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Monday, October 31, 2011

Get A Body Like Blake's.

Green Lantern may have been a totally rubbish film, but Blake Lively certainly looked good in it. And now her trainer Bobby Strom has told Health & Fitness mag exactly how she did it. As well as keeping a healthy diet, the actress trained for 60-90 minutes four days a week.

"We started with functional training," says Bobby. "Because of the way you’ve been conditioned to use your body in life, your dominant body side means you have weakened, underdeveloped areas, which prevents you from making muscle and strength gains. This training targets weak areas and activates other muscles to adapt and grow. It also helps stability and core strength too."

So given that it's New Move Monday, I've posted two of the moves Bobby had Blake doing below... Enjoy.


Sunday, October 30, 2011

Two Movies To See With Your Man (That You'll Actually Enjoy)

I love doing things for other people. But I love doing them even more when there's a little something in it for me, too. Like when you buy your mum the new Adele album because you also wouldn't mind a listen. I mean, I'm only human.

And this week the cinema is making good deeds a cinch with some awesome new flicks hitting the big screen that boys and girls alike can enjoy. So instead of forcing him to sit through Crazy, Stupid, Love (again), be the selfless girlfriend/daughter/bestie and treat that male in your life to one of these... Trust me, it'll be a treat for you as well.

In Time.


The concept? In this world, everyone stops ageing at 25 and starts living on bought or borrowed time – until their clocks run out. It's a system that sees the rich become immortal while the poor are left to die young. Sounds tricky, but it's not too hard to get your head around. This action sci-fi is an entertaining ride from the get-go as Will (Justin Timberlake) and Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried) try to upturn the system and fight for justice. Oh, and did I mention JT takes his shirt off? And more than once.

Drive.


One word: Ryan Gosling. Hollywood's man of the moment is perfection in this thriller about a stunt driver who gets embroiled in a heist gone wrong. Carey Mulligan and Christina Hendricks also star but make no mistake this is Ryan's show and he owns every scene – sometimes without even so much as a word. This movie has everything you'd expect from an action thriller – robberies, car chases, violence and plenty of gore. This is not a film that holds back in that respect. So look away if you must, but don't miss the rest of this incredibly slick and well-executed film.

Contagion.


If you have been secretly wishing for a modern take on Outbreak, consider your prayers answered. This film about the global spread of an uncontainable virus boasts an all-star cast (Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburn) and they don't disappoint. Well, except maybe Jude – who puts on one of the worst Australian accents I've ever heard (I wasn't even sure what nationality he was supposed to be until he attempted to call someone "mate"). David Stratton gave this four and a half stars and I'm inclined to do the same.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Yet ANOTHER Celeb That Loves Tracy Anderson.

Daily Mail

I've gotta say, Courteney Cox is looking pretty bangin' for 47. But even she admits that looking good after 40 is a "slippery slope". So what's her secret? Well, apparently the former Friends star does the Tracy Anderson Method four times a week.

Not familiar? I'm devoting this week's New Move Monday to the star trainer – because Courteney and Gwyneth and Madonna and Kate can't all be wrong...

Sunday, September 25, 2011

On The Couch: Back On The Box.

Quite a few shows have made a triumphant return to the small screen this week...


United States Of Tara (Tuesdays at 9.35pm on ABC): It's the third and final season for Tara and her host of different personalities. So savour every moment of watching the always adorable John Corbett – seriously, could that man be any more lovable?

 
Glee (Wednesdays at 8.30pm on Ten): The New Directions return for a new season with some shiny new musical numbers. Sadly there's no sign of Sam (Chord Overstreet), but the new addition of Blaine (Darren Criss) as a regular more than makes up for it.

 
Two And A Half Men (Tuesdays at 8.30pm on Nine): Ashton Kutcher steps in – buck naked – to fill Charlie Sheen's famous shoes. So far, the reviews are mixed, but I reckon give the man more than 15 minutes to make his mark.


Beauty And The Geek Australia (Thursdays at 8.30pm on Seven): The ultimate battle of beauty and brains is back – and it's better than ever. Where else would a "geography test" involve sexy chefs outfits, a slip-n-slide and a smörgåsbord of food?

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Currently Running To... Nothing But The Beat.

 
Now I'm not saying David Guetta is the single most defining artist of our time or anything, but the boy knows how to spin a mean dance beat. And if the tracks like Memories and Sexy Bitch got you running like Usain Bolt last time, rest assured there's more where that came from in this new album.

From Where Them Girls At feat Nicki Minaj to Titanium feat Sia and Sweat feat the legendary Snoop Doggy Dogg... There's plenty of up-tempo tracks to keep you on pace. Just try not to bust out any dancefloor moves on the running track. That would be embarrassing.

Monday, September 5, 2011

New Move Monday.

Let me introduce you to one little exercise that had me in a whole lot of pain last week: The side lunge.

I tried this move from the Nike Training Club app in the morning. It didn't feel so bad. But when I attempted a pilates class later in the day. Oh, boy – was I in trouble! It took a couple (better make that five) days before my muscles were game enough to try them again, but at least I know they work. They really, really work.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

On The Couch: One Day


What's the story? Let me start by saying, if you haven't already read the book, please, please, please go and do it before you watch this movie. It's a beautifully written story by author David Nicholls about two people who meet for the first time on July 15, 1988 and whose lives become intertwined over the next twenty years. The book revisits them on the same day each year and I'll stop short of giving away any actual details – but, suffice to say, it runs the full gamut of emotions.

Why it's worth paying $18 to see... So, how does this cult novel translate on the big screen? Not well, if you agree with the reviewers who gave it just one star. I don't. Aside from the fact that Anne Hathaway has the worst Yorkshire accent ever, I actually think this film is a lovely, funny adaptation of a great book. Things are lost in the film (they always are) but the perfect performance of Jim Sturgess as Dex and the stellar supporting cast certainly makes up for any of Anne's shortcomings. It's not likely to replace The Notebook as the love story of our generation, but it's far from a total disaster. In fact, it's quite easy and enjoyable to watch.