Sunday 31 October 2010

Merlin: Episode 8, The Eye Of the Phoenix

You know, Halloween’s a funny old thing, it really is.

But does have its upside: I do know I managed to dress up — not very well, I’ll admit — as a version of the Joker, at work, yesterday.

And while it wasn’t stunning, I did mange to scare three small kiddies and a dog.

Oh, and get mobbed by a bunch of school-kids who were looking around the shop, and all decided they wanted to get their photos taken with me.

Fun and tatty-hilariousness …

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At any rate, I do know that last night’s episode of Merlin, The Eye Of the Phoenix, was quite a good one.

The opening teaser scene sees Bradley James as Arthur, undergoing an ancient ritual: he is in overnight contemplation to decide what he should do to prove himself worthy as the rightful heir: not to King Uther, but to the people of Camelot.

And what he decides … ?

Is that he has to quest for the trident … of the Fisher King.

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Now, if you’ve not seen this episode, I seriously suggest you remedy that: it is, after all, available on the BBC’s iPlayer, and gets repeated, tomorrow night.

But you’ll get my humble opinion*, now, either way, for what it’s worth.

The Eye Of the Phoenix is possibly one of the better episodes, I think: and I know I’ve said that before.

It’s adding quite a bit to the development of all of the regular series characters: Guinevereº is slowly realising that Morgana is not all she seems, Katy McGrath’s take on Morgana is slowly getting less hammy, the relationship between Bradley James Arthur and Colin Morgan as Merlin is look up, and Eion Macken, as Gwaine, is shaping up nicely as Merlin’s answer to Han Solo. Or possibly Silk

I’ve also got to mention Warwick Davies, as Grettir, the Dwarven Guardian of the bridge leading to the Realm of the Fisher King.

Many years ago I can remember Angelo Muscat — the butler in the original series of The Prisoner — lamenting the fact that there were few good roles for dwarf actors.

Warwick Davies seems to have cornered the current market: and played Grettir with both a straight face — vital in a fantasy series — and very well.

Maybe not on a par with Nabil Shaban’s version of Hamlet, but very watchable, none the less.

In conclusion?

I’m going to tell you to catch this one!

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* Isn’t that a ridiculous phrase … ? No, really … ? Who on Earth really has a ‘HUMBLE’ opinion? I mean, honestly!

º Angel Coulby.

The Halloween Teaser

Now, I’ll happily admit, I’m up at the right time.

Or what feels like the right time.

Look at it, this way: I’ve just spent my first week back at work for what feels like a very long time.

And today — Halloween — is my first official day off.

It would be a lazy Sunday: if it wasn’t for the fact I have to tidy the flat, do a little shopping, trade in some CDs and DVDs at work and then dance naked in the woods in honour of assorted pagan gods and goddesses.

Well, ok, maybe not that last option.

It’s not exactly warm, out …

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Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets!

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Trevor and Kaiju going head-to-head: with both scoring 5 out of 5, it also saw Trevor quoting Dostoyevsky, and Kaiju making the very good point that Pope Alexander 6th, along with the rest of the Borgias were … were …

Well, lets say they weren’t exactly what we think of as celibate, and leave it there, shall we … ?

And see how both they — and you — do with today’s gruesomely themed Halloween teaser: here it is, along with the ‘How To’ and license
Q1) Today — in various Ancient Celtic tradition — is Samhain: what would it be in the Southern Hemisphere?


Q2) Whilst the Roman festival of Pomona is where we get Bobbing for Apples, what was the name of the Roman equivalent to Samhain … ? (In English, it translates loosely as the Festival of The Deified Ancestors. Bit of a Clue, there … )

Q3) Moving on … 31st October, 1955, saw Princess Margaret cancel her wedding: to whom?

Q4) 31st October, 19845, saw the assassination of Indian PM, Indira Gandhi. The bodyguards who killed her were what: Sikh extremists, Muslim extremists, or right-wing nationalists?

Q5) 31st October, 1987, saw the death of writer, Joseph Campbell: in which 1949 book did he introduce the idea of the monomyth?

Q6) And finally … 31st October, 1959, saw who attempt to renounce his citizenship, at the US Embassy in Moscow … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 30th October, 1501, saw the Papal feast known as the Ballet of the Chestnuts held at the Papal palace by Cesare Borgia: which pope’s son was Cesare Borgia?

A1) Alexander 6th.

Q2) 30th October, 1984, saw the murder of Polish priest, Father Jerzy Popieluszko: which Polish trade union had he been in favour of … ?
A2) Solidarity.

Q3) 30th October, 1735, saw the birth of John Adams, Jnr, the second president of the USA: in which US state was he born?
A3) Massachusetts.

Q4) 30th October, 1966, saw the birth of voice-actor, Scott Innes: between 1998 and 2001, which cartoon character did he provide the voice for … ?
A4) Scooby-Doo: and Shaggy, too.

Q5) And finally … 30th October, 1979, saw the death of Sir Barnes Neville Wallis, CBE, FRS, RDI, FRAeS: which piece of WW2 military equipment did he famously invent … ?
A5) The ‘bouncing bomb’.
Enjoy those, everyone.

Now, if you’ll excuse me … ? I’m going to try and do something about this headache …


Saturday 30 October 2010

The Daily Teaser

Now, here’s hoping I’ve got this right: for those of us in the UK, the clocks go back, tonight. At least, I hope I’ve got that right!

I’d hate to lose any sleep, tomorrow, on my first day off in a few days!

Oh, and just as a side point, here, folks: the shop opens, today, at 10.

And if Trevor doesn’t totter along to buy a DVD, I’ll be very upset!

Lets move on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Trevor and Kaiju going head-to-head: with both scoring 5 out of 5, it saw Trevor quoting James Boswell and Kaiju both getting his answers in first, and admitting that — much like the Chamberlain family in Australia — that dingoes ate his baby.

Which is tragic.

I didn’t realise California had a ravenous Dingo problem.

Lets move on, shall we … ?

And see how everyone does with today’s questions: here they are, along with the ‘How To’ and License

Q1) 30th October, 1501, saw the Papal feast known as the Ballet of the Chestnuts held at the Papal palace by Cesare Borgia: which pope’s son was Cesare Borgia?

Q2) 30th October, 1984, saw the murder of Polish priest, Father Jerzy Popieluszko: which Polish trade union had he been in favour of … ?

Q3) 30th October, 1735, saw the birth of John Adams, Jnr, the second president of the USA: in which US state was he born?

Q4) 30th October, 1966, saw the birth of voice-actor, Scott Innes: between 1998 and 2001, which cartoon character did he provide the voice for … ?

Q5) And finally … 30th October, 1979, saw the death of Sir Barnes Neville Wallis, CBE, FRS, RDI, FRAeS: which piece of WW2 military equipment did he famously invent … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions, folks …
Q1) 29th October, 1945, saw President Getúlio Vargas resign: which South American country was he the president of?

A1) Brazil.

Q2) 29th October, 1982, saw Lindy Chamberlain convicted of the murder of her nine week old daughter, Azaria: what animal did Mrs Chamberlain claim had taken her daughter … ?
A2) A dingo.

Q3) 29th October, 1998, saw the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, complete with the person who was the world’s oldest astronaut: who was that astronaut … ?
A3) Senator John Glenn.

Q4) October 29th, 1947, saw the birth of actor, Richard Dreyfuss: in which 1973 film did he co-star with Ron Howard … ?
A4) American Graffiti.

Q5) And finally … 29th October, 1967, saw the birth of actress, Joely Fisher: In which series did she play Nina?
A5) Desperate Housewives.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.





Friday 29 October 2010

The Daily Teaser and The Friday Question Set

Phew!

D-Day minus 1, before work opens as the company’s newest store, and our big worry … ?

Is the fact that not everything is in, yet!

Hopefully, though … ?

The last delivery is going to be relatively easy to deal with … !!

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But lets get moving on, shall we … ?

And first off?

I owe a big ‘Thank You to Trevor, Kaiju, Andrea — @pinkylips29, herself — and Councillor Chilvers, as they’ve all helped me for this year’s Halloween themed 60-question-set by contributing questions. Those will be towards the bottom of the page: feel free to give them all a round of applause!

Lets move on to the meat of this morning’s post, shall we … ? Yes, lets!

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Kaiju and Trevor putting in their answers: and saw both of them scoring 5 out of 5, with Kaiju getting in his answers first, and Trevor putting in some quotes from Bill Gates. (Spit, Spit … )

Lets see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’ and License
Q1) 29th October, 1945, saw President Getúlio Vargas resign: which South American country was he the president of?


Q2) 29th October, 1982, saw Lindy Chamberlain convicted of the murder of her nine week old daughter, Azaria: what animal did Mrs Chamberlain claim had taken her daughter … ?

Q3) 29th October, 1998, saw the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, complete with the person who was the world’s oldest astronaut: who was that astronaut … ?

Q4) October 29th, 1947, saw the birth of actor, Richard Dreyfuss: in which 1973 film did he co-star with Ron Howard … ?

Q5) And finally … 29th October, 1967, saw the birth of actress, Joely Fisher: In which series did she play Nina?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 28th October, 1970, saw Gary Gabelich set the World land-speed record for a car powered by … what … ?

A1) Natural gas. (The car was called the Blue Flame. You know, I’m trying very hard to not think about the word ‘fart’, right now … )

Q2) 28th October, 1927, saw the birth of which late English Jazz singer … ?
A2) Dame Cleo Lane.

Q3) 28th October, 1886, saw President Glover Cleveland formally dedicate the Statue of Liberty, in New York Harbour: but on which island … ?
A3) Liberty Island.

Q4) 28th October, 1980, saw the birth of Kanzi: to which chimp species does he belong … ?
A4) Bonobo.

Q5) And finally … 28th October, 1636 saw a vote by the Massachusetts Bay Colony establish the first college in what was later to become the USA: how is that college now known … ?
A5) Harvard.
And here — along with the contributions from Kaiju, Trevor, Councillor Chilvers and Andrea AND the Creative Commons license — is the Halloween themed 60-question-set …
Halloween 2010 60 Question Set.

ROUND ONE: – GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What US state became part of the Union on October 31 1864∞?
A1) Nevada∞

Q2) What do the English call Candy Apples?*
Q2) Toffee Apples.*

Q3) Which Pope was born at Halloween 1705?*
A3) Pope Clement XIV.*

Q4) What was the surname of Casper the Ghost, creation of Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo?º
A4) McFadden.º

Q5) Which British au pair was found guilty of murder on October 31st 1997∞?
A5) Louise Woodward∞

Q6) The song, This is Halloween, is from which movie?*
A6) The Nightmare before Christmas.*

Q7) Who’s body was removed from Lenin’s tomb on October 31st, 1961∞?
A7) Joseph Stalin∞

Q8) Which baked item containing a ring, coins and other items and is part of the Halloween celebration in Ireland?
A8) Barnbrack∞

Q9) Lutherans — and some other Reformed denomination churches — celebrate which holiday on October 31st∞?
A9) Reformation Day.∞

Q10) Halloween is the stage name of which wrestler?*
A10) Manuel Ortiz Partida.*



ROUND TWO: BOOKS OF BLOOD.

Q11) Who wrote famed horror short story, The Hellbound Heart … ?
A11) Clive Barker.

Q12) The Fall of the House of Usher, The Black Cat, and The Raven were all written by who?
A12) Edgar Allen Poe.

Q13) The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is about which American town’s witch-hunt?
A13) Salem.

Q14) “Eye of newt, toe of frog” is a witch’s charm in which Shakespeare play?
A14) Macbeth

Q15) More to the point, what’s the usual nickname actors give to that play?
A15) The Scottish Play

Q16) What was the name of the Romanian king that the Count Dracula is loosely based on?
A16) Vlad 3rd. (AKA Vlad Ţepeş, Vlad the Impaler, or, of course, Dracula — “The Son of The Dragon”)

Q17) The Dunwich Horror, The Shadow Over Innsmouth and The Call of Cthulhu were horror stories written by whom?
A17) H. P. Lovecraft.

Q18) What was the title of James Herbert’s first novel?
A18) The Rats.

Q19) Who wrote the classic ghost story The Signal-Man?
A19) Charles Dickens.

Q20) Who’s the author of the Twilight series of novels … ?
A20) Stephenie Meyers.



ROUND THREE: – GRUESOME TV DINNERS.

Q21) Which US TV series traditionally opened with the lines “There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.”
A21) The Twilight Zone.

Q22) Which Nigel Kneale TV play, sees a group of scientist spend the night in a haunted house … ?
A22) The Stone Tape.

Q23) While we’re on the subject of Nigel Kneale, which of his Quatermass serials was turned into a Hammer film in 1967?
A23) Quatermass and the Pit.

Q24) Which BBC 3 series follows the unlives of a vampire, ghost and werwolf sharing a flat … ?
A24) Being Human.

Q25) Count Dracula also appears in a one off episode of TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer; who plays Buffy?
A25) Sarah Michelle Geller.

Q26) Who, according to The Munsters, was the hideously deformed member of the Family?
A26) Cousin Marilyn.

Q27) Who hunted down the ghosts of Hollywood celebrities in the Dead Famous TV series?
A27) Gail Porter.

Q28) Which part did former child star Jackie Coogan play in television’s Addams Family?
A28) Uncle Fester.

Q29) What’s the name of the Shannon Doherty series about the lives of three related witches … ?
A29) Charmed.

Q30) In the 2009 Nan’s Christmas Carol, who played the Ghost of Christmas present?º
A30) David Tennant.º



ROUND FOUR: – Gruesome Movies.

Q31) Who created the famous painting that was the influence of the iconic mask used in the Scream films^.
A31) Edvard Munch.^ (http://www.scream-thrillogy.com/ghostface.html)

Q32) Further, what is the name of iconic mask^.
A32) Ghost Face^

Q33) In the film, Halloween, who actress played the teenage girl that is stocked by Michæl Myers∞?
A33) Jamie Lee Curtis∞

Q34) In Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, what is the name of Jack Skellington’s dog?º
A34) Zero.º

Q35) Which actress connects Rosemary’s Baby to the remake of The Omen?
A35) Mia Farrow: who played Rosemary in the former, and Mrs Baylock. (And she wasn’t a patch on Billie Whitelaw … )

Q36) The 2010 remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street sees Jackie Earl Haley play the nightmarish Freddy Krueger: who played Krueger in the original films?
A36) Robert Englund.

Q37) More to the point, which noticeably disturbed character did Haley play in Watchmen?
A37) Rorschach.

Q38) In which 2010 remake did Benicio Del Toro star with Anthony Hopkins?
A38) The Wolfman.

Q39) Which 2008 dilm sees Ray Stevenson leading a group of mercenaries against a Zombie SS squad?
A39) Outpost.

Q40) 30 Days of Night sees the small town of Barrow attacked by a group of vampires: in which US state is the town?
A40) Alaska.



ROUND FIVE: – I SEE DEAD PEOPLE!

Q41) What film was Oliver Reed making, when he died?
A41) Gladiator.

Q42) Who was film star Carole Lombard married, when she died in a plane crash, in 1946?
A42) Clark Gable.

Q43) Which composer was shot by US military policemen, outside his home; – Gershwin, Webern, or Debussy?
A43) Anton von Webern.

Q44) Louis XIV’s wife was guillotined in 1793; – who was she?
A44) Marie Antoinette.

Q45) Which playwright died at the hands of Kenneth Halliwell?
A45) Joe Orton. (They were lovers.)

Q46) In which town did gunman Michael Ryan shoot 28 people on 20 August 1987?
A46)
Hungerford.

Q47) What are the roman numerals for the year that English King George VI died?
A47) MCMLII (1952).

Q48) 2002 saw the death of which American rapper?
A48) Lisa ‘Lefteye’ Lopez.

Q49) Which former presenter of Game For A Laugh died of pneumonia, in 2008?
A49) Jeremy Beadle.


Q50) Tony Bastable died in 2007; - which children’s show did he present?
A50) Magpie.



ROUND SIX: – SHEER BLOOD-SOAKED IGNORANCE.

Q51) Which word connected with sorcery has 10 letters and 5 consecutive consonants?
A51) Witchcraft.

Q52) True or False; - popion is an old name for Pumpkin.
A52) True.

Q53) What infamous U.S. Politician once claimed witchcraft was a chosen religion^?
A53) Christine O'Donnell, Republican candidate for Senate^ (Delaware)

Q54) What was the U.S. television show on which this shocking announcement was made^.
A54) Politically Incorrect^

Q55) Who created the famous painting that was the influence of the iconic mask used in the Scream films^.
A55) Edvard Munch^

Q56) Further, what is the name of iconic mask^.
A56) Ghost Face^

Q57) Which English County celebrates “Lating” or “Lighting the Witches”?*
A57) Lancashire.*

Q58) How was the game of “bobbing for apples” developed?^
A58) To predict marital possibilities^.

Q59) On Halloween, revellers dress as ghosts, witches and demons. What is the origin's name of this tradition^?
A59) On the evening before Samhain (another name for Halloween), people left food on their doorsteps to keep hungry spirits from entering the house^. Festivalgoers started dressing in ghost, witch, and goblin costumes so that wandering spirits would leave them alone. To this day, these are Halloween's most popular costumes.

Q60) According to old English superstition, what must be finished before Sunset, on Halloween … ?*
A60) A Journey.*
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later!



^ Author: @kaijuisme.
Author: Andrea Richards.