AY Makun is Very Predictable

Ace movie producer, 2016 most bankable actor and the only one to be featured in the top three highest grossing movie in Nollywood history (30 days in Atlanta, a trip to Jamaica and the wedding party).

Setting his own records and breaking them himself. A few days ago, Ay Makun announced his next movie project, christened "10 days in sin city", a trip to South Africa. Not until yesterday was my attention drawn to the fact that just few days to his announcement, had i written up a post about the three possible location AY could take his fictional character of Akpos to.

Adventures of Apkos: After Jamaica where next?

I name dropped Brazil and Hollywood California, but choose South Africa as the most favorite choice and here we have it: 10 days in sin city; a trip to South Africa.

Whether the movie follows and is a sequel of his past two installments is yet to be known but either way, Ay Makun might just have to contact me ASAP before i reveal his next big plan.

I remain Shalombrain.

Also Read:

FALL OF THE MIGHTY: Why A Trip to Jamaica Failed

FALL OF THE MIGHTY: Why A Trip to Jamaica Failed

Its no news again  that Kemi Adebita's film "The Wedding Party" is the Nollywood film that is presently topping the charts and making rave in the cinemas at the moment. Such is evident in the fact that my two last post before  this has been solely about the movie making this it's third straight single post. 

In this post we will be analyzing the reason as to why Kemi Adebita The Wedding Party  was able to over throw Robert O. Peters A Trip to Jamaica (spoiler; or not so much of a spoiler again: The Wedding Party has grossed over 200 million Naira in just 16 days). First get the facts straight, no other genre of movie besides comedy will be able to perform well ( in terms of reaching and surpassing the 100 million mark) in the present Nigeria situation.

Its understandable to an extent. with all the challenges Nigeria is faced with at the moment, its understandable why an average Nigerian person will prefer to pay to watch a comedy flick that will relive him of the burden of the Nation for a few hours than pay for a movie just for the sake of its all round awesomeness. (evident in Kunle Afolayan's CEO movie that premiered just months within the same time The Wedding Party and A Trip to Jamaica did).

Ay's movie have been holding up to the no 1 spot for two years now, performing the trick with two movies back to back until  The Wedding Party came calling. Now this two block busters are both in the comedy genre, so what did The Wedding Party do right? 

It's a simple trick that Don Omope and Ijeoma Agukoronye knows that Ay Makun refused to apply in his movie. You see when a Nigerian has to pay for a show, concert, comedy gig or movie, even if the ticket cost is five hundred Naira, they would want to squeeze out every worth out of that five hundred Naira.  That's why most times when you organize a program with no top chart celebrity listed to perform the turn out is usually low no matter what the ticket price is. 

In A Trip to Jamaica Ay only employed the prowess of Funke Akindele,  Nse Ikpe Etim, Cynthia Morgan and Patoranking who more or less made cameo appearances, some Hollywood 'stars' who are practically unknown to Nigerians, so most of the people whop went to see  A Trip to Jamaica were just the same set of people who the previous cast of 30 days in Atalanta was able to wow, no new audience to boost the rakings.

But when  Don Omope and Ijeoma Agukoronye were going to ensemble a cast, they brought in Banky W, Emmaomg, RMD, Alibaba, Frank Donga, names that most Nigerians are currently familiar with and interact with,  so its easier to bring in the fans of this home grown and celebrated 

celebrities and more others who don't fall for one or two but a combination of celebs. 

If Ay wants to reclaim his spot as the no 1 highest grossing movie producer in Nollywood, he has to apply the logic he uses in his comedy shows "Ay Live" to the cinema screen. Let the next installment of the gigantic series boast of more home grown and familiar stars then maybe Nigerians will be more than persuaded to pay for his flick.

I remain Shalombrain 

REVIEW: The Wedding Party

Guys, if in 2016/2017, you still don't believe in going to the cinema to watch Nigerian movies, you are missing alot. The much anticipated movie, 'The Wedding Party' has begun airing in cinemas nationwide and here are my honest thoughts. 

I was particularly impressed with the ample appearances of Nigeria's finest in the movie industry. I must say a big kudos to the producers of this movie. Please note, this is not a spoiler (well, I'll try not to make it one). 

Movie Quality (Sound/visual): As Nigerian movies continue to improve on the quality of their productions, this movie wasn't left out as it was top notch. Very clear and audible. Everyone could hear what they were saying. I'll give it 8/10.

Storyline: You'd agree with me that this has a similar storyline to the typical american comedy/drama movies that we are used to watching. However, it was a great one. I'll also give it 8/10

Acting: Yes! I have a lot of things to say about this. I was particularly impressed by Banky W's acting. For someone who has little or no experience in acting, he did pretty well. The star of the movie was one of my favourite actresses in Nigeria - Sola Shobowale. She just knows how to put on a good performance. 

Frank Donga also did very well - especially in that scene where he said 'abi I should call my tailor?'. That made me almost fall off my chair in laughter. (Those who have watched the movie will understand). 

Other scenes that impressed me: 
Banky's rolls Royce scene. That was very very good. It felt so real. 
The armed robber hostage scene. 
The dancing scene. 

But as embedded in the Nigerian gene to want to overact sometimes, this movie wasn't short of such displays. Alibaba's scenes portrayed him as over enthusiastic and it seemed he was over acting. I understand what the producer felt when he was bringing in Alibaba. However, I think he wasn't a good fit for that role. I think he's better as a stand up comedian. Acting may not be his thing. He had some good moments (robbery scene) but generally, his acting wasn't top notch. 

Emmaohmygod: Although he's my friend and a very funny guy, his scene took away the realism (drama genre) from the movie. He did overact in his prayer scene and it became quite boring after a while. 

Banky's 'best man': I understand the concept, however, the guy had a couple of low moments. He seems overtly confident and people could know that he was acting. I didn't see a lot of emotions from him (both the good and the bad).

So i would have given acting a high flying 8, but for the 'average' performances, I'll give it a 7/10.

Movie production/direction: The producers must have spent a fortune on this movie without a doubt. It isn't easy to assemble a whole list of celebrities for a movie. Logistics and movie set up must have cost some money. I'll give it 8/10. 

In conclusion, this certainly is BY A WIDE MARGIN better than Trip to Jamaica and is one of the best movies produced in Nigeria yet.


Ref: dabraska of Nairaland

The Wedding Party Gross Over Two hundred Million Naira

The Wedding Party, a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy drama film, directed by Kemi Adetiba that premiered on 8 September 2016 at TIFF Toronto and on 26 November 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos and started showing on cinemas in Nigeria from 16 December 2016, has grossed over Two Hundred Million Naira after just sixteen days of showing in the cinemas against a Sixty Million budget.

The Wedding Party has over thrown AY Makun's A Trip to Jamaica, which previously held the record for the highest grossing movie in Nigeria with a record One Hundred and Sixty Million plus.

The Wedding party follows the shenanigans that go on during the planning of a wedding in Nigeria. Dunni a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents, Engineer Bamidele and Mrs Tinuade Coker, is about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie the handsome son of Felix and Obianuju Onwuka. The couple took a vow of chastity and are looking forward to a ground -breaking first night together as a married couple. Between matchmaking attempts on the bridal train, a wedding planner on a mission to succeed, the unruly behaviour of some ‘village’ guests much to Tinuade’s horror, Dunni's uncertainty about her new husband's faithfulness during the time of their courtship, amidst colourful aso-ebi, eclectic music, small chops, and souvenir drama, we begin to wonder whether Dunni and Dozie will get through their wedding reception unscathed.

Directed by Kemi Adetiba, Produced by Don Omope and Ijeoma Agukoronye

The wedding Party is still showing in cinemas. I guess the Guinness Book of Records will have to withdraw the Accolade bestowed on A Trip to Jamaica.


 

Adventures of Apkos: After Jamaica where next?

So in 2014, we saw comedian Ayo Makun take his on-screen fictional character of Akpos along with his millions of dedicated and loyal fans on a trip to Atlanta in a 30 days holiday trip in which his on screen character won from the MD of Lekki Gardens.

It was an hour + of compelling and thrilling masterpiece of a film, breaking records and setting new ones, winning awards and putting Nollywood on the map outside Nigeria.

Last year we were treated to the adventures of Akpos in Jamaica, a movie that shattered box office rankings set by its predecessor. Billed as one of the best movies to come out of  Nollywood last year.

Akpos has been to Atlanta and Jamaica, it now begs the question, where next will this witty, unorthodox character go? There are so many options for the ace producer and comedian in which he can drive this character to but i will streamline it to the three possible locations in the world that will most likely prick the interest of the Warri born character.

Rio Brazil: Brazil is a country known for its aura of beautiful Latina women and we know how much affinity Akpos has for ladies, so it wont be surprising to Akpos head to Brazil for a nice time out.

South Africa: Billed to be the next country behind Nigeria to have the best economy on the continent, beating his homeland in the aspect of technology and infrastructure, it will be totally understandable if Akpos decides to visit the Southern part of Africa.

Hollywood California: The bedrock of everything entertainment in the US. Maybe Akpos is a big fan of one of the well acclaimed and celebrated Hollywood celebrity and who knows, he might get an opportunity at meeting this celebrity of his just to say Hi and let this celeb know how big a fan he his of him or her.

Anyway, whichever place this Warri guy decides to take his adventures to next am sure his Nigerian and Ghanaians will have no qualms going with him.

I remain shalombrain