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Reviews
Years of Tears (2005)
Good story, bad production
Excellent acting and story, but the production was horrible. I would buy more of these producers' movies if the sound were good (it has to be kept low because otherwise it screeches). The direction could've been improved for sure, as well as the editing. A whole scene of a car driving or someone walking is an awful waste of film, not to mention a waste of the viewer's time. One shouldn't have to fast-forward through scenes. The picture should've been clearer as well. The soundtrack wasn't quite what it should've been, and there was certain overuse of the music. It's as if Nigerian producers take every chance they get to play the same song. Even if the songs were different each time, it would still be an overuse of the music, thus reducing the quality of the entertainment. It's a pity. I'd give this one an 8, but the production and sloppy direction/editing were too profound.
No/low budget is no excuse for the unprofessionalism. We don't need gaudy special effects either. The effort put into that should be put into the sound and picture quality. Sometimes I couldn't understand what was being said because the sound was so awful. Turning it up isn't an option because it that distorts it too much.
Blood Sister (2003)
Production and soundtrack ruined a good story
The story was interesting, the acting good, and the end provided sufficient closure. However, the production was awful. The picture needed to be clearer and the sound much better. At time I couldn't hear it well enough, but turning it up meant causing it to sound like screeching. All of these production problems seem to be common for Nigerian movies. The soundtrack ... definite overuse of the music (another common fault with Nigerian films), and too many long shots of nothing. For example, the camera focusing on feet walking ... at most, this should only be for a few seconds. But again, a common problem with these films. I would happily buy this movie (instead of just borrowing) if the production were more professional. No/low budget is no excuse. Technical training must be done to give these stories their due. Blood Sisters (1 & 2) was well written. Pretty much all of the dialogue was meaningful too. I mean, not a lot of wasteful or redundant words. I've seen quite a few Nigerian films, and this one is the best so far. It *moved* me. it also contained all the good elements that make a good, entertaining story. I'd give it a 10 if it weren't for the production problems and waste of film on useful footage (a car driving, a person walking, etc. ... Just too much time spent on these shots).