Why I resigned as Nigeria coach – Keshi

Stephen Keshi left his post as the head coach of the Super Eagles after Nigeria’s loss to France in the second round of the World Cup. He spoke with TheCable at the Brasilia Palace Hotel a day after the ouster.

TheCable: Knowing what you know now, what would you have done as regards the preparations of the team before this World Cup?

Stephen Keshi: I would have loved to have had them in camp a lot earlier. The European season made a little bit difficult as I did not want to have only one half of the squad in camp before the others joined. We had less than two weeks to perfect our plans and it showed as it was only when we got to the tournament that we started picking up our rhythm. We had only three friendly matches which are really not enough to get ready for a tournament like this. So, those are what I would have liked to change.

Have you really quit your post?

Yes. I have done my bit. I am tired of all the intrigues and backbiting and insinuations I get. The criticisms are nothing really because even siblings criticise each other. In this job sometimes it goes overboard and my family and those of my players get called names. I have had to tell the players many times to ignore those criticisms and just focus on the tasks at hand.

There are many Nigerians who support you. Many who would like to see you continue the work you started with the team. Can you not change your mind for them?

The same ones who were calling for my head after the Iran match? That “the World Cup is too big for Keshi”? I know there are many who truly support what we have been trying to do over these past months but I just cannot continue in this job anymore. To start with, my contract ended with the last match and the Federation never approached me for a renewal. What does that say? It says to me I’m not wanted. I am going to go and rest, spend some time with my family and then hopefully get another job where I am wanted.

After the AFCON win, President Goodluck Jonathan intervened and sorted things out. What if he does this time?

As much as I respect and appreciate the number one citizen of the country I am afraid that this time it is going to be difficult. I am totally done with some of these people.

If you were the Sports Minister of Nigeria what is it you will do or try and put in place to make the job of the national team coach a lot easier?

Make the Federation pay his salaries on time and those of his assistants. Build a training centre and facility for the national team to train. We never had anywhere decent to train. The Abuja National stadium is filled with sand and the worst kind of sand. That means when someone goes to ground he will have skin wounds. I and my assistants spend our own money to buy training cones and some of the things we use for training sessions.

In most countries of the world when a coach is hired he brings in his own coaching team. Well for two years now I have been told to pay the salary of my assistant Valery Houandinou, someone who has been with me from Togo through to Mali – where those countries paid his salary alongside paying mine.

In two and half years, I had no official residence. I stayed in a hotel. I had no official car. I thank God for Chief Mike Adenuga for those two cars he gave to me after the AFCON win. However, these federation officials will continue to trumpet that “they gave Keshi everything to succeed”. Mali is one of the poorest countries in Africa but I was given my place of residence and an official car within three days of me taking on the job. I also had a house in Togo and was never owed salaries.

What will happen to the young players you have built up into internationals as it means that Nigeria is losing out on the continuity that you staying on would have brought on?

Well, there is a nucleus of a team to work with there so a new coach will have the players there. In my mind I could set out two equally strong squads with the players available to me. However, the new coach might come in and say that these players would not fit into his style and so it will be. Not going to be my problem again (smiles).

Clearly your experience with Togo and Mali has helped you at this job?

Oh, without a shadow of doubt. God took me to those countries to give me the experience of dealing with people. It is far more difficult to work in your own country I have just found out. When I qualified Togo for the AFCON and the World Cup I got their national honour and diplomatic passport. Such was their gratitude. They make you comfortable and of course results followed. God was awesome in taking me through that route.

Did you take a risk with the squad you took to the tournament?

I did not take a risk. From the training camp and from the friendly matches I chose the players I believed would give me what I wanted on the field. People say I took players to sell them and I laugh. Michael Babatunde has not even started playing. Ramon Azeez will be a top player and he has a big heart. It is unfortunate for Reuben Gabriel that he has suffered a lot with injuries because he has every attribute to be a super player. Many Nigerians who are sincere know his qualities. I trust that he will come through.

But would you be his or their coaches then?

No. My job with Nigeria is done. I just hope who comes in will give them the opportunity to showcase their talents. When I took over there was no standing team and I had to build from scratch really but am gone. I have loved serving my country but I believe I am done.

9 Rappers Who Pretended To Be Rich, But Were Actually Flat Broke (PHOTOS)

Ludacris

You see rappers on TV shining like crazy and bragging about how much money they have.  But most of this is a really ugly lie and one that makes black people look as ignorant as any minstrel show in the history of our country.  You’ve seen what rappers say about themselves on TV, but here’s some truth about how your favorite rapper is probably going broke right now:

1) Ludacris was in a custody battle with the mother of his child and revealed in court filings that he earned only $55,000 over the previous year.  That’s hardly the paycheck of a baller.  Yes, that was $55,000 and yes, that was 2013.  Check the link if you don’t believe us.

Singer BOW WOW at the 2005 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards at the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood.
June 28, 2005 Los Angeles, CA (Photo Credit: Paul Smith / Featureflash)

2) Lil Bow Wow was in court after his Bentley was repossessed.  He revealed that he had only $1,500 in his bank account.  He now has a job on BET’s 106 & Park, but this is probably not enough money to get him out of debt.  According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bow Wow owes $90,000 to the IRS and another $280,000 to a luxury car leasing company.  So, while his debt of financial distress remains unclear, it’s very clear that he’s living on the edge financially.

Xzibit

3) Xzibit – former host of the MTV show, “Pimp My Ride,” filed bankruptcy after owing over $1 million dollars to the IRS.  He hasn’t had a hit record since Bobby and Whitney were in love with each other.  He has filed bankruptcy twice since 2009.

Method Man

4) Method Man was arrested for failing to pay taxes back in 2011.   He resolved the matter, but remains in debt.   He also keeps trying to make a comeback, but it’s just not working out.

Fat Joe is given a cake on his birthday during a listening party for Pitbull’s latest release “Rebelution” at Cinebistro on August 19, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo Credit: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)

5) Fat Joe – went to prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion after owing over a million dollars to the IRS.

Rapper Lil Flip poses in the press room at the 32nd Annual “American Music Awards” at the Shrine Auditorium November 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Credit: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

6) Lil Flip went to court and told the judge that he can’t pay more than $500 per month in child support.  According to most estimates, this means that he isn’t earning more than about $3,000 per month.  He’d be better off collecting trash for a living.

Ja Rule attends BET Black Girls Rock CoverGirl Style Stage On The Red Carpet at New Jersey Performing Arts Center on October 26, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo Credit: Ilya Savenok/BET/Getty Images for BET)

7) Ja Rule went to prison for two years for tax evasion after owing millions to the IRS.  He gets out soon, and will spend the rest of his life paying off the debt.

Beanie Sigel

8) Beanie Sigel – He used to rap next to Jay-Z, but he too went to prison for tax evasion.

Young Buck

9) Young Buck from G-Unit went bankrupt and lost his home, forcing him to sell his jewelry and everything else.  If you listen to any of Buck’s songs, you’ll hear that he usually rapped about how much money he had and even made fun of other rappers who’ve gone broke.

Mark Dice does an interesting video on the topic.  He comes off a bit condescending and maybe even racist, so that’s tough to swallow.  But if you listen to the gist of what he’s saying, he’s speaking quite a bit of truth about the buffoonery and financial irresponsibility that is prevalent in hip-hop music on the radio.  Dice states that many of the artists on television are actors, and that the seemingly authentic lifestyle that young people are emulating is merely a facade.  What’s most pathetic is that many of the artists selling this imagery to teenagers are in their mid to late thirties, so they’re a little too grown to be thinking and dressing like kids.

It’s actually a little sad when you think about it.  Let’s leave this ignorance behind, shall we?

Boko Haram Burn Down Police Station In Borno

Boko Haram militants continue their daily rampage across northern Nigeria, as they invaded the Shani Local Government Area of Borno State. They have reportedly set ablaze the Divisional Police Station in Borno State late Monday afternoon.

The militants stormed the Divisional Police Station, among other nearby houses, including shops, and vehicles using Improvised Explosive Devices and petrol bombs, and had opened fire indiscriminately with policemen reportedly fleeing the scene.

Shani is located about 250 kilometers south of Maiduguri, which also shares a boundary with some parts of Taraba state.

The Boko Haram reportedly preceded their attack inside the town, and started shooting sporadically. They also snatched one of the police patrol vehicles of the police residents, before they fled towards Gwaskara village.

On Sunday, gunmen fired at worshippers, and reportedly burned down four churches in a town near Chibok, the site of the Mid-April kidnapping of over 270 school-girls who remain missing. More than 30 bodies were recovered, with more turning up in the bushes from violence in the town of Kwada.

In Washington, U.S. State Department Spokeswoman, Jen Psake, was peppered with a series of questions regarding American efforts at assisting the Nigerian government in the recent spike in Boko Haram violence of recent weeks. Psake, was vague about those ‘increased capacity and efforts’ announced by State Department officials nearly five weeks ago. In the late question and answer session, Psake, said she could provide “no new information” about the church bombings, and continued reports of Nigerian military forces arriving late, fleeing, or addressing the recent attacks with a reported ‘lackluster’ effort on the part of defending Nigerian residents.

 The half dozen questions posed to the State Department Spokeswoman centered on a perceived view that the Nigerian military is a force in ‘disarray.’ Psake, said that there was “no validation of these recent reports,” only that the U.S. Government was “increasing the assistance” to the Nigerians. She cited the on-going training efforts, including assisting local law enforcement officials, and said that the U.S. had “boosted their capacity” inside the country. The Nigerians, she said, “remain in the lead” in the fight against Boko Haram.

A resident of Shani told newsmen that the hinted news of the terrorists invasion into Shani was made public at 9am on Monday, local Nigerian time, when they were sighted by some women on their farmlands around Walama. It was there where the terrorists told them that they should vacate their farms as they have a deadly mission to execute in some undisclosed places in Shani.

A SaharaReporters correspondent learned that no lives were lost at that point, but the terrorists succeeded in burning down the police station, patrol vehicles, and had destroyed local properties running into the millions of Naira.


Source

VIDEO: Bruno Mars Serenades 11-Year-Old Car Crash Survivor Who Used His Music To Speak Again

Bruno Mars gave one deserving young fan a performance she’ll never forget at his recent show in Cleveland.

11-year-old Zumyah Thorpe suffered a traumatic head injury last year in a horrific car accident that killed her pregnant mother and two sisters.

Thorpe endured months of painful recovery — and Mars’ music played a key role in helping her regain motor and language skills.

When Mars heard about Thorpe’s story, he arranged to meet privately with her and her family, singing several songs and giving her a teddy bear.

At the Cleveland concert, Mars serenaded Thorpe with his hit “Just The Way You Are.”

It made for an incredible moment.

Check out the video below!

WATCH:

Justin Bieber Shares “Naked” Selfie

(Shots/@JustinBieber)

Justin Bieber shared an… interesting selfie on Monday.

The pop star kicked off the week by snapping an eye-grabbing picture of himself from a low angle.

He’s not wearing a shirt in the photo — and it’s not clear whether he’s wearing anything.

In the image (see right and below) posted to his Shots page, Bieber could be wearing pants… or just his chain and an intense stare.

Either way, it’s generating quite a bit of speculation online.

What do you think?

Check out a larger version of the pic below!

(Shots/@JustinBieber)

Acid victim Naomi Oni releases new pics and reveals she's started dating again

I'm sure by now you all know who Naomi Oni is. She was attacked with acid in December 2012 by her own friend who was jealous of her. The friend, Mary Konye, has since been imprisoned.

Ms Oni released these beautiful new photos and revealed that she has started dating again. Speaking with UK Close magazine, the 23 year old, who was single for a while following the incident after her boyfriend dumped her two months after the attack, said she recently had a boyfriend, and although it has since ended, the relationship really boosted her confidence.

"He said I was gorgeous and completely took me by surprise - he approached me in the street and said he'd read about my story and thought I was so inspirational that he wanted to take me out.

'Things didn’t work out with the guy I was seeing and we’re just friends, but it’s boosted my self-esteem. 'I'm enjoying being single at the moment but I'm ready to fall in love again with the right person. 'Naomi said. All the best to her!!

Bomb blast in Maiduguri market this morning

A bomb exploded at a busy market in Maiduguri, Borno state, this morning July1st. Eye-witnesses said the bomb went off around 8am this morning at the busy market near a Power Holding building.

The number of casualty is expected to be high because of how crowded the area is.

A Borno state govt official confirmed the blast to Sahara Reporters, saying the causality number is very high but stated that security agencies are working to secure the area and rescue victims.

Today's bombing would be the first major bombing by Boko Haram since the beginning of Ramadan

African outsiders face European giants

©

MATCHDAY PREVIEW - Africa's two remaining teams return to the fray on Monday in a pair of Round of 16 showdowns against European powers. For Algeria, through to the knockout phase for the first time in their history, that means a daunting tie against three-time winners Germany, who have looked in excellent form so far at Brazil 2014. Les Fennecs (Desert Foxes) fear no one, though, and particularly not their upcoming opponents, having edged both of their previous meetings: a 2-0 friendly win in 1964 and a 2-1 success during the group stage at Spain 1982.

Nigeria can point to a similar record against their last-16 rivals France, with the only match between the teams ending in a 1-0 triumph for the Super Eagles in June 2009. Despite that, Les Bleus have emerged as a genuine force at this FIFA World Cup™, scoring eight goals in their first two games ahead of a goalless draw with Ecuador.

That contrasted with Nigeria's more delicate progress through a very open Group F, the African champions opening with a goalless stalemate against Iran before downing Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 and losing 3-2 to Argentina in their most accomplished performance. The statistics suggest France are favourites, as does a comparison of the teams' respective trophy hauls. But who will shine when it matters?    

The matchesRound of 16

France-Nigeria, Estadio Nacional, Brasilia, 13.00 (local time)

Germany-Algeria, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, 17.00 (local time)

Glory beckons:Miroslav Klose needs just one more effort to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, having recently drawn level with Brazil legend Ronaldo on 15 strikes. The Germany marksman has registered once so far at Brazil 2014, after notching five goals in 2002, five in 2006 and four in 2010.  

Proud record:Nigeria have become the first African team to reach the knockout phase for a third time, repeating the feat of their predecessors in 1994 and 1998. The continent still awaits its maiden semi-finalists, however, with a trio of sides having reached the last eight before exiting: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana four years ago.

Five survivors:The Super Eagles saw off France 1-0 in a friendly in Saint-Etienne on 2 June 2009. Five players involved that day could feature in Brasilia: Patrice Evra, Loic Remy and Karim Benzema for France, plus Nigerian duo Peter Odemwingie and Vincent Enyeama.

French omen:France have grabbed a spot in the knockout phase for the sixth time since 1958. Each time Les Bleus have made it out of the group stage, they have gone on to reach at least the semi-finals, finishing third in 1958, fourth in 1982 and third in 1986 before lifting the Trophy in 1998 and reaching the Final in 2006.

German juggernaut:Germany will contest their 889th international when they tackle Algeria, with their previous fixtures yielding 515 wins, 181 draws and 192 losses. The three-time World Cup winners have rattled in 1,996 goals along the way, with an average of 2.24 per game.

Suspended players

None

Treading the tightrope

Benedikt Howedes (GER)

Nabil Bentaleb, Nabil Ghilas, Liassine Cadamuro, Djamel Mesbah, Madjid Bougherra (ALG)

Paul Pogba, Patrice Evra (FRA)

Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, John Obi Mikel (NGA)

Check it outThe tie between Algeria and Germany inevitably brings to mind memories of their last World Cup meeting 32 years ago. That day, in a group stage fixture at Spain 1982,  Les Fennecs wrote one of the most glorious chapters in their history by stunning Die Nationalmannschaft 2-1. Revisit that sensational success in our video presentation, and via exclusive interviews with Lakhdar Belloumi and Rabah Madjer.

The question fans are asking themselves back in France is how Les Bleus have managed to become such a well-oiled unit with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for goals, plundering 26 and conceding just three in eight games since their play-off opener against Ukraine. In an exclusive interview with FIFA, coach Didier Deschamps provides his own take.

With the clock ticking down on France's showdown with Nigeria, FIFA.com also met up with Super Eagles stalwart Joseph Yobo, who briefly played in France during a spell at Marseille. Recently awarded his 100th cap, the veteran defender explains why he sees no reason to fear Benzema and Co.

On this dayBrazil clinched their fifth World Cup crown in Yokohama, Japan, on 30 June 2002, engineering a 2-0 victory against Germany in the Final. With current coach Luiz Felipe Scolari then enjoying his first stint at the Seleção helm, Brazil played in a 3-4-1-2 formation that featured the blistering talents of front trio Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo. The latter hit the two winning goals in the second half, on his way to ending the tournament as top scorer on eight strikes, while captain Cafu became the first player to contest three consecutive World Cup deciders. Miroslav Klose, meanwhile, spearheaded Germany's attack.  

Play and winMake your prediction for the adidas Golden Ball winner at Brazil 2014 and you could walk away with your very own piece of World Cup history from the Maracana Final on 13 July. The Grand Prize for the adidas Golden Ball Predictor is an official match ball used during the 2014 World Cup showpiece, so what are you waiting for? 

Top tweetFrance defender Raphael Varane tweeted his thoughts before Monday's clash with Nigeria.
"A small break after training under extreme heat. Ready for the game tomorrow!"

Interview: Young Jeezy, YG And DJ Mustard Hit The 2014 BET Awards

Earlier today (June 29), VIBE hit the 2014 BET Awards with our cameras armed to catch all the backstage action. On our first stop, the red carpet, we caught up with trapstars Young Jeezy, YG and DJ Mustard who mobbed through as a trio. After touching on his upcoming album, the Snowman pulled his young West Coast homies along and put a new term into the air. Instead of accepting the label of O.G—Jeezy says he prefers to be called the O.T.—that's "Original Trapper" in case you didn't know. Check out the video to see if YG and Mustard approve.

Man Stabbed At Game & Meek Mill BET Awards Pre-Party, Video Released

A man in his 20s is stabbed inside of Lure Nightclub at a party hosted by Game and Meek Mill.

A stabbing took place inside of a BET Awards pre-party hosted by Game and Meek Mill, according to TMZ.

A man in his 20s was stabbed inside Lure Nightclub yesterday (June 28), the report says. 

TMZ has footage of the man outside of the club, waiting for medical assistance. He is with a friend who is also calling for help. 

The man was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition. 

While Game and Mill hosted the event, other rappers were reportedly also in attendance. No connection between the stabbing and the emcees has been made. 

A video from the event is below

  BET Awards -- Stabbing During Pre-Party Inside Hollywood Nightclub
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‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ Has Year’s Biggest Opening Day, Set for $104 Million Weekend

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” has obliterated the box office, hauling in a higher-than-expected $41.6 million Stateside on Friday, the biggest opening day of the year.

The robots look to do more damage en route to a whopping $104 million-plus debut this weekend. Paramount estimates a slightly more modest $100 million.

If that estimate pans out, the fourth installment of Paramount’s ever-growing franchise would overtake “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” as the best debut of the year. Disney-Marvel’s sequel earned $95 million when it opened the summer box office early, hitting theaters in the first weekend of April.

This would mark the second best opening for director Michael Bay’s $2.6 billion movie series. “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” debuted to $109 million in 2009.

The $210 million tentpole could also become the first pic since “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and the first movie of the year to hit the $100 million mark in its launch (as well as the 27th movie to earn a nine-figure opening weekend in the U.S.)

Although the last “Transformers” movie, “Dark of the Moon,” made $50 million less domestically than its predecessor, each new installment has grossed progressively more worldwide. “Dark of the Moon” made $1.1 billion to become the seventh highest worldwide grosser of all time. It was miles ahead of “Revenge of the Fallen’s” $836 million and the original film’s $710.

“Age of Extinction” has already started its international reign, earning $80 million in foreign markets, including an estimated $30 million-plus opening in China — the largest opening day for a foreign film in the People’s Republic. The Friday result is 42% higher than the last installment in the same territories.

The blockbuster had already set a record in China with $3.5 million from Thursday midnight previews. It had the second highest Friday gross of all time in Russia ($4.5 million) and the top opening day of 2014 in Korea ($3 million), among other territories. The movie is playing in 37 international territories this weekend.

This is the first film in the series without star Shia LaBeouf, who was coincidentally arrested for disorderly conduct in New York City on the film’s opening night, as Mark Wahlberg and company look to breathe new life into the franchise. Megan Fox left the series after the second installment and was replaced with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who’s now been substituted with Nicola Peltz.

The pic, which is now playing in 4,233 locations, made $8.75 from Thursday showings – the franchise’s lowest late-night gross to date. So far, “Age of Extinction” is the worst reviewed movie of the series with a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The first “Transformers” movie has the highest with 57%.

As expected, the audience skewed male (64% men), with 58% of moviegoers over the age of 25.

Holdovers led the rest of the pack, with “22 Jump Street” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2” coming in second and third, respectively, in a repeat of last weekend.

The “21 Jump Street” sequel earned $5 million on Friday. The comedy stands to make $15 million by Sunday, which would mark a $45 million drop, raising its three-week cume to $140 million.

Its sequel sparring partner, “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” was close behind with $4.1 million. The Fox/DreamWorks animated pic could earn $13.1 million – a 47% decline. It will likely reach $122 million by Sunday.

Last week’s victor, “Think Like a Man Too,” fell to fourth with $3.4 million. Sony’s Kevin Hart comedy is on track for $10 to $11 million, sliding sharply by 65% in its second outing.

Disney’s “Maleficent” is still showing holding power as it rounds out the top five. The Angelina Jolie-starrer made $2.6 million on Friday as it headed for a fifth weekend in the $8 million range. The “Sleeping Beauty” live-action reimagining is on track to cross $200 million. It could become this year’s fourth film to reach that milestone following “The Lego Movie,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

Film Review: ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’

'Cloverfield' director Matt Reeves helms a bleak but spectacular sequel to the 2011 man-vs.-monkey hit.

Guy Lodge

Film Critic@guylodge

It’s always darkest before the dawn, goes the saying — but in resuming a franchise already suspended on a downbeat note, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” sees the simian revolution reaching unprecedented levels of bleak anarchy. An altogether smashing sequel to 2011′s better-than-expected “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” this vivid, violent extension of humanoid ape Caesar’s troubled quest for independence bests its predecessor in nearly every technical and conceptual department, with incoming helmer Matt Reeves conducting the proceedings with more assertive genre elan than “Rise” journeyman Rupert Wyatt. Entirely replacing the previous film’s human cast, but crucially promoting Andy Serkis’ remarkable motion-capture inhabitation of Caesar to centerstage, “Dawn” ought to go ape at the global box office starting July 9, smoothing the path for further sequels to test the franchise’s complexity.

Following the robust performance of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” — which garnered warm reviews, more than $480 million worldwide and an Oscar nomination for its stunning effects work — “Cloverfield” director Reeves inherits the Pierre Boulle-originated franchise in considerably better condition than Wyatt did, considering the almighty whiff of Tim Burton’s 2001 “Planet of the Apes” remake. Credibility restored, then, it’d have been easy to get complacent, recycling the “Rise’s” most impressive setpieces and welding them to a hasty resuscitation of its movie-science narrative. Instead, Reeves and returning writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (joined by “The Wolverine” scribe Mark Bomback) have taken a different tonal tack, fashioning the new installment as an out-and-out war drama, with surprising subdivisions in its central conflict of man vs. beast, and battle scenes to do Weta Digital godfather Peter Jackson proud.

The action begins approximately a decade after “Rise” left off, with a pre-credits montage of global news reports filling in the subsequent drastic developments: The ALZ-113 virus (or simian flu) unleashed at the end of the prior film has wiped out most of the world’s human population, with a survival rate of less than one in 500. It’s a slight red herring of an introduction, given that the virus is no longer the most immediate threat to man’s day-to-day existence. With all government functions suspended and nuclear power critically depleted, any remaining bands of survivors exist in spartan, unlit isolation; if the flu doesn’t get to them first, the lack of basic resources will.

San Francisco — or the post-ape-ocalyptic remainder of it, at least — is once more the setting, brilliantly realized by production designer James Chinlund as a gangrenous wasteland of vegetation-swamped slumhouses, the city’s erstwhile landmarks glumly clothed in rust and moss. Its few residents are led by Dreyfus (Gary Oldman), a former military man bent on revenge against the apes for the loss of his family to the virus. More sanguine is Malcolm (Jason Clarke), who spearheads a project to recover the city’s electricity by regaining control of the O’Shaughnessy Dam. That entails encroaching on the forested domain of the neighboring ape community, still ruled with a firm but hairy hand by Caesar; with relations between man and ape already fragile, this violation throws fuel on the flames of civil unrest.

Though Caesar responds to the diplomatic overtures of Malcolm and his medic wife, Ellie (Keri Russell), and grants them limited access to the dam, not all his subjects approve. Particularly irate is Koba (Toby Kebbell), a hot-headed, human-hating ape with mutinous designs on his leader’s position; when an equivalently reactionary member of Malcolm’s party is revealed to have broken Caesar’s “no guns” condition of cooperation, the resulting furor gives Koba the impetus to launch his aggressive counter-movement. (Sadly, the writers resist giving Caesar the line “Et tu, Koba?”) The script elegantly constructs its human and ape communities as opposed but markedly similar ecosystems, each one internally fractured along lines of relative tolerance toward the other.

The “Apes” franchise has always been a politically loaded one, and this latest entry states its left-wing credo in ways both allegorically implicit and bluntly direct. (You’d have to be pretty obtuse to miss the pro-gun-control subtext attached to misdeeds on both sides of the man-monkey battle.) While the previous film functioned as something of a cautionary tale against man’s destructive meddling with his environment, “Dawn” apportions blame a little more equally, as the beasts (introduced in a thrilling, technically jaw-dropping faceoff against a grizzly bear) are shown to be no less reckless an influence on the biosphere than their former superiors. “I always think ape better than human,” Caesar admits to Malcolm, his speech patterns having evolved rather rapidly even over the course of this film. “I see now how like them we are.” It’s a reverse epiphany that would have Jane Goodall in tears.

Regardless of whose side audiences might take, however, the fallout is inarguably spectacular. Reeves stages the ensuing crossfire in the human colony with much the same sense of kinetic panic he brought to the flipped monster-movie mechanics of “Cloverfield,” albeit with far more technical dazzle this time. With most of the below-the-line talent new to the franchise, “Dawn” has an aesthetic entirely distinct from that of “Rise,” with Michael Seresin’s antsy camerawork painting from a strikingly dank palette, and Michael Giacchino’s chorally embellished score occasionally evoking the grandeur of Howard Shore’s work on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The editing by William Hoy and Stan Salfas rotates multiple points of drama before hurtling into a too-busy finale that sells Oldman’s arc particularly short: Still, while nearly half an hour longer than its predecessor, the film certainly doesn’t feel it.

Naturally, though, the services of effects wizards Joe Letteri and Dan Lemmon have been retained — and with even more astonishing results this time, with the enlarged population and evolved capabilities of the ape community (who can now ride horses, handle firearms and goodness knows what else) posing fresh logistical challenges that are seamlessly met. The fusion of the film’s motion-capture work with its sophisticated fight choreography is particularly staggering.

That Caesar’s community now seems so integrated and completely characterized is certainly due to Letteri and Lemmon’s magic, though much credit should also go to the actors behind the illusion. Serkis must by now be used to the superlatives heaped upon his agile fusion of performance and image in many a CGI spectacle, though he’s in particularly empathetic, emotionally specific form here; Kebbell’s brute physicality and wild-eyed animosity, meanwhile, burns through the digital disguise. Despite Clarke’s everyman likability and some reliably gonzo posturing from Oldman, the less hirsute ensemble seems a little bland by comparison. Perhaps the film’s on the side of the apes after all.

Film Review: 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'

Reviewed at Moscow Film Festival (closer, noncompeting), June 27, 2014. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 130 MIN.

Production

A 20th Century Fox release and presentation of a Chernin Entertainment production in association with TSG Entertainment, Ingenious Media. Produced by Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver. Executiveproducers, Thomas M. Hammel, Mark Bomback.

Crew

Directed by Matt Reeves. Screenplay, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Mark Bomback, based on characters created by Jaffa, Silver. Camera (color), Michael Seresin; editors, William Hoy, Stan Salfas; music, Michael Giacchino; production designer, James Chinlund; art director, Aaron Naaman Marshall; set decorator, Amanda Moss Serino; costume designer, Melissa Bruning; sound (Dolby Atmos), Ed White; supervising sound editors, Douglas Murray, Will Files; re-recording mixers, Andy Nelson, Files; senior visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri; visual effects supervisor, Dan Lemmon; visual effects, Weta Digital; stunt coordinators, Charles Croughwell, Marny Eng, Terry Notary; associate producer, Jennifer Teves; assistant director, Mathew Dunne; second unit directors, Brad Parker, Gary Powell; second unit camera, Gary Capo; casting, Debra Zane.

With

Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Jon Eyez, Enrique Murciano, Terry Notary, Judy Greer, Nick Thurston, Karin Konoval, Keir O'Donnell, Kevin Rankin.

BET Awards 2014 WINNERS LIST! VIDEO: Chris Rock Opens BET Awards With Monologue Mocking Everyone From Oprah to Donald Sterling

(BET)

The 2014 BET Awards are being held on Sunday.

The annual show, now in its 13th year, honors the best in black entertainment — including music, movies, and sports.

And the winners are…

NEW ARTIST

August Alsina

GOSPEL ARTIST

Tamela Mann

ACTRESS

Lupita Nyong’o

MALE ARTIST

Drake

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Pharrell, “Happy”

MALE R&B POP ARTIST

Pharrell

LIFETIME ACHIVEMENT AWARD

Lionel Richie

GROUP

Young Money

VIEWERS’ CHOICE

August Alsina

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Myrlie Evers-Williams and all Civil Rights Movement heroes

FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST

Nicki Minaj

FANDEMONIUM AWARD

Beyonce

Chris Rock opened Sunday’s BET Awards with a monologue poking fun at everyone from Jay Z and Oprah to “Scandal” and Donald Sterling.

The comedian mocked the Solange Knowleselevator fight, Kevin Hart’s popularity, Rick Ross’ weight, and plenty of other targets in an expletive-laced segment that had the audience roaring.

It’s definitely worth watching.

Check out the video below!

Chris Rock  - Monologue -  BET Awards 2014 by IdolxMuzic

Davido wins ‘Best African Act’ at BET Awards 2014

All I Do is Win: Davido shows off his award. The African Pop singer has in the space of a month been crowned as the best artiste in Africa. Photo: Twitter/BET International Davido has been crowned as the Best African artiste yet again… The Nigerian Pop star bagged the award for ‘Best African Act‘ at the 2014 BET Awards  holding Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Davido beat Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage, South Africa’s Mafikizolo, Ghana’s Sarkodie, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Togo’s Toofan to win the award. ‘Thanks to all my fans!! WE WON‘, Davido tweeted, just moments after winning his award. Earlier in June, the ‘Skelewu’ singer also won the ‘Best African Act’ award at the MTV Africa Music Awards. © ... 
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