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Tag: movies

  • Spectranet, iROKOtv partner on free movies

    Spectranet, iROKOtv partner on free movies

    Internet service provider, Spectranet 4G LTE has launched a partnership with iROKOtv.com to provide customers free movie.To celebrate this, Spectranet is giving the gift of 30 days free iROKOtv.com to existing customers who renew their Spectranet account.

    The partnership will give Spectranet’s customers the opportunity to access a wide variety of movies and TV shows for free, including blockbusters such as ‘30 days in Atlanta’, ‘Festac Town’, ‘Poisoned Bait’ and ‘The Antique’, for 30 days.  With iROKOtv.com, customers can instantly watch as many TV programmes and films as they want, as often as they want, and on the move.

    Spectranet’s customers can access iROKOtv.com by visiting www.irokotv.com on a web browser, or downloading the Android app through the Google Play Store. They will be able to use their smartphones, tablets, laptops or smart TVs to watch an ever growing selection of titles, with new movies added weekly, and the flexibility to stream or download.

    Head of Marketing, Spectranet, Mr Mike Ogor, said this is part of Spectranet4G LTE’s value-added-services mapped out to enable subscribers to enjoy its reliable, affordable and high speed internet service.

    He said: “The partnership between Spectranet and iROKOtv.com gives Spectranet subscribers access to watch movies on iROKOtv.com for 30 days free. This is just one of the ways Spectranet is bringing more value to its customers. Once subscribers renew their accounts, a voucher that enables them watch all their movies free for 30 days is emailed to them. With the Voucher Code, subscribers just log onto irokotv.com, register their details and enter the code to enjoy 30 days unlimited access to watch new and interesting movies.”

  • Igbo movies make debut on Africa Magic

    Igbo movies make debut on Africa Magic

    There are indications of a rise in the production of Igbo language movies, as pay TV company, DStv, has dedicated a channel to this genre.

    This is one of the latest in the offerings of the channel, and possible justification for a recent upward review of its tarrifs.

    Following the debut of Nollywood English productions on the Africa Magic channel, offerings of local language started with Yoruba movies, then Hausa movies.

    The company said the new addition is in line with its ongoing development strategy, as the new channel is designed to showcase the rich Igbo culture of Nigeria.

    The Igbo channel which brings to eight the total number of Africa Magic channels, is expected to go on air at 19:00 CAT on April 2, on on DStv channel 159.

    “Igbo language entertainment content has always played a prominent role in the Nigerian film and television industry and we are glad to offer a platform where this rich content can be showcased to the rest of Africa and the world,” said M-Net Director (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu. According to her, “Popular Igbo language content like Living in Bondage, Nneka the Pretty Serpent and many others set the trend for the modern Nigerian film and television industry, or Nollywood as it’s called; it is thus only fitting that such content should be given a platform where it is easily accessible by audiences around the continent. With the launch of Africa Magic Igbo, we have once again proven our commitment to providing content made for Africa by Africans.”

    For Managing Director, Multichoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, “For over 20 years, Multichoice has played an active role in the development of the African film and television industry. The Africa Magic channels, which sit on our Dstv and GOtv platforms, continue to display the best of African entertainment content to the world. With the launch of Africa Magic Igbo, we have once again provided a platform for African talent to shine and our viewers can definitely expect to see the best of Igbo culture and talent on display.”

    The first Africa Magic channel was launched in 2003 and more than 10 years later, the brand has expanded to include content dedicated to world class African entertainment programming ranging from drama series, music, magazine and reality shows, and movies.

    “All the Africa Magic channels are renowned for their exciting content which celebrates African entertainment and Africa Magic Igbo will be no different. The channel will appeal to audiences in and outside Nigeria, as the Igbo language is also spoken in a number of other African countries like Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon. Africa Magic Igbo will also undoubtedly be popular with audiences across the continent as shown by the widespread success of the popular Igbo language movies of the 1990s, and our viewers can expect to see the best from renowned and exciting Igbo talent like Okey Bakassi, Chiwetalu Agu and Dede One Day amongst many others,” added Mba-Uzoukwu.

  • ‘I want to act in movies,’ says BBA’s Tayo

    ‘I want to act in movies,’ says BBA’s Tayo

    Nigeria’s representative in the just-concluded Big Brother Hotshots was in Lagos recently. Fielding questions from journalists, the model, who came second place in the reality show, said the love he is getting from fans is enough victory. VICTOR AKANDE was there. 

    WHAT is this rumour about Warri billionaire, Ayiri Emami, compensating you with USD350, 000?

    (Laughs) You just went straight to the money aspect. I do not have an answer for that yet, but very soon, there will be a confirmation.

    Now that the show is over, what is the next thing for you?

    Television has always been my home. I will love to stay around and still be able to entertain people, Africa and the world. I would say I am an element of entertainment and I want to give the best of my ability to the world. I will like to thank every Nigerian that has supported me and shown me love, I really appreciate it.

    While in the house, you were so concerned about the disparity among housemates from different regions of Africa, does this confirm your fears now, especially after losing the USD 300,000 prize money?

    While in the house, I kept telling people not to watch the show on sentiments. I wanted a situation where people wouldn’t vote based on East, West or Southern Africa but on the basis of our individual personality. However, since I came out of the house, I haven’t met one person who told me that I am not the winner. There is a Yoruba adage that says, when you go out looking for money, and you find honour on your way, you will need to go back home because even if you get the money, honour is what you will use it to buy. Since I got back home, every Nigerian has been proud of me, so I am a winner.

    If you had another chance to go back to the Big Brother house, what would you do differently?

    When I got into the house, the song I wanted to perform first at the opening was Dbanj’s song, On top of the word. One of my favourite punch lines from the song was, “looking back now, there’s no regret, looking forward, there’s no regret, I wouldn’t change a thing, even if I could, I’m stronger now…” There is nothing I would have changed. I did my best, I was myself, maybe sometimes I made a few mistakes, and there is no perfect person in this world. I made my mistake, but I fixed them and made sure I did not repeat them. So, I would say there is nothing to change about what I did in the house.

    What is your relationship with supermodel, Tamar?

    If you go on Facebook, Instagram or ask any model in South Africa, they will tell you that, as professional models from Nigeria, we see ourselves as siblings, and we have been relating like that for years. I have been in South Africa since 2008; Tamar cooks for us and treats all of us like brothers and sisters.

    So I will say Tamar is like my sister and she has proved it over the years, same way that I have proved to be her brother. I have a woman who has a son for me and she is in my house right now, and she has no problem with my intimacy with Tamar. And right now, I have decided to make her my manager because she is someone who can handle someone like me.

    Your passion for Yoruba language and culture was obvious while in the house; have you thought of acting in the Yoruba film industry?

    I am a Yoruba man, I can speak it anywhere and anytime. I am very comfortable speaking my dialect. One of the movie producers that I have been looking forward to work with, is Kunle Afolayan and I fell in love with him when he played the role of Aresejabata in Saworoide. He speaks Yoruba in the movie and today, he is one of the respected men in the film industry. I want to act movies; in fact I would even act Hausa if they teach me. But you could also see me act English movies with Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah and many others, so I am not limited to speaking Yoruba alone.

    You are based in South Africa; do you intend to return to Nigeria any time soon?

    Nigeria is my home. Last year, I came to Nigeria for four months; I’m trying to relocate to Nigeria. I came back home to hustle and asked what I could do to establish me, but it did not work out. But I’m back home now, and I have a brand and I can beat my chest that my people are ready to welcome me, and for your information, I already have somewhere in Lekki.

    When Idris was declared winner of Big Brother Hotshots, what was the first thing that went through your mind?

    You see, when we were all in school, we all knew who the best students in the class were, and when someone who was the best student scored 70, we would say, haba, this person should score like 90.  Idris himself knows I won, but he only got the money. When we got on stage and were shown the highlights, I saw myself and I was laughing. In fact, everybody was entertained. The way people cheered when they heard my name assured me that I was winning already, so when Idris’s name was mentioned, I was shocked. For a while, I thought IK, the show’s host, was joking with me.

    Like Uti made a return trip to the house back then, would you mind to go back to the house if the opportunity arises?

    Did Uti come as far as I came the first time? No, he didn’t. I don’t think Uti got as much love as I got the first time either. But I wouldn’t want to go back in there. When I was doing an interview in South Africa, one of the officials tried to mention it, but I said no, I don’t have three months to sacrifice anymore.

    Do you think you were cheated?

    Well, yes. But I don’t feel it anymore because people are not allowing me to feel it. It got to a point that the show became regional. Getting on the internet, a lady had commented on a Facebook page commending Lilian’s picture, but she added that she would never vote for West Africa again, so it wasn’t against Nigeria, it was against West Africa. While in the house, Ella of Uganda and Franklin from Rwanda used to plead to East Africa to vote for them, and they would tell me to forget the game, since West Africa has won before, so I started fighting against it.

    I started campaigning during my diary sessions with Big Brother, telling people to vote for facts and not region. I said this at a press conference in South Africa that when we are abroad, we say we are all Africans, but when we are in Africa, we start to say we are East Africans or Southern Africans; we should all be united. It means people are not loyal to the game, they were just voting for their citizens and not for who entertained them the most.

    Who cheated you, the Southern Africans, Eastern Africans who voted based on sentiments, or the organisers of the show.

    I have expressed it the best way I could, but as I said, I am not sitting on that anymore. My future is bright.

    You became very emotional towards the end of the show, complaining and drinking. What was the reason for this?

    Did you see that they urinated in my bottle of drink? How can I be happy with people like that? I told Big Brother that the people I was with in the house during the last few days were the actual people against me.

    At a point, I just kept to myself and sat down in one corner because I did not want to disgrace my own country. Big Brother used to say that if you are not in the house, you cannot understand how it feels. People were seeing psychologists every week, but I didn’t see any. Big Brother asked me if the last week in the house could jeopardise my winning the mega prize and that’s why you are watching yourself. And I said to him, I was sorry if I was being selfish by protecting my image and chances of winning, but that I wanted him to know that my best interest was entertaining Africa all the time, so I would go out there and play with everybody, but if they frustrate me or try to start a fight, I would want Africa to agree with me that it wasn’t my fault. Immediately I got out of the house, I implored them to let us all come together, joke together and be united.

     Did Uti influence your interest in the show?

    No, he didn’t. I came to Nigeria for the audition because I wanted to take part in the show. Actually, the first Big Brother audition I went for was in 2009 and I have been trying my luck since then.

  • Movies: ‘Hobbit’ gets second box office win

    Movies: ‘Hobbit’ gets second box office win

    • Battles ‘Unbroken’, ‘Into the Woods’

    The last movie of Peter Jackson’s three “Hobbit” films rode to a second consecutive win atop U.S. and Canadian weekend box office charts.

    The movie sold $41.4 million worth of tickets to triumph over new releases “Unbroken” and “Into the Woods.”

    “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” grabbed another $13.1 million from Christmas Day screenings for a combined four-day total through Sunday of $54.5 million as well as a domestic haul of $168.5 million since its Dec. 17 release, according to estimates from tracking firm Rentrak.

    Director, Angelina Jolie’s World War Two drama “Unbroken” finished second with $31.7 million after winning the box office duel on Christmas Day.

    It narrowly edged out another new film, the musical “Into the Woods” which claimed the No. 3 spot with $31 million.

    “Unbroken,” Jolie’s second directorial effort, tells the real-life story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini’s two years as a prisoner of war in Japan.

    'Unbroken'...A movie by Angelina Jolie
    A movie by Angelina Jolie

    “None of us ever would have thought a picture like this about a World War Two hero and Olympian would performed at this level,’’ said Nikki Rocco, President for domestic distribution at Universal Pictures.

    “We would have been happy at $25 million,” Rocco said, adding that the release had capped universal’s most profitable year.

    “Into The Woods,” the adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical which puts a dark spin on fairy tales, stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Johnny Depp.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the film, which saw the biggest opening in history for a screen adaptation of a Broadway musical, added $15.1 million from Christmas Day screenings for a four-day total of $46.1 million, distributor Walt Disney Co. disclosed.

    “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” took fourth place in its second week of release with $20.6 million, while the musical “Annie” rounded out the top five with $16.6 million.

    In a rare feat, box office sales for both films exceeded their opening weekend numbers.

    Another new release, “The Gambler,” opened in seventh with $9.3 million, behind “The Hunger Games‘” $10 million take.

    The low-budget film, which stars Mark Wahlberg, is a remake of the 1974 James Caan classic about a professor with a devastating weakness for high-stakes gambling.

    The relatively solid box office numbers put Hollywood on track to end the year down just over five per cent from 2013’s record performance.

    It was an improvement over the double-digit falloff that was in place during the summer, according to Rentrak.

  • Much awaited Movie: The Interview finally released

    Much awaited Movie: The Interview finally released

  • People should ‘go to the movies’

    People should ‘go to the movies’

    A cyber attack on Sony Pictures that forced the cancellation of a major film release is being seen as a serious national security matter, the U.S. says.

    A White House spokesman said the U.S. believed the hacking was the work of a “sophisticated actor” – but refused to confirm if North Korea was responsible.

    Sony withdrew The Interview, a new comedy film about North Korea’s leader, after threats from hackers.

    Hackers have already released sensitive information stored on Sony computers.

    They later issued a warning to members of the public planning to see The Interview.

    Referring to the 11 September 2001 terror attacks, they said “the world will be full of fear” if the film was screened.

    Many cinemas scrapped plans to show the film, and Sony then cancelled the release of the film altogether – moves criticised in Hollywood as an attack on the freedom of expression.

    At a White House briefing on Thursday, spokesman Josh Earnest said US officials had held daily discussions about the Sony cyber attack and were considering an “appropriate response”.

    However, he refused to comment on who was responsible, saying he did not wish to pre-empt an investigation by the Department of Justice and the FBI.

    Meanwhile President Barack Obama has said that his administration is taking the cyberattack against Sony studios seriously. Allaying their fears, he said people should “go to the movies.”

    Sony said Wednesday that it was canceling the December 25 release of The Interview after many theaters said they would hold off on screening the film. Threats have been made against theaters planning to show the film, which is a comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader.

    A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity said federal investigators have connected North Korea to the hacking.

    Obama told ABC News in an interview that the administration will be “vigilant” and will alert the public if there is evidence of a “serious and credible” threat.

    But for now, Obama said: “My recommendation would be that people go to the movies.”

  • I relax by reading & watching movies ‘I’m also taking lessons in golf’ -Fashion icon Sighetu

    I relax by reading & watching movies ‘I’m also taking lessons in golf’ -Fashion icon Sighetu

    Fashion Icon, Sighetu Edubane Edeku, knew what he wanted from life right from childhood. Though his father, a very successful book merchant, wanted his son to go the university and study medicine or law, the little boy had his eyes fixated on fashion.

    To get his father off his back, he would later attend the University of Lagos where he studied Geography and Town Planning. Satisfied that he had done half his father’s wish, Sighetu threw himself into his childhood passion-Fashion.

    “Fashion is a very big business all over the world. My mum and a few other members of my family were into it. And when I was in the university, I discovered that I was selling clothes to my colleagues on campus. I would go home to collect stuffs and sell to my colleagues in school. After I left school, it was only natural that I would go into fashion business.

    “I almost dropped out of the university. But I knew it would to be unfair to my parents to do that. So I had to honour them and complete the course. After that, I went on to do what I had always wanted to do. But I first had to study at the Institute of Textiles.”

    But the young blood in him would not allow him to finish the textile course before starting a fashion business. With the benefit of hindsight, Sighetu, in a deep throaty laughter, said he quit because he was too much in a hurry to make money.

    Almost three decades on, Sighetu has, to a large extent, established himself as a name to be reckoned with in the burgeoning fashion business in the country. But he is not done just yet, his dream, he confessed to The Nation, in an exclusive interview, is to ensure that his brand is worn in every home in Nigeria.

    “My dream is to have my brand in every home in Nigeria. I know it is possible, and I am working toward it.”

    Fascinated by the Italian fashion market success story, Sighetu has vowed to maintain the Nigerian identity in his own brand. To start with, he has remained faithful to the meaning of his name, Sighetu, which, according to him, means ‘pathfinder’ in his native language.

    As a pathfinder in the fashion business, Sighetu has ensured that, ‘by choice’, everything about him remains African.

    He explains: “I am a Nigerian by deliberate choice. So whatever I do comes from the African perspective. The food I eat, the way I dress and the way I live are all from the African perspective.”

    While many may look at fashion from the passion perspective, Sighetu confessed that he views it more from the business angle. And he is not surprised that men are gradually taking over a business that was previously dominated by the female folk.

    “Men had always been dominant in whatever business. For instance, many people would believe that chefs are predominantly women. But most chefs in big hotels are men. It is the same in the fashion business. Fashion business is a serious one. And it is no surprise that most serious businesses are dominated by men.”

    Sighetu is not unaware of the ‘danger’ of working with female models most times. And like a wise man, he said he has successfully drawn the line between pleasure and business. “It is like an entertainer, you need to draw the line. For me, I know the challenges of working with models, I mean female models. Therefore, I need to put my head down and know where to draw the line.”

    Interestingly, the last four years have been particularly traumatic for Sighetu. He lost his wife and business partner two years ago. Prior to that, she was sick for about two years, necessitating that he took a break from fashion for about four years.

    When his wife was alive, she formed the backbone of the business, especially those that had to do with the models.

    “I worked with my partner, that is my wife. We were always together doing videos and photo shoot. In our kind of business, you must have somebody to help you keep your head. My wife did that for me.”

    In a painful tone, Sighetu explained his experience of the past four years; “I lost my wife about two years ago. She was ill for about two years, and I had to leave the business because it was no easy to manage. And I had to take a leave to take care of her. But unfortunately, she passed on and I lost my drive.

    “For me, it was a double loss. She was my wife and business partner. In the office, we were always brainstorming. And at home, I could wake her up and discuss any idea. When you lose such a person, it reduces your confidence. And more painful was that she the face of the business. After her death, I didn’t feel like going on with the business anymore.”

    For him, making a comeback into a business that gave him fame was as difficult as making a primary school pupil write a university examination. But after several pieces of advice and therapy from family members, friends and experts, he is gradually beginning to find his rhythm once again.

    While fashion is taking the front burner in his list of priorities once again, Sighetu has also found a new passion in golf. For him, relaxation has no other meaning than reading a book or watching a movie.

    “These days, I relax by reading or watching movies. That is what I understand by relaxation. It is my own way of relaxing”, he said.

    But he has also added a new passion to his ‘dictionary’ of relaxation. And today, whenever he is not behind his table, penning down a design, reading a book or watching a favourite movie, Sighetu would be at the prestigious Ikoyi Club, Lagos, where is presently taking vigorous lessons in the artful and elitist game of golf.