October 1

Directed by: Kunle Afolayan
Written by: Tunde Babalola
Nick Rhys David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaya, Ibrahim Chatta, Adebay Salami, Kanoyo o Kanayo
Year 2014

Synopsis
Against the backdrop of Nigeria's Looming independence from Britain, detective Danladi Waziri races to capture a killer terrorizing local women.
Lets Talk Review
Imagine my excitement when I heard October 1 is now available on Netflix, African movies on NET-FREAKING-FLIX....Any O, I finally got to see the multiple award winning movie written by Tunde Babalola and directed by Kunle Afolayan ....beautiful story line.
Although the dates signifies the the day of Nigerian Independence but it has nothing to do with the movie ,other than the date it represent in Nigeria. October 1 is based on fiction, NOT true events but the course of investigation by Waziri Danladi (Sadiq Daba), an inspector from the Northern part of Nigeria, posted to Akote town in the western part of the country to investigate and wrap up
the serial killing in the community. The movie reminds me of  episodes culled from Criminal Minds meets CSI Miami.

Sadiq Daba (L) Kayode Olaiya (R)

     The characterisation was quite impressive, I mean it was good seeing Sadiq Daba on screen again after two decades and he had all these 'nollywood movie star' not just a run for their money but reminded me what effortless acting is....talk about classic. Waziri Danladi character was made for him and no one else, his charisma, his intonation, although looks frail but he owned it. Kayode Olaiya (a.k.a Aderupoko) (Inspector Afonja) played the community head inspector in Akote community, he lightens up the suspense movie with is yet again, effortless comic/performance and a character who is  respected amongst his team as a good inspector regardless of his interpreting skills. Kanoyo O kanayo had a minor role but his facial expression never gets old.
      What is a movie without a performance to talk about or an actor to drool about...Demola Adedoyin (Prince Aderopo ) gave a performance that reminds me of how Christain Grey of fifty shades of grey could have been better if its story was similar to Aderopo. He was the crowned prince, charming, elegant and always had the right smile that weakens a woman in the knee. Demola Adedoyin gave a star in the making performance. #Hollywoodbound

Kehinde Bankole(L) Demola Adedoyin (R)

I can go on and on about the star-studded performance in the movie, Kehinde Bankole is a good actress and would love to see her in a lead role.
Characterization isn't the only great part, what also stands out is the quality of the video, location, the extras, the costume,  props and effect, I didn't expect anything less from the director, but this ....RAD!!! The handcuffs, the guns, 90s style, radio, video clips of Tafawa Balewa, and Awolowo ,cocoa plantation and the old National anthem which is quite embarrassing and shameful as I have never heard about it or know it. Another reason to love the movie is the little history lined to the movie, the struggles and happiness tied to that era....love it.

Lawrence Stubbings (L), Nick Rhys (M), David Bailie (R)

     However, there are few glitches in the movie that was just purpose-less. It started with the appearance of Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti whom they got the costume, image and in fact a look-like but it was totally not necessary. If they wanted to have her in it so bad because of what she stands for; they should have had people talk about her in fact lined it up with one of the reason Prince Aderopo wanted a good education or just have people including the Winterbottom talk about her or something. In addition, there was no ethnic issue back in 1960 so it was not necessary to use that line. Kunle Afolayab and his team need to reflect on their story line, not because it isn't a good one but it needs a wow-za finish
 

Kunle Afolayan

Overall, October 1 is extremely different from movies I have seen. I had to watch the movie twice; it was easy to get it mixed up because of the tittle, but the movie is deeper than murder victims and comic. A remarkable fictional movie
   
Rating- 8.5/10

Movie available on:
Netflix : currently showing ( http://www.netflix.com/search/october%201)
Ibaka: Available soon