All posts by Kev Brock

I'm a musician, singer/songwriter, blogger, writer, poet, bodybuilder, movie lover, music lover, video gamer, history/political buff, conservative/republican, etc. I like to do a lot of things.
movies

Thought: 5 Favorite scenes from “The Dark Knight” MAJOR SPOILERS!!!!…

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Just got back from the 2nd viewing of “The Dark Knight” in theater, and I still think it’s the best film all year long. Here are my 5 favorite scenes from the film in no particular order, spoiler warning of course, so if you haven’t seen the movie yet, do not read this blog entry…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

************************************SPOILER WARNING**********************************************

  • The opening bank robbery sequence, intro to the Joker. This is when the Joker first shows in the film. The opening bank robbery sequence had me at the edge of my seat.
  • The SWAT police van chase…this is the scene where the Joker is going after Harvey Dent who is in the back of the SWAT police van. Batman tries to chase after them to try and rescue and save Harvey’s life. Amazing camera work during sequence and the pacing of this scene is just spellbinding.
  • Batman confronts the Joker in the police station after the Joker’s been arrested and been taking into custody. This is a pretty moving scene.
  • After Harvey Dent been turned into “Two Face”, he goes around trying to kill people for revenge at the people responsible for trying to kill him and killed his girlfriend Rachael. Batman comes and tries to talk Harvey out of it. Chris Nolan does a great job at getting the audience thinking that Harvey was going to really kill Commissioner Gordon’s family, but of course, Batman to the rescue.
  • The Joker threatens to make plans by sending out two large ferries, one which holds prisoners and the other holds innocent civilians. This is just the Joker’s way of trying to get Batman to reveal himself and turn himself in, Joker orders the people on one of the boats to destroy the other one, if they refuse, Joker will destroy both of them himself by midnight. Nothing happened that night because Batman came to the rescue once again and messed up the Joker’s plans.

While the Joker does indeed survive at the end of the movie, looks like Nolan is saving the Joker for another film so the Joker can team up with other Batman villains. Who should the next Batman villain be in the third one if Nolan does one? It’s probably gonna be the Catwoman because she was also one of the earlier Batman villains after the Joker.

 

 

*****************************************END SPOILER*********************************************

 

There you have it. Feel free to discuss, like I said don’t read this entry if you haven’t seen the film yet and don’t even read the comments if people are replying because they could possibly be talking about the film too.

Kev

movies

Report: Christopher Nolan, the next Steven Spielberg?

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Wow, what a rollercoaster ride for Christopher Nolan’s film directing career. He’s only made several films in his life and every one of them were a successful hit. His most successful is obviously “The Dark Knight” which beat “Spider-man 3” in box office world records.

Read this interesting article about his life and film making career:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i1da5db18eb0203bb47d5118dccdf3432

Chris Nolan had always been one of my favorite directors. I loved “Memento”, “Insomnia” and “The Prestige”.

I plan on seeing “The Dark Knight” again this afternoon on my day off of work. After I see the film again, soon I’ll post all my favorite scenes from the film with “spoiler warnings” of course. I want to discuss storylines and scenes with people who’ve seen it so when I make that blog entry I’ll put a spoiler on it. That blog will come later tonight after I see the film once more.

Kev

movies

Report: Djimon Hounsou to play Thulsa Doom for “Conan the Barbarian” remake…

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A Beninois actor Djimon Hounsou signs on with Dynamite Entertainment to star in and produce the “Conan The Barbarian” remake. Djimon is set to play the villain Thulsa Doom who is an immortal sorcerer. The character was previously played by James Earl Jones in the 1982 original version of the film.

No actor has been signed yet for Conan the leading character himself, but rumours have been going strong for years that WWE superstar Triple H may land that role.

Variety Reports:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989222.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

What do you think? You think Triple H would make a good Conan? He’s got Conan’s look definitely but acting wise, I think he should keep that in the wrestling ring.

Kev

WWE news

Report: Vicky Guerrero got cheered at last night’s “Great American Bash” ppv…

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So I watched last night’s WWE “Great American Bash” ppv. I really didn’t like the ppv that much. There were only two great matches last night which were “Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho” and “JBL vs. John Cena – Parking Lot Brawl”. The rest of the matches were pretty much a sleeper because the matches weren’t won cleanly, too many interferences at last night’s PPV.

But one thing that surprised the hell out of me about last night’s PPV, was that Vicky Guerrero got a huge standing ovation cheer, when she came running out during the “Triple H vs. Edge” match to save Triple H from losing the WWE Title. Vicky Guerrero was the most hated superstar in the WWE and now she is all of a sudden loved by fans?

So is Vicky on her way in becoming a babyface instead of a heel performer? It sure looks that way. The writers probably want to turn her face as in honor of the late Eddie Guerrero. The fans want to like her for Eddie Guerrero, not for her stupid relationship storyline with Edge.

Now I can see Vicky trying to help Triple H keep the title on Smackdown to stop Edge from getting it. Storywise Edge cheated on Vicky during their marriage storyline, so for that, Vicky will stop Edge from getting more title matches. Maybe she will rehire the Undertaker back as well, so Triple H can have more matches with Undertaker.

Now that the Edge and Vicky Guerrero relationship storyline will soon come to an end…finally, I will start watching Smackdown again.

Kev

TV

Report: Friday Night Lights Season 3 – what will happen in New Season? (possible spoilers)

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In this article in AusielloFiles gives all kinds of surprising things that could happen in Season 3 for “Friday Night Lights”. Possible spoilers below, I’ll scroll down a little with a little spoiler warning….

 

 

 

 

*************Friday Night Lights Season3, possible spoilers of what will happen******************

  • Dillon high school students: Tim, Matt, Tyra and Lyla are all seniors in Season 3
  • When the new season starts, 8 months has already past since Season 2
  • Tyra dumps Landry Clarke again, and now is in a romantic relationship with Tim Riggins
  • Matt and Julie buries the hatchet, just remain friends, not lovers
  • Tami Taylor the mother of Julie and wife of Coach Eric Taylor, Tami becomes the new principal of Dillon High School
  • Since we didn’t see much of Matt and Landry friendship in Season 2, we’re going to see Matt and Landry reunite and stay friends throughout most of Season 3
  • Smash Williams and Jason Street will leave the show early in Season 3 since the actors who plays them are leaving the show in real life

*******************************************END SPOILERS************************************************

 

From this article here:

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/07/major-friday-ni.html

Season 3 sounds great! Can’t wait for it!

Kev

movies

Thought: Why Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher screwed Batman…

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You honestly like the Jack Nicholson “Joker” from the first Batman 1989 film starring Michael Keaton? Here are some reasons I hate that film so much. How Tim Burton is responsible for fucking the Batman franchise and came this close to ruining it.

First off, lets start off with the Joker played by Jack Nicholson himself. Ok, The Joker is NOT supposed to reveal his identity. He is not supposed to be revealed without the makeup and his real name is not supposed to be revealed. That was the number one rule with DC Comics. The Joker is not supposed to be revealed. But what does Tim Burton do? Right when the movie “Batman” starts off, it explains how the Joker turns into who he is, they first show the Joker as Jack without the makeup and his real name is Jack Napier in the film. Plus, the Nicholson Joker is fat and old when the actual Joker is supposed to be young.

Cesar Romero who played the Joker from the original TV series, the Joker’s real identity was never revealed once. No matter how amazing of an actor Jack Nicholson played his version of the Joker, his version sucks so bad because of the revealing of his identity.

Thankfully, Christopher Nolan stuck by the Joker’s rules by not revealing the Joker’s real identity in “The Dark Knight”.

The earlier Batman films from “Batman” (1989), “Batman: Returns”, “Batman: Forever” and “Batman and Robin” were such garbage, they never stayed true to the original comics. The film makers of those films just threw their own creation into them.

Christopher Nolan however, did not do that. Nolan did his homework by reading the Dark Knight comics, doing careful research on the characters so he can stay true to the Batman franchise. In “Batman: Begins” Christopher Nolan’s first film before “The Dark Knight”, if you know Batman’s history, you can very well believe Nolan stayed true to the original story. Batman witnessed his parents death as a child in a street robbery, this is what lead Bruce Wayne to become a crime fighting superhero to be trained as Batman, the Scarecrow was the first Batman villain in the comics, that is why Nolan had to start off with the Scarecrow in “Batman: Begins”, the Joker was the second villain.

Tim Burton screwed the Batman movies hard. And so did Joel Schumacher who did the other two “Batman: Forever” and “Batman and Robin”, they were also shitty movies that never stayed true to the comics.

This is why I respect Christopher Nolan so much. He probably saw the earlier films and said the same thing, “What the fuck? Why are Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher making shitty Batman flicks that are not true to the comics? It is time for me to get to work before they ruin it even more…”

So that’s what Nolan did, he went right to work asap on the Batman flicks before other film makers continue to ruin the series. Nolan saved the Batman franchise big time and if I ever meet the man in person, I would thank him so much for that!

Oh yeah, and for those who didn’t know this, “The Dark Knight” was adapted from “Batman: The Long Halloween” graphic novel by Jeph Loeb.

Kev

music

Report: Billy Joel rocks Shea Stadium for final and last gigs in his career…

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As of Wednesday July 16th, Billy Joel played one of the last two concerts at Shea Stadiumi in New York City. I believe Billy played at Shea stadium again last night on Friday. Yep, Billy Joel is retiring from music for good. Which kind of sucks because he’s been one of my favorites for a long time and I’ve admired Billy Joel for years. I’ve been hoping he would go back into the studio for a new album with new songs but I don’t see that happening anytime soon, because look like he’s done. The picture above is him performing at Shea Stadium.

Billy Joel played cover songs at the concert too, along with special surprise guests he collaborated with on stage. Special guests were John Mellencamp, John Mayer, Tony Bennett and Don Henley.

Billy Joel’s set list at Shea Stadium July 16th 2008:

Star Spangled Banner
Miami 2017
Prelude/Angry Young Man
My Life
Everybody Loves You Now
The Entertainer
Zanzibar
Allentown
Ballad of Billy the Kid
New York State of Mind w/ Tony Bennett
Big Man on Mulberry Street
Root Beer Rag
Movin Out
Goodnight Saigon
Don’t Ask Me Why
This is the Time with John Mayer
Keeping the Faith
Downeaster “Alexa”
Innocent Man with “Stand By Me” intro
Boys of Summer with Don Henley
She’s Always a Woman
Captain Jack
Lullabye
River of Dreams/”Hard Days Night”
Pink Houses with John Mellencamp
We Didn’t Start the Fire
Still Rock and Roll
You May Be Right
Please Please Me

Encore:
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
Only the Good Die Young
She Loves You
Piano Man
Souvenir

The second Shea Stadium show, the set was a little different with different special guests collaborations, Special guests in the second show were Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Sir Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Roger Daltrey, and Tony Bennett.

Billy’s setlist for July 18th at Shea Stadium:

Star Spangled Banner, Miami 2017, Prelude/Angry Young Man, My Life, The Entertainer, Summer, Highland Falls, Zanzibar, Allentown, Ballad of Billy the Kid, New York State of Mind (with Tony Bennett), Root Beer Rag, Goodnight Saigon, Don’t Ask Me Why, Keeping The Faith, The Downeaster “Alexa”, This Night, Movin’ Out, Under The Boardwalk/An Innocent Man, Shameless (duet with Garth Brooks), She’s Always A Woman, Captain Jack, Lullabye, River of Dreams/A Hard Days Night, Walk This Way (with Steven Tyler), We Didn’t Start The Fire, It’s Still Rock ‘n Roll To Me, My Generation (with Roger Daltrey), You May Be Right

Encore: Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Only The Good Die Young,

Second Encore: I Saw Her Standing There (with Sir Paul McCartney), Piano Man, Let It Be (with Sir Paul McCartney)

———————

Hopefully both of these concerts gets released on CD and DVD in the future. I’m sure Billy would release them. It’s a shame he’s retiring. He’s a talented songwriter and still has it. That Shea Stadium show proved that he is still loved today.

Kev

movies

Film Review: The Dark Knight

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Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Chin Han, and Morgan Freeman

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

 

Just got back from a late night showing of “The Dark Knight”. The caped crusader is back again! Gotham city is being under attack by the Joker and his gang of criminals. The Joker is a psychotic murderous madman that sets jokes on people when he’s committing a crime. Batman must now fight against crime and evil against the Joker played by the great Heath Ledger.

As far as my thoughts on the film goes, as I already predicted before, yes I was right, this is the best film of the year. It is not only the best film of the year, it is also the best Batman movie ever made. Most people would rather have Jack Nicholson as the Joker better, but I disagree. To be honest, I never really cared for any of the earlier Batman flicks. As a huge Batman fan, the earlier Batman films never lived up to a true Dark Knight. Sorry but that’s the truth. This movie “The Dark Knight” is what a true Batman film is supposed to be. “The Dark Knight” film stayed true to the comics and it lived up to the comics. I never liked Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Nicholson is too damn old for the Joker when the Joker is really supposed to be a young man, not middle aged. The earlier actors that played Batman from Michael Keaton to Val Kilmer to George Clooney, wtf? They were horrible choices to play Batman. None of them stayed true to Bruce Wayne. Christian Bale did.

I’m not saying that “The Dark Knight” is amazing because Heath Ledger died, I’m saying “The Dark Knight” is an amazing film because that is the truth. The film is amazing. The entire movie was perfect. The acting, the story, the music score, the writing, etc. Just a perfect Batman movie, the way a Batman movie is supposed to be made.

As far as Heath Ledger as the Joker goes, if he was still alive today, people would still be blown away by his acting in the film. My jaw hung open everytime Heath as the Joker came on screen. It really was the most intense acting I’ve ever seen by a male actor. Heath better win an Oscar for that role, if the Oscars ignore this, would be travesty. I wasn’t sad when Heath came on screen because he died, I had a smile on my face since he was entertaining.

The action scenes in the film were absolutely breathtaking. The movie was actually unpredictable and you never knew what was going to happen next. I won’t say whether the Joker live or dies, you’ll have to see the movie yourself to find out. I wasn’t bored, the movie didn’t make me fall asleep. Excellent job Christopher Nolan. Thanks for finally making a true Batman film, the way a Batman movie is supposed to be made!

Score for “The Dark Knight” = **** (4 Stars as in excellent)

Kev

movies

Cool Video: “Twilight” is another anticipated film of 2008!

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Well, I guess I can add the film “Twilight” to my most anticipated films of 2008 lists. I’ve been paying close attention to this new film. As some of you may already know, I am a huge fan of vampire stories. Well, “Twilight” is a vampire story. It’s a teenage romantic story about a young girl falling in love with a boy who is a vampire. Looks like a really good flick and I’m probably gonna go see this one when it comes out in theater too.

There haven’t been many vampire movies over the years, and it’s about damn time a new one came out! The film comes out December 12th.

Kev