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

“Legends of the Gaurdians” movie looks so amazing, can’t wait to see it!

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I’m not into animated films too much like a lot of people are. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not slamming animated films ’cause they are for kids, I know adults watch ’em too. It’s just that animated films is not my thing. Don’t know why. I only enjoy a few animated movies. A few of my favorite animated movies are: “Spirited Away”, Tim Burton’s “Coraline”, “Wall-E”, Disney’s “Pinnochio” and “The Secret of Nimh”. That’s about it, I believe. I never got into Toy Story or all them overrated Pixar flicks. “Wall-E” is a Pixar/Disney flick, but I think that’s the best one.

“Legends of the Gaurdians” is really interesting to me because there hasn’t been any animated movie about owls ever. I don’t think. Animated movies over the years, has done films based on almost all animals, but not owls. The story looks pretty intriguing to me, how the story is about good owls going to war against evil owls. I don’t think this movie was aimed for kids anyways. It looks like it was aimed for the adult audience.

I really can’t wait to see this movie and will probably see it on the day it comes out.

Kev

Health and Fitness

Accumeasure bodyfat calipers

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Today in Saratoga Springs, I picked up an Accumeasure bodyfat calliper that was pretty cheap. It’s a pretty popular device in the fitness world. Why? Because it’s cheap and it’s very accurate according to all the great reviews I’ve read about this device. So I finally picked up one from GNC today. I learned how to use it, and I’m pretty sure I’m about 13.7% bodyfat now. That’s pretty much in the “Ideal” range, so that’s good. It’s pretty close to becoming pretty “lean”. I don’t trust those electronic bodyfat machines at the gym. I want to do it my own way. With the accumeasure you only measure one spot and that’s all you need to determine your bodyfat. I can tell I’m getting lower in bodyfat ’cause my abs are becoming a little more visible. Eating right and doing plenty of cardio really pays off.

When you’re into fitness, you need a tape measure and a bodyfat calliper so you can tell how much muscle your gaining and how much fat you’re losing. Pretty important to do this stuff.

I’m pretty sure 13.7 % is correct, I tried measuring it more than enough times and everytime it came about that. I still need to go down though, my goal is to go about 9 or 10.

Kev

movies

Film Review: The Last Exorcism

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Starring: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr

Directed by: Daniel Stamn

At first, I was pretty skeptical of seeing, “The Last Exorcism”. I didn’t think it would be any good, ’cause I figured it would be another rip off of the “Blare Witch Project”. Since, I’m a big fan of horror flicks, and a big fan of the Exorcist movies, I decided to check this one out anyway. Other than seeing a movie, I did a little shopping for myself. I picked up “Mafia II” video game for the PS3 so I’m looking forward to playing that this weekend. I also picked up a few other things, that was about it. Anyways, on with my review:

Plot/Synopsis: This film tells a story about a priest named, Rev. Marcus (Patrick Fabian’s character), and he’s about to go on a mission to save this young girl’s life who is possessed by a demon. Rev. Marcus, announced this was going to be his Last Exorcism ’cause he doesn’t want to do it anymore, so he agrees to let this be filmed into a documentary. Rev. Marcus and his filming partner, Iris, goes to visit the Sweetzer family, where they live at a small farm house. Their 16 year old daughter, Nell Sweetzer (played by Ashley Bell) has been acting very strange, one day she’s very happy and the next day she’s all psycho and evil. Rev. Marcus’s only job is to help save Nell from this demon, so she can go back to her happy life with her family.

Again, I am seeing mixed opinions of this movie. It’s a love or hate type of thing. My thoughts? Well, I hated the “Blare Witch Project”, “Paranormal Activity” was pretty cool, and “Quarantine” was impressive, but I personally thought, “The Last Exorcism” was the best one of them all. It’s the perfect horror film. It didn’t need to be R rated. PG-13 is exactly what it needs. I thought the film kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the movie. The film actually made it more believable that people being possessed by demon’s could happen for real when everyone knows it’s fiction. Don’t get the wrong idea, that this is a sequel from the earlier Exorcist films. It’s not. This is a standalone movie. A spin off from the Exorcist films, so this film is completely original. I’m sure it was inspired by the first “Exorcist” movie, of course, but the writers of this movie wanted their own story.

It was a pretty unpredictable film. Yes, I was actually a little freaked at some scenes. I don’t want to spoil things but to give you an example, you see Nell kills animals. She’ll do all kinds of freaky things, like the part where she tries to have lesbian sex with Iris in front of Rev. Marcus. Things like that. Just a couple of hints. Nell is definitely no Regan that’s for sure. Regan did some pretty crazy and nasty things, yeah, but Nell is 10x’s worse.The thing about this movie is that the movie is not really about Nell being possessed. It seemed the movie was focusing more on Satanism and devil worship. That’s what the whole film was about really. You’ll know when you’ll see the film’s shocking and twisted ending. The ending was really nasty. I’m not going to talk about the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything. I think there is going to be a sequel of course, ’cause the movie seemed to end right there, not completing the full story.

I was very impressed with the movie. That’s what today’s horror should be all about. Low budget cameras, making it more believable and real. I thought the “Last Exorcism” was definitely one of the best new horror films, I’ve seen in a long time. The acting, writing, filming, etc. was all good. Maybe I’ll talk about the ending in a spoiler post later on if you dare to read.

Score for “The Last Exorcism” = **** (4 stars as in “Excellent”)

Kev

music

Cool Video: Dublin does not like Guns N’ Roses, Axl walks off stage again after being heckled!!

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Axl is no stranger to walking off stage in a middle of a song because something gets thrown at him. He’s been doing this for years. So this isn’t really news. Axl Rose can’t seem to get the hint that everyone hates Guns N’ Roses. They are has-beens and egomaniacs. No one cares for that band anymore. Even Dublin knows this is true. I wish Axl and Guns N’ Roses would call it quits. This is funny stuff here.

Kev

music

Report: Neil Young reveals details for his new album, “Le Noise”…

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Neil Young just revealed details of his new upcoming album, “Le Noise”. The album will NOT be full band rock. It will just be Neil alone in the studio himself. No backing band. All Neil will be playing is just his acoustic guitar and electric guitar. That’s it. There are also no overdubs. Neil got the album title, “Le Noise” because it was recorded in Daniel Lanois home studio in Los Angeles. Get the hint with “Le Noise” borrowing it from Daniel’s last name, Lanois. The album will have 8 songs and there will be a DVD with it showing Neil performing those songs live in the studio.

Click here, for the album’s track listing. Can’t wait!

Kev

Videogame news

Report: “Batman: Arkham City” screenshots of the game hits the web!!!

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Oh my! My jaw is hanging open as I see these amazing images from the new “Batman: Arkham City” game. There is one image above. See the rest here. Harley Quinn and Catwoman show cleavage! Two-Face? Fuck yeah! I have also read on the internet that this game will also have online multiplayer, which is even better!

Oh man, I can’t wait for this game!

I love “Arkham Asylum” the first one ’cause it is actually very challenging to play. Before getting to the main bosses, you have to fight many enemies (or henchmen) which can be a bitch to get by. Plus, there are missions in the game, where Batman has to go to a certain area and there are enemies all over the place. You have to hide and wait, if you get spotted by an enemy, you will get killed immediately. You have to plan your attack on the enemy at the right time. You must kill all enemies before leaving the area ’cause the game won’t let you leave until all enemies are dead which makes it harder. Sometimes the main bosses are very difficult too.

I’m sold to the game, “Arkham City”. Looks so amazing. I wish we don’t have to wait that long for it to come out. 😦

Kev

Crazy stuff

Cool Video: Iaz is asexual??? What???

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Since the Iaz is making this stuff publicly, I get to respond. Iaz, revealed to the public for the world to see that he claims to be “asexual”, which is supposed to mean that a person has no interest in sexual intercourse. Well, Mr. Iaz, well I did my homework and looked up what asexuality is as you suggest what people to do in your video. I think he’s totally misinformed and uneducated. I think he is really mistaken here that “asexual” means lacking of sex or functional sex organs. Asexual doesn’t really lineup with orientation if that’s what he’s trying to refer to.

I think the real word that he’s looking for, is that the Iaz might be “celibate”. A celibate is a person who has no interest in sex, “asexual” is a totally different thing and it’s way off.

For the record, I find that this dude is full of crap and just trying to get some attention online.

See this hilarious video here. Have a laugh.

Edit to add: Sorry readers, the Iaz seems to delete that video like he always seems to do when the public seems to get onto him about certain stuff when he posts it publicly. If you don’t want a public reaction to your personal thoughts then keep ’em offline. Other wise, you really are a coward if you can’t take a public response.

Kev

movies

Thought: About “Mission Impossible IV” getting the reboot instead of another sequel…

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Paramount Pictures announced the shocking news that the new “Mission Impossible” movie won’t actually be the fourth installment to the series, it’s starting all over again, aka a reboot. Jeremy Renner has been signed to star the lead. So that means Tom Cruise will be on as just a supporting role, so Tom won’t be in the movie all that much.

I know the reboot is getting a lot of hate by the fans. Fans would prefer a 4th sequel, but you know what, the Mission Impossible series deserves to start over again ’cause simply put, the first three weren’t that good.

I’m actually looking forward to the reboot and hope they make it a better movie next time around.

Kev

Health and Fitness, UFC

Why Randy Couture is my hero and inspiration…

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I respect Randy Couture, and I find him as my hero and inspiration for a lot of reasons. He is 47 years old, stays fit and stays athletic. This man is a real athlete. More real than any other athlete out there. Do you know any other men in their 40’s and 50’s or older that can be as athletic as him? NO! There are bodybuilders and fitness people in their 50’s and older, but all they do is lift weights. Randy does a hell of a lot more than that. He’s a fighter and does all kinds of physical things in his life. Things that other men couldn’t do. Randy stays on a very strict diet and he stays in shape all the time.

On his twitter page, he says he doesn’t bench at all ’cause he says it doesn’t help him win fights. Well it could be true because what he means by that, is benching could slow him down. He knows how brutal bench pressing can be. Bench pressing can ’cause you to lose your punching skills because benching uses a lot of arm work, that could be why.

I’d like to meet Randy in person someday, just to shake his hand and say thank you. That’s it. No autograph, no photo. Not to be star struck. Just to tell him what he does means a lot. Most boxers and UFC fighters retire at a young age, but not Randy. I mean think about it. I don’t see Randy retiring anytime soon. He’ll continue to fight in UFC for another several years or more. As long as he keeps winning fights, why not?

I look after him because I can see myself being like that when I turn 47, being able to stay in shape and do all kinds of physical things. Fitness will do that to you. When you don’t give up working out, it’ll help your future. If you don’t want to see yourself walking around with a walker or carrying an oxygen tank, then it’s best you start fitness NOW, so you can be in good physical shape when you’re 50 or older.

Randy is the best.

Kev

Local music

Brock defends the “Putnam Den” venue in Saratoga Springs!!!

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I’ve been seeing a lot of negative criticism about the local Saratoga Springs venue, “The Putnam Den” online. I’ve been seeing criticism through facebook and craigslist mostly. The place is getting criticized because it books mostly DJ’s more than live bands. This area likes to slam DJ’s because they don’t play an instrument and such. People also like to slam the venue’s crowd and audiences there, of how they don’t look like rock n’ roll people, the venue’s been accused of being whigger beat sampling, a hip hop homo hang, and they have been called of skater posers. I’ve also been seeing complaints about the bookings of bands at this place.

Honestly, I’ve never been there and I see no issues and no problems with the venue at all. Sure, DJ’s doesn’t play instruments and they don’t sing. Not having any musical talent. Really, what’s wrong with a DJ? A turntable scratch DJ we’re talking about here. Those turntable machines aren’t musical instruments? Of course they are. It is how a lot of rap music artists create their music, using turntables back in the 80’s. You can create musical sounds just by scratching on a turntable and creating musical beats. Being a turntable scratch DJ is not as easy as you all think it is. It does take a lot of skill and talent to be able to use the turntable good. I’ve seen how turntable DJ’s do it, and it doesn’t look easy. You have to switch vinyl’s really fast at the right place and at the right time, use all these buttons and scratch at the right time, etc. I don’t know how it’s done, but you can’t assume that turntable DJ’s don’t have any talent. It does take talent.

Besides, the Putnam Den books music in all genres. It even says it right there on their website. The show prices at the Den are cheap and sometimes even free, can’t say “no” to that right? So what’s the problem with the venue? I’ve seen videos of the Putnam Den in youtube and the place looks pretty cool inside for a rock band to play.

When I get my own band going, I will take my band there to play a gig. I’ll even check out their open mics sometime.

Support the music scene, don’t knock it. DJ’s deserve to have places to express their talent too and the Den feels they want to give DJ’s a place to play. There aren’t many places around here for DJ’s either. If you don’t like the venue and don’t like their type of crowd, you don’t have to go. Yes, the Den may have a weird and different crowd there, I might agree with that, but I find crowds in all different types to be interesting. Some people prefer to party with DJ’s and some prefer to party with bands. There is something for everybody.

The DJ scene is getting recognized in the Capital District area and it’s good for them. They deserve it. To those out there who knock on DJ’s, why don’t you try to take two turntables, play with vinyl’s, try doing some scratching and see how easy it is. I’ve tried it and it’s not easy. Takes SKILL. Gotta gives these guys respect.

Saratoga Springs is a good music scene. I know, since I’ve played mostly gigs there. I’ve played Caffe Lena many times. Played Kings Tavern many times. I’ve also played Backstreet Billiards in Saratoga. It’s a great little town. Love it there!

Kev