Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 197

June 18, 2020: Villains, TimEscape, Thrillers, and Annoying Kids!

Last night’s movie-themed question was…

Best movie villain.
Answer with a gif.
I was considering Darth Vader but figured it would be too obvious, so I opted to go with an equally fearsome and formidable baddie. pic.twitter.com/qsvDgPIbgQ

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 17, 2020

So, how’s everyone doing?  What’s new and exciting?  Here, same old, same old – although I did have a pretty good chat with my management team recently.  We covered a variety of topics and projects, but the one I’m most excited about it TimEscape, my sci-fi series in the vein of Dark Matter, SG-1, and Atlantis.  Having read the bible and two scripts, they feel it could find a home as a network show as they are actively looking for more upbeat programming.  Finally!

Inspired by an article listing the Top 50 Thrillers, I visited my local library (‘s website) and (digitally) borrowed a few books.  Ten to be exact.  And I have three days to read them.  I got started today with…

Thriller 1/10
Vanishing Girls – Lauren Oliver
Two sisters struggle to come to terms with a tragic accident amidst the mystery of a missing girl.
Like me, you'll probably guess the twist 40 pages in.
In the end, the mystery is solved by luck rather than clever deductive reasoning. pic.twitter.com/GBFaNyKRdz

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 18, 2020

Seriously.  Anyone who has read any sort of mystery or horror novel in the past twenty years will guess the twist and then spend the rest of the book hoping against hope that there will be some unexpected twist on the twist because it couldn’t be so simple.  But it is.  As for the mystery at the heart of the book…  Well, it’s less at the heart of the book and more somewhere farther off, like at the kidney or spleen.  In the end, our protagonist solves it by mere happenstance.  Dramatically unsatisfying is my two word review.

Tonight’s movie-themed question is…

The most annoying kid in a movie.
Answer with a gif. pic.twitter.com/hop2BKbJlT

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 18, 2020

A close second. This kid was scarier than the Babadook. pic.twitter.com/QngZgq8Vaf

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 18, 2020

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My Top 20 Favorite Science Fiction Films!

Without further ado, here are MY Top 20 favorite science fiction films…

Auto Draft

#20. Moon

A small movie that accomplishes so much.

#19. Westworld

I remember being completely floored when the seeming hero gets gunned down not thirty minutes into the movie.

#18. They Live

This movie, and Roddy Piper’s performance, was a pleasant surprise.

#17. Donnie Darko

Most time travel movie logic unravels under close scrutiny.  This movie, in contrast, is pretty tight.

#16. Dark City

Conceptually, this one felt like a souped-up classic Twilight Zone episode.

#15. A Clockwork Orange

The book is equally provocative.  And great.

#14. Mad Max: Fury Road

I remember watching this in the theater with Akemi who continually kept throwing “Can you believe this movie?!” looks to strangers – who roundly ignored her.  Then I brought her Avengers: Endgame and she fell asleep within twenty minutes.

#13. Battle Royale

Controversial?  Absolutely.  Fantastic?  Without a doubt.

#12. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

A delightfully weird little movie that should have gotten that sequel.

#11. Robocop

This movie boasts an exceptional villain in Kurtwood Smith’s performance as Clarence Boddicker.

#10. Dredd

An under-appreciated gem of a movie.

#9. Star Wars: A New Hope

I saw it 11 times in theaters in the first year of its release.

#8. Galaxy Quest

As a fan of sci-fi, and especially sci-fi film and television, how can you not love it?

#7. The Empire Strikes Back

Surpassed my lofty teenage expectations.

#6. Planet of the Apes

Every time this movie aired, I got special permission to stay up late to watch.  Even on a school night!

#5. Ex Machina

One of the smartest sci-fi films ever made.

#4. The Thing

Like the characters onscreen, will have you jumping out of your skin.

#3. Aliens

Not your typical sequel, it takes what came before and blazes a hugely entertaining new trail.

#2. Blade Runner

Probably the coolest (and most moodiest) sci-fi film.

#1. Alien

The ultimate in deep space exploration.

Rounding out My Top #25

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

Pitch Black

Children of Men

Starship Troopers

Death Race 2000

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June 16, 2020: Hey, what ever happened to that coronavirus?

Oh, right.

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Uninsured and underinsured more likely to suffer severe symptoms: https://www.wkyt.com/2020/06/16/study-uninsured-underinsured-more-likely-to-have-severe-covid-symptoms/
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NATO to stockpile medical equipment for second wave: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/nato-to-stockpile-medical-equipment-for-second-coronavirus-wave
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Prince Charles’ sense of taste and smell still not back: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53026903

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Republican congressman who refused to wear mask has the virus: https://www.businessinsider.com/republican-congressman-with-coronavirus-refused-to-wear-mask-in-capitol-2020-6
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Pence encouraged governors to downplay new community spread: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/502891-pence-encouraged-governors-to-downplay-new-community-spread-of-coronavirus
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In Boston, 14 out of 1,288 test positive following protests: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/06/16/george-floyd-boston-protests-coronavirus-testing-results/
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Texas governor blames young people for recent spike in cases: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/16/texas-coronavirus-spike-young-adults/
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Texas officials can’t recommend precautions because they can’t enforce them: https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/06/16/as-texas-coronavirus-hospitalizations-rise-local-officials-can-recommend-precautions-but-they-cant-enforce-many-of-them/
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1 in 4 workers at high risk: https://money.yahoo.com/coronavirus-reopening-1-in-4-workers-at-high-risk-of-severe-illness-from-covid-19-204233321.html
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750B in exports could be relocated from China: https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/coronavirus-speeds-up-china-supply-chain-exodus
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Businesses ask patrons to waive right to sue if they get sick: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/06/16/businesses-ask-patrons-waive-right-sue-if-they-get-covid-/
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WWE cancels tapings after wrestler tests positive: https://nypost.com/2020/06/16/wwe-cancels-tv-tapings-after-wrestler-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/
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30% of Americans missed their housing payments in June: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/16/30percent-of-americans-missed-their-housing-payments-in-june.html
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The dollar is going to fall very, very sharply: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-dollar-is-going-to-fall-very-very-sharply-warns-prominent-yale-economist-2020-06-16?mod=home-page
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My Top 20 Favorite Members of the Legion of Super-Heroes!

Let the countdown begin.  And Love Live the Legion!

#20. Blok

I’m a big fan of the big guy and his relationship with Mysa. His death and delivery at the hands of Roxxas still haunts.

#19. Gates

Resist! Always so delightfully angry.

#18. Monstress

She truly shined in Legion Lost.  Jan, how could you?

#17. Triplicate Girl

A classic character with a lot of depth.

#16. Night Girl

A former substitute finally makes good!

#15. Shrinking Violet

Loved her relationship with Ayla.  One of a handful of Legionnaires with equally strong variations through various reboots.

#14. Kid Quantum II

Loved her Reboot incarnation.

#13. White Witch

Took Mordu to school! What a badass.

#12. Wildfire

Great character concept.  His relationship with Dawnstar is one of comicdom’s greatest romances.

#11. Polar Boy

Love the fact that he disbanded the Substitute Legion right after making the big leagues.  The least he could have done was bring it to a vote.

#10. Karate Kid I

What a tragic story!  Val Armorr vs Nemesis Kid is one of the most epic throwdowns in comic book history.

#9. Princess Projectra

Absolutely loved her as Princess Projectra.  Didn’t mind her as Sensor Girl.  Downright hated her as the serpentine Sensor.

#8. Bouncing Boy

Our trusty yet lovable mechanic who ends up getting the girl.

#7. Matter Eater Lad

His escape from the grain silo is one of my very favorite comic book scenes.

#6. Lightning Lad

One of the Big 3!  I always preferred him as a bit of a hothead.

#5. Chameleon

One of the Legion’s most endearing members.

#4. Lightning Lass

I’ve always envisioned Ayla as leadership material.

#3. Dream Girl

In my opinion, of the Legion’s most under-appreciated members.

#2. Brainiac-5

A crowd favorite.  He’s colorful, both figuratively and literally.

#1. Shadow Lass

Dare I say?  One of the edgiest Legionnaires to ever walk the hallowed halls of Legion Headquarters.

Falling just outside the Top 20 with a still very respectable Top 25 finish…

#21. Saturn Girl

#22. Star Boy

#23. Sun Boy

#24. Phantom Girl

#25. Tellus

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January 14, 2020: Suji Sunday!

We’ve noticed a marked uptick in Suji’s energy lately.  Don’t know if it’s been the collagen or the extra walk, but she is, as the Japanese would sort of say, downright genki!

Phasing in that summer wardrobe.

Windy day.  Can you tell?

Show off!

Once around the park and home, James.

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Tally Your Unusual Foods Score!

How many of the following unusual foods have you eaten?

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Akutaq
Alligator/Crocodile
Balut
Beef cheeks
Bird’s Nest Soup
Black Pudding
Casu Marzu
Century Egg
Chicken Feet
Chitterlings or Chitlins
Crispy chicken skin
Crispy Insects
Deep-fried butter
Escamol
Fish Eyes
Frog’s Legs
Fugu
Chicken gizzards
Grubs
Haggis
Hakarl
Jellyfish
Kangaroo
Khash
Koolickles
Lamb’s Brains

Marmite
Nankotsu
Natto
Ox-tail

Pickled Eggs
Pig’s feet
Pig tails
Reindeer
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Sannakji
Scrapple
Sea Urchin
Shiokara
Shirako
Snails
Snake
Squirrel
Steak Tartare
Stinkheads
Surstromming
Tongue
Tripe
Turtle
Whale
I’ve managed a surprising 40/50.
Let me know your score – and the most unusual thing YOU’VE eaten.

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June 12, 2020: Happy Dark Matter Day!

It’s hard to believe that 5 years ago today, Dark Matter premiered.  At that time, it had been eight years in the making, born from an idea I had while working on Stargate: Atlantis, its backstory and arcs developed over many, then, finally, green lit and launched for the small screen.  It was a great, all too brief, three season run, cut short before its proper end.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to finish our story, but here’s hoping that someday we’ll get that chance!

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So, what made you tune in for the first time?

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June 11, 2020: The way 2020 is going…

Thai restaurant owners given 723 years in prison for reneging on seafood promotion.https://t.co/OpIdI0C12K pic.twitter.com/GrKnY0aTXu

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 11, 2020

On the other hand, you had this from back in 2003 wherein a “All You Can Eat Crab Legs” promotion proved such a bad idea for Red Lobster that it cost their CEO his job:

https://nypost.com/2003/09/26/endless-crab-pigout-is-end-for-red-lobster-boss/

Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note a lot of new investors are experiencing some growing pains in their day-trading careers:

R.Hood investors who heard about something called FANG stocks & instead of buying the 4 tech megacaps… ended up buying worthless Chinese real estate comp FANGDD (ticker DUO), sending its stock price from $10 to $130 in four hours, and pushing its market cap just shy of $4 bln.

— Uresh Perera (UP) (@UreshP) June 11, 2020

Akemi’s balcony garden is coming along nicely.  Yesterday, we enjoyed some ridiculously bitter kale.  Today, we shared a single patty pot squash.  Next week, we may eat a tomato!

Hopefully.  The way 2020 is going…

If 2020 hasn’t been apocalyptic enough, here is my story on eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne virus that kills 40% of infected people… and appears to be spreading. @ozm @mvzelenks https://t.co/CF86AbcoMF

— Oscar Schwartz (@scarschwartz) June 10, 2020

Today’s movie-themed question:

Most shocking death in a movie?
Answer with a pic or gif. pic.twitter.com/PqfHIYM1hl

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 11, 2020

 

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June 10, 2020: Which 3 Episodes of Stargate Are You Saving?

Interesting, no?#Stargate pic.twitter.com/FSbfJD2D7q

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 10, 2020

If you’re in the twitter neighborhood, go give this a tag and retweet:

I suspect that a number of broadcasters will regret missing out on the opportunity to green light a new #Stargate series in the same way many regretted dropping the ball on shows like The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, and Breaking Bad.
Retweet and tag your favorite broadcasters! pic.twitter.com/VZUDD3zXFs

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 9, 2020

And since I’m in a Stargate kind of mood:

Goa'uld Space Station ("Summit") – Concept Art#Stargate #SG1 pic.twitter.com/QM5lfntWLZ

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 10, 2020

#WormholeXTreme! Concept Art #Stargate pic.twitter.com/a8HN6d4OzK

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 10, 2020

Concept Art from #Stargate #SG1's "Small Victories" pic.twitter.com/YIjNVPe1Z8

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 9, 2020

Concept art for the very first script we wrote for #Stargate – "Scorched Earth". Although the pictured (Gadmeer) alien never appeared in the episode, that didn't stop me from doing a running imitation of the adorable little guy for weeks during production. "Grrrklllbrrrpplllggh!" pic.twitter.com/r8dBpqGcoo

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 9, 2020

Congratulations!  You have been selected to be a passenger on the space ark that will be leaving a doomed Earth in search of a new, habitable world.  As part of your personal luggage, you are permitted to bring along THREE episodes of the Stargate franchise.  Sadly, the ship’s database cannot accommodate more than three episodes meaning the rest of the franchise will be lost to history along with wrap-around sunglasses, spearmint gum, and Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You”.  Also, the ship’s Captain is a huge Stargate fan, so if you attempt to smuggle in episodes of any other show, he WILL fire them out the airlock.  And you with them.

So, choose wisely.  Which three episodes of the Stargate franchise are you saving?

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June 9, 2020: Go shake your ears, you bacon-fed knaves!

Yesterday, I came across this photo of that old gang of mine.  All four were huge snugglers and were always happiest in each other’s company.  At night, they all slept on the bed of course, in their preferred spots: Lulu by my right side, Bubba at my left, Maximus hunkered down at my ankles, and Jelly propped up regally on my pillow.  Granted, it made sleeping tricky, but I never really complained.

Bacon-fed knaves!  Swaggering rascals!  Check out this Insult Infographic for all of your Shakespeareans cursing needs!  How now, woolsack?

This video was forwarded to me by former Dark Matter and Utopia Falls Props Master Victoria Klein.  It begs the question: Why am I wasting all this time trying to learn Japanese?

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