Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2025 — Babbage

26th December, 2025: Babbage.

Right … I’ve turned off the radio: there’s only so much Bill Bailey I can take at this time of the morning!

As nice as it was to hear?

There’s only so much Christmas-themed opera a body can takes!

Especially on Boxing Day.

~≈📦≈~

Boxing Day … or my nephew’s birthday: as that’s today, as well.

If you can get to his YouTube channel?

Feel free to subscribe: you’d make his day … !

~≈📽️≈~

Yesterday was Christmas Day: I hope yours went well.

My family’s did: I think we can say we’ve all ended up pleased with our respective presents.

I got a Rolykin Dalek from my mother: courtesy of my cousin Dean.

Or, at least, the shop run by my cousin Dean’s wife and daughter, Wendy and Hannah.

It’s possibly worth visiting, if you’re ever there: they do a range of stuff, including some third-party collectibles, and their own range of novelty jewellery.

~≈👽≈~

As a LAST thought … ?

Yes: I’ve finally finished my review of “The End of the War”, the last episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

That took a lot of work: I can only hope it makes sense.

Sense, or otherwise?

I do know I raise an issue, there.

The series can be watched in 4k, on the iPlayer: so long as you have a suitable TV.

However?

There’s no corresponding 4k bluray on Amazon: just the 2k, and DVD versions.

I think the BBC may have missed a trick, there.

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2025 — The Warsaw Pact

14th May, 2025: the Warsaw Pact.

Peter Sullivan was released from prison, yesterday.

He’d spent thirty-eight years inside: after being wrongly convicted of the murder of Dianne Sindall.

My sympathies go to Ms Sindall’s family: as this means her killer has not been found.

My sympathies are also with Mr Sullivan.

Getting out of prison after that length of time, into a world that’s changed so radically from the one he knew when sentenced … is going to be strange … 

Personally?

I think compensation is due to Peter Sullivan: as should be paid as soon as possible.

And that government — of whatever stripe — should work to make sure mistakes like this don’t happen again.

~≈🪙≈~

A few weeks ago, I put in for extra financial help: from a fund run by Southend Council.

They’ve run a scheme that hands out pre-paid debit cards for some years.

I’ve now, thankfully, had the letter that tells me I’ve been granted one: and how much cash will be on it.

I’ve had the letter … but not the card, and its associated PIN number.

The sooner that gets here, the better!

~≈🪙≈~

Dr Who Anniversary Specials — The Daleks In Colour — A Review

23rd November 2023: The Daleks In Colour — Introduced.

Yes: I know.

It’s Thursday: and I’m planning on watching TV.

After I’ve had dinner.

And … ?   As ever, I’m planning on watching a very specific TV show.

Given today is officially the 60th Anniversary of the first broadcast of TV show, Doctor Who?

Given I’m a fan?

I’m doing dinner slightly earlier: so that I can catch the 19:30 broadcast of The Daleks In Colour on BBC 4.

The thing’s an edited, colourised version of the original Dalek story.

Granted?

I’m worried it could go the way of the original VHS release of The Brain of Morbius.

We’ll have to see!

~≈Ω≈~

Dr Who Anniversary Specials — Talking Doctor Who — A Review.

1st November, 2023: Talking Doctor Who.

It’s officially Wednesday.

And, frankly?

I’m roasting a potato or two: in anticipation of dinner.

‘In anticipation of dinner’ … ?

That’s possibly a little too pretentious, even for me.

At any rate: I’m doing dinner: one that shouldn’t take too long.

As I want to catch Talking Doctor Who — on BBC Four — tonight.

Without having to worry too about how much time I’ve got.

~≈👽≈~

Doctor Who Am I — A Review.

1st February, 2023: Dr Who Am I.

Right … 

It’s Wednesday, 1st February, 2023: and I have a free evening.

When do I never?

At any rate, I have a free evening: which means I’d normally watch a film.

A fictional story film, that’s designed to entertain.

Hopefully entertain: I’ve seen the odd clunker, over the years*.

Tonight, though … ?

I’m going to watch Doctor Who Am I, the 2022 documentary about the 1996 TV movie — and backdoor pilot — Doctor Who.

I’ll finish this post — and let you know more — tomorrow night.

~≈🩺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-10-2020: Virgil …

15th October, 2020.

Yes: I’ve got my nephew around, this afternoon.

And, to be frank?

I’m A Banana went down a storm, the last time he was here.

We’ll have to see what I can smuggle past him, this time.

Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles, currently ear worming it’s way through my head, probably won’t.

We’ll have to see if he goes for Star Wars!

~≈fi≈~

Bowling for Columbine — A Review

23rd September, 2019.

You know … I’ve had time to grab a movie.



But you’d guessed that, hadn’t you?



You’ve been and watched the introduction video, after all.



What you might NOT realise, unless follow my Daily Teasers?

Is the Family Christmas Present Debate.



Basically, the long discussion I’ve had with the family, about what a suitable group present would be.



That’s sorted: it’s going to be a Chromecast: one of the cheaper ones, at least: along side ten pounds worth of gift card they can spend on a movie.



Of course, my sister Ruth — my nephew’s mother — informs me she’s now going to get a Nintendo Switch for him …

And suggested I buy him a game for it.

Have you seen the price of the things?



You can’t call it daylight robbery.

It leave you no chance to call it extortion!

At any rate … ?



At any rate, with a night off?

I’ve had time for a film.

And, given Old Peculiar regular Olga Núñez Miret, has joined fellow regular, Debbi Mack, in suggesting Bowling for Columbine?

I felt it was about time I saw my second Michael Moore film … 

~≈Ç≈~

Memory: The Origins of Alien — A Review

8th September, 2019.

Yes: it’s a Sunday night off.



A night off at the ned of a day where … 

Where … 



Well, I’ve not actually done much: bar had dinner at my family’s.

Apparently?

My nephew, Jude, wants to bring his friend Archie, over to mine.

Making videos seem to have caught someone’s attention.

I’m not sure how I feel about that, though.



Babysitting my nephew’s one thing.

Looking after someone else kid, as well … ?

Well … 

That’s another matter … 

~≈§≈~



At any rate … ?

At any rate?



A night off … ?



Means watching something on telly.

Or, at least, catching something on the AppleTV.

And, although I’ve plenty of choice, at the moment … ?

I felt that a documentary could be the thing.

Given this week saw the fortieth anniversary of the UK release of Alien?

I felt watching the documentary about it — Memory: The Origins of Alien — would be an idea … 

~≈§≈~

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media — A Review

15th May, 2019.

Life is … odd, sometimes.

Really.

I’ve …

No, that’s possibly not the direction to go in, now is it … ?

Life … ?   Is what it is: odd, or otherwise.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I had my nephew over, last week.

As a result … ?

SOMEONE mentioned to Grandma that Uncle’s Paul’s flat’s a bit mucky.

Which meant — if nothing else — making an effort to tidy the place seemed in order.

I’ve done the wall mounted cupboards.



Emptied them out, cleaned any surfaces that need cleaning, got rid of anything with a pre-war* sell-by date, what have you.

Jude possibly won’t be impressed, either way.



At least, not until Antman and the Wasp turns up with pizza.

I, on the other hand?

I’ve got a vague sense of achievement out of the job: plus more room in my cupboards.

And a conundrum or two.

Where did all the teacups — with matching saucers — come from?

And … 

Where the hell did I get the plate with the cheesy 70s style cow from … ?

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

The job situation is … 

Well, still ongoing.

Jude’s not here, until tomorrow.

Teasers — and the associated videos — done: up until the end of the month.

Frankly?



Believe it or not?   I fancied a documentary.

Given I’ve always taken an interest in technology, and that an old friend that suggested it?

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media seemed a good thing … 

~≈§≈~

Future Shock: The Story of 2000AD — Zarjaz

19th January, 2016.

You know, on a free Tuesday night, I’d usually be watching … 

Well … 

All sorts of things.

Just recently?

TV box sets like Penny Dreadful or House of Cards.

Occasionally … ?

I’d be watching a movie.

Tonight?

Tonight, a couple of Teaser videos done, and nothing — as yet — grabbing my attention on my iTunes store wish list?

Well, I went shopping for documentaries: and managed to rent … 

Future Shock: The Story of 2000AD … 

~≈‰≈~

Jodorowsky’s Dune: What … If … ?

6th August, 2015.

You know, it has to be said, I like a film, now and again.

You’d possibly guessed that, hadn’t you?

What you possibly may know know?   Is that there’s a few books I tend to keep around.

I have done for years.

Terry Pratchett’s a favourite: with his death … ?

With his death, literature’s a poorer thing, I think.

William Gibson … ?   Got a few of his books, too: the seminal Neuromancer has been lurking on my shelves, whenever I’ve been able to have a copy.

Julian May … ?   Storm Constantine?   Debbi Mack?

Yep.

J. R. R. Tolkien?   He’s on the shelves, somewhere.

I could possibly do with more Neil Gaiman.   Oh, and H. G. Wells.

And possibly some Dickens, as well, just so people can’t accuse me of being a total philistine.   Although, frankly, there were never enough laser guns in A Christmas Carol, if you want my humble opinion.

You possibly don’t.

And when has anyone ever had a humble opinion?

At ANY rate … ?

You’ve possibly also worked something else.

That I’d also have a copy of Frank Herbert’s Dune sitting on my shelves.

That I’d love it …

Love it and be interested in seeing any given film or TV adaptation doing the rounds.

You’d be right about that.

~≈Â≈~

Capitalism: A Love Story. A Review

You know, you can tell it’s been one of those quiet weekends, so far, can’t you … ?

Can’t you … ?

You can’t … ?

Well, obviously, you not Movie Night Adrian and me, are you … ?

Because, much like last night, we were watching another movie.

Something a touch different from last night’s one, as well.

The 2009 Michæl Moore film, Capitalism: A Love Story.

And I’m not sure if I’ve seen a work of genius or not. But I’m fairly convinced I’ve seen a film that’s worth watching.

It all seems a long time, ago, now, from where I’m sitting, but do you remember the financial … the Credit Crunch … ?

Which started back in 2007 … ?

Or, at least, that’s when I can recall hearing about the term, originally.

It had a bit of a direct effect on me: I lost at least two jobs, because of it.

It’s also something that led, in part, to the closure of three of the pub quizzes I was running.

Well, that’s the territory that Moore examines for Capitalism: A Love Story.

Well …

How it was made and affected by various moves by multi-national banks operating in the US: by the various ways US banks have of manipulating the market and the US federal government.

And what various people think about this.

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m am thinking that I’m definitely a touch on the stumped side, with Capitalism: A Love Story.

Because I’m actually finding myself at a lose for how to describe it to you.

It is getting late, after all.

But I do think that Capitalism: A Love Story is something I should urge you to see.

Blindly … ?

No.

After all, Michæl Moore has managed to get some criticism for inaccuracy, with this film.

But if the USA can ignore him, when he says that Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Second Bill of Rights — ones we take for granted, here in Europe — had been ignored … ?

Well …

Then the USA has no right to believe in the original Bill of Rights.