Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 71
October 30, 2023
October 30, 2023: This and That!
Test your Spaceship IQ! (Part 185)
Identify the following spaceships… https://t.co/G5L0WAMQxx pic.twitter.com/w3fsFay3fl
— Joseph Mallozzi
(@BaronDestructo) October 30, 2023
Roughly 700+ spaceships into my Test Your Spaceship IQ thread on twitter and, after some easy offerings in the opening rounds, we’re getting into some far lesser known vessels at this point. I had intended to just do 50 posts, then 100, and now I’m thinking of wrapping things up at 250+ which will get us to approximately 1000 spaceships across film, television, anime, comics, cartoons and…others. Head on over and see how you fare.
Taking a much-needed breather after delivering a first draft of my new pilot to my buddy and potential co-writing partner Alex Ruemelin (check out his new series, Sebastian Fitzek’s Therapy, on Amazon Prime) to watch more crime shows. Yes, yes, I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy. I’m 45 shows ind will compile my Top 10 list once I hit 50 – which shouldn’t be too long from now, but I will have to finish up the last two season of Unforgotten and the final season of Line of Duty, two shows (spoiler alert!) that will be making that Top 10 list.
Finalized the pitch deck for my cozy mystery series. After much back and forth, we’re finally locked and ready to roll. The producer I’ve partnered with on this one has set up several other procedurals, so let’s hoping we find ourselves in production on this new series next year.
Meanwhile, we’ve attached a director and lead to that action-adventure series and will look to go out with that in the coming weeks.
Still on track to shoot that horror movie in Bulgaria in the spring. Just waiting to lock down elements on the financing side and then it’s smoooooth sailing.
Finally, awaiting editor notes on my horror comic. Was expecting them last week but I guess the comics industry is really no different from the t.v. industry.
Today’s Yes/No…
Amouranth beer? Yes/No https://t.co/K2akGadVsr
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post October 30, 2023: This and That! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 28, 2023
October 29, 2023: Sharky Sunday!
Well, Sharky is turning into quite the momma’s boy, crawling into Akemi’s lap at every opportunity, following her around the place by the sound of her voice (and, failing that, sound of her footfalls), and crying up a storm when she leaves to take a shower or pops out to go shopping. In other words, the perfect dog for Akemi.
And, of course, whenever mom is in the kitchen, Sharky is never far behind.
We gave Sharky a piece of steak the other day and he acted like he’d never had filet mignon in his life. Yesterday, he sampled salmon sashimi –
Like Suji, he adores a good partially runny egg yolk…
The gang at Pug Nation of Los Angeles sent us a few pics and a video of Sharky while he was there with them…
We figure he’s part beagle but, sometimes, he definitely looks a little frenchie…
Out and about with mom…
Doing yoga with mom. His version of downward dog…
Hanging with his buddy, Bubbie. The Banana Siblings!
Prepping for his first Canadian winter…
Goodnight…
The post October 29, 2023: Sharky Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 28, 2023: Recent Yes/No’s – Best and Worst!
Choose the best and the worst from the following…
Prune Pudding? Yes/No https://t.co/ZMsZ1IWfba via @Southern_Living pic.twitter.com/iqQD83noMU
— Joseph Mallozzi
Kakuni Pork Bowl? Yes/No
This is the one and only kakuni pork bowl restaurant in Tokyo, and it’s amazing https://t.co/GNGB36kEkZ via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
Pepper X? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/HQyGbiY7qI
— Joseph Mallozzi
Devil’s Crust Bloody Pizza? Yes/No
Crust Bloody Pizza brought to dark life by Domino’s Japan, has one more terrifying secret https://t.co/cDVOWcEZ48 via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
Creamed Chipped Beef & Toast? Yes/No https://t.co/v6Oh4216hO via @Southern_Living
— Joseph Mallozzi
Chicken Nugget Onion Ring? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/jZgmuRCi8f
— Joseph Mallozzi
Merry Cream? Yes/No
Starbucks Japan serves up “Merry Cream” in its new Christmas Frappuccino for holiday season 2023 https://t.co/pVUime2Dur via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
Carbonated Olive Oil Martini in a can? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/oAjugmxBx5
— Joseph Mallozzi
Yes: Chicken nugget onion ring
No: Pepper-X
The post October 28, 2023: Recent Yes/No’s – Best and Worst! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 27, 2023
October 27, 2023: Tastiest parts of the chicken ranked!
#11. Gizzard
#10. Drumstick
#9. Feet
#8. Breast
#7. Liver
#6. Thigh
#5. Heart
#4. Wing
#3. Neck
#2. Butt
#1. Skin
Agree? Disagree? What are your Top 5?
The post October 27, 2023: Tastiest parts of the chicken ranked! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 26, 2023
October 26, 2023: The Crime Binge continues!
Once I hit 50 shows, I’ll assemble a Top 10 list.
In the meantime…
Line of Duty (2012-2021) Season 2
Three police officers are killed in an ambush and a protected witness is seriously injured, the only surviving officer is DI Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes), but suspicion soon arises and the team of AC-12 have more investigating work to do.
My thoughts: I liked season 1 enough to keep going with this series and I’m glad I did because season 2 fires on all cylinders.
4.5/5
Dalgliesh (2021 – ) Season 2
Follows Dalgliesh’s crime-fighting career from 1970s England to the present day.
My thoughts: Another solid season of this cozy mystery series.
4/5
Full Circle (2023 – )
An investigation into a botched kidnapping uncovers long-held secrets connecting multiple characters and cultures in present day New York City.
My thoughts: Crosses the line between complex and convoluted. I found myself shaking my head at some of the character decisions and plot developments.
3/5
A Confession (2019)
DSU Stephen Fulcher intends on catching a killer of a missing woman, even if that may cost him his career and reputation.
My thoughts: A fairly standard procedural.
3.5/5
The Chestnut Man (2021)
A young woman is found brutally murdered in a playground and one of her hands is missing. Above her hangs a small man made of chestnuts.
My thoughts: Slow burn thriller that relies on incompetent police work and questionable decision-making pull off its twisted plotting.
3/5
The post October 26, 2023: The Crime Binge continues! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 25, 2023
October 25, 2023: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week…
Captain Marvel #1 – cover art by John Tyler Christopher
Dark X-Men #3 – cover art by Dan Panosian
Marvel Zombies: Black, White & Blood #1 – cover art by Bjorn Barends
Edgewood #1 – cover art by Mahmud A. Asrar
Edenwood #1 – cover art by Jorge Molina
Red Sonja #4 – cover art by Lucio Parrillo
Action Comics #1058 – cover art by Carla Cohen
Action Comics #1058 – cover art by Jorge Jimenez
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 – cover art by David Talaski
Green Arrow #5 – cover art by Alvaro Martinez Bueno
The P.R.I.S.M. #1 – cover art by Matteo de Longis
So, which were YOUR favorites?
The post October 25, 2023: Amazing Covers! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 24, 2023
October 24, 2023: The Phase-out!
As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I have commenced my social media phase-out.
I haven’t posted to my personal facebook in something like two years and have only been activity insofar as I have been updating Suji’s page. But now that she’s gone, I see no reason to continue. Akemi has asked me not to delete my account so as to preserve the memories (and countless photos and videos), so I am otherwise done with the site.
The same applies. I’d have done it sooner, but I discovered a way to post via desktop so I ended up quite active there for a while. But my last post, a dedication to my gal Suji, will be my last. Like Facebook, rather than delete my account, it will simply no longer be updated, like a fly forever preserved in amber.
I have posted all my behind-the-scenes materials to the Dark Mater forum and the prospect of a Stargate reboot has led me to wind down my presence in that forum as well. I was most active in the pugs forum where I posted daily images of Suji, but with her gone, and less general interest in Sharky, that’s another account that will soon be mothballed.
X/TWITTER
The suppression algos before Musk bought the app were frustrating. Now, they’re altogether insufferable. I used to be fairly active, posting on average once an hour. Now, I post maybe 3-4 times a day but soon will be posting even less. The way this site is run quashes any enthusiasm to use it.
WORDPRESS
Which leaves us with this blog, almost 16 straight years of daily entires.
We’ll see how things go.
So, how active are you all on social media? And, more importantly, where?
The post October 24, 2023: The Phase-out! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023: Yet another one to toss into the maelstrom!
It takes me forever to start a script and sometimes, if I get bogged down on a scene, may take me weeks to figure it out. Yes, as I’ve already said, writer’s block is a luxury problem experienced by unemployed writers – and I do indulge every so often when I’m working on my originals. But as I draw closer to the end of a script, any script, I pick up the pace, completing portions in huge chunks. 7 pages one day. 12 another. Today, as I raced toward the ending of my latest pilot, I completed 21 pages in a single day. And I now have a first draft. Still kind of rough. Still a few plot points to work out, a little dialogue polishing to do. But I’m hoping to complete that tomorrow and then send it off for feedback in the coming days. It’s the latest in a surprisingly productive year for me: three pilots, two features, several deals, a few prospects and, of course, zero green lights.
Yesterday, I likened advancing in your screenwriting career to this –
7AOMOnce I’ve sent off my script, I’ll refocus my efforts back to my #CrimeBinge. Once I hit 50 series, I’ll put together my Top 10 list.
Looks like I can add dog sitting to my list of varied accomplishments. For three days last week (and this week) we looked after a cute Pomeranian in the building. And tomorrow is the first day of a 10-day stay for a neighbor’s pug who will, no doubt, love our pudgy Sharky.
I’m considering a second career.
Finally, today’s blog entry is dedicated to a most beautiful dog, my sister’s husky Fernando, who crossed the rainbow bridge last night. I was looking forward to him meeting the equally vision-impaired Sharky over the Christmas holidays but now, I’m hoping Suji isn’t giving him too much trouble on the other side.
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October 22, 2023
October 22, 2023: Sharky Sunday!
The plan was to wait until January before adopting a new dog but when Akemi caught sight of this little blind boy on the Pug Nation of L.A.’s website –
We knew we couldn’t wait. So we booked our flight and, following our whirlwind visit to NYC, we made a whirlwind visit to L.A. where we picked up our little guy. A video rundown of our first day: meeting him at the rescue, traveling from the rescue, short rib lunch, and relaxing in the hotel room…
I was, admittedly, a little worried before picking him up. What was his true demeanor? Was he housebroken and if not how long would he take to train? How would he travel? Would we love him? Would he love us?
Well, for starters, he is an absolutely sweet soul. Incredibly gentle and very affectionate. And he IS housebroken, perfectly behaved in the condo, waiting until he is outside to do his business. As for traveling – he was great. Didn’t love being in the carrier at first but we gave him a half a Benadryl (as per vet’s instructions) and he slept through the flight, waking up shortly after landing….
He spent much of his first day mapping the place, walking around, bumping into things.
He is very gentle taking treats from your hand and is surprisingly amenable to having his nails clipped and his teeth brushed….
He sleeps on the bed with us of course. We were a little worried about him wandering in the middle of the night and falling off, but he sleeps through the night and only wakes up when we do.
As for his backstory, Sharky was picked up as a stray this summer – which is somewhat baffling given his happy and trusting nature. HIs attitude, and the fact that he’d had at least two surgeries suggest he once belonged to someone who took care of him. He’s had several teeth removed (He has fewer teeth than Suji had in her old age!) and had an eye removed. When he arrived at the rescue, his other eye was so badly infected that it had to be removed as well. So, Sharky – who they estimate to be around 7 or 8 – has been fully blind until at least August. But he doesn’t let lack of sight hinder him as he is a very confident walker. He gets along well with other dogs and, while hasn’t interacted with any children, he perks up at the sound of kids – which also leads me to believe he may have been raised in a family environment.
Was he abandoned? Lost? Did he run away? How did this adorable boy end up on the streets? No microchip so I guess we’ll never know.
But no point in dwelling on the past. Sharky can look forward to happy future with us. He is a true momma’s boy, sitting in the kitchen with Akemi when she prepares lunch, crying for her when she’s in the shower, snuggling up in her lap when he gets into bed. He loves massages – ears and belly. And we absolutely love him.
The post October 22, 2023: Sharky Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
October 21, 2023
October 21, 2023: The Crime Binge continues!
Black Bird (2022)
Jimmy Keene is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum security prison but he cuts a deal with the FBI to befriend a suspected serial killer. Keene has to elicit a confession from Larry Hall to find the bodies of as many as eighteen women.
My thoughts: Gets off to a rousing starts but then settles into a predictable unwind of plodding plotting and clunky dialogue.
3/5
Peaky Blinders (2013-2022) Season 1
A gangster family epic set in 1900s England, centering on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby.
My thoughts: Honestly, I was expecting a stronger first season. Unique scenario but surprisingly standard delivery. Hoping season 2 turns things around.
3.5/5
Love/Hate (2010-2014) Season 3
The story of the organized crime scene of Dublin is revealed, centered on Darren, who wants to stay out of trouble but ends up returning to his old habits and his old gang.
My thoughts: In a similar vein, this is a show I was on the fence about after its first season but now ranks as one of my favorite shows on this crime binge.
4.5/5
Dalgliesh (2021 – ) Season 1
Follows Dalgliesh’s crime-fighting career from 1970s England to the present day.
My thought: Just a well-plotted cozy mystery series.
4/5
Love/Hate (2010-2014) Season 4
The story of the organized crime scene of Dublin is revealed, centered on Darren, who wants to stay out of trouble but ends up returning to his old habits and his old gang.
My thoughts: Compelling, character-driven storytelling.
4.5/5
The post October 21, 2023: The Crime Binge continues! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
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