Upgrade (2018)

Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.

My thoughts: he hyper-kinetic action sequences are inspired, but the script much less so. Still, while predictable, the humor and 80’s schlock sci-fi style really carry this film.

3.5/5

Starry Eyes (2014)

A hopeful young starlet uncovers the ominous origins of the Hollywood elite and enters into a deadly agreement in exchange for fame and fortune.

My thoughts: Satirical, cynical, scary, and smart, it does lose steam in its closing act but nevertheless has a lot to say about Hollyweird.

3.5/5

The Endless (2017)

As kids, they escaped a UFO death cult. Now, two adult brothers seek answers after an old videotape surfaces and brings them back to where they began.

My thoughts: I really liked the brotherly bond at the heart of this time-trippy scifi-horror movie.

3.5/5

We Are Still Here (2015)

In the cold, wintery fields of New England, a lonely old house wakes up every thirty years – and demands a sacrifice.

My thoughts: Shaky direction, questionable and confusing plotting, and its low budget work against it.

2/5

The Conspiracy (2012)

A documentary about conspiracy theories takes a horrific turn after the filmmakers uncover an ancient and dangerous secret society.

4/5

The post March 27, 2023: The Horror Marathon continues with five more bullet reviews! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Sunday stroll.

Resting up for her next meal.

Picture Perfect.

Derpy…

Relaxed…

Messy egg time…

Sneezy!

The post March 26, 2023: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

So what kind of Stargate series does Amazon have in the works?

Nobody knows, but we DO have a firm sense of what Stargate fans would like to see…

Time will tell!

And a little trip down memory lane…

Rumble in the Jungle

First Impressions

Alien Outtake  (courtesy of VFX Supervisor Mark Savela)

Suji’s awesome new blanket c/o CrustyCowboy!

Today’s Yes/No…

Banana Pudding Cookies? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/jam1iSl4xK

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 25, 2023

The post March 25, 2023: Stargate and such! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Chimera…

The things that stands out for me about this episode was the title which, over the course of prep, production, and post, was pronounced anyone of about a half dozen ways: Ki-mera, Kee-mera, Kee-meera, Chi-mera, Chy-mera, Chy-meera – and variations thereof.  Damian Kindler was the king of the obtuse episode titles and, after following Ethon with Talion, I decided to call my next script Futtock (One of the curved timbers that forms a rib in the frame of a ship.) but was overruled by my writing partner, Paul, since he’d be sharing onscreen credit with me on this one.  Anyway, Damian did a great job on an episode that provides a rarity – actual closure to a storyline!  Daniel saves Sarah and, with the help of the Tok’ra, restore her to her former self.

This episode also continues the Sam’s romantic arc with a fellow fandom coined “Stalker Pete”.  The role was played by David DeLuise, brother of Peter DeLuise.  His appearance marked the fourth appearance by a member of the DeLuise family (Dom guested in Urgo, Michael guested in Wormhole Xtreme, David guested in several episodes as Stalker Pete, and, of course, fan favorite Peter DeLuise wrote, directed, produced and had cameos in episodes too numerous to mention).

Death Knell…

No concept art

Bit of a nitpick, but if the Alpha site had been wiped out by the self-destruct, it would have been one massive blast crater instead of a clearing littered with spot fires.  Realistically, however, a massive blast crater would have been a huge expense that wouldn’t have added much to the episode.  The Jaffa, M’Zel, was a tip of the hat to Stargate long time AD Bill Mizel who provided us with many an entertaining concept meeting with his spirited renditions of the scripts – and also showed off some killer dance moves during the shooting of SGU’s Earth.

Heroes, Part 1…

This one wasn’t planned as a two-parter but, after going through all the footage and assembling his first producer edit, Robert Cooper decided he would need more time to tell the story.  And so, additional scenes were written and additional footage shot.  No padding here, however, but some fantastic action sequences on the planet’s surface.  Many guest stars of note in this episode: Adam Baldwin as Colonel Dave Dixon, Saul Rubinek as Bregman, and, of course, Robert Picardo as the pencil-pushing Richard Woolsey who makes his first Stargate appearance in this episode.  What a run for Bob who goes from pain-in-the-ass bureaucrat in Heroes I to the lovable commander of the Atlantis expedition in SGA’s fifth season.  And speaking of SGA and its cast connections to this episode, Adam Baldwin was another actor who so impressed that his name was at the top of our list for possible lead role on Atlantis.

Heroes, Part II…

No concept art

The hearbreaking conclusion to the Heroes two-parter sees Stargate Command suffer a huge loss.  The writers’ room was divided on the death of Janet Fraiser, the SGC’s long-time CMO, but, after much heated debate, it was decided that since this was going to be the final season anyway (!), it was the perfect time to tell this story – a salute to our armed forces, those who fought, and those who’ve lost their lives in the service of their country.

Resurrection…

Written by Michael Shanks and directed by Amanda Tapping, this one was all sorts of fun at almost every stage – pre, prep, production, and post.  The episode finds the N.I.D. screwing up yet another experiment, leaving Stargate Command to pick up the pieces (and dispose of the bodies).  Fans have long speculated on the full name of the nefarious organization and I’ve read some pretty good guesses: National Intelligence Directorate, National Intelligence Division, Next In Defense.  All great.  All wrong.  What it actually stands for is Not a Real Department.  N.I.D.  Simple, no?  Oh, right.  Well, it WAS originally N.R.D. but we changed into N.I.D. because it sounded better.

Inauguration…

No concept art

When Paul and I learned the show was going to be doing another clip show, we lobbied hard for the opportunity…Oh, you’ve heard this one before.  Never mind. Actually, as far as clip shows go, this one was a lot of fun, mainly because it afforded us the opportunity to throw in a twist at episode’s end by having company man Richard Woolsey actually demonstrates surprising strength of character by turning his back on the conniving Senator Kinsey and doing the right thing.  It’s the first step in the rehabilitation of a character who would eventually become one of my favorites to write for.  Terrific performances all around by Robert Picardo, Ronny Cox, and William Devane who had the gals in the production office all a-flutter after taking the time to autograph some pictures for them between scenes.

Lost City I and II…

The plan (actually “plans” since it was fast becoming a habit) was to wrap up the show and then cap it with a movie.  Lost City was going to be that movie – until we got the eighth season pick-up, at which point it was rewritten and turned into our two-parter season finale.  This episode saw the introduction of Dr. Elizabeth Weir.  Blonde in Lost City I and II, she goes brunette by the time the Atlantis expedition gets underway in Rising I and II (In case you failed to notice).

One of my favorite moments of this season comes when all of SG-1 gathers for what they think may be the last time.  With Jack facing an uncertain future, Sam unexpectedly drops by for a visit.  As they sit down for a beer, there’s a knock.  O’Neill opens the door to discover Daniel at his front door.  Not long after, Teal’c comes a-calling.  As much as I enjoyed the show’s high-adventure, I especially enjoyed these scenes – moments that brought the team together, demonstrating that they weren’t just teammates but good friends as well.

A great series-ender that sets the stage for game-changing events, particularly with regard to Anubis’ destruction of an aircraft carrier.  I mean, holy smokes! How the heck is the government going to cover something like that up?!  Great, great question.  Guess we’ll find out next season!

Or not.

Making a special appearance in this episode is General John P. Jumper, former Chief of Staff of the United States Airforce.  I remember running into him in the production office the day before he was to shoot his episode and asking whether he had any plans to explore further acting opportunities in the near future.  He chuckled and assured me his Stargate appearance was a one-time-only thing.  “You sure?”I asked.   “Next week, I better not turn on the t.v. and catch you on Moesha.”

The post March 24, 2023: Completing our SG-1 season 7 concept art and episodic insights! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

The Outwaters (2022)

Four travelers encounter menacing phenomena while camping in a remote stretch of the Mojave Desert.

My thoughts: Twisted, terrifying, and tedious. A experimental experience, roughly 20 minutes too long.

3/5

Livid (2011)

The suggestion of a big treasure hidden somewhere inside Mrs Jessel’s once renowned classical dance academy will become an irresistible lure to a fiendish trap for Lucie and her friends.

Thoughts: Not as strong as Bustillo and Maury’s other outings like Inside and Deep House, but still a creative and creepy surrealistic take on the haunted home invasion sub-genre.

3.5/5

Braid (2018)

Two wanted women decide to rob their wealthy psychotic friend who lives in the fantasy world they created as children; to take the money they have to take part in a deadly perverse game of make believe.

My thoughts: Visually resplendent and thoroughly bonkers, it’s a movie that challenges both your understanding and patience. Your mileage may vary, but I was onboard for the wild ride.

3.5/5

All Eyes (2022)

A disgraced podcast host interviews an eccentric farmer who claims to have a monster living in the woods near his house.

My thoughts: Gets off to a heartfelt and humorous start, then inexplicably switches gears, abandoning the character-centered warmth in favor of silly Home Alone escapades.

3/5

Better Watch Out (2016)

On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it’s far from a normal home invasion.

My thoughts: The scares and laughs are few and far between in this tonally discordant “horror comedy”.

2.5/5

Speaking of horror…

Crispy Frog Legs? Yes/No
c/o IG: https://t.co/x4FRrW6ibb pic.twitter.com/SAyrRlbeiw

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 23, 2023

The post March 23, 2023: The Horror Marathon continues with five more horror movie bullet reviews! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

A few that caught my eyes this week…

Red Sonja: Hell Sonja #4 – cover art by Rebeca Puebla

Joe Fixit #3 – cover art by E. M. Gist

Star Wars: Darth Vader #32 – cover art by Pepe Larraz

Tiger Division #5 – cover art by Betsy Cola

Women of Marvel #1 – cover art by Corin Howell

Black Adam #9 -cover art by Irvin Rodriguez

DCeased: War of the Undead Gods #7 – cover art by Ben Oliver

Superman #2 – cover art by Nathan Szerdy

Waller vs Wildstorm #1 – cover art by Jorge Fornes

Wonder Woman #797 – cover art by Joelle Jones

Monstress #44 – cover art by Sana Takeda

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106 – cover art by G.B. Borea

The Neighbors #1 – cover art by Justine Frany

X-O Manowar: Unconquered #1 -cover art by Will Staehle

So, which were YOUR favorites?

The post March 22, 2023: Amazing Covers! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

#UnusualDeaths
On December 18, 1881, Sir William Payne-Gallwey died from internal injuries he sustained falling on a turnip. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/nXnmhYHiT4

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 10, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On October 17, 1814, 13 year old William Synder died after being swung around by his heels by, according to the Daily Alta California, a "mentally defected" circus clown. pic.twitter.com/wtVckzjJRi

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 11, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On June 28, 1884, Allan Pinkerton, founder of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, tripped on a sidewalk and bit his tongue. Gangrene set in and he died three days later. pic.twitter.com/R6tQkxtjJs

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 13, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On October 25, 1920, King Alexander of Greece died of sepsis, the result of multiple monkey bites incurred after trying to break up a fight between a German Shepherd and a Barbary Macau. pic.twitter.com/iNrcwjcOH7

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 14, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
In 163 BC, Eleazar Ovarian died during the Battle of Zechariah, flattened by a dying elephant he had speared through the belly. pic.twitter.com/u6FP3vHbzK

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 15, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
Greek lawgiver Charondas issued a law making it an offense punishable by death to bring a weapon into the Assembly. In 612 BC, he evidently forgot about his own law and entered the Assembly with a knife in his belt – and thus was forced to commit suicide. pic.twitter.com/uaw75KkZof

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 16, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On September 11, 1159, Adrian IV, the first and only English-born Pope, died choking on a fly in his wine, ending his short-lived five year reign. pic.twitter.com/u826lJvZXI

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 17, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
Mathematician and philosopher Kurt Gödel became so paranoid someone would try to poison him that he refused to eat anything that wasn't prepared by his wife. After she was hospitalized for several months following a stroke, Gödel starved to death in 1978. pic.twitter.com/WLQcjXKaNO

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 18, 2023

Milo of Croton was a legendary strongman of Greece who trained for the Olympics by carrying a calf on his back every day. According to legend, while attempting to uproot a tree stump, he got his fingers stuck. Thus trapped, he was devoured by wolves. pic.twitter.com/I9SoLoHS6y

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 20, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
Qin Shi Huang, first emperor of a united China, survived multiple assassination attempts only to die in August 210 BC, poisoned by the mercury elixir he regularly drank in the belief it would grant him immortality. pic.twitter.com/1Kpb8Bbpaw

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 21, 2023

The post March 21, 2023: Unusual Deaths! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Space Race…

Working on Stargate was a writer’s dream in that it offered a host of wide-ranging opportunities when it came to scripting an episode.  The stories could be arc-driven or standalone, Earth-bound or off-world centered, mythological in nature or purely scifi, dramatic or humorous.  And, every so often, we occasionally did those departure episodes that stood out all the more in the uniqueness of their narrative or execution.  Space Race was one of those episodes and, as a result and to no one’s surprise, was a little divisive went it came to fan opinion.  Some fans loved it.  Others hated it.  Still, whatever negative response it may have received online paled in comparison to the scorn heaped upon…

Avenger 2.0…

Okay, in retrospect the title was one of the best things about this episode.  We shot Felger’s apartment at the Accent Inn across the street from The Bridge Studios (where we also shot Ronon and Sheppard watching BSG on motel t.v., Teal’c enjoying the thousand finger massage in Point of No Return, and the scene of Kinsey’s shooting in Smoke and Mirrors).  In the original script, Felger is painting his Warhammer figures but the gang at Warhammer nixed the idea because they felt suggesting a character like him (ie. brilliant scientist) played Warhammer would depict the game in an unfavorable light.  So we went with Stargate action figures instead.

At one point in the episode, Felger makes reference to an old science professor of his named Mr. Hoffman.  This was a salute to one of my own high school teachers, Mr. Hoffan, a knowledgeable man in his own right.  Once, during a class, he informed me that the chocolate bar I was snacking on could contain a maximum of three hairs and one rat turd according to regulations set down by the Canadian Food and Drug Administration.  For my part, I always avoided Charleston Chews which seemed to allow for roughly twice that.

Birthright…

Actor Chris Judge’s second foray into scripting sees him tackle Jaffa cultural constraints, sexism, and uneasy alliances.  Apparently, he wrote the part of Ishta for Jolene Blaylock.  Thankfully, she was available to play the role.  The episode also features a cameo by Executive Producer Michael Greenburg’s wife, Nicky. At one point in the episode, she rides by on a horse and shouts something.

Evolution Part 1…

The first part of our mid-season two-parter (Hey, remember the days when the 11th episode was the midway point of the season?) introduced a fearsome new enemy with an equally fearsome codpiece.  Yep.  Whenever the deadly super soldier strode onto the scene, all I could think was “I wonder if that’s where they keep it’s battery pack?”.  The idea of an almost indestructible enemy was a good one and, on paper, it certainly sounded cool but the finished product was more likely to trigger laughter than any feelings of foreboding.

Note: For what it’s worth, the Asurans were similarly/mysteriously well-endowed.

Evolution Part 2…

Enrico Colantoni guests as Burke, a former black ops buddy of O’Neill’s, and does such a formidable job that, for months later, we’re still talking about the fact we have to bring him back and give him his own team.  Like so many of the show’s creative good intentions, it never comes to pass – but things worked out for Enrico all the same.  Last I hear, he’s tearing it up on Flashpoint.

As much as I didn’t love the super soldier, I was all over the zombies that stalk the jungles of Nicaragua (Vancouver woods with a little help from our Greens Department).  Speaking of tearing it up, Director Peter DeLuise does a brilliant job here with the action, particularly one shot that sees the Zombie Chalo blown apart.  The other guys felt it was too visceral (“Pretty damn goopy!”) but I didn’t see the problem.  It was a zombie after all, not a human being.  I mean, it’s perfectly acceptable to decapitate robots onscreen.  I think the same logic would apply.  I was overruled.

Grace…

While I, admittedly, would have liked to see the Sam-Jack arc culminate in their finally settling down together, I wasn’t a fan of the dream flash in this episode in which the two lock lips.  My problem with it was not so much the content of the sequence as the fact that it was confusing – a hallucination within a greater hallucination.  That said, I quite liked the episode that, in its early outlining, jumped back and forth between Carter actually boarding the alien vessel and coming face to face with its crew.  In the end, it was decided the story would work better as a self-contained narrative.

Fallout…

Actor Corin Nemec pitched this story and wrote the original outline for an episode that brings back Jonas Quinn and explores his new life on Langara.  The original title of the episode was Turn of Events which, we couldn’t help but note, was a title applicable to every episode we’d ever done.  It would have been akin to titling an episode Off-World Adventure or Fourth Act Twist!  It was a lot of fun although one element in the story didn’t quite pan out – specifically, Jonas Quinn’s love interest, a fellow Langaran named Kianna.  On the day the first dailies came in, we were horrified to discover that both actors had unnervingly similar hairstyles that, as a result, made them look like they were related.  Which, in turn, made some of the romantic scenes a little…weird?

The post March 20, 2023: Stargate SG-1 concept art and episodic insights! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Riding in style.

Considering your offer.

Warm weather hat.

Hanging out at the coffee shop.

Suji ASMR…

The post March 19, 2023: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Finally picked up the digital transfers of dailies related to two Stargate episodes: Wormhole X-Treme and Window of Opportunity – 7-8 days of main unit and some 2nd unit shooting as well, roughly 17 hours of footage.  I haven’t had the chance to go through it all, but came across some pretty good stuff including THIS, my small screen debut as Miscellaneous Crew Member, “Hey!  What happened to all the donuts?!”, Guy from Wormhole X-Treme…

Good times.  Good times.

Also came across a few interesting playback files as well from Stargate: Universe…

That second one looks particularly ominous.

Went to Bymark Restaurant this week to check out their famed burger, a 6 oz beef burger cooked medium rare and served with brie de Meaux, shaved truffle, and grilled porcini mushrooms.  I had mine with a side of roasted heirloom carrots that were cooked just like grandma used to make, provided your grandma worked as a cafeteria cook in a prison.

The burger was delicious – but I honestly could have eaten two.  The carrots on the other hand – what can I say?  They tasted barely boiled, topped with an insipid and dilute “bourbon glaze”.  The waiter who cleared our plates didn’t even bother to ask how we’d enjoyed our meal.  I think he knew.

Today’s Yes/No…

Strawberry Daifuku Pie? Yes/No
McDonald’s adds a Japanese daifuku pie to its menu for a limited time https://t.co/FHEq2IkoRs via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 18, 2023

The post March 18, 2023: Hey, what happened to all the donuts?! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

I woke up this morning to a DM from my friend, Dr. Blackjack, a message time-stamped 9.42 p.m. last night: “Blog entry today!”.  Indeed, it had completely slipped my mind.  And, I suppose, I could have just skipped the March 16th blog entry, but in the interest of preserving my blogging streak, I uploaded a very late Thursday entry at around 7:30 a.m. on Friday…though, to be fair, I’m sure it was Thursday somewhere.  Maybe Mars?  I don’t know.

Anyway, I woke up this morning with a fabulous idea for a horror movie.  I pitched the first act to Akemi and she loved it.  Now, all I have to do is come up with two more acts, an awesome ending, and write the script – but not before finishing up work on these various other projects including the overview for that android-themed murder mystery.

First it was Roald Dahl, then it was James Bond, and now they're making changes to R.L. Stine books.
Not a fan of these new titles. #RLStine #Goosebumps

'Goosebumps' author R.L. Stine says publisher made 'woke' edits behind his back https://t.co/mlWnOWyngt via @nypost pic.twitter.com/V1VOSsJnJB

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 17, 2023

Also in this vein, in case you missed it…

These are by far the most egregious changes made to #RoaldDahl's work pic.twitter.com/uVWvhAvZyV

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) February 19, 2023

"We’re refreshing Bond for a progressive new audience" states Ian Fleming Publications Senior Editor Adora Swallowscock.#Bond #JamesBond
James Bond books rewritten to remove ‘offensive’ references https://t.co/OI3bWJ5KuT pic.twitter.com/cWpPuePbco

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) February 27, 2023

I’ve come to realize I’m cut out for neither in-person meetings nor zoom meetings…

Me learning that in-person meeting has been rescheduled to a zoom call vs. Me finding out that zoom call has been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/780jbAR3Y4

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 14, 2023

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I ordered chocolates from Akemi’s second favorite chocolatier, Jean-Paul Hevin (her favorite chocolatier, La Maison du Chocolat apparently doesn’t ship to Canada).  A month later, for White Day (Look it up!), I ordered from my favorite chocolatier, Patrick Roger –

Heavy on the pralines!

Akemi explaining the London Eye to me: "It's like a merry-go-round, but 3D!"

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 13, 2023

Today’s Yes/No…

Beer-Flavored Popsicles? Yes/No
Thanks(?) to @Thogar https://t.co/xOdetT5bwK

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 17, 2023

The post March 17, 2023: I Remembered to Blog! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family.

My thoughts: Any sequel (or prequel) is going to be hard-pressed to match the original’s deranged twist, but Orphan: First Kill does its unhinged best on its way to a deliriously frenzied finale.

4/5

Sea Fever (2019)

The crew of a West of Ireland trawler, marooned at sea, struggle for their lives against a growing parasite in their water supply.

My thoughts: The characters are a little shallow, the visual effects a little rough, the story a little too straightforward, but still a solid entry in the deep sea horror sub-genre.

3.5/5

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022)

When Mr. Harrigan dies, Craig, the teen who befriended him, puts his smart phone in his pocket before burial. When the lonely youth sends his dead friend a message, he is shocked to get a return text.

My thoughts: It feels like the movie isn’t really sure what to do with its intriguing premise, never fully embracing its supernatural underpinnings.

3/5

Blood (2022)

Jess, a separated mother and nurse, moves with her daughter and young son Owen back into her old farmhouse. Shortly after settling in, Owen is bitten by the dog, resulting in a mysterious infection from the bite.

My thoughts: Your enjoyment will hinge on your willingness to accept one enormously implausible decision on mom’s part. And I wasn’t buying.

3/5

Play Dead (2022)

After faking her own death to steal evidence from a morgue, a young woman discovers the coroner has been using the morgue as a front for a sick and twisted business. A scary game of cat and mouse ensues.

My thoughts: Preposterous and completely nonsensical.

1.5/5

The post March 16, 2023: Our Horror Marathon continues with five more fearsome films! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

A few that caught my eye this week…

Avengers Forever #15 – cover art by Alex Ross

Hulk #13 – cover art by Alex Ross

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #4 – cover art by Alex Ross

Scarlet Witch #2 – cover art by Alex Maleev

The X-Cellent #1 – cover art by Leonardo Romero

Black Cloak #3 – cover art by Mattia De lulis

Seven Sons – cover art by Jae Lee

Batgirls #16 – cover art by David Marquez

Danger Street #4 – cover art by Jorge Fornés

Superman: Lost #1 – cover art by Lee Weeks

Star Trek: Resurgence #5 – cover art by Josh Hood

So, which were YOUR favorites?

The post March 15, 2023: Amazing Covers! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Fallen…

Before work began on the show’s seventh season, I emailed Rob Cooper a notion I had of an angel cast down from heaven, stripped of his memories and left to start a new life on Earth.  Rob ended up taking the whole “stripped” thing literally – much to the delight of Michael’s fans.

Paul flagged an exchange at the script stage.  One off-worlder notes Teal’c’s presence with: “He is Jaffa.” to which O’Neill replies: “No, but he plays one on t.v.”.  Paul felt it broke the fourth wall but was ultimately overruled.  When the episode aired, many fans loved the exchange – while many others followed suit and waved their own red flags.

Following the scene in which O’Neill appeals to an amnesiac Daniel, DJ refer to Jack as “Jim”.  It’s a gag that Brad calls back to in SGA’s The Shrine.

Homecoming…

No concept art

Even though the Jonas Quinn character never found firm footing on the show, I was nevertheless sad to see him go.  Actor Corin Nemec was a good guy and we got along well so I wanted to make sure he got  a proper, respectful send-off that left the door open for a possible return.  And I think we accomplished that in Homecoming.  Corin returned later in the season seven to guest in an episode for which he received a story credit: Fallout.

Fragile Balance…

Actor Michael Welch delivers one of the show’s most impressive guest performances in the role of a young, cloned Jack O’Neill.  He captures (Rick as) Jack’s mannerisms and rhythms perfectly and so wowed us that, in the following months, we tried to spin several different stories that would have seen Young Jack make a return.  Unfortunately, none of these stories panned out.  I did end up running into Michael Welch at the that year’s Saturn Awards (Best Award Show Ever!).  He told me how much he’d enjoyed his experience on the show while I told him how much we’d enjoyed having him.  Interestingly enough, it was the same night I first met actor Ben Browder.  We discussed Farscape, scifi, and the possibility of him doing a guest spot on the show.  I ended up writing a part for him as a potential recurring character on Atlantis but a scheduling conflict prevented him from accepting the role – which, in the long run, was a good thing because it allowed him to accept the more substantial role of SG-1’s Cameron Mitchell two years later.

This episode also sees an appearance by the talented Theresa Lee, a friend and huge film and t.v. star in Hong Kong and China (where she recently headlined their version of Dancing With the Stars).  Whenever Theresa comes into town, we try to grab dim sum and rare is the occasion when she is not recognized by someone at a neighboring table.  The last time we grabbed a bite, I glanced up from my sticky rice purse to catch her on the restaurant’s t.v. screen, starring in some Hong Kong comedy.  Loved her in Big Bullet!

Orpheus…

Not to be confused with season 9’s Morpheus, Orpheus is another Peter DeLuise extravaganza.  You can always recognize Peter’s episode because they always contained one of three things: Unas, noble Jaffa, and/or explosions.

Loved Carter’s review of Signs in the gym scene.  Other movies I would have liked to see receive the onscreen review treatment: The Village, Lady in the Water, and The Happening.

Revisions…

This story started out as a pitch about a town living within a hermetically sealed bubble surrounded by a toxic atmosphere.  SG-1 happens upon the scene and discovers its inhabitants are hiding a terrible secret.  I hesitate to reveal the shocking conclusion I originally envisioned because the story we ended up with was so different that I’d love to repurpose it given some future opportunity.  Anyway, even though the episode ended up quite different from the way I’d originally envisioned it, I loved it nevertheless.  And I wasn’t the only one.  Then VFX Supervisor James Tichenor really enjoyed the script.  It’s a great SF standalone episode.  And the location we found for the town was perfect in its bizarre cross-cultural architectural weirdness.  It is, in reality, a former amusement park, Fantasy Gardens, with a fairly interesting history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_Gardens.  We would return here years later to shoot SGA’s Irresponsible.

Lifeboat…

An acting tour-de-force for Michael Shanks who delivers a multitude of terrific performances in an episode that sees him playing several different characters. Guest star James Park’s portrayal of the doomed Pharrin is also incredibly touching and the perfect compliment to Michael’s multi-layered turn.  Brad had the idea for this story back in season six but, since he’d constructed the story for Daniel who had since left this mortal coil, he’d shelved it indefinitely.  When Michael came back to the show the following year, however, Brad was able to dust it off and put it back in play.  It’s one of those self-contained pure SF stories, like Revisions (and the episodes Brad used to produce in his Outer Limits days), that always appealed to me in much the same way that I always preferred the stand-alone horror X-Files episodes over the arc-driven entries.

Enemy Mine…

Enemy Mine was the working title of this episode which, like Watergate before it, went from placeholder title to official title before anyone could do anything about it.  FYI, past placeholder titles that didn’t make it to official status include: Teal’c Interrupted, Turn of Events, Dark Gambit, Flowers for McKay, CSI: Atlantis, Ad Infinitum, Remember When, and Beckett Returns.

Writer/Director Peter DeLuise excelled at stories that, like this one, focused on the show’s rich mythology, building upon the races and characters established in previous episodes and developing them in interesting, often surprising, ways.

The post March 14, 2023: Stargate SG-1 season 7 concept art and episodic insights! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

The Exorcist III (1990)

A police lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased Gemini serial killer, leads him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.

My thoughts: At times lurid, at times ludicrous, at times annoyingly talky, and at times undeniably terrifying. The best of the sequels to the 1973 original.

3.5/5

The Strays (2023)

A Black woman’s meticulously-crafted life of privilege unravels when two strangers show up in her quaint suburban town.

My thoughts: Terrible people exact revenge on a terrible person. It sets up some very interesting emotional repercussions – that are never explored.

3/5

The Price We Pay (2022)

After a pawn shop robbery goes askew, two criminals take refuge at a remote farmhouse to try to let the heat die down, but find something much more menacing.

My thoughts: Director Ryûhei Kitamura revisits the same ground as his earlier No One Lives, but with more sympathetic characters – and an ending so ridiculously over-the-top you’d be forgiven for assuming it was parody.

3/5

Werewolf By Night (2022)

Follows a lycanthrope superhero who fights evil using the abilities given to him by a curse brought on by his bloodline.

My thoughts: A very enjoyable though somewhat insubstantial homage to classic Hammer Films.

3.5/5

Bed Rest (2022)

A pregnant woman on bed rest begins to wonder if her house is haunted or it’s all in her head.

My thoughts: All too familiar scares delivered in uninspired fashion enroute to an overly melodramatic ending.

2.5/5

The post March 13, 2023: Not done yet! The Horror Marathon continues with five more scary movie reviews! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Flower fun!

Okay.  Now a goofy one!

Excitedly showing off her new toy.

Brace for impact!  Running through her earthquake-preparedness drill.

Coffee…

And a snack.

When you post a picture and then realize your should have checked your nose first.

Hey!  Heeeey!  Pay attention to meee!

Goofing around.

The post March 12, 2023: Suji Sunday! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

1. Blog Entries

Not always but, every so often, when it’s late and I’ve realized I’ve forgotten to blog, the pressure is on to keep my daily 15+ year blogging streak intact.  The pressure!

1. The First Draft of a Script

Getting started is the most daunting part but, once you get going, and provided you’re backed by a bulletproof outline, you can get into a groove.  And it can actually be a lot fun.

1. Production Rewrites

This actor won’t be available for this scene.  This location will have to be switched.  We need to lose a page a half.  It can be challenging but, like figuring out a puzzle, it can be quite satisfied as well.

1. The Script Polish

By this point, the changes are (hopefully) minor, so the process is relatively painless.

1. The Script Outline

A little foreboding off the top and it does require creative leg work to flesh out those scenes, but like the first draft it can be fun if you get into a rythmn.

1. The Beat Sheet

Can be like pulling teeth.  But once you get started, it’s not so bad.  Unless you hit a patch that has you spinning your creative wheels.

1. The Follow-Up Query Email

“Hey, hope you’re well.  Don’t mean to be a bother, but it’s been six weeks since I sent you the script.  Just wondering if you’re still alive.”

1. The Pitch

Make it thorough, professional, yet conversational.  Then forget half of what you wrote on the day of the actual pitch.

1. The Pitch Deck

You’re basically writing a sales document.

1 – The Second Draft

Your script is the Jenga and the notes are all the blocks at the bottom you have to rearrange.

The post The Top 10 Things I Hate to Write! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

Another 100 horror movies; another Top 10 list…

My #Horror Marathon Top 10 (Part 2)
9. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) – USA
A father and son, both coroners, are pulled into a complex mystery while attempting to identify the body of a young woman, who was apparently harboring dark secrets. pic.twitter.com/ZGGSZgaVfj

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 9, 2023

My #Horror Marathon Top 10 (Part 2)
7. The Belko Experiment (2016) – USA
80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company's intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed pic.twitter.com/7FnHrYnsm7

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 9, 2023

My #Horror Marathon Top 10 (Part 2)
5. Orphan (2009) – USA
A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she appears. pic.twitter.com/O70sqllvm0

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 9, 2023

My #Horror Marathon Top 10 (Part 2)
3. The Platform (2019) – Spain
A vertical prison with one cell per level. Two people per cell. Only one food platform and two minutes per day to feed. An endless nightmare trapped in The Hole. pic.twitter.com/MhQvoXdaBZ

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 9, 2023

My #Horror Marathon Top 10 (Part 2)
1. The Menu (2022) – USA
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. pic.twitter.com/k8VLXlgzMU

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 9, 2023

And in case you missed by first Top 10 list based on my initial 100 horror movies watched…

My Horror Marathon Top 10 Movies!

The post March 10, 2023: My Horror Marathon Top 10, Part 2! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

#UnusualDeaths
When Charles II of Navarre fell ill in 1387, he was prescribed a "body wrap" of bedsheets soaked in spirits. After sewing him in for the night, his maid used a candle flame to sever the thread – accidentally igniting the bedsheets and the cocooned king. pic.twitter.com/U3gCNO6q5o

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 1, 2023

#UnusualDeaths – The London Beer Flood
On October 17, 1841, an accident at the Horseshoe Brewery released a 15 foot wave of porter into St. Giles Rookery, killing 8 (not including those rumored to have died of alcohol poisoning trying to make the best of a bad situation). pic.twitter.com/i3GQZaygg5

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 2, 2023

#UnusualDeaths – The Molasses Flood
On January 15, 1919, a storage tank explosion sent 2.3 million gallons of molasses weighing 13 000 tons sweeping through Boston at a speed of 35 mph, covering the North End neighborhood with its sticky deliciousness. And killing 21 people pic.twitter.com/oW3498oPP2

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 3, 2023

#UnusualDeaths – Knocked on the Noggin Edition
334 BC – The Greek comic poet Antiphanes, killed by a pear.
June 6, 1217 – Henry 1 of Castile, killed by a floor tile.
March 20, 1751 – Frederick Prince of Wales, killed by a cricket ball. pic.twitter.com/fKJMLJCQJi

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 4, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On November 17, 375 AD, Roman Emperor Valentian I was so outraged by the attitude of some visiting foreign envoys that he yelled at them with such intense fury that he suffered a stroke and dropped dead on the spot. pic.twitter.com/PavV2yLe8z

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 6, 2023

#UnusualDeaths – Mind Your Head edition
On August 5, 882, Louis III of France hit his head on a doorway and died while chasing a girl into her father's home.
On April 7, 1498, Charles VIII of France hit his head on a doorway and died while rushing out to catch a tennis match. pic.twitter.com/eVh6Z6TJeX

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 6, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On October 13, 1601, while attending a banquet in Prague, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe refused to leave the table and relieve himself because he considered it rude. Eleven days later, he died of a burst bladder. pic.twitter.com/ie4vLKOPMG

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 7, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
François Vatel was the maître d'hôtel in charge of a lavish banquet for over 2000 diners in honor of Louis XIV on April 24, 1671. Upon learning that a seafood delivery would not be arriving in time for the meal, a distraught Vatel ran himself thru with a sword. pic.twitter.com/hvVWKBLbM8

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 8, 2023

#UnusualDeaths
On November 6, 1816, Gouverneur Morris died from an infection and internal injuries suffered after using a piece of whale bone as a catheter to clear a blockage in his urinary tract. pic.twitter.com/DqmXULlwdx

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) March 9, 2023

The post March 9, 2023: More Unusual Deaths! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

A few that caught my eye this week…

Silver Surfer: Ghost Light #2 – cover art by Alex Maleev

X-23: Deadly Regenesis #1 – cover art by Aka

X-Men #20 – cover art by Alex Ross

Avengers #66 – cover art by Alex Ross

Black Panther #15 – cover art by German Peralta

Fantastic Four #5 – cover art by Alex Ross

Dejah Thoris #1 – cover art by Rebeca Puebla

Dejah Thoris #1 – cover art by Jung-Geun Yoon

Unbreakable Red Sonja #4 – cover art by Lucio Parrillo

Batman #133 – cover art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

Batman & The Joker: Deadly Duo #5 – cover art Whilce Portacio

Gotham City: Year One #6 – cover art by Jorge Molina

Poison Ivy #10 – cover art by Jenny Frison

Poison Ivy #10 – cover art by Joshua Middleton

The Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1 – cover art by Rafael Sarmento

The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #6 – cover art by Kendrick Kunkka Lim

Black Tape #2 – cover art by Dan Panosian

Gretel: Seeds of Despair – cover art by Josh Burns

Gretel: Seeds of Despair – cover art by Lobos

Judge Dredd: Regicide – cover art by Andy Clarke

So, which were YOUR favorites?

The post March 8, 2023: Amazing Covers! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.