The Daily Teaser — 20-08-2012

Oh, now that’s sad, that really is.

I’ve got to admit, I’ve got the news on, in the background.

And was mildly shocked to hear that director, Tony Scott, has died.

It seems Mr Scott — director of Top Gun, amongst other films — jumped from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles, late at night..

Like I say, that’s both saddening … and shocking … 

And, I think, shows how NOT stigmatising mental health issues can help the sufferer seek some form of help for whatever troubles them.

Let’s move on, shall we … ?

Before I make everyone’s day worse, telling them about the death of Scott McKenzie … 

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with complimenting my DJ’ing skills, the day ALSO saw her bagging 5 out of 5.

Let ’s see how she — and you — do with today’s Teaser, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 20th August, 1926, saw the founding of Japan’s public broadcaster, the NHK: what does NHK stand for … ?

Q2) More to the point, what’s the English translation of that company’s name … ?

Q3) 20th August, 1920, saw American Football’s NFL established: what does NFL stand for … ?

Q4) More to the point, how many teams were in the NFL, in that first year … ?

Q5) 20th August, 1975, saw NASA launch the Viking 1 probe at Mars: what’s the name of NASA’s recently landed Mars rover … ?

Q6) And finally … 20th August, 1960, saw which country break away from the Mali Federation … ?

And here’s yesterday’s question’s and answers …

Q1) 19th August, 43 BC, saw Augustus Cæsar elected as Consul of Rome: was this as part of the First, Second or Third Triumvirate … ?

A1) The Second Triumvirate.

Q2) More to the point, name either of the other two members of that Triumvirate …

A2) Mark Anthony, also known as Marcus Antonius and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.

Q3) 19th August, 1612, saw the start of of the Samlesbury Witch Trials: in which English county is Samlesbury … ?

A3) Lancashire.

Q4) 19th August, 2012, will be marked by British Muslims as Eid al-Fitr: the formal end of which celebratory month … ?

A4) Ramadan.

Q5) And finally … 19th August, 1945, saw the Viet Minh take power in which Vietnamese city … ?

A5) Hanoi.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with this tune from Kraftwerk, as a nod to founder member, Ralf Hütter … 

And this quote from a certain Mr Howard Phillips Lovecraft …

“The frontier of the unknown can never do more than scratch the surface of eternally unknowable infinity.”

H. P. Lovecraft, August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937

In light of the news, today, I’ll ALSO leave you with this interview with the late Tony Scott … 

And a last word from the equally late Scott McKenzie …

*        Naaaah … I’ve no-where to put the kit … !   Besides, I’d REALLY not want to end up like these two … 

The Taking Of Pelham 123

You know, it’s a Saturday, don’t you … ?

Don’t you?

Wish I did: as I write, it’s actually, technically, Sunday morning …

Ah HEM!

But that’s what usually happens if me, Kevin and Adrian start nattering after a film … !

Which went into all sorts of interesting directions, but mentioning those would be a bit of a …

Bit of a …

Lets call it a distraction …

Because tonight’s movie was quite a nice little thriller: Tony Scott’s 2009 remake of The Taking Of Pelham 123.

Which sees subway-train dispatcher, Walter Garber — gracefully played by Denzel Washington — go to work for what turns out to be something of a bad day.

One of his trains gets hijacked.

Which isn’t something I’d thought was doable, but the script certainly manages to pull off.

As does the villain of the piece, Ryder: played with a certain amount of colour by John Travolta.

And I’m actually rather impressed with both leading men: they handled their parts convincingly well.

•••••

Andrea, was I hussing, again, there?

It does sound ambiguous, doesn’t it?

•••••

I’m digressing, here.

The film’s name comes from the hijacked train’s call sign: it left Pelham Bay Park Station, at 1•23 PM.

And the hijackers see the passengers as means to an end: commodities, as Ryder puts it.

Ryder and his team are demanding $10, 000, 000, before they start shooting, and give Garber — and New York’s police, represented by Officer Camonetti, played by John Turturro — an hour to raise it from the city’s funds.

Given that Ryder and company have shot 2 passengers by the time they hand over their demands, gives what they’re saying a certain amount of urgency …

•••••

Now, I’ve got to admit, I liked this one.

Seriously.

It’s an entertaining, nicely acted, directed and written film: one that is also trots along at a pace that lets you feel the breeze going through your hair.

Rather than given you whiplash.

Personally?

Personally, I think — if you’ve got a few quid spare — it’s worth spending money on The Taking of Pelham 123.

It’s money well spent.

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Denzel Washington ... Walter Garber

John Travolta ... Ryder

James Gandolfini ... Mayor

John Turturro ... Camonetti

Director: Tony Scott

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland

Novel: John Godey

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