Category: Honors

“Rocky” Still a Great Example

Craig / / 2003, Honors, Rocky

Michael Booth of The Denver Post in his July 27, 2006 column explores the fact that “not all box-office hits had great expectations.” Booth lists eight movies that defied all expectations and “Rocky” makes the cut. Here’s what he says:

“Rocky” cost less than $1 million, was the brainchild of then-nobody Sylvester Stallone and sported an underdog plot considered naive for a troubled year like 1976. It made $117 million and won the best-picture Oscar.Thirty years later and “Rocky” is still getting props. And rightly so.

For the full report, click HERE. – Craig

“Nighthawks” 1st Buddy-Cop Movie

Craig / / 2003, Celebs, Honors, Nighthawks

Phil Villarreal of the Arizona Daily Star takes a look at the genre of Buddy-Cop movies and has this to say about “Nighthawks”:

The movie often credited as being the first buddy-cop film was the solemn “Nighthawks” (1981), which teamed Billy Dee Williams and Sylvester Stallone as two New York City cops who are transferred to an elite anti-terrorism unit.

For the full report, click HERE. – Craig

“Rocky” Top 50 Best Endings

Craig / / 2003, Honors, Rocky

Filmritic.com has compiled “The Top 50 Movie Endings of All Time” and of course “Rocky” made the list coming in at #37. Here’s what they had to say:

37. Rocky (1976) – As Bill Conte‘s score soars in the background, a bloodied Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and a hatless Adrian (Talia Shire) finally proclaim their love for one another. And in the distant background, a ring announcer tells a frenzied crowd that our hero has actually lost the fight that held us captive for an entire final act. In one dramatic move, two shy nobodies find their hearts and nothing else matters. -NS

For the full report, click HERE. – Craig

Sly Named Top Icon Magazine Profile

Craig / / 2003, Honors

VH1 decided to find the top 200 Greatest Popular Culture Icons.

Sly made the list at 115.

Each of VH1’s 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons is illustrated by celebrated artist Robert Risko, profiled in a magazine as well as espisodes on VH1. Check out their website for full details.

The magazine profile of Sly contains the picture to the left and the following text:

Sylvester Stallone

For a guy who got his start in porn, Sylvester Stallone bounced back just like in one of his own scripts. Six years after baring all in “A Party at Kitty and Stud’s” for $200, Stallone created what was to become the cinematic anthem of the underdog. He wrote the first draft of “Rocky” in three days and insisted on playing the part of the determined boxer himself despite studio pressure to cast a star. “Rocky” ended up earning 10 Oscar nominations and won for Best Picture. His portrayal of another sequel-friendly action man, vengeful Vietnam vet John Rambo, turned Stallone into more than a one character wonder. Though less successful in the comedy genre [“Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!”], the father of five, who is married to model Jennifer Flavin, is indomitable. “The eyes droop, the mouth is crooked,the teeth aren’t straight, the voice sounds like a Mafioso pallbearer,” he once said of himself. “But somehow it all works.”

Sly Named Top Icon

Craig / / 2003, Honors

VH1 decided to find the top 200 Greatest Popular Culture Icons. Their criteria: “You can quote them in an instant, reference them with just one name, and even dress up like them for Halloween. In this always-expanding pop culture of ours, there are plenty of stars, but precious few icons.”

Each of VH1’s 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons is illustrated by celebrated artist Robert Risko, profiled in a magazine of the same name as well as episodes on VH1. Check out their website for full details.

We’re happy to say that Sly made the list at 115.

Sly vs Ali

Craig / / 2003, Celebs, Honors

The March 21, 2003 issue of Entertainment Weekly contains an article entitled “Oscars 20 Most Memorable Moments.” The picture to the left and following text appear in it.
1977 A long-shot Best Actor nominee for the boxing drama Rocky, Sylvester Stallone probably wasn’t expecting any golden trophies. He definitely wasn’t expecting to be joined on stage by heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali. “I’m the real Apollo Creed!” Ali exclaims, pseudo-sparring with the Italian Stallion. “Show me what you can really do!”

– Craig Zablo

100 Best Action Movies

Craig / / 2003, Honors, Nighthawks, Rambo 2

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes wants everyone to know that the current issue of PREMIERE (Feb 2003) lists “The 100 BEST action movies on DVD” and you know Sly was on there. Here is what it said:

# 53.NIGHTHAWKS (1981, GOODTIMES ENTERTAIMENT )
Sylvester Stallone made his finest action film long before he got locked in the Rambo-Rocky sequel cycle. In this gritty and unsentimental police tale, Sly and his partner, Billy Dee Williams, chase a chillingly cut-throat international terrorist ( Rutger Hauer ) through the streets , clubs and subways of New York City.

# 63. RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II ( 1985, ARTISAN HOME ENTERTAINMENT )
Sylvester Stallone‘s John Rambo goes back behind the bamboo curtian to rescue American POW’s in Vietnam from the clutches of Commie rats.Despite the pandering politics, the movie’s attitude is solidly antiauthoritarian, and the super cut, tanned Stallone is fun to watch when he lets the machine gun rip.

Great choices I thought !

Peace,
Jazz
http://www.theartofjazzman.com

+++++

Thanks to Jazz for sending! – Craig Zablo

M. Knight Shyamalan Loves “Rocky”

Craig / / 2002, Celebs, Honors, Rocky

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the following:

This week’s [August 5, 2002] issue of NEWSWEEK contains a real cool article on M. Night Shyamalan. In it he lists his TOP 10 Films and whatta ya know Mr. Balboa’s film made da list. I agree with what he said too …:-)

Now kid Night needs to give Sly a buzz ya know what I mean?”

Jazz, I couldn’t agree with you more!

– Craig Zablo
[August 4, 2002]

Sylvester Stallone: Action Star of the Millennium

Craig / / 2002, Honors

Sylvester Stallone: Action Star of the Millennium

On July 16, 2002 The Video Software Dealers Association honored Sylvester Stallone with its “Action Star of the Millennium” Award.

“We are thrilled to present Sylvester Stallone with this award,” said VSDA Chairman Tom Warren. “Mr. Stallone has created some of the most memorable characters in cinema history. Rocky Balboa and John Rambo are cinema cornerstones in American culture and have become synonymous with courage and rough-hewn integrity. Because of DVD technology and the overwhelming popularity of home video, his numerous films will continue to be enjoyed by film buffs for generations to come.”

“I want to thank the 12,000 video stores who keep movies alive and bring films like `Rambo‘ to new audiences,” said Stallone upon reception of his award. “There are no perfect people, only perfect moments, and this has been one of them.”

Thanks to Alain and Maurice Totry for their assistance with this item.

– Craig Zablo [July 20, 2002]