Seven Pounds: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson

As someone constantly trying to ammend for his sins, who does not care for himself, who is desperate to make a difference, this movie is powerful, even if I figured out the twist right after the box jellyfish scene. Will Smith plays a fantastically muted version of himself, on the borderline of being broken at any point. Woody Harrelson gives the best perfomance of his career, in my opinion. Rosario Dawson is downright powerful. There is never a doubt that she actually IS the character she is playing, sickness and all. A beautifully acted piece with a just a smattering of too much heavy handed emotion, but whose slap-in-the-face ending is, while transparent, still effective. You wonder how an individual can exist with so much hate for himself and love for others for so long. And in the end love both wins and loses. B+

David Mamet and Training Log: Bis and tris and "cardio"

Just finished Watching Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner from '97. Even though it is odd, I have always loved Mamet's dialogue and rythms of speech. Rebecca Pidgeon, his wife of nearly 20 years, shines in an adorable role that makes the ending even more shocking. Steve Martin absolutley nails his performance as Jimmy Dell, the con man. He takes to the Mamet style seemlessly. Some say the characterizations get lost in the style with Mamet's work, but it simply lends itself to an atmosphere I have grown to enjoy. Always great to see my boy Ricky Jay in action. Though the plot is the most elaborate con of all time, it makes for good, if not believable, movie watching.

Two points of contention: Campbell Scott characterization IS lost in the style. He never seems to merege with the dialogue and it just gets worse as the movie goes on. That's the first problem, the second is the ending. Incredible let down. That was the problem with Redbelt. Not the problem with Heist. The ending is outlandish and poorly done. A great example of what could have been. B-

Wednesday at AF in Blackshear
Pullups
4 sets of 5... just tough today

Kneeling Pulley Crunch
110 x 12
115 x 12
140 x 12
115 x 12

Standing BB Tricep Extens
45 x 12
65 x 12
95 x 12
105 x 12

Alternating Hammer Curls
30 x 8 x ea
35 x 8 x ea
40 x 6 x ea
35 x 8 x ea

Pushups: feet up, handles
12, 15, 15, 20

Russian Twists
+15 x 20
+20 x 20 x 2

Wide Grip Push downs
65 x 12
80 x 12
95 x 12

Two Hand Pulley Curl
65 x 12
80 x 12
110 x 12

Chris and I walked Around the block twice, hence "Cardio".