Yes! Following a two-year hiatus, the Toronto Garlic Festival made its triumphant return on Sunday. Akemi and I had been looking forward to it for months! The weather forecasts had called for a torrential downpour, but we only suffered a little rain on the day. I'm fascinated by the wide varieties of garlic available: Artichoke,…
September 25, 2022: Suji Sunday!
Suji hanging out with Totoro. After all the serious photos, Suji always likes to do a funny one. Zonked. Suji's workout...
September 24, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai!
Cowards who run away from battles or cancel beloved sci-fi shows could become the victims of Buruburu, spirits that will creep up on them and touch the back of their necks, causing them to shudder. The Wani are dragon-like aquatic creatures that live in underwater kingdoms, deep in the ocean's depths. Gifted shapeshifters, they occasionally…
September 23, 2022: The week-ender!
It's been almost three years since the last Garlic Fest so you can be damn sure that Akemi and I won't be missing this one. As usual, we'll be peaking up a dozen different varieties of fresh garlic, garlic chips, garlic powder, garlic sauces, and sampling the innumerable garlic-themed culinary offerings from garlic-brined peameal bacon…
September 22, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues!
75 films in and 3/4 through this Horror Marathon... Speak No Evil (2022) A Danish family visits a Dutch family they met on a holiday. What was supposed to be an idyllic weekend slowly starts unraveling as the Danes try to stay polite in the face of unpleasantness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA64pEONK50 Thoughts: A slow-burn gem that quietly…
September 21, 2022: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week... Fantastic Four #47 - cover art by Russell Dauterman Iron Cat #4 - cover art by Kei Zama Star Wars: Darth Vader #27 - cover art by Rahzzah 20th Century Men #2 - cover art by S. Morian Batman: One Bad Day - Two-Face #1 - cover…
September 20, 2022: The Tuesday Edition!
Cozy rice monkey (https://t.co/ADXDLOTV01) https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1572278790335922178 Riding in style... https://twitter.com/HistoryInPics/status/1553172220612001792 Finishing up a first draft of my new pilot tomorrow and casting it off into the cruel world, perhaps never to be seen or heard from again. Then, I start work on that android series pilot! Do love me my androids. Suji has been unusually cranky…
September 19, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai!
Pity the poor kitchen grater, dulled by years of improper storage, usage, and care, that transforms into a Yama Oroshi, resembling a porcupine with its blunted slicers adorning its head like a hat out of Philip Treacy's new fall collection. The yellow-bodied, big-headed Bake ichō no sei are the spirits of gingko trees that haunt,…
September 18, 2022: Suji Sunday!
Rosie the Wheeler. Nap position. Out and about. Puppuccino Daddy's girl.
September 17, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues!
Rare Exports (2010) In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwT3wtUCv9Y Thoughts: A good-looking production that isn't really an effective horror movie and yet, at the same time, isn't a very successful kids' movie either. All…
September 16, 2022: Akemi going bake-crazy!
Akemi made focaccia today: garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Delicious. She also made this ultra-dense, ultra bittersweet matcha cake with custard cream. Also delicious. Came across this marvelous concept art from SG-1's pilot episode, "Children of the Gods". How come we never saw more of the Jaffa bands jammin' to the oldies? Cartego Choo…
September 15, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai!
Kamaitachi are whirlwind-riding weasels that knock men (and only men) down, slashing their ankles with their sickle-like claws that injure yet, at the same time, temporarily anaesthetize the wounds. Beware the wind! The Nurikabe is an invisible yokai with a tendency to block roads. And there is no way around it, thus providing the perfect…
September 14, 2022: Amazing Covers!
A few that caught my eye this week... Batman Vs. Robin #1 - cover art by Joshua Middleton Harley Quinn: 30th Anniversary Special #1 - cover art by Adam Hughes Harley Quinn: 30th Anniversary Special #1 - cover art by Stjepan Sejic The Human Target Book 1 - cover art by Greg Smallwood Immortal Red…
September 13, 2022: Projects on deck!
A little over a year and a half ago, I was asked to put together a pitch for an I.P. I gave it some thought, put together three solid pitches, sent them away...and never heard back. Until six months later when I was asked to put send in some original pitches completely unconnected to the…
Septemer 12, 2022: The Horror Marathon continues with ghosts, zombies, and banana-curry pizza!
The Night House (2020) A widow begins to uncover her recently deceased husband's disturbing secrets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8WQGXkif_s Thoughts: Some pretty good jumps scares spice up this lethargically paced horror film that is, paradoxically both confusing and annoyingly expository. Great performance by Rebecca Hall, but the script is hampered by classic B-horror movie logic. 3/5 One Cut…