Author: Craig

Michael Joseph and his Rocky Balboa Paintings!

Craig / / 2006, Celebs, Sly Fan

One of the great things about running the StalloneZone is that I get to hear from Stallone fans from around the world.

Recently I received an e-mail from Michael Joseph, an artist who loves to do “sports art.”

Here’s what he had to say, followed by a look at his two of his Stallone paintings.

“This is Michael Joseph. I’m a sports artist & good friend of “Master Rocky Painter” Bill Pruitt. While Bill & I have painted many a time together, he is the best Rocky painter there is.

I just wanted to show a different side & show you what it might look like……….“At The Weigh In/ Ali v.s. Rocky”

.Michael Joseph

Michael, thanks for sharing your talents with us. Fans can see more of Michael’s work at his website! – Craig

“Rocky” USA Weekends’ Best Sports Movie

Craig / / 2006, Honors, Rocky

Rocky Balboa Teaser Hits the Net

The March 3-5, 2006 issue of USA Weekend contained an article called “Our Oscars go to…” USA Weekend opened the article with: “We asked our experts for their picks for Best Movie in the categories that you really care about, from sport and food to romance and pets.” As you’d probably guess, “Rocky” won for Best Sports Movie. Here’s what was said:

BEST SPORTS MOVIE
Rocky (1976)
The Judge: Jorge Cruise, FitSmart

OK, this one might seem a little cliche. But I think there’s a reason Rocky won for best picture: Everyone can relate! It’s about personal struggle, being the underdog and fighting the odds, which is how many people feel when they’re trying to lose weight or get fit. The fact that he doesn’t win makes it even more relatable.

Rocky makes another “Best Movie” list thirty years after it’s release! – Craig

“Rocky Balboa” Teaser Hits the Net

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa Teaser Hits the Net

The first teaser trailer for Rocky Balboa was posted at Sly’s Official Site [SylvesterStallone.com].

Of course other movie sites [Ain’t It Cool News, JoBlo.com, Chud.com, etc.] posted the news of the trailer’s release. This flooded Sly’s site with traffic and temporarily shut down the trailer. This led to speculation that the trailer had been posted by “accident” and pulled.

This isn’t the case. Here’s what Simon, the webmaster of SylvesterStallone.com had to say:

Hi Craig

Just to let you know that no one has posted the Rocky Balboa trailer by accident! 😀

 

 

The sheer volume of traffic must have overwhelmed the site, we’ll have it back up as soon as possible..

Webmaster
The Official Sylvester Stallone Website

Thanks to Simon for giving SZoners the inside scoop! – Craig

Bill Pruitt and his Rocky Balboa Painting!

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa, Sly Fan, Sly Magazine

SZoner, Bill Pruitt, checked in last week with a new Rambo painting.

This week he drops in with some paintings that appeared in Sly magazine.

Take it away, Bill!

Hi Craig,
Here are the pics working on issues 2 and 3 and with the original paintings from issues 2 and 3 separately along with a pic of the boxing commission piece where I put myself in there twice (on both ends).

Sly laughed  when I pointed that out to him. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks.
Bill

Thanks to Bill for once again sharing his talents with us! – Craig

Sly’s Water Makes the Cover

Craig / / 2006

SZoner, Tyler Richard checked in with these pictures and message:

Hey Craig,

 

I love your site, one of the few I regularly visit. Obviously I’m a Stallone fanatic.

 

I thought you’d appreciate this, Sly on the cover of “Canadian Water Treatment” magazine along with an article inside on his water.

Keep up the great work and thanks for having the site out there.

 

p.s. My theory on the new Rocky is going to have him die in the ring, SHOCK THE WORLD

 

Yours truly,

Tyler Richard
Toronto, Canada

Thanks to Tyler for sharing! – Craig

Action Figure Digest: Rocky and Rambo!

Craig / / 2006, Rambo, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5

The March 2006 issue of Tomart’s Action Figure Digest features early prototypes of the new Rocky figures on the cover as well as a two page spread featuring over 20 images of the additional characters and items which will be offered.

Here are some highlights:

* Approximately 40 to 50 figures will be produced
* All of the lead characters will be featured with figures from each film
* Key secondary and tertiary characters from all films will also get a figure [even the robot from Rocky IV!]
* A new series will be issued every one to two months starting in October 2006

This issue also features a pic of the Sideshow Collectables HALO Rambo!
The mag is well worth the price of admission and can be found on newstands now.

– Craig

 

New Bill Pruitt Rambo Painting!

Craig / / 2006, Rambo 2, Sly Fan

New Bill Pruitt Rambo Painting!

Bill Pruitt recently sent in the scan to the left of a Rambo painting that he’d done a while back. When I asked him what else he’d been up to he replied:

“I have been keeping busy painting. I have several pieces that I am working on with a couple other Sly / Rocky pieces and several regular portrait commissions. Also, I will have two pieces of Marilyn Monroe in an upcoming coffee table book called Marilyn in Art tentatively due out in March.”

Bill’s an amazing artist. You can check out his work at his site. You’ll be glad that you did!

– Craig