Check out this awesome trailer for a new film in development. “Cockroaches” looks like the ultimate movie for guys – something like “Snatch” for Americans. The guys producing the film have started a funding campaign on Kickstarter. If you haven’t heard of Kickstarter, it’s an amazing new vehicle that empowers fans to invest in creative projects that they have an interest in.

Actress/Playmate Anna Sophia Berglund has become the most recent addition to the film. This stunning model, who many know as one of Hugh Hefner’s significant others, is also an actress that has studied at UCLA as well as the prestigious Beverly Hills Playhouse. She was most recently seen in the high school comedy film “Project X” and also recently worked on the film “Amelia’ 25th” featuring Danny Trejo and Jennifer Tilly. She’s also had appearances in the hit reality shows “The Girls Next Door” and “Holly’s World.”

In “Cockroaches” she will be playing the role of Alice, who is a pivotal character in the film’s storyline which revolves around the Pope being kidnapped from the Vatican. The Christoffer Aldell-directed film also includes cast members Tommy Lister, Robert Miano, and Zach McGowan, who you might remember from his hilarious portrayal of Jody from “Shameless” on Showtime.

The feature film is being produced by new independent production company Roachtown, LLC. The production company was founded by producer Benjamin Morris and producer/actor Ryan de Quintal. De Quintal had the following to say about Berglund’s involvement in the film, “Anna really is the perfect fit for Alice, and we all feel this film will be her opportunity to showcase her talents to the world.”

If you have an interest in independent films, particularly edgy stories like the one featured here, you should definitely check out Kickstarter and check out the page for Cockroaches. At the very least you can see a video introduction from Anna!

We’re big fans of Lugz shoes, like the canvas shoes we reviewed last year. So we were happy to try out the new Changover Perf style that comes in white with black trim. The shoes have the look and feel of sneakers with super-soft leather and subtle but distinctive styling. The perforated leather on the sides with the four side-stripes give the shoes a high-end look. The shoes are super-comfortable with a padded tongue & collar and cushioned insole, and the soles are thick with traction grooves cutting across the sole for a jagged look.

These won’t replace your cross-training sneakers but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable shoe for walking, making them a great option for everyday use. They’re great for the summer as they fit well with a wide variety of shorts or jeans. With Father’s Day coming up, the new Changeover Perf can make a great gift for dad.

SPOILER WARNING: All events that have occurred in the TV show are fair game. I have read the books but I will not go any further beyond small hints that only fellow book-readers will catch on to. You’ve been warned.

Note: Because it can be hard to keep all the names and faces straight, the first mention of each character contains a link to a picture of them which will open in a new tab.

Things were different this season. There really was no “Ned,” a central character for the viewer to grab on to, and as such, there really wasn’t a central story arc for us to stash all our hopes and dreams in (only to have them crushed, or, you know, sliced off).

Sure, the beginning of last season was confusing. We all know that every time we recommend “Game of Thrones” to a friend, it’s with the caveat that they’re going to have to fight through the cacophony of misunderstanding that is the first few episodes. All these issues we’re amplified in Season Two, when not only do we have a bucket load of characters (the largest cast on television), but all in different places. Seriously, name a location other than King’s Landing where more than two major characters reside. It can’t be done. And as if that wasn’t enough, the show decided (well, needed) to throw even more characters and locations at us.

It certainly makes for a manageable format for blog posts, but in different hands, the second season of “Game of Thrones” could have been a catastrophic failure. So let’s get a round of applause for showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and of course, the cast, namely Peter Dinklage and Alfie Allen, who are headed for Emmy nominations or my name’s Aloysius, and it’s not. I mean that sincerely; whether you’re in a cubicle or your living room wearing your polka dot boxers, I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, stick your head out and yell, “I’m mad as hell and I can’t go another year without ‘Game of Thrones‘!”

Think of how ballsy it is, when upwards of ten locations could be present in any given show, to have an entire episode devoted to just one (“Blackwater”), leaving the finale to somehow wrap up every other story line. Amazingly, “Game of Thrones” was able to do it, everything else it had to, and so much more. Now, back to that manageable blog post format, where I’ll discuss the three best (or my three favorite) character and thematic developments of the season.

Arya the Ruthless, Tywin the Old Softy

Out of necessity, Season Two diverged from the books a great deal more than the first season did. Some changes couldn’t be helped, and a slight few were questionable, but most breathed new life into the source material. Perhaps the best and brightest example of this is Arya serving as a cupbearer for Lord Tywin rather than Roose Bolton, one of her brother Robb’s bannermen.

I could get into the complicated scenario by which Arya comes to serve in a Bolton-occupied Harrenhal, but what you need to know is this: while the specifics were changed, the general theme and atmosphere of the arc remained the same, and condensing the scene meant interactions between the fantastic-despite-her-age Maisie Williams and old pro Charles Dance. But more important was the interaction between the two characters, which showed us two things: Arya’s continued growth into a cold killer fending for herself, and a softer side of the impossibly thick-skinned Tywin Lannister.

The line was altered for the show, but in “A Game of Thrones,” Ned tells Arya, “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.” Winter is coming, but Arya has been forced to watch as her pack has been taken from her one by one. She is the lone wolf, and if she hopes to survive she must grow up fast.

As of yet, that hasn’t been a problem. In episode five, “The Ghost of Harrenhal,” Tywin caught her in a lie. Arya claimed she was Maidenpool, but knowing she’s a Northerner, he asks where she’s really from, and Arya’s got the stones to follow it up with another lie. Then she looks him right in the eye and tells him she doesn’t believe Robb can’t be killed, as some in the North believe, because “anyone can be killed.” The subtext here is “even you.” She doesn’t even blink.

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With so many portable devices playing music, we’re seeing more and more options for portable speakers. We tested the new BRAVEN speakers and the sound was excellent. These units are loaded with other features and have a very slick design as you can see in the photos above, but sound quality is the most important feature and the Braven speakers deliver. The BRAVEN SIX Series speakers have two custom extended-range drivers and 3 watt speaker output providing high-fidelity stereo audio with left- and right-channel passive sub woofers.

You can take this speaker unit anywhere so you can share music with friends. It’s perfect for impromptu parties or just hanging out by the pool.

It’s also loaded with other cool features. Each device offers the ability to charge USB devices and daisy chain multiple speakers together through 3.5mm audio in and out jacks. The internal duplex microphone allows for hands-free speakerphone calls with most any Bluetooth cell phone as well as compatibility with FaceTime, iChat, Skype and other apps. Battery life ranges from 12 to 20 hours and the speakers allow continuous wireless play up to 33 feet away.

The line includes a rugged speaker built for durability in sporting and outdoor settings, as well as two striking aircraft-grade aluminum models. We tested the Stealth Black BRAVEN 625s which is encased in a rugged, shock-absorbing exterior with aluminum grills. The BRAVEN 625s is ideal for sport, travel, and outdoor experiences as it’s equipped with a waterproof bag, USB flashlight, and up to 16 hours of continuous play.

This also makes a great gift for music-loving dad on Father’s Day as well, or for anyone who is on the phone a lot and like to use the speaker phone option.

Check out the video below for a demonstration.

The products from Jack Black will make the skin on your face so soft, it’s a virtual guarantee that if you use them and go to Florida, someone will eat 75% of your face. And who could blame them?

The Electric Shave Enhancer is composed of Natural Witch Hazel, Oat Kernel Flour, Lavender, Linseed extract, Sunflower Seed Oil and Glycerin. Marketed as unscented, I was able to detect the scent of lavender. As a man who has lavender growing in his garden, I locked onto that scent right away and was immediately relaxed. And BTW, it’s a very manly garden, with shit that will poke your ass.

The enhancer was smooth, not gloppy, and smelled good. I followed the directions and added a small amount to my face, with a small amount of water as well. Once I began to shave with my electric razor, I found it difficult to get a clean shave with one swipe.

Instead, I had to go over the same area multiple times. In general, something like that can cause a lot of irritation, but the Electric Shave Enhancer really did a great job of moisturizing the skin and kept it soft as well. That said, it was somewhat arduous to go over the same area again and again. Based on the thickness of the shave enhancer, I actually thought it might be more suited for a shave with a razor, so I put it to the test.

I lathered up my face and then proceeded to shave half with the electric and the other half with the razor. The side I used with the electric just didn’t feel as clean afterwards. Because the Shave Enhancer is rather stout, I had to keep going over the same area again and again; it was difficult for the electric to cut through the Shave Enhancer and get to the skin.

With the razor, the Shave Enhancer was great; maybe for someone with a thicker beard it wouldn’t have been sufficient, but for me it was. The Shave Enhancer almost functioned as a mixture of shaving cream and soothing after shave lotion. My skin never felt ripped open or vulnerable.

The following day, I tried the DIY Power Peel Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads. Think of them as a more astute, successful version of the Noxzema acne fighting pads you and all your friends were using in high school. Functioning as a facial scrub, the pads exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, improve texture and even help reduce wrinkles and dark spots. The other cool thing is that these babies are so powerful you only need to use them 2-4 times per week.

Upon applying the pad to my face, there was a slight, refreshing tingling sensation immediately, but it was very smooth. I thought my skin was clean prior to using it, but after swiping the Power Peel over my face, it was covered in residue I couldn’t see or wash completely with a wash cloth. And even though it opened my pores, my skin felt as though it was coated and protected. The following morning, I woke up and my skin felt great, and it looked clearer and felt especially vibrant.

For more information or to order either product, check out the Jack Black website at www.getjackblack.com.