Craig Zablo’s StalloneZone

Archive for the ‘Rocky II’ Category

From Yahoo News!

Actors Sylvester Stallone (L) and Dolph Lundgren receive an award from the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the most successful sports franchise in film history with their movie “Rocky” during a news conference for the upcoming Lionsgate motion picture “The Expendables” at Comic Con in San Diego, California July 22, 2010.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

In honor of Independence Day, Cinema Blend posted their choices for the Ten Movie Heroes Who Make Us Proud to be Americans.  Making the list were:

• Scarlett (Gone with the Wind) O’Hara
• President James (Air Force One) Marshall
• Captain John H. (Saving Private Ryan) Miller
• John (Die Hard series) McClane
• Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) Finch
• Jason (The Bourne trilogy) Bourne
• Will (High Noon) Kane
• Sarah (Terminator series) Connor
• Bryan (Taken) Mills
• Rocky (Rocky series) Balboa

Here’s some of what they had to say about Rocky…

Everyone loves an underdog, and that’s the reason why Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa is such a great character

Balboa is a hero because of the inspiration he provides,

Rocky Balboa IS the American spirit.

Click here to read the full piece.

On June 29, 2010, CasinoReports.com posted a piece with a video demonstration about the Rocky slot machine.  The report and video make it look like a fun slot machine… although the author should know that Rocky’s wife’s name is Adrain!  Click here to check it out.

On June 22, 2010, We Are Movie Geeks.com posted their selections for the Top Ten Film Franchises.  Back to the Future; Planet of the Apes; Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter; Rocky; Alien(s); Lord of the Rings; James Bond; The Godfather and Star Wars all made the list. Here’s some of what they had to say about the Rocky series:

…you cannot dismiss the genius of the character of Rocky Balboa.

Rocky was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay that Stallone wrote, and won 3, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Rocky stole the heart of America and reminded us why we should always root for the underdog.

You can read the entire post by clicking here.

On May 2, 2010, PasteMagazine.com posted their list of the Five Inspiring Movie Montages.  Of course the Rocky series had to be represented… and what better way than to include ALL of the Rocky movies.  Here’s what they had to say:

5. All the Rocky movies
Each Rocky movie could honestly have occupied a slot on this list—if you’re watching one, you’re eventually going to see Sylvester Stallone pulling a cart through the snow, or doing one-armed pullups on a Philly playground, or doing wind sprints down a beach with Carl Weathers. Eye of the tiger, baby.

To see the full list as well as the montages for the movies, click here.

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!