by JC Johnson
 
I assume most of you are avid and experienced runners and view it as an enjoyable experience. I, however, follow the theory that you should only run when being chased. No matter how you feel about running, we can all agree that there s something to learn. If you re looking to improve your run (or in my case, find other motivations besides visualizing large rabid dogs chasing me), I may have found some answers it s all in the shoes!

 

HERE’S THE DEAL: When runners strike the ground, they land with 3 to 5 times their body weight this is bound to cause problems. Every person has a different running style, different feet and different needs for shoes. In fact, injury, fatigue and pain may all be alleviated simply by wearing the right shoe. Your job is to make sure you re doing just that. And with three shoe choices Neutral, Stability or Motion Control it s hard to know where to begin.

 

FLEET FEET TO THE RESCUE! Here’s my suggestion: Go to a specialty running shoe store (like Fleet Feet), and go through its system to assess your shoe needs. Your friendly neighborhood specialist will determine those based on your foot measurement and foot shape and by filming and evaluating your running style. The specialists then use their super power of product knowledge to fit you in the right shoe. Each brand and style has a different level of support, shape (last) and mechanics, so whether your foot is low or high arched, straight or curved, or you overpronate or supinate, a specialist can determine your perfect shoe. Demographics or where your shoe is worn means nothing there are no generalizations. Still curious? Here is a look at some shoe recommendations for the different running styles.

GX Says, GX Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 2

by JC Johnson

 

 

I’m not complaining, but some comic books have a hard time adapting to film (with a few exceptions of course). Comics work because of the cheesy dialogue and the artwork, which doesn’t always translate well to a movie. Howev SIN CITY is rumored to be the best film ever adapted from a comic book. I think it’s because of two people: Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez.
 

LET’S START WITH FRANK: Modern comics have never been the same since Frank. Frank’s the mastermind behind “Daredevil,” “Ronin,” “Elektra,” “300,” and “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.” In fact, his work on the Batman character inspired the motion picture Batman: The Movie (that’s why Michael Keaton wore a rubber suit instead of blue polyester jumpsuit.) So now that Frank is at the top of the success pyramid, he has launched his all-crime series, SIN CITY.

 

HOW IT LOOKS: SIN CITY’s artwork has no gray, just black and white with the occasional spots of color. It’s images are rough, dark, disturbing…. amazing.

 

NOW FOR ROBERT: Robert is known for making a low-budget film look expensive. This guy directs, writes, edits, composes, and does the visual effects and production design for his films. His films include Once Upon A Time in Mexico, From Dusk ‘til Dawn, and the Spy Kids movies (remember the groundbreaking Spy Kids 3D)…. And he’s all about using digital format verses film—apparently, it’s cheap.

 

WHERE ROBERT COMES IN: Robert basically said, “Hey Frank, look at this concept reel. If you like it, you can co-direct.” Long story short, Frank liked it and now we have a book that literally comes to life on screen. The movie freakishly looks the same as the book and even has the same dialogue.

 

HOW’D THEY DO IT? Robert shot most of the scenes in digital format in front of a green screen (remember Sky Captain?), and later digitally added the scenes (animations)—meaning, we have one of the first entirely digital movie. Don’t believe me? Open the book, read a chapter, watch the trailer… it’ll freak you out.

 

SIN CITY stars Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Jaime King, Devon Aoki and Alexis Bledel. Other cast includes Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, Marley Shelton, Carla Gugino, Nick Stahl, Michael Clarke Duncan and Michael Madsen SIN CITY Releases on 4.01.2005, Dimension Films Darkhorse Comics (www.darkhorse.com). 

JC Johnson

 

Hello Soldier,

 

With a slew of war and military movies out there, it could take weeks to view and categorize them all. And let s be honest, a person s gotta know their limitations. Not to worry though, we re here to help out! We stuffed our faces with popcorn, shed a few tears, and did some victory dances on our way to bringing you our movie ratings. In the end, we hope that some of our choices will make you scream, HOOAH!

 

Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon
 

Steven Spielberg certainly doesn’t waste any time before he pulls you into this story of brotherhood and sacrifice. Shortly after hitting play, you’ll be on Omaha Beach with thousands of soldiers, including National Guard Infantrymen from the 1st and 29th Divisions. Make it past enemy lines and you’ll follow Captain John Miller (Hanks) as he leads a special mission to find Private James Ryan (Damon) and return him home. Through the journey, you’ll learn a lot about what it takes to fulfill your duty and to hold on to your courage. Don’t miss this one. It’s solid from beginning to end.

 

 

Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, Ewan Mcgregor

 

If you’re looking for a real-life depiction of battle, we give Black Hawk Down our highest rank. After a special-op mission to capture a Somali warlord goes south, our boys have no choice but to focus on keeping one another alive. Finding themselves in the middle of a massive civil uprising, “leave no man behind” becomes more than just a motto. Don’t expect any downtime in the movie -it’s action packed.

 

Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer

 

Have you lost that lovin’ feelin’? Are you in the danger zone? Well, hang on tight because one movie has got it all. Top Gun has high-flying air maneuvers, explosions, fights, and Tom Cruise himself. Through winning and losing, love and loss, Top Gun demonstrates the importance of teamwork within the military. Guys, need some dating advice? Try Maverick’s singing technique. And ladies, two words: volleyball scene! This one is worth a second viewing, or third...

 

Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Reneé Zellweger, Kathy Baker Top Gun Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer

 

Have you lost that lovin’ feelin’? Are you in the danger zone? Well, hang on tight because one movie has got it all. Top Gun has high-flying air maneuvers, explosions, fights, and Tom Cruise himself. Through winning and losing, love and loss, Top Gun demonstrates the importance of teamwork within the military. Guys, need some dating advice? Try Maverick’s singing technique. And ladies, two words: volleyball scene! This one is worth a second viewing, or third... All is fair in love and war, right? Not according to our strong southern characters in this civil war era movie. Set in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, this six Oscar nominee shifts its focus from com-bat on the field to the combat at home. How can you go wrong with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman adding to the “scenery”? You won’t be disappointed.

 

Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey

 

At the time of its release, Red Dawn was considered the “most violent film on record” and was the first film to get a PG-13 rating. This film brings to life the idea of a Communist takeover in America. Our heroes are a group of teenagers who take to the mountains to fight the enemy with their unique style of guerilla warfare. Even though the political accuracy isn’t all there, it certainly depicts how scary things could be if earlier wars had ended differently. We’d love to see this movie remade and updated! 

OUR THOUGHTS ON THIS SUMMER’S NEWEST FLICKS!

GX Magazine Volume 2 Issue 3

 

Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Adam Brody 20th Century Fox

 

Two notorious assassins have been pitted against one another --who are you voting for... the husband or the wife? We just want to see a married couple literally try to kill each other – this is quality entertainment.

WHAT MAKES IT POP? If your guilty pleasure is a certain teenage soap opera – then you’ll buy a ticket just for Adam Brody. Release Date: 6.10.2005

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes

Warner Brothers Pictures

 

Batman goes back to the beginning! But he’s a colder, darker, more conflicted Batman in this prequel, where we learn what turned Bruce Wayne into Batman. Now, who’s the best Batman? ... discuss.

 

WHAT MAKES IT POP? The Batman suit chest is no longer anatomically correct. Release Date: 6.17.2005

 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning Paramount Pictures

H.G. Wells fascinated generations before us, and hopefully this generation’s version will, too. Tom Cruise plays a father trying to keep his family alive while the world is being taken over by aliens.

 

WHAT MAKES IT POP? It’s Steven Spielberg’s version of a controversial radio broadcast. Release Date: 6.29.2005

 

Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter Warner Brothers Pictures

 

Since the original, we’ve avoided all blueberry-flavored bubblegum and ferry tunnels, but our curiosity has gotten the better of us and we have to go back. Our guess: this is the golden ticket.

 

WHAT MAKES IT POP? Here’s hoping the Oompa-Loompas aren’t quite as freaky as the originals. 

Release Date: 7.15.2005 

 

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
 

 

THE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PARTY: LOCATION AND MUSIC.

TAKE YOUR MUSIC AND THE FUN EVERYWHERE YOU GO!

Gadgets and Gear, GX Magazine Voume 2 Issue 3

By JC Johnson AND Amanda M. Baines

 

Start With Gadgets…

 

Your favorite music. You can download all your favorite tunes from any of the following online music services!

 

www.itunes.com

www.napster.com

www.sonymusic.com

www.getmusic.com

 

Songs start around 99¢ and are available 24-7 for your downloading and listening pleasure.

 

So you have a portable music player (maybe s an iPod like this one here). You’ve probably thought, “If only everyone could hear what I hear—that would be something!” Start a party at your house, in your backyard, or in any remote location! Here are some options to take with you; you can go anywhere with this stuff!

 

AirClick. What’s been missing from the MP3 player experience? The remote control! With the AirClick, you can hook your iPod to your sound system and wander through the house while in full control of your tunes. It uses RF signals that travel through walls for control anywhere in your home or outside, up to 60 feet away. Playing musical chairs has never been easier.

$40 >>> By Griffin Technology

 

OnStage. This is a transportable speak er station that is speaker compatible with all digital music players including the Apple iPod. It docks the iPod, doing double duty as a battery charger. It’s 12-watts of desktop speaker sound, weighs one pound and requires AC power access. Big things really do come in small packages.

$160 >>> By Harman Multimedia / JBL

 

iTrip. You are looking at the coolest iPod accessory in the world. The iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod can play your music through any FM radio in your car, at a party, or wherever the mood strikes you—and you have a radio. It needs no batteries—it re ceives its little bit of power from the iPod itself—no more batteries ever!

$40 >>> By Griffin Technology

 

OnTour. This portable speaker is compatible with all digital music players. It’s speakers fit in the palm of your hand. It’s 6-watts of total power can run off AC power as well as battery power (meaning portable). It’s small, it’s light, it has a cover that doubles as a stand, and did we mention it’s portable?

$100 >>> By Harman Multimedia / JBL