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THE THIRD EPISODE OF COUNTY 49 COMES WITH QUESTIONS

Posted By Derrick Kinyanjui September 12, 2022 0 Series Reviews

WHERE ARE THE POLICE OF COUNTY49?

This is an action packed show but the action from the police is conspicuously missing…

This is exactly what we needed, more drama. The third episode of COUNTY49 has been excellently written by Martin Kigondu bringing forth some of the issues that we didn’t entirely understand.

The County of Bwatele is still in chaos. The acting governor, NERIMAH MKUNG, Wakio Mzenge, Selina, and her chief of staff are still in captivity and everybody is trying to find them. The previous episode introduced us to JUNIOR, Emmanuel Mugo, Mission to Rescue, who as we come to understand is the one funding the riots. He is the governor’s son meaning that governor, OKUSIMBA SIBI, Ainea Ojiambo, Kina is also involved. Now we know the reason behind the very meaningful nod to Junior, immediately after his arrest.

MALIK MAKA, Peter Kawa, Christmas Love, on the other hand is not going to rest until he finds his wife, DEBRA MAKA, Nyokabi Macharia, Country Queen. In the process of doing so, he discovers some deep dark secrets that he apparently wasn’t supposed to know. It gets more exciting. He cheated on his wife!!! That’s why she wants a divorce so bad. This will however not deter him from trying to save the mother of his son.

Malik tries with all his knowledge, given by his enemy to get clues on how to save Debra and Nerimah but he falters slightly and gives away his weaknesses to his enemy. Now the enemy has leverage against him even though he manages to get to Debra.

Debra gets a call from home. Her son, SAJI, Derrick Kinyanjui, is in danger, by the very people that held her hostage but now she is free. She has got to be angry and someone has got to be on the receiving end of her rage. We are so ready to see mama bear in action.

I am however bothered by one SINJIN, Martin Githinji, Sue na Johnny, the chief of security and how he his handling his power and the people at his disposal. I understand from the beginning that he and Malik are not anywhere near friends but why wouldn’t he send back up every time he asked especially since they have a shared interest? I am not feeling the urgency that would be required of someone with his job status. I feel like the only command he gives is to stand down. Why is he not using his police for this mission? Why are they standing in a camp in the middle of nowhere and not following the leads given to them, fast? Where are his priorities? Who is he trying to protect, his tent, or the governor?

Sigh!!!

This is an action packed show but the action from the police is conspicuously missing.

M-NNET COMMISSIONS LOCAL PRODUCTION HOUSE, HISTORIA FILMZ

Posted By Derrick Kinyanjui August 30, 2022 0 Film reviews

BARGAIN BRIDE

Historia Filmz managed to put out a home comedy that can keep its audience entertained to the end.

The title Bargain Bride prepares you for some bridal drama. The movie has been written and directed by Alexandros Konstantaras (House of Lungula) and produced by Lizz Njagah (Jane and Abel). The Movie follows the story of a middle aged man, Cornelius, Gerald Langiri (Fundimentals), who wishes to get married to his long-time girlfriend, Nekoye, Stephanie Muchiri (Paa). However, their parents’ dying wish was that his sister, Conjestina, Gerald Langiri, get married first. Cornelius spends most of his time trying to find Conjestina a husband with the help of Muga, Andrew Muthure (Mother in Law), his friend and colleague. They are very unsuccessful and Conjestina finds her one true love without the help of anyone.

As an M-NET original, Bargain Bride was commissioned recently among others as the channel was very new. Historia Filmz had to work with a very tight budget. I may not know the exact number or the estimate but most of it was pulling in favours especially in terms of locations. A very modern setting in the city shot on location in Kileleshwa and the Kenya Film Commission offices that are always available to film makers on weekends for filming purposes. You could say this is one way that the government supports local film makers.

Bargain Bride is a comedy and does try to achieve that aspect in the story, especially since Cornelius loses everything trying to get something for someone else. I would rather talk about the style that was used to achieve the identical twins. Cloning has been used by the excellent skills of one, Maureen Kareithi since the roles of Cornelius and Conjestina have been played by Veteran actor and casting director, Gerald Langiri.

Comedy requires at least some warmth in the mood and what Sebastian Kibocha and Kiama Kariuki have done in terms of lighting and cinematography is instrumental in giving the audience a homey feeling. That accompanied by the set design contributes to the overall look and feel of the film.

With the Limitation of budget and time, Historia Filmz managed to put out a home comedy that can keep its audience entertained to the end.

You can watch the film on Maisha Magic and Showmax.

THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU AN AFRICA MAGIC ORIGINAL

Posted By Derrick Kinyanjui August 29, 2022 0 Film reviews

THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

As Kenyans say ‘Mambo ni mengi, Masaa ndio machache.’

‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds you,’ as the saying goes. From the Title, this is a film that tells you even before you begin watching, that some hands are about to get bitten and of course such action come with consequences. The Hand That Feeds You, is an Africa Magic Feature directed by Gilbert Lukalia (Mission To Rescue) who takes us through the life of Simon, Robert Agengo(40 Sticks) who tries to rebuild his life after being released from prison. However pressure starts building when the law recruits him to help prosecute the very Syndicate that got him arrested in the first place.

Something that the film has done very quickly is to take us into Simon’s world. He lives in an informal settlement and struggles to make ends meet especially since nobody trusts him for the simple fact that he is an ex-con. The Detective that monitors his life outside, Inspector Ochieng, Allan Oyugi (Lost in Time) does not give him room to breathe as he does not believe Simon has the ability to let go of his old ways.

Simon is desperate to prove himself, not only to the law but also to his wife Brenda, Gloria Moraa (Tahidi High) and young son, Brian, Bradley Mwendwa. His honest hustle as a bodaboda rider is not enough to make his wife happy, his best friend, David, Eddy Mbugua (The Boy who Harnessed The Wind) with whom they have a very complicated relationship, shows up at the nick of time, presenting Simon with a faster way to make more, however, it’s illegal and that is exactly what landed him into prison in the first place. David is very convincing and on top of that he desperately needs money to at least earn his girl’s trust and respect once again. Caught between a rock and a hard place he has no choice but to give in to the temptation of his old ways and fast cash.

The law being on his neck, now wants Simon to out the entire group that he works with. Simons accepts but his only condition is that his best friend is kept out of it. Exactly how this switch from being the hunted to the hunter is not shown very clearly in the film and leaves me a bit confused. His best friend finds out and feels betrayed especially after cutting him out a deal of a job he got him. What David didn’t know is that Simon did it to protect him. The betrayal comes with a consequence.

As the movie comes to an end, Simon seems to have achieved none of the things he really wanted and we are left on a cliff hanger expecting more. As Kenyans say ‘Mambo ni mengi, Masaa ndio machache.’ I can’t wait for a promising part two and to see how the story pans out.

As we wait, something that greatly stands out in the film is the Music/scoring. Done by Lalela and Audio Networks, it is very authentic and goes very well with the moods of the film as they gradually change.

Generally, a very well executed story that you can watch on Africa Magic or stream on Showmax.

Tag Archives: Maisha Magic

THE THIRD EPISODE OF COUNTY 49 COMES WITH QUESTIONS

M-NNET COMMISSIONS LOCAL PRODUCTION HOUSE, HISTORIA FILMZ

THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU AN AFRICA MAGIC ORIGINAL