Three Things NOT to Do on a Run

Hitting the Trail

The Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011 has come and gone but the experience this year was really enjoyable despite me walking across the finish line with a time of approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes. My left knee really hurt in the final 2km stretch but I’m glad I pushed myself this time round. This is the first time ever that I walked across the finish line (which kinda sucks).

Anyways, here are my mistakes that caused me to underperform this year so listen up! These 3 things should be basic for most runners I think but I’m gonna outline them anyway.

1. Overconfidence. Don’t be overconfident. Every race is unique even though you’ve done the route before. Your body’s condition will always be different in every race.

2. Pushing yourself early. Pace yourself. If you’re a slow runner like me then it’s best that you start pushing yourself closer towards the 6 pr 7km mark in a 10km race. I started fast and maintained a faster than normal pace for at least 6km but I think my left knee couldn’t take it.

3. Not drinking any water. Take every water stop you can get OR have water on you. For this race I didn’t stop for any water at all which might have contributed to my knee getting busted a wee bit.

There you have it. 3 things not to do in a race. I paid for it by missing out in running for about a week.

On another note, I highly recommend PBIM to all runners cos’ running across the Penang Bridge and experiencing the sunrise is awesome. It’s stuff that money cannot buy.

50/50 (Movie Review)

50/50

I didn’t expect a drama about cancer but that’s what I got in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s new movie 50/50 with Seth Rogen.

If you’ve had a loved one who’s gone through cancer then I think you might wanna give this one a miss or bring along some tissues cos’ the movie has really moving moments in the character’s live as he battles a rare form of cancer in his back.

Cancer is a really awful disease and the toll it takes on both the patient and loved ones is immense. In a self-centred world movies like this are very much needed to help us have bigger hearts to love & care for those who are going through a lot.

I give 50/50 a decent 3 out of 5 because of the subject matter. It’s not one for the whole family but if you want something that’s different then catch this one cos’ it’s on it last legs on the Malaysian circuit.

 

Happy Feet Two (Movie Review)

Happy Feet Two

Happy Feet Two had its moments but story-wise it wasn’t as good as Puss in Boots. The penguins were super cute though and if you love music the movie had great takes on Queen tracks which music lovers would appreciate. The whole eco message and how all life is connected is much stronger in this one compared to the first.

I kinda disliked the whole Bill the Krill (voiced by Brad Pitt) thing that they had going cos’ it seemed like they were trying to emulate Skrat from the Ice Age movies. The character felt very contrived and odd.

Let’s cut to the chase. I give Happy Feet Two a Queen-rocking 3 out of 3 because they had Queen stuff in the movie. Heh.

Puss in Boots (Movie Review)

Puss in Boots

Antonio Banderas is always cool and that thick accent definitely suits the character of Puss in Dreamworks’ new animated flick Puss in Boots. The Shrek take on fairy tale characters abound in here and there are genuinely funny moments that make Puss in Boots a great watch. Kids will love the colourful characters they’ll encounter throughout the story and adults will definitely enjoy the makers’ take on characters such as Humpty Dumpty, Jack & Jill and the legend of the Golden Goose.

I watched it in 2D but the movie seems like it might have some decent 3D effects in it but then again I think I’ve given up on 3D movies for now as it seems to be more a gimmick then something that truly gives you a wow experience.

I give Puss in Boots a meowing 4 out of 5.

The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn (Movie Review)

The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn

I loved The Adventures of Tintin!!! I managed to catch a sneak preview during the Hari Raya Haji break and my family who caught it with me loved it too. There was adventure, thrills and laughs; all done in Spielberg-style. I don’t think I’ve read the actual comic book this was based on but I certainly enjoyed the movie just as it is.

Anyways, I won’t go into detail about the plot but I think it follows the comics quite faithfully. In any event I would definitely recommend Secret of the Unicorn to everyone.

The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn gets a woah-woah 5 out of 5.

What’s Your Number? (Movie Review)

What's Your Number?

Anna Faris got quite a few laughs out of me and even though the movie had a lot of sex and references it turned out to have a story that I connected with especially in Chris Evans’ character.

I really didn’t have any expectations for this one and it was a nice surprise to find that the movie had really good moments and some really, really good lines. Anna Faris is really funny and the chemistry between her & Chris Evans is tangible.

The movie made a lot of sense about love and you do get a glimpse at how the world views sex. I mean sure I think all of us want sex (or maybe it’s just me) but it just didn’t sit well with me to see how the characters treated it. Anyways, if you can look past that part of the movie; you’ll actually find a decent story with decent characters who are looking for acceptance and to be better.

I give “What’s Your Number” a 3.5 out of 5 for making me laugh and for reminding me that I don’t have to measure up if I am just me.

In Time (Movie Review)

In Time

“In Time” turned out to be an interesting watch and the whole idea of people living on borrowed time made me think a fair bit about our mortality and how short life is. Conceptually the movie is really interesting but the plot drags on a fair bit and the movie could’ve used a few more snips in the editing room cos’ it clocks in at 1hr 51mins.

The romance between Justin Timberlake’s character Will Salas and Amanda Seyfried is somewhat contrived but nothing comes close to the flat romance between Anakin Skywalker & Padme Amidala… heh. Cillian Murphy deserves a special mention as the upright Time Keeper Raymond Leon and I think he’s one to look out for in future although the roles he gets cast for seem to be somewhat similar.

I give “In Time” a time-shortening 2 out of 5. If you’ve got nothing much better to do this weekend then give this one a spin. Justin Timberlake is somewhat cool and oh! Olivia Wilde makes a cameo in this one which made for a nice distraction.

Real Steel (Movie Review)

Real Steel

Real Steel was quite a blast. Part sci-fi actioner. Part drama. Hugh Jackman fits perfectly in his role as a down & out robo-boxer who receives an unexpected gift in the form of his 11-year old son Max.

The movie’s a great watch with thrilling robot fight scenes. Hugh Jackman’s Charlie Kenton is likeable despite his character flaws but he does good in the end. The CGI effects are brilliant and director Shawn Levy manages to infuse life into the Atom; the robot boxer that Max discovers early on in the film.

I give Real Steel an atom-smashing 5 out of 5. Catch it NOW!

Johnny English: Reborn (Movie Review)

Johnny English: Reborn

I enjoyed this one quite a lot. Rowan Atkinson plays the bumbling but older Johnny English to a tee and he even gets to share an on-screen kiss with the elegant Rosamund Pike. If

you’re looking for a fun romp at the cinema then look no further cos’ Johnny English: Reborn will definitely get a laugh out of you as only Rowan Atkinson can. Most of the gags make the cut and I think I enjoyed this one more than the original one cos’ for the life of me I can’t even remember the plot of the first movie.

If you’re a fan of the X-Files you’ll definitely be pleased too cos’ GIllian Anderson’s in this one.

I give Johnny English: Reborn a spy-licious 4 out of 5.

August & September 2011 Movie Round-Up

Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America

A decent watch. Captain America builds up the character properly but unfortunately flounders towards the second half of the movie especially during the hunt for Hydra.

Perhaps it’s my familiarity with how Cap ends up in the ice that made the ending not work out so well. Cap’s sacrifice isn’t as great as what he did in the comics.

I give Captain America: The First Avenger a shield-tossing 3 out of 5.

The Smurfs

The Smurfs

I really really didn’t expect much from this one but it somehow made me laugh and it kept me entertained. Hank Azaria did a great job as Gargamel and Azrael in CG form is such a hoot.

As much as I hate to admit it; the movie made me wanna check out old episodes of the cartoon. Heh.

I give The Smurfs a smurfy 3 out of 5,

Colombiana

Colombiana

I think Zoe Saldana is hot! Having said that, I expected this one to be a full-on action fest but the drama aspects of the movie really caught me by surprise. It was an OK watch and I’ll be keeping a closer eye on Saldana as I can’t quite place what sort of actress she is.

If you’re looking for a movie about an assassin with some drama to boot, then Colombiana might be what you’re looking for.

I give Colombiana a killer 3 out of 5.

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids

A friend got me tix to catch one of those media giveaway premieres and I found the movie to be quite crass and the characters attitudes towards sex & marriage in particular to be nasty. So much for the first institution of marriage.

There were some funny moments and as a comedy it’s waaaay better than Horrible Bosses. The romance between the lead character and the police officer was sweet and I guess it felt real compared to most on-screen romances.

I give Bridesmaids a wed-locked 2 out of 5

Contagion

Contagion

Slow-moving best describes Steven Sodenbergh’s latest but I suppose the true horror is the paranoia that it could induce about disease spreading. The movie features a star-studded cast which works for it in a sense. Movies like this make me realise that ensemble cast movies are hard to make and there’s a genius to it I guess.

I caught the late night show so I didn’t really enjoy the movie as much because of its slow pace and also of the ending which lacked punch.

I give Contagion a paranoia-inducing 2 out of 5.