Author: Craig

“Rocky” All-Time Favorite Again

Craig / / 2009, Honors, Rocky

Larry Phillips of the Mansfield News-Journal.com posted his all-time favorite sports films.  “Rocky” came in third and here’s what he had to say:

3. Rocky (1976)

Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire. Supposedly, Stallone was inspired to write this picture after watching a 1975 fight in Cleveland when Muhammad Ali struggled to put away Chuck Wepner. Rocky Balboa is the quintessential palooka, a southpaw with a Philly left hook as his only weapon against the world. The brilliance of this film, which won the Oscar for Best Picture, is captured in the final seconds. One has to listen closely to discover who won the big fight. Of course by that time we all know a winner isn’t judged by a scorecard.

You can read the full piece by clicking here.

Why “Rocky Balboa” Works

Craig / / 2009, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Rocky Balboa

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.

Evan Bryce: Expendables Art

Craig / / 2009, Craig's Sly Art, Expendables

I’m a big Evan Bryce fan.  I’ve been following his work for a few years now and we’ve become friends via the internet.

When I saw that Evan was going to be at this year’s Heroes Convention, I knew that I’d want to get a sketch from him to go with my other two.  We talked and Evan asked what character I wanted.  I told him it was his choice and handed him the reference photos.  I had high expectations for what Evan would come up with.  He exceeded them all.

Evan is an exciting artist and one to keep an eye on.  You can see more of his work at his blog or his Deviant Art site.  Plan to spend a while.

“Expendables” Set Reports

Craig / / 2009, Expendables

On June 22, 2009, Christopher Monfette posted a very nice set report from location filming of “The Expendables”. Here, Sly describes how “The Expendables” script took shape:

“This started out as a dark comedy, as a satire,” admits Stallone. “Then it became a really hard-R, then it went back. It wasn’t until, literally, a week before filming that we just said, ‘OK, let’s make it this kind of movie.’ It has poignancy, but it’s not preachy. It’s a dark comedy, but it takes the stereotypes of guys like Jason Statham and shows that for as tough as he is, he has problems with women, or that the only thing I’ve acquired in my life is a truck. That I can’t even relate to human beings anymore. They’re very, very tough in their own world and extremely weak in the real world.”

You can read the full piece here.

Harry at AICN also provides a set report and breaks down a particular scene that was giving Dolph problems.  It’s cool to hear Harry explain the process that Dolph, Sly and the others went through to get it right, as well as a potential back-up plan should it not be able to be worked out.

Sly & Barney

Craig / / 2009, Expendables

On June 14, 2009 the Sun-Herald.com posted the photo above with the report that Sly had bought a puppy from the man in the picture.  Sly purchased a Catahoula puppy from Craig Seiller.  Sly named the pup, Barney after the character that Sly plays in “The Expendables”.  Here’s a bit of what Mr. Seiller had to say about Sly:

“This guy is the real deal… He treated me just like a neighbor or a friend.. He’s down-to-earth, a real, regular guy. He invited me back a few days later and we went on the set while he directed some stunt scenes. With all those people there, he took the time to explain, to me, how these shots are made. Can you imagine that?

You can read the whole article here.