Entertainment / Movies / News

Nollywood veteran Victor Olaotan is dead

Nollywood veteran Victor Olaotan has died. The movie star passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021, after a prolonged illness.

His widow, Julia Olaotan, broke the news of his death to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday morning.

Mrs Olaotan said she is grateful that the 69-year-old actor can finally go to rest after suffering for years.

“He has tried. It is not easy to be trapped in your own body for five years. He can finally rest now,” she said.

Olaotan was bedridden for five years after he was involved in a ghastly accident in 2016.

At some point, several of his colleagues solicited funds to help get the movie veteran back to his feet.

Olaotan became a household name in the country after he starred in the award-winning TV drama series ‘Tinsel‘ where he played the role of Fred Ade Williams.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

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Movies / News

September 2021 Movie Releases

September 2021 is looking to be a legendary time at the movies.

Friday September 3rd

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Theatrical and Disney+ Premier Access Release – Rated PG-13 – Simu Liu, Awkwafina

Friday September 10th

The Card Counter – Rated R – Oscar Isaac, Tye Sheridan


Kate – Theatrical and Netflix Release – Rated R – Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Woody Harrelson


Malignant – Rated R – Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson

Friday September 17th

Cry Macho – Theatrical and HBO Max Release – Rated PG-13 – Clint Eastwood, Fernanda Urrejola


Copshop – Rating TBD – Gerard Butler, Frank Grillo


The Eyes of Tammy Faye – Rating TBD – Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield

Friday September 24th

Dear Evan Hansen – Rating TBD – Ben Platt, Julianne Moore


The Guilty – Theatrical and Netflix Release (Streaming October 1) – Rating TBD – Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke

 

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Alexx Ekubo and fiancé Fancy Acholonu reportedly split 3 months to their wedding

There are reports that Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo and his fiancé Fancy Acholonu have called off their engagement. There are reports that she called off the engagement and deleted their joint Instagram page, FalexxForever. Acholonu has unfollowed the movie star on Instagram even though he still follows her.

However, Ekubo still has photos and videos from their proposal and engagement ceremony on his Instagram page.

While Acholonu has deleted every photo she has with the movie star on her Instagram page.

The couple got engaged in Los Angeles, United States of America.

They were billed to walk down the aisle in November.

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Entertainment / Movies / News

‘The Matrix 4’ full title unveiled alongside trailer release date

Finally! A first look at the long anticipated ‘The Matrix 4’ trailer is set to premiere ahead of its December 22, 2021 release.

Warner Bros recently unveiled the title of the new sequel as ‘The Matrix: Resurrections’ during their CinemaCon panel alongside the official trailer billed to premiere August 25, 2021.

According to news platforms, the new trailer promises an exhilarating ride for fans with appearances from Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss and Trinity.

Shot in Berlin and San Francisco in 2019, the Lana Wachowski film is also set to star Jada Pinkett Smith, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

The last ‘The Matrix’ installment ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ premiered in 2003

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Starz debuts trailer for 50 Cent’s produced ‘Black Mafia Family’

Starz has debuted the official trailer for ‘Black Mafia Family’ ahead of its confirmed September 26, 2021 premiere. The anticipated 50 Cent executive produced show is set to follow the rise of Detroit’s Flenory brothers as they launch a cocaine empire known as the Black Mafia Family in the late 1980s.

The series will star Demetrius Flenory Jr. , Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Lala Anthony, Charles Flenory, Ajiona Alexus, Steve and Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby. While Snoop will play a shady neighborhood minister, Eminem will reportedly play White Boy Rick.

Detroit’s Flenory brothers came into limelight after they broke into the music scenes as a bid to create a legal business as a front to launder money. Their story soon became one of glitz and glamour.

50 Cent shared months ago that the series will explore the origin of the brothers, growing up in Southwest side of Detroit. The series will also explore their rise to fame, fortune and eventual estrangement.

Watch the trailer:

 

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Taraji P Henson says she shot ‘Acrimony’ in 5 days amid filming ‘Empire’

‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson has opened up about her iconic role in Tyler Perry’s 2018 psychological thriller, ‘Acrimony’. In a recent Instagram post, Henson revealed that she filmed her role in five days while on the set of FOX’s television series ‘Empire’.

“I filmed my role in Acrimony in FIVE DAYS in the middle of playing Cookie on @Empire!! Tyler Perry told me I could do it, so of course, I believed him . I was soooo afraid I would fail because I had no time to get into character (so I thought)!

“I learned something new about my instrument on this production. We also had no time for a lot of takes so EVErY scene was about two takes…maybe three and then it was time to move on 🥵!! WOW.” 

Also starring Lyriq Bent and Crystle Stewart, the film follows Melinda, a faithful wife who becomes enraged when she discovers she has been betrayed. The film sparked quite the reaction on social media that lingered for months.

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Entertainment / Movies / News

‘You can be whatever you want to be’ has led many to their untimely death’ – Williams Uchemba

Nollywood actor Williams Uchemba has objected to the popular quote ‘You can be whatever you want to be.

According to the movie star in a lengthy post shared via his Instagram page on Tuesday, August 11, 2021, said that quote has led many people to their untimely death.

“One of the biggest lies I believed all my life, and till date still see people make the same mistake, is the lie that YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE. This sentence has led so many people to their untimely death, frustration and hopelessness,” he wrote.

“Imagine telling a sofa you can be a fridge or a fridge you can be a bed if you believe. Before the manufacturer of the sofa even started manufacturing it, he already knew the purpose of the sofa and the problem it would solve. The manufacture finished the product in his mind even before he started.”

The philanthropist went on to say that every individual on earth was created for a different purpose but, the biggest problem they face is how to discover their purpose.

He advised people trying to find their identity to be what God wants them to be and not what they want to be.

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Movies / News

Another Nollywood veteran dies from protracted illness

Another veteran Nollywood actor, Rich Oganiru, has died.

His death comes a few weeks after that of another Nollywood household name, Rachael Oniga, in Lagos.

Oganiru reportedly died on August 10, 2021 after being sick for months.

The news of his death was announced via Facebook by his friend, EmstarVee. The post reads: “BREAKING……..Sunset At Noon, Tuesday 10th August 2021! Ahem… I’ve lost a good friend like a brother for years, a great Nollywood actor par excellence. I’m just speechless. R.I.P Amb. Rich Oganiru.” Meanwhile, weeks ago, a video of Oganiru lying on his sick bed while begging for financial assistance was shared online.

The Nollywood actor, who has appeared in a number of films, was arrested in 2012 for allegedly murdering his wife. According to news reports at the time, Oganiru was arrested after a petition was filed by the family and relatives of his late wife, alleging that she was poisoned by the actor in order for him to inherit her fortune. Mr. Oganiru has always maintained his innocence, claiming that he never killed his multimillionaire wife.…

Covid 19 / Entertainment / Movies

Game of Thrones prequel production paused due to Covid-19

A positive Covid-19 test has reportedly forced the pausing of ‘Game of Thrones’ anticipated prequel ‘House of the Dragon’.

According to Deadline, a production member tested positive for the novel virus during one of the routine testing which is in compliance with industry guidelines. The delay will last for two days while the infected crew goes into quarantine.

The pause in production due to Covid-19 will not be the first as recently, Netflix ordered an indefinite pause on the production of the second season of ‘Bridgerton’ following its second recorded positive case.

Production for ‘House of the Dragon’ kicked off in April following months of development. The prequel created by George R.R. Martin, Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik, is set 300 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’ and centers on the House Targaryen

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Entertainment / Movies

‘Papa Benji’ season 2 gets release date

According to ‘Papa Benji’ executive producer, Basketmouth, season two will begin streaming from July 31, 2021.

Recall Basketmouth teased fans with a video of the cast and crew at a script conference which held about two months ago. The video confirmed that some of the show’s lead stars including Bethel ‘Senator’ Njoku, Onyebuchi Ojieh will be reprising their roles in the new season.

The web series follows the story of its titular character Papa Benji and the hilarious events that occur in his pepper soup joint. Some episodes of the show’s first season satirically addressed trending political and social issues.

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Movies / News

Movies to see in July

Black widow (July 9, Theatres): We have seen Natasha Romanoff evolve from assassin to spy to avenger and for the first time in all her appearances in the MCU Natasha is the daughter and sister who has finally returned home. Originally slated for release in mid-2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic that halted major movie screenings Black widow had to be delayed. But with the new teasers and trailers released in the last months leading to July 9th, it’s safe to say the experience is worth the wait.

The Tomorrow War (July 2 Amazon Prime video): Natasha is not the only avenger we’ll be catching a glimpse of this summer as Chris Pratt takes a lead role in this sci-fi dystopian movie. Produced by Skydance studio(The Old Guard, Terminator: Dark fate, Mission Impossible), ‘Tomorrow War’ promises to deliver an action-packed experience not just entailing CGI’s and green screen pictures but also sprinkles fatherhood.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (July 16, HBO Max): NBA star LeBron James takes his basketball mastery into animation once again since ‘The LeBrons of 2011.

Space Jam2 is adapted from the original 1996 Production and the looney tunes series. LeBron has to take on an elite AI-powered team in a ruthless game of basketball to save his hot-headed teenage son.

The Boss Baby 2: Family Business (July 2 Peacock, Theatres): Kid-friendly, Heartwarming, and Funny are few words to describe ‘The Boss Baby (2017) and 3years after; it makes a grand return. This time, with our darling brothers as grown-ups still hilariously squabbling as they strengthen their bond along this adventurous plotline.

Troll hunters: the rise of the titans (July 21 Netflix): Heading straight to Netflix From visionary filmmaker ‘Guillermo Del Toro’, A surprising team of heroes must unite to dominate a certain magical force that threatens their existence.

Gunpowder milkshake (July 14 Netflix): Navot Papushado in his English feature debut assembles Karen Gillan, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, Paul Giamatti & Game of Thrones Lena

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Movies / News

Netflix launches affordable mobile plan with New Partial Download feature

Different people have different entertainment preferences. Some want Ultra HD and the ability to stream on four screens at once. Some only watch movies and shows on their phone. Adding a mobile plan gives consumers more choice no matter what their budget or requirements

Country Currency Mobile Price Basic
Price		 Standard Price Premium Price
Nigeria NGN 1,200 2,900 3,600 4,400
Kenya KES 300 700 950 1,200
South Africa ZAR 49 99 139 169
Other SSA Countries USD 3.99 $7.99 $9.99 $11.99

Additionally, Netflix simultaneously launched the Play Partial Download a new feature allowing members with Android phones and tablets (v7.64+) to start playback of a title or episode before it has completed downloading. Netflix previously tested this feature back in July of 2020 where we found that 35% of new members & 24% of existing members played a partial download at least once. Netflix members can now watch titles that are partially downloaded through the Play Partial Download feature on Netflix.

According to research done by the streaming platform, the African market is most popular for downloading titles which means that the launch of the Play Partial Download feature is apt for the market. This feature will enable members save time because they no longer must wait more than 10 minutes for complete downloads before watching their favorite titles. Additionally, it would save cost because members across Africa, have pivoted to using offline viewing after cellular data prices have increased in markets.

Whether it’s a long flight or an extended commute, downloaded series and movies can make any moment on the go more entertaining and It’s disappointing when you realize your download never completed because of unreliable wifi or a maxed out data plan and Play Partial Download solves this problem. Once you’ve regained a strong enough connection, the feature allows you to choose to finish the download and keep watching — avoiding those surprise notices that you’ve gone over your data limits.

To access this feature from the ‘download’ menu on their mobile device or from the continue ‘watching

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Entertainment / Movies

Adunni Ade opens up on being blacklisted from Nollywood for 3 Years

In a recent Instagram live chat, the American/Nigerian actress recounted how hurt she felt during the period where she suddenly stopped getting roles from casting directors or producers.

“I was knocked off English part of Nollywood for a few years and it was at the time when my career should have been up there, getting recognized and getting awards that was recognized all over Africa and being part of projects that had grossed millions in the cinemas. Then from nowhere being pushed out of the scene. That hurts. It was for about three plus years. I am still not there but I am working my way back up. I found another strategy to get back up there,” Ade shared in a clip of the Instagram LIVE interview.

Recall the actress first opened up about being blacklisted from a part of the industry in an interview with Chude Jideonwo. She revealed that the blacklisting began right after her AMVCA nomination in 2017.

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Movies / News

Disney announces production details for Lagos themed animated series ‘Iwájú’

Disney, in a statement released at the ongoing Annecy International Animation Film Festival, confirmed that production has commenced with talents working remotely from Nigeria, Uganda, London, Montreal and Burbank.

Although details of the series remain under wraps, Kugali co-founder and series director Ziki Nelson revealed that ‘Iwájú’ will share themes of inequality and class divide. “That’s the everyday reality of life in Nigeria and other parts of the world, and [themes include] the consequences they have on a society and challenging the status quo.”

Set in futuristic Lagos, Kugali co-founder, Tolu Olowofoyeku noted the team’s choice of the commercial city, highlighting how its “unique and distinct feel” provided an interesting base for the story.

Kugali is founded by three Nigerian comics artist, Tolu Olowofoyeku, Ziki Nelson and Hamid Ibrahim

 

 

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Movies / News

Movie Updates: June Edition

Wednesday June 16th

The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard – Rated R – Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson

Fatherhood – Netflix Release – Rated PG-13 – Kevin Hart, Lil Rel Howery


Luca – Disney+ Release – Rated PG – Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer

Friday June 25th

F9 (Fast and Furious 9) – Rated PG-13 – Vin Diesel, John Cena

 

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Entertainment / Movies

Movie Update: Army of the Dead Directed by Zack Snyder

Army of the Dead is a 2021 American zombie heist film directed by Zack Snyder, with a screenplay by Snyder, Shay Hatten, and Joby Harold, based on an original story by Snyder.The film stars an ensemble cast consisting of Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick ,Matthias Schweighöfer and more.The plot follows a group of soldiers who plan a Las Vegas casino heist amid a zombie apocalypse.

The film was announce.d in 2007, but spent several years in development hell at Warner Bros. before having the rights bought by Netflix in 2019. Snyder was announced as director, and the cast joined over the next several months. Filming began in July 2019, taking place in Los Angeles, New Mexico, and New Jersey, including at the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel; Snyder acted as his own cinematographer on the film. Chris D’Elia was originally cast in the film, but after several sexual misconduct accusations were made against him in August 2020, Tig Notaro was hired to replace his character and reshot his scenes using green screen and body doubles.

 

Army of the Dead was released in select theaters in the United States on May 14, 2021, and started streaming digitally on Netflix from May 21. The film received praise from critics for its action sequences, humor, and cast, but was criticized for its runtime and emotional tone.

 

 

 

WOULD THERE BE A aRMY OF THE DEAD 2 MOVIE ?

Kate  (Ella Purnell), though, isn’t the sole human survivor, with the next scene revealing that Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick) survived the nuclear blast. Locked inside the casino vault by Ludwig Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer) as Zeus attacked, Vanderohe emerges from the rubble, following the nuclear strike, with two bags full of cash.

He travels to Utah, and bribes an air stewardess to let him rent a private jet bound for Mexico City. However, on the plane he starts to feel dizzy, and heads to the bathroom to clear his head.

Vanderohe realizes that he was …