Author: Craig

Ranking the “Rocky” Movies

Craig / / 2011, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Rocky Balboa

On February 9, 2011, ChicagoNow.com posted Ranking the Rocky Movies by Kyle Trompeter.  While I don’t agree with Kyle’s rankings, he does make a good case for each choice… and there is a surprise or two in his list.

And for the record, here is how I rank them:

1.  Rocky and Rocky Balboa.  {Perfect bookends to the series]
2.  Rocky III
3.  Rocky II [Depending on my mood sometimes I flip positions on II and IV]
4.  Rocky IV
5.  Rocky V [While many fans really dislike Rocky V, I am thankful that because of it we got Rocky Balboa]

– Craig

Jesse Munoz Draws First Blood

Craig / / 2011, Craig's Sly Art, Rambo

I’m a fan of Jesse Munoz’s art.  I discovered him though his DA site and then a web search to his website.  Recently Jesse ran a contest where the person who could send him a screenshot of his DA site the closest to hitting the 25,000 page view mark would win a 3 card sketch set. 

I watched as the days went by and the hits got closer to 25,000.  I hoped to be around when the number was hit.  I had been sick with a bronchial infection and woke up in the middle of the night coughing.  I decided to get up and check my e-mail.  Then I decided to check in on Jesse’s site.  Guess what page view number I landed on?  Unreal.

Jesse came through in flying colors with three cool Stallone themed cards.  This Rambo piece is the first.  I’ll show you the other two soon.  Until then, why not visit Jesse’s sites and show him some love?

Cliffhanger: All Time Best

Craig / / 2011, Cliffhanger, Honors

On January 31, 2011, Screenjunkies.com posted their list of The 10 Best Mountaineering Movies of All Time.  Coming in at #1 was…

#1   “Cliffhanger” Sylvester Stallone is a professional mountaineer who ends his career after he drops an inexperienced climber off a climbing cable. But he’s back in business to protect the area from a bomb threat and save kidnapped victims at the same time.

Click on the link to see the full post.

Rocky & Rocky II: The Best Boxing Movies of All Time

Craig / / 2011, Honors, Rocky, Rocky 2

On January 30, 2011, Moviefone.co.uk posted their choices for The 15 Best Boxing Movies of All Time.  Care to guess what movies came in at…

14. Rocky II
Before the ‘Rocky’ franchise devolved into (loveable) camp with villains like Clubber Lang and Drago, star Sylvester Stallone managed to put together one of the best and most underrated sequels in modern times. Though the climactic and triumphant return to the ring and the end of the film is memorable, the best parts of this movie deal with Rocky’s efforts to retire and his inability to find a place for himself outside the squared circle. A surprisingly moving film.

and

1. Rocky
What is there to say about Rocky that hasn’t already been said? Written by an unknown actor named Sylvester Stallone who insisted he star in the film as well, Rocky was a surprise box office and critical success when it debuted in 1976, launching Stallone to superstardom and creating a worldwide franchise that has become an indelible part of pop mythology. And on top of all that it’s still a damn good movie.

To read the full article, click here.

Thomas Boatwright’s Jack Carter

Craig / / 2011, Craig's Sly Art, Get Carter

This is the third, and at this point, last sketch by Thomas Boatwright that I have to post.  My first was this First Blood piece.  This sketch of Sly as Barney Ross from The Expendables was the second piece.  I totally dig them all [although the Jack Carter is probably my favorite]. 

If you’d like to see more of Thomas Boatwright’s art check out his blog and his DA site. Send him some love. If you get commissions, you should consider a piece from Thomas. He keeps you totally in the loop on his progress, finishes his commissions on or ahead of schedule, has very reasonable prices and is a fantastic artist! – Craig