Well, I think I made the video a little better. I changed it to Widescreen format 16:9. Enjoy.
Kev
All posts by Kev Brock
Film Review: Act Of Valor
Directed by: Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh
Today, I saw the war action movie, “Act of Valor” and here is my review…
Plot/Synopsis: A group of active-duty Navy Seals, go on a mission to rescue a kidnapped CIA, agent. This film is based on real life events.
That’s it. That’s the plot of the movie, there’s really nothing much to it. The main characters, the Navy Seals, are nameless. This was a pretty interesting film. While the action scenes were pretty breathtaking, yes, they were a fuckin’ blast to watch! WOW! The only thing I didn’t like about the action scenes was that it was filmed as if you’re playing a first person shooter video game. It almost felt like I was watching, “Call of Duty: The Movie”. The film had pretty unique filming and cinematography. Most of the movie was action packed until toward the end, it got very sad and emotional.
I was also impressed with the sound effects. This movie is going to sound badass on your home stereo surround sound system. While the plot was kind of simple, the writers wanted to keep it mysterious. That’s why the Navy Seals didn’t get named. I believe that’s how it is in real life. When Navy Seals go on missions like that, they have to go anonymous.
This isn’t the best war movie out there. I’ve seen better, but “Act of Valor” was an entertaining film. I liked it. It wasn’t amazing or mind blowing. Nothing Oscar worthy, but it’s just a fun film, that’s all it is. There are no big name actors at all in this film. The movie is full of unknowns.
The thing with this movie is, it wasn’t made to entertain people I believe. This film was a tribute to the fallen. Honoring those Navy Seals killed in action. That’s the message the film is trying to get out.
It is a film worth checking out though. You should check it out yourself.
Score for “Act of Valor” = *** (“3 Stars” as in good)
Kev
Shopping at the mall…
So I said I was going to do some fun shopping at the mall today.
I picked up a few movies on DVD: “Hugo” (the new Martin Scorsese movie), “The Way” (The Martin Sheen movie, directed by Emilio) and “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (the Elizabeth Olsen starred film, I heard it was really good). I haven’t seen any of these movies, and looking forward to checking them out this weekend.
I also picked up two more “Walking Dead” books (5 & 6). I think there a total of 15 “Walking Dead” books in all, I’m trying to collect them all by buying two at a time. I’ll start reading the “Walking Dead” books soon, after I finish reading a different book I’m reading now.
I also ended up buying Adele’s album, “21”, just out of curiosity. Everyone’s talking about her, everyone loves her. I’ll admit it, I shouldn’t bash her when haven’t even heard the album, so I figure it would be cool to give her a listen, then I’ll give my thoughts. Maybe I’ll end up having a change of heart with her and end up liking that album? Who knows. It’s just that I’m tired of that “Rolling In the Deep Song”, maybe her music will grow on me. If I don’t like the album, I’ll just sell it at a used record shop or something.
I’m about to write up that, “Act of Valor”, movie right now.
Kev
RIP: Davy Jones 1945 – 2012
When I was a child, it was the Monkees that was one of the first that got me into music. I was obsessed with their TV show and would watch it all the time in the old days. Davy Jones has always been my favorite Monkee out of the 4. As a child, I would play their music all the time, and would sing their songs all the time. They were a childhood inspiration of mine, even though they were a fictional band for a TV show. I loved the Monkees as a kid and still do this day.
I believe it’s time for me to start learning a song by the Monkees for my next video tribute. What song should I do? I’m thinking of doing, “Daydream Believer”, the one that Davy sings.
RIP Davy. I’m totally bummed. 😦
Kev
This Day In Music: 2/29/12
– In 1968: The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’ won album of the year, best cover and best-engineered and recorded album at this years Grammy Awards.
– In 1972: On the last date of an Australian tour Led Zeppelin played at the Festival Hall in Brisbane.
– In 1977: Two members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were knocked unconscious after a scuffle broke out- between the band and members of the metropolitan police boxing team, who were holding a dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
– In 1980: The glasses that Buddy Holly had been wearing when he died were discovered in a police file in Mason, Iowa after being there for over 21 years.
– In 1988: Robert Plant released his fourth solo album, Now And Zen. The album peaked at No. 10 on the UK chart. The tracks Heaven Knows and Tall Cool One featured guitarist Jimmy Page.
– In 2000: Eric Clapton was banned from driving for six months after speeding at 45mph in a 30mph zone near his UK home in Surrey.
– In 2000: Sir Elton John stormed out of the opening of his new Broadway musical show, ‘Aida’, after 15 minutes complaining that his songs had been ruined.
– In 1992: Mr Big started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘To Be With You’, a No.3 hit in the UK.
– In 2008: Mike Smith, the lead singer of 1960s British group The Dave Clark Five, died from pneumonia at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, England at the age of 64. The Dave Clark Five had 19 UK Top 40 hits, including ‘Bits and Pieces’ and the number one single ‘Glad All Over’. The band, which broke up in the 1970s, sold more than 100 million records and recorded 23 albums.
Actually, I think I will see “The Artist” in theater after all…
When the film, “The Artist”, first came out, it first premiered at Cannes Festival. Then it made it’s way to theaters in the US in Feb. I don’t think it was shown in that many theaters then, now the film has won “Best Picture”, the film is playing everywhere this Friday. Yes, my local movie theater at the Wilton Mall will be getting, “The Artist” Friday. So I’m thinking of going to the mall again this weekend to see it.
I’m seeing “Act of Valor” today, I’m thinking of seeing, “The Artist” this weekend. The Oscars got me interested in, “The Artist”. Looks like a good film.
Kev
Report: “Horrible Bosses”, writers in negotiations to pen re-boot for “National Lampoon’s Vacation”, New Line in search of director…
The writers behind the film, “Horrible Bosses”, John Francis Daily and Jonathan Goldstein, are in negotiations with New Line studios to write the script for the, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” reboot. The next “Vacation” film, will focus on a full grown Rusty Griswold, taking his family on a vacation. Chevy Chase himself, have teased many times in interviews that there is a new “National Lampoon’s” movie in the works. Look like he isn’t lying after all!
The Hollywood Reporter, reports.
It would make a lot of sense if they can get Anthony Michael Hall, to reprise his role as Rusty. Anthony is a full grown adult now. I hope they can get Anthony. I also hope, Chevy will reprise his role as Clark in some way. Give Clark Griswold a small appearance, at least, ’cause I can’t see a Vacation movie without the great, Clark Griswold. I love the vacation movies. Especially the first one.
It would also be great if they bring back Bevery D’Angelo (Ellen), and Dana Barron (Audrey). Bring back the original cast!
The first Vacation movie by Harold Ramis, is one of my favorite comedy films of all time. Love the film too much, especially John Candy’s appearance at the end. Lets hope they do a good job with the re-boot.
Edit to add: Btw, the new film needs to open with it’s original theme song, Lyndsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road”. If that song is not in the film, it’s not a vacation movie!
Kev
About my youtube videos – part 2 – …
I just watched some of my videos in my youtube channel on my Ipad, and weird enough, most of my videos were pretty clear on the Ipad. It MUST be my end of the computer. I must have a piece of shit computer monitor, HA! I’m sure you all can see my videos clear enough on your end.
So my past videos are fine enough. I won’t bother re-doing them.
I still want to re-upload my Johnny Cash, “Hurt” cover. I still want to test out that 320×240 resolution to see what it does. I’ll re-upload my Cash “Hurt” cover later this weekend.
I’ll be going to the mall tomorrow to do some fun shopping and check out that “Act of Valor” movie.
Kev
About my youtube videos…
Have you ever noticed the videos on my youtube channel been kind of blurry and picture quality is not as good? It’s because I’ve been uploading them with the resolution of the Windows Media file being too big. I’ll admit it. I’m not an expert at video cameras.
I think the best resolution for youtube would be, 320×240. That’s what the site itself recommends.
All those 50 videos I made in the past, I always wondered why the video quality wasn’t picture perfect, and I think I just figured it out.
I think I’m going to redo that Johnny Cash “Hurt” cover and re-upload it to a better resolution so the picture can be more clear.
I’ve been filming videos for the past couple of years, and I wish I thought of this before. Oh well. No big deal. You can still see the videos fine and hear me fine.
While this kind of does piss me off a bit after doing all that work over the years, I would hate to delete all those videos and re-do ’em all again, ’cause it would take so much time. So I won’t bother. Oh well. It’s a lesson learned for future video releases though.
I’ll be sure to make the resolution lower from this point on. I’m a newbie at digital video cameras, a learning experience indeed.
Kev
This Day In Music: 2/28/12
Musician Birthdays: Brian Jones (Guitarist and founding member of the Rolling Stones, famous for the song, “Paint It Black” in which he played guitar on. Jones was found dead in a swimming pool on June 3rd, 1969)
– In 1964: The Yardbirds played at the Rhythm and Blues Festival at The Town Hall, Birmingham, England.
– In 1970: In an interview with the New Musical Express, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green talked about his plans to give all his money away. The following year Green confronted his accountant with a gun after he sent him an unwanted royalty check. The guitarist went to jail briefly before being transferred to an asylum and was committed to a mental hospital in 1973. He re- launched his career in the 90’s.
– In 1970: Led Zeppelin played a gig in Copenhagen as The Nobs after Eva Von Zeppelin a relative of the airship designer threatened to sue if the family name was used in Denmark.
– In 1970: Simon and Garfunkel started a six week run at the top of the US singles chart with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, also No.1 in the UK in March the same year.
– In 1972: George and Patti Harrison were injured in a car crash; Patti was unconscious for several days.
– In 1977: Ray Charles was attacked by a member of his audience who tried to strangle him with a rope.
– In 1984: Michael Jackson won a record seven Grammy awards including: Album of the year for ‘Thriller’; Record of the year and Best rock vocal performance for ‘Beat It’; Best pop vocal performance, Best R&B performance and Best R&B song for ‘Billie Jean’, and Best Recording For Children for E.T The Extra Terrestrial.
– In 1989: Bob Dylan recorded the first sessions for the Oh Mercy album at The Studio, New Orleans, Louisiana. What became Dylan’s 26th studio album, released by Columbia Records in September 1989 was produced by Daniel Lanois.
– In 1996: Grammy award winners included Alanis Morissette who won album of the year for ‘Jagged Little Pill’ best female rock vocal & best song for ‘You Oughta Know’, Nirvana’s ‘Unplugged won best alternative album and Coolio best rap performance with ‘Gangsta’s Paradise.’
– In 1997: Death Row Records boss Marion ‘Suge’ Knight was sentenced to nine years in prison for violating his probation for a 1995 assault conviction. Under US law, Knight would not be allowed to run Death Row Records while in prison.
– In 2008: Drummer Buddy Miles, who played with Jimi Hendrix in his last regular group, Band of Gypsys, died aged 60 at his home in Austin, Texas after struggling with a long-term illness. Born George Allen Miles in Omaha, Nebraska, Buddy’s nickname was a tribute to his idol, jazz drummer Buddy Rich. Rich also played with The Delfonics, The Ink Spots, Wilson Pickett, Electric Flag, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Muddy Waters and Barry White. In the 1980s, he achieved a certain amount of notoriety in the US as the vocalist on the celebrated claymation California Raisins commercials.
K'Brocking 
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