Author: Craig

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

Rocky Balboa [SYLVESTER STALLONE] is still standing after ten brutal rounds. Rocky’s corner: Duke [TONY BURTON], Spider Rico [PEDRO LOVELL] and Rocky Jr. [MILO VENTIMIGLIA] know that their man has done the impossible… he stood toe-to-toe with the Heavyweight Champion of the World!

“Rocky Balboa,” despite facing tough competition at the box office, is more than holding its own! The critics are nearly unanimous in their praise of the movie, many making special mention of Sly’s work as writer, director and actor. It’s a great time to be a SYLVESTER STALLONE / ROCKY fan!

The final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky is in theatres now! Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.
– Craig Zablo

For a larger version of this picture click HERE!

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

“Rocky Balboa” opened Wednesday with over $6 million at the box office. No one really expected it to do over $2 million. Sly said that fans made “an old lion roar proud” in an e-mail to Harry at Ain’t It Cool News [where Sly just completed a marathon question and answer session with fans].

What’s even more important is that “Rocky Balboa” is receiving rave reviews from nearly everyone! Ebert and Roeper gave it “two thumbs up”, Rolling Stone gives it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars, The Hollywood Reporter, E!Online as well as reviewers all over the country are singing the praises of SYLVESTER STALLONE and “Rocky Balboa.”

So grab your family and friends and head out to see it [again and again]! I know that I will!
-Craig Zablo

The final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky is in theatres now! Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.

Photo by: Neil Leifer

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

Are you the ultimate Rocky fan? Do you want to win a pair of boxing gloves autographed by SYLVESTER STALLONE? If you answered, “yes” to both of those questions, then I have the contest for you!

Click HERE for all contest rules. Oh yeah, guess who will be judging the contest! Yep, me! So get your entries in soon!
-Craig Zablo

For a larger version of this image click HERE!

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

Anyone who thought SYLVESTER STALLONE’s age might be a factor against him returning to the ring for the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise had their doubts crushed when he got into the ring. Sly trained hard and it shows. We’re just two days away from the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise which hits theaters Wednesday, December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.
-Craig Zablo

For a larger version of this image click HERE!

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: Can you tell us about your decision to make Rocky a widower?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: In the beginning of this film, “Rocky Balboa,” I thought if his life is still intact then you really don’t have a, a launching pad, a starting off point. But, if the most precious thing is taken away from you and your stability is askew, your best years supposedly have come and gone and you’re alone. Alone full of grief, full of rage, full of anger, you know, what do I do now? What’s the last chapter of my life? There is your starting off point. And I think that people need a mountain to climb. And I also read about a few men who, you know, in their late 50s, who decided to climb the seven largest peaks in the world just to, you know, do it. Well this is literally going out and trying to find a mountain to climb, which is going to really change, not just his life, but the lives of the people around him.

Also be sure to check out Sly’s answers to fan questions from around the world at Ain’t It Cool News!