On November 3, 2009, MGM Home Entertainment will release ROCKY: The Undisputed Collection Blu-ray Box Set, comprising all six films in the “Rocky” series. The set is presented on seven discs, which includes a “Rocky Anthology” documentary disc, and other bonus features which you can read about here.  You can even pre-order it here.

The HDRoom.com has announced that on November 3rd, a seven disc collection of all of the “Rocky” movies will be released on Blu-ray.  Amazon.com has the collection listed at 30% off for pre-orders.  Hopefully this will be the definitve collection that all fans have requested.  As more information on the extras becomes available, we’ll post the information.

On June 27, 2009, Christopher Crespo at the Orlando Movie Examiner posted an article titled “Why Rocky Balboa Works Where the Other Rocky Sequels Failed”.  Crespo actually has some good things to say about “Rocky II” and “Rocky III” but focuses his attention on how “Rocky Balboa” (like the original “Rocky”) mirrors what was happening in Sly’s life and “Stallone (didn’t) pretend things (were) different from what they (were).” You can read the full piece by clicking here.

Christopher Crespo writes a nice piece called “Rocky II - The Forgotten Rocky” for Examiner.com [and I would have said that even if they hadn't used a StalloneZone photo!].  Here’s a few quotes:

If Rocky was about being the underdog and taking that one in a million shot, then Rocky II is about that underdog finding out what his role is in this game called life.

Much more character based than Rocky III-V, Rocky II shows a predilection for character development and drama arising out of these characters interactions.

Rocky II deserves to be remembered better, and should take its place alongside Rocky and Rocky Balboa as excellent installments about the seminal underdog. Stallone’s direction is fine, and not without a few inspired camera moves and choice moments.

You can read the full article right here.

William Russo, over at the Bleacher Report, takes a look at “The Best and Worst Opponents of Rocky Balboa.” There’s an online poll and right now Apollo and Clubber are at at 30% with Drago close behind at 28%.  Thunderlips [2%], Tommy Gunn [6%], and Mason Dixon [4%] are lagging way behind.

Click here to read the article and get your vote in!

Simon Brew, at the Den of Geek, lists 19 Underrated Sequels That Deserve a Second Chance.  Here’s what he had to say about some Stallone-starring choices:

Rocky II, III & IV

Our love of Rocky IV has already been documented at Den Of Geek, but the saga of Sylvester Stallone’s Italian Stallion is really enjoyable right up until 30 seconds before Rocky V starts. The second movie is a glossy and very functional sequel, but let’s cut film three slack for loosening up and having some fun, with Mr T’s Clubber Lang a great introduction to the franchise. Rocky IV, of course, remains without modern day parallel…

You can read the entire article here.