I’ll Take My Chances
Ini Edo, Ini Ikpe, Jide Kosoko, Sam Loco Efe, Ashleigh Clark, Bryan Okwara, Abiola Segun Williams
Tradition demands that a troubled young woman take the position of priestess of the land or else allow calamity to befall the village. She refuses to accept her fate and is further convinced not to heed custom's call by a handsome stranger
"A man and a woman should not be friends, least of all a priestess and a man" - Sam Loco Efe
The movie, I'll take my chances, has only two parts. This review is based solely on the version of the movie available on irokotv
Desmond Elliot
Emem Isong, Ini Edo
Anthony Kehinde Joseph, Bola Aduwo, Uduak Isong
2011
Amazing cinematography in some scenes
Lead male is not a strong enough actor
-Story: [3 out of 5] Taking the story as it is… ignoring a
-Originality: [3 out of 5] It was original in the sense that this is the first Nigerian dance movie that I’ve seen (at least to my recollection) but some of the motifs are things we’ve seen repeatedly in the industry
-Predictability: [1 out of 5] The movie goes exactly as one would expect it to
-Directing/Editing: [2 out of 5] Now to the koko of the movie. My main problem with this particular film was the Directing. I felt the film had potential to be so much greater (as regards the quote at the top of this review, I have no clue what Uti was talking about… he gave me a lot of false hope). Now don’t get me wrong though, there were some scenes that were shot amazingly well (like the first scene with the priestess and her maidens in white walking through an isolated grassy path) and then there are those scenes that just fall short. The actions were too sudden in that no hint was given the viewer when things, that would prove essential to the viewing experience, were said non-nonchalantly in casual conversations. For instance, Bryan’s talking to white chic about how he is going to go and serve (NYSC). To be honest, I almost missed that because I took that scene as a random stupid conversations between two young confused lovebirds. And in the next scene, he is in an NYSC outfit and I’m wondering… “Yo! When did that happen?” Another problem I had with this movie is that there were some lines spoken in a native tongue that were not subtitled for non-native viewers (like… I dunno… ME!). Between the flashbacks and flashforwards/I’m-not-even-sure-if-this-is-currently-happening-or-it-will-happen-in-the-future-or-you-are-dreaming scenes… it was all really just confusing. So do I blame the directing? Do I blame the editing? Or do I blame the irokotv version? (or do I just blame myself for expecting too much?)
-Acting quality: [2 out of 5] I’m going to go ahead and start off with the terribles and move on from there. But before anything else, RIP to the late Sam Loco Efe… a truly phenomenal actor, a natural comedian, a gift within our industry for so many years… may the souls of the dearly departed rest in perfect peace. Now on to matter… Ashleigh Clark! On the “Amazing Grace” review, I was thanking God that finally we have a Nollywood movie with white people that can actually act as opposed to the usually strew of untalented acts. Ashleigh is…. not such a great actress… in fact, she’s not a good actress at all (there’s no other way to put it). Bryan Okwara! My view on models turned actors is simple: Models should not be acting! And my view holds with Bryan. Yes, he was most definitely better than Kenneth Okolie in “Mrs Somebody” but not good enough to be put in a lead role (just imagine how great this movie would have been with Majid in the lead role? Just! Imagine!). I love Biola Segun Williams and I’m beginning to love her more by the day. Ini Ikpe is a strong actress but the person who held it all together for me in this movie was Ini Edo
-Setting: [4 out of 5] Job well done… I was most impressed by the final ‘dance competition’ set. Usually nollywood just gives me empty halls with a couple plastic chairs and one or two people in the crowd but this was definitely a step up.
-Costume/Make-Up: [4 out of 5] Well done
-Props and Graphics: [4 out of 5] Good
-Video Quality: [3 out of 5] Based on the irokotv version, the video was not so hot… amazing in some scenes but questionable in others
-Audio Quality [2 out of 5] Constantly changing timbres
-Soundtrack: [4 out of 5] Loved it
-Musical Score: [3 out of 5] Nicely done
Fine Girl
Silence
I think alot of people say things because they secretly seeking jobs… Desmond gets better with each movie. We learn everyday. The film was not bad at all… I loved the beauty, the dances and the whole culture thing. Flint cool down! Rome was not built in a day. Desmond’s directing is much better than those so-called Nollywood USA and even those un-watchable Black american films. he is getting better.Cut him some slack abeg.
Valid point.
I just have a feeling,that flint is a Director running Desmond down,but sorry boo,Desmond is doing well in his movies,this movie was well directed,besides he just started,so its even making you sound like a senseless person with no point
teefah if u really read through my comments u will know that i indeed cut desmond some slack by saying that i beileve he just started and will get better with time as well as said that emem could give him her lower budget movies and not the bigger ones, be sincere to urself if u were a top producer like emem and u had a hugh movie like i will take my chances, holding hope etc wouldn’t u give it to an experienced, tested and confirmed director rather than give it to someone that just started and is inexpereinced in the job, i don’t get it with people when the go around assuming that when u criticize someone then it means u have a hidden agenda that caused u to make such criticisms, our parents criticize our actions every second of the day, now does that mean the hate us, all they are trying to do in this regard is to keep us in check(which is what i am doing)in other to bring us up properly rather than sugar coat every action we take(which is what most of u are doing),teefah i know rome wasn’t built in a day, but for rome to be built, the right strategies had to be put in place, now that doesn’t mean that i don’t believe desmond won’t get there in time, he will so long as he keeps working hard but he will do so at the detriment of the quality of emem’s movies which we all can agree could be much better, it should be in the leagues of what kunle, izu, leila etc produces, by the time he gets better emem’s fellow female colleagues that are doing great jobs like the likes of chinaeze,vivian,leila, shirley etc will be ten steps ahead of her. the notion is not that desmond isn’t doing an ok job or won’t get better with time, the notion here is that he is making emem lag behind period. anonymous my dear if u read well and try to make use of ur sense to make sense of what i am saying then u will see the sense and point in it.
Are Producers in competition? What do you mean ‘lag behind’? That’s the problem. When people like to pit producers and directors against each other as if they are in some kind of race/competition. Why cant we just enjoy a film for its entertainment value? Anyway, everyone has their style. I like Desmond’s. And I loved the film. I dont see any loopholes you were talking about. This film is a 100 times better than alot of Nollywood films out there.
I think you guys should give Desmond a break! Abeg he tried! Its not easy for ANY director shooting in three different states, with such a massive retinue of cast, dancers, esp under the conditions that we in the developing nations go thru to shoot. I think he he did a good job under these circumstances and the film was not bad at all… certainly it could have been better. Then Majid could have been a good choice but he cant dance for shiiit! The choice of Bryan was largely for his dancing skills and what he lacked in dancing he more than made up in looks… the boy fine no be small! (heheheh!) I
nobody is attacking desmond, all we want he for him to get better, that is all.
This movie is a good movie,i went to see it when it was premiered,though it would have been better if Bryan wasnt given that role,he isnt a good actor,though not very bad,i come here once in a while to read reviews,Flint i noticed you always criticize Desmond,listen i have something to tell you from what i see,Desmond just started Directing and he isnt a god yet,he is trying,because of you Flint someone threatened Moses here which is bad,we sholuld be careful the way we speak sometimes,agreed Kelani and Izu are good ,but they have been there,grow up flint,dont you have other things to contribute here,all this criticizing Desmond always is becoming boring,for Me Danilel and Moses arent the best we have,i have seen better directors of movies,u arent calling Tade ogidan,stop the noise man or woman and grow up,Desmond just started and as a starter,he isnt very bad like u always put it here,and as for you NR be careful with people you side here or u will loose ur fans,which am one though,Just beacause Flint said something u concluded,Moses Inwang was threatened here and dont see it as a joke with things happening in Nigeria now,trust no one,all beacause of Flint,thanks ..
Hmm… it’s less about taking sides and more about pointing out the facts.
anonymous criticism is something that is done everywhere, there is nothing wrong with it, if someone decides to use it to cause commotion, then the problem is with the person not with what was said.
I have to agree with what you said, it was a great movie and it could have been better. Ini Edo danced wayyy better than I expected. I enjoyed the movie!
Yeah I thought her dancing was quite impressive (better than I expected… is exactly the right words) but I thought the other backup dancers were better than her though
see nolly when i speak the truth and my opinion someone comes here to attack me with the assumption that i am moses inwang(however he/she came up with that conclusion), had this movie been directed by the likes of izu,kunle,lancelot,jeta etc infact these people are too top notch, lets come down to more above average directors, lets say had this movie been directed by the likes of daniel ademinokan,frank rajah arase,moses inwang,pascal amanfo etc the end product would have been much better, however the blame shouldn’t go to desmond alone, i think the scriptwriters should also be blamed for not writing a much more constructive screenplay. with regards to the beautifully shot scenes, i wouldn’t give much credit to desmond for that, the worked with a well experienced foreign technical crew hence the movie was bound to have such beautifully shot scenes, to further clearify this, watch desmonds other movies, those beuatifully shot scenes in this movies are a long shot better than what u will find in his other movies, take for example izu ojukwu, it doesn’t matter what movie he is shooting, he always makes well thought out and beautifully shot scenes, that is what stands a great director out from the pack.
For once, I can’t fault you on the entire Desmond thing. The directing for this movie was awfully disappointing (to say the least)… Pascal Amanfo would have piecesed (in a good way) the living daylight out of this movie if he was allowed to direct it.
I guess some of the blame should go to screenplay. To state it simply, something was missing in this movie and it was all just awfully disappointing
LMFAO u see dis flint ehn his probs is all abt direting.I dnt knw why ple bash him nd call him moses.This is not d first time am hearing such criticism abt desmond’s directing.As for Models STICK TO THE RUNWAY biko i watched uti nd i wept
Ah Izu hasn’t always pulled through as a director oh, Love Boat starring Genevieve, Ramsey Noah, Nonso Diobi, Uche Jombo etc was directed by him and I need not state that rubbish is even a high class and positive word for that movie. It was just plain stupid and it came as a shocker to me that this high class oldies in our industry accepted to be a part of such blatant ignorance of a film. I actually thought they mistakenly credited Izu as the director because I went back to do a research. Alas he truly directed the movie, you need to see it to understand what I’m talking about. Yes this movie was useless too apart from the Cinematography and the dancing. The actors couldn’t act to save a fly from being swatted to death. Bryan should stick his fine ass to modeling, enough said or written in this case. 🙂