The Daily Teaser — 30-4-2013: Walpurgis Night … !

Hello … 

Looks like the government is trying to get tougher on prisoners.

Mostly by making sure that prisoners work harder for their perks.

I’ll be honest, I’m thinking that it’s not much more than what’s already in place: it’s simply the government trying to look tough on law and order.   JUST when there’s a huge set of local elections due on Thursday.

Guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens with it.   But I can’t help but think of an old phrase I’ve picked up, that’s very apposite for the news.

Same Shit … Different Gaol … !

Let’s move on.

}}}·{{{

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Mr Strict putting in their answers.

Yesterday saw Mr S* showing us how to do the Hokey Pokey/Cokey, the Twist AND the Hopek 

Here … 

It also saw Debbi† showing us this post.

On top of THAT, yesterday’s Teaser Mr S bagging 7 out of 10, and Debbi bagging ten … !

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s mildly spooky questions, shall we … ?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, license and video … 

Q1) 30th April is Walpurgis Night, in many parts of Europe.  Which Devonshire saint is it named after … ?

Q2) Brocken Mountain — in Germany — sees who gather for a festival on Walpurgis Night … ?

Q3) Which composer wrote Die erste Walpurgisnacht — The First Walpurgis Night —  in 1831: Felix Mendelssohn, Ludwig van Beethoven or Johann Ludwig Krebs … ?

Q4) Which American ‘Z’ wrote a short story called Walpurgisnacht … ?

Q5) And finally … which well known Black Sabbath song was originally called Walpurgis … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 29th April is — according to both UNESCO and the International Theatre Institute — International Dance Day.   It was introduced in which year of the 1980s … ?

A1) 1982.

Q2) The date was picked to honour Jean-Georges Noverre: the man credited with making which dance form popular … ?

A2) Ballet.   (I tried a Grand écart, once.   I didn’t walk for weeks … )

Q3) In which dance would you — at various points — ‘shake it all about’ … ?

A3) The dance known under various versions of the name, the Hokey Cokey.

Q4) Name either of the two South American countries that the Tango is said to have originated in.

A4) Argentina or Uruguay.   (There’s also a Finnish Tango … )

Q5) Which T is both a dance and a hit for Chubby Checker … ?

A5) The Twist.

Q6) What’s the name of the BBC 1 show, focussing on ballroom dancing … ?

A6) Strictly Come Dancing.

Q7) More to the point, what’s the name of the US version of the show … ?

A7) Dancing With The Stars.   (Steve Wozniak is a hardware genius.   Buuuuuuut … )

Q8) Raqs sharqi is better known as good old fashioned Egyptian what … ?

A8) Belly Dancing.

Q9) Waltzes are usually in which time signature: ¾, 4/4 or 5/4 … ?

A9) ¾.

Q10) And finally … The Hopak is traditionally danced by many Ukrainians: and which Russian peoples … ?

A10) The Cossacks.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Go home, Johann — Walpurgis Nacht doesn’t concern Englishmen.” 

From Dracula’s Guest by Bram Stoker.

And — as it’s used for the Walpurgis Night sequence in Disney’s Fantasia — I’ll leave you having a night on Bald Mountain … 

Enjoy your day: don’t get spooked … !

*        Mr S … ?   I think we’re going to have to name you as The Old Peculiar’s Official Choreographer in Chief … 

†        You’re right, Debbi, they do: I’ll have to keep me eye open for it.   Oh … Did I tell you we’ve got a Chief Choreographer … ?

The Daily Teaser — 29-4-2013: The Syncopated Wobble …

Hmmm … 

That’s something of a worry.

The various changes to benefit — due to go live in Brentwood in 2015, from what I’m told — officially go live in Greater Manchester, today.

It’s called ‘Universal Credit’, so you know.

The worrying aspect for me is that — up until when the changes go through in Brentwood — my housing benefit goes straight to my landlord: something I’m happy about, as it means I don’t have to worry about it, just keep an eye peeled for the forms, as and when they come through.

It’s ALREADY been shown that arrears go up, in pilot schemes earlier this year.   Personally … ?   I can’t help but think the scheme — basically — whiffs.   In ways only fresh dog poo can.

Let’s get moving on, shall we?   Before I turn into Ben Elton.

{{•}}

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Trevor and Debbi putting in their answers.   With Trevor telling us he’s a bit of a Terry Pratchett fan, and Debbi leaving me — and Sue — a comment about Journey To The Centre of The TARDIS — as well as admitting she’s got more books than time … ! — yesterday saw Trevor bagging 10 out of 10, with Debbi* scoring 8.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 29th April is — according to both UNESCO and the International Theatre Institute — International Dance Day.   It was introduced in which year of the 1980s … ?

Q2) The date was picked to honour Jean-Georges Noverre: the man credited with making which dance form popular … ?

Q3) In which dance would you — at various points — ‘shake it all about’ … ?

Q4) Name either of the two South American countries that the Tango is said to have originated in.

Q5) Which T is both a dance and a hit for Chubby Checker … ?

Q6) What’s the name of the BBC 1 show, focussing on ballroom dancing … ?

Q7) More to the point, what’s the name of the US version of the show … ?

Q8) Raqs sharqi is better known as good old fashioned Egyptian what … ?

Q9) Waltzes are usually in which time signature: ¾, 4/4 or 5/4 … ?

Q10) And finally … The Hopak is traditionally danced by many Ukrainians: and which Russian peoples … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th April, 1948, saw the birth of writer, Sir Terry Pratchett, OBE, creator of the Discworld series of books.   In which year of the 1980s was the first Discworld book published … ?

A1) 1983.

Q2) More to the point, what was it called … ?

A2) The Colour Of Magic.

Q3) Name either of the two main characters in the first Discworld novel …

A3) Rincewind and Twoflower.

Q4) Over the series, both of those characters have owned The Luggage: a notoriously hostile trunk on what … ?

A4) Legs.

Q5) Who — having appeared in every Discworld novel, bar two — is Pratchett’s most frequent recurring Discworld character … ?

A5) Death.

Q6) More to the point, what’s the name of that character’s horse … ?

A6) Binky.   (Binky is a perfectly normal horse, whose only ‘magical’ ability is to be able to make ground-level be whatever he wants it to be: even if that’s at two miles up.)

Q7) The Disc’s largest city — Ankh-Morpork — is twinned with which small English town … ?

A7) Wincanton.

Q8) Who’s the current Patrician of Ankh-Morpork … ?

A8) Lord Havelock Vetinari.

Q9) Equally to the point, who is the current commanding officer of Ankh-Morpork City Watch … ?

A9) Samuel ‘Sam’ Vimes.   (Commander Vimes hates the city’s ruling classes, being fairly left wing: AND a descendant of the man who killed the city’s last king.   Unfortunately, and as a result of saving the city a number of times, he’s now the Duke Of Ankh: something he ignores unless he needs it.)

Q10) And finally … The Disc’s most powerful (living) witch first appeared in Equal Rites: who is she … ?

A10) Granny Weatherwax.

Enjoy those: I’ll leave you with a line of Milton …

“Come and trip it as ye go,


On the light fantastic toe.”Line 33 of John Milton’s L’Allegro

And with this dance … 

With this one, if you’re a nightclubbing Charleston type … 

A goat … 

Here’s something for those of us who’d like to strike a pose … 

And finally … ?

The MAMUSHKA … !

*        That episode seems to have definitely seems to have divided opinion, Debbi … !   (Oh, didn’t know you and Trevor were on Pinterest, Debbi: I’ll have to look you both up.   That’s assuming I can remember my password† … !)

†        Is it me, or are there getting to be a LOT of social media sites … ?   I mean, Facebook, Twitter, LinkDn, Pinterest, Badoo, VKonnect, Diaspora … !   One day, someone will invent a social network for the people who don’t want to be on a socail network: which will possibly be a day I slap someone … !

The Daily Teaser — 28-4-2013: Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

I’ve used the term, before, and I’ll no doubt use it again.

But I’ve had an earworm floating around my head, ever this I woke up.

Actually … ?

I think it’s since just before I woke up.

It’s baffling.

But the fact is, I’ve got Strawberry Switchblade’s Since Yesterday banging around my head, and I’m blowed if I know why … !

Actually … ?

I’m blowed if — after all this time — I know what the song’s about.   That’s the eighties for you … !

Let’s move on, shall we … ?   Yes, let’s … 

}}}·{{{

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi† and Adrence putting in their answers.   With Debbi telling us she’ll be looking at putting her work onto iBooks, and Adrence* telling us he’s got Star Wars playing in his head, it saw Adrence scoring two out of five and Debbi scoring up a full house of five out of five.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   (I REALLY couldn’t resist this one … )

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 28th April, 1948, saw the birth of writer, Sir Terry Pratchett, OBE, creator of the Discworld series of books.   In which year of the 1980s was the first Discworld book published … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was it called … ?

Q3) Name either of the two main characters in the first Discworld novel …

Q4) Over the series, both of those characters have owned The Luggage: a notoriously hostile trunk on what … ?

Q5) Who — having appeared in every Discworld novel,ei bar two — is Pratchett’s most frequent recurring Discworld character … ?

Q6) More to the point, what’s the name of that character’s horse … ?

Q7) The Disc’s largest city — Ankh-Morpork — is twinned with which small English town … ?

Q8) Who’s the current Patrician of Ankh-Morpork … ?

Q9) Equally to the point, who is the current commanding officer of Ankh-Morpork City Watch … ?

Q10) And finally … The Disc’s most powerful (living) witch first appeared in Equal Rites: who is she … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th April is Freedom Day: a public holiday in which African nation … ?

A1) South Africa.

Q2) More to the point, it commemorates elections held in which year of the 1990s … ?

A2) 1994.

Q3) Those elections were the first in the country to not depend on what: sex, ethnicity or height … ?

A3) Ethnicity, or race.

Q4) Is the country concerned a monarchy, republic or theocracy … ?

A4) A republic.

Q5) And finally … which Star Trek character has a name derived from the Swahili word for ‘Freedom’ … ?

A5) Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, played by both Nichelle Nichols and Zoe Saldana.   (In the original Swahili, the word is ‘Uhuru’)

I’ll leave you with one interpretation of The Hedgehog Song

Whilst pointing you at what’s considered the definitive lyrics. 

I’ll also leave you with this quote from the birthday boy, himself …

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”

Terry Pratchett.

Have a good day … 

*        Adrence, it could be worse: it could be Darth Vader being REALLY silly … 

†        Hmmm … If you’re on the Kindle or Nook stores, Debbi, you should be accessible through the relevant iOS apps, Debbi‡.   (I’ve still not managed to try them, Debbi: I’ve only so much credit, I’m afraid.   I should be able to try for you, as and when.)

‡        Just so you know, Debbie, Apple takes a thirty percent cut of anything sold through the App Store: which is basically what the iBookstore is, it’s the book retailing arm of the Store.   (Yes, I know that’s what some consider a touch excessive: but it’s worked well for Apple.   It’s ALSO why Microsoft haven’t put a paid version of MS Office on the Mac App Store: they’d rather NOT hand over a slice of that one to anyone else … !)

Dr Who Series Seven Part Two — Episode 10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS

Hmmm … 

You know, I think you can possibly tell something about a given episode of the new series of Dr Who.

Or, I can, at least.

The paste couple of episodes — Cold War and Hide — are episodes I’ve found compelling enough to almost immediately re-watch, once I’d recorded them.

I don’t know if it says anything about album I’m listening to — the soundtrack album to the rather good Small Town Murder Songs, which is well worth a listen — or the episode itself, but the album’s rather good.

And making for a rather good background music selection, whilst I’m writing.

~≈~≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I started this with the intention of telling you about tonight’s episode of Dr Who: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

Hmmm … Let me try and summarize, shall I … ?

Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS opens with the Doctor offering to show Clara how to fly the TARDIS, having gotten a touch crabby about her “She Doesn’t Like Me” comments.

Of course things go slightly askew when the ship is grabbed by the tractor beam from a passing salvage ship: crewed by Gregor, Bram and Tricky Van Baalen — Ashley Walters, Mark Oliver and Jahvel Hall, respectively — a trio of very likely lads, after the huge pile of cash they believe the TARDIS represents.

There’s problems, of course.

Not least of which is what happens when the Doctor realises Clara’s trapped … !

And that’s only at the START: there’s more.   But I think I’ll those of you haven’t seen it find that out for yourselves … 

~≈~≈~

Now … ?

Was I impressed … ?

Hmmm … 

Since the rebooted Dr Who started backed in 2005, the production values has generally gone up enormously, compared to the original series.

In that sense, Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS is very much on par with the rest of the series.

On a personal note, I couldn’t help but think that the episode is something of a retread of Classic Who’s slightly less imaginative moments: finding that, if all else fails, running down HORDES of endless corridors will do.

Saying that … ?

Saying that, I’m can’t be to critical: it did confirm a long held fan idea that said the Eye Of Harmony is an integral part of a TARDIS, and goes a long way to powering it.

Whilst simultaneously making a mild mockery of the fact that that ship had to stop — in Boom Town and Utopia — to refuel.

You’ve gotta love a continuity hole, haven’t you … ?

~≈~≈~

At any rate … ?   Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I wasn’t greatly stunned by Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

But I greatly suspect it may grow on me, over time.

If for no other reason than the teaser it’s given us for next week … !

The Daily Teaser — 27-4-2013: Freedom Day

Did I tell you I’m off delivering leaflets, again … ?

Well, I’m off delivering leaflets again,

Being frank … ?   I’m glad I’ve delivered to Brooking House relatively early.

No, really … !

They’re both rather tall buildings, and Brooking in particular, is a bit dizzying.

Oy Veh … !

Let’s move on, shall we … ?

I’ve another bundle to do, today … !

}}·{{

Yesterday’s Chernobyl Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: along with letting us know she’s survived the Great Nik Nak Email Disaster†, AND is thinking of getting a Mac‡, she also managed to bag eight out of eight*.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 27th April is Freedom Day: a public holiday in which African nation … ?

Q2) More to the point, it commemorates elections held in which year of the 1990s … ?

Q3) Those elections were the first in the country to not depend on what: sex, ethnicity or height … ?

Q4) Is the country concerned a monarchy, republic or theocracy … ?

Q5) And finally … which Star Trek character has a name derived from the Swahili word for ‘Freedom’ … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th April saw what was then the world’s worst nuclear accident: at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station, in the (then) USSR.   The plant is in what’s now which country … ?

A1) Ukraine.

Q2) In which year of the 1980s … ?

A2) 1986.

Q3) More to the point, what’s the name of the nearby town that housed most of the plant’s workers … ?

A3) Pripyat.

Q4) The plant, itself was — in the Soviet era — named for which Russian revolutionary … ?

A4) . V. I. Lenin.

Q5) Part of what went wrong at the plant, were some of the moderating control rods used in the reactors.   What type of carbon were these rods made of … ?

A5) Graphite

Q6) What kind of fuel was used in that plant: plutonium dioxide, neptunium dioxide or uranium dioxide … ?

A6) Uranium dioxide.

Q7) Chernobyl was the world’s nuclear accident: until a plant in which country exploded … ?

A7) Japan.

Q8) Finally … what was the name of the 2012 horror film, set in and around the Chernobyl plant … ?

A8) Chernobyl Diaries.

Enjoy those, folks.

I’ll leave you with this tune … 

And this quote from the late JFK.

“The great revolution in the history of man, past, present and future, is the revolution of those determined to be free.”

John F Kennedy.

Enjoy the day … 

*        Good thing I know what you mean with Nuclear Graphite, Debbi: but, my word, that’s one HELL of a pencil … !

†        Phew … !

‡        Actually, Debbiª^, the thought occurs: you’ve said it, yourself, a few times, you’re a small business woman, struggling to keep her head above water.   Much like my ex-girlfriend, Allison’s, younger brother, Richard.   Huge Mac fan, Richard, and one who’s run his own car valetingº business for years.   He’d ALSO managed to buy his Apple kit from the Lakeside store: as he’s managed to ALSO get Apple’s business discount.   How much it was, I really don’t know: but enough to keep him going back for years, as Apple always applied whenever he upgraded.   Just a thought … 

º        Which is like car cleaning: but Richard — and others who provided the service — would also fill in scratches, give the car a serious polish, and do heavy duty interior cleaning.

ª        Just as a hint, Debbi: you’ll possibly find it handy to install one of the larger sized interior drives, in store.   But I’d suggest — if you get the Mac Mini, or 27” iMac — that you get RAM from a third party source: it usually works out cheaper.

^        Plus, of course, you’re an already established author: one who’s looking to expand her market from Amazon, Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s platforms to include Apple’s iBooks range … 

The Friday Question Set — 26-4-2013

It’s got to be said … I’ve got to give Dechawat Poomjaeng — the Thai Snooker player who knocked Stephen Maguire out of the first round of this year’s World Championship — a bit of a nod.

I don’t think he’s going to make it into the quarter-finals, given the Mark White’s showing.

But … ?

But he HAS played some very entertaining and watchable Snooker.

At ANY rate … ?

Let’s move on … 

{~ø~}

After all, today is Friday: which means, of course, that it’s times for the Friday Question Set.

Here’s this week’s questions, covered by the usual Creative Commons License* … 

Online 200

ROUND ONE:  GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Which sea is north of Turkey?

A1) The Black Sea.

Q2) What colour are the flowers of the Saint John’s Wort?

Q2) Yellow.

Q3) Andrés Segovia was associated with which stringed instrument?

A3) The guitar.

Q4) Traditionally, cabbage and potatoes are the two main ingredients of which dish?

A4) Bubble and Squeak.

Q5) Which king is supposed to have hidden in a tree after the Battle of Worcester?

A5) Charles the 2nd.

Q6) Heriot Watt University is in which Scottish City?

A6) Edinburgh.

Q7) What does a theodolite measure?

A7) Angles.

Q8) Which poisonous gas is given off from a car’s exhaust pipe?

A8) Carbon monoxide.

Q9) Which motorway goes from east to west, across the Pennines?

A9) The M62.

Q10) Workers, drones and queens are varieties of which insect?

A10) Bees.

ROUND TWO: BLINDED WITH SCIENCE.

Q11) In which Lancashire town was the first test tube baby born in 1978?

A11) Oldham.   (Louise Brown)

Q12) In which country did the study of geometry originate?

A12) Egypt.

Q13) When was chewing-gum first patented: 1869, 1899 or 1919?

A13) 1869.   People chewed gum long before this, as far back as the ancient Greeks.   According to scientists, people who chew gum while performing memory tests (such as quizzes) score significantly higher than those who do not.

Q14) Oxides of two chemicals create acid rain: – name either.

A14) Nitrogen and sulphur.

Q15) Which letter is positioned between F and H on a computer keyboard?

A15) G.

Q16) What is thanatology the scientific study of: death, old age or taxes?

A16) Death.

Q17) The vernal equinox marks the end of which season, in the northern hemisphere?

A17) Winter.

Q18) What does the mathematical symbol comprising a triangle of three dots mean?

A18) Therefore.

Q19) Soyuz was the name of a Russian spacecraft, but what does the name mean: union, league or flight?

A19) Union.

Q20) Bright’s disease affects which organs of the body: the liver, the kidneys or the spleen?

A20) Kidneys.

ROUND THREE: AT THE MOVIES.

Q21) Which song did Doris Day sing in three different films?

A21) Que Sera, Sera.

Q22) Alan Alda was the only actor to appear in the film, and TV version of which comedy?

A22) M•A•S•H  He played Hawkeye Pierce.

Q23) In the Star Wars films, what sort of creature was Chewbacca

A23) A Wookie.

Q24) Film actor Ronald Moodnick is better known as which cast-member of the film Oliver?

A24) Ron Moody.

Q25) Which Disney character sang Some day my Prince will come?

A25) Snow White.

Q26) Which British actor provided the voice of the evil Scar in Disney’s The Lion King?

A26) Jeremy Irons.

Q27) Susi und Strolch and La Belle et le Clochard were, respectively, the German and French title of which Disney film?

A27) Lady and the Tramp.

Q28) In which Walt Disney classic would you find the three fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather?

A28) Sleeping Beauty.

Q29) Which cartoon bird  made his cinematic debut in Walky Talky Hawky in 1946?

A29) Foghorn Leghorn (full name Foghorn J. Leghorn).

Q30) Which British star married the former Miss Guyana in 1973?

A30) Michael Caine.

ROUND FOUR:  SPORTING CHANCES.

Q31) Which Martina was Wimbledon’s most successful women’s champion?

A31) Martina Navratilova.

Q32) Sir I. V. A Richards was better known as which West Indies cricketer?

A32) Viv Richards (Isaac Vivian Alexander)

Q33) Was Kristina Egerszegi cold or wet, when won her 5 Olympic Gold medals?

A33) Wet: she was a swimmer.

Q34) Jack Dempsey was a heavyweight … what?

A34) Boxer.

Q35) Which Steve was knighted, after the 2000 Olympics?

A35) Steve Redgrave.

Q36) How often is the Epsom Derby held?

A36) Annually.

Q37) What shape is a dartboard?

A37) Circular.

Q38) In what colour shirts do India play floodlit matches?

A38) Blue.

Q39) In which decade was the Rugby League World Cup 1st held: the 50s,60s or 70s?

A39) The 1950s.

Q40) Glen Hoddle finished his playing career with which club?

A40) Chelsea.

ROUND FIVE:  THE WRITTEN WORD.

Q41) What egg-shaped nursery-rhyme character appears in Alice Through The Looking Glass?

A41) Humpty Dumpty.

Q42) What was the second book, in Terry Pratchett’s discworld series?

A42) The Light Fantastic.

Q43) Mrs Beeton famously wrote about cookery.   What was her first name: Isabella, Dorabella or Arabella?

A43) Isabella.

Q44) Are Penguin books paperbacks or hardbacks?

A44) Paperbacks.

Q45) Three of the four Gospels are known as Synoptic.   Name one of them.

A45) Matthew, Mark or Luke.

Q46) Who wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit?

A46) Beatrix Potter.

Q47) The Islamic Holy Book is The Qu’ran: what is Qu’ran the Arabic word for?

A47) Recite.

Q48) In which year of the 1880s was the first Sherlock Holmes story published?

A48) 1887.

Q49) In which French city did Oscar Wilde die?

A49) Paris.

Q50) What blinded most of the characters in the novel, Day of the Triffids: a comet, an explosion or poisoned tap water?

A50) A comet.

ROUND SIX: GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) In 2005, what type of Russian vessel was trapped off the Kamchatka peninsular?

A51) A submarine.

Q52) What kind of garment is a montero?

A52) A cap.

Q53) According to the old proverb, what is the road to hell paved with?

A53) Good intentions.

Q54) Who wrote The Bald Prima Donna: Eugene Ionesco, Seamus Heaney or Harold Pinter?

A54) Eugene Ionesco.

Q55) Which biblical figure had a coat of many colours?

A55) Joseph.

Q56) What word can follow ‘band’, ‘mass’, & ‘pass’?

A56) ‘Age’.  (Bandage massage, passage.)

Q57) In February of 2006, Marks and Spenser started selling a red version of which fruit?

A57) Bananas.

Q58) If it’s 12 noon GMT, what time is it in Oslo?

A58) 01:00 PM.

Q59) How many wives are you allowed, under Sharia law?

A59) Four.

Q60) In which London Park would you ride along Rotten Row?

A60) Hyde Park.

Enjoy those: I hope they help.

*        Regulars will know already: but for newcomers … all the license means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   Thank you.

The Devil’s Rock: Not Quite A masterpiece …

24th April, 2013.

Yes, I know that’s not the most flattering title for a post about a film.

And, yes, I know: that’s NOT stating the obvious … !

But I’ve very quietly watched a film, tonight: the 2011, Paul Campion directed Kiwi-flick that is The Devil’s Rock.

And … ?   As tired as I am, and as determined as I am to finish this post in the morning, I think I have a point.

The Devil’s Rock isn’t a masterpiece.

But I am thinking it’s an interesting journey man’s piece.

Right … 

Gimme a few hours to sleep …

}}}°{{{

25th April, 2013.

OK …

Maybe more a few hours sleep: says I, after a LOT of sleep, a visit from Graham and his daughter, and a wander into town and back.

Ahem.   Which possibly isn’t the word, here, but it’s the best I can do at the moment.

20 minutes later …

Sorry: I just had to deal with something, there …

At ANY rate, I was telling you about the film I saw, last night, wasn’t I?

Indie little Kiwi flick, The Devil’s Rock.

And, yes: it’s not a masterpiece.

I think it’s worth watching, though …

}}}°{{{

26th April, 2013.

Yeah: I quite LITERALLY had to do something, last night.

As I was writing that section of this post, the email client on my iPod started beeping, frantically, as I started to get quite a lot of messages from my BT Yahoo account: quite a few of the ‘MAILER DÆMON: Failed Message’ alerts came through.

Someone had hacked my account.

Luckily, I was abler to prevent further damage by resetting my password.   But had to send out a lot of “Do Not Click On That Link” type mails to let people know what was going on.

I’ve still got a couple of email’s left to do.

But, at ANY rate … ?

I can now get on with telling you about The Devil’s Rock, the not-quite-a-masterpiece I rented for myself on Wednesday.

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The Devil’s Rock is set the day before D-Day: and sees two Kiwi troopers — Captain Grogan and Sergeant Tane, played by Craig Hall and Karlos Drinkwater — landing on an obscure Channel Island, in order to sabotage a pillbox aircraft gun emplacement that’s there.

Having placed the explosives … ?

Having placed the explosives, the pair — with a great deal of reluctance on the Sergeant’s part — decide to go and investigate the pillbox, a little further up the Rock.

THAT pillbox.

The one where the screaming’s coming from. 

Of course, a lot of bloodcurdling screams — intense screaming, screaming tortuous and fearful enough to freeze the marrow in your bones, and fill you with feelings of dread and an desire to get away from the area, ASAP, doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong.

Nine times out of ten.

But would you want to risk it … ?

Grogan and Tane do: what they find … ?   Is a lot of dead Germans.   Plus the very alive SS Colonel Meyer — Matthew Sutherland — who, bucket of intestines by bucket of intestines, slowly feeding what’s left of his comrades to something … 

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Now, there’s possibly a couple of questions you going to ask me, isn’t there.

Firstly … ?

Yes, I’ve managed to sort out my email account.   Although I’d seriously suggest that if you’re ALSO a BT customer — or have a Yahoo email account — you check to make sure everything’s ok: and change your password, just to be on the safe side.

Secondly … ?

Yes, I’m thinking The Devil’s Rock really isn’t a masterpiece.

On the other hand … ?

On the other hand, The Devil’s Rock is a very entertaining little horror film.

One that seems to be intent not just giving buckets of blood and guts — which it literally does — but wants to concentrate more on the old fashioned idea that real fear, real terror, comes from something that appears human: that’s capable of reminding you it’s NOT, in very unpleasant ways.

Whose atmosphere I found reminiscent of both the original Outpost and The Strangers.

Personally?

Personally, I’m going to happily suggest you watch The Devil’s Rock.   It’s no masterpiece … 

But it’s very entertaining …

The Devil’s Rock
★★★☆