Ben Bova Praises Stallone & Rocky

Dr. Ben Bova has written more than 120 novels and nonfiction books. He has received numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, the John W. Campbell Memorial Award and the Robert A. Heinlein Award just to name a few. Dr. Bova is the President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past president of Science Fiction Writers of America. He is also a huge fan of the movie, Rocky.

On October 9, 2011, The Naples News posted a piece by Dr. Bova titled “Rocky Reminds Us We Can Be Contenders.” Here are some tidbits…

  • I saw the movie “Rocky” again on television a few nights ago. And, as usual, got a lump in my throat.
  • “Rocky” holds a special place in my heart.
  • And as a writer, I have to admire the script that Sylvester Stallone put together for “Rocky.” Think about it: The movie is filled with conflict and suspense, yet there is no villain, no bad guy.
  • One of the secrets of writing fiction is to avoid the clichés. Stallone did this admirably in “Rocky.” It would have been easy to scribble out just another fight movie, but Stallone steered his way past the clichés and wrote what I consider to be a masterpiece.

Rocky #1 Again

On July 9, 2011, The Bleacher Report posted their choices for the Best Boxing Movies of All Time.  There was stiff competition from Cinderella Man, The Fighter, Million Dollar Baby and Raging Bull, but Rocky came in at #1.  Here’s a bit of what they said…

  • Rocky is not only the greatest boxing film ever, it’s likely the greatest sports film ever.
  • Stallone’s slow-talking, small-witted, big-hearted Rocky, is the All-American tale…
  • Rocky is simply an American institution.

Sly & Mike Tyson

Sylvester Stallone and Mike Tyson, seen here prior to the 2011 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductions at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. Both Stallone and Tyson were 2011 Inductees.

(AFP/Getty Images/Rick Stewart)

2011 Boxing Hall of Fame

Boxing Hall of Fame inductees pose with their rings after a ceremony in Canastota, N.Y., on Sunday, June 12, 2011. From left are trainer Nacho Beristain of Mexico; Julio Cesar Chavez, of Mexico; Mike Tyson; Kostya Tszyu of Australia; actor Sylvester Stallone; and referee Joe Cortez.

(AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Joe Cortez & Sly Inducted

Referee Joe Cortez, left, holds up the arm of actor Sylvester Stallone as Stallone delivered his induction speech at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Cortez and Stallone were inducted.

(AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Sly, Don King & Mike Tyson

Actor Sylvester Stallone, left, promoter Don King, center, and boxer Mike Tyson talk before an induction ceremony at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Stallone and Tyson were inducted.

(AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Sly in the Boxing Hall of Fame

Actor Sylvester Stallone raises his arms after his induction speech at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., on Sunday, June 12, 2011.

(AP Photo/Mike Groll)

As you can imagine, Sly getting into the Boxing Hall of Fame has been big news…

 And a bunch of other sites.