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Anna Kournikova: Basic Elements (Fitness)
Trimark // Unrated // September 25, 2001
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Hmmm...where to start? First off, I would like to congratulate Trimark Pictures for their terrific business decision to gain the rights to "Anna Kournikova: Basic Elements". The blond, athletic, confident and gorgeous Russian teen has apparently not won many tournaments at all, but she's easily the most popular female tennis star in the world, with numerous magazine articles (a recent FHM), millions in sponsorship deals, her own video game and even mentions on television shows (I believe an entire episode of "Seinfeld" director Andy Ackerman's TV show "It's Like, You Know" was devoted to her).
Of course, there will be an audience who really couldn't care less about fitness and will be thrilled to see Kournikova doing jump rope (yes, even "speed jumping") and other exercises; the director of the program seems to have realized this, throwing in the occasional slo-motion sequences. For those who actually are interested in this program for the exercise aspect of it (yes, all five of you.), this program offers a fairly low-key fitness routine that everyone can probably do at home. The tennis star works out with the previously mentioned jump rope, works out with a fitness ball, tosses the medcine ball with her trainer, works with weights, talks about working out abs and discusses her tips on nutrition.
For whichever reason you're interested in "Anna Kournikova: Basic Elements", it will likely prove (visually) interesting and informative. And, at Trimark's low $19.99 (and less at most stores) price, "Basic Elements" will likely be a strong seller.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Basic Elements" is presented in its original 1.33:1 full_frame aspect ratio. Trimark has generally done quite a fine job with the presentation. Sharpness and detail are very solid and the picture consistently looks well-defined. I didn't see any flaws that really concerned me; I only saw a few moments of shimmering and a slightly "digital" look to a scene or two. Colors appeared natural and well-rendered, as well.
SOUND: The stereo soundtrack is perfectly fine for the material, although there's one minor problem that some might have - Kournikova does have a bit of an accent, so some may have to turn up the volume to make sure they're able to hear all of her tips. Other than her discussions about fitness and nutrition, there's a backing score that sounds similar to the sort of lite-techno music in most exercise videos.
MENUS:: The main menu is nicely animated, with different clips playing in the background.
EXTRAS:: Nothing. An interview or maybe some tennis footage would have been nice.
Final Thoughts: Both a strong exercise program and solid eye candy, "Basic Elements" will likely interest both Kournikova fans and those looking for a fairly simple exercise program they can do on their own.
Hmmm...where to start? First off, I would like to congratulate Trimark Pictures for their terrific business decision to gain the rights to "Anna Kournikova: Basic Elements". The blond, athletic, confident and gorgeous Russian teen has apparently not won many tournaments at all, but she's easily the most popular female tennis star in the world, with numerous magazine articles (a recent FHM), millions in sponsorship deals, her own video game and even mentions on television shows (I believe an entire episode of "Seinfeld" director Andy Ackerman's TV show "It's Like, You Know" was devoted to her).
Of course, there will be an audience who really couldn't care less about fitness and will be thrilled to see Kournikova doing jump rope (yes, even "speed jumping") and other exercises; the director of the program seems to have realized this, throwing in the occasional slo-motion sequences. For those who actually are interested in this program for the exercise aspect of it (yes, all five of you.), this program offers a fairly low-key fitness routine that everyone can probably do at home. The tennis star works out with the previously mentioned jump rope, works out with a fitness ball, tosses the medcine ball with her trainer, works with weights, talks about working out abs and discusses her tips on nutrition.
For whichever reason you're interested in "Anna Kournikova: Basic Elements", it will likely prove (visually) interesting and informative. And, at Trimark's low $19.99 (and less at most stores) price, "Basic Elements" will likely be a strong seller.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Basic Elements" is presented in its original 1.33:1 full_frame aspect ratio. Trimark has generally done quite a fine job with the presentation. Sharpness and detail are very solid and the picture consistently looks well-defined. I didn't see any flaws that really concerned me; I only saw a few moments of shimmering and a slightly "digital" look to a scene or two. Colors appeared natural and well-rendered, as well.
SOUND: The stereo soundtrack is perfectly fine for the material, although there's one minor problem that some might have - Kournikova does have a bit of an accent, so some may have to turn up the volume to make sure they're able to hear all of her tips. Other than her discussions about fitness and nutrition, there's a backing score that sounds similar to the sort of lite-techno music in most exercise videos.
MENUS:: The main menu is nicely animated, with different clips playing in the background.
EXTRAS:: Nothing. An interview or maybe some tennis footage would have been nice.
Final Thoughts: Both a strong exercise program and solid eye candy, "Basic Elements" will likely interest both Kournikova fans and those looking for a fairly simple exercise program they can do on their own.
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