Poets & Writers Magazine

The Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Director Robert Zemeckis, and Best Actor Tom Hanks, this unlikely story of a slow-witted but good-hearted man somehow at the center of the pivotal events of the 20th century is a funny and heartwarming epic. Hanks plays the title character, a shy Southern boy in love with his childhood best friend (Robin Wright) who finds that his ability to run fast takes him places. As an All-Star football player he meets John F. Kennedy; as a soldier in Vietnam he's a war hero; and as a world champion Ping-Pong player he's hailed by Richard Nixon. Becoming a successful shrimp-boat captain, he still yearns for the love of his life, who takes a quite different and much sadder path in life. The visual effects incorporating Hanks into existing newsreel footage is both funny and impressive, but the heart of the film lies in its sweet love story and in the triumphant performance of Hanks as an unassuming soul who savors the most from his life and times. --Robert Lane

Gina Prince-Bythewood, a former college athlete, puts a spin on this one-on-one tale of Love and Basketball. Sanaa Lathan (The Best Man) is the fiercely driven, hot-tempered Monica, a tomboy who gives her all for basketball. Omar Epps (The Mod Squad) is Quincy, an NBA player's son who has pro dreams of his own. Next-door neighbors since first grade, they start as rivals (she flabbergasts the boy by outplaying him in a game of driveway pickup) and age into best friends and lovers. The romantic complications follow a familiar game plan, but the film throws a fascinating spotlight onto the contrast between men's and women's basketball. While Quincy plays college ball on huge courts to cheering, sold-out crowds, we see Monica's sweat, tears, and sheer physical dedication in front of tiny audiences in small gyms and second-rate auditoriums.

The story is pointedly set in the late 1980s, years before the establishment of the WNBA, so Monica's prospects for pro ball lie exclusively in Europe, while Quincy steps into the pros at home. It's a pleasure to see a character as passionate and fully developed as Monica, and Lathan gives a fiery portrayal (she had never played ball before the film, but you'd never tell from her performance). Prince-Bythewood favors her struggle over Quincy's and opens our eyes to her unique challenges with a sharp, savvy contrast. Alfre Woodard costars as Monica's harping mom (always trying to get her to be more ladylike) and Dennis Haysbert is Quincy's philandering father. Hoops fan Spike Lee produced. --Sean Axmaker

The Omron HJ-112 Pocket Pedometer is an advanced, high-tech pedometer that--thanks to unique dual sensor technology--can be carried in your pocket or bag. Now you can just drop your pedometer in your purse to find out how much exercise you get in a typical day of work, errands, and other tasks. Of course, you can also attach it to your belt like a traditional pedometer.

A large, easy-to-read display helps you keep tabs on your workout. View larger.

The HJ-112 accurately measures your steps, as well as aerobic steps and minutes. You can also use it to measure calorie consumption during your workout, as well as the distance you've traveled.

The device's large, easy-to-read LCD display can separately display aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously, so you always have the information you need right in front of you. Meanwhile, a seven day history lets you review a full week of exercise. The device also resets at midnight automatically so it's ready to go every morning. Of course, the device can also function as a handy and highly accurate clock. It also comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap so it's always close at hand.

The HJ-112 is powered by a replaceable lithium battery (CR2032) that will last six months when used for walking 10,000 steps a day. The device measures approximately 2.8 x 2.1 x .6 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 1.1 ounces (not including battery).

What's in the Box
Pedometer, battery (CR2032), screwdriver, strap, clip for strap, holder, and instructional manual.

Compare Omron Pedometers
	HJ-150	HJ-151	HJ-112	HJ-720ITC
Measurement	Steps	Steps Moderate steps and minutes Calories Distance	Steps Aerobic steps and minutes Calories Distance	Steps Aerobic steps and minutes Calories Distance
Product Placement	Clip to belt	Clip to belt	Pocket, bag or clip to belt	Pocket, bag or clip to belt
History	7 days	7 days	7 days	7 days (displayed) 42 days (in memory)
Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year
Batteries	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)
Estimated Battery Life	Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)
Time of Day Display
Omron Health Management Software

Q&A - Pedometers

Does it matter where the pedometer is placed or attached?
The HJ-150 and 151 Pedometer must be positioned correctly. Attach the unit to your belt or to the top of your waistband. The unit must be horizontal to the ground in order for the unit to function correctly. The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer can also be placed in your pocket or purse.
What's the accuracy rate of Omron pedometers?
The precision of the step counting is within +/- 5%.
What are moderate steps?
At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended each day. The HJ-151 Pedometer separately displays the steps and minutes walked at a moderate pace.
What are aerobic steps?
The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer separately displays aerobic steps and minutes that start counting after 10 minutes of continuous walking with more than 60 steps a minute.
How does the PC software work?
The HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP. It keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.

The Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer is an advanced, high-tech pedometer that--thanks to unique dual sensor technology--can be carried in your pocket or bag. Now you can just drop your pedometer in your purse to find out how much exercise you get in a typical day of work, errands, and other tasks. Of course, you can also attach it to your belt like a traditional pedometer.

The device's large, easy-to-read LCD display can separately display aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously, so you always have the information you need right in front of you. Meanwhile, a seven day history lets you review a full week of exercise, and there's also a 42-day memory for uploading past workouts to your PC. The device resets at midnight automatically so it's ready to go every morning. Of course, the device can also function as a handy and highly accurate clock. It also comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap so it's always close at hand.

The HJ-720ITC is powered by a replaceable lithium battery (CR2032) that will last six months when used for walking 10,000 steps a day. The pedometer also includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP, which keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.

The included Omron Health Management Software provides a steps graph that lets you see how your values are trending over time. View larger.

View pedometer and blood pressure data together (via a split screen) on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. View larger.

Omron Health Management Software
Take your health to the next level with the included Omron Health Management Software. This PC software provides a blood pressure and pulse graph that lets you see how your values are trending over time. A morning/evening comparison graph tracks your morning and evening systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. You can also view your most common values and identify variations by time frame with the frequency distribution graph. The software is simple to use, and it supports multiple users. With just one click, you can download data via the HJ-720ITC's USB connection and see graphically displayed measurements on your computer screen in seconds.

Compare Omron Pedometers
	HJ-150	HJ-151	HJ-112	HJ-720ITC
Measurement	Steps	Steps Moderate steps and minutes Calories Distance	Steps Aerobic steps and minutes Calories Distance	Steps Aerobic steps and minutes Calories Distance
Product Placement	Clip to belt	Clip to belt	Pocket, bag or clip to belt	Pocket, bag or clip to belt
History	7 days	7 days	7 days	7 days (displayed) 42 days (in memory)
Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year
Batteries	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)	3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032)
Estimated Battery Life	Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)	Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day)
Time of Day Display
Omron Health Management Software

Q&A - Pedometers

Does it matter where the pedometer is placed or attached?
The HJ-150 and 151 Pedometer must be positioned correctly. Attach the unit to your belt or to the top of your waistband. The unit must be horizontal to the ground in order for the unit to function correctly. The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer can also be placed in your pocket or purse.
What's the accuracy rate of Omron Pedometers?
The precision of the step counting is within +/- 5%.
What are moderate steps?
At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended each day. The HJ-151 Pedometer separately displays the steps and minutes walked at a moderate pace.
What are aerobic steps?
The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer separately displays aerobic steps and minutes that start counting after 10 minutes of continuous walking with more than 60 steps a minute.
How does the PC software work?
The HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP. It keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.