Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2016

23rd November, 2016.

Oh, you are joking, aren’t you … ?

As you may or may not know, I like using Safari: the on-board web-browser on my Mac.

I’m one that’s running an older version of the operating system: so can’t update beyond Safari 6.1.6

Which usually hasn’t been a problem.

Until today, when Google have decided to roll-out Blogger’s all new simplified page design.

That wouldn’t — in Safari, at any rate — load the page that let’s me write a new post.

OK, I can switch to Google Chrome, for the duration.   Which renders pages very well, but is a browser I’ve also found takes its time loading pages.

And, yes, I’m aware technology moves on.

But it’s a disappointment to see it happen.

~≈Ê≈~

In other news?

I don’t know if I ever told, but I’m a fan of Frank Herbert’s novel, Dune: having first read it in the 1980s.

Early on?   Early one character describes the hero of the novel, 17 year old Paul Atreides, as ‘small for his age.’

As a short 17 year old, when I first read the thing, a hero that sounds a lot like me, who ends up ruling the entire known human universe had a lot of appeal.

So recent news that the movie rights for the franchise have been acquired by Legendary?

Is interesting to see.

Personally?   Personally, I’m grateful one version didn’t get made.

I’m glad to have seen another.

And I’m curious to see what Legendary can do with the piece.

I’m really curious to see what they do with it.

I hope they have keep as close to the book as possible.

~≈Ê≈~

Black Swan: Shoes, Shellac, and ballerinas …

You know, what with ONE thing and another … ?

I’ve been VERY remiss about telling you about the film I manage to catch, on Monday night.

Seriously!

Job-hunting takes up a bit of time.

Obviously.

As does writing Teasers.

And blogging about the local council’s up to.

I barely get the time to play Angry Birds, Pac The Man X or Connect M, I really don’t*.

Let’s get moving on, here, shall we … ?

Yes, let’s …

BEFORE I start boring with the gruesome details about the go-fasta lemon …

»»•««

At ANY rate … ?

One thing I managed to do was grab myself a copy of a couple of DVDs as a result of the tax rebate I mentioned.

One … ? Was the 2006, straight-to-video clunker called The Raven: which I’m really only mentioning because it’s a pile of *ExpletiveDeleted* that’s best avoided. And that my local branch of CeX gave me 40p for, just in case that’s any help! (£3 at Sainsburys, just as a warning …) I’m just disappointed that I watched the first ten minutes of it: that’s ten minutes I’d ONLY get back by making a deal with Satan.

Or by telling you to stay well clear of it …

»»·««

Moving on, again … ?

The OTHER film I got hold of was the 2010, Darren Aronofsky directed, psychological thriller, Black Swan.

Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel, Black Swan sees Nina — Portman — as a young ballerina cast as in the twin lead roles of the Black and White Swans, in a production of Swan Lake: Mila Kunis as her understudy, and Cassel as the company’s demanding chorœgrapher.

And follows Nina as she prepares for the demanding twin rôles: and, very slowly, falls apart …

»»·««

Now …

Of the two, you’re probably going to wonder which I suggest you buy/rent/steal/what-have-you.

Gone on, ask me a TOUGH question, why don’t you … ?

I’ll be frank, here, my very rare spending money has to be on Black Swan. Granted I don’t necessarily think it‘s Portman’s best performance — I’d have to give that nod to her appearance in Leon — but it is a riveting film to watch to watch.

All told … ? Here’s the stars …

The Raven

☆☆☆☆ (I mean it, with this one: DON’T go near it, it’s a waste of time and money.)

Black Swan

★★☆☆ (Like I say, Leon is Portman’s better performance: but this is certainly very good stuff.)

* Actually, the last two games are by McSebi: and possibly two of the most addictive thing’s on the net. (Actually, Sebastian, if you’re reading this … ? When’s Boom getting an App.store release … ? That looks RIGHT up my street … )