Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 80
September 9, 2023
September 9, 2023: Recommend me a fantastic crime show!
I’m doing a crime binge! Recommend me a great crime series…
Recommend me a fantastic crime show.
Bonus marks for foreign/international and limited series.
Please, no network or espionage shows, anything pre-2000, or cross-genre (ie. vampire detectives).
— Joseph Mallozzi
(@BaronDestructo) September 8, 2023
Have gotten a lot of recommendations over on twitter and my list is well over 100 shows. I’ve started with the shortest and done Deadwater Fall (intriguing set-up but no surprises, a resounding meh), Collateral (sharp dialogue but some contrived plotting and wasn’t particularly engaging), Inside Man (the humor didn’t land for me and many of the decision defied credulity). So, off to a stumbling start at 0-3. I requested FANTASTIC and, so far, I’ve been underwhelmed. I may have to start muting accounts with awful taste because they have betrayed my trust.
Greatly appreciate all of the wonderful recommendations. And will harshly judge those who suggested stinkers. https://t.co/VPzNoIAJJ5
— Joseph Mallozzi
New t-shirt shipment. Which one is YOUR favorite?
Today’s Yes/No…
Matcha Tiramisu? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/Xc46Y33s8P
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post September 9, 2023: Recommend me a fantastic crime show! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
September 8, 2023
September 8, 2023: Weird Deaths and pizza items!
#UnusualDeaths
According to the CDC, falling out of bed kills 450 Americans a year and injured another 1.8 million. Around 20,000 Brits a year end up in the hospital after falling out of bed compared t0 1600 who fall of ladders and 1200 who fall out of trees. pic.twitter.com/KEJDdFeSPq
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Although your chances of being killed by a falling coconut are 250 000 000/1, a handful of people end up going out this way every year (a 2014 report puts that number at 150!). A 3lb coconut falling from a 100 foot tree would hit you with a force of 4,181… pic.twitter.com/JIQ81nxob9
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Jellyfish kill more people than sharks, over 100 people a year, although the number may be much higher. Most lives were claimed by the winged box jellyfish. With its translucent body and 10 foot tentacles, it is one of the most venomous animals on the planet. pic.twitter.com/7OhgoTLLsO
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Vending machines kill an average of 13 people a year, usually as a result of cheapskates rocking the heavy machines back and forth in an attempt to dislodge free candy bars. Unsurprisingly, most of the victims were men. pic.twitter.com/6LOQp2oGtR
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Poorly written prescriptions and illegible doctors' notes result in 7000 deaths and 1.5 million injuries a year. pic.twitter.com/KRCb2rfEQM
— Joseph Mallozzi
Today’s Yes/No…
The Wacky Calzony? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/lQvpGm2B59
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post September 8, 2023: Weird Deaths and pizza items! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
September 7, 2023
It doesn’t hurt to check in with your agent every now and then…
Sadly, not uncommon. And, in many instances, the actor never finds out. Three occasions come to mind….
Offer goes out for a series lead. A counter-offer is made. We go back and forth. Eventually, we’re almost there except for one sticking point. They want a producer credit and this is something the production company is simply not willing to budge on.The agent responds “Then this is a deal-breaker. We’re moving on.” So the production, in turn, moves on and casts someone else for the role. Two weeks later, the agent reaches out and inquires why we haven’t been in touch.
What happened to “We’re moving on?” Apparently, he wasn’t serious and is apoplectic we took him at his word. He gives up on the producer credit demand but, by this point, it’s too late. He is furious.
A year later I meet the actor at an event. They express regret at not having been able to close the deal but understood it was a money issue. I inform them it was NOT a money issue but a credit issue. According to them, they neither knew nor requested the producer credit.
Offer goes out for a series lead. Agent counters very high. We counter his counter, but the agent is adamant. The number he has presented us with is the bare minimum. We simply can’t afford it and move on.The next year, the actor auditions for a three line guest spot on the show – but isn’t quite right for the role. The year after that, I’m introduced to them through a friend at a party. They express admiration for the show and regret their audition didn’t resonate with us.
I assumed they were deflecting blame to their agent, but their shellshocked response when I told them we had, in fact, made an offer made it clear they had never been told.
An actor I worked with had been doing quite well for themself and expressed an interest in working on a specific show. One of the producers of said show informed them that they had already reached out to their agent and been flatly turned down.Instead, the agent had suggested another one of their clients who they DID end up casting. The actor was livid and demanded their agent and his entire team present themselves on the set of their current production to explain themselves. Much bowing and groveling and scraping ensued.
No actor should be involved in the minutiae of the deal-making producer. That’s what an agent/rep is for. A good one will look out for their client’s best interest and push for them to get them the best deal.
Every so often, however, it doesn’t work out that way. And, on those occasions, I think it’s important that their client be kept in the loop. Which isn’t always the case.
The post It doesn’t hurt to check in with your agent every now and then… appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
September 6, 2023
September 6, 2023: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week…
Spider-Gwen Annual #1 – cover art by Jee-Hyung Lee
Star Wars #8 – cover art by E.M. Gist
Star Wars #38 – cover art by Josemaria Casanovas
Birds of Prey #1 – cover art by Chris Bachalo
Birds of Prey #1 – cover art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #1 – cover art by Jen Bartel
The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #10 – cover art by Francesco Mattina
Weird Work #3 – cover art by Juan Rose Ryp
Bad Omens: Concrete Jungle #1 – cover art by Nicola Izzo
So, which were YOUR favorites?
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September 5, 2023
September 5, 2023: Meanwhile, on the home front…
Cooked up some farmers’ market habaneros the other day. In terms of flavor and spice level, my absolute favorite pepper.
Uh oh. I could be in trouble. New bakery/pastry shop opened just a ten minute walk from my place, and it is delicious. Pictured, they’re pistachio pain au chocolate and their triple chocolate croissant. Geste Bistro & Boulangerie
A trip to the St. Lawrence Market today with my old high school friend, Cas, had us sampling a bit of everything –
Not pictured: the Portuguese custard tart and the chocolate-almond pretzel.
Meanwhile on the home front…
Today’s Yes/No…
Baja Blast Gelato? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/RczCWV81ec
— Joseph Mallozzi
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September 4, 2023
September 4, 2023: Unusual Deaths and sandwich!
#UnusualDeaths
In 2003, a snake escaped the clutches of an eagle and landed in a car near Khaf in the Iranian province of Khorassan. In the mad panic that ensued, four passengers were bitten. Two died. pic.twitter.com/D5qN1kYyAQ
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Hippos kill well over 500 people a year in Africa.
Territorial and aggressive, they average 8000 lbs and can reach speeds of 20mph, roughly three times faster than a fleeing you. They are wice as deadly as sharks, and their bites can snap a crocodile in two. pic.twitter.com/avsuX3avNr
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Approximately 20 000 Americans die every year from overexertion during exercise. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the chances of sudden death are 1 in 15000 exercisers per year or 1 in every 1.5 million exercises. pic.twitter.com/QkUHGd2Jvc
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Trampolines claim the lives of 1 American a year, injuring roughly 100 000 annually. These injuries range from broken bones and dislocations to concussions suffered by multiple jumpers literally butting heads. Most injuries were due to poorly executed flips. pic.twitter.com/tLc338GG2M
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
Fireworks-related mishaps claimed the lives of 11 Americans in 2022 (down from 26 in 2020) and injured more than 10 000. Hands and fingers accounted for roughly one third of those injuries. pic.twitter.com/LnxAMuS4LX
— Joseph Mallozzi
#UnusualDeaths
An average of 22 Americans are killed by cows every year, making the domestic bovine far deadlier than the wolf. According to the CDC, 75% of cow attacks are intentional. No data on what percentage of those were premeditated. pic.twitter.com/eB7pGrDZti
— Joseph Mallozzi
Today’s Yes/No…
The Tsukimi Focaccia? Yes/No
Mos Burger brings back moon-viewing and barbecue focaccia sandwiches for autumn season https://t.co/ZQFSDqhXCf via @RocketNews24En
— Joseph Mallozzi
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September 3, 2023
September 3, 2023: Suji Sunday!
Squeezing in a few more summer outings.
Lunch at Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club
Lunch and leftovers
Hanging at home
The post September 3, 2023: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
September 2, 2023
September 2, 2023: Our Typical Saturday Morning!
Our typical Saturday morning includes an early morning visit to the Farmers’ Market..
An early start to our day! We try to get out of the house by 7:30 a.m. at the latest to beat the rush (and make sure we can snag the free range eggs that sell out early). Akemi, pictured here with her grocery cart. I was admittedly dubious when she ordered it but, have to admit, it IS handy.
We catch the bus just a two minute walk from our house and get off at Church street. Public transport attracts all sorts of interesting types, making the commute an adventure.
The Saturday Farmers’ Market is located just across the street from The St. Lawrence Market, which is pretty great in its own right and always our second stop. Although we arrive early, the sellers are there even earlier – usually at 4 or 5 am.
Ready to shop!
Decisions, decisions…
First stop is always Clement Poultry for all our chickenly needs. Occasionally we’ll do a whole chicken or ground chicken, sometimes the delicious turkey bacon, but our go-to’s are the boneless chicken thighs and the chicken livers (which we eat once a week). If chicken hearts are available, we’ll get those as well. And, on the rare instances where they have turkey necks and butts, I’ll always pick up a couple of packages for roasting.
Next up are potatoes and the sweetest tomatoes in the market. Also, if they have it, lettage which is a cross between lettuce and cabbage and lends itself wonderfully to coleslaw.
Over to de la terre cafe + bakery where Akemi gets her baguette and I’ll pick up a pastry (cinnabon bun today). Home of the chocolatiest pain au chocolat.
Terrific sausages here at Gaucho. The honey-garlic is unreal.
Fruit
Akemi’s favorite hummus – Hanes Hummus. She picks up the “Hot Date”, three at a time.
The grass-fed rib-eye from Murray’s Farm.
Farm fresh eggs! We missed out the last two weeks so, this week, Akemi wasn’t messing around and picked up three dozen.
Veggies
Take a number and prepare for a brief wait when ordering from the hugely popular Tanjo Family Farm. Great deal on the meat here. They also carry a solid sauerkraut.
Over to Acropolis Organics to restock on olive oil. Again, Akemi doesn’t mess around and picks up the 3 liter can.
Mountain of corn.
Monforte Dairy. Akemi loves the halloumi, especially the water buffalo halloumi whenever they make it.
Kind Organics is always the high point of our trip for Akemi. She always gets pea shoots, broccoli shoots, and salads. I picked up some peppers.
Honey and maple syrup!
Oh, what have we here? Fatali, scotch bonnets and some Carolina reapers I believe. I picked up a basket of habaneros.
Leaving the farmers’ market and heading across the street to the St. Lawrence Market.
Phenomenal sandwiches here at Mustachio. Check out the rest of the basement for everything from bread to varied honeys to Mexican supplies and international spices. Tucked away in the back is a small shop where I pick up my canned cod livers.
Future Bakery putting out their European baked goods. This is where I get my Ryazhenka, a fermented baked milk.
Next stop is Chris” Cheese-Mongers where I’ll pick up a La Tur or a Juste if they have it. On this day, I picked up an ash-covered goat cheese called Sandwich.
Cheeses and chocolates!
Over to Olympic Cheese where I pick up a Brie de Meaux and a Grey Owl so fast it’s borderline liquid (my absolute favorite cheese consistency).
More meats, seafoods, fruits, veggies, breads, cheeses, and Portuguese custard tarts.
Heading home.
When we get home, Akemi deals with our purchases while I head out for a stroll with my gal.
And the results = Lunch, courtesy of Akemi
The post September 2, 2023: Our Typical Saturday Morning! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023: News of Note!
The t-shirts I ordered finally arrived!
Which is your favorite? I’m partial to Roxxon Oil!
The study identified the worst offender as 51-year-old Herb Scofield of Eufaula, Alabama. https://t.co/ZdkgafSwFJ
— Joseph Mallozzi
It sounds like utter bullshit to me so I checked the article that cited a news release that cited the study – but clicking on the link led me to this –
Hmmmmm.
The results to this poll were very interesting…
Thoughts? I’d be Team Supervillain all the way.
Also…
What one flavor do you most miss from your childhood?
For me, it's the homemade cherry almond milk my mother made that was so labor intense and time consuming she only made it once. But it was delicious.
I also remember Fresca being…better.
— Joseph Mallozzi
A lot of interesting responses to this one.
Never trust someone who claps or slaps their leg when they laugh.
— Joseph Mallozzi
Someone asked me Why? and I told them that, drawing from my own experience, I can readily conclude that these individuals are untrustworthy.
Is this guy ever right about anything?
From the aches and pains department…
What is the most painful part of your body?
Why is it painful?
And what are you doing about it?
Me –
My right shoulder.
I may have a torn rotator cuff.
I'm sleeping on my back and doing stretches that don't seem to help.
— Joseph Mallozzi
Speaking of potential aches and pains…
My wife has shown a sudden interest in true crime podcasts specifically dedicated to Asian wives who off their husbands, in one instance disposing of his body in a giant kimchee pot.
On an unrelated note, I've been having trouble sleeping of late. pic.twitter.com/djF2mtvpvo
— Joseph Mallozzi
Today’s Yes/No…
7-Can Soup? Yes/No
Like something your six-year-old would come up with – this is a legit Food Network recipe.https://t.co/RTeY5Jo6Cx
— Joseph Mallozzi
The post September 1, 2023: News of Note! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.
August 31, 2023
August 31, 2023: The Horror Marathon resumes!
Last Sentinel (2023)
A platoon of soldiers are stranded in an abandoned military base on a near future Earth waiting for the relief or the enemy, whichever comes first.
My thoughts: Slow-rolling post-apocalyptic porn for the climate crowd. The late, third act twist almost makes this one worthwhile. Almost.
3/5
Nightcrawler (2014)
When Louis Bloom, a con man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A.crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.
My thoughts: An unsettling thriller and dark social satire anchored by Gyllenhaal’s creepy and compelling performance. Like the lurid footage it critiques, it’s impossible to look away.
4/5
God Is a Bullet (2023)
Taking matters into his own hands, Detective Bob Hightower tries to infiltrate an evil cult to save his kidnapped daughter and avenge the murder of his wife.
My thoughts: A fairly straightforward ultra-violent revenge-exploitation flick weighed down by arthouse elements and a bloated runtime.
3/5
Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
The Lamberts must go deeper into The Further than ever before to put their demons to rest once and for all.
My thoughts: Some good scares in this overly long but satisfying final installment.
3.5/5
Silent Night (2021)
Nell, Simon, and their son Art are ready to welcome friends and family for what promises to be a perfect Christmas gathering. Perfect except for one thing: everyone is going to die.
My thoughts: Tiresome characters, annoyingly mannered performances, and a jarring tonal mish-mash make this one a trying and annoyingly unfunny dark comedy.
2/5
So, any recommendations?
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