Entertainment

‘I’ve Been Waiting So Long’: 007 Fans Await First Public Screening

‘I’ve been waiting so long’: 007 fans await first public screening – at midnight

Filmgoers are excited to be among first in world to see 25th Bond film, No Time to Die, in Birmingham

For a film spanning 163 minutes – the longest James Bond movie ever made – it takes serious dedication to watch it at a midweek midnight showing.

But the 007 fans outside Birmingham’s Odeon cinema on Wednesday night were excited to be among the first people to see the eagerly anticipated 25th Bond movie, No Time to Die, at a public screening.

“I’ve been waiting for it for so long. My parents are really into it too and have been sending me the trailers every time one comes out,” said 21-year-old Ethan Felton, one of many university students in the crowd.

“Because it’s been so long, it’s been over a year since it’s been delayed, I feel like everyone’s expectations are even higher and the pressure is on even more,” added his girlfriend, Isla Lee, a 26-year-old retail worker.

In the cinema’s lobby, the film’s poster has been there – advertising a variety of different release dates – since 2019. 007 was originally scheduled for April 2020, the film was delayed three times because of the Covid crisis. It was the first big movie to fall victim to the pandemic as cinemas closed across the world, and its postponement was a big blow to cinema franchises.

“I was so excited to see it back in April 2020, I had plans and everything. Obviously, I understood why it got delayed but it’s good to finally see it,” said George Stephenson, 21, a Birmingham City University student.

“I’m French and it feels like a really British thing to be here and experience it, I can say to my grandkids I was there,” laughed Claire Cortambert, 26, who works in the construction industry. She had been to a bar with her housemates to kill time before the start and was preparing herself for a 3am finish. “If it’s a good James Bond we should be kept awake.”

The film has received rave five-star reviews from many critics, although most fans said they had avoided reading anything about the film to keep it a surprise.

They were also preparing themselves for the end of the Daniel Craig era after his 15-year five-film stint in the Bond role.

“I watched all the Daniel Craig movies yesterday in preparation,” said Cameron Burrows, 21, an Aston University student. “But he’s done five movies now, he’s had his time, and it will be good to see who they pick next.”

There was plenty of speculation about who would take over the role in the next instalment, with most suggesting Tom Hardy or Idris Elba would be their preferred choice. “I think they’re too obvious,” said Stephenson. “The one idea that I’ve seen going around that I like is Henry Golding.”

Despite the painfully long wait, cinemagoers were glad they could enjoy the experience in relative normality now that Covid restrictions had eased.

“You wouldn’t have the same experience if it had come out during Covid. A lot of movies have come out over the past few months and they didn’t have as much of a reception as this,” said 26-year-old Aroon Reinoso.

Entertainment

I don’t know Bobrisky from Adam, never spoken to him – Falana reacts to audio clip released by VDM

Oil Theft: Falana Calls For Irabor’s Sack Over Destruction Of Vessel

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has denied having anything to do with popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye known as Bobrisky and his alleged assistance to get him a presidential pardon while he served his term in Kirikiri prison.

Recall that social activist, Very Dark Man, a few days ago, released a purported audio conversation between Bobrisky and a man where the crossdresser claimed that singer, Falz reached out to him saying his father, Femi Falana, could help him secure a presidential pardon with 10 million naira, so his name would be cleared from criminal records.

Both father and son through their lawyers, demanded an immediate retraction of the said publication as well as an apology from VeryDarkMan to be published on all his platforms within 24 hours. However, VDM argued that he didn’t defame the Falanas but only brought the audio recording to light because he wanted relevant agencies to investigate statement allegedly made by Bobrisky.

However in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, October 3, Falana denied ever meeting Bobrisky or speaking to him. He also mentioned that a civil proceeding will be initiated if a retraction and an apology suitable to him and his son is not received.

“Bobrisky never spoke to me, I have never met him, I do not know him from Adam. He was alleged to have spoken to my son Folarin (Falz). Yes, my son said this guy was appealing to people for assistance and called my son I think on May 4 this year – please can you give me N3 million to be placed in a special part of the prison, we call it the VIP section.

My son asked him, are you calling me under the authorization of the superintendent of prisons? He said no – please don’t call me again, I am unable to assist you to bribe the prison authorities and be very careful since you are already in prison for an offence.

Please if you are you are going to call me next time, you either do through the superintendent or you write a letter endorsed by the prison authorities and that was the last. Somebody now start releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and rather defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.”

Falana says his family is going to embark on civil proceedings with a view to restoring his and his son, Falz’s name.

“In this case, we are not going to file a criminal complain. What we are going to do is to embark on a civil proceedings with a view to restoring our integrity, my own name and that of my son so that nobody will simply rush to the social media to defame any Nigerian.

“We want to make an example in this case . We have asked for a retraction and an apology rendered to us and that is not too much and if we don’t have a retraction, an apology rendered to us, accepted by us, we are certainly going initiate civil proceedings in the court”.

Entertainment

Queen Lateefah movie hits 57.7 million in opening weekend

Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has expressed gratitude to her millions of fans following the impressive success of her debut cinema film, Queen Lateefah.

The movie, which premiered last weekend, grossed an astounding 57.7 million Naira in its opening weekend.

In an Instagram post, Toriola celebrated the achievement, noting that Queen Lateefah secured the highest Nollywood opening for a non-holiday weekend and also set a record as the biggest Nollywood opening weekend by an independent distributor.

Grateful beyond words,” she wrote. “Queen Lateefah just hit 57.7 million on its opening weekend! Thank you all for the love and support. Don’t miss out on this wonderful journey, grab your tickets now and join the adventure!”

The film’s success stirred excitement among Toriola’s colleagues, with many taking to her comment section to celebrate the achievement.

Actor Stan Nze commented, “Congratulations,” while Jamiu Azeez echoed the sentiment with “Yas.”

Nollywood stars like Mercy Aigbe, Joke Jigan, Kemi Korede, Mo Bimpe, and others also sent their best wishes, applauding her accomplishment

Entertainment

Actor, Yomi Fabiyi flees Nigeria after alleging threat to life over Mohbad’s case

Popular Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi has jetted out of Nigeria after escaping an alleged assassination attempt.

The actor made this known after his absence at the late singer Mohbad’s Coroner court and failure to lead a planned protest to the Lagos State Assembly on Monday September 30 2024.

Fabiyi had scheduled a protest for September 30, coinciding with the resumption of the coroner investigating Mohbad’s death.

However, revealing reasons for his absence, the actor said that his life was under threat, as he just escaped assassination attempt two days ago.

In a now controversial video on his Instagram page, Fabiyi who is currently hiding, disclosed an alleged plot to waste his life over Mohbad’s case.

“I escaped assassination two days ago and they still planned to kill me tonight. If they had succeeded, I would have been buried tomorrow.

“They will now waste me all because I’m fighting for Justice. I didn’t collect money from anybody. I am just doing my own for God. I have to run for my life. I just left Nigeria unplanned and as it is now I don’t even know my destination,” he claimed.