Superman's Pal

The Incredible Hulk

2008-06-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

First off, I have to say, I enjoyed Ang Lee's Hulk for what it was. If you've seen Ang Lee films in the past, you might appreciate the cinematography and art that goes into them. I also have great respect for the CG folks who worked so hard to bring that Hulk to life.

That having been said, this film blows that one away. From the opening credits it's distinctly a Marvel film, showing the television origin story of the Hulk in snippets to bring the viewer up to speed quickly.

In fact, this film pays all kinds of tribute to the old television show. Here are the bits I can recall:

Bruce Banner watching Bill Bixby on tv from his previous show Courtship of Eddie's Father while flipping channels.
Lou Ferrigno as a security guard (great scene when he stands up and Bruce's eyes bulge)
Lou Ferrigno as the voice of the Hulk
The reference to a campus student named McGee taping the incident (McGee was the reporter who hounded Banner in the tv show)
The old tv theme "lonely man" theme music used when Banner's walking along looking for a ride
Bruce receiving a piece of mail at the end of the film labeled David B (David Banner was his name in the tv show)

A few comic references seen in the film:

Stark Enterprises on many forms, as well as SHIELD
Tony Stark showing up at the end, a preview of a future Avengers film!
Mr. Blue having some of Bruce's blood drip into his head, predicting The Leader as a future vilain!
A reference to WWII's Super Soldier program, predicting the Captain America film. In fact, the Hulk dvd is supposed to have footage of Banner going to the arctic and meeting up with Cap. We'll see!
I believe there was a movie poster on a wall as Abomination and Hulk were running towards each other that said "The Hulk". Not sure what it was.
Stan Lee's appearance drinking the juice, as well as the man Bruce stayed with being named Stanley (Stan Lee's real first name)

Edward Norton's performance was excellent, as always. Liv Tyler continues to play the loving leading lady perfectly. William Hurt even impressed as General Ross. Just a great film all around. I'm really impressed with Marvel right now. Who'd have ever thought Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk would ever be out in theaters at the same time, with BOTH films so well made!

The only concern at this point is that Marvel not rush to put out sequels before truly worthy scripts can be written. We've seen too much of the rushed sequel hurting franchises in the superhero genre. Hopefully Marvel will not make that mistake again!

Live Streaming

2008-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

From a comment I made on Cali Lewis's blog regarding her considering live streaming:

I think a large part of it will be to figure out what format you’re going for. Are you going for what we’re seeing in your WWDC video, where we’re simply watching you watching something else, ala many of the current streams like Leo’s (Laporte) current, Jason Calacanis, Veronica Belmont, etc….or are you going for something more along the lines of your own show, where you are the source, and you are directly informing or entertaining us, or having live/skype guests on, ala Leo’s upcoming show, Howard Stern, The Daily Show, etc….

I am more entertained when the person I'm watching is the source, as opposed to simply a conduit to another source. Veronica Belmont streamed yesterday, and while it's certainly pleasant to see Veronica, she was typing away most of the time...not overly compelling video. The format needs to evolve into something more worthwhile, IMO.

The Best Road to Health and Fitness - P90X!

2008-05-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

Are you working out at all? I'm talking even walking the dog. If so, then you should sign up for a FREE WOWY account and win some money and free swag!

What's WOWY? It stands for Work Out With You and it's an online super gym - FREE - and each day, they give out cash and prizes - some days it's $300, camcorders, ipods, cameras and then one day a week - it's $1,000!!!! All you have to do is log in when you start your workout and log out when you're done! No commitments! Easy enough, right?

To get a WOWY account, go to my page: www.milliondollarbody.com/jimmyolsen

Click on PLAY THE GAME (Just click below).

You'll have to fill out your profile and ... post a "before" pic (I know, it's no fun, but you'll be glad you did once you have your chiseled body!!!) - no pic = no prizes - so post the pic!!!!

Now then, if you want help with nutrition - they have a Club Membership that will give you a customized meal plan based on your goals, transformation trackers and diaries to log how you're progressing, message boards that have lots of answers and Thin Kitchen (videos with great healthy recipes!!!) The Club Membership is $2.99 a day, and billed quarterly (So you're now actually spending less than a coffee at Starbucks for personal training and nutrition!) I think it's a great tool - you can't just walk on a treadmill and all of a sudden have abs of steel - you have to put the right stuff IN your body too in order to make that happen! If you're interested, click on my page: www.milliondollarbody.com/jimmyolsen

Click on JOIN THE CLUB. (just click below)

Workout DVDs - Beachbody has several different options that you can choose from they're WAY cheaper than a gym membership, and you don't need a lot of room (a hotel room is fine if you travel a lot) and you don't need a lot of equipment (a mat, some bands or hand weights, possibly a pullup bar)- here are some that I recommend - there are short video promos - they'll give you an idea of what to expect:

Power 90 - This is the best overall intro package - it will get you amazing results!! It's cardio and sculpting too - workout times range from 30 - 45 mintues. Will really sculpt your body - I highly recommend it: Power 90 Video

P90X - This is the real deal, the ultimate workout. You know those guys from the film 300? This is it - muscle confusion! By changing the workouts every day, then changing that whole cycle every 30 days, your muscles never plateau, and you just keep getting fitter! Yoga X, Kenpo X Karate, X Stretch, Core Synergistics, Plyometrics (Jump Training), Shoulders & Arms, Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X, Cardio X, Legs & Back, Chest Shoulders & Triceps - It's all here! BRING IT: P90X Video

Turbo Jam - It's similar to Tae-bo. Fun, funky and silly. The workouts range from 20 minutes to about 45 minutes and include cardio and sculpting routines: Turbo Jam Video

Hip Hop Abs - It's more of your dance-y, funky kinda workout: Hip Hop Abs Video

Yoga Booty Ballet - It's a little more "hippie/granola" but man, you'll find muscles you never knew you had (great for lower abs). And it's a nice first intro to yoga for people who are a little hesitant!: Yoga Booty Ballet Video

Slim in Six - this one is a six week program - It's a total body workout, so you'll mix cardio and weights together. But very effective: Slim in Six Video

So watch the clips and let me know if you have any questions. If you find one you like and want to get it, you can go to my page: www.milliondollarbody.com/jimmyolsen

Click on SHOP FOR PRODUCTS (just click below):

Coaching Program - So, you're about to undergo serious transformation to gear up for your vacation, lifestyle change, etc... - and people are going to start asking you what you're doing to look so great - Beachbody has a Coaching Program (I'm a coach!) that is more of a motivational/peer support thing (as opposed to a personal trainer thing). As a Coach, you'll get 25% off all purchases as well as profit percentages from all purchases made by the members you coach! Plus, once you reach Emerald level (having 2 active coaches under you) - Beachbody gives you paying customers - like the people that call in that see the infomercials! You no longer have to find your own customers to coach! And you get profits based on what they order! My cousin Jimmy made almost $700 last month alone - and it keeps going up - there are some coaches that have retired from corporate America by just helping people get fit and healthy! Beachbody spends $90 million a year on advertising and they get between 15 and 30 thousand paying customers a week. So they offer the Coach's program to provide their customers with personalized treatment. Here's a video that explains more about the profit part of it: Coach Compensation Video

If you're interested in becoming a coach, click on my page: milliondollarbody.com/jimmyolsen

Click on Be A Coach (just click below):

By the way, if you're interested in becoming a coach, I suggest that you become a coach BEFORE buying P90X so you'll get the 25% discount! Make sure it's the regular P90X and not the P90X+ - that's the next step!!!

I'd love to see folks I care about get in better shape using this program!