Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 105
November 29, 2022
November 29, 2022: Your Final Guide to Weird Yokai!
The Nure Onago, The Wet Girl, will appear near bodies of water, drenched from head to toe. Should you approach to check on her, she’ll follow you home and refuse to leave, stinking the place up with her mildewy scent. So, yes, exactly like having kids. Art by @matthewmeyerart
From a distance, you may mistake the Chōchin Kozō for just a typical teen boy out at night, strolling through the grounds of a former murder scene – but approach him and he will spin around to reveal his cherry-red face. Harmless, but loves a good scare. Art by @matthewmeyerart The post November 29, 2022: Your Final Guide to Weird Yokai! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 28, 2022
November 28, 2022: Trivia Time!
"Drumstick" is a bastardization of "Drama Stick", a term coined in reference to the use of discarded turkey legs as stage props in 19th century productions. pic.twitter.com/loYSmR21zH
— Joseph Mallozzi
(@BaronDestructo) November 26, 2022
Former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu's favorite film was Babe: Pig in the City. He would attend public screenings of the film and openly weep at the part where the hero pig rescues a dog that has fallen into a canal – a rare emotional display for an East European strongman.
— Joseph Mallozzi
Most know that Viagra was a happy accident, the byproduct of a failed treatment for angina possessed of "interesting side effects", but few are aware that lip balm was originally created to treat anal fissures.
— Joseph Mallozzi
A swordless El Cid once bested a group of armed Valencian thugs by making impromptu but deadly use of a mounted swordfish and two stuffed hummingbirds.
— Joseph Mallozzi
In George Lucas's first draft of the script for Star Wars IV: A New Hope, the Luke Skywalker character was originally named Monticello von Hapsburg after a neighbor's dachshund, but the name was changed following a property dispute.
— Joseph Mallozzi
In 1993, gifted operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti was accused of profiting from three pictures purportedly copied from a how-to-draw book published in 1972. Years later, he courted controversy once again through his vehement insistence that he invented created Grape Nuts cereal.
— Joseph Mallozzi
When it first aired in 1968, 60 Minutes was originally titled 54 Minutes and Mostly Laxative Commercials. It featured profiles of presidential contenders Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey, a discussion on the nature of reality, and Mike Wallace singing Jumping Jack Flash.
— Joseph Mallozzi
The tomato was considered poisonous in America until Robert Gibbon Johnson ate one on the steps of the Old Salem County Courthouse in 1820. A month later, he'd make a show of consuming two more items long thought toxic and unfit for human consumption: oysters and Orange Fanta.
— Joseph Mallozzi
Prior to 1906, hot dogs were comprised of mostly pork testicles and balsa wood shavings. Now, thanks to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration, these ingredients may only compose no more than 14% of your average wiener.
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post November 28, 2022: Trivia Time! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 27, 2022
November 27, 2022: Suji Sunday!
Getting into the Christmas spirit.
Suji loves her flowers.
Never misses a photo op.
Waiting ro her next treat.
Sleeping Beauty….
The post November 27, 2022: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 26, 2022
November 26, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues with Run Sweetheart Run, Barbarian, the Menu and Black Thunder!
Run Sweetheart Run (2020)
After what seems to be an innocent date, Cherie now faces a night of terror when her date hunts her down and tries to kill her. She now must run for her life throughout the city and escape his grasp.
My thoughts: Ponderous, predictable, and pedantic, this movie delivers its social commentary with all the subtlety of a bludgeoning. And then it takes a supernatural turn and really goes off the rails.
1.5/5
Barbarian (2022)
A woman staying at an Airbnb discovers that the house she has rented is not what it seems.
My thoughts: A fantastic first act is ultimately squandered by a disappointing third act hinging on a reveal far less clever than its brilliant set-up.
3.5/5
The Menu (2022)
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
My thoughts: A delicious send-up of the gourmand scene, skewering shows like Chef’s Table, celebrity chefs, avant-garde cuisine, and culinary influencers.
Today’s Yes/No…
Black Thunder Shiro Noir? Yes/No
Black Thunder becomes an epic chocolate dessert at Japanese cafe chain https://t.co/l7y2FzJBOn via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post November 26, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues with Run Sweetheart Run, Barbarian, the Menu and Black Thunder! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 25, 2022
November 25, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai!
The ugly, hairy, unkempt Nigawara is the horned manifestation of insincere laughter and forced amusement, usually found in board meetings or company picnics where bosses are at their most “hilarious”.
The Hajikkaki are said to be the spirits of individuals who died of embarrassment. They are so shy that they live underground and should you dig one up, you’ll risk the curse of a mortally embarrassing incident. Source @matthewmeyerart
The Onryō are vengeful spirits so consumed by their desire for revenge that they may cause large-scale collateral damage in pursuit of their quest – disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, or the Patriots winning another Super Bowl.
The Kamikiri is a yokai with scissor-like hands and a razor-sharp beak notorious for sneaking up on people and giving them unwelcome haircuts. They are said to stalk areas frequented by patrons with long hair – like urban neighborhoods of the Edo period and heavy metal concerts.
You’re strolling through your local red light district late at night when you heart it – a booming cackle. Look up and you’ll see her – a giant kimono-clad lacy with heavy make-up looming over you. She is a KeraKera Onna, the spirit of a woman who once worked the area.
Today’s Yes/No…
Fuwatoro Tamago Noko Demi Gurakoro? Yes/No
McDonald’s Japan’s Fuwatoro Tamago Noko Demi Gurakoro is coming to warm us up this winter https://t.co/szZdhMxfs5 via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post November 25, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 24, 2022
November 24, 2022: A Dark Matter update of sorts!
Had a chat with Jay Firestone (President of Prodigy Pictures) about Dark Matter the other day. The show has moved off Netflix and over to CW Seed which has the potential to be a very good thing – provided enough viewers check it out. In an unlikely best case scenario, the show gets so many eyes on the platform that CW approaches us about more Dark Matter. I still pretty good scenario would see moderate enough traffic coming to the platform to check out the show that, if and when the time comes and the network is approached about more Dark Matter, they may actually be receptive to the idea. There are a couple of IF’s there, but the situation is certainly a lot more promising today than it was this time last year.
Of course the big question is IF we do get the go-ahead for more Dark Matter, what form would it take? A full season would be unlikely – but ideal. A wrap-up movie would be a stronger possibility. Not my first choice, but I’d take it. No, my first choice would be a 6-8 episode miniseries that would allow me to cover the alien invasion arc planned for the show’s fourth season. And, if that miniseries does well, maybe we’d get a second that would, in turn, allow me to cover the android rebellion arc planned for the show’s fifth and final season. In all of the aforementioned cases, rather than picking up the series were we left off, I’d look to do a 5 Years Later/Getting the Band Back Together storyline. I do have a few ideas.
At this point, I wouldn’t say it looks promising – but it certainly looks interesting. So, if you’re in the U.S. head on over to CW Seed and stream Dark Matter. Let’s see if we can nudge things along.
But even in the event we can’t offer closure in the form of a movie, miniseries. or full season (or two), there are a couple of other options we discussed.
The first, and perhaps simplest, would be Dark Matter coming back in comic book form. Appropriate given that the series actually launched as a comic book before its adaptation to the small screen. I do like this idea in that it offers a creatively expansive alternative to completing our journey, one unconstrained by budgetary concerns or production realities. Surprisingly, this wasn’t truly an option before, but it is now.
Another option which was floated – that was mentioned before but I never really warmed to – was the possibility of going the audio drama route for somewhere like Spotify. In an ideal scenario, we would bring the entire cast back to reprise their roles. In this case, we would be able to pick up our story directly on the heels of the season 3 cliffhanger.
Anyway, that’s the update. No firm news but, suddenly, a few possibilities.
The post November 24, 2022: A Dark Matter update of sorts! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 23, 2022
November 23, 2022: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week…
Alien #3 – cover art by Bjorn Barends
Action Comics #1049 – cover art by Nathan Szerdy
Dark Crisis: The Dark Army #1 – cover art by Taj Tenfold
Superman: The Space Age #3 – cover art by Joe Quinones
Stuff of Nightmares #3 – cover art by Reiko Murakami
Sirens Gate #2 – cover art by Shannon Maer
Sirens Gate #2 – cover art by Shannon Maer
Vampirella Strikes #7 – cover art by Stephen Segovia
So, which were YOUR favorites?
The post November 23, 2022: Amazing Covers! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 22, 2022
November 22, 2022: Further Horrors to Contemplate!
Allegoria (2021)
A group of artists’ lives become unwittingly entangled as their obsessions and insecurities manifest monsters, demons, and death.
My thoughts: A collection of horror vignettes that skips over character, exposition, and plot and goes straight for the scares – and some surprising reflections on the nature of art.
3/5
A Dark Song (2016)
A determined young woman and a damaged occultist risk their lives and souls to perform a dangerous ritual that will grant them what they want.
My thoughts: At the 47 minute mark, one of the character says “But nothing’s happened”. When things ultimately do, it’s so dark it’s hard to tell. A slow burn that simply peters out.
2.5/5
x
Diabolique/Les Diaboliques (1955)
The wife and mistress of a loathed school principal plan to murder him with what they believe is the perfect alibi.
My thoughts: 67 years later and still as engaging and suspenseful as ever, up until it’s somewhat preposterous ending.
3.5/5
Today’s Yes/No…
Butter Caramel Mille-feuille Frappuccino? Yes/No https://t.co/56qi45c7aM
— Joseph Mallozzi
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November 21, 2022
November 21, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai!
When a bear reaches a certain age, it may turn into a Onikuma, a “demon bear”. Possessed of increased strength and the ability to walk upright, it may stroll onto farms and make off with cows and horses that it will bring back up to its home in the mountains for later snacking.
***
The Jakotsu Baba (aka The Old Snake-Bone Woman) is an elderly woman who holds a blue snake in her right hand and red snake in her left hand, standing watch over the grave of her late husband. Rumor has it she’s also got a bit of a temper.***
The Abura Sumashi is, like many yokai, the ghost of someone who stole oil in his past life. Now he haunts the mountain pass of Kusazumigoe, a squat, ugly creature who will briefly appear to travelers and then… Hard to say as sightings are minimal. If you see one, report back!***
The Jimenju (aka the Nimenju) is a tree with fruit that possess the appearance of human heads. They are big smilers and, should you come across one and laugh, they may laugh back. Ripe ones may literally laugh themselves off the tree. Cooking them also stops them from laughing.The post November 21, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
November 20, 2022
November 20, 2022: Suji Sunday!
Coming to get those kisses!
Feeling bleh.
Photo op.
Loves her apples slices!
Christmas-ready!
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