The Book of Eli and Harry Brown: Post-Nulear Bombings, and Happy Harry’s Happy Slappers

You know, this has been what feels like a busy weekend.

At least it would do, if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s actually Monday.

Know what I mean … ?

You probably do, I think everyone does that, at some point, after all.

You know, skips a day … ?

Never mind, it’s probably just me …

At any rate, the past few days have been quite busy for someone who’s out of work.

Not least because I managed to put 

up a post about the series finalé — The Big Bang — and attended a bit of a non-starting photo-call and had a very interesting natter with a representative from Essex County Fire Service, AND — takes a deep breathe —

had quite a few friends over … !!

Which is kind of the important bit …

As you probably know, by now, I and most of my friends, like a flick or two … or three … or four … 

You get the point … !

In fact, it’s the ‘two’ bit that kind of concerns me …

Because, since last night, I’ve watched two films: myself and Movie Night Adrian managed to catch Michæl Caine flick, Harry Brown, last night, and he, I, and Sarah and Kevin D managed to catch Denzel Washington vehicle, The Book of Eli, tonight.

And frankly, I think the neighbours would’ve minded watching, either, but that’s a WHOLE other story …

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GAAAHHH!

Right, let me see if I can get back on track, shall I?

Yes …

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29th June, 2010.

OK, I’ll happily admit that I’ve come back to this post the day after starting it … !!

As I think I said at the start, it was one of those weekends: there was all sorts going on … !

Don’t ask.

Just don’t ask … !

But, at any rate, today finds me the night AFTER Movie Night Adrian, and Sarah and Kevin D all got together to watch the Denzel Washington film, The Book Of Eli.

I’m thinking that the fact the USA is devout — at least, much more visibly devout that many parts of Europe — is very noticeable in The Book of Eli, given that its main character — the Eli of the title, played by Denzel Washington — is a hero given to prayer, saying grace at meals, and calling for the curses of the Lord to be brought down on assorted wrong-doers.

Which is actually central to the plot. The Book of Eli sees Denzel Washington’s central character fighting his way across a USA that’s been devastated in a nuclear war: a nuclear war that, although we’re not told specifically, is heavily implied to have something of a religious nature.

And one that leaves many of the survivors blind.

Including the concubine of Carnegie, the Gary Oldman played antagonist.

And Carnegie …

Carnegie is after a book.

Which turns out to be the last remaining copy of the King James Bible.

And one that turns out the Eli is carry across the continent, after having a dream, vision or hallucination that he should carry across the continent, to an unnamed part of ‘the West’.

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There’s twists and little ironies, there, actually …

Especially when you remember that the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, has a title that translates into English as ‘the recitation’.

Because one of those twist in The Book of Eli sees Eli literally reciting the King James Bible to the (uncredited) Malcolm McDowell character.

Which is where I think I’ll leave that …

But one thing I can do is recommend The Book of Eli to you.

Especially if you’s a taste for Westerns: the one thing that struck about The Book of Eli is that it has a definite feel of a Sergio Leoné western.

Admittedly, one with biker gangs instead of outlaws, and deranged cannibals instead of revenge-crazed Native Americans.

And a doomy feeling that mines the same sort of vein as Valhalla Rising.

Like I said, nicely twisty …

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By contrast, there’s Harry Brown, the Michæl Caine film that Movie Night Adrian and I managed to catch, on Sunday Night.

Mind you, saying that, both Harry Brown and The Book of Eli both have a similar sort of grim feel to them.

But where The Book of Eli is a very retro-western, post-apocalypse, the same is definitely not the case for Harry Brown.

The film sees Michæl Caine as the eponymous Harry, who is shocked when an old friend of his — fellow pensioner, Leonard Attwell, played by David Bradley — is stabbed to death by a gang of youths, who infest a local underpass.

One I should add, acts as an unusable shortcut to the hospital where Harry’s wife is dying.

You can practically see the inevitable vigilante movie, happening, can’t you … ?

Don’t get the idea that Harry Brown is a Deathwish style blood-fest, although it isn’t exactly a family friendly bed of roses.

But it is a beautifully performed, written and directed piece: one that I felt does ask us exactly what lengths we’ll go to if pushed by events that could overwhelm us.

Which makes Harry Brown very recommended!

Raise a Fiery Question

*Breaking News*

I’m going to have to take this, slowly and carefully, as I’m not sure I’ve completely understood this, correctly.

But I’m going to do the best I can, here, so bear with me.

I think — think — my street has a problem.

Earlier today, I spoke to a representative from Essex County Fire Services.

I emailed them, a few days ago, and asked if any sort of fire safety check had been done in the area: either on the flats, or the streets themselves.

If I’ve understood what he told me correctly, there’s a lot of issues.

For starters, the buildings in the Rollason Way weren’t checked by them: they were checked by what he called the Building Control people. The relevant department from the Essex County Fire Services only took over that job roughly three years ago. About the time that Brunel House was finished.

According to him, all the buildings were certified as meeting the required standard, whoever they were checked by.

Okay … that sounds like it makes sense …

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He also told me was that, with the current regulations in place, Essex County Fire Services won’t be doing a check on the planned new buildings in Saint James Road — happily reported on, by the Brentwood Weekly News, this week* — until they’re actually built.

One last thing he said was that both the Fire Service, AND the head of the Brentwood Fire Station, were both concerned about the congestion situation, on Rollason Way, and on Saint James Road.

And that, while there was little they could do directly — they can’t, as the spokesman said, move privately owned cars that are blocking their way — they are in consultation with the local police: both the police, local fire station, and Ambulance services in the area have ALL said exactly how difficult they find Rollason Way to get to, to get around, and park in

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Now, I’m assuming that, whenever you’re reading this post, you’ve noticed I’ve used the word ‘sensible’, a lot, haven’t you … ?

I’m being heavily ironic, there …

Apart from that last time …

But I think that sort of makes my point, here.

That point is simple.

I’m sat here in my front room, which looks out directly onto Rollason Way.

I see how hard it is for cars and lorries to get up and down here, with the amount of cars parked on the street.

I’ve also seen how hard it is for ambulances and police cars to get up and down the street.

Getting a fire engine, getting a fire engine into Saint James Road?

With all the current congestion is no easy job.

And that’s with things, as they stand.

I’m seriously rather alarmed, as things stand, what could happen if a fire breaks out down my street: getting an engine down here will be extremely difficult.

If the proposed plans go through … ?

Well …

I’d hate to writing an “I told you so” post.

Or be a victim of the fire that couldn’t be put out, because the fire engine couldn’t get here.

The Daily Teaser …

Bleugh …

And, yes, I’ve got to admit I had another late night, last night. Rather interestingly late, as well.

Because Movie Night Adrian and I managed to catch the Michæl Caine film, Harry Brown.

I’ll try and put a post up, about that, later.

But I do know that, while I’m writing this, I’ve got the BBC News channel on: and they are, obviously, doing the post-match inquest, after England’s 4-1 defeat that knocked us out of the World Cup.

And seemingly, there’s a lot of people saying Fabio Capello should go.

I can’t for the life of me, see why: bar this tournament, the man’s got an impeccable record, distinguished by the fact he’s won the domestic league with each club he’s coached.

Personally … ?

Yes, I know I’m not a fan.

But that also doesn’t stop me thinking that blaming Capello for a bad job, when it seems obvious that he had a poor quality team, is daft.

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But lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets!

Yesterday’s Teaser was quiet: but I’m hoping thing’s will start to pick up. (Councillor Chilvers, if your reading, I think I’d appreciate seeing what you can do … !!)

So without much further ado, here’s today’s questions, along with the ‘How To’ and License …

Q1) 28th June, 1914, saw the assassination of Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, the triggering event of World War 1: in which East European city were the Archduke and his wife, on June 28th … ?

Q2) 28th June, 1991, saw who announce they were to step down as an MP, at the next general election … ?

Q3) 28th June, 1948, saw which country expelled from the East European communist block … ?

Q4) 28th June, 1975, saw the death of television writer, Rod Serling: which 1959 CBS series was his most famous … ?

Q5) And FINALLY … 28th June, 1968, saw the birth of actor, Adam Woodyatt: what’s the name of hie character in EastEnders … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th June, 1957, saw the British Medical Research Council release their report showing a direct link between lung cancer … and what?

A1) Smoking.

Q2) 27th June, 1954: the Russian city of Obninsk saw the opening of the world’s first what … ?

A2) Nuclear power plant.

Q3) On the subject of firsts, 27th June, 1923, saw the world’s first mid-air what: re-fueling, collision, or combat … ?

A3) Re-fueling.

Q4) 27th June, 2009, saw the death of Fayette Pinkney: with which band she achieve fame … ?

A4) The Three Degrees.

Q5) And finally … 27th June, 1978, saw the birth of singer and model, Anna Kumble: under which name did she release her version of Mickey, in 1999?

A5) Lolly. Theoretically, you’ve got to ask what the bigger health risk is, smoking or … LOLLY!

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll catch you later!

The Daily Teaser …

Bleeeaugh … !!

I’ve got to admit, I’m having a bit of a late start with today’s Teaser.

After all, yesterday was — for me — comparatively busy.

Kaiju, did I mention the photo-call I went to … ?

Well, the reason that turned out to be a no-show, was that the reporter had been told by his office, that it was kicking off at 12. 45 minutes after everyone had turned up!

BAD reporter, bad, bad, BAD reporter!!

And, on top of that, I know I’ve also posted up a bit of a biggie, after last nights season finalé of series 5 of Doctor Who.

Bit of a biggie, that one … !!

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But lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Kaiju, himself, bagging 6 out of 6: let’s see how he and you, do with today’s questions, shall we … ?

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

Q1) 27th June, 1957, saw the British Medical Research Council release their report showing a direct link between lung cancer … and what?

Q2) 27th June, 1954: the Russian city of Obninsk saw the opening of the world’s first what … ?

Q3) On the subject of firsts, 27th June, 1923, saw the world’s first mid-air what: re-fueling, collision, or combat … ?

Q4) 27th June, 2009, saw the death of Fayette Pinkney: with which band she achieve fame … ?

Q5) And finally … 27th June, 1978, saw the birth of singer and model, Anna Kumble: under which name did she release her version of Mickey, in 1999?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th June, 1963, saw John F. Kennedy make his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech: according to urban myth, what did he just say he was … ?

A1) A doughnut.

Q2) Which building was Kennedy standing in front of, when he made this speech … ?

A2) The Schöneberg Rathaüs. (Rathaüs being the German word for Council House, or City Hall: the German word for politician ain’t ’alf an interesting one … )

Q3) 26th June, 2003, saw the death of which political MBE … ?

A3) Sir Dennis Thatcher, husband of Margaret Thatcher.

Q4) 26th June, 1970, saw violence erupt in Londonderry, after the arrest of which MP … ?

A4) Bernadette Devlin.

Q5) 26th June, 1909, saw which Tourist attraction in Exhibition Road become an independent entity … ?

A5) The Science Museum.

Q6) And finally … 26th June, 1970, saw the birth of actor, Chris O’Donnell: in which NCIS spin-off does he play Callen … ?

A6) NCIS: Los Angeles.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …