Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 115

August 22, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues with Swans, Censors, Demons and a really sketchy-looking ice cream!

Black Swan (2010)

A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”.

Thoughts: Overwrought, pretentious and surprisingly unsubtle in its thematic execution. The horror elements are cliched and, at times, unintentionally hilarious. Also, men are the worst, amiright?

3/5

Censor (2021)

After viewing a strangely familiar video nasty, Enid, a film censor, sets out to solve the past mystery of her sister’s disappearance, embarking on a quest that dissolves the line between fiction and reality.

Thoughts: A terrific tribute to 80’s British horror that nails the feel of the video nasties as it blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. Conceptually and aesthetically brilliant, but the final twist feels wanting without an emotional trigger that precipates Enid’s descent.

4/5

Demon (2016)

A bridegroom is possessed by an unquiet spirit in the midst of his own wedding celebration, in this clever take on the Jewish legend of the dybbuk.

Thoughts: Somber and spooky, the suspense builds beautifully in its exploration of cultural horror before diffusing in its final act, leaving us with an ambiguous, intriguing, somewhat frustrating ending.

4/5

Today’s Yes/No…

Ice cream with dried fish and scotch bonnet chiles? Yes/No
Thanks(?) to @Hadel for the tip!
Don't knock it 'til you try it, says Cape Town creamery https://t.co/VOLJUXO6sb via @CNNTravel

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 22, 2022

That’s a no from this guy.

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August 21, 2022: Suji Sunday!

13lb Suji meets a 250lb leonberger.  I’m sure she thinks she could take him.

Suji photobombs the flower.

Bubbie photobombs Suji.

Suji greets Bubbie…

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Off-roading.

Part of her intense workout regimen…

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August 20, 2022: So much stuff!

I think we can all agree that everyone makes mistakes, and can learn from those mistakes. That people evolve and that every deserves a second chance. No one is irredeemable.
Except people we dislike here on twitter. They're beyond redemption.

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 20, 2022

I think I’m going to start profiling the more unusual yoke (Japanese folklore spirits) –

Makuragaeshi are Japanese child ghosts that haunt rooms at night, flipping pillows and, occasionally, people. Their more malevolent versions sit on their victim's chest while they sleep, squeezing the air from their lungs. pic.twitter.com/LHeHphyrwJ

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 20, 2022

Tofu Yozo are yokai, Japanese spirits, that take the form of the young tofu-selling boys of the Edo period. They may, on occasion, follow people home on rainy nights.
Timid and weak, they are often bullied by their fellow spirits, thus establishing them as the original soy boys. pic.twitter.com/nHbtYGykCB

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 20, 2022

This seems like a lot…

That's…a lot of pollen. https://t.co/GvE3lTfOuT

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 19, 2022

A treasure trove from the Stargate wardrobe departments….

Today’s Yes/No…

Yakisoba Dog? Yes/No
Why doesn’t every Japanese bakery sell this amazing anime-only bread we just made?【SoraKitchen】 https://t.co/ZMz8sXSN38 via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 20, 2022

 

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August 19, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues with…spicy ice cream rolls!

X (2002)

In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.

Thoughts: An ode to 70’s slasher flicks that does a nice job with character development off the top before moving on to well-trodden territory in a weird and not particularly compelling fashion. For a superior take on crazed octogenarians, check out The Visit.

3/5

You Are Not My Mother (2021)

In a North Dublin housing estate Char’s mother goes missing. When she returns Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family.

Thoughts: Some positively creepy moments in this well-directed little horror film that does a terrific job of drafting a narrative that walks the line between the plausible and the supernatural – until its closing five minutes when it comes undone.

4/5

Antlers (2021)

In an isolated Oregon town, a middle-school teacher and her sheriff brother become embroiled with her enigmatic student, whose dark secrets lead to terrifying encounters with an ancestral creature.

Thoughts: A dreary, formulaic riff on the Wendigo tale.

3/5

Today’s horrific Yes/No…

Thai Chili Pepper Rolled Ice Cream? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/kWlxD2h9Yd

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 19, 2022

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August 18, 2022: Lunch and a show!

So, yesterday, I met up with my long-time fantasy football rival and former Dark Matter VFX Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson who was in town visiting family.  We got together for lunch to commiserate about the state of the t.v. industry and catch up on what’s new and exciting in our respective lives (spoiler art: not that much).

The plan was to go to Campechano Taqueria for tacos.  Being an early luncher, I demonstrated immense patience by waiting until their noon opening.  We sat down and consulted the menu, only to discover that half of their meat-based tacos were unavailable.  “We’re sold out,”our waitress informed us.  Sold out?  They had just opened!

Rather than negotiate the sparse offerings or risk the mushroom taco, we elected to go for dumplings at – where else? – The Dumpling House.  There, we were treated to lunch and a show.

We ordered up a medley of two dozen pan-fried dumplings and were halfway through our meal when we heard shouting.  At first, I assumed it was someone simply expressing themselves enthusiastically in Cantonese, but as the shouting continued, it became apparent that some guy was quite irate.  I then assumed it was a dissatisfied customer.  Imagine my surprise when I peeked around the corner and witnessed the restaurant’s owner in the open kitchen, in full display of the rest of the dining area, totally losing his shit.  I didn’t understand what he was saying, but he seemed hot about something.  Lawren informed me that a woman at another table, upon receiving her order, informed the waitress that she was vegetarian and couldn’t eat it, before sending it back.  This, apparently, had set off the old man who binned the dumplings and then embarked on a hue and cry that lasted twenty minutes at least – well past the time the offending customer had left, and well past the delivery of our second order of pan-fried dumplings which were a tad over-crisped on one side but I elected to let it go since the wait staff seemed a little edgy.  For some reason, the incident reminded me of the time we went to a dumpling restaurant in Montreal where, as the vegetarian dumplings Akemi had ordered were delivered to our table, the waitress kindly informed us: “By the way.  They have shrimp.”  Uh, okay.

Anyway, not sure if the kitchen meltdown is a part of a regular performance at The Dumpling House but in the event it is, and for those interested, the show starts at about 12:45 and runs until just after 1:00 p.m.

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August 17, 2022: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Daredevil #2 – cover art by Gary Frank

Star Wars: The Madalorian #2 – cover art by Kaare Andrews

Crossover #1 (3-D Special) cover art by Geoff Shaw, John J. Hill, Dee Cunniffe

Nita Hawes’ Nightmare Blog #7 – cover art by Szymon Kudranski

Batman: One Bad Day – The Riddler #1 – cover art by Mitch Gerads

Black Adam #3 – cover art by Irvin Rodriguez

Black Adam #3 – cover art by Rahzzah

Catwoman #46 – cover art by Jeff Dekal

Man Goat & Bunnyman: Green Eggs & Blam #2 – cover art by Paul Green

Entropy #1 – cover art by Montos

Entropy #1 – cover art by Antonio Fuso

So, which were YOUR favorites?

 

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August 16, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues with three more films and crayfish ice cream!

Underwater (2020)

A crew of oceanic researchers working for a deep sea drilling company try to get to safety after a mysterious earthquake devastates their deepwater research and drilling facility located at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

Thoughts: Essentially Underwater Alien right down to an aquatic Ripley, it does an exceptional job of building tension by making the most of its oppressively claustrophobic setting.

4/5

White God (2014)

Failing in his efforts to find his beloved owner (Zsófia Psotta), an abandoned dog eventually joins a canine revolt against their human abusers.

Thoughts: A tough watch, partly because of the dramatized abuse, but mostly because it just isn’t a very good movie. The best part is the opening card that assures us the street dogs featured were all placed in loving homes after wrap. Highly not recommended.

1.5/5

Watcher (2022)

A young American woman moves with her husband to Bucharest, and begins to suspect that a stranger who watches her from the apartment building across the street may be a local serial killer decapitating women.

Thoughts: (un)Surprisingly one note. Unremarkable.

3/5

Today’s Yes/No…

Crawfish Ice Cream? Yes/No
Red Circle In Houston Is Making ‘Crawfish Ice Cream’ [Video] https://t.co/GXxSgHCBiY @973thedawg pic.twitter.com/PhzIVgf96f

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 16, 2022

I am intrigued!

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August 15, 2022: So begineth another week!

Another week begins but, for us writers, it’s one endless string of weekdays as we struggle through our latest work.  In my case, I am bogged down halfway through the third act of my latest script.  Sometimes, these simple conversations can be the most challenging as you want your characters to banter but, at the same time, you want to advance the story while shedding light on their respective personalities and backstories.  And, of course, you have to find a way to do it in non-expository, conversational fashion.  Easier said than done.  Especially since I’m having a difficult time concentrating because I’ve been off sugar for what feels like forever – but has really only been about a day and a half.  I’m curious to see what kind of effect it will have on my mental acuity and physical well-being.  Spoiler alert so far: my thinking is foggy and I’m feeling a little rundown.  Will report back in a couple of days – hopefully, by which time, I will be well into Act 4.

Awaiting word on the two fairly detailed comic book pitches I submitted last week.  Apparently, it will take a few weeks for the editorial team to review at their next meeting.

Who needs kids when we’ll have robots to take care of us in our old age…

This robot will wash and dry your face; it will even feed you (cgi) pic.twitter.com/P5c9SZnrfF

— Tansu YEĞEN (@TansuYegen) August 15, 2022

Nice try… pic.twitter.com/3phbwTZeG5

— Wittgenstein (@backtolife_2023) August 14, 2022

Meanwhile…

I’m not really one for winter spectator sports, but this is one I’d probably enjoy watching live…

In the resort town of Les 2 Alpes, in the northern French Alps there is a bike race which starts at a 3,400m-high glacier. 1/2pic.twitter.com/wVFHEdieRw

— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) August 14, 2022

I bet that if Otto von Geuricke, the fellow who assembled this baby, was a government-sanctioned scientist working today, any of his peers pointing out the unlikelihood of the unicorn theory would have their twitter accounts suspended.

In 1663, the partial fossilised skeleton of a woolly rhinoceros was discovered in Germany. This is the “Magdeburg Unicorn”, one of the worst fossil reconstructions in human history. pic.twitter.com/rmV1vcB3LY

— Brian Roemmele (@BrianRoemmele) August 14, 2022

File this one under “Rubbish Studies”…

Today’s children are 30% less aerobically fit than their parents were at their age, a new study found.

The study points to climate change and rising temperatures adversely affecting childhood obesity, as children spend less time exercising outdoors. pic.twitter.com/26WehoLK9I

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 13, 2022

Akemi describing her adorably petite, soft-spoken pottery teacher: "Like a Pomeranian explaining."

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 13, 2022

Dude named Mark doing his zoom conference in the downstairs lobby, talking loudly without earphones. Tempted to call out: "Mark! The escort agency called! Your VISA was declined again!"

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 11, 2022

Warning: Shocking hazard!

Disco dance machine commercial by Ohio Art, 1970s. pic.twitter.com/1ix27fLTZ9

— History Defined (@historydefined) August 11, 2022

The most shocking aspect of this whole scandal for me is that his name is actually Armie and not Arnie as I assumed for so long.https://t.co/0781iH8oCo

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 11, 2022

Today’s Yes/No…

Crispy Cinnamon Sugar PB&J Ice Cream sandwich? Yes/No https://t.co/uP5Zvlavf0

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 15, 2022

Why not?  After all, you only live once.  And, after eating one of these, probably not for all that much longer.

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August 14, 2022: Suji Sunday!

After we snapped this photo, she tried to eat the flower.

Need to oil up that wheelchair.  It’s gettin’ a might squeaky.

Blue babushka.

Passersby love the golf hat.

Lazy walker…

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According to the technician, she prefers massages over exercise.

Who doesn’t?

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August 13, 2022: A sandwiches, fish and chocolate kind of day!

Today, we visited Toronto’s Parkdale district.  We were joined by Dr. Blackjack for a chocolate tasting at the SOMA Chocolate factory.

But first, we hit Imanishi Sando Bar for some Japanese-style sandwiches.  Unable to choose between the crispy fish, shrimp, pork, and spicy chicken, we opted for all four…

Then, we visited the newly-opened Affinity Fish, “Dedicated to the careful handling and sourcing of Canadian Seafood, fish by fish, from lake to table.”.

Owners Jon Klip and Matt Taylor, well-established in the city’s restaurant scene, are planning to host some dining events in the not too distant future.  And I plan to be there!

Jon and Matt.

Then, it was off to SOMA Chocolate...

The chocolate primer was accompanied by a video and included a tasting…

Me shelling and enjoying the cocoa bean…

According to our instructor, if you manage to de-shell the bean and have it come out in one piece, then that means you’re lucky in love.  Akemi succeeded, while I failed miserably.

Then, it was time for a factory tour.  But first, we had to don our hair nets!

Following the tour, we were directed to the wall of chocolates where we could purchase some of the samples we taste-tested (among many others)…

Now I’m exhausted.  And it’s not even 6:30 p.m.

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