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, Politics/war

“Waiting for Superman” is one of the most powerful documentaries I’ve seen in a while, it’s a shame it got the Oscar snub…

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Yesterday afternoon, I finally saw the documentary, “Waiting for Superman”. As you all know, this is the most talked about documentary movie online. I saw this yesterday afternoon on DVD and I loved it. The film actually blew my mind. It was a very well made documentary all around. Great narration, interviews, filming, music, etc. It’s a film that exposes the truth on schools and education. It gets into detail on how schools are failing. It shows how bad teachers are making students fail, not graduate and all that stuff. It’s obviously a very political driven film. Of course, it showed all the Michelle Rhee stuff and how Bill Gates got into saving education.

This film brings back memories to my school days. I was an okay student. I ddin’t get straight A’s or 100’s, I did pretty good in most subjects. I was good at English and Science. Social Studies/history, I was okay in but still wasn’t my favorite subject in the world. The worst trouble I had in school was math. I’m not a big math person, was never really interested in it. After getting out of school a long time ago, it now makes me wish I was more motivated in math and makes me want to get good with numbers. Education and school is a very tough thing in life. This film proved that. It’s also a very sad film. I wish education can be better in the United States ’cause I think the education thing is broken myself.

This is a very inspiring and moving film. It’s a real shame that it didn’t get nominated for “Best Documentary” at the Oscars at all. It should. It’s a very important film that everyone needs to see and learn. Do yourself a favor, give this movie a rent or buy it, and be inspired. This movie will be helpful for your information on education and your children if you have any.

Kev

music

Report: The music industry, still upset over Arcade Fire’s big win at the Grammy’s…why?

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People in the music industry & fans are still upset that the Arcade Fire won big at the Grammy’s this year. My question is, why? The Arcade Fire deserves it. The long time hip hop music exec, Steve Stoute, slammed the Grammy’s for choosing the Arcade Fire to win, “Album of Year” and says Eminem, Kanye West or Justin Bieber deserves it more.

Read the full article, here.

Well, somebody sounds jealous. I don’t understand why the music industry and music fans are so upset that Arcade Fire won. Arcade Fire is a phenomenal band, I fucking love them! Their win was well deserved. The Arcade Fire didn’t get this over night, they accomplished a lot in their career.

This inspires a new videoblog that I will make this week. I will explain why Arcade Fire deserves it and defend the band on video. I should have the video up later this week. The video might have potential to have a lot of views, it might be controversial. So be on the lookout for that soon.

Kev

 

music

Today is Kurt Cobain’s 44th Birthday…

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Nirvana’s music means so much to me. I remember the day I heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on MTV, I went out and bought “Nevermind” right away. I was a teenager in high school back in those days. I played “Nevermind” to death, I never got tired of that album. I still have that same album in my CD collection today. Never got rid of it. Never let anybody borrowed it. I kept it to this day. I love Nirvana.

The question you have to ask is, would Nirvana still be around, if Kurt was alive? Nah, I don’t think so. They’re just like every other band, they would have split up anyway for other projects. If Kurt was still alive, I’m sure he would have moved on to a different musical genre.

I love all of Nirvana’s album, but “Nevermind” will always stand up to me the most. I can listen to that album 20 times a day, and I would never get tired of it.

Happy Birthday Kurt, and RIP. I’m pretty sure Dave and Krist, Courtney and Francis are celebrating your birthday while you smile up in heaven.

Kev

movies

Report: “Poltergeist 4” on the way? Instead of a remake?

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Variety wrote this interesting article. MGM have announced they are moving forward with 5 new projects. The reboots of “Robocop” and Michael Keaton’s “Mr. Mom”, they are also planning an “Idolmaker” remake, along with a “Hercules” film with Peter Berg producing. Most surprisingly, MGM announced a 4th “Poltergeist” film, instead of a remake.

See the full article, here, at Variety.

Well, I think a “Poltergeist 4” is a great idea. Remaking the series would suck, I prefer a fourth installment to keep the story going. You may ask, how are they going to make a “Poltergeist 4”, when Heather O’ Rourke, child star who played Carol Anne is dead in real life? They can keep the story going easily.

For example: They can reunite Craig T. Nelson and Jo Beth Williams as the Freelings, Carol Anne’s parents, where the film announced that Carol Anne the character dies, and Kane (the villain in the series) takes her spirit to the Other Side. The Freeling’s tries to get over Carol Anne’s death, but maybe Carol Anne’s spirit comes back from the Other Side to haunt her own parents. The ghost Carol Anne would not be evil in the film, however, she protects her family from evil. Maybe, the series main villain, Kane comes back to haunt the Freeling’s, Carol Anne the ghost tries to stop Kane.

This is not the plot for the next movie, I’m just giving an idea. To show you an example of how they can keep the story going. They would have flashbacks of Carol Anne from the earlier movies too.The character Carol Anne is still alive in the movies because in the 3rd she comes back from the Other Side at the very end.

The Poltergeist movies are my favorite horror films, love all 3 of them. I felt there is more to the story to be told after the 3rd one. Back then, they couldn’t make a 4th one because of Heather’s death obviously, maybe MGM decided the story can go on somehow. Heather died during the filming of the 3rd one, when they were almost done with the film.

If they get a replacement actress for Carol Anne, that would be wrong, so I don’t think MGM stupid enough to do that. They won’t. I think MGM wants to bring “Poltergeist” back because of the success with the “Paranormal Activity” films.

I think it would be great if Craig T. Nelson returns as Steve Freeling. Craig T. Nelson is still acting, he’s been doing the “Parenthood” TV series on NBC, so I think he’ll return to “Poltergeist” whenever he gets offered to return.

So yeah, bring on, “Poltergeist 4”. I’m interested in how they will continue the story. The story deserves a nice closing ’cause “Poltergeist III” did open for another film.

Kev

Random/off topic posts, Uncategorized

I’ll admit it, I’m not that great at guitar solos…

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…it is why I’ve decided to take some time to study up guitar again, to get good at guitar solos and play like my heroes. I can play all the techniques: hammer ons, pull offs, slides, string bending, vibratos, etc. I can do all that stuff fine. The only thing I’m not really good at yet, is improvising and having a  good ear. I’ve been practicing and learning ear training, and getting better. I’m also not good at making my lead guitar solos sound musical. You want to make your lead guitar solos sound musical. Not making your solos sounds like  your practicing scales. It’s all hard work to learn but getting the hang of this stuff.

A lot of musicians out there are afraid to admit that they suck, because a lot of them are delusional and their ego will get in their way, but not with me. I’ve always been honest about my talent. I’m not that great of a singer and guitar player, I just do it for fun because music is my passion. As you all can see, I am looking to improve both guitar & vocal. I’ll always be looking for ways to get better.

Kev

music

Thought: I still don’t hate Justin Bieber…

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There’s a lot of Justin Bieber hate all over the internet lately. It just shows that Bieber is king of entertainment. I don’t hate Justin Bieber. Why? I’m about to explain why I respect the kid. I wouldn’t buy his albums or see him in concert, but I like how he puts himself out there in the music industry.

He’s a controversial kid. Controversy is good. Controversy sells. I wish I was the huge internet sensation nationally like he did, if I got popular like he is now, everyone would probably hate me too. Why are people obsessed with Justin Bieber? Why do the tween girls love him? Why do the haters bash him so much?

These are mysterious questions that needs to be answered. I think I just figured it all out. It is not about his hair, it is not about his songs. It’s not that he’s a Canadian. He’s the most talked about singer on the internet because simply put, everyone wants more from him. Even if you hate him, people are always wondering what he’ll do next. Coming back for more. People just don’t want to admit that everyone is fascinated with Justin Bieber.That is why people talk about him, good or bad. People don’t want to admit that they like him.

Other than Miley Cyrus and the young Michael Jackson (Jackson 5 era), not many kids don’t get fame with music. I’m sure plenty of kids has gotten record deals in the major labels, yes of course, but none of them has ever gotten that huge like the young Michael Jackson did during the Jackson 5 era. Justin Bieber is the next young Michael Jackson in this generation.The Beatles were just kids when they first got a record deal, and they too got their share of tween fans and haters back in those days.

I have no problem with him. His music is not that bad, I actually dig Bieber’s songs. No joke. This is why Bieber keeps coming. This is why the media keeps shoving him in our faces because the more he’s talked about, the more entertainment he will bring. That’s why he did that acoustic album and that “Never Say Never” movie.

Learn the facts, 20 years from now, when Bieber is a full grown adult, I’m sure he’ll still do music and he will be considered a legend in the future. Like him or not. Bieber’s never going away anytime soon. 20 years from now,he will be in the same league as Michael Jackson, Prince, Elvis Presley, or Elton John. Maybe even more powerful than them.

With that being said, I think Bieber is cool. Keep doing your thing, kid. It’s a proven fact that he’s an inspiration and a role model for everyone.

Kev

music

Music I’ve became addicted to lately…

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I’ve been introduced to some new music artists & bands in the music industry, that I’ve became addicted to listening to. They are a few rock artists I’ve recently discovered.

The Black Keys – This is a band that only has two members, Dan Auerbach on guitar/vocals and Patrick Carney on the drums. I purchased two albums by them in Itunes, “Attack & Release” and “Brothers”. This is a very good band and they’ve become my new obsession. Great songwriters, tight, and really good guitar work, vocal harmony too. I love these guys. I would collect all their albums.

Arcade Fire – I also have all three of their albums in Itunes. “Funeral”, “Neon Bible” and “The Suburbs”. It is great rock n’ roll. All 3 albums are fantastic and looking forward to more music by them up ahead.

Ray Lamontagne – I’ve been seeing him perform on late night TV talk shows such as Fallon, Letterman, Leno, etc. I finally got his latest album, “God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”, and it just blew my mind. It’s a beautifully written album. This guy is a true talent in the music industry today.

This is some of the stuff I’ve been listening to on my Ipod lately, listening to this stuff while I work out at the Y. A lot of people like to listen to a single song on Ipods, like a radio or something. I’ve never listened to music like that. I’ve always listened to full albums. I don’t see how people can listen to just hit songs on an Ipod. Not me.

If you want to appreciate your love for music, you listen to the whole damn album.

Kev

Books, UFC

Report: Brock Lesnar autobiography to hit book stores, May 24th, titled, “Death Clutch”…

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Paul Heyman, exclusively revealed details on the upcoming new auobiography. Written by Brock Lesnar himself and co-written by Paul Heyman. In a book simply titled, “Death Clutch” set to hit stores, May 24th, later this Spring.

See the report, here.

Yes, I will probably end up buying it myself. Would be an interesting read. The book will probably be about his childhood all the way up to today. I’m sure he’ll have a lot to say about his childhood, his wrestling days, football days, UFC career, Sable & his family, his health, his love for hunting and fishing, etc. Sounds like he’s going to talk about everything about his life.

I don’t think he’s doing this book for the money. I think he’s doing it so people can understand him better. Maybe people won’t think he’s such a bad guy after reading this.

Kev

movies, Videogame news

Report: “Dead Island” video game to become a live action film…

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The controversial video game trailer, “Dead Island” which is a zombie apocalypse first person shooter video game and also a role playing game, hit the web last Thursday and the trailer already became a huge internet sensation. The game quickly became the most anticipated game for this year.

The trailer just hit the web a few days ago, and the game haven’t even came out yet, already, Sean Daniels and Union Entertainment are quickly gearing up for a live action movie adaptation for the big screen. The company’s already acquired the rights to the film years ago. There is no script and no director yet, they still need to get together talent packages and story lines to get a screen deal.

See the report here at, Deadline.

After the popularity of the Walking Dead TV series, prepare for more zombies in the entertainment business. That’s okay though. I’m more of a huge fan of zombies than vampires and werewolves. Zombies are my favorite monsters.

I saw the game trailer to “Dead Island” too, and I immediately became sold myself, so I will definitely pick up the game when it comes out later this year. The game looks like a blast to play.

Kev

Health and Fitness

The Smith Machine

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At the Greenwich Y, I’ve been using the Smith Machine for a variety of workouts lately. I love the Smith Machine. It is very easy and simple to use, plus it’s very safe.

I just love it how when you go to a gym, you see a bunch of guys doing regular benching without a spotter. I’ve been seeing that at the Y a lot lately. Guys benching without a spotter, when there is a Smith machine right there, not being used. I’m sure they know that they should be using the Smith Machine if they don’t have a spotter. The only reason they want to bench without a spotter is because they want to be show offs on how heavy they can lift.

I’ve been benching on the Smith Machine every week, now. It’s so much easier and safer. If you need to bench and don’t have a spotter, use the Smith Machine. People always think you need to bench heavy all the time. They claim it’s used to see how heavy you can lift.

Not with me. I’m about getting bigger pecs and in order to do that, you must mix it up, lift light or heavy. Take your time with the bench and not rush into lifting heavy, that’s what I’m about. The Smith Machine is great. That machine gets ignored a lot at the gym because most people prefer the regular benching because of their “show-off” attitude. I’ve never had the “show-off” attitude in the gym. I don’t go to the gym to be a tough guy in front of everyone else. I’m all about strict concentration and doing things for me. The Smith Machine and regular benching are both pretty much the same thing, except the only difference is, the Smith Machine is safer to use without a spotter.

I don’t have a workout partner yet, so I do the safe workouts that don’t require a spotter. If I needed a spotter for something, I would ask an employee at the gym to take a few minutes to spot me.

My pecs seems to be getting a little bigger and shaping up. I’m feeling it. I’ve been doing various other chest exercises chest days too like the cable crossovers, incline dumbbell press and the decline flies. I’ve cut down on the push ups to see what those workouts can do to me.

I’ll post new progress pics soon. I may not look like an underwear model yet, but I think I’m off to a great start. I’m just not rushing myself. I just want to get healthy and be happy, that’s what it should be all about.

Kev