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Nickelodeon has announced American professional wrestler and reality television host John Cena will be hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (KCA) this year.

The awards which honours kids’ favourites from across the worlds of film, television, music, pop culture, animation and more will be held on March 11, 2017 at the USC’s Galen Centre, Los Angeles in the United States of America.

“The Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards is the biggest party for kids, and I’m so excited and honoured to host this year’s show,” Cena said in a statement released by Nickelodeon Africa.

“I have a lot of big surprises in store so bring on the slime!” The WWE star wrestler joins the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Blake Shelton and Will Smith who have previously hosted the show.

“John Cena is an absolute megastar to kids, and we can’t wait for the excitement and energy he’s going to bring to this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards,” said Chris Torline, Marketing & Digital Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa.

“John’s star has been rising among audiences everywhere, and it’s set to get even bigger when he hosts the show.”

The KCA sees kids vote for their favourite stars, films and more from the entertainment industry. The 2016 edition of the awards saw Uche Pedro, founder of Bella Naija winning the Favourite Blogger (Africa) award. In 2014, Cool FM radio presenter Freeze won Favourite On-Air-Personality (Nigeria) at the awards.

The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards premieres in Nigeria on Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) and NickToons (DStv channel 308) on Wednesday 15 March 2017 at 2:40PM.
12:38


British Actor, John Hurt known for his roles in critically acclaimed movies, The Elephant Man and Midnight Man has passed on at 77.

 Hurt was also known for his role in the first two Harry Potter films where he played Garrick Ollivander.
John Hurt was reportedly scheduled to appear in The Entertainer, July last year but pulled out because of ill health.

Hurt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.
He passed on this morning, six days after his 77th birthday.
06:13




"Okafor's Law" follows Chuks, an ardent player, who believes that once a man has had a woman, he forever has access to her.

"Okafor's Law" which had its world premiere at The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will premiere in Nigeria on March 31, 2017.

Synopsis:
Chuks (aka Terminator) is an ardent player with the ladies. He enjoys the attention of women, including girlfriends from the past. He believes that once a man has had a woman, he forever has access to her.
When challenged by his friends to see if he can prove the universality of that theory with three ex-girlfriends from his school days within 21 days, he accepts it.

Turning on his best charm he sets off to try and prove himself, but his quest brings him to three women, Ifeoma (Fifi), Kemi and Ejiro, whose situations in life have changed drastically since school days. This challenge of their various new statuses makes his quest to win the bet more and more insurmountable as he tries to prove the immutability of the age-old law, Okafor's Law.
A star-studded movie, "Okafor's Law" is produced and directed by Oboli, and stars Richard Mofe Damijo, Toyin Aimakhu, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Ken Erics, Ufuoma McDermott, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Yvonne Jegede, Halima Abubakar, Mary Lazarus, Uche Nnaji, Betty Irabor, Tina Mba, Gabriel Afolayan, and Funke Bucknor.
Oboli is popular for "Anchor Baby," "The Figurine," "The First Lady," "Wives on Strike," "Being Mrs Elliott" among others.
10:46


Since Mauritania’s Timbuktu made the list of nominees for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2014, it’s been cricket sounds for African films at the Oscars.

 The nomination announcement yesterday saw no African film on the list of movies nominated for the Best Foreign Language film and we really don’t know why. 

 Although the category is mostly dominated by European films (they’ve won 56 awards since 1947), several amazing movies have been produced by different African countries since 2014 and the absence of all those films is mildly disheartening.
See a list of all the movies that have made the list below.

1969- Z (Algeria)  Won
1975- Black & White In Colour (Ivory Coast) Won
1995- Days Of Glory (Algeria)
2004- Yesterday (South Africa)
2004- Tsotsi (South Africa) Won
2006- Days of Glory (Algeria)
2010- Outside the Law (Algeria)

2014- Timbuktu (Mauritania)
06:46



Jada Pinkett Smith who spoke against #OscarsSoWhite in 2016, has reacted to the 2017 Academy Awards nominations which includes six black actors.

In 2016, Jada Pinkett Smith was one of the actors who called for a boycott of the Oscars after no person of color was nominated in any of the four major acting categories.

The nominees for the 89th and 2017 Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2016, and six black actors were nominated.
Black films including "Fences," "Hidden Figures" and "Moonlight" also got nominations in categories such as the best picture, feature documentary, and best director.
Reacting to the nominations, Pinkett Smith in an interview with Variety expressed her excitement.
“I feel really fantastic. It’s a beautiful thing to see,” Smith said. “We had a lot of exceptional films this year. I’m glad to see that projects like "Hidden Figures," "Fences," and "Moonlight" are getting recognition. I’m very proud this morning.”
On the significance of awards and diversity, the actress and producer said, "Because of the state that our country is in, as artists it’s so important we use our platform to help shine light on how we want to be identified as a country.”
“I look at this as a beautiful step towards that. Just our participation as artists in this time of how we want to represent our country, what is the messaging we want the world to see. As, artists we have strong voices. We create strong imagery in regards to the identity of our country. It’s important that we take responsibility for that.”
"La La Land," a musical comedy tipped to win big at the Oscars next month February scored 14 nominations, becoming one of the most nominated movies in the Academy Awards history.
Other nominees include Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Andrew Garfield, Mel Gibson among others.
06:35

Award winning Ghanaian Actress/Producer, Yvonne Nelson has reportedly lost her Dad.


According to Ghanaian website, Ghana Reporter, the Actress lost her father on Monday, 23rd January 2017.The 31 year old Actress allegedly shares no close relationship with her late father but is said to have confirmed the news on Tuesday, 24th January.
Until her father’s death, the Star’s millions of fans have heard little or nothing from her about her father. 
She is known to have celebrated her mother, Margaret Gaddy, even on ‘Father’s Day.’
Our condolences to the Star and her family during this period.
06:22


Following the announcement of the Oscar nominees today, January 24, 2017, six black actors were nominated for the prestigious awards.

 The nominees include Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris for their roles in Moonlight, Viola Davis and Denzel Washington for Fences, Octavia Spencer for Hidden Figures.

 Hopes are high for the nominees and there’s optimism that even more diversity will be incorporated in 2018.
11:21


The new "Logan" trailer features an older Wolverine, an ailing Professor X and a strong young mutant.

20th Century Fox has released the second official trailer for the upcoming Wolverine movie, titled "Logan." An action-packed and bloody trailer, it features a weary Logan, an ailing Professor X and a strong young mutant.

Synopsis

In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

Directed by  James Mangold, the film also stars Patrick Stewart, Stephen Merchant, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal and Elizabeth Rodriguez.

About film

Set in the future of 2024, Logan and Professor Charles Xavier must cope with the loss of the X-Men when a corporation lead by Nathaniel Essex is destroying the world leaving it to destruction, with Logan's healing abilities slowly fading away and Xavier's Alzheimer's forcing him to forget.

Logan must defeat Nathaniel Essex with the help of a young girl named Laura Kinney, a female clone of Wolverine.

Also known as "Wolverine 3," the upcoming superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics character, Wolverine, and is a sequel to 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and 2013's

"The Wolverine."

The 10th installment in the X-Men series, the film marks the final portrayal of Jackman as the  character.

"Logan" is scheduled for a March 3, 2017 release

Watch the trailer here
11:14


"John Wick 2" is an upcoming American action thriller film that features Keanu Reeves as

the title character. Watch official clip.

Lionsgate has released the first "John Wick: Chapter 2" clip.

"John Wick" is an upcoming American action thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski and

written by Derek Kolstad.

A sequel to the 2014 film of same name, "John Wick 2" stars Keanu Reeves, Common,

Laurence Fishburne, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ruby Rose, John Leguizamo, and Ian McShane.
Plot.

Legendary hitman John Wick is forced to back out of retirement by a former associate

plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins' guild.

Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome, where he squares off against

some of the world's deadliest killers.

"John Wick 2" premieres on February 10, 2017.
11:08


In "The Belko Experiment," employees of the Belko Corporation are informed to kill three of their co-workers in 30 minutes, or else six of them will die.

A new chilling trailer for "The Belko Experiment,"  a 2016 American horror thriller film directed by Greg McLean and written by James Gunn, has been released.

“All employees, lend me you full attention,” a voice says in the trailer. “There are currently 80 of you in the building. In two hours, we want 30 of you dead. If 30 of you are not dead, we will end 60 of your lives ourselves.”
The movie stars John Gallagher Jr, Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, Adria Arjona, John C. McGinley, Tony Goldwyn, David Dastmalchian, Melonie Diaz, and Josh Brener.
"The Belko Experiment" explores a twisted social experiment, in which a group of 80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogata and ordered by an unknown voice on an intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed.
The office horror movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a worldwide release on March 17, 2017.
11:05


There has been a lot of online outrage since the Sunday after Nigerians found out that reality show Big Brother Naija is actually being held in South Africa.

 A statement from the broadcasting company, Africa Magic however stated that the main reason for the setting of the reality show is the availability of a location ready made for the reality show.

 It read, “We have a fully equipped house in South Africa which is used for the Big Brother shows. For the Voice, our approach was pretty much the same.

“The venue is already set up with all facilities required for the successful execution of the show; this means that we are able to achieve high production values whilst meeting tight timelines/deadlines and ensuring the show comes to our viewers on time, as planned, and with the same globally renowned quality.

“Whilst the house is based in South Africa, the BBN show is 100% Nigerian, with fully Nigerian housemates and content.

“Africa Magic also noted that Big Brother Naija has been greatly improved since the ten years it last aired on Nigerian television.

“The past 10 years and successes of other Big Brother Africa shows have provided opportunities for improving on the show and now we are ready to give the best version of the show to Nigerians.

K9, Yemi Alade and Flavour performed at the opening ceremony of Big Brother Naija 2017.”
10:02

As we continue to give you the blow-by-blow breakdown of how Nigerian cinema fared in 2016, we can exclusively report that two hundred and ten (210) films were released into the cinemas in the past year.
Of the 210 releases, fifty (50) of them were Nollywood films. This represents a 25% increase from the 40 released in 2015 and an almost 100% increase from the 24 films released in 2014.
According to FilmOne Distribution who provided the figures, the percentage of Nollywood releases versus Hollywood stood at 25% vs 7‎5%. This ratio was 20% vs 80% in 2015. When box office values are compared, Nollywood films witnessed a 100% growth from 2015’s 15% to 30% as against the 70% box office value of films from outside Nigeria.
The 50 Nollywood releases include films which witnessed limited releases.
Some of the major films released into Nigerian cinemas in 2016 include Suru L’ere, It’s Her Day, Dinner, The CEO, A Trip to Jamaica, Gidi Blues, The Wedding Party, Ghana Must Go, Brother Jekwu, The Arbitration, Couple of Days, ’76, ATM, Wives on Strike and Three Wise Men.

Of these films, The Wedding Party and A Trip to Jamaica both crossed the N100 million mark with The Wedding Party grossing over N210 million so far.
08:17


Originally scheduled for July 21, 2017 release, Universal Pictures have set a new date for the release of the musical movie.

Universal Pictures recently shared a behind the scene video from the set of the upcoming 3rd installment of Pitch Perfect

The video goes behind the scenes with the cast as they kicked off shoot of the movie on January 23, 2017.
The behind-the-scene video features the Barden Bellas as they rehearse their choreography for the film.
Previously scheduled to be released on July 21, 2017, the musical comedy sequel will debut in theaters on December 22, 2017. 
Written by Kay Cannon, who penned the first two films, upcoming sequel will be produced by Elizabeth Banks.
"Pitch Perfect 3" is expected to see the return of Anna Kendrick, Britanny Snow, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Adam DeVine, Katey Sagal, Ester Dean, Kelley Jakle and Hana Mae Lee.
It will also feature Ruby Rose in a major role.
Pitch Perfect 2 which was released in May 15, 2015. It grossed over $282 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie musical of all time.
08:15




The nominees of the Africa Movies Academy Awards are scheduled to be announced in April. The 13th edition of awards ceremony will hold on June 3, 2017.

Organizers of the Africa Movies Academy Awards 2017 (AMAA) have extended the submission date for entries from filmmakers to January 25, 2017.

AMAA had previously called on interested filmmakers to submit their films for over thirty categories for the upcoming awards ceremony.

Nominees of the 2017 AMMA are to be revealed on April 15, 2017. The 13th edition of awards ceremony will hold on June 3, 2017. The city/venue of where it will be held is yet to be revealed.
The 2016 edition held in the Rivers state capital, Port Harcourt while the 2015 edition held in South Africa.

Winners at last year’s awards includeDaniel K. Daniel, Thishiwe Ziqubu, "Meet the Parents," "Dry," "Soldier Story," "Tell Me Something New," among others.

Founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe in 2005, the Africa Movies Academy Awards event was developed to recognize the hard work and excellence shown by people in the movie industry.

The Jury President for the 2017 edition is Swiss producer and author Bernie Goldblat. Goldblat is a founding member of Cinomade with Daphne Serelle.

AMAA is a subsidiary of the Africa Film Academy.
07:06






The next chapter in the beloved blockbuster "Star Wars" saga has a title: Episode VIII will tell the tale of "The Last Jedi"

Lucasfilm on Monday released the title without additional explanation. The film, directed by Rian Johnson, is due in theaters on December 15, 2017.

"We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: Star Wars -- The Last Jedi," the studio said in a statement.

Episode VIII is due to pick up the action where 2015's "The Force Awakens" left off -- with Rey (Daisy Ridley) handing Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) his light saber on a remote mountaintop.

That begs the question: who will the Last Jedi be?

The unveiling of the title immediately prompted speculation among fans: would it be Skywalker, Rey or both (as Jedi can be singular AND plural).

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens," released in late 2015, earned more than $2 billion worldwide, according to boxofficemojo.com.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," a standalone movie in the saga released late last year, has so far raked in more than $1 billion at theaters around the world.
06:45

The Nigerian Copyright Commission has since 2011 till the third quarter of 2016 seized a N8.3 billion worth of pirated goods.

The latest raid was on Thursday when the commission seized N275 million worth of pirated works intercepted at the sea ports.

While displaying the three containers of bibles, books and compact discs, the Director-General of NCC, Afam Ezekude, told newsmen about the activities of the commission in the bid to curb the activities of pirates.

“From 2011 to the third quarter of 2016, our collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service led to the seizure of a total of 25 containers of pirated copyright works.

“Within the same period, the commission carried out a total of 289 anti-piracy operations across the country and seized over eight million assorted pirated copyright products with a market value of about N8.3 billion.

“If these goods were allowed to enter the Nigerian market, Nigerian copyright owners will be losing that value to pirates

“Furthermore, the commission within the period filed several criminal charges against offenders in Federal High Courts and secured a total of 55 convictions against offenders,” he said.
“In the last six years, we have done so much to reduce the activities of pirates,” Ezekude said.

Also Read: Video: Watch Trailer For Deejay Sa'id's Short Film, "Trapped"
While receiving the seized Bibles, Dare Ajiboye, General Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, BSN, lauded the efforts of the commission and lamented the challenges the pirates were leaving in the wake of their terrible acts.

“As an organisation, one of the greatest challenges we have is piracy.

“It is saddening to invest time, money and energy to produce a creative work which is stolen and reproduced by pirates,” he said.
09:07


2016 was undoubtedly a year in which Nollywood witnessed remarkable improvement not just in the quality of films produced but also in terms of box office revenue.

Nigeria’s filmmaking industry also got massive recognition in the form of a City-to-City feature of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) where seven Nollywood films screened to sold out audiences in Toronto, Canada.

Twice, in the period in review, the existing Nollywood box office records were broken while revenue from Nollywood cross the N1 billion revenue mark despite the economic recession being witnessed. 

First by AY Makun’s A Trip to Jamaica which usurped another AY film, 30 Days in Atlanta before surrendering the position to ELFIKE Collective’s The Wedding Party – a film that has crossed the N200 million mark in revenue.

The hefty box office figures means that several questions are being asked about what really went “good”. Was it down to the quality of films? Was it because these films are comedies? Did cinema goers pay more to watch these films? Have Nigerians finally woken up to the goodness of Nollywood?

While it is a bit tricky to pick any of the above as the sole reason for the successes Nollywood witnessed in 2016, official figures released exclusively to TNS by FilmOne Distribution have revealed the average price people paid to watch a movie.

In 2016, the estimated average ticket price paid to for a film in the cinemas was N1,105 (one thousand one hundred and five Naira).

According to reports, The Wedding Party sold for N2,000 within the first few weeks after its release into cinemas. There have also been periods in 2017 when tickets have been sold for N2,000 due to huge ticket demands.

I just hope that the cost of tickets don't go high this year.
08:49

Employees of the Belko Corporation are trapped in their office building and informed that they have 30 minutes to kill three of their co-workers, or else six of them will die. 

The official poster for "The Belko Experiment,"  a 2016 American horror thriller film directed by Greg McLean and written by James Gunn is here.

The movie stars John Gallagher Jr, Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, Adria Arjona, John C. McGinley, Tony Goldwyn, David Dastmalchian, Melonie Diaz, and Josh Brener.
"The Belko Experiment" explores a twisted social experiment, in which a group of 80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogata and ordered by an unknown voice on an intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed.
The office horror movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a worldwide release on March 17, 2017.
22:20

Following his outing in the 2016 movie "The Grudge," Odunlade Adekola is starring in a new comedy movie titled "A Million Baby."
The upcoming comedy drama stars Adekola alongside Ada Ameh, Ayo Binta Mogaji, Tony Akposhere, Moradeke Adegboyega, Seun Akindele, Omobola Akinde, Ibukun and Ire Salako.
Produced by Moradeke Adegboyega and Olakunle Oni, the movie also introduces newcomer Tayo Oluoti.
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"A Million Baby" was shot by Jeleel Adegbite and directed by Sunshine Olawore for Just Distinguish Productions.
The movie which would make its debut in cinemas tells the story of Janet (Moradeke Adegboyega), a comfortable family woman who loves to give and help the needy.
A simple mechanical issues lands her in the company of Morufu (Odunlade), Mama Oyinye (Ada Ameh) and Johny (Tony Akposhere).
However, Janet fails victim of her goodwill.
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Odunlade is a talented Yoruba actor popular for movies like "Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo," "Baba Super," "Ila Owo," among others.
No official release date has been announced.
13:07


"Rogue One" which tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star, has grossed over $800M..

Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" has grossed a worldwide sum of $801.9 million.

Currently the number two release of 2016 domestically, the movie is behind "Finding Dory‘s $486.3 million, and is currently the 7th highest grossing movie of 2016.

Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk and Riz Ahmed among others.

"Rogue One" tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star. Following the foundation of the Galactic Empire, a wayward band of Rebel fighters comes together to carry out a desperate mission: to steal the plans for the Death Star before it can be used to enforce the Emperor's rule.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" was released on December 16, 2016.
05:10
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