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.

Thought: Indy movie series ranking…

Here’s how I would rank the Indiana Jones series in order of which one I think is best…

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indy and the Crystal Skull

Indy and the Temple of Doom

Indy and the Last Crusade

 

Yep, there, I said it. I think “The Crystal Skull” is definitely ten times better than “Temple of Doom” and “The Last Crusade”. “The Crystal Skull” ranks up there behind “Raiders”.

I’m reading a lot of reviews by fans in movie message boards about the film and lot of them are shitting on and giving hate for it for the CGI and the Science Fiction mixed in with the film.

In the films defense, I wanted to say that the CGI in the film is done for a reason. Spielberg had to make every scene in the film exactly like it is in the script. Most of the scenes in the film are hard, dangerous and risky to do in real life. Plus the sci fi scenes at the end of the movie couldn’t possibly be done with anything else, CGI had to be used.

I personally think Lucas and Spielberg did a great job with the CGI in the film. Movie fans hate CGI in movies because they make it feel like a cartoon but I disagree. NEWS FLASH, it’s just a damn movie people! STOP taking it so damn seriously and just enjoy the movie for what it is! You don’t have to view your opinion in every detail in almost every little thing that goes on in the film. I just enjoy the film for what it is. Who cares about the CGI computer effects. They do CGI in a lot of movies these days. The CGI was used to give it  a realistic sci fi feel. CGI wasn’t used in the first three Indy films because CGI wasn’t invented in those days, CGI for films didn’t come around ’til around the 90’s.

The reason for all the CGI in the film, I think Spielberg just wanted to make an Indy film to fit in today’s current movies, so it won’t feel like an Indy film in the past, if that makes sense. He didn’t want to bring Indy’s past into the now.

As for the sci fi mixed in with Indy that some people out there aren’t liking. In defense to that, I think Spielberg just wanted to make this a different Indy film. He wanted this one totally different than the earlier ones. Why would he want to make an Indy movie with basically the same story from “Raiders”? Spielberg just didn’t want an Indy film based on ancient history. He thought science fiction in an Indy film would be a great idea to make it an original story, and it is “original”. Something different and unique storytelling.

And besides don’t blame Lucas and Spielberg for the script. David Koepp is the writer for “Indy 4”. Not Lucas and Spielberg. David Koepp is the one that came up with the idea for bringing sci fi into “Indy 4”. If you look at Koepp’s writing resume, he did other films such as the first “Spiderman”, “Zathura” and he previously worked on “War of the Worlds” remake with Spielberg. Those films are loaded with CGI effects and a little sci fi in them.

As explained in the review below, I loved “Crystal Skull” so much that I plan on seeing it a few more times in the theater. It’s just as good as “Raiders”, in my opinion. I might go see it again today or tomorrow as a matter of fact.

Kev

 

Film Review: “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”…

Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Shia Labeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, and John Hurt.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

 

Tonight, I just got back from a late night showing from the mall back from seeing “Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.

The story and synopsis is basically Indiana Jones being kidnapped by the Russian military army which is lead by Irana Spalko (Cate Blanchett). The film is set 20 years after “The Last Crusade”, this means the Nazis disband when World War II was over with, so now Indy is fighting his life against the Russians. In the Area 51 Warehouse, Irana shows Indy a creature or alien where she wants Indy to find the object that leads into a crate into the warehouse. For some reason Irana is obsessed of finding this object called the Crystal Skull and she will not give up until she gets what she wants. Indy gets help with Mutt Williams, Marion Ravenwood and Oxley to stop the Russians from taking the skull. Indy tries to discover the secrets behind the skull for the rest of the film.

That’s all I’ll go about the story now, ’cause I don’t want to talk about the entire movie ’cause there are some surprising moments. That above is just a synopsis.

As far as my thoughts of the movie goes. It was a thrill ride. The film didn’t bore me one bit, I didn’t yawn at all or didn’t even fall asleep. “Indy and The Crystal Skull” is made what an Indiana Jones movie is supposed to be. I felt that “Indy 4” came close to being almost like “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. The action scenes in the film were absolutely breathtaking.

A lot of CGI was done in this movie, but hey, I didn’t mind it in this movie ’cause it’s pretty cool to see an Indy movie in this current time. In the early Indy movies didn’t use much computer effects. As far as the acting goes, I think the acting of Harrison Ford, Karen Allen and Cate Blanchett pretty much stoled the show. Harrison Ford still plays Indy like he always had. Karen Allen still played Marion like she was in “Raiders”, same attitude and same personality. Cate Blanchett, wow, what a great villain! I like the idea of a female lead villain ’cause male villains gets boring!

One thing that I love about Indy 4 is that it mixes history with science fiction. Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull is a science fiction movie, big time. You’ll know when you go see it. So for my thoughts on the movie? I thought it was AMAZING!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!!! I’m definitely gonna see it again! Seriously, I was totally impressed with the movie. Spielberg has a lot of science fiction experience like with E.T. and Close Encounters, and he mixed all that with Indy. Interesting!

Does the Ark Of Covenant make a return in the film? You’ll have to go and see it yourself. Because I’m not gonna say if it’s in the film or not. 🙂

Score for “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” = **** (4 Stars as in “Excellent”)

Kev

 

Report: “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins” official website launched!!!!

Warner Bros. studios just launched the official website to “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins”, not much on there for now, but all there is, it’s just a blog by the director of the film McG.

While McG has been getting a lot of negativity and hate of him directing a Terminator movie because he directed “Charlie’s Angels”, fans thinks he’s going to ruin the Terminator franchise, but after reading McG’s open letter to Terminator fans, I’m getting more interested in seeing the next one.

McG has been getting help from James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger on how to make a real Terminator film. So if McG is getting help from them, the movie will have a chance to be a real good one after all.

Also just because the film will be getting  PG-13 rating doesn’t mean the film is gonna bad either. The Terminator films will be successful no matter what ratings the film are in.

Remember the TV series “The Sarah Connor Chronicles”? That show is coming back for a 2nd season for a reason because the 1st season was such a hit that the 1st season hit big TV ratings. Arnold wasn’t in the “Sarah Connor Chronicles” TV show, so if that TV show can go on without Arnold and become hugely successful, so can the movie Terminator 4.

We all know T-4 will never top “T-2: Judgement Day” but T-4 will be fun and entertaining. I’m liking the idea of the next three Terminator films taking place in the future instead of our time. A futuristic Terminator film would rock.

As far as McG directing the “Charlie’s Angels” sequels, both of them films did have action scenes in them, so the guy does have experience in direction action scenes. With James Cameron and Arnold helping out McG in T-4, then this film will not dissapoint. I’m sure of it.

Check out the official website for T-4 here:

http://rss.warnerbros.com/terminatorsalvation/

Kev

 

Report: NY makes a mistake on our governor replacement, Patterson pardons rapper and psycho Slick Rick…

Our new NY governor David Patterson pardons rapper “Slick Rick” who has spent more than 5 years in prison for the attempted murder of two men in 1991. Slick Rick is a legendary hip hop pioneer that changed the rap music industry.

Patterson says that Slick Rick (real name: Ricky Walters) served enough of his sentence that he should be able to be let free so he can move on with his life and get his past behind him.

The Associated Press reports:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5glmvtuFwqKMKvIxsDJOSEWJk95tAD90ROQGO0

If Slick Rick goes in a murderous rampage again like he did before, impeach Mr. Patterson.

We always get one bad governor after the next.

Kev

 

Report: The Best Sequels in movie history…

So you think most sequels of movies suck? Not always. Sometimes really great sequels come around but very rarely a good movie sequel happens. In light of “Indy and the Crystal Skull” out now, YahooMovies compiled a list of what they think the Best Sequels in movies are:

Check ’em out here:

http://movies.yahoo.com/summer-movies/Indiana-Jones-Kingdom-of-the-Crystal-Skull/1808404510/photos/351/8867/#info

And to my surprise, I totally agree with this list, 100%. Excellent job Yahoo!

I’m especially surprised they put “Superman II”, “Rambo First Blood Part II”, “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Star Trek II” on there.

Sequels left off the list that I think that should have went on there: “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, the new “Rambo” (2008), “Oceans 13”, “007 Casino Royale”, and we all know that “The Dark Knight” with Heath Ledger as the Joker will soon be on the Best Sequels list even if the film isn’t out yet. Maybe JJ Abrams “Star Trek XI”, the new X-Files, and “007 – Quantum Of Solace” will soon get on there as well.

Kev

 

Report: Patrick Swayze makes first public appearance at the NBA basketball game…

Actor Patrick Swayze has been spotted at a Lakers/Spurs game today. Patrick decides to catch a break from cancer treatment to go out and have some fun for once. While there, Patrick runs into Idol judge Paula Abdul and greeted her with a hug.

TMZ has the photo here:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/05/24/swayze-meets-crazy/

From the photos I’ve seen of Patrick in TMZ above, he is looking good.

Other celebrities spotted there were Sylvester Stallone, Denzel Washington, Jack Nicholson and Victoria and David Beckham.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23752571-5012974,00.html

Kev

 

Thought: The media slamming the violence in GTA IV…

You know what I’m getting sick of? I’m getting sick and tired of the media knocking Grand Theft Auto IV for it’s controversial violence. How come the media attack GTA IV for violence when there are hundreds and hudreds of other video games that have full of violence in them? There are plenty of videogames out there that are ten times worse than the GTA series.

The first person shooting games such as Quake, Duke Nuken,  Unreal Tournament, and all that. The violence in those games are worse than the GTA. Violence in videogames have been going on for years, even way back in the old days when the Atari used to be around, there were violence in Atari games too.

I’m sick of Grand Theft Auto being knocked by the media. It’s just proof that people who are not videogamers know nothing about videogames. They just knock Grand Theft Auto just to get more ratings and more viewers for their news shows, end of story. Violence in games is nothing new.

Speaking of GTA IV, I finally completed that mission “Three Leaf Clover”. It’s definitely one of the most fun missions of the game so far. Killing cops and robbing banks! Hell yeah! Even though people can’t do that stuff in real life you can pretend to in the game which is the whole point, being a make believe criminal. I still got ways to go in the game though.

I’ll be seeing “Indy and the Crystal Skull” tonight hopefully. I’ll review it after I see the film.

Kev

 

Report: Terminator 4 begins filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Christian Bale signed to three more Terminator films, new Terminator girl signed, official plot finally revealed…

Lots of new Terminator 4 news over the week. Reports say that McG will begin filming “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins” in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Christian Bale signs on to 3 more Terminator films to be part of a new Terminator trilogy. Warner Bros. finally unleash the official Terminator 4 plot/synopsis.

Here’s the synopsis to “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins” here:

“In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.”

Reports also say that a new actress has been signed to play Kate Connor, taking over Claire Danes from “Terminator 3”. The new Kate Connor is Charlotte Gainsbourg.

From Ain’t It Cool:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36859

Doesn’t sound too bad.

I still think the PG-13 rating is dissapointing and it’s just a cover up to get more people to see it and because no Arnold in it.

I’ll still wait for a teaser trailer first in order to make my decision on whether to see this in theater or not.

Kev

 

Report: NBC renews daytime soap “Days Of Our Lives”…major announcement about the show coming soon!

Like sands through the hour glass… so are the days of our lives.

Rumours have been circulating for a long time now that NBC’s longest running daytime TV show “Days Our Lives” had just renewed it’s contract by NBC. No word on how much longer the show plans on still staying on the air but sources say it could last ’til about 2010 or 2011.

Expect a major announcement, and official press release that would be sure to get big national media coverage very soon. The longest running soap opera in history of TV has been on the air for over 40 years. The show first made it’s debut way back in 1965 starting off with the Horton family first, then as the year’s went along it went on with the Brady’s and the Roberts families.

The show currently stars Peter Reckell, Stephen Nichols, Drake Hogestyn, Bryan Datillo, James Scott, Jay Kenneth Johnson, Josh Taylor, Kristian Alfonso, Deidre Hall, and more.

The people in Salem won’t be getting off our TV screens anytime soon, so you DOOL fans have nothing to worry about.

More on it here:

http://community.tvguide.com/thread/Days-Lives/Discussion-Topics/Days-Renewed-Nbc/800040315

Sweet news! It would be sad if a veteran TV show gets axed this soon. While the show has low ratings, it still has a lot of fans. I’m one of them. I really am into mobster and crime stories and there’s a lot of that in this show. I just record it on my DVR during the day and just watch the show at night.

Looking forward for the official announcement. It’ll be big!

Kev

 

Report: The Hef wants Robert Downey Jr. for Hugh Hefner biopic film…

Hugh Hefner the owner of the Playboy empire has just seen “Iron Man” recently and The Hef loved the film too much, that he’d think Robert Downey Jr. would be perfect to play himself in the upcoming Hugh Hefner biopic film. Currently the title to the Hugh Hefner biopic is “Playboy” but I’m sure it will be changed to a better title down the road.

Hugh Hefner grew up in Chicago where he began as a cartoonist, then he moved to Califonia to launch Playboy after he came up with the idea for the magazine, of course, the business started off small which grew into a huge empire like it is now. The first celebrity to appear nude in the magazine was of course no one other than Marilyn Monroe for the first Playboy issue.

More on the story here:

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/zwecker/966161,CST-NWS-hef23.article

What a really good choice for Hugh Hefner! I always thought Robert Downey Jr. reminded me of a young Hef.

The question is, will the real Hugh Hefner play himself in the movie when the Hugh character in the film reaches his own age? That be quite a surprise if the film give Hugh himself an acting role.

Hugh Hefner deserves his own biopic. While he is a rich man who owns an empire, he seems like a very nice and down to earth man who doesn’t have any ego in him at all.

A man like Hugh who can stay alive this long deserves all the respect. Hugh Hefner is the man and always will be!

Kev