Nigerian Times

Hot Spots: NICB’s Annual Report on Vehicle Theft California Still a Hotbed for Hot Cars NICB's Hot Spots for Vehicle Theft in 2012. Des Plaines, IL, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The National Insurance Crime Bureau ( NICB ) today released its annual Hot Spots vehicle theft report and California dominates once again.   Hot Spots is a per capita review of vehicle thefts from the nation’s metropolitan statistical areas ( MSA ).  NICB data is in line with preliminary FBI vehicle theft data for 2012 which appears to end an eight-year downward trend in vehicle theft. Final numbers will be published by the FBI in the fall, but preliminary 2012 FBI figures estimate a 1.3 percent increase in 2012 thefts from the previous year.  Not surprisingly, eight of the top 10 areas are in California with the remaining two from the state of Washington. The West region, defined by the FBI as the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, ...

This is an official Call for Entries for the 10th Abuja International Film Festival scheduled for the 24th-27th September 2013 at the Silverbird Cinemas Abuja, Nigeria. The festival will screen over 60 indigenous and foreign movies in the following genres: Short, Feature, Animation, Documentary and Experimental. All entries must have been produced within the past 24 months and you can download the entry form from our website: www.abujafilmfestng.org.. The festival shall give awards in the following categories: 1. Best Feature Film 2. Best Short Film 3. Most Outstanding Male Act 4. Most Outstanding Female Act 5. Best Experimental Film 6. Best Animation Film 7. Best Documentary Film 8. Golden Jury Award All entries should be submitted in DVD FORMAT. Deadline for submission of entries is July 31st, 2013. For further enquiries you can call 234 08023217673,  234 07055773560 or 234 08023260448 ...

27 Jun 2013 12:30 Africa/Lagos Keanu Reeves' Directorial Debut, Man of Tai Chi™, Spins Into IMAX® Theatres Across China Beginning July 5 LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX), in partnership with China Film Group, Wanda Group and Village Roadshow Pictures, today announced that Man of Tai Chi , Keanu Reeves' highly anticipated directorial debut and the first Mandarin-language film to be directed by a Western actor, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® format and released in IMAX® theatres across China beginning July 5, with the possibility of expanding to other territories. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111107/MM01969LOGO) This action-packed contemporary drama shot in Beijing and Hong Kong depicts the spiritual journey of a young martial artist as he struggles to maintain his traditional values and beliefs against the pressures of modern society. Targeted for his fighting skill, he is lured i...

OC Ukeje and Beverly Naya Tipped for Lead Roles in New Blockbuster Movie ~ By Orikinla Osinachi Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) best actor award winner OC Ukeje, whose stellar performances in Blessing Effiom Egbe’s “Two Brides and a Baby”, Charles Novia’s “Alan Poza” and Kenneth Gyang’s multiple award winning movie “Confusion Na Wa" have wowed thousands of people is tipped to play the male lead in Naked Beauty a new blockbuster film to be shot on Bonny Island, Rivers State. And also tipped for the female lead is sexy and sultry Nollywood actress Beverly Naya who was OC Ukeje’s lover in “Alan Poza”. Naked Beauty is co-written by accomplished Nollywood producer and director Christian Chika Onu and Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Founder of the annual Eko International Film Festival and also Founder/CEO of Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema, operators of the recently launched Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema after four years of research and recce on Bonny Island wh...

The film adaptation of Ake: The Years of Childhood is already in progress with the full cooperation and support of Prof. Wole Soyinka, the famous Nobel laureate and author of the autobiography. According to the producers, the film adaptation of "Ake" has taken them over 25 years since the period of the TV series. And the production will last for six months on locations in Abeokuta and Ibadan with a budget of N350m million Naira (2.5 million US Dollars). The world premiere is expected in early 2014. Prof. Soyinka himself on Friday May 31, 2013, met with the main cast and crew including the director Yemi Akintokun, Dapo Adeniyi, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Akin Lewis, Tina Mba, Ben Tomoloju, Yinka Davies, Tony Umole, Yeni Kuti, Jimi Solanke, Jahman Anikulapo and Beautiful Nubia. It is a privilege to be directing the autobiography of someone I consider as one of the most enigmatic beings in recent history. There is no better means of demystifying Kongi than to enact his chi...

What's Your Formula For Excitement? Shell believe that all great drives start with a great fuel, but as to the rest of the ingredients, well every driver has a different story. Maybe it's the weather, the road surface, the season, the location - or perhaps something even more personal like a favourite song - each person's formula for excitement is bound to be unique. Shell wants you to create a film that explains just what it is that goes into the formula for an exciting drive. What is your formula for excitement? Taking Shell V-Power as your starting point, this is your chance to let your imagination run wild. For more details, please download the full brief! Don’t forget that you can apply for production grants to help towards the cost of making your entry, and that the winning filmmakers will win up to $8,000 plus a trip of a lifetime to Africa on Safari in the world famous Kruger National Park. If you need help, have any questions or would like fee...

Director: Marc Foster Writer: Max Brooks (Book) Studio: Paramount Pictures Cast: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz Release: June 21, 2013 at RealD 3D and IMAX 3D select theaters. World War Z is one of the most awaited thrillers of 2013, because the famous Hollywood icon Brad Pitt is the star actor and producer of this blockbuster. It has been given 80% by Tomatometer critics on Rotten Tomatoes with 99% of the audience convinced to see it. I have been looking forward to the film shot in Glasgow in 2011 and mentioned it in my report on Eunice Olumide: Nigeria's Super Star on the Runway and Silver Screen , but I am not sure if Eunice's role of an office worker in the movie made the final cut. From the gripping trailer, this is a classic Brad Pitt thriller that will certainly be a box office hit. World War Z is the film adaptation of a 2006 apocalyptic horror novel of the same title by Max Brooks. The story revolves around United Nations employee Gerry L...

5 Jun 2013 13:40 Africa/Lagos Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit - Hollywood Legend The Hollywood Museum Honors Marilyn's Life and Legacy with the Nation's Largest Exhibit of Authentic Memorabilia, Commemorating the 51st Anniversary of Her Passing HOLLYWOOD , June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- " Marilyn Monroe : The Exhibit - Hollywood Legend ," back by popular demand at The Hollywood Museum , celebrates the fabled actress' life with the nation's largest exhibit of authentic memorabilia (including new acquisitions) presenting an intimate look at her life and legacy. If alive, Marilyn would be 87 years old and her legendary image still lives on as superstar and ultimate icon of glamour and beauty. August marks the 51 st Anniversary of her passing. The Hollywood Museum, in the Historic Max Factor Building, is located at 1660 N. Highland Ave. in the heart of Hollywood . (Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130605/PH26704-a ) (Photo: http://photo...

Imam Mohamed Magid, left, and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, pictured last year when they were named "Washingtonians of the Year" by The Washingtonian magazine, are continuing their effort to promote understanding between Muslims and Jews. Photo Credit: Matthew Worden, courtesy of The Washingtonian magazine. “Whether in Europe today or in the Muslim world, my call to humanity: End racism, for God’s sake, end anti-Semitism, for God’s sake, end Islamophobia for God’s sake, end sexism for God’s sake… Enough is enough.”  ~ Imam Mohamed Magid, President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), at historic Muslim leaders prayer for peace at Auschwitz, Poland, on Wednesday May 22, 2013. Tweet

The German Goethe-Institut in Nigeria and DVWORX Studios in Lagos have joined the partners of Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC) for the launching of Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema at the Freedom Park Lagos on Saturday June 22, 2013. The inaugural launching sponsored by the Bank of Industry of Nigeria is open to the public from 4 pm - 9 pm and it is free. Expected at the event are over 500 people; including the new brand ambassador of the Bank of Industry Afro hip hop super star Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D'banj, Nollywood stars, movie buffs, entertainment celebrities and major stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry. Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema duly registered to operate outdoor cinema business in Nigeria will launch the Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema Project in every conducive and receptive safe community of all the local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria starting from Lagos State to boost the Nigerian film industry. Tweet

28 May 2013 00:24 Africa/Lagos UNESCO CHIEF CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO MURDER OF DR CONGO JOURNALIST NEW YORK, 27 May 2013 / PRNewswire Africa / - The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today called for an investigation into the murder of a journalist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guylain Chanjabo. "I condemn the murder of Guylain Chanjabo and urge authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to do their utmost to shed light on his tragic death, and bring those responsible to justice," said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova. Mr. Chanjabo presented a Swahili language programme on Radio Canal Revelation, and was reported missing on 5 May. His body was found bearing evidence of neck injuries on 17 May in the Ngezi River, five kilometres from the city of Bunia in the northeastern region of the DRC. "Freedom of expression is an irrevocab...

May 15 - Director J.J. Abrams leads the cast of ''Star Trek Into Darkness'' at the sci-fi film's Hollywood premiere. John Russell reports. 16 May 2013 16:09 Africa/Lagos "Star Trek into Darkness" Beams Up Fandango's Fanticipation Buzz Indicator as the #1 Most Anticipated Movie This Weekend LOS ANGELES, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fandango, the nation's leading moviegoer destination, reported today that J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated "Star Trek Into Darkness" garnered a 96 out of 100 score on the company's Fanticipation movie buzz indicator that measures fan sentiment around the weekend box office line-up. The sci-fi thriller outshone "Iron Man 3" and "The Great Gatsby," which are still top-of-mind with moviegoers, scoring 85 and 83, respectively. Fanticipation scores are calculated based a proprietary analysis of Fandango's advance ticket sales, website and mobile traffic, and social media en...

Iron Man 3 - Disney - $72.5M Great Gatsby, The - Warner Bros. - $51.1M Pain And Gain - Paramount - $5.0M Tyler Perry Presents Peeples - Lionsgate - $4.8M 42 - Warner Bros. - $4.7M Oblivion - Universal - $3.9M Croods, The - 20th Century Fox - $3.6M Big Wedding, The - Lionsgate - $2.5M Mud - Roadside Attractions - $2.3M Oz The Great and Powerful - Disney - $0.8M  See the top-12 domestic weekend box office estimates listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, May 12, 2013 . Tweet

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Coming-of-age adventure based on Ann Brashares' best-selling novel about a special sixteenth summer in the lives of four lifelong friends who are separated for the first time. On a shopping trip, the girls find a pair of thrift-shop jeans that fits each of them perfectly and they decide to use these 'magic' pants as a way of keeping in touch over the months ahead, each girl wearing the jeans for a week to see what luck they bring her before sending them on to the next. Though miles apart, the four friends still experience life, love and loss together in a summer they'll never forget. Tweet

Sanofi US and Actress Elizabeth Perkins Premiere Documentary —Diabetes Co-Stars Presents “Strength in Numbers” –Donation to Diabetes Hands Foundation Doubled When Documentary Reaches 10,000 Views– Elizabeth Perkins wth her co-star and husband, Julio Macat. Bridgewater, New Jersey – May 6, 2013 – /PRNewswire/ &ndash Sanofi US and Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actress Elizabeth Perkins proudly premiered the Diabetes Co-Stars documentary, “Strength in Numbers,” at the American Diabetes Association Expo in Los Angeles, CA this past weekend. The film, produced by Elizabeth and her ‘co-star’ and husband Julio Macat, features her diabetes story as well as two other inspirational stories from the 2012 Diabetes Co-Stars casting call contest – best friends Amanda Bauer and Anne Casey from New York, and father-daughter duo Eugenio and Naiomi Rivera from Texas. The pairs were selected because of their empowering stories of dedication and support, with Amanda and Anne giving back t...