Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st March 2025.

21st March, 2025.

I have to admit, it’s pay day: so … ?

I’m going to be off shopping and bill paying, later.

Which will be so much fun, I’ll get over-excited!

Yeah: you can me getting ironic, there, can’t you?

~≈🙃≈~

At any rate … I’ve got a review in progress: as I watched Robert Eggers’ 2024 remake of Nosferatu, last night.

I’ve also got the video version of the review planned.

With a provisional timeline set up in DaVinciResolve.

The same software I’ve used for the intro video at The top of this post.

There’s upsides: the free version is remarkably feature-rich.

Although I’ve yet to work out how to fade audio tracks in and out.

The only other downsides, for me?

Is that there’s some noticeable green fringing in the videos I made with it: more than I’ve seen in their iMovie equivalents.

And DaVinci lacks the quality outputs iMovie has: although it does have presets for various platforms.

We’ll have to see what I can do, there!

~≈🧑‍🎨≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve been reading the collected MACH1 comics: from my misspent, 2000AD reading, youth.

The character is a British equivalent to the Bionic Man.

I’ve got to the episode where the main character’s predecessor, MACH0, is introduced.

And?

When I saw the original image of 0, a thought struck me.

That the image reminded me, vaguely, of the anti-semitic cartoons published by the Nazis, in 1930s Germany.

I can only hope that was accidental!

~≈☹️≈~

Licence to Kill: a Review

23rd January, 2019.

There are times I’m glad I’m out of work … 

There’s times … I’m frankly not.

Frankly, money his possibly the tightest bits: although that’s always the way, I think.

Debts and payments expand as the income we receive, does.

If that makes sense?

What I’m trying to say … ?

Is simply that there’s pros and cons to being out of work.

The downside?

A lack of cash: and some extremely tight budgeting.

The upside?

Simply that I have time on my hand: and a large collection of media to watch.

Last night?   I was in a mode for some Bond… 

Actually, no: I was in the mode for some of Timothy Dalton’s Bond, as I’d not seen his second outing in the role for many years.

Last night?   I got myself good and befuddled: mixing up titles, to see The Living Daylights … !

Tonight … ?

I managed to remedy that, and watch … License To Kill … !

Hmmm … I think we’re looking at a very different film.

~≈§≈~

The Living Daylights: A Review.

22nd January, 2019.

Yes: I was definitely feeling grotty, this morning.

Frankly?   Too much cooking oil, last night … ?



All day, now I think of it.

Triggered my IBS.

I really should I’m not a seventeen year old — with a seventeen year old’s cast iron stomach — any more!

Thankfully … ?

Thankfully, I managed to stay in, all day: I really didn’t want to go too far away from the toilet.

Equally, thankfully?

I had an old friend over, picking up some backed up files … 

Who turned up with some really good home made bread.

That made for some great old-fashioned doorstop toast, with Marmite … 

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve been in, all day.

Thinking I’ve movies in storage I’d like to see.

And thinking … that I’d never actually seen Timothy Dalton’s second outing as James Bond.

The menacingly named Licence To Kill.

What did I end up doing?

Watching The Living Daylights!

Fancy a mix up, any one … ?

~≈§≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 3 - Episodes 8 & 9: Perpetual Night & The Blessed Dark.

Have I mentioned I’m unemployed, at the moment?

And job hunting?

I’m …

Yeah, you can fill in the details, there, can’t you?

As you might also know?   I had an interview, today.

For a call centre that sold solar panel installations.

I have to admit, I don’t know that I was impressed with the interview.

Or the interviewer.

Most of the job interviews I’ve had … ?   The people holding the interviews seemed to summon up a little more enthusiasm …

This chap … ?   Didn’t hold my attention …

The whole experience?   Was definitely odd … let’s put it that way …

~≈Ç≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I felt a definite remedy to that?

Was more online job-hunting: as I think I’ve exhausted the possibilities of handing out my CV in Brentwood/Shenfield/Romford for now.

I also felt something else.

That I should be doing something constructive with my evening would be a good idea.

Yes, OK, OK …

I had nothing more constructive in mind than watching TV …

But?

At the least, I can say I was catching up with the last two ever episodes … of Penny Dreadful … !

~≈Ç≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 3 - Episodes 6 & 7: No Beast So Fierce & Ebb Tide

Well … 

Another day … another dollar.

Or, in this case … ?

Another interview.   For a well known DIY chain.

Frankly?

I’m a little concerned.   As, despite having taken the requested ID documents in, was never asked to show them.

Understandably?

I’m concerned I might not get hired … because the interviewers forgot to check something … !

~≈Ê≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve a free evening, tonight.

And another interview in the morning.

One that sounds … slightly LESS kosher than the one I’ve done, today.

At least, going by the research I’ve done today.

See what you can find for Valo Group, Europe, if you ever get the chance.

They’s barely been around for five minutes, and where they’re registered … is not where I’m being interviewed … 

That said?

That said, I want to try and not get to stressed about the morning.

By relaxing in front of the television.

You’re right.

With two more episodes of Penny Dreadful’s third season … 

~≈Ê≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 3 - Episodes 4 & 5: A Blade of Grass & This World Is Our Hell.

19th September, 2016.

Hmmm … 

That’s … 

Well, that’s an ambiguous thing to have happened.

I‘ve had a call, tonight, from my local branch of Nandos: I had an interview, there, last Thursday.

They’re not going to be hiring me.

Apparently?   They’ve someone they felt was more suitable.

Not want I want to hear, maybe: but at least I can go to tomorrow’s hiring event?

With a certain amount of clarity.

~≈fi≈~

At any rate?

At any rate, I’ve done a certain amount of reading tonight: about the company that’s holding The event, tomorrow.

Frankly?

They sound good to work for.   I can only hope I make it through the various bits and bobs they’ve set up, and bag the job.

My other bit of preparation … ?

Well … 

Two more episodes of Penny Dreadful, of course … 

~≈fi≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 3 - Episodes 1, 2 & 3: The Day Tennyson Died, Predators Far and Near & Good and Evil Braided Be

17th September, 2016.

BUGGER!

I didn’t get the job!

Just so you know?

I’m job hunting, at the moment.

And went for an interview in Billericay, earlier.

Which I didn’t get, unfortunately.

I’m … 

Disappointed, obviously.   But ALSO glad they interviewer — a seriously intense, but also very impressive, manager — phoned up to tell me I’d not got it, and roughly what she based her decision on.

That’s helpful for my next interview.

~≈Ê≈~

At any rate?

The fact I didn’t get the job is both disappointing: but something I’ll have to live with.

Live with … and move on from.

I did, however, have something to distract myself.

Episodes of a TV series.   A box set, if you must know.

And yes … if you HADN’T guessed … ?

Episode of Penny Dreadful.

And, right here and now?

It’s STILL beautiful!

~≈Ê≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 2 - Episodes 9 & 10: And Hell Itself Is My Only Foe & And They Were Enemies …

You know, that’s going to be frustrating.

There’s going to be a bit of a gap, until the airing of series 3!

Arrgghh!

As you might have noticed, I tend to like a good TV series.

For, of course, a given value of ‘good,’ ‘TV’ and ‘series,’ obviously.

And, over the past few weeks?   I’ve been binge watching the box-sets of series one and two of Penny Dreadful.

In fact, I’ve watched Series two, over the past few days: watching episodes nine and ten — And Hell Itself Is My Only Foe and And They Were Enemies — tonight

I’ve come to one conclusion.

Quite simply this.

Penny Dreadful’s bloody FANTASTIC!

~≈ƒ≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 2 — Episodes 7 & 8: Little Scorpion & Memento Mori

You know, I have to admit to a certain amount of pride.

Will you would, wouldn’t you?

If you do a quick Google search for something: and get shown something you’ve gone and posted, earlier.

OK, that’s possibly the way my default browser — Safari — caches pages from Google’s search engine.

But still … it impressed me … 

At any rate, the Google search is sort of incidental to what I was going to do.

Yes … 

I’m going to mention the fact I’ve been At the Penny Dreadfuls, again.

~≈È≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 2 - Episodes 4, 5 & 6: Evil Spirits in Heavenly Places, Above the Vaulted Sky & Glorious Horrors

You know, there comes a time in a man’s life, when he sits back … and admits TV is changing.

Or, at least, his tastes in TV are changing.

Or, at least, that he’s done the stuff he needs to do … and just wants to spend a night in front of the TV.

For want of something ELSE to do, that is.

As you might know, I’ve not got that much in the way of cash.

I work, part-time.   So don’t have much in the way of spare cash — after paying the bills — to spend on fripperies: like a Sky, Netflix or BT TV subscription.

When I hear of a movie I wish to see at home?   I tend to rent it from iTunes: paying for any rentals with the credit I put on my account with an iTunes gift card.

These days … ?

If I hear about a TV series that seems interesting?   I tend to buy the DVD box-set.

And make use of Collins Dictionary’s Word of 2015.

I binge watch … !

And, as you can possibly imagine, after last night?

I‘ve been binge binge the Sky/Showtime co-production that is series two … of Penny Dreadful.

And yes … it’s improving … 

~≈Â≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 2 - Episodes 1, 2 & 3: Fresh Hell, Verdis Diablo & The Nightcomers.

Did I mention I’ve a few days off from work?

I’ve worked for them, I’ve earnt them, and I’m bloody well going to enjoy them.

But can’t help but feel … that I’ve only SO much time to spare.

In between writing the Teasers, attending a leaving do for someone at work, watching Hotel Transylvania 2 with my youngest sister, and my nephew, and what ever ELSE I’ve got planned?

I’m starting to feel …

Well … 

Oversubscribed, let’s put it that way.

It’s only tonight I’ve managed to get some me time: and catch up with a few episodes from a recently acquired box-set.

The recently acquired Sky/Showtime second series of Penny Dreadful.

You’d kind of guessed I’d be talking about that one, wouldn’t you … ?

~≈†≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 1 - Episodes 7 and 8: Possession and Grand Guignol.

Oh, now, wait … 

Wait, wait wait … !

I know there’s times when I get accused of throwing around the word, ‘impressive,’ quite a bit.

Which has a certain element of truth to it, actually: now I come to think of it.

But … ?

Well, frankly, I’ve just watched the last two episodes of the first season of Penny Dreadful.

And … ?

Well, this is just one man’s opinion.

But I’ve seen a TV series whose first sea on is not impressive.

No.

It’s bloody gorgeous.

~≈Ê≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 1 - Episodes 5 and 6: Closer than Sisters and What Death Can Join Together

You know, I’m starting to think binge-watching TV series box sets is mildly addictive.

It’s a Saturday night: one where I should be getting something vaguely approaching sleep.

As I’ve an early start, tomorrow … 

But no … 

Oh, no!

No, I had to go and watch two more episode of the first series of Penny Dreadful.

Wouldn’t you just know it … ?

~≈Ë≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 1 - Episodes 3 and 4: Resurrection and Demimonde.

You know, I’ve got to confess to getting very excited about the phrase ‘binge watching.’

Watching a box set — of movies or episodes of a TV series — in one go.

And will happily admit to having recently started to binge-watch series one of Sky/Showtime co-production, Penny Dreadful.

Thus far … ?

Thus far, I’m impressed with the piece.

And, having watched two episodes, tonight — episodes 3 and 4, Resurrection and Demimonde — am STILL impressed.

~≈‡≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 1 - Episode 2: Seance

You know, I really try to not make a habit of watching too much TV, really … 

No, really … !

But … ?

Well, as I’m sure you’re aware, there’s not MUCH I watch on terrestrial TV.

At least, bar Humans and Dr Who.

Frankly … ?

Frankly, I’m wishing Penny Dreadful was one of those shows I could add to that list.

But, as it’s not … ?   I’m happy to make do with the box set.

~≈Â≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 1 - Episode 1: Night Work

You know, I have a confession to make.

I like movies.

No, really.

But you’d worked that out, hadn’t you … ?

Over the years, I’ve seen a few: on both the big screen, and — through DVD and iTunes rentals — the small screen.

I’ve another confession or two for you.

I like watching TV shows, as well.

Although, balancing a job, a (minimal) social life, and an high-maintenance blog means I don’t necessarily have the time to see everything I’d like to.

And?

And, to be frank with you, I don’t necessarily have the budget to take out either a Sky or Netflix subscription.

Nor do I necessarily want to.

There’s only so much on free-to-air channels that grab my eye.   Right at the moment, Channel Four’s Humans is keeping me entertained.

So balancing finances with time … ?   Is tricky.

On the OTHER hand … ?

On the other hand, the fact that reasonable priced box-sets — collections of TV series on DVD, or on-demand, and available to watch when we, as consumers, want to watch them — exist, is something I’m thankful about.

Especially if those box-sets are something I’d like to see: but — if broadcast on a TV service I don’t have access to, or that haven’t been on UK free to air TV channels for some years — wouldn’t otherwise see.

Monster hit, Game of Thrones is one.

Vintage classics, Blake’s 7 and Sapphire and Steel have been a couple of others: along with The Prisoner, I, Claudius and the original 1990s version of House of Cards.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the remake of Battlestar Galactica were more recent sets.

But other box sets have been screaming at me: telling me that they’re worth my time.

One of those … ?

One of those has been the Sky TV series, Penny Dreadful.

Well, if you’re going to name yourself after a kind of Victorian pulp, AND have Eva Green in a lead role?

That’s going to catch my attention.

~≈Ë≈~

Flash Gordon: CLASS Cheese …

Drat … !

Me and Kevin had the pizza … 

But forgot the big tin of biscuits … !

I have to wonder what on EARTH overtook me, there.

Still … 

It DOES mean more for me.

Yeah … 

You’re right, that DOES sound a touch off, now I come to think of it.

Think I might just have to save some … 

Now … You’re probably wondering why all the talk of food … ?

Bless ’im, Kevin D likes company and a movie, occasionally.   And fancied sharing something in his movie collection he knew I’d not seen in a while: the 1980, Mike Hodges directed, Anglo American film that is … Flash Gordon

~~~~~

Set in contemporary — AHEM — times, the film sees Sam Jones as the eponymous Flash: a football quarterback flying home after a game, along with travel agent. Dale Arden (Melody Anderson).

Only to come unstuck, as their private plane crashes: as a result of Hot Hail launched at the Earth by Ming the Merciless, Emperor of Mongo, who’s intent on |invading Earth … 

And wearing a hideously deformed Fu Manchu beard … !

~~~~~

Now, I’m perfectly aware that Flash Gordon is not high art.

About as far from high art as it’s possible to get.

On the other hand, though … ?

As cheesy as it is, romps along at a good rate of knots, has a fantastic soundtrack AND has a storyline that sets out to entertain, and achieves that splendidly.

Flash Gordon is cheese.

Not any old rubbish.

But an incredibly good quality brie … !

Flash Gordon   

Paul: ★★★☆    Kevin: ★★★☆ 
Average: ★★★☆