Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 119

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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A post shared by YozoI'm Sujiすじ子 (@newoldpugsuji)

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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August 12, 2022: The Humble Tomato Sandwich!

Today, I had a hankering for a tomato sandwich after THIS twitter post showed up on my timeline –

A chef friend dropped off a batch of ripe heirloom tomatoes, so naturally the first thing I did was make a tomato sandwich with lots of Duke’s Mayo, salt, and pepper on toasted Buttermilk bread. A burst of summer in every bite. pic.twitter.com/He2DE6HVXS

— Gennefer Gross (@Gennefer) August 11, 2022

Truly, a work of art – and beats the hell out of the tomato sandwich I got in the Utopia Falls writers’ room –

So, inspired, I stopped by the grocery store on our way back from Suji’s physio appointment (Apparently, she’s preferring massage over exercise according to her therapist) and picked up the necessary ingredients.  And, for dinner, I made myself a (actually two) tomato sandwiches – thinly sliced vine ripened tomatoes with bacon, avocado, Scottish cheddar, salt, pepper, oregano, and kewpie mayo on Texas toast.  With a side of olive oil and habanero hot sauce.  Not pictured, unfortunately, because I was too busy eating.

In retrospect, I could have mixed it up and also done a version switching out the sharp cheddar for mozzarella and basil.

My father used to love his tomato sandwiches which also included tomatoes (of course), oregano, salt and a little oil on white bread.

I am also a fan of fried green tomato sandwiches – but it’s been a while.

Any tomato sandwich fans out there?  Tell me about your version.

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August 11, 2022: More horror – in the form of film and ginger drinks!

Raw (2016)

A young woman, studying to be a vet, develops a craving for human flesh.

Thoughts: Mixes eroticism with cannibalism in its examination of female identity and social pressures. Provocative on multiple levels but tonally flat. The latter cements its unique artistic ascetic but at the cost of muting the viewer’s emotional connection to the film.

4/5

The Sadness (2019)

A young couple trying to reunite amid a city ravaged by a plague that turns its victims into deranged, bloodthirsty sadists.

Thoughts: Superior practical effects distinguish this zombie (adjacent) film from the rest. Some nice subtle commentary on the ongoing pandemic but, sometimes, the gore is so over the top that it works against it. Loses half a point for that silly eye socket scene.

4/5

Tumbbad (2018)

A man and his son encounter a legendary demon while searching a decaying castle for hidden treasure in 19th-century India.

Thoughts: Visually rich and refreshingly unique, this Indian gothic tale mines some spooky mythology in its exploration of greed, family, and colonialism. Well worth a watch.

4.5/5

Today’s Yes/No…

Pickled Ginger Drink? Yes/No
New pickled ginger drink takes ginger shots to a whole other level https://t.co/tOEYRkvvyn via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 11, 2022

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August 10, 2022: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

A.X.E.: Judgement Day #2 – cover art by Mark Brooks

Batman: No Man’s Land vol. 2 – cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz

Deathstroke Inc. vol. 1: King of the Super Villains – cover art by Francesco Mattina

Wonder Woman: Black and Gold – cover art by Jen Bartel

Eden – cover art by Riccardo Burchielli

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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Top 10 Kpop Songs of July, 2022!

Top 10 Kpop Songs of July, 2022
9. Sparkling – #CHUNGHA #청하 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/NugL8rZROW

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 9, 2022

Top 10 Kpop Songs of July, 2022
7. DTI (Don't Try To Interrupt) = #ID_Earth #아이디얼스 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/BRQv9O7yTL

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 9, 2022

Top 10 Kpop Songs of July, 2022
5. Bad Dog – #Hyuna #현아 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/Ap2QrZad9U

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 9, 2022

Top 10 Kpop Songs of July, 2022
3. In Ma Mind – #SIRO #시로 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/I9ep3NACHW

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 9, 2022

Top 10 Kpop Songs of July, 2022
1. Hookah – #DALsooobin #달수빈 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/G9kU2V0QqN

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 9, 2022

So, which were YOUR favorites?

Today’s Yes/No…

Cherry Kool-Aid Chicken Sandwich? Yes/No
Cherry Kool-Aid Chicken Sandwiches to Debut at LA County Fair https://t.co/2tzhLZQ10a

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) August 9, 2022

Certainly not for $18!

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August 8, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues! Creepy subways, models, and kids!

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The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

A photographer’s obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer who stalks late night commuters, ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways.

Thoughts: Some inspired direction here but the carnage is so over-the-top that it strays into silly territory. A solid pick for gore-hounds who don’t mind their movies not making sense.

3/5

The Neon Demon (2016)

An aspiring model, Jesse, is new to Los Angeles. However, her beauty and youth, which generate intense fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry, may prove themselves sinister.

Thoughts: Didn’t dislike it as much as most, but nevertheless have to admit it’s as beautiful and empty as some of the models portrayed in the film. Compulsively watchable – but, ultimately, a bit of a wank.

3.5/5

Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

In 1967 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance scam business by inviting an evil presence into their home, not realizing how dangerous it is.

Thoughts: Smart and scary with a standout performance by a young Lulu Wilson as a chaotically creepy kid.  Jeff Howard and Mike Flanagan at their absolute best. Of the 45 horror movies I’ve watched to date, this one is at the top.

4.5/5

So, what have YOU been watching lately?

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August 7, 2022: Suji Sunday!

Stopping to sniff the flowers.

Picture perfect.

Me and my gal.

Suji siesta

Her silent bark…

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