Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 104

January 13, 2022: Meanwhile, on the home front!

Thanks to Dr. Blackjack (and Drea!) for the reminder!  And Akemi for the content.

Croccantini…

Fresh grape juice…

$120 seaweed…

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January 12, 2023: For your consideration…More horror movies!

The Killing Tree (2022)

On Christmas Eve, a widow casts a spell to resurrect her executed husband. However, when the spell goes wrong, the husband is brought back as an Evil Christmas Tree hell-bent on revenge.

My thoughts: It’s like Dr. Who meets Little Shop of Horrors that at times feels like it’s been produced by a moonlighting adult film crew. But all in good fun.

2.5

Terrifier 2 (2022)

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to the timid town of Miles County where he targets a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night.

My thoughts: Gets off to a rollicking start before getting bogged down by a nonsensical, overlong script. Art the Clown is terrific in his maniacal Mr. Bean schtick, but he’s in desperate need of better material.

3/5

M3GAN (2023)

A terrific premise undone by a paint-by-number execution. A resounding meh.

My thoughts: A terrific premise undone by a paint-by-number execution. A resounding meh.

3/5

Willy’s Wonderland (2021)

A quiet drifter is tricked into a janitorial job at the now condemned Willy’s Wonderland. The mundane tasks suddenly become an all-out fight for survival against wave after wave of demonic animatronics.

My thoughts: Watching Nic Cage wordlessly dispatch demented animatronics is fun for the first 30 minutes or so and then grows quickly tiresome. Above average stupid horror movie logic in this one.

2.5/5

The Conjuring (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.

My thoughts: Top-notch scares in this solid, occasionally surprising haunted house tale.

4/5

Today’s Yes/No…

Flamin’ Hot Tangy Chili Fusion Cheetos? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/cg70dBibFY

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 12, 2023

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January 11, 2023: Amazing Covers!

Star Wars: Darth Vader #30 – cover art by Rahzzah

Black Cloak #1 – cover art by Jeff Dekal

Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #3 – cover art by Marc Silvestri

Danger Street #3 – cover art by Jorge Fornes

Lazarus Planet: Alpha #1 – cover art by Francsco Mattina

Lazarus Planet: Alpha #1 – cover art by Scott Godlweski

Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #3 – cover art by Steve Pugh

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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January 10, 2023: Meanwhile, on the home front…

Our friend, Dr. Blackjack, returned from Japan bearing gifts!  For me, it was three boxes of Sasha, Japanese convenience store chocolate that is far from bean-to-bar but is possessed of the most incredible texture thanks to its delicate lattice weave design.

Reminds me of these chocolates I saw years ago (also out of Japan).  I was more local chocolatiers who play with textures as much as they play with flavors.

And for Suji, a treat medley.  The package at the bottom left is particularly interesting as the owner of the company originally made a version of these potato flour treats for children that easily dissolve in little mouths.  Then she made a variation for dogs and included more dog-friendly ingredients like powdered broccoli.  Perfect for senior pugs who find chewing a hassle.

Akemi working on lunch, thrilled to put her new ice cream scoop to good use on some ground beef.  I don’t know how she manages it, but she always serves up something new and delicious every day for lunch – AND has fun doing it.  Unless I wander into the kitchen.  Then, she gets snappy.

Delicious, but I found the Cacio e Pepe a little to cacio for me.

And did a little cheese tasting as well.  The Chateau de Bourgogne is always a winner.  The Saint-Félicien is also very good, but for the faint of heart.  Finally, we ended up trying two types of truffle cheeses – both excellent.

Akemi passed as she is not fond of cheese, so she’ll never know what she’s been missing.  Which is fine by her.

What about you?  What are your cheese favorites?  I’m a big fan of Chateau de Bourgogne, Chateau des Delices, St. Andre, Brillat-Savarin, Adoray, La Tur, and, recently, Saint-Juste.  What are your go-to cheeses?

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January 9, 2023: More Stargate stuff from the SG-1’s season 3 vault!

From SG-1 Season 3 vault…

Into the Fire

Fair Game

Legacy

Leaning Curve

Deadman’s Switch

Rules of Engagement

Jolinar’s Memories

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January 8, 2022: Suji Sunday!

Suji and new pal, Quenton.

She’s all ears.  Or one at least…

If you’re not tuning into her meal-time Lives, THIS is what you’re missing…

Sweet dreams…

Daddy’s girl.

 

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A visit to Curryish Tavern!

Getting back on the eating horse!  The other day, we joined our friend Dr. Blackjack for a visit to Curryish Tavern.

The starters –

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare Pani Puri: Pudina jal jeera, chaat masala peachesMirch Maple Glazed Pork Belly + Uttapam: Rice and lentil pancake, mint chutney, pickled red onions The mains:Smashed Lamb Bhuna Burger: Masala cheese, potato bun, bib lettuce, masala friesCoconut Vatan Stuffed Whole Branzino: Turmeric lemon butter sauce, curry leaves, mustard seedsMolasses Braised Beef Cheeks Curry: Caramelized onion, deggi mirch, buttermilk onion rings The dessert –Screech Rum Soaked Stuffed Gulab Jamun: Whipped mascarpone cream, pistachio crumble (I feel we should have ordered two but my dietitian, aka Akemi, is being very strict).This meal was unreal – inventive and utterly delicious.  Best of all, only a 15 minute walk from our place!

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January 6, 2022: What? You thought it was over? NO! The Horror Marathon continues with 5 more bullet reviews!

Jaula/The Chalk Line (2022)

A couple temporarily adopts a young girl that they found wandering around alone in the high road.

My thoughts: More thriller than horror; more exasperating than thrilling. The big reveal hinges on an implausible coincidence.

2.5/5

Nocebo (2022)

A fashion designer is suffering from a mysterious illness that puzzles her doctors and frustrates her husband, until help arrives in the form of a Filipino carer, who uses traditional folk healing to reveal a horrifying truth.

My thoughts: You’ll be required to squint at some of the fuzzy logic but, overall, an engaging little movie that sticks the landing.

3.5/5

The Apology (2022)

20 years after the disappearance of her daughter, a recovering alcoholic is preparing her family’s Christmas celebration when her estranged ex-bother-in-law arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a big secret.

My thoughts: A highly predictable mostly two-hander.

3/5

Nanny (2022)

Immigrant nanny Aisha, piecing together a new life in New York City while caring for the child of an Upper East Side family, is forced to confront a concealed truth that threatens to shatter her precarious American Dream.

My thoughts: Technically accomplished and strong performances with a compelling dramatic narrative, but the horror elements feel superfluous and detract from the whole.

3.5/5

Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

It’s Christmas Eve and Tori just wants to get drunk and party, but when a robotic Santa Claus goes haywire and begins a killing spree through her small town, she’s forced into a battle for survival.

My thoughts: Futurama already did it. And better. But perfectly fine if you’re looking for a cheesy holiday diversion.

3/5

Today’s Yes/No…

Matcha Marshmallow Shake? Yes/No https://t.co/WPr1djHwpd

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 6, 2023

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January 5, 2022: Classic Stargate Concept Art (from SG-1’s second season)!

The Tok’ra Part 1

Spirits

Touchstone

The Fifth Race

A Matter of Time

Holiday

Serpent’s Song

One False Step

Show and Tell

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January 4, 2022: Amazing Covers! And endoscopy!

I woke up at 8:45 a.m. with a start, horrified that I had overslept and missed by 8:15 a.m. endoscopy appointment.  Only to realize I was in the clinic, waking up from the sedation.  After a short wait, the doctor came by and informed me I had GERD after all, giving me a new prescription and handing me a print-out of things to avoid for the next couple of weeks: Alcohol (no problem).  Coffee (no problem).  Chocolate and spicy foods (problem! problem!).  They would have the biopsy results in a few weeks but things looked fine.

Now I’ll have to deal with Akemi admonishing me every time I go for the sriracha.

Anyway….

A few covers that caught my eye this week…

Fantastic Four #3 – cover art by Alex Ross

Spider-Man: The Lost Hunt #1 – cover at by Ryan Brown

Batman #131 – cover art by Jorge Jimenez

Batman #131 – cover art by Joe Quesada

Vampirella vs Red Sonja #3 – cover art by Lucio Parrillo

2000 A.D. July 22 Prog Pack – cover art by Cliff Robinson

Trojan #1 – cover art by Jeff Dekal

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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