Author: Craig

“Avenging Angelo” is Next for Sly

Craig / / 2000, Avenging Angelo, Celebs

According to a story in The Hollywood Reporter by Cathy Dunkley and Zorianna Kit, Sly Stallone has agreed to star in “Avenging Angelo” which is described as a dark comedy. Negotiations are on-going to get Martin Burke to direct.

The screenplay was written by Will Aldis and Steve Mackall, and concerns the daughter of a man recently murdered who turns out to be a mafia crime boss. The woman, who the assistance of her father’s bodyguard (Stallone) seek revenge on those that killed her father.

No other cast members or a start date have been announced.

SLY IN PEOPLE

Craig / / 2000, Celebs


In the October 23, 2000, issue of People the picture above (much larger in the magazine) appears in an the SCOOP section. Sly also is quoted in the article which explores violence in movies. Pictures and quotes from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan also appear. (Thanks to Andrew for the heads-up.)
– Craig Zablo (October 22, 2000)

SLY IN MOVIELINE

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Jennifer Flavin-Stallone


Sly makes two appearances (well sort of) in the November issue of Movieline. He first appears in the picture to the left (reprinted much larger) with Jen at the Battlefield Earth premiere.

Sly also shows up in the 96th spot on the HOLLYWOOD 100 MOST LIST (as the “most egriegiously overpaid”).

Things could be worse since he was not considered:

* Most Likely to Scare a Psychiatrist (Angelina Jolie)

* Most Consistent Sellout (Robert DeNiro)

* Most Permanently in Midlife Crisis (Billy Bob Thornton)

* Most In Need of a Hit (Kevin Costner)

* Most… well, you get the idea!

 

-Craig Zablo (October 22, 2000)

The “Rocky” Connection to “Girlfight”

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Rocky

“Girlfight” is the story of an inner-city high school student, Dianna Guzman, who repeatedly gets into fights because of uncontrolled anger. She finds redemption when she finds a release for that anger in the boxing ring! “Girlfight” was written & directed by KARYN KUSAMA.  It stars MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ and SANTIAGO DOUGLAS. “Girlfight” has been winning rave reviews from the public and critics around the country as well. It also won the grand jury prize and best-director awards at the Sundance Film Festival.

What’s the STALLONE connection, you ask? Of course many critics are comparing it to “Rocky” because of the plot — underdog rising above expectations while at the same time finding love. But there’s more… Diana‘s boyfriend’s name is Adrian [and we all know that’s Rocky‘s girl’s name…]! There’s even a rap song on the soundtrack that mentions Rocky Balboa!

– Craig Zablo [October 22, 2000]

Sly in Entertainment Weekly’s Power Issue

Craig / / 2000, Driven, Eye See You, Get Carter, Rocky 4
Entertainment Weekly‘s October 27, 2000, issue is their annual POWER ISSUE. Here’s what they had to say about Sly:

* SYLVESTER STALLONE – His last $100 million hit was 1985’s Rocky IV, and the $7 million opening for 
Get Carter shows just how far the mighty have fallen. It’s been a rocky road for the 54-year-old’s future flick about an alcoholic FBI agent, now titled Eye See You, which has been on and off Universal’s release wagon for a year. The next best hope is Renny Harlin’s race-car pic, Driven.

*****
You all pretty much know how I feel about the results for “Get Carter” and the negative effect the marketing strategy had. Consider this, in the same issue of EW, “Pay It Forward” gets 1 1/2 pages and a “D” rating from the reviewer, “Bedazzled” gets 1/3 of a page and a “C-” and “The Yards” 1/2 page and a “C” rating. Each of these reviews also contained a picture from the movie reviewed.

The week that “Get Carter” premiered NO review or picture was offered because the marketing wizards decided to NOT offer “GC” for advance reviews! When the magazine finally was able to review “GC” it earned a “C” rating (higher than two of the three movies reviewed above and equal to the third!). But by this point the damage had been done.


– Craig Zablo (October 22, 2000)

Sly Feature Spread in Arena Magazine

Craig / / 2000, Get Carter

I received an e-mail from Derryk Malins from the UK who is a huge fan of Sylvester Stallone.

Derryk writes to say that Sly is featured in the November issue of the magazine ARENA.

Sly is the subject of a 12 page interview and there are lots of pictures as well!

Thanks to Derryk for sending us the info and the scan of the cover!

– Craig Zablo (October 22, 2000)

Sly in US Weekly

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Family


SLY make two appearances in the October 30, 2000, issue of US Weekly. Sarah Saffian has an article titled “Stars Crack Down on Their Own Kids’ Viewing.” The piece looks at how stars deal with violence in movies their children watch. SLY is also quoted in the article.

SLY also appears in the LOOSE TALK section. The art above by Bill Nelson appears along with the quote below:

“You have this preconceived notion of him as a big, tough guy, but he speaks four languages and he likes to watercolor.”


– Rachel Leigh Cook, on her Get Carter co-star Sylvester Stallone

– Craig Zablo [October 22, 2000]

“Get Carter” – US Weekly Review

Craig / / 2000, Get Carter

US Weekly’s review of “Get Carter” appears in their Oct. 23, 2000 issue.  “Get Carter” received a rating of 2 1/2 stars (out of four possible) with the reviewer saying that:

“…Get Carter isn’t really half bad…”

“…(Get) Carter is fairly atmospheric and introspective…”

“… director Stephen Kay’s artsy touches provide a strong sense of place…”

The reviewer further compliments the “subtlety and poignancy of the scenes between Carter (STALLONE) and his niece (RACHEL LEIGH COOK)…”

“… this is one STALLONE movie that’s interesting because of, and not despite, its star.”

Let’s now remember that “Get Carter” wasn’t given to critics for pre-release review with the implication being that pre-release reviews would only hurt “Get Carter” at the box office. Had the US Weekly review run the opening week, potential “GC” audience members would have read that “GC”:

  • received an overall 2 1/2 stars rating which is ABOVE AVERAGE
  • that it was praised for being introspective and poignant
  • that the director had been singled out for praise
  • that STALLONE and RACHEL LEIGH COOK were singled out for praise
  • that STALLONE was given special praise indicating that his performance really helped to carry the movie.

Don’t you think that these two factors would have been enough to convince more fans to give it a try?

I do.

Also consider that since “Get Carter” opened last week not as much space was given to the review this week. It received about 1/3 or 1/4 of a page with a small picture. “Dr. T and the Women,” which opened this week received the same 2 1/2 star review BUT got a FULL page (including a 1/2 page picture).
Same rating but which movie will benefit most?

BTW – There’s a small picture of SLY as Rocky which also appears in the issue in a section called “Heavy Hitters” which features 8 pictures of actors/actresses who’ve played boxers in movies.

  • Craig Zablo (October 14, 2000)