Nigerian Entertainment Awards

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | July 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Many Nigeria Personalities, actors, actresses and musicians came for a night of Glitz and Glamour to the 3rd Annual Nigeria Entertainment Awards held at the Skirball Performing Arts Center in New York City. The producers of this yearly award show, hosted over 600 entertainment enthusiast who came to be a part of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry in the Diaspora. The event was a success.

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Filed in Film » Nollywood

All About Us starring Boris Kodjoe out on DVD

Written by Laura Adibe | July 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Boris Kodjoe brings sex appeal and talent to the screen every time, and it doesn’t hurt that in real life he is a loving husband and father.

Inspired by a true story, All About Us follows a filmmaking couple through Mississippi in search of Morgan Freeman to persuade him to star in their next movie. To read more, click here. » Read more…

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Sophie Okonedo to star in ‘The Secret Life of Bees’

Written by Laura Adibe | June 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Based on the 2002 best selling novel by author Sue Monk Kidd, the cast includes Sophie Okonedo, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Nate Parker and Tristan Wilds. The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball, Disappearing Acts). » Read more…

Filed in Cinema » Film

Idris Elba and Thandie Newton in RocknRolla

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Idris Elba and Thandie Newton will be in the new movie about a Russian mobster who orchestrates a crooked land deal, putting millions of dollars up for grabs and attracting all of London’s criminal underworld. A dangerous crime lord, a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and a band of petty thieves are among those who work really hard to double-cross one another.

The movies features a star studded cast including Gerard Butler, Jeremy Piven, Ludacris (yes, Ludacris!), and Jamie Campbell Bower give their all to the movie. Thandie is the sexy accountant (in case you weren’t sure). Overall it will be interesting to see what the viewers think of the movie–A Guy Ritchie production in the vein of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels“. The movie is slated to premiere sometime in September or October of 2008. » Read more…

Filed in Cinema » Film

Benu Mabhena’s Long Road To Stardom

Written by Grace Yama | June 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

She makes her screen debut in the Hollywood action drama Blood Diamond, as Djimon Hounsou’s wife. Living in exile with her father, Benu fled for her life from her native country Zimbabwe and came to the states.

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Filed in Cinema » Film

This is My Africa

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment

What do Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth (he lived in Nigeria as a little boy), Yinka Shonibare, and Paul Boateng, have in common? They are all part of a movie that focuses on African culture and what it means to them. Zina Saro-Wiwa (daughter of Ken Saro-Wiwa), a presenter for BBC and Radio 4 also serves as adviser to both British Council’s Music Unit, and The Africa Center in London, explores the perceptions of 20 people, black and white, the African continent (interestingly, she also performs under the pseudonym, Copperqueen). » Read more…

Filed in Film » Reviews - Moto

On the Rumba River

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment

On the Rhumba River is the story of an orphan, Antoine Kolosy, who found his calling in upbeat songs he made up on his battered old guitar. The church began to persecute him and the Belgian colonialists banned his songs. He started boxing but his heart was in the music. He released his first album in 1948 and was launched into stardom. His style was a sort of congolese rhumba that quickly caught on. » Read more…

Filed in Film » Reviews - Moto

Michael Obiora - Oh So Wicked in “Hotel Babylon”

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Michael Obiora is Ben in the critically acclaimed BBC Drama “Hotel Babylon”. This talented young man plays a gay receptionist who tries to find his place in a world filled with mixed ideals and morals. » Read more…

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African actors repping hard in The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

Written by Laura Adibe | May 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

According to AOL Black Voices, the TV series, along with the two-hour pilot, will air on HBO. The series, which is adapted from the book series by author Alexander McCall Smith, follows the adventures of Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott), the owner of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. Along with Jill Scott, the cast includes Lucian Msamati, David Oyelowo (’The Last King of Scotland’; HBO’s ‘Five Days’ and ‘As You Like It’), and the ever-so handsome Idris Elba (’28 Weeks Later,’ HBO’s ‘The Wire’). » Read more…

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Carmen Ejogo

Written by Laura Adibe | May 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The Nigerian-Scottish actress is keeping busy with upcoming roles in the Spike Lee directed TV series pilot M.O.N.Y., and the films Pride and Glory and Farlanders. Ejogo is best known for such roles as Sally Hemings in the made-for-TV movie, Sally Hemings: An American Scandal and for her role as Alean, the unfit mother, in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues, starring S. Epatha Merkerson and Terrence Howard. » Read more…

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Jaye Davidson - The Crying Game

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Jaye Davidson, born Alfred Amey, is an American Oscar-nominated former actor who was born to a Ghanian father and an English mother. Although he was born in the U.S., he was raised in England. » Read more…

Filed in Film