Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 138
January 9, 2022
January 9, 2022: Suji Sunday!
Winter is coming.
Check that. Winter is HERE!
Riding in style. And warmth.
BIG SNEEZE!
The Snow Pug in its natural element…
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January 8, 2022
January 8, 2022: Food aversions, agreements, and Stargate!
Akemi is cheese-phobic. So unreasonable is she in her aversion that she won’t allow me to put a plate in the dishwasher if it has come into contact with cheese. Instead, I have to hand wash it – with plenty of soap and hot water. And yet she finds ME downright weird for not enjoying natto, a fermented soybean possessed of a mucous-like viscosity. At least we are united in our dislike of durian, cilantro, and rutabagas.
Today’s Yes/No…
Soft Serve Ice Cream-Topped Ramen? Yes/No
Yep, that’s a whole ice cream cone as a ramen topping, as this restaurant in Japan offers【Pics】 https://t.co/CsB1OcvzeL via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 8, 2022
The tough part is finding a way to eat the ramen first and saving the ice cream for last.
Check out this treasure trove of concept art from the Stargate vault!
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January 7, 2022
January 7, 2022: Meanwhile, on the home front…
Today’s Yes/No…
Chicken Soup Pops? Yes/No
Thanks(?) to @Thogar for the tip. https://t.co/S9NQmUptmg
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 7, 2022
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January 6, 2022
January 6, 2022: The twitter update!
Shortly, after SG-1 was cancelled, we stopped receiving network notes. As a gag, I wrote a scene into a script that saw our resident alien, Teal'c, inadvertently attend a reading of the Vagina Monologues. I assumed that, when they saw it, they would ask me to remove it… pic.twitter.com/G9qCN4ykjc
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 6, 2022
5 Recently Misplaced Items to know me:
My reading glasses
My dog's winter coat
The USB adapter for my MacBook
The revised pitch for my small-town horror series
The screw-top cap of the olive oil
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 6, 2022
5 injuries to know me:
1. Compound wrist fracture after the trampoline we were setting up in 3rd grade gym class sprang back and snapped it in two.
2. Re-fracture of my wrist by some guy at the hospital when it was discovered the original break had been set incorrectly. 1/3
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 6, 2022
5. Injury sustained by 3 year old me when the porcelain toilet seat unexpectedly slammed shut. 3/3
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 6, 2022
Today’s Yes/No = chocolate-dipped ice cream tacos….
新感覚のひんやりスイーツ！チョコディップアイスクリームタコス #tastyjapan pic.twitter.com/KDdJL2AYSV
— Tasty Japan (@TastyJapan) January 6, 2022
The post January 6, 2022: The twitter update! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
January 5, 2022
January 5, 2022: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week…
Darkhold: Omega #1 – cover art by Joe Bennett
Detective Comics #1047 – cover art by Irvin Rodriguez
Justice League Incarnate #3 – cover art by Gary Frank
The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox #6 – cover art by Miguel Mendonca
Elektra: Black, White & Blood #1 – cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files of Vol. 38 – cover art by Patrick Goddard
So, which were YOUR faves?
The post January 5, 2022: Amazing Covers! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
January 4, 2022
January 4, 2022: Here we go again!
Well, Toronto is heading into lockdown for another three weeks after which, I’m sure, everything will be solved and life will return to normal. Except for all the small businesses that will never be able to recover. Indoor gatherings will also be limited…
“Ontario will allow capacity for two couples and one loser to gather indoors”
— Matt O'Brien (@matt_obrien) January 3, 2022
Pick your poison….
Leaning towards the Koval myself, but why choose?
First job. The day after delivering a page one rewrite on a script my boss had noted to death, I discovered I'd accidentally sent her a copy of the first draft. I rushed into her office to let her know – only to have her greet me with an enthusiastic "MUCH better!".
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 4, 2022
What would you do? Tell her the truth and make her look like a fool, or keep your mouth shut and feign ignorance if the mistake was discovered, immediately sending the correct draft as proof that you had actually done the work?
Today’s Yes/No…
Glass Potato Chips? Yes/No https://t.co/3Fo4mSOZJm
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) January 4, 2022
On the plus side, very low in calories.
From the Stargate vault…
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January 3, 2022
January 3, 2022: Watching, Reading, Writing!
As I mentioned the other day, this year I am going to make a concerted effort to read and watch (and, hopefully, write) more in 2022. More books. More comics. More shows. More movies. And every so often, I’ll do capsule write-ups to help you decide what to check out and, perhaps, what to avoid.
WATCHING
Following her father’s murder, a revenge-driven woman puts her trust in a powerful crime boss — and enters the police force under his direction.
No one does the gangster-theme quite like Korea. Movies like A Bittersweet Life and The Man from Nowhere rank among my top films off all time while shows like the high-concept, high-adrenaline Bad Guys leaves me to wonder why we can’t – or won’t – make t.v. like this? Outside of The Sopranos, there are few Western shows that offer the same level of heart, tragedy, depth of character, or genuinely surprising twists and turns. Although I did guess the big reveal in this series (But, in all fairness, I’m a writer. That’s what I do.), it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this smart, well-directed, beautifully-acted series – or prepare me for one major unexpected surprise in the finale. It’s a tight and compelling episode run that is well worth your time.
READING
The year is 2100. The lack of trust that characterized the early Internet era is long behind us. Mathematical proof ensures neural implants can’t be hacked, and the Board of Reality Overseers blocks false information from spreading.
When undergraduate Sergei Kraev, who dreams of becoming a professor, is accepted into the Technion’s computer science graduate program, he throws himself into his research project: making it possible for neural implants to transmit information directly to the brain. If he succeeds, he’ll earn a full professorship.
But Sergei falls under the influence of Sunny Kim, the beautiful and charismatic leader of a K-pop dance cult. Sergei believes in Sunny’s good intentions and wants to protect her from critics, leading him to perform a feat of engineering that leaves billions of brains vulnerable to attack.
With the clock ticking towards catastrophe, can Sergei see the truth about Sunny and undo what he’s done?
Okay, let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. There is no K-pop dance cult. It’s dance cult based on Korea. There is not even the remotest element of K-pop in this novel and, while most may not care, as someone who had my interest piqued for this very reason, it was a bait and switch. The lack of this potentially kooky/fun (promised) story element aside, this book offers some fascinating world-building as it imagines a future where our lowly internet evolves into a cyberspace that links users via brain implants which offer convenience and comforts…but at what cost? The set-up is great and fascinating aspects of the future tech off-sets the occasional info-dumps in much the same way most of the grounded, sympathetic characters that people this world outweigh the rather two-dimensional villain – Sunny, the dance-happy cult leader – at the heart of the novel. There are also instances where the author seems to be making a political statement about the dangers of misinformation and the need for state censorship which is ironic given that the antagonists of the story hail from the former North Korea. Overall, a solid read whose futuristic ideas are stronger than its narrative whole.
Christopher Chance has made a living out of being a human target-a man hired to disguise himself as his client to invite would-be assassins to attempt his murder. He’s had a remarkable career until his latest case protecting Lex Luthor when things go sideways. An assassination attempt Chance didn’t see coming leaves him vulnerable and left trying to solve his own murder…as he has 12 days to discover just who in the DCU hated Luthor enough to want him dead.
It’s D.O.A. DC-style in a limited series that exudes a stylish noir coolness evocative of Brubaker/Phillips but with a splash of retro-fun compliments of Greg Smallwood’s pencils and colors. I love King’s ability to mine comic-lore – in this case, the old Justice League International – for story, giving new life to B (or lower) tier characters like Guy Gardner, Bosster Gold, and Ice, setting up an engaging mystery, its tragic underpinnings bolstered by flashes of heart and humor. In most every version of D.O.A. I’ve seen, the protagonist solve the mystery but loses his life in the end. It will be interesting to see how this version plays out and, while I’d be surprised if Chance doesn’t manage to save the day – and his life – in the end, I’m curious to see if King can pull it off in a way that proves unexpected and narratively satisfying. Three issues into this 12 issue maxi-series, and I am firmly on board.
The Earth is all but done. The last remnants of humanity cling to a mountaintop island lost in endless floodwater. The Parliaments of the Green, the Red, and the Rot all agree: it’s time to wipe the slate clean and start the cycle of life over again. And to do so, they’ve united their powers to summon an avatar-one of the most horrific monsters to ever stalk the surface of this forsaken planet…
It feels like a cross between Lovecraft and The Walking Dead with its old gods, gore, and humanity’s last stand but one rooted in the supernatural world of the DC universe as evidenced by not one but two perhaps not-so-surprising cameos at first issue end. Lemire is one of the most original minds in comics, so I look forward how his take on the Swamp Thing reimagines the character, and subverts the expectations set up by issue #1. I’m in wait and see mode on this one.
A bright, shining day in Metropolis is interrupted by a mysterious drone that crash-lands in the city and starts wreaking havoc. This looks like a job for Superman! But where did the metallic menace come from, what is its purpose, and who is Brainiac?
Admission: I’m not a huge Superman fan (I found him kind of dull) and wasn’t as enamored of the 1978 Superman movie (Hated the reverse time ex-deux machine but, in all fairness, I appreciated the first movie a lot more than its corny sequels), but this limited series that embraces the tone of that original film is surprisingly a hell of a lot of fun. Rich with humor and wonderful character moments, its source material echoes through each issue in the terrific character designs honoring Christopher Reeves, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, and others. Recommended.
WRITING
I completed my polish of the Promise of Blood pilot (the adaptation of Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage Trilogy) and am presently revising and running through the new and improved pitch. The plan is to start shopping it as soon as Hollywood loses its holiday hangover.
I have a zoom call on Friday to discuss next steps for Fronted, my SF/K-pop series (And I promise there WILL be K-pop in this one). We’ll be discussing feedback on the pitch deck and pilot from a potential South Korean partner as well as talent attachment (I have some artists in mind) and next steps.
The story for the second of that two-pilot-deal is fast taking form. The pilot will be ambitious from a structural POV, but I love the fact that it’s unique and sets up not one or two but three surprises at episode’s end. Awaiting the official green light on this one.
And while I await word on some other projects, I’m hammering out a beat sheet for that feature script I was planning to write last year, but never got around to. Maybe 2022 is the year?
The post January 3, 2022: Watching, Reading, Writing! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
January 2, 2022
January 2, 2022: Suji Sunday!
Happy New Year!
Ringing in the new year!
Snug as a pug under a rug.
Blending in to the background.
BIG BITE!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Hi. I'm Suji
すじ子 (@newoldpugsuji)
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January 1, 2022
January 1, 2022: Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! How did you celebrate the countdown? I rang in the New Year watching the final episode of the 6-part Korean sci-fi series The Silent Sea. Great premise, some very cool SF elements, and some memorable moments but it was a little slow at times. Overall, a worthy watch.
We commemorated New Year’s Eve in the Japanese way – with soba.
And ushered in the New Year with dumplings, ossechi, mikan and snapper (not pictured because Akemi deemed it too ugly for the photo op).
We also go our fortunes for 2022 – which, I’d argue, are more generic suggestions than actual prophecies.
I have decided to be a little more ambitious with my New Year’s resolutions this year. I will accomplish each of these on the daily:
Read 100 pages of a book.
Read a new comic book series.
Read a classic comic book.
Complete a Korean lesson.
Complete a Japanese lesson.
Do an hour of stock research.
Do a half hour cardio.
Watch an episode of a new show.
Complete some sort of writing-related task be it generating ideas, hammering out a story, reviewing a pitch or, hell, even actually writing something.
Compose a blog entry.
AND – watch two new movies a week.
So far, so good. But, in all fairness, it’s still early.
And you? Any resolutions you’ll try sticking to in the days ahead?
The post January 1, 2022: Happy New Year! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
December 31, 2021
Kpop’s Best of the Best – 2021!
Top 10 Kpop Albums of 2021:
Best #Kpop Albums of 2021
9. Flower9 – Mc Mong #MC몽 #MCMong
Favorite track: Hw-byung pic.twitter.com/vFEKQnggsy
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 28, 2021
Best #Kpop Albums of 2021
7. Hot Sauce – NCT Dream #NCTDREAM #엔씨티Dream
Favorite track: Rocket pic.twitter.com/Xo6EzHHzf3
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 28, 2021
Best #Kpop Albums of 2021
5. Dystopia: Road to Utopia – Dreamcatcher #드림캐쳐 #Dreamcatcher
Favorite track: Poison Love pic.twitter.com/eySelGRj88
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 28, 2021
Best #Kpop Albums of 2021
3. Lilac – IU #아이유 #IU
Favorite track: Ah puh pic.twitter.com/6DpjJ9mWdH
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 28, 2021
Best #Kpop Albums of 2021
1. The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape – TXT #투모로우바이투게더 #TXT #tomorrowxtogether
Favorite track: What if i had been that PUMA pic.twitter.com/HfvZ4z06B1
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 28, 2021
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021:
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021
11. Love So Sweet – Cherry Bullet#CherryBullet #체리블렛 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/fGAWDDgKxA
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 29, 2021
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021
9. Dumb Dumb – Somi #SOMI #전소미 #JEONSOMI #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/1ti5FqWEVF
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 29, 2021
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021
7. BugAboo – BugAboo #BugAboo #버가부 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/ACBakjCUX9
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 29, 2021
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021
5. Africa – Jeongmin #Jeongmin #정민 #이정민 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/2bOApivYL2
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 29, 2021
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021
3. Up – Hajin #HAJIN #하진 #TRPP #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/5HH94567T0
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 29, 2021
Top 12 Kpop Songs of 2021
1. Advice – Taemin#Taemin #태민 #KpopTop10 pic.twitter.com/qNXyejl0DV
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 29, 2021
Top 10 Under-the-Radar Kpop Songs of 2021:
Top 10 Best Under-the-Radar Kpop Songs of 2021
9. Baekchimi – Hondam#Baekchimi #Hondam #혼담 #KpopTop10
Spotify: https://t.co/RINSFdmk5X pic.twitter.com/xBNJ9R12bN
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 31, 2021
Top 10 Best Under-the-Radar Kpop Songs of 2021
7. O@sis – 2Z#Oasis #2Z #투지 #KpopTop10
Spotify: https://t.co/ZFJT1nrpdv pic.twitter.com/HCpjPhQ5ex
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 31, 2021
Top 10 Best Under-the-Radar Kpop Songs of 2021
5. Liars – TRPP #Liars #TRPP #티알피피 #KpopTop10
Spotify: https://t.co/miGcWyDTdZ pic.twitter.com/Vyjx7QAOrh
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 31, 2021
Top 10 Best Under-the-Radar Kpop Songs of 2021
3. Will You Miss Me – Donna #WillYouMissMe #Donna #도나 #KpopTop10
Spotify: https://t.co/IR277UzK2Y pic.twitter.com/oGp3zSFOVo
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 31, 2021
Top 10 Best Under-the-Radar Kpop Songs of 2021
10. Escape – PINN #Escape #PINN #핀 #KpopTop10
Spotify: https://t.co/KfbmUjFAh7 pic.twitter.com/5kDjXP4tKY
— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 31, 2021
The post Kpop’s Best of the Best – 2021! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
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