Pub Quiz Results : 30th August 2016

Answers are up from yesterday's Quiz.

Good Luck.

1. Which fictional character was well versed in Latin and Greek, played excellent whist, spoke French and Spanish, was tone deaf and suffered from mal de mer? - Horatio Hornblower 

2. Which female tennis player won a record 62 Grand Slam titles? - Margaret Smith Court

3. Polynesia means 'many islands'. What does Melanesia mean? - Black Islands

4. At the end of the novel 'The Day Of The Triffids', where do the two sighted protagonists Bill Masen and Josella Payton eventually find refuge? - Isle of Wight

5. How old is Lucy Jordan in the Marianne Faithful song 'The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan'? - 37

6. A two headed eagle is found on the flag of which European country? - Albania 

7. An 'Event Horizon' surrounds what kind of region? - Black Hole

8. Which footballer was the top goal-scorer in the German Bundesliga a record six times during the 1960s and 1970s? - Gert Mueller 

9. What is the name of the largest mountain range in both Iran and Iraq? - Zagros mountains

10. The Blue Fairy is a kindly figure in which Disney classic? - Pinocchio

How did you do? Did you get 10 out of 10? or maybe just 2 or 3? 

Another quiz will be up next week.

Thanks. 

Pub Quiz : 30th August

It's the last quiz of the month, so I've put together a cracking brain buster for you.

Good Luck.

1. Which fictional character was well versed in Latin and Greek, played excellent whist, spoke French and Spanish, was tone deaf and suffered from mal de mer?

2. Which female tennis player won a record 62 Grand Slam titles?

3. Polynesia means 'many islands'. What does Melanesia mean?

4. At the end of the novel 'The Day Of The Triffids', where do the two sighted protagonists Bill Masen and Josella Payton eventually find refuge?

5. How old is Lucy Jordan in the Marianne Faithful song 'The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan'?

6. A two headed eagle is found on the flag of which European country?

7. An 'Event Horizon' surrounds what kind of region?

8. Which footballer was the top goal-scorer in the German Bundesliga a record six times during the 1960s and 1970s?

9. What is the name of the largest mountain range in both Iran and Iraq?

10. The Blue Fairy is a kindly figure in which Disney classic?

Answers will be revealed tomorrow. 

Thanks for taking part.

DOCTOR WHO Review : The Time of Angels / Flesh and Stone

DOCTOR WHO REVIEW: THE TIME OF ANGELS/ FLESH AND STONE
Written By: Steven Moffat
Directed By: Adam Smith

The Time of Angels/ Flesh and Stone was the first two part story of Matt Smith's first series as the eleventh doctor, and saw the return of professor River Song from the previous series and the immensely popular Weeping Angels who first appeared in "Blink". 

I'm overly keen on the Matt Smith era of Doctor Who, not many of his stories are to my liking. I hate the majority of series six, and I strongly dislike parts of series seven. Series five for me was definitely his strongest series and I did think that his doctor got off to a good start, it was nice to see a different contrast with him after David Tennant. You came to Doctor Who in 2010 and it felt in every sense, like a new series. It had a new doctor, it had a new companion, new and refurbished TARDIS inside and out, new title sequence, it was in HD for the first time, Russell T Davies had left and Steven Moffat was in charge - he was the new show runner, so many new and exciting things were happening at the time, and I for one remember adapting well to the new change. It was great to was a new refreshed version of the show because things were starting to get very samey and repetitive with Russell T Davies, it seemed like the right time with a new doctor to have a bit of a change and see what it be like under the reign of a new show runner. 

Matt Smith was an unknown to me, I didn't know who he was before he got the part. It was quite a bold move to cast a young man in the part, and Doctor Who has certainly made him more recognisable now than he was before. 

Time of Angels/ Flesh and Stone is certainly one of his better stories, on both sides of the production.

The story goes that The Doctor and his companion Amy Pond are summoned by River Song, a mysterious woman from the Doctor's future. She takes them to the planet Alfava Metraxis, where the spaceship Byzantium has crashed. Hidden inside is a Weeping Angel, a creature that can only move when unobserved by others. With the help of Father Octavian and his militarised clerics, the Doctor, Amy and River Song travel through a stone labyrinth to reach the ship. On the way, they discover that all the statues in the maze are Angels, which are slowly restoring and planning to trap them in the labyrinth.

Following the cliffhanger of the previous episode, the doctor, Amy, River song and Octavian and his militarised clerics have escaped entrapment by the Weeping Angels, creatures who only move when unobserved by others. They take refuge inside the crashed starship Byzantium, but the Angels pursue them and Amy is on the brink of dying from the imprint of an Angel in her eye. Both the Angels and the Doctor's team face danger from a widening crack in space and time which has the power to erase people from history.

Inspired by the relationship between the film Alien and its sequel, Aliens, Moffat wrote the episode as a more action-oriented sequel to "Blink". It was the first episode to be filmed in the series; filming began 20th July 2009 at Southerndown beach, Vale of Glamorgan which was used as the surface of Alfava Metraxis. The episode was watched by 8.59 million viewers in the United Kingdom, received the highest Appreciation Index given to the fifth series at time of broadcast and was acclaimed by critics as one of the best episodes of the series.  I for one would agree with that, and I think, because it's got the doctor in it, it's much better than  "Blink" in some cases.

The point of bringing a monster back is due to the fact that there was 1. popular with viewers and 

2. seeing if you can top the success they had in their first story. In the case of the Weeping Angels, both those things are achieved and in terms of writing, this is a very thrilling and exciting story to watch. It has you on the edge of your seat and the story is very quick passed, no stop to take a breath, it's a hands on threat, survival story. It's just a shame that right at the very end in the final scene, its ruined by a stupid kissing scene, where Amy tries to snog the doctors face off. I just thought "No! This has been such a great story, please don't ruin it!" 

I think the reason why I think this story stands out as being the best of Matt Smith's stories is the fact that this is one which I definitely know I can always enjoy, despite the kissing scene. Considering that I don't like many of Matt Smith's stories, there really isn't that much to choose from and in effect I end up playing it safe because that era for me sadly was on track to going down hill, which is a shame.

This concludes my reviews of best doctor stories. I can't do best twelfth doctor story because the twelfth doctor era isn't finished yet. Let's hope Peter Capaldi stays as the doctor for as long as possible to give us a load of verity of stories to choose from.

COMING SOON: Let's Play Mortal Kombat XL

COMING SOON : Let's Play Mortal Kombat XL

Hello.

It's another Mortal Kombat post again. Those of you who follow me on social media will know that O am keen player of this particular game. So much so, I'd like to try out a series of Let's Play videos. I've only just worked out how to record on the PlayStation 4 and over the next few days will be trying out a few let's play videos, like most gamers who play this game have done, it's a video of me playing the game. 

I'll also keep you up to date on how to perform special attacks as certain characters as well as various other reviews and recommendations, so it's all very exciting. 

Stay tuned. 

Pub Quiz Results - 23rd of August

The results are in from yesterdays quiz.

Good Luck.

1. Which French term refers to the basic position or stance in fencing? - En Garde

2. Mold is an administrative centre of an area in which part of the UK? - Wales

3. "Can Queen Victoria Eat Cold Apple Pie" is a mnemonic for remembering what? - Hills of Rome

4. What are the main ingredients of the French dish "aligot"? - Mashed Potato and Cheese 

5. What name is given to the dish of baked beans with salt pork and treacle added? - Boston Baked Beans

6. Which TV presenter and food expert was a member of a punk band called Jet Bronx and the Forbidden? - Loyd Grossman

7. For which Australian state cricket side did Ian Botham play between 1987 and 1988? - Queensland

8. Mausolus, for whom the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built, was a ruler of which religion? - Caria

9. Sasquatch is an alternative name for which mythical creature? - Bigfoot

10. Which hot and spicy brand name does one associate with Avery island? - Tabasco

Another quiz will be uploaded next week, thanks for taking part. 

Pub Quiz - 23rd August

Hi all.

Here are another ten general knowledge questions for you to answer. Good Luck, and no cheating.

1. Which French term refers to the basic position or stance in fencing?

2. Mold is an administrative centre of an area in which part of the UK?

3. "Can Queen Victoria Eat Cold Apple Pie" is a mnemonic for remembering what?

4. What are the main ingredients of the French dish "aligot"?

5. What name is given to the dish of baked beans with salt pork and treacle added?

6. Which TV presenter and food expert was a member of a punk band called Jet Bronx and the Forbidden?

7. For which Australian state cricket side did Ian Botham play between 1987 and 1988?

8. Mausolus, for whom the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built, was a ruler of which religion?

9. Sasquatch is an alternative name for which mythical creature?

10. Which hot and spicy brand name does one associate with Avery island?

Thanks for taking part.

Answers will be revealed tomorrow. 

COMING SOON : Hostages of the Daleks

COMING SOON
DOCTOR WHO : HOSTAGES OF THE DALEKS
OUT IN 2017

Synopsis: A year has passed after the doctor foiled the Sycorax plans to invade the earth, and since then Abi Miller has not even thought about the doctor, she has carried on with her life as if nothing has changed. Until now, when she is kidnapped and taken hostage by another alien spices called the Daleks. The Daleks take a small group of earthlings hostage as part of the Emperor Dalek's plan to trap the doctor and the master.

The Daleks send a message to the doctor to surrender and give himself up on the planet of Zarnon Five. If he doesn't the earthlings will be exterminated. The Doctor and The Master come up with a plan to save Abi and the others from the daleks, they land on Zarnon Five, only to find that there is a massive dalek production project going on there and the people on Zarnon Five have become slaves.

It then becomes a race against time to help the people of Zarnon Five and rescue Abi and the others from the clutches of the Dalek Supreme's task force, before it's too late and the doctor becomes a slave to the daleks forever.

THE RETURN OF THE NINTH DOCTOR

The Ninth Doctor returns for another adventure with Abi Miller and The Master who has in his service. This time, they are up against The Daleks. The Doctor's greatest enemy. In a race against time to rescue Abi Miller and other earthlings from The Dalek Supreme's task force who have them kept hostage on the planet Zarnon Five. This all part of a plan by the Emperor Dalek to lure the doctor and the master into a trap, playing on the doctor's weakness of compassion and care for Abi Miller.

The Doctor arrives on Zarnon Five to discover and even bigger problem is at hand. The daleks have invaded the planet and made the people of Zarnon Five their slaves. So the doctor has to save them as well. But all the while, there's another dalek plan going on to trap the doctor which he doesn't know about.

It's been a year since the doctor stopped the Sycorax from taking over earth, with help from Abi Miller and The Master. Now he faces a greater challenge with the Daleks, who are a much greater threat. Especially for what I've got planned. This story was originally set to happen in 2017.

COMING SOON: From the Worlds of Doctor Who!

COMING SOON From the Worlds of Doctor Who

DOCTOR WHO and THE DALEKS

In 2016, We unleash, The Daleks! 

Dalek stories in 2016.

• INVASION EARTH - November 2016
• THE MASTERS OF EARTH - December 2016

How to be good at Mortal Kombat XL

Hey everyone.

So, as you know, having redeveloped my interests in gaming and playing computer games, there is one game in particular that I have thoroughly enjoyed playing over the last six weeks. Mortal Kombat X which later got updated to Mortal Kombat XL.

I enjoy playing it because, I love fighting games and I really like the characters in it. They're all really interesting characters. Some are from the original Mortal Kombat games which I know not very much about and some characters are celebrity guest characters added into the game because of their deadly nature such as Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th films, Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Alien from the Alien films.

Anyway since playing it, I thought I'd give you some tips on how to be good at playing the game.

1. Play as all the characters at least once.
This way, you'll get to know which character you are strong as playing as, and which ones you are not. Over time, they'll be characters you'll like more than others and so you'll be more preferable to play as them, than say others which your not that keen on.

2. Every Character in the game is deadly.
It's true. All the characters can be very dangerous. You just need be aware of their strengths. This comes from lots and lots of practise. There is a training session available in the game to try out characters strengths. I suggest you try this, as it will give you the opportunity to test out special attacks, move combinations and basic punches and ticks which will prove useful to you when you're fighting an opponent online. As well as that, Tower challenges are normally a good way to test each characters strengths by defeating each opponent and moving higher up the tower, you'll get the idea once you play.

3. Attack, Attack, Attack!
Watching people play this game online on YouTube, there is one thing I have noticed. Good players, don't giver their opponent much chance to attack their character. They are dicks. And they will keep hitting you and attacking you and not giving you much of a chance to attack them. You must apply this same mode of thinking. Pick a character you're really strong playing as, and use that characters strengths to attack, attack, attack your opponent and not give them much of a chance to hit you. It's good to get your opponent in a corner, that way, they've got nowhere to go and you can carry out your beating of them.

4. FINSIH THEM! Fatality and Brutality.
These are useful to pick up as they earn you more points in the game, and its a fun, gruesome, violent way to end the fight and defeat your opposition. If you press the options button on your controller whilst playing the game, a menu will come up, telling you your characters name and a few basic move combinations to use, there's an option called "Move List" press that and it will give you a list of moves from basics to finishes. Go to the option that says finishing moves and you'll get some clear, basic instructions on how to do either a brutality or a fatality. Fatalities are easier to do than Brutalities. Brutalities come from skill and just trying things out, but once you know how to do them, then it becomes so easy and straightforward. Or your other option is to just google "Mortal Kombat XL Brutalities" or "Mortal Kombat XL Fatalities" and they should provide you with a list of instructions for each character about the finish you wish to try and use.

5. Watch and learn and try stuff out!
Most importantly above anything else, watch how other players play, learn from what they do and try to copy them or ask them what they do and just try stuff out for yourself. The only way to get really good is by trying stuff out and seeing what happens. If you lose a fight, you can win another and learn from your mistakes.

Hope that these five simple steps were useful to you and help you like they help me in playing this game.

Thanks.

BATMAN : Series 2

BATMAN SERIES 2 : NEW SERIES

The Dark Knight is back, to protect the city of Gotham from the evil criminals that lurk in the shadows.

EPISODE ONE - 19th September 2016
"The British Way of Death" - Scientists are disappearing, Commissioner Gordon seeks professional assistance from Batman to track down who is kidnapping the scientists and for what purpose, investigations lead Batman into unravelling the plan of criminal mastermind who is hatching up a plan which has a nasty surprise in store for the people of Gotham.

EPISODE TWO - 26th September 2016
"Subzero" - Mr Freeze wants to change Gotham's global climate to a condition which better suits him. However there's just one thing standing in his way... The Batman.

EPISODE THREE - 3rd October 2016
"Horror of the Mind" - Dr Jonathan Crane is trained in the psychology of fear, a subject he learned well during an unhappy childhood that was dominated by playground bullies. As an adult he studied phobias in a clinical setting, and developed a gas to activate the fear centres in the brains of its victims. Dressing up in rags and calling himself the Scarecrow, Crane forces the people of gotham to face their worst nightmares. In collaboration with one of Gotham's toughest mob bosses Crane has devised a deadly liquid and have poisoned the cities water supply to make anyone who drinks from it have visions of their worst fears becoming a reality. Batman must stop the mob and Scarecrow before it is too late and Gotham becomes subjected to its own fear.

EPISODE FOUR - 10th October 2016
"The Toxicodendron Terror" - Catwoman is up to her old tricks when she steals a rare form of plant life from Gotham Base Zone 10 research station. Batman tracks her down and tries to persuade her to give herself up however, dark forces are afoot when a close encounter with biological toxins transforms biochemist Pamela Isley into a plant human hybrid who can control plants with her thoughts and can turn humans into mind numbed slaves by infecting them with spores.  Batman and Catwoman work together to try and put things right, however it would seem that Gotham is under peril from becoming a more green city and not for the better.

More information on BATMAN Series 2 to be released upon request.