Review of Pumping Iron (1977) by Brian J — 22 Dec 2003

They showed Pumping Iron on cable today. I watched the last 1/2... Arnold was crazy buff back then. this is a pretty interesting documentary, if you get a chance to see it, check it out, it really gives a good look at the world of top body builders (which at the time was a completely frindge thing...) Pumping Iron really put the entire sport on the map, practically a template for sports documentaries from then on.

the movie has lots of classic Arnold though, being a bit arrogant to psyche out his opponents (Lou Ferrigno didn't have a chance!), spouting off lots of bravado about lifting weights, being macho, etc... [i](basically all that 'Hans and Franz' stuff on SNL is based on 1970s body builder Arnold... he was exactly like that)[/i].

I somehow wish there was a good documentary about wushu... there have been a few bad ones, but i'm talking something really cool that shows the personalities, the nuances of the sport... it'd be a lot harder than bodybuilding I'd imagine.

Tonight I went to Dave and Busters w/ Cheryl and '[b]Da Hei Long[/b]' and some of Cheryl's friends. It was fun, the highlight being when I got a coke from the bartender for free (she just handed it to me and walked off? I guess they do that for designated drivers?).

Tomorrow I'm going to try and workout at CMAI and hopefully see JBJ afterwards. shoot, its 3am... better think about bed soon.