Category: 2009

New Stallone Art from Jazzman

Craig / / 2009, Expendables, Fan Art, Rambo

It’s been a while since we heard from Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes.   So it was good to hear word that things are well and receive photos of the two pieces of Stallone art he’d recently started on.

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Hey guys,

Sketchin Sly little bit again. I paused this particular frame I love from JOHN RAMBO and tried to capture that energy.

One of the things I’ve always wrestled with as an artist is bringing my love of the rough “unfinished ” drawing into the painting realm. I’m gonna try it I think. I think that Ashley Wood guy sorta blends those to things together very nicely…

The one below I started last night.

I found an amazing Sergio Toppi video on youtube and it inspired me. I might add a comic type caption box, some palm trees and a couple of gawking fans way back in the distance.

The text could be something like… Stallone slipped into a daydream during a stroll through Beverly Hills when the entire idea and cast for The EXPENDABLES came flooding into Sly’s mind.

Or something to that effect.

More sketches and a new domain on the web soon too http://www.theartofjazzman.com/pages/newnewsPG.htm

It’s always great to hear from Jazz.  I’m always impressed with his art and these last two pieces show that he continues to grow as an artist. Keep in touch, Jazz and thanks for sharing your talents.

“Rambo V: The Savage Hunt”

Craig / / 2009, Rambo 5

On Friday, September 4th, Harry @ AICN posted about a conversation he had with Sly about the plot of the next Rambo movie.  Tentaively titled, “Rambo V: The Savage Hunt,” the story follows Rambo, who is brought to the Pacific Northwest to lead a Black Ops team, as they hunt down a genetically enhanced soldier created in a secret muilitary project.  Although Sly is still working on the story, it’s obvious that he’s ready to take Rambo in a new an unexpected direction.

Later Harry updated the report with a voice message from Sly himself [which you can hear] talking about his plans for Rambo.  You can read and hear the report here.

I like the new direction that Sly is leading Rambo.  Almost reminds me of the plot of Hunter (which I would still like to see Sly do).  I also like the proposed title for the film, but I would drop the “V” and just call it “Rambo: The Savage Hunt.”

Other sites who’ve picked up the AICN story include:

Sly to Return as Rambo

Craig / / 2009, Rambo 5

The news broke today that Sylvester Stallone will return to write, direct and star as Rambo in a 5th film.  Word is that Rambo will be crossing the border to bring back a girl kidnapped by Mexican drug lords. As you can imagine, Sly returning to one of his signature characters is making headlines in places like:

Sly’s Award & “Rambo – Director’s Cut”

Craig / / 2009, Honors, Rambo

WorldTempus.com posted a piece about Sly being awarded the “Jaeger- LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award” on September 12, 2009,  during the closing ceremony of the 66th Venice International Film Festival.  Here’s a bit of what it says:

…the prize is intended to celebrate Sylvester Stallone’s stature as a filmmaker. Ever since the visionary opening sequence of his first film as a writer and director, “Paradise Alley” –a chase across the rooftops of New York City in the 1940s– Stallone has shown an original eye and an auteur’s determination

“Being honored at the Venice Film Festival – says Sylvester Stallone – is something I have always hoped would become a reality and now that it’s actually happened it’s been well worth the wait”.

During the presentation of the award, there will be a world-premiere screening of some sequences from the new film written by, directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables, with Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, and Mickey Rourke. “The Expendables – explains Stallone – is a story of heroism and the price that people pay to save others. It’s a great deal of action and human comedy as well”.

In addition, at 11 p.m. in the Sala Grande – with the support of Jaeger-LeCoultre – there will be a screening of Rambo – Director’s Cut by Sylvester Stallone, about which the director also says: “I’m very happy because I wish the director’s cut had been the actual cut. The problem with releasing a film is when you revisit it a year or some later you see all the wasted possibilities that you didn’t pay attention to the first time because of a rushed schedule. The new one has a great deal more heart to go along with the physicality of the film.”

To read the whole article click here.    [“Rambo – Director’s Cut” is music to my ears.]

Here’s another article on Sly’s Award.

Variety also covers the award.

Rocky Stands Tall in Serbia

Craig / / 2009, Rocky Balboa

There’s a touching little article at CaliforniaChronicle.com that ran on August 24, 2009.  It concerns a poor little hamlet in Serbia where the town folk decided to erect a statue of Rocky Balboa in tribute to the ultimate underdog. 

Film maker Barry Avrich went to the village and planned to make a “Borat”-style documentary making fun of the whole thing.  However, once he arrived he was moved by how sincere the villagers were.   The statue was made of cement because they couldn’t afford bronze.  Avrich’s film took a whole new direction.  He was even able to interview Sylvester Stallone who in turn was so moved by the villagers that he taped a special message that played for the huge crowds that turned out during the three day celebration leading up to the unveiling of the statue.  Barry Avrich’s documentary, “American Idol” is now on the festival circuit and has qualified for the Oscars.

To read the full article, click here.