As we get ready to enter a new year, I just wanted to thank all of the SYLVESTER STALLONE / ROCKY fans [especially the SZoners, and you know who you are!] for the support that they’ve shown me since I took over the Rocky Balboa Blog. I also want to thank Sly, Frank, Sage, Kevin, Celeste, Amy, and Sandro for believing that a fan could get the job done and then helping him to do it.
Finally, I want to thank John Beatty at Big Shot Graphics for his invaluable assistance in making sure everything worked [and looked great]!
Sly gave us a great movie, let’s return the favor. Continue to support “Rocky Balboa” [see it again and take your family and friends – heck take your enemies!]. Don’t forget that Frank’s “Take You Back” is available on I-Tunes!
May the new year bring you everything that you’ve wished for and even a little bit more!
–Craig Zablo
Photo by: John Bramley
i agree, beyond greatness of a movie!
_Big J
Holy *#$@. I just got back from the movie and I smell an Oscar. If the liberal drabs in H-Wood have any guts or any true allegiance to their art, they will laud this movie and bow down to Sly’s genius. I was inspired and the imagery, dialogue and emotion of this movie will lift me up for many years to come.
…DAPCPA
Thanks for running a great blog Craig. Also thank you Sly and everyone involved for making such a fantastic, inspiring film. God bless you all.
-Zachary Buckler
I’ve always loved the Rocky series, being an underdog martial artist from a small town. I’d love to thank Sly for inspiring us to keep on moving. I abs-solutely! loved the new movie! I might even go watch it again as you suggest 🙂
Craig, thanks for putting so much work into what is my favourite site of the year. The interviews, news and photos have kept the buzz going about Rocky Balboa that has made sure that I will be FIRST in the queue when the doors open on Jan 19th. Have a fantastic 2007, Bud.
COME ON!!!!!!!
epx
i’m going to see it in theater for sure when its in my area. 😛 that won’t be for another couple weeks.
and i live in canada, grr!
i have seen the movie though, i could not wait 😛
Craig,
You’ve done a superb job and made it worthwhile for all of us. You can tell through this process and the film viewing who all of the diehard fans are who have followed the story through. You have made it so much more fun and exciting. Thanks for all of YOUR hard work…even though you are passing the credit on to others. Without your work on this blog, the anticipation wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting. Thanks really isn’t enough, but sometimes it is the best we can do. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
First Comment!
Rocky is one of the best characters of the XX century. I´m glad to see this last film. A great film.
Thanks for all.
Craig,
You did a great job in bringing this blog alive. Thank you for all you’ve done on that and the StalloneZone (the best Sly site out there) All Sly’s fans have had access to so much stuff we would never have seen if it weren’t for your hard work. I have seen Balboa 5 times with all different sets of friends, some in Philly and some in Florida. Everyone has loved it and I have another big group going to see it with me this week. Every time just gets better! Thank you Sly for the wonderful gift of Rocky Balboa and thank you Craig for all your hard work. Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
Bridget
Craig, you did a great job providing all the information for us for this movie, thank you very much, Rocky Balboa was worth the wait and Sly, this was the perfect ending for an iconic character, I loved the movie and it went off on a great note. Now it’s time for Rocky to ride off in the sunset and we can cherish all the memories Rocky Balboa provided for us, thank you and God Bless.
Craig,
Great job with this blog. We Rocky fans appreciated it. The Aintitcool.com give and take was terrific also.
Welcome to the internet, Sly! Criag, hope you get involved in a blog for Sly’s next effort.
Never underestimate Craig (or Rambo!)
i guess my coment did not get through the first two times i wrote something really touching but kinda of forgot but i just wanted to say how much i really enjoyed the movie oh do i wish my first blog would have made it through but any way all rockies are excellent but rocky 6 reached the core of my heart and really shows you what life is all about and that you may lose loved ones in your life but you continue to stand as much as it may hurt. life will slap you in your face but your heart takes over and you continue to somehow still be standing strong ilove you sly and all of the rockies rock best actor of the year is sly and best picture of the year is Rocky Balboa. never let life keep you from standing fight for three things for love glory and self- respect just like rocky did
who does not love rocky? there are no words to describe how the movie touched my heart. the two scenes i enjoyed the most were when rocky was reliving his past at the ice rink it really touched my heart, and the second scene was when he was telling his son how life will rip you to shreads but how you must contiune to stand no matter what happens in life and what you may lose such as loved ones you keep on standing. never lose sight of what you are fighting for whether you win or lose the final round it does not matter because you survived throughout the whole fight and i guess that was what rocky balboa was about when he did not win it was all about how he kept on going and never gave up. also rocky is the greatest under dog story of all time. rocky balboa is a must see movie. it is one you will remeber forever trust me. you will love it. Sly you did an beyond excellent job in all of the rockies. be strong and live life to its fullest but watch out for those twists and turns that may lead you down a wrong path. never give up in the final round.
Congratilations Mr.stallone, i´m from Portugal and can´t wait to see the movie…
I saw this movie for the second time today. its greatness
sly this movie was the bomb.com
i think the character really came full circle..and when you leave the theater..and you feel like you wanna go do something great and you wanna just better yourself..or really u just leave jacked up and ready to take on the world..like i did..you know you saw a great movie…thanks for the opportunity to see it my first and last time on the big screen as well..by the way..wut about rambo 4?!
Craig, thank you for all of your hard work and making this a special time for us Sly/ROCKY fans:) You’re work on this blog has been nothing short of spectacular! The movie was just pure GOLD! It is now my favorite in the entire series! Craig, if you can, PLEASE thank Sly for me and tell him that Aron Scott sends him his best wishes! it would mean the world to me:) Happy New Year Craig, make it a good one brother:), I hope you’ll put together a RAMBO blog soon:) peace and god bless – Aron Scott
I saw it last night. I was in tears. it was that great. I never see a movie twice in a theater, this one I will.
Thanks Sly
I just got back from seeing this movie for the second time, and it was even better the second time around for me!! I have a dog that was going to be euthanized because he was misunderstood. My wife and I fought to get him out of the shelter and we did. We started training him as a Frisbee dog, and less than two years later he placed 4th in the AWI World Championships and the UFO World Finals and was crowned the Cynosport Flying Disc World Champion! Plus he’s a Pit Bull – An incredible real life underdog story. Being a Rocky fan, we made a training montage Rocky style before the movie came out with Wallace in a hooded sweathshirt and all, so we went nuts when we first saw Rocky running with Punchy in his shirt. Not sure if it’s appropriate to post the link here, so I won’t, but if you go to You Tube and search Wallace the Pit Bull, you will find it. Thanks Sly for making such a great movie, an amazing ending to the series, and for keeping the hopes of the underdogs like Wallace out there alive and flourishing. Definitely a must see movie!!
Roo and Wallace
What can I say but “Oh my God”.
Thanks, Sly, for a truly GREAT movie, an inspriation to all of us middle agers who grew up with Rocky and find ourselves wondering what’s next.
I laughed, I cried, I stood up and applauded.
Thank you.
It’s really not over until it’s over, is it?
All I can say is Oh My God.
What an awesome, inspiring movie.
I cried, I laughed, I stood up and applauded.
Thanks, Sly, for remindind all of us who grew up with Rocky and face our inevitable that it’s truly not over until it’s over.
WOW
The team of blog is very good. The film is incredible. Rocky is legend. Edmundo, a super fan of Brazil!
Took less than 2 weeks. How awesome is that? I read it cost only $24 million to produce. Way to go Rocky and Rocky fans!!! Push it to $60 or $70 million!
It ain’t how hard you hit, its how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward!
“Your one crazy old man” “you’ll get there one day”
qoute of the movie 🙂
What happens in the end. My 4 year old son is dying to know and it isnt out in england for a while.
Thanks
Great Movie!! I am going to see it for a 3rd time!! We Love you Sly, thanks for bringing the American Legend back for one more round. You inspire us all. Life long, Stallone Fan~
Hello, Sylvester Stallone’s fans! How are you? I hope you’re well.
My nickname is Eddy Nyce, I’m from Brazil, South America.
A thousand pardons, I’m late very much but, I wanna telling you, your family and your friends “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”, MORE HAPPINES, MORE HEALTH.
While (I know, is incorrect, sorry please) I’m waiting for Sylvester Stallone new movie here down. So I’m reading something of Edgar Allan Poe. The tales are ghostly, darksome, mystery, etc.
I like phrase (I will try put into English)” … This is the life, without doubt, is the life that I captured in the painting”.
The painting (or screen) are dangerous, but we loved.
I gotta go.
I’m sorry my incorrect English.
Thank you very much!
Hugs and kisses for you! Happy 2007!
Good bye!
Eddy Nice
I’m so glad Stallone delivered the goods with this one. It’s the closest he’s come to recapturing the greatness of the first and second movie. Proud of you Rock.
And thank you Craig!
-Sgt Mendez
i’m seriously losin patience here, i’m an admirer and i in India where every kid knows ur name and is waitin 4 da movie ever since the release and it really doesn’t help when u have the pirated editions doin its rounds. plz help me and a billion others by bringin da movie to India, soon.
Craig, you’ve done so much for us and I really appreciate it but can you please tell us how much money the movie has grossed, I seriously hope it grossed over a 100 million, maybe more, this is a true classic and it deserves the creditibility that Rocky Balboa gave to all of us.
DE ALGO ESTOY SEGURO;SIN TODAVIA HABERLA VISTO-EL ESTRENO EN URUGUAY ES EN ABRIL-ROCKY BALBOA ES EL GRAN SUCESO DE NUESTROS TIEMPOS,PARA EL FAN QUE LLEVAMOS DENTRO.DE ESA PERSONA LLAMADA SYLVESTER STALLONE,PARA ALGUNOS,UN MUY BUEN ACTOR,PARA OTROS,UNA INSPIRACION,,ALGO ASI COMO UN CAMINO DE AUTOSUPERACION Y FE,EN DONDE EL COMBUSTIBLE ES EL CORAJE Y LAS GANAS DE IR SIEMPRE HACIA ADELANTE,LLENDO A LA PAR CON LA VIDA.SLY,GRACIAS.(Y AGUANTE ROCKY!!!!!!)RICARDO,A FAN FROM URUGUAY
I just saw the movie and I really liked it. I thought it was back to the original in many ways which I appreciated. It was sensitive and realistic but it did not try too hard to be something spectacular which was also a welcome change from what most movies seem to be about these days. Just back to the raw, well-written, well-acted, real people scenes which touched me a lot like in the original Rocky. No sequel will ever be as good as the original Rocky was, in my opinion, but this Rocky was quite a bit different than the other sequels, and can stand on its own as a good film and a fitting final tribute to a hero.
What a movie! I was a kid in the Philly area when the 1st one came out and I never miss a chance to see the 1st one. While I liked that one orginally because it highlighted my home, I sooned learned the real reason for liking it, the classic underdog story. Balboa has so much against him, but he knew what he wanted, faced the fear and won it with heart and guts. In the later movies, I think the character got away from this. But not with this one. You guys went right back to what Rocky really was, that underdog, full of heart, honor and guts, who kept getting back up. Yes, there are some of us who still believe in that.
This movie proves that our boy, Rock, did not turn into “just another bum from the neighborhood”.
I hope that you get an Oscar for this one.
Hi,Sly!
I am a student of the university in Taiwan, and I’m 20 right now.
I think that you may not come to Taiwan for this movie.Perhaps I have no chance to see face to face, and ask for a signature, and shake hands,….
As a matter of fact, I feel a little depressed for that.
Rocky, My Favorite movie.
Thank you for this, sly.
cant wait… from Bruno Adeliade SA
Mr. Stallone,
Like many others, I have been a fan of Rocky ever sence the first one came out back in the 70’s. I think I was 16 then, Now I’m 46. You inspired me to get into body building as did Arnold S. and others. As I got older, I sustained injuries like yourself that slowed me down. I’ve broke my back twice, had a knee injury, shoulder and double hernia operations, all which have slowed me way down. However, after seeing “Rocky Balboa”, I have a new determination all over again to regain myself image and fight to be successful. Your movie was so moving to me and I could certainly relate to so much of it. Thank you for such a great performance, My New Years Res is to get back into the best shape of my life, It’s going to be a challenge but it’s also going to be alot of fun. One more thing…It takes a lot of Faith to mention “Jesus Christ” in the one scene where you’re praying before entering the ring…you never see that anymore in movies and I’m so glad you included that part, it only reinforces the whole movie so much more in my personal view. Keep up the good work! Thanks again, A fellow Italian.
We just saw this and it is a superb film. Great movie, Sly! Thanks so much for giving us a fine movie without all sorts of junk in it that everyone really can enjoy. I’ll definitely be highly recommending it to others and we can’t wait for the DVD.
This movie certainly deserves an Academy nod or two – not that they are adept at recognizing great movies anymore, but it would be nice.
Beautifully filmed, terrific and inspiring script, fabulous acting from the entire cast. It was real. This easily measures up to the first ‘Rocky’, and is probably one of the better films to hit the big screen in the past five or six years. I had to hold back a cheer several times during this film.
Again, thanks so much for a fantastic movie. This is what is supposed to be on the silver screen – indeed, it’s what movies were meant to be.
You guys in the US are so lucky it’s already been released. They advertised the released dates here as Jan 4 so I planned my whole week around it. I was going to buy La Premiere tickets (like Gold Class), I even took the day off work!
Then when 4 Jan came around I couldn’t find a ticket anyway – or any advertising for the movie.
Turns out they decided to change the release date to 1 Feb. Got to wait some more!!!
Thank you, Sly, for this whole awesome story of Rocky Balboa! I remember watching Rocky as a child with my dad and enjoying them, but now, as an adult, I appreciate them as well as enjoy them. They teach so much about life. As a child, they were exciting but as an adult, they touch my heart and soul. Rocky IV and V was on tv the other night and my son and I sat and watched them together. He was so pumped and thrilled with excitement and my heart just melted as we bonded and as I remembered back to my childhood. The next day we had to go buy the movies and then later went to see the new “Rocky Balboa”. It was awesome and amazing. Each movie has show me something about life and love. Never giving up. You have given us all a gift thru Rocky and I don’t believe there would ever have been anyone better to play the part of Rocky then you. You show the true meaning of love and trust, how a woman should be treated and how she should treat her man and about being a family. Yet, somehow in there you have the excitement and toughness to hold everyones attention. Genious! I am and always will be a huge Rocky fan and now, so is my son…we all are. I agree that one of my favorite scenes is when Rocky is telling his son to stop blaiming everyone else…be who he is!!! THis really touched me as it is something I needed to hear based on a lifetime of something I have had to deal with…so, Thank You!!! God Bless You!!!