma McDermott is set to take her latest movie, ‘What Just Happened’ to the cinemas nationwide, starting this Friday, September 14.

    The movie tells the story of a disgruntled professor who goes in search of a man. She takes up her brother’s offer for the position of a visiting lecturer at the University of Ibadan. So, what should have been a one-hour journey from Lagos to Ibadan ends up being a disaster. Partly, (this was) as a result of her high-handedness and selfishness. The entire movie is a testimony, recounted in church.

    The comedy sees Ufuoma playing the lead role and also stars Afeez Oyetoro, Segun Arinze, Toyin Abraham, Mc Abbey, Funny bone and Mike Ezuruonye.

    Ufuoma, whose journey into Nollywood began in Zeb Ejiro’s 2004 movie, ‘The President Must Not Die’ has since become a producer and director.

    While announcing that the movie will be in cinemas from Friday, Ufuoma thanked the media and her fans.

    “I feel blessed for all the love I get from people and even the media each time I announce a new project,” she said.

    “What Just Happened is my new baby and I trust that the support will not be any different this time. Thank you guys for always supporting.”

  • ‘PayDay’ set to crack ribs at cinemas

    Revolutionary director, Cheta Chuwku, is set to drive high number of footfalls to cinemas as he premieres his new movie ‘PayDay’ nationwide.

    ‘PayDay’ follows the story of two best friends and flat mates, Paul (Baaj Adebule) and Ortega (Ebiye Victor) who, just before they are about to renew their yearly rent, their Landlord dies very suddenly, and seemingly without any heir apparent. The young men seize upon the unfortunate but good opportunity to ‘enjoy’ a little.

    They go on an expensive night out. The landlord’s daughter (Segilola Ogidan) turns up the following morning and gives the boys 24-hour notice to pay up or quit. They embark on an overnight scheme to recover the rent, leading to a dangerous encounter with an eccentric drug baron (Frank Adekunle Macaulay), a desperate robbery attempt, a gambling adventure, and an ego war with the neighbourhood bully, Orlando (Mawuli Gavor). All the while they were hounded by Ngozi (Bisola Aiyeola), the neighbourhood gossip, who just wants a piece of the action.

    Produced by Manny Ameh, written and directed by Cheta Chukwu, the movie features actors like Big Brother Naija runner Up Bisola Aiyeola, Baaj Adebule, comedian Ebiye Victor, Mawuli Gavor, Frank Adekunle, Meg Otanwa, Zack Orji and more.

  • Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas

    Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas

    Saudi Arabia said on Monday that public cinemas would be allowed in the conservative kingdom and the first cinemas were likely to open by March 2018.

    “As the industry regulator, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media has started the process for licensing cinemas in the Kingdom,” Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Alawwad said in a statement.

    “We expect the first cinemas to open in March 2018.”

    NAN reports that public cinemas in the country have been illegal since the 1980s, but a plan to reintroduce them has been mooted by the head of the General Authority for Entertainment, Amr al-Madani, as part of the government’s Vision 2030 slate of cultural and economic reforms.

    The grand mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh added: “I hope those in charge of the entertainment authority are guided to turn it from bad to good and not to open doors to evil.”

    Vision 2030 was launched in 2016 by then deputy crown prince, Mohammad Salman.

    Chief proposals include a reduction in unemployment from 11.6 per cent to seven per cent and upping the private sector’s contribution to the economy from 40 per cent to 65 per cent.

    The grand mufti attracted criticism in the west in 2012 when he issued a fatwa approving the marriage of girls as young as 10, saying “good upbringing makes a girl ready to perform all marital duties at that age”

  • AFRIFF screens 167 films at cinemas

    As part of efforts to promote the Nigerian film industry, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has screened about 167 world class films by African filmmakers, including those in the Diaspora and friends of the continents, at this year’s edition.

    The genres screened included feature films, shorts, animation, student shorts, documentaries and international panorama. The films were screened for five days consecutively at different venues on the Victoria Island, such as the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, The Palms Shopping Mall and Silverbird Galleria.

    Some of the films screened in the student shorts category are Sticks; Society; The Fallen One; Lami; Huzuni; Lalibela; Darkroom; The Lat Word; First Snow; The Lost Café; Tatu; Idemuza and Bolingo’s Forest of Love. Those in the shorts category included: If Only; Umbrella; Mustapha; Kaali; The ideal son-in-law; Cliché; The Checkpoint; Eve’s Addiction and The Secret of Colour.

    One of the participants, whose film, Huzuni, was screened in the student short category, Ataansuyi Michael, expressed great delight at having his first film selected in the film festival. “Seeing my film on the big screen was a marvelous experience for  me. I have learnt a lot in AFRIFF, it has taught me that I still have a long way to go. The Nigerian Film Industry, Nollywood, is growing everyday and is getting better. We should not relent now, it’s a struggle, but we have to give it all we’ve got,”he said

    An AFRIFF official, Madubuko Francis, said the festival was not only meant for screening films, but to bring in film experts to talk and train participants. He said: “The festival has been an eye-opener for many because you get to see people and films and those, who make the process possible, not just those in Nigeria, but also because most of the panelists were drawn from different parts of the world. They were on ground to analyse and talk about the film making process, what makes a good movie and what is expected from a movie.

    “The challenges faced in putting all of these together are the venue; we were supposed to have two screening rooms here, but we only have one and we had to shift the time for some of the movies screened. Some of the film will be analysed by the panelists and the best amongst them will be picked out for recognition.”

  • ‘10 DAYS IN SUN CITY’ OPENS IN CINEMAS

    FOLLOWING a successful Nigerian premiere, ’10 Days in Sun City’, the latest film by comedian Ayo Makun, aka AY, has started showing in cinemas across the country.

    The release was heralded by a star-studded red carpet premiere which took place at the Bamoral Marquee located at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel.

    The star-studded movie which was supported by Sun International, Sun City, South Africa Tourism, Peak Milk and Naira Bet features talented actors from Nollywood, Hollywood and the South African movie industry including AY, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Adesua Etomi, Mercy Johnson, Falz the Bahd Guy, Miguel Nunez Jr., Thenjiwe Moseley, Amanda Du Pont, Celeste Ntuli to name a few.

    The steamy action-packed romantic comedy which was produced by Corporate World Entertainment Limited was written by Keni Ogunlola and directed by award-winning director, Adze Ugah.

    Urging movie enthusiasts to brace up for a thrilling experience in the cinemas, producer of the flick, AY, described ’10 Days in Sun City’ as a no holds barred movie loaded with excitement. He enjoined all lovers of the AY brand to check out the movie and share the word so others could also go and see it.

    The comedian’s previous movies include ’30 Days in Atlanta’ and ‘A Trip to Jamaica’.

  • ‘BEHIND THE WHEELS’ HITS CINEMAS

    BEHIND the Wheels, a movie directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare, is now showing in cinemas across Nigeria.

    The premiere of the flick which took place on June 16, at the Silverbird Galleria, was witnessed by Nollywood’s bigwigs like; Klint Da Drunk, Jude Orhorha, Ejiro Okurame, Sambasa Nzeribe, Sam Ajibola, Olumide Oworu, Mary Uche, Chioma Nwosu, Bayray McWizu, Adeniyi Johnson and a host of others.

    Ani Iyoho alias ‘the burning man’ whose story went viral in 2016 when he was reportedly burnt while shooting this movie was on ground to clear the air and show that all was a stunt for the movie and that he went unscathed which was evident.

    Ugochukwu Azikiwe, the Executive Producer, said: “We couldn’t cut cost because we had a vision and we knew we had to come up with something phenomenal and from my point of view, this movie is phenomenal. This is my first movie and a lot has gone into it, I dare say that the outcome is satisfactory.”

    The movie which features actors like Patrick Doyle, Chiwetalu Agu, Kelechi Udegbe, Queen Nwokoye, Lucy Glover, Saeed Funny Mallam, Sani Danja, Ani Iyoho and others, tells the story of the struggle of tanker drivers on the road while they transport flammable substances and their troubles at home with their families.

    The movie which is supported by Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) reportedly has its sights on being turned into a television series in the near future, armed with the objective of garnering a wider audience and achieving greater impact.

  • BIODUN STEPHEN TAKES ‘PICTURE PERFECT’ TO CINEMAS

    NOLLYWOOD actress and filmmaker, Biodun Stephen has announced that she is set to treat the Nigerian movie audience to her latest production, Picture Perfect.

    Set for nationwide released in cinemas on July 7, the filmmaker describes Picture Perfect as a beautiful blend of comedy, reality and a touch of romance.

    According to her, it will change how citizens perceive thugs and also try to reveal the unfortunate situations many find themselves by no fault of theirs. “It tells the story of a fashion designer played by Mary Remmy Njoku, who meets a notorious area boy, Jobe played by Bolanle Ninalowo when her car breaks down in his hood. What seems to be a distressing situation turns out to be a blessing, only to go completely sideways when he sets up home beside her shop,” she says.

    Speaking further, the actress-turned-producer revealed that Picture Perfect is inspired by her tailor.

    “At first glance, the story seemed like one of a damsel in distress, but it is more than that. It is not just your regular story. The title, Picture Perfect lies at the very core of the movie, which is about what makes a perfect father figure. Sometimes the picture perfect fathers are found in the most imperfect human beings.

    “The movie is all encompassing; it has comedy, love and more. It has been screened exclusively to a few people and they cannot stop talking about how exciting it is. It is one of a kind and without a doubt, the audience are going to love it,” she added.

    The filmmaker is known not just for her critically acclaimed, 2015 four-man comedy movie, The Visit, Ovy’s Voice, as well as Tiwa’s Baggage.

  • ‘Lost in London’ sold out in cinemas on opening weekend

    ‘Lost in London’ sold out in cinemas on opening weekend

    Lost in London’ has joined Nollywood movies that recorded sold out halls at different cinemas across the country in its opening weekend.

    The comedy which features Bishop Umoh in his famous character Okon, opened to cinema lovers last Friday, June 9, 2017 and has been described as a movie that showcases a rich Nigerian cultural heritage.

    “I am overwhelmed and pleased about the turn out and positive feedback of people so far,” said producer of the movie, Uduak Isong Oguamanam.

    “I have been visiting different cinemas, together with the actors in the movie and we have all been impressed and at the same time thankful for the massive turnout.

    “The tickets sold out everywhere we went and we hope this will continue for as long as possible. The smiling faces of the people as they came out of the hall showed that they obviously had a great time and were entertained. That reaction was the reward of all our hardwork and dedication.”

    ‘Lost in London’ is the third production in the Okon franchise and like its predecessors follows the hilarious adventure of Okon. It tells the story of Okon and Bona, who were selected for an exchange program in London. They attempt to earn some precious Pounds before returning to Nigeria and experience culture shock and all sorts of trouble. But Okon and Bona are made of sterner stuff and every step of the way proves that the Nigerian spirit cannot be broken.

    The movie which is still in cinemas  nationwide stars talented actors such as Alex Ekubo who played as Bona, Ime Bishop Umoh who played as the hilarious Okon, alongside Valerie Okeke, FunnyBone, Ella Betts, Kemi OlofinMakin, James Morgan and others.