Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 10: The Passenger — A Review

*Spoilers*

21st April, 2019.

You know, I think palaver is possibly putting it mildly.

You see, I was at my family’s, earlier: an Easter Sunday dinner, so you know.

And … ?

Well … my nephew asked me if I could install Fortnite on to his mum’s computer.

That … 



Turned into a lot of palaver: as we couldn’t work out how to reset Ruth’s password, so we could install the thing.

Although I’ve managed to work out the first bit, at home: we’d’ve needed to reset the password.

There’s more.


Fortnite’s made by a games company called Epic.

And it seems to work a bit like Steam.

If I’ve got it right, the Steam app — or Epic launcher — is an application that runs miniature apps — the games — with in it.

Very unlike the Mac App Store: the games I can buy there run independently of the Store.

Of, course, wanting to know what Jude was banging on about: and as the game was free?

I thought I’d download it at my end.

Ha!

NOT counting the Epic Launcher?

That was about forty-five gigabytes game files.

From what I could see, and unlike many apps I’ve used on the Mac?

Something I could only put on the main drive: a main drive too small to contain it.

For want of of a politer phrase?

Bugger that for a lark.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 9: Vanishing Point — A Review

20th April, 2019.

OK, I’ll admit it.

I’m something of a Snooker fan.

Someone who tries to watch it where possible.   But doesn’t necessarily always get the chance.

Frankly?

I managed to catch some of the Robertson-Georgiou match, today: in the first round of this year’s World Championship.

Fascinating watch … but, given it’s 9-0 to Neil Robertson?   I think Australia’s finest has an advantage.

~≈§≈~

Saying that … ?

Saying that, you’ve possibly worked out that I have a large set of TV shows cued up: ready and waiting to be watched.

Including the current favourite, Westworld, series two.

It’s … 

It’s holding my attention, let’s put it that way … 

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 6 Phase Space: A Review

13th April, 2019.

OK … now I come to look at the intro video … ?



It does seem just a little bit camp.

But at least I can say two things.

One … ?   I’m getting better at tweaking the audio on these things.

The only shame?

Is that I can’t copy the audio from a given iMovie project, put it into — say — Audacity, add some weird effects … 


And re-import it back.

One for the forums, maybe.

Two … ?

It’s Raining Men’s a fantastic song!

~≈§≈~

Moving on … ?

I have to admit, I was in Sainbury’s today.

And … 

Here … 

Basically?   Their self-service tills now have cameras attached.

Frankly?

I can understand a certain amount of CCTV.

But these seem a little too intrusive.

~≈§≈~

Oh, and finally … ?

Finally, I’ve managed to catch one more episode of Westworld, series two.

It’s OK: I’ve got an excuse!

~≈§≈~

Episode 6 — Phase Space — opens with Bernard and Dolores (Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood) having one of their usual conversations: with a twist.

Dolores seems to be the one in charge.

Maeve’s group?   Maeve’s (Thandiwe Newton) group are determined to return to the main Westworld park.

Maeve is still desperate to find her daughter … but not expecting any twists … 

William (Ed Harris) and his daughter, Emily (Katja Herbers) are reconciled … only for Emily to find her fathers has abandoned her … 

The episode closes … with Bernard and Elsie (Shannon Woodward) at the Cradle: the server farm that contains ALL of the host backup and core data.

And is haunted by Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins).

Things … are going to get messy … 

~≈§≈~

Now … am I still enjoying Westworld?

Yes, I am, thanking you.

Although this episode seemed a little weaker than earlier entries in the series, it has shown us that the going ons at the park are more complicated than we think.

And?

Hmmm … 

I’ve not read any of the series two overviews available.

I’d rather NOT walk into a stream of spoilers.

But, right now?

I’m guessing Peter Abernathy — Dolores’ father — contains not the intellectual property of the park … 

But the memory patterns of a senior Delos corporation executive: and that at least one other — Ford — himself.

All of it manufactured to make the company the only group in this universe that can grant immortality.

We’ll have to see … 

But, boy … I’m curious … !

Westworld — Series 1 — Episode 9 and 10: The Well Tempered Clavier and The Bicameral Mind

21st August, 2018.

Right … I’m almost at the end of — get this — a day off.

Frantically realising, whilst wandering, washing up, having dinner with the family — my nephew says there’s a giant eyeball, over there … ! — that stuff’s a going on … 

I’d seen the news, today.

That Microsoft has halted a hacking attack on various Republican Party/conservative groups in the US … 

From Russia.

OK, that’s bad.

But, being honest?   I’d like to know what US cyber spies are doing.

Not that I think they’d tell the likes of me.

But I’m willing to bet that there’s a US Cyber warfare department doing something similar.

Willing to bet the UK government’s resident boffins at GCHQ are involved with the same sort of activities.

And willing to bet Microsoft love the publicity.

At ANY rate … ?

I can remember reading about an open source software project, a few years ago, called ReactOS.

A product designed to be used instead of Windows, and free of charge, but compatible with Windows software.

You could go and install ReactOS on your PC, and use exactly the same Windows apps you’d already got.

Without having to buy separate versions*.

It’s only when my ageing memory caught up, I realised I’d read about ReactOS, a while back.

About how interested Russian politicians were in the thing.

I don’t know for sure … 

But I’m guessing something like ReactOS would give malicious agents a chance to would out how to put a spanner in Microsoft’s works … 

Without have to buy anything from them.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s a day off.

Or, at least, has been one.

And … ?

Yes: I’ve watched more TV.   I have finally caught the last two episodes of Westworld’s first series

Yes: … that WAS rather good … !

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episode 8: Trace Decay

16th August, 2018.

Yes: it’s true … 

The Queen of Pop — Madonna Louise Ciccone — officially turned sixty today.

I’m not an particular fan, I have to say.

But have to give the Material Girl credit.   She’s a good performer, she’s knocked out some very good pop tunes: my favourites get a look-in, in today’s Daily Teaser

And is possibly the savviest business woman in the industry.

Possibly one of the best business people, all round.

You don’t have a thirty-five year career in the music, without being clued up.

~≈§≈~

The day’s got a sad side, too.

The Queen of Soul died, today.

Aretha … 

There is literally nothing I can say or do to describe how her voice made the hair on the back of my arms stands on end: beyond saying she was the first of only a few singers who could make the hair on the back of my arms stand on end.



The only fit way of remember the best voice in modern popular music?

Is to play some … 

~≈§≈~

Sadness possibly doesn’t even start, now does it?

At any rate … ?   Today has been a day off: one of mixed emotions … and extreme dampness.

Yep: I went and picked up medication … 

And got rained on … !



Boy, did I ever get rained on!

I’m glad I got home, glad I got in … 

And glad, by the time I dried out?

I had something to watch.

Yep: another episode of Westworld series one … 

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episode 7: Trompe L’Oeil

14th August, 2018.

It’s true: and I make no excuses for it.

I have some strange taste in music.

When I say strange, I mean strange … 

Frankly?

I wish I knew where … 

No, I think I have an idea.

I always used to get extra homework: just to make sure my handwriting was up to  snuff.

And usually have Strauss’s Blue Danube on in the background.

That’s possibly what’s given me a taste for it.

Well, that … and 2001.

At any rate … ?

It’s another night off … 

Which means?

Yes: another episode of Westworld, series one.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episode 6: The Adversary

13th August, 2018.

OK … 

I’ll admit to have a rough few days: almost — but not quite — walking away from a job I actually like.

Thankfully, I haven’t: although I have managed to wangle some time off.

Although not a pay rise: which could’ve been handy … 

At any rate?   A couple of days off … ?   Means cashing in the ticket, buying a takeaway pie and chips, listening to Jean-Michel Jarre’s Revolutionsalbum …

… as it returns, stylistically to his earlier, Oxygène.

Although with something of a French Algerian feel to it.   Possibly Arabian: as his father, Maurice, composed the music for Lawrence of Arabia.

I could go on for hours, couldn’t I … ?

I could … 

But won’t … as I wanted to tell you I’ve taken the chance to do two things.



One?   Post up today’s Teaser: I’m left handed so, given it’s Left hander’s day, a themed seemed appropriate.

And, yes, you’re right about the second thing.

I’ve caught another episode of Westworld’s first series.

Surprised … ?

Possibly not.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episode 5: Contrapasso

12th August, 2018.

You know, now I come to look at that intro … ?

I am happily sitting her, in my front room, and thinking about the idea that yawning is contagious.

And thinking there may well be something to it.

After all, any time I watch myself yawn … ?

I yawn in response.

Yeah … 

Trust me, it really has been one of those days.

Well, let’s leave that there, shall we?

And instead … ?

Concentrate on the fact I managed to catch some TV … for the first time in a while.

Yep: I’ve been at the series 1 Westworld … 

Just the one episode, mind.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episodes 3 and 4:The Stray and Dissonance Theory

7th August, 2018

That’s a bugger: and a bugger that possibly going to get me into trouble.

Although I THINK I have proof … 

Let me explain.

As originally scheduled?   I was due to have the night off, tonight.

Due … and had headed over to my mother’s for a family dinner.

’Til I get a frantic call from my Supervisor asking where I was.

Usually?   Next week’s rota are posted — in their finalised form — on the Monday before.

Which is when I usually tell co-workers when my free days are: and which ones I have free, if they’d like me to cover.

This week’s were up, last Monday, for example.

Which is when I emailed people: asking if anyone needed a shift covered.

No one did.

Well … no-one asked me about tonight, let’s put it that way.

I’ve still got the email trail that says so.

I’m hoping to NOT get in trouble: the job’s precarious enough as it is.

I’m hoping to the email trail I’ve got can show no deliberate fault.

~≈§≈~

Frankly?



I’m hoping to not get in trouble: as — as far as I could tell — tonight’s all my own.

I’m worried, certainly.

But, until tomorrow?

Not much I can do.

Beyond what I’d already had pencilled in.

Yep: catching more TV.

And yes: two more episodes of Westworld — series one — are exactly what the doctor ordered.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episodes 1 and 2: The Original and Chestnut

2nd August, 2018.

Right … 

I’ve got to admit to spending a frantic minutes, there: posting to Apple’s community support forums.

I’m having an issue.

For the past few hours, and using Safari 11.1.2, on a recent model iMac, running macOS High Sierra, 10.13.6?

Every time I go near Facebook, I get a message telling me “This webpage is using significant memory.   Closing it may improve your Mac’s responsiveness.”

Yes, before you ask: I’ve cleared both my caches and my history.

And no, it doesn’t happen when I use the ever reliable Firefox.

I’m blowed If I know what’s happening.

If there’s anyone out there who’s got at least half a clue, I’d appreciate hearing about it!



It’s mildly frustrating.

~≈§≈~

That aside?

You’ve possibly realised — or possibly haven’t — that I’ve had a day off, today.

I’ve got a few bits done around the house.

Although less than I’d like.

One disadvantage of being single?

Is there’s no-one around to help do the chores.

To be frank, I thin I’d possibly hire a cleaner … if I had the dosh.

There is always that last bit you can’t be bothered to wipe, frankly.

At ANY rate?

I will probably have a chance to do more, tomorrow: as I’ve another day off.

Tonight?

I fancied catching something that’s been tempting me for a while.

Westworld.

The first series of the HBO series, if you’re wondering, rather than the film it takes a cue from.

Going on these two episodes?

I think tempting is the right word …

~≈§≈~

The Silence of the Lambs — Phew!

27th April, 2017.

How long have you been reading Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar?

If you don’t mind my asking?

A long time, I hope.

Or, at least, long enough to realise I try and watch a film, every so often.

Long enough, I hope, to realise there’s only so films I watch — and then write about — twice.

Counting this post?

There’s only two films that I’d put on that list.

One … ?

Is Event Horizon: twice I’ve seen it, on those oh so quiet nights.

The other?

Is the film I had to sit down with again: having learnt of the recent death of its director, the late Jonathan Demme.

One of only three films of his — along side Philadelphia and Stop Making Sense — that I’ve ever seen.

The crime film that is … 

The Silence of the Lambs.

~≈Ê≈~

The Silence of the Lambs: Blood, Guts, and rivetting performance art in a post-Oscar setting …

17th February, 2011.

You know, I’ve got to admit, there’s one thing I know that BBC series, Outcasts has managed to do.

APART from seriously split critical opinion, cause intense discussion amongst fans of TV sci-fi and become as divisive as Marmite* … ?

Well, means that the usual Tuesday night movie got missed, last week.

And shifted to last night, this week.

Not that I’m complaining, too much.

It meant the when Movie Night Adrian, Kevin D, Sarah and I all got together last night, we had a bit of catching to do: Sarah was keen to explain her thinking on a band she was in, Kevin to borrow my shower, and Adrian to …

Well …

Mostly be Adrian, and eat popcorn …

It also — also — got us all nattering about exactly which movie we should actually watch.

I know Kevin and I wasn’t impressed by a western that Adrian had picked up from Brentwood Library.

And I think all of us were a touch intimidated by the sheer length of Night Watch.

We did manage to settle on something, though.

The multi-Oscar winning, 1991, Jonathan Demme film, The Silence of the Lambs.

Notice I didn’t mention a genre in that sentence … ?

More on that, later …

•••••

Based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs sees trainee FBI agent, Clarice Starling — played by Jodie Foster in the second of her Oscar winning roles° — co-opted by Special Agent Jack Crawford — played by Scott Glenn — to run what he calls “… an interesting errand”.

Crawford is — ostensibly — overseeing the building of of the Bureau’s VICAP‡ criminal profile database, and wants Starling to interview the one they’ve not managed to get talking, just yet.

To quote Crawford and Starling’s exchange … ?

Crawford: The pyschiatrist, Hannibal Lecter.

Starling: Hannibal the Cannibal …

Underscoring all this … ?

Crawford wants Ms Starling to deal with the figure that’s now such an icon, ever since that initial introduction …

Not that’s any urgency, of course …

•••••

Now …

You notice I didn’t mention the genre of The Silence of the Lambs, earlier … ?

That’s deliberate …

You see one thing I know that both Kevin, Adrian and I had noticed, over the years, was the simple amount of times that The Silence of the Lambs gets a mention in various ‘Top Horror’ type lists you see infesting movie magazines like Empire.

Whether that’s accurate is a whole other matter.

Speaking personally, though … ?

I think I can appreciate the reasoning behind that.

After all, why bother with the likes of Freddy, Jason, Michæl, et al, when the genuine article — especially when played with the Oscar winning conviction that earned Anthony Hopkins both the Oscar and the knighthood — can be so much more chillingª.

The Silence of the Lambs
★★★★

* Marmite’s anti-malarial properties are an urban myth, dating back to 1934/5. Apparently …

ª Just as a thought to ponder, here, though, about the evils that people do: in the original novel, Thomas Harris has Dr Lecter saying “I collect church collapses, recreationally. Did you see the recent one in Sicily? Marvelous! The facade fell on sixty-five grandmothers at a special mass. Was that evil? If so, who did it? If he’s up there, he just loves it, Officer Starling. Typhoid and swans - it all comes from the same place.”

° The other was for 1988 film, The Accused.

‡ Or at least, the film’s version of it.

The Wolfman: Barking at the Moon, but in a Fun way … !

You know, I’ve got to admit, as I write, the weather has taken a very muggy, cloudy, turn.

Which is a shame, in a way …

Because, considering the movie that Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky, and I were watching, tonight, I’d’ve liked to be able to tell you whether or not there’s a full moon …

Because, obviously, if you’re watching a werewolf movie, like the 2010 version of The Wolfman … ?

You want a full moon.

Or one of Ozzy Osbourne’s more poppier tunes, as an option on iTunes …

Seriously …

‹‹‹~›››

And, BOY, I think I’ve got to admit, I know I enjoyed meself, watching this.

The Wolfman sees Benicio Del Toro — as Lawrence Talbot — returning to his family estate on Broadmoor, after the death of his older brother, Ben.

Who — seemingly — has been killed, after being attack by some sort creature, whilst he’s been visiting a local Gypsy* camp.

And, while Lawrence is investigating his brother’s death, he helps fend off an attack — by the same unidentified creature — on the nearby Gypsy camp.

As a result … ?

Lawrence is bitten …

By the creature …

And it’s tempting to add the phrase “With Hilarious Results”, but however ironic I’d like to be at this time of night, ‘Hilarious Results’ aren’t what happens.

Because it sees Lawrence suffer.

From childhood, we discover: he had, after all seen his mother die, seemingly as a suicide.

And see him — during the course of The Wolfman — suffering all the best in Victoria psycho-therapy.

And towards the end of the film … ?

Having something of a major fight with his father, Sir John Talbot. Played by Sir Anthony Hopkinsº.

‹‹‹~›››

Now, there comes the question, though …

Is the 2010 version of The Wolfman worth watching … ?

After all, it is a remake.

And remakes, re-imaginings, re-workings — whatever one chooses to call them — do have an unfortunate reputation, for being not as good as the original on which they’re based.

I’ll be honest, here, having not seen the 1941, Lon Chaney Jnr original, I couldn’t tell you.

What I CAN tell you is fairly simple.

The Wolfman is not an arty, intellectual film, with high ideals, or a message of betterment for humanity.

What it is … ?

Is an atmospheric little horror film.

Very atmospheric!

And one with enough blood, guts, gore, romance, tension and drama, to be very riveting watching.

And a film I’d’ve not minded catching at the cinema.

‹‹‹~›››

* Right, just in case I’ve any offended Romani readers, I’m using the term Gypsy, as that’s the one used in the film: I’ll stick with it — for this post — as I’m using it to indicate the fictional take on Roma culture presented in The Wolfman. However, if it’s a problem, please feel free to leave me a comment: I’ll go with whatever I’m told is the preferred term.

º Who’s used to playing monsters, after all …