MOST Nollywood fans have been rooting for him.  They wonder why he has taken a backseat in an industry where he rose to become one of the most sought-after actors. Indeed, notable actor Emeka Ike has been missing in action for several years now. This was a chap who was the acclaimed poster boy of Nollywood. He was everywhere, appearing back then in the late ‘90s up to the late ‘2000s in at least eight nine out of every 10 movies released in Nollywood. It was common to hear producers in Idumota, Lagos, and at Pound Street Aba, Abia state or even Iweka Road in Onitsha, Anambra State suggest that a movie was incomplete without Emeka Ike in it. But that was then.

The dashing actor who has veered into business, politics and social activism has taken the backseat. Fans say they can’t remember when last they saw the once busy actor in any Nigerian movie. Although some of them say they have been following his story on social media especially that he now has a new family after the court reportedly dissolved his first marriage, they complain that just trailing the actor and reading about him is not the same as having Emeka Ike star in a movie. An actor of many credits who would have featured in over 200 movies including ‘Deadly Affairs’, ‘A Million Tears’, ‘After My Heart’, ‘Stigma’ and ‘Marry Who You Love’, fans want Emeka Ike back on screen so he can take his place back as the poster boy of Nollywood.

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REVIEW

Title – Accidental Discharge

Producer – Teco Benson

Director — Teco Benson Actors – Hanks Anuku, Ernest Asuzu, Rita Dominic, Robert Peters, Young Ujah and others.

THE Censor’s Board clamps down on Ken’s movie. It sets him back. Jane, his wife, is to the rescue. She gets the Board to reverse its decision on the movie. Ken is not sure she did not ‘bed’ the Director-General to get that done. Anyway, much later, Jane having failed to seduce one Chuks, Ken’s younger brother, frames him up. The young man gets a speedy expulsion. Somewhere in the flick, she seeks and dates this chap Jerry, whom Ken had earlier given the beating of his life in an eatery. She soon dumps Ken for Jerry whom she describes as a ‘superman.’ A livid Ken runs into the ‘lovebirds’ after a smooching session. He pulls the trigger twice and returns home to find his little sister cold dead. A vehicle reportedly knocked down Ken’s mother who took to the streets to beg for alms. Seconds later, the law catches up with Ken. He is accused of murder. The movie ends and you ask; whether it is enough to pull a trigger on an adulterous wife?

This movie with a glossy sheen and well-pedigreed cast represents a fine showtime flick that doesn’t say anything new. We have seen so many of this sort of account themed along this line – infidelity — to know that this was going to land the way it did. But this didn’t even land well and it never got off the ground from the start. Not even with a title that does not agree with the resolution. You mean Ken, pulled the damn trigger on those folks and Teco called it accidental discharge? Gosh.

Anyway, this actress who just loves to ‘kiss’ in every movie, Rita Dominic, finds a role here. She plays the unfaithful Jane even though not as convincing enough as to want to make you root for her character. The chap who played Chuks was stable and a right cast for the role. Ernest Asuzu (Jerry) featured too, even though a brief outing. He played his traditional role — the randy screen lover boy. His input and that of other members of cast contributed in giving this movie a particularly steady visual a marginal recommendation.

Our verdict? This Teco’s ‘Accidental Discharge,’ unlike his other screen credits, didn’t particularly hold our interest. The resolution is incomprehensible. We couldn’t just buy in to a resolution where a man resorts to pulling the trigger as a way of protesting against unfaithfulness. We thought it was too grating. Again, Teco needs to expand his band of actors. We have had enough of Hanks Anuku in movies with Teco directorial seal. Though a capable actor, Anuku does not possess the innate skills to play the role this movie demands. He did not only snore through this effort, his interpretation of the role of Ken contributed in making this a stodgy account. To God Be The Glory.

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Title- 11 days and 11 nights

Producer- Chibueze Uchenna

Actors- Dakore Egbuson, Pat Attah, Caroline Ekanem and others

DAKORE Akande, the actress of the Emotional Crack fame is Cindy in this take on trust betrayal, revenge, lust and misconception. Cindy is in love with Roberts (Patrick Attah) but Cindy’s friend played by the fair mulatto actress Carol Ekanem thinks they are not compatible. She works at frustrating the relationship. She succeeds. Robert and Cindy eventually part ways. Robert got married later but Cindy had her destiny to battle with. Months past and Cindy and this friend who clogged the wheel of her relationship meet. The law of retribution sets in and the movie ends. This will get you hanging on, on it. It throws up the acting abilities of the Ijaw actress on the movie run way Dakore Akande. She has a way of bumping snugly into roles.  She contributed in giving this tastefully told movie much of the credits it deserves.

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Filmdom NOTICE BOARD

Light Dims Actor Ernest ‘El-Cream’ Asuzu

NOTABLE Nollywood actor Ernest Asuzu is dead. The long-standing actor reportedly died on Tuesday Night. His wife Jeniffer disclosed that the actor who was battling with stroke slumped and ‘never recovered’. Asuzu has had a battle with his health for some years now. Said to be in his late ‘40s, Ernest hails from Imo State but he was raised in Lagos. He joined the movie industry in the early ‘90s and, rose to become one of the most sought-after actors. Notable featuring mostly in crime movies, Asuzu later veered into music production; he launched a 7-tracker album in November 2020. A multitalented performer, ‘El-Cream’ will be remembered for his remarkable run in movies such as ‘Living Abroad’, ‘Accidental Discharge’, ‘My Guy’, ‘Power of Trust’, ‘Last Wedding’, ‘Broad Daylight’, ‘Burning Desire’, ‘Never End’, ‘Royal War’, ‘Ogidan’ and ‘Another Campus Queen’.

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…And Elder Artiste Dan Nkolaogu too

THAT veteran actor who is notable for playing the king, chief or native doctor in Nollywood movies, Dan Nkolaogu, has passed on. The 83-year-old actor reportedly died on January 22.  His son, Dan Nkoloagu Junior, took to his social media handle on January 23 to mourn the late veteran, who has featured in countless Nollywood movies. ‘’It was a black Friday for us yesterday as my dad left us without saying goodbye,” Dan Junior wrote on his Facebook  page. The elder artiste will be remembered for starring in movies such as ‘Okada Man’, ’40 Days and 40 Nights’, ‘Royal Doom’ and ‘Warriors Heart’.

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Filmdom WORD BITES: All for Ernest Asuzu

“REST in Peace my dear friend. You were so determined to live. You fought back all the physical and spiritual obstacles even to the very last minute. When you called me 4 days ago to discuss some future plans, I never knew it was going to be the last. Nevertheless, God knows all. Rest on till we meet to part no more. Rest on star of some of my successful movies- ‘Suicide Mission’, ‘Broad Daylight’, ‘Accidental Discharge’ etc.

    – Notable Director/Producer, Teco Benson, MFR 

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“MY brother, you came, you saw and you conquered. Rest in peace Ernest Asuzu (El-Cream). This seems a ‘dieing’ season. Death, oh death, where is your sting.”

— Notable Actor Emeka Ike

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”HIS death  is a sad one. I just spoke with the family and I pray God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. He is a great actor who would be missed by his fans and the industry at large’’

“IT is getting really trying you know, to hear about it and get used to it. It is begining to get to us the need to understand better what our purpose in life is. We pray for Ernest and other souls that have gone. Somehow, it is the assurance that our journey here is not wasted. For instance, I have been receiving calls as regards Ernest which means there are some things he did right during his life time. As we mourn the dead, we must celebrate their life. We should sometimes overlook the pain of death when it comes and celebrate the life because you must first be alive to die. We give God the glory. It is touching and painful, but we will continue to celebrate his life.’’

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Star Fad & Hobbies

The Actor Blossom Chukwujekwu –

‘’I AM attracted to God-fearing, disciplined, focused, humble and hardworking people. With such people around, it would be difficult to miss the mark. I mean, nothing like the Grace of God, nothing like believing in yourself and being hardworking. The other values that have helped would include being committed, consistent and humble. Of course, you must be disciplined if you want to go far.’’

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The Actress Shan George-

‘’Yes, I will do showbiz again. No regrets whatsoever. I mean in spite of the ups and downs, which I think is in every other profession.  I don’t have any other regrets doing this at all’.

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MILE STONES AND ROUGH CUTS

 #Highest Grossing Nigerian Film- Omo Ghetto (The Saga), the new film by star actress Funke Akindele has been the highest grossing Nollywood cinema movie of all time after raking in N476 million as at January 28, 2021. Starring Funke Akindele-Bello, Eniola Badmus and Chioma Akpotha in lead roles, the movie had its theatrical release on December 25 and it was well received by the eager Nigeria movie crowd who yearned for something entertaining after the long period of lockdown, which saw the forced closure of cinemas across the country. The movie is clearly a box office success as it has surpassed the record set by The Wedding Party 1 (TWP 1) in 2016. TWP reportedly closed 2016 with a record N456 million earned at the box office. Omo Ghetto is still in cinemas across Nigeria.

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#PAFF still on February 28: All is now set for the 29^th edition of the annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival otherwise called PAFF. The festival will hold February 28 through March 14in Los Angeles, USA and, like previous editions, this will present and showcase a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy negative stereotypes.