For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 8 — “Brave New World” — A Review

25th August, 2026.

“Brave New World”.

The Introduction.

OK, it’s now officially Tuesday.

And … ?   The BBC’s weather page for my area is telling that’s going to be a thunderstorm early tomorrow morning.

I hope so!

We’ve had some sixty days of drought, hosepipe bans and the sort of relentless sunny weather one usually associates with idealised versions of 50’s America.

Rain would be welcome … !

~≈🪐≈~

At any rate, it’s Tuesday.

Giving the time I’m writing this?

That means I’m got some music on in the background, I’m assembling some videos in the background, and am excitingly cooking dinner.

Burger and home made chips, if you’re curious.

And … ?

And I’m listening to the sound of my tumble dryer, drying my pants.

Yes: I should put them on the washing line in the garden … but don’t have a garden!

With all that said … ?

I really need to watch TV!

Yes: that’s right.

I’ve got another episode of For All Mankind lined up: “Brave New World”.

I’ll have this review finished and up by Thursday … if the excitement hasn’t killed me … 

~≈🪐≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 8 — The Rightside Up — A Review

27th March, 2026.

“The Rightside Up”.

An Introduction.

Right … It’s officially Friday, again … !

Which means several things.

First … ?

I’ve backed some blurays up: and taken the things to an old friend.

Which reminds me — as ever — that I really need to write about HandBrake, and MakeMKV.

Or, at least, how to use that to turn those apps to copy optical discs, and turn them into the sort of digital files one can play on … 

Well … 

Devices … !

~≈🐙≈~

At any rate … it’s Friday?

And?

Tonight I’m going to be watching “The Rightside Up”, the last episode of Stranger Things, series five … and of Stranger Things, itself.

Hopefully … ?

And as of 18·30 on Friday, 27th March, 2026 … ?

This will be worth it.

But, as ever and always?

I’ll be letting you know what I thought, by this coming Tuesday.

~≈🐙≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 7 — The Bridge — A Review

20th March, 2026.

“The Bridge”.

An Introduction.

Right then … it’s Friday, again … !

A day that sees me cooking the obligatory fish supper, revelling in the order I’ve put into Amazon — a box, remote controls, cables and some vitamins — and wondering at a phone call I had, this morning.

I reported a neighbour to the police, a while back: as they’d been behaving in a way that caused me some concern.

Let’s call them Kylie.

It was my attempt at a welfare check: as I was concerned Kylie was being cuckooed.

It was only this morning … that I had a separate call about the person: from someone calling from a Brentwood landline — 01277 381687 — claiming to be called ‘Richard’, and claiming to be from a small, hush-hush, police team, that specialised in ‘collecting information from knowledgable people’*: wanting to know if I could tell them more about Kylie.

Which I couldn’t.

They also told me I should put in another welfare check about this person, and another — let’s call them Fiona — who was a shared contact.

Very specifically on 101, the police non-emergency line.

Which I tried.

101 told me to phone 111: the NHS non-emergency line.

Who were happy to take Fiona’s details, and send someone along.

So … ?

I tried phoning the Brentwood number, the 01277 381687 number, again, to let them know what I’d been told.

Only to get a ‘Number Not Recognised’ message.

Fair enough: they didn’t want me speaking to them.

But … ?

Getting a ‘Number Not Recognised’ message, about a number that had been working a few hours before, seemed very strange … !

But enough of my day … you’re here because of TV shows.

Any least, I hope you are!

It’s Friday: so I’m going to be watching the penultimate episode of Stranger Things’ fifth series, tonight.

Then letting you know what I thought about it by Tuesday, 23rd March.

I’m looking forward to an hour’s worth of TV that makes more sense than my afternoon!

~≈🐙≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 4 — Sorcerer — A Review

2nd March, 2026: “Sorcerer”.

An Introduction.

It’s Friday.

Which means several things.

Mostly that I’ll be eating dinner, soon: it’s that time on a Friday.

I also have something of a confession.

I’ve downloaded Apple’s Creator Studio: as a cheap way to get hold of Final Cut Pro, Apple’s pro level video editing suite.

So, hopefully, I’ll be using it to edit and export my reviews.

The one thing that HAS surprised me?

Is that the suite comes with an app called Compressor, that lets you scale videos up or down.

Including up to 8k resolution.

I don’t think I’ll be using it on a regular basis: I’ve just upscaled a two and a half test video — dummy footage in a dummy project, that’s the basis of my Daily Teaser videos — and it’s taken some ten minutes … 

And left my sixteen gigabyte, M4 Mac mini hot enough to boil tea!

I’ll probably make more use of it … when I get a new machine, with more RAM … !

~≈🐙≈~

At any rate, it’s still Friday, and dinner is still cooking.

Once that’s done?

I’ll wash up: then watch the fourth episode of Stranger Things 5: “Sorcerer” will hopefully maintain the quality of the series, thus far.

And let us know what’s happening with Max!

~≈🐙≈~

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Series 3 Episode 2 — “Wedding Bell Blues” — A Review

20th August, 2025: “Wedding Bell Blues” — The Intro.

Right, then: it’s officially Sunday lunchtime.

And … ?

I’m starting a post early.

Thursday gone, I caught the first episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds new season, and came away impressed.

It took me a while to do the written and video reviews, though.

So I’m glad I got an early start on the things!

So … ?

That’s why I’m starting this post, early: it gives me more time to write the thing!

At any rate … ?

When I started the review of “Hegemony, Pt 2”, it was Thursday: and felt muggy.

Thunderously muggy.

It’s now Sunday … and we’ve had not a jot of lightning.

I’ll be overcoming my (mild) disappointment, by watching the next episode, “Wedding Bell Blues”, tonight.

Then writing about it … 

Then publishing what I’ve written, by Wednesday, 23rd July, at the latest.

Hopefully?

Both written and video reviews will be worth your time.

~≈🖖≈~

Blade Runner (1982) — A Review.

7th February, 2025: Blade Runner.

The Introduction.

Right … with dinner on the go — fish and chips, as it’s Friday — I have time to write an introduction.

To a movie review.

Yes: it’s a quiet Friday, with little to do.

But watch a film: the Ridley Scott directed, Harrison Ford vehicle, Blade Runner.

I’ve been meaning to catch up with the original cut for some time.

And, after a recent purchase?

I’ve finally got a copy of Blade Runner I feel I can watch.

By the time you read this — on or after Sunday, 9th February, if all goes well — I’ll be able to let you know what I think of the version I’ve seen.

~≈🤖≈~

Star Trek: Section 31 — A Review

25th January, 2025: Star Trek: Section 31.

Right, then.

It’s early on a Saturday evening: and it’s dark out.

And?

Frankly, I’ve access to the latest Star Trek movie, Star Trek: Section 31.

Given it sees a return of Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou, possibly the best character to come out of Star Trek Discovery?

I’m going to be glued to it: then tell you what I thought, by this coming Monday, by 27th January.

You’ll be reading this … once I’m done.

~≈🖖≈~

Doctor Who — Series 14/Season 4 - Episode 4 — “73 Yards” — A Review

25th May, 2024: the announcement.

Right then … 

It’s officially Saturday.

Which means that, tonight … ?

I’m going to be watching Dr Who’s next episode — “73 Yards” — then … ?

Telling you what I thought.

I’ll catch you later!

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Doctor Who — Series 14/Season 1 - Episode 3 — “Boom” — A Review.

18th May, 2024: an announcement.

It’s officially official.

It’s Saturday: and I’ve had lunch.

A bacon sandwich, if you must know.

And a banana.

I wanted to at least make a nod at having five portions of fruit and vegetables!

We’re supposed to eat healthily: except I never manage to.

Unless you count the occasional kebab as a melon.

At ANY rate?

It’s Saturday afternoon.

And?

I’m going to be catching the third episode of Doctor Who’s new series, today.

And will be posting my review of it, by tomorrow, at the latest.

I’ll see you then!

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Dr Who 60th Anniversary Specials — The Giggle — A Review

9th December, 2023: the Intro.

Right … I have a potato, in the oven!

A baking potato.

A big, baking potato!

Which … is possibly not something you want to know about!

At any rate … ?

If you’re a Dr Who fan, you’ll be interested to hear that an animated version of the William Hartnell story, The Celestial Toymaker, is due to be released in January 2024.

You’ll also know that today is 9th December: that “The Giggle”, the last of the Dr Who 60th anniversary specials, is to air on BBC1, at 18:30.

I’m looking forward to that.

I’ll be watching it.

Then post the rest of this review on 10th December.

I’ll let you know what the spud’s like … 

~≈👽≈~

Star Trek Strange New Worlds Episode 8 — “Under the Cloak of War” — A Review

28th July, 2023: The Intro.

It’s Friday.

And yes: you’ve possibly guessed a few things.

For a start, that it is a Friday.

You’ve got a calendar — on your computer, wall or phone — the same as I have.

Yes: it’s Friday.

And, once again, I’ve got fish, home made chips, and a healthy dose — dose? — of vegetables on the go.

And … ?

As you possibly might have realised — if you’ve read this morning’s Teaser post — that I’ve had new, smart, pay-as-you-go, utilities meters, put in.

Something I personally found stressful.

Especially as the old gas meter’s battery had run out.

It meant that the engineer could transfer the credit from my electricity meter … but not from the gas meter.

As he could read it!

Oh, well: we’ll have to see how that goes.

At any rate … ?

It’s Friday … 

Which means that, once I’ve had dinner … ?

I’ll be watching “Under the Cloak of War”, the next episode of Star Trek Strange New World, tonight.

And telling you about it, tomorrow.

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek Strange New Worlds S02 E03 — “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” — A Review

30th June, 2023: “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”.

Yes: it IS Friday.

And?

Yes: I’m doing fish and chips, again.

And wondering what on Earth inspired Adriano Celentano to write and perform Prisencolinensinainciusol.

Quite what that’s about, I don’t know.

But?

It’s catchy.

~≈🖖≈~

At any rate?

It’s Friday, I’m going to be having dinner … 

And, if you’re reading this when it’s published?

You’ve possibly skipped ahead to the review of the next episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.

I hope you enjoy it!

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 3 Episode 9 — Vox — A Review

14th April, 2023: ‘Vox’.

Right …

It’s officially Friday.

And, frankly … ?

Chips are being cooked, washing is being washed, video intros have been made, and stuff, done.

Including phone calls.

The mystery of why we’re supposed to eat fish on a Friday … is still unsolved.

But at least I’m having crinkle cut chips.

At any rate … ?

It’s Friday, once more: and, once I’ve eaten dinner?

I’ll be watching ‘Vox’, the penultimate episode of Star Trek Picard’s third and final season.

I’ll have my review up on the 15the April.

~≈🖖≈~

West Side Story (2021) — A Review

12th January, 2023.

Right.

It’s a Thursday night.

And, frankly?

I have a quandary.

Or possibly a problem.

I’m writing this on an evening with little to do.

Bar fret.

And wonder what to watch.

Frankly?   I’m thinking the Spielberg cut of West Side Story looks attractive.

As does the documentary about 1996 made for TV, Dr Who movie: imaginatively named Dr Who Am I.

Or do I start watching the third season of Apple TV+’s For All Mankind?

Before the start of Picard’s third series, in February?

At any rate?

I’m going to watch something, tonight: and tell you about it, tomorrow night.

Here’s hoping I make my mind up.

~≈💃🏽≈~

The Amazing Maurice — A Review

18the December, 2022: The Amazing Maurice.

Right … 

I recorded that video earlier, when I’d just finished dinner: badly wanting to watch a film.

But not — quite then — having deciding, completely, on what to watch.

Picking something … ?

Lifelong Terry Pratchett fan that I am … ?

That decision wasn’t too hard.

I felt settling in with the recently released The Amazing Maurice — based on Sir Terry’s The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents —would be an idea thing to watch.

Did I make the right decision … ?

I think I did.

But … ?

I’ll tell you more, tomorrow.

~≈🐀≈~

Star Trek Strange New Worlds — Episode 6 — Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach — A Review

28th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s Friday, again.

I like a Friday, I really do.

It means fish and chips: which doesn’t get boring, funnily.

Even if I still can’t tell you why we’re supposed to eat them!

Occasionally?   I’ll iron shirts.

On a Friday … or whenever else I need to do them.

I have no interviews due, granted.

But also had no shirts: I want some at hand.

But I’m digressing.

It’s Friday.

So?

As I’ve been doing for the past few weeks, I’m going to have dinner.

Then?

Watch the next episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds: the pretentious sounding Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach.

~≈🖖≈~

Troll Bridge — A Review

20th January, 2021.

Right … 

It’s a Wednesday evening, as I start this post.

And?

Frankly, I’m going to go to bed, in a minute: at a time that — twenty years ago — I would have said is a ridiculously early time to go to bed.

But?

The older I get, the more being in bed with a good read is the height of a good time!

So I’m planning to hit the sack with an Arthur Machen story.

But … ?

I felt I should tell you’ve I’ve finally seen the short film version of Terry Pratchett’s Troll Bridge.

And utterly loved it!

~≈🌉≈~

Fiddler on the Roof — Wow!

30th August, 2018.

It’s a Thursday night.

It’s a Thursday night off.

And it’s a Thursday night off I think I’m going to value.

I’ve seen a film tonight.

And, if you’ve paid attention to both the intro video, and to the title card I’ve used as openers for this post?

You’ll realise which film I’ve seen.

Can I tell you something, here?

There’s a few — possibly a lot — of films out there people will tell you to put on your bucket list.

I’m know regular commenters, Olga Nuñez-Miret and Debbi Mack has both heavily suggested They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? several times, over the years.

I’ve still not caught it!

Other films have been suggested, too.

Metropolis for one.

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, for another.

The Third Man and as — HA — still extra films to add to a filmic bucket list.

There’s more.

Other people I know would suggest musicals.

And, granted?   I’ve seen both Cabaret and West Side Story.

And am very aware there’s possibly more around I should be adding to any given bucket list.

Including the one I’ve caught to night: a Norman Jewison directed musical based on Sholem Aleichem’s Tevye and his Daughters … 

Better known to us … ?

As Fiddler on the Roof.

And yes: I think ‘Wow’ is the right word.

~≈§≈~

A Field In England — A Review

27th July, 2013: A Field In England.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll possibly say it again: genius is a hard thing to define.

Especially in a field as slippery as artistic creation: where I don’t necessarily have the critical skills skills or education to back up my view.

In the circumstances, I make the best effort I can: describing my preferences, discoveries and peeves — and the associated reasoning — as well as I can.

~≈†≈~

And it has to be said, I’ve caught a couple of damn good movies, over the course of the past few days: the 2006, Pan’s Labyrinth and 2001’s The Devil’s Backbone: both directed by Guillermo del Toro, and both fantastic films.   (Although I have to admit, I preferred The Devil’s Backbone, finding that it had an emotional resonance that worked well for me.)

But I’ve caught another film, tonight: one I rented from iTunes.

The 2013 Ben Wheatley, multi-platform release, A Field In England.

And when I say multi-platform, I mean multi-platform: including a showing — on its release date, 5th July of this year — on the UK’s Channel Four.   More on that later, I think.

~≈†≈~