The Lord of the Rings (1978) — A Review.

1st February, 2026 — The Lord of the Rings (1978).

An Introduction.

OK … it’s a Sunday afternoon: and … ?

I have dinner cooking.

Sausages, so you know: with potatoes.

Exciting stuff, eh … ?

At any rate: it’s quiet, my browser isn’t making my Mac over heat … and there’s laundry doing.

Which has just reminded me: putting things in the dryer, helps … !

At any rate?

I’ve a quiet night in, and a pile of movies to watch.

And … ?

Ever since seeing Ralph Bakshi’s Wizards, a while back, there was something else I meant to catch … 

Catch, review … and tell you about by Wednesday … 

~≈🧙🏾‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-4-2025 — Andy Serkis

20th April, 2025: Andy Serkis.

It’s got to be said: I am officially bloody knackered!

I managed to catch “Lux”, yesterday’s episode of Doctor Who: at about three in the afternoon.

This years sees the episodes turn up on iPlayer at eight in the morning, so you know.

Which I caught early: planning to get my reviews — written and video — done early.

I actually got the video finished and uploaded … at two in the morning.

After something went wrong with DaVinci Resolve: that meant re-starting the whole thing.

I can only hope the thing’s watchable!

~≈💥≈~

The Batman — A Review

26th April, 2021.

It has to be said: when I made that video … ?

I had a couple of movies lined up.

And was unsure of which one to watch.

Last Night in Soho sounded good.

Spider-Man: No Way Home sounded fun: and has three Spidermen in it.

Titane, Godzilla vs Kong, and Man Bites Dog?

Equally as attention grabbing.

Eventually?

I went for the recent Robert Pattinson vehicle, The Batman.

I think it’s worth watching: provisionally, at any rate.

I’ll tell you more, tomorrow.

~≈🦇≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th April, 2019

20th April, 2019.

Yep: I’ve actually seen the last episode of Star Trek Discovery’s second season.

The episode’s called Such Sweet Sorrow (Pt 2), and was the second of two episodes.

And?

And was quite a climax.   Amazingly big battles, incredible effects, nice emotional touches … 

Oh, and death, destruction and disappearances … 

About the only thing that could spoil it … ?

Was a serious lack of hot cross buns … 

~≈§≈~

Black Panther: A Review

1st July, 2018.

You know, you can TELL it’s a Sunday night in, can’t you … ?

Yep.   It’s a Sunday night … 

It’s a Sunday night off … 

And yes: it’s a Sunday night where I’ve cleaned my pants.

Which I think is something I think you’d rather not know, but there you go.

At any rate?

It’s Sunday.

I’ve got Kraftwerk’s Autobahn on in the background.

And I’ve just seen a movie: the 2018 release, Black Panther.

And, yes: I am impressed, thank you!

~≈§≈~

Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Hmmm …

*SPOILERS*

24th December, 2017

You know, I’ve not got that much in terms of time off, over the Christmas period.

I try and socialise, where possible.

But also try and spend time with my family.

Especially around Christmas time.

We visited my aunty, last week, for example.

Today … ?

Today, was all about my two sisters, Anna and Ruth, and my nephew, Jude.

And sweeties: jelly babies and revels and Percy Pigs, sneakily sneaked into the cinema.

Why?

Well, we fancied a movie.

A very specific movie.

You’d guessed by the posters, hadn’t you … ?

That’s right: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

~≈§≈~

War for The Planet of the Apes: That’ll Do!

23rd November, 2017.

You know, I have to admit, it’s going to be quite some time before I get another night off.

I have seen the glory of the coming of next week’s rota.

And … ?

Frankly, I have Saturday and Sunday nights off: the 25th And 26th, in other words.

But am working on those days.

Basically, I won’t get a whole day off, until next Sunday.

This means two things.

Firstly?

I had today to do laundry and enough Teaser slides shows to be going on with: although I will have to find time to do more, soon!

Secondly?

I only had tonight to watch a film.

One I’d been meaning to catch, as soon as I knew it’d hit iTunes.

You’re right … 

I’ve been wanting to catch War for the Planet of the Apes for a while … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-7-2016: Baghdad.

Ha!

I should be so lucky!

I’ve just noticed — on the BBC’s news site — that a ticket in the UK has one this weeks Euromillions jackpot some £61 million.

I could possibly easily check my ticket: to see if mine’s the winner.

But I get a little superstitious about these things.

However, superstitious or otherwise?

I VERY much doubt that’s me that’s won the thing: I REALLY don’t get that lucky.

Wouldn’t it be nice though?

I’d LOVE to be able to buy my flat … !

~≈®≈~

Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Nice …

*Spoilers*

28th December, 2015.

You know, it’s Christmas.

Or, at least, it’s BEEN Christmas.   I was only saying, this morning, how I felt the holiday period was over for another year.

Well … 

With the possible exception of New Year’s Day, maybe.

At ANY rate … ?

At ANY rate, courtesy of my sisters?

Courtesy of Anna, the older of my two sisters, she, I and our other sister, Ruth — Jude’s mum, in other words — had one last Christmas present to unwrap.

Tickets to see a movie.

Not just any old movie, either.

The one in the poster.   The one that’s made a billion in the fastest possible time.

Possibly the most heavily awaited film of the year.

Star Wars:The Force Awakens.

And, yes … I’m thinking ‘Nice’ is the word … 

~≈¥≈~

The Daily Teaser — 20-4-2015

Blimey, that’s a thought, I’m back at work, today.

Which is possibly something you’re excited about, aren’t you?

I can tell, you know!

But at any rate … ?

At ANY rate, it means I’m back, doing my bit for the company charity.

I don’t know how much everyone else has picked up.

But going by the little cards on the store’s walls?

I’ve managed to raised £268.

I’m not complaining: it means I’ve done some good.

That’s something to be pleased about.

~≈®≈~

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes: Nice … !

27th November, 2014.

You know, I have to thank my Aunty Bella, again, at some point.

No, really.

A while ago, now, she sent me a few quid.   Enough to buy myself an Apple TV.   The little Apple made set-top media box let’s me stream my media content from a computer with iTunes over to whatever TV it’s plugged into.

It’s also let’s me listen to quite a few internet radio stations.   I’ve got one playing now, in fact: Le Chic Day ’n’ Nite, I should add.

No, I’m not that much of a clubber.

But it’s nice to listen to, when I write late night.

And got a bit more oomph to it than some of the Ambient stations on there.

~≈®≈~

The Adventures Of Tin Tin: Sex and Drugs and Adventures on the High Seas … !

Hmmm … 

You know, it’s not THAT often I settle in for a cartoon, of an evening, it really isn’t.

No, really, it isn’t.

It’s also — debatably — what I watched, last night.

Given that — and, yes, Kevin, Grub, I know I’m going to put the cat amongst the pigeons, with that last sentence — I had a night to myself.

And a copy of recent DVD release, the 2011 Steven Spielberg film, The Adventures Of Tin Tin.

Hmmm … 

Yes, let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

☴☲☱☲☴

Rise Of The Planet of The Apes: Oook … And More Oook … !

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve said this before: and I’ll no doubt say it again.

But I’ve just had a quiet night in with a box of chocolates, and a movie.

And a reasonably impressive film, at that.

Although I’ll warn you to pay attention: I’ll be adding qualifications, later …

You see, the film I managed to catch, as a result of some Xmas gift money … ?

Was the 2011 film, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, with veteran motion-capture actor and performer, Andy Serkis, in the key role of super-intelligent chimp, Cæsar.

‹‹·››

Rise Of The Planet of The Apes sees James Franco as geneticist Dr Will Rodman, a man working on a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease: and using experimental gene therapies on chimps to find what they can.

Of course, one day … ?

One, of course, things go wrong: and one chimp — called Bright Eyes — is killed, going berserk, after being altered with the experimental treatment.

It’s only after she’s killed that Rodman, along with the chimps handler find that Bright Eyes was defending baby.

A baby chimp that Rodman — in the wake of his project being cancelled — decides to smuggle put of the lab, take home …

And adopt …

Called Cæsar — and played by Andy Serkis — the ensuing years … see that baby chimp grow, and become increasingly intelligent.

Until one day, a neighbour of Rodman’s has an angry exchange with Rodman’s father, Charles, something that causes the watching Cæsar to defend ‘his’ family.

The resultant rehoming of the intelligent ape at a local ape sanctuary … ?

Is only the START of things …

‹‹•››

Now …

What did I think of Rise Of The Planet of The Apes … ?

Well, I’m going to be frank, here, and tell you I’ll be giving it ★★½☆☆ on my usual scale.

As much I enjoyed it — and I’m also aware that Kevin D, bless him has seen it, and sounds like he’s of a similar opinion — I’m also thinking that there was possibly room for improvement.

Maybe that’s the wrong phrase.

You see, I’m very that the original 1968 film is not only one of the best loved bits of science fiction around, it, much like 2001: A Space Odyssey, are films have a certain measure of depth to them.

A depth that possible prequels, sequels and reboots would find had to match.

I’m also thinking that — as good as he is in Rise Of The Planet of The Apes — Andy Serkis isn’t exactly stretching himself for the part of Cæsar.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think anyone else could have done it.

I just happen to thing he gave a far superior performance in both Lord of the Rings and as Ian Dury in Sex ’n’ Drugs ’n’ Rock ’n’ Roll.

‹‹·››

Now … ?

That possibly sounds like I’m damning Rise Of The Planet of The Apes with very faint praise.

Possibly true.

But while I may well be doing that … ?

I’m also aware that it’s not a total write off: it is, after all, a very well done film, with a lot more oomph to it than some, along with some fantastically well crafted action*.

Can you do me a favour, if you get the chance … ?

If your do see Rise Of The Planet of The Apes …

Let me know what you think …

Rise Of The Planet of The Apes

★★½☆☆

* As Kevin D was just reminding me, the battle scenes around the Golden Gate Bridge are great set-pieces.

Deathwatch: Blood, guts, and atmosphere …

You know, it’s not that often I sit meself down with a film, these days.

Well.

Not without company, that is.

But with Kevin D*, and everyone else being un-available, tonight … ?

I felt I had two options.

Either watch some of the stuff showing on TV, tonight.

Or catch one of the films I’ve had sitting around.

I’ll be honest … ?

I went for the latter.

After all …

I’ve had the 2002, Jamie Bell film, Deathwatch, sitting around for a while.

So, of course, thought, “Oh, what the heck … ?”

So quite happily decided that giving it a whirl may well be the thing …

I’m glad I did, actually …

»»·««

Deathwatch sees Jamie Bell as a young army Private with a company of British soldiers during World War 1.

A company that manages to get itself lost, whilst under fire, and stumbling into a German trench system they can’t find on any given map.

Not only is the trench system not locatable, it also seems to be very had to use the radio from.

And on top of that … ?

On top of that, the trench system itself seems to be actively killing off any and all who stumble into it: including several German squaddies the company find there.

Of the three survivors our heroes find … ?

Only one — Friedrich — survives …

And I’d love to say he meets a sticky end, but …

»»·««

Now …

Hmmm …

Now, I’m going to be thoroughly honest, here, and tell I’m I’m still a touch uncertain of Deathwatch.

It’s a very good Anglo-Czech production, although one I felt was outdone — performance and budget-wise — by the 2008 horror, Outpost: what’s more, Outpost had a much more Lovecraftian feel to it I felt appropriate to the genre.

Saying that … ?

Saying that, Deathwatch was and is a well made 94 minute’s worth of entertainment.

Nicely acted, and shoot, and with a spooky feel I felt had been inspired — to an extent — by the original Wickerman that made it a pleasant way of passing the time.

Go see Deathwatch.

Let me know what you think.

Deathwatch

Nice but not totally forgettable ★½☆☆☆

* Kevin, bless him, had been over his parent’s place, all day, giving his mum’s Windoze based laptop a going over. You can imagine what I said, can’t you … ?

Burke And Hare: Blood, Guts and the 19th Century Scottish Enlightenment. With added Liver …

Whooah …

Wowsa …

Says I, desperately trying to think of an opening line … !

Actually …

I’m a’thinking I can do better than that …

Mostly … ?

Mostly by admitting that I’ve just seen Kevin D and Movie Night Adrian — minus a hat — off home, after an evening at my place, watching a film.

Which you’ve probably worked out is some thing of a tradition, by now, haven’t you … ?

At any rate, tonight’s film … ?

Was something Adrian had managed to dig up from Brentwood Library.

The 2010 John Landis film, Burke and Hare, complete with Simon Pegg as William Burke and Andy Serkis as William Hare.

Sound familiar … ?

Well it should, actually: the Burke and Hare killings were rather notorious, back in 19th century Edinburgh.

»»•««

Burke and Hare is a John Landis directed black comedy and follows the careers of the eponymous pair from their early days as con-men, trying to earn their living try to sell cheese mould as ‘Donegal Moss’, something they claim to be a good old fashioned cure-all.

Having been found out … ?

And desperate to help Mrs Hare pay her rent … ?

They soon work out that the recently deceased lodger being delivered not to the local graveyard, but instead to the hand of local anatomist, Dr Robert Knox.

Kevin, Adrian, should I be thinking about throwing in the phrase “With hysterical results” at this stage … ?

Possibly not …

»»•««

At any rate, Burke and Hare got a bit of a mixed reaction from the three of us, tonight.

Personally … ?

Personally, I know I enjoyed it, although I’m very aware that Adrian wasn’t as stunned as he thought he’d be when he picked it up.

Kevin wasn’t best impressed, either.

Here’s Burke and Hare’s details: oh … and what we thought …

Burke and Hare.

◆ Simon Pegg as William Burke

◆ Andy Serkis as William Hare

◆ Isla Fisher as Helen McDougal (Ginny)

◆ Jessica Hynes as Lucky

◆ Tom Wilkinson as Dr. Robert Knox

Paul: Watchable ★★☆☆

Adrian*: “Like a tepid cuppa: drinkable, but … ” ★★½☆☆

Kevin: “It’s ok, for an hour and a half’s entertainment.” ★★☆☆

* I think I’m kind of obliged to mention Adrian enjoyed the end music. He’s got a thing about Swing …

Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll … !

Do you remember, back in January, I told you about the rite de passage movie that was The Boat That Rocked?

The Richard Curtis penned filmed, loosely based on the story of Radio Caroline, was and is a wonderfully up-beat film that had those of us watching it, that night, laughing outright.

Tonight’s film didn’t …

Tonight’s film — the independently produced and funded biopic of Ian Dury, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll — was an altogether different kettle of musical fish.

Very different, actually.

Because, for a start, it’s a very decent attempt* to tell the story of the life of Blockheads frontman, disability campaignerº, actor and poet, Ian Dury.

Very decent: after all, how on earth are you supposed to sum up the life of one of Britain’s most fluent songwriters and performers … ?

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll does it by getting Dury himself to tell it, from a stage.

You notice I said ‘Dury’?

When I could well have said Andy Serkis, as Ian Dury … ?

I think that’s possibly the correct way to do it.

Now, I personally think that Andy Serkis should have got at least an Oscar nomination for his work as Gollum, in Peter Jackson’s The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, as — given the way the films were made — it would have been impossible to show Gollum without his contribution.

And I’m thinking it would be a shame if Serkis doesn’t get one for his convincing portrayal of one of British music’s most inspiring figures.

•••••

Now, I could tell you all about the plot for Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.

I could.

I’m not.

In part, because, as you well know by now, other people do that a lot better than I.

But mostly … ?

Mostly because I think you should see this film.

If nothing else, for Serkis’ frighteningly good stage performances as the late great Ian Dury.

So good that — according to one comment on IMDb, about the film — he’s been asked to tour … with The Blockheads, themselves … !

How the hell do you argue with that … ?

* I’m going on the fact that I read Dury biography — also called Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll — many years ago. Fascinating stuff.

º The film also features, in various flashback forms, various events from Dury’s life in of the schools for the disabled that were run during the 1950s: and a nightmare performance of Spasticus Autisticus …