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.

It’ll take years for me to get a bigger chest, but I’m working on it…

It’s interesting on how some people react to my progress photos. When I post my progress photos publicly, I get laughed at and get made fun of by some. Some people tell me I need more work or worse, they even go as far as telling me I look like crap, they tell me to quit working out. People give positive comments to other progress pics, even if they are not in the greatest shape.

I’ve said it before, when you get into fitness, start posting your pics online, you’re gonna have to deal with a lot of critics. Be it, either negative or positive responses.

Of course, I’m gonna need more work on my chest muscles. I just started like a little over 3 years ago, of course, I’m not gonna get a big chest this soon. Getting a bigger chest takes years & years of hard work. I’m doing the best I can to improve my pecs doing all kinds of benching, dumbbell floor presses,  flies, cable cross overs, pushups, etc. My chest is slowly getting an improvement just a little bit. I feel them getting bigger just a little bit.

I would say by the next several years, my pecs would start to look like an actual bodybuilder. It takes a while, this don’t happen over night. People seem to not understand that yet.

I’m okay with getting made fun of and bashed on for my fitness physique. Negative feedback doesn’t bother me at all, ’cause it’s actually a great motivation tool to help me work hard even more. So the haters, can keep hating all they want to.

In the fitness world, everyone really does have weird and strange attitudes. Everyone wants to feel smart and tough because they work out in a gym. It’s even weirder getting feedback from other bodybuilders ’cause they’ll all be arguing who is right and who is wrong, who is stronger and who is not. Ego and jealousy gets in the way with everything, that’s all it is. Everybody wants to feel ripped and tough ’cause they lift weights.

As you’ve noticed, I never had that kind of attitude. Even though I’m not in the best of shape yet, I’m proud of myself for changing my lifestyle and getting healthy, that’s all that it should matter. Leave your ego out the door. People should be proud of me for that, and they just don’t want to admit it.

Kev

Report: Michael Jackson estate finally moving forward on making the biopic film about the King of Pop…

So the Michael Jackson estate executor, John Branca, has finally started to shop for producers and studios to help make the biopic film to the big screen about the late, King of Pop. Branca approached, Montecito Pictures, which is owned by Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock, to help finance and produce.

Read more on the story, here.

This is just the early stages and just moving forward. So there are no screenwriters, directors and no cast yet. I bet the director will be none other than Kenny Ortega who did, “This is It”.

As for who to cast Michael Jackson himself, they would need 5 different actors to play him because of his various transformations over the years on his image. They would need black actors to play the younger Jackson of course, but as for the full grown Jackson, any actor can play him. You know about Michael Jackson’s white skin due to his bad plastic surgery, any actor (including a white actor) can play that kind of Jackson.

I think I remember Johnny Depp, wanted to play Michael Jackson for the biopic, and I think that’s a perfect choice right there, in my opinion. Depp would make a good Jackson. They would probably get Jaden Smith for the child Jackson of the Jackson 5 era.

If they do a good job and make it right, I can see this movie being a very powerful drama. Will they do everything about Michael’s life in this movie? Will they even add the pedophile trial and the Conrad Murray stuff into the film? They probably will, wouldn’t surprise me.

As for who to play the young Jackson during the “Off the Wall” to the “Thriller” era, I’m not sure, but they would need a young black actor for that too. It’s gonna be difficult to cast Jackson for sure. I vote Forrest Whittaker or Laurence Fishburne for Conrad Murray.

Anyway, it’s gonna be a long while to see the Michael Jackson biopic arrive to the big screen. I see it being released in 2013 – 14. Glad they’re finally starting to do one. I’m looking forward to it!

Kev

 

Cool Video: So which version of “Snow White” live action do you prefer to see now?

Not too long ago, we’ve just seen the trailer for “Snow White and the Huntsman”, that stars Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. The film is directed by, Rupert Sanders.

Well here’s another new Snow White movie coming out, by a director named Tarsem Singh, his version is called, “Mirror, Mirror”, which stars Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, and Armie Hammer.

Which version do I think that looks better? Honestly, I think Tarsem Singh’s film, “Mirror, Mirror” looks better than, “The Huntsman”. “Mirror, Mirror” is getting a lot of negative reviews on this trailer. I think I’m figuring out why.

“The Huntsman”, is an action adventure popcorn flick with special effects, “Mirror, Mirror” is not. “Mirror, Mirror” is a different style. Tarsem Singh is an Indian, so of course, his version of the film will feel a little bit, Bollywood-ish. I think “Mirror, Mirror” is a stylish and unique looking film. It looks pretty similar to the original Disney story and faithful too. Plus, Julia Roberts looks enjoyable in this movie. Even though I don’t like Julia Roberts too much, I’ll admit, I had a smile on my face watching her in this trailer. Julia made me smile more than Charlize Theron did as the Evil Queen in “The Huntsman”. That’s why people are bashing, “Mirror, Mirror” because it’s a different film.

I will see both versions in theater, just to see the different take and vision. Plus, I enjoy the Snow White story. It’s my favorite out of all the Disney classics.

Watch both trailers and take your pick.

Kev

This Day In Music: 11/16/11

Here’s the “This Day In Music” for today. Enjoy.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Diana Krall (Canadian singer/songwriter, born in 1964)

– In 1962: The Beatles recorded their second appearance on Radio Luxembourg, for the program The Friday Spectacular. The Beatles were interviewed they played in front of a live audience. Both sides of their latest single, ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘P.S. I Love You’ were played.

– In 1968: The Jimi Hendrix Experience went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Electric Ladyland’. The double album included ‘Crosstown Traffic,’ ‘Voodoo Chile’ and ‘All Along the Watchtower’ and featured guest appearances by Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Al Kooper. Barry Ryan was at No.1 on the Disc & Echo UK singles chart with ‘Elosie’.

– In 1968: Led Zeppelin played their first ever show in the north of England when they appeared at Manchester College of Science & Technology.

– In 1974: John Lennon was at No.1 in the US singles chart with ‘Whatever Gets You Through The Night.’ Elton John played on the session and made a deal with Lennon that if the song reached No.1, Lennon would have to appear on stage live with Elton. Lennon kept his side of the deal and appeared live with Elton. They played three songs together: ‘I Saw Her Standing There,’ ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds’ and ‘Whatever Gets You Through the Night.’ Backstage after the concert, Lennon got back with Yoko Ono after a temporary split.

– In 1985: U2 launched their own record label ‘Mother Records.’

– In 2010: The Beatles’ back catalogue was finally made available on iTunes, after years of negotiations. For the first time consumers would now be able to purchase some of the Fab Four’s most popular songs via the store. Apple and record label EMI had been in talks for years about getting the catalogue online. Apple chief executive and Beatles fan Steve Jobs said it had “been a long and winding road to get here. We love the Beatles and are honoured and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes.”

Report: Is Sonic Youth all done???

Sonic Youth completed their tour, which their last show was in Brazil. Could it be their final gig for good? It definitely doesn’t look like Sonic Youth will be booking more shows ’cause Thurston Moore just booked himself a lengthy solo tour instead.

Check out his tour listings, here.

We should be expecting a major announcement from the band soon. Like Sonic Youth or not, they had quite a legacy with their career, and I think they deserve a Hall of Fame induction down the road.

Some of you may ask, why can’t they continue on without either Kim or Thurston? I explained before, without either of them in the band, it’s no longer Sonic Youth because they are Sonic Youth. If either Kim or Thurston quits, the band is done. These two were the leaders of Sonic Youth. Just my 2cents.

Kev

 

This Day In Music: 11/15/11

Here’s the “This Day In Music” for the Day.

Kev

Musician birthdays: Chad Kroeger (singer/guitarist for Nickelback, born in 1974)

– In 1959: Johnny and the Moondogs, (The Beatles) played in the final heat of the ‘TV Star Search’ competition at The Hippodrome Theatre, Manchester, England. Judging was done by the volume of applause each group received when it is called back onto stage at the end of the night. Since the Moondogs had no money to stay overnight in Manchester, they were forced to head back to Liverpool before they were called back onto stage.

– In 1964: Rolling Stone Brian Jones was admitted to Passavant Hospital in Chicago with a temperature of 105, causing Jones to miss the last few dates on the Stones current tour.

– In 1966: The Doors officially signed with Elektra Records in a deal for the band to produce seven albums. The band also reluctantly agreed to release ‘Break On Through’ as their first single. The lyric “She gets high/she gets high/she gets high” was changed to “She gets/she gets/she gets” in order to secure radio play.

– In 1969: Janis Joplin was arrested during a gig in Tampa, Florida, after badmouthing a policeman and using vulgar and indecent language. Joplin became upset after police moved into the hall forcing fans to move back to their seats. As the singer left the stage she confronted a detective calling him ‘a son of a bitch’ and told him she would kick his face in. She was released on $504 bail.

– In 1980: Blondie had their fifth UK No.1 single and third No.1 of this year with ‘The Tide Is High’ a song written by reggae star John Holt, also a No.1 in the US.

– In 1987: Dire Straits became the first act to sell over three million copies of an album in the UK. It contained five, top 40 singles: ‘Money for Nothing,’ ‘So Far Away,’ ‘Walk of Life,’ ‘Brothers in Arms’ and ‘Your Latest Trick.’

– In 1992: Ozzy Osbourne announced his retirement from touring after a gig in California, saying “Who wants to be touring at 46.”

– In 2007: Jay-Z went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘American Gangster’ his 10th No.1 album. This made the rapper joint second with Elvis Presley for the most No.1 albums on the chart; only the Beatles have had more, with 19. Since 1998, all eight of Jay-Z’s solo studio albums hade hit No. 1, in addition to his ‘Collision Course’ project with Linkin Park and his ‘Unfinished Business’ collaboration with R. Kelly.

Cool Video: Michael J. Fox shows he really does know how to play “Johnny B. Goode”…

Michael J. Fox is not letting his Parkinson’s disease getting in the way of something that he loves doing, and that is playing the guitar! Michael does his yearly Cure for Parkinsons benefit concerts in NYC, and here he is, the man himself, playing the guitar to the song, “Johnny B. Goode”. He may have played this song for the film, “Back to the Future”, but that was obviously acting. In this video, this is for real. He really does know how to play, “Johnny B. Goode”, and he even plays the guitar solo.

Whether you think this is a good performance or not, you still got to give Michael the kudos for the effort. You can see that he’s standing while playing guitar and that’s pretty ballsy when you got Parkinson’s. Even though it looks like he’s having a hard time standing, he played right through the whole song and he does look like he’s having a blast. It’s great to see Michael that he still plays guitar even though he is sick. Rock on, man!

Kev

Thought: I think Brad Pitt is crazy to retire at the young age of 50…

Brad Pitt is too young to retire from acting. Yes, 50 is young. In my opinion, he should keep going. Maybe not in leading roles, but he could just do supporting roles or cameos. He shouldn’t give up acting completely. He’s not one of my favorite actors but he is a good one who has made plenty of fantastic films. What are some my favorite Brad Pitt films?

Well here are ten of my favorites, in no particular order: Fight Club, Seven, Moneyball, Sleepers, Meet Joe Black, Inglorious Basterds, 12 Monkeys, The Devil’s Own, and the Oceans trilogy.

Hopefully Angie doesn’t retire along with him as well. It does seem like she’s going to retire soon. If you’ve noticed, Angie’s been staying away from leading roles in films more often and concentrating on directing more. I’m a fan of both of their films.

Kev

In defense of Los Angeles…

Over the years, there have been a lot of people that talk negative shit about Los Angeles. A lot of people accuse the city of being nothing but business & fame. Part of that maybe true, but there is more to L.A., then just business & fame. There’s so much history in Los Angeles that a lot of people don’t realize. All the tourist attractions and landmarks in LA., were something and special, in my opinion. L.A. is not just all about money, you can do things for free.

A few things I can think of that you can do for free in L.A. is to go to the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Park Observatory, you can go to the beaches or you can take a walk through the Hollywood Blvd.

People complain about the traffic and the overcrowding, but yeah, that’s what you’re going to get when you go to a major city like that. People that live in L.A. are used to everything.

I actually enjoyed the Los Angeles visit. If I can ever afford it, I would even move there myself if I wanted to. I could, but the thing is, I don’t plan to move out of state. I’ll always be a NY’er. I’ll never leave my hometown behind. Other people would like to see me move out of the area and move on to bigger things but Greenwich is my home and always will be. I like L.A. and Hollywood, I would certainly go there again sometime in the future. Maybe next Fall in 2012?

I’ll have the L.A./Hollywood footage up this weekend. I didn’t feel like messing with that editing video stuff and wanted to do other things. Been trying to finish the “Dead Island” video game and catching up with some reading. I’ve been reading the “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand.

Kev

Cool Video: “The Hunger Games” trailer finally arrives online…

“The Hunger Games” full trailer with footage from the film, finally arrives online today. I’m very impressed with it. The movie actually looks pretty good. Don’t compare this to “Twilight”, because this is something totally different as you can see. This franchise don’t really shove the teen romance down our faces. “The Hunger Games”, can get really violent and graphic at times. This is one film I’m looking forward to in 2012. It looks great, and I’m definitely seeing it in theater.

Enjoy.

Kev