Category: Rocky Balboa

Frank Stallone Checks In

Craig / / 2006, Frank Stallone, Rocky Balboa

Frank Stallone and I exchanged a few e-mails this week. Here are some things Frank said that SZoners will want to hear::

* Wait till you see this film [“Rocky Balboa”] it’s awesome.

* “Rocky Balboa” opens a panning camera shot of the city while “Take You Back” is playing [about 54 seconds which is a lot of time for film].

* We are gearing up for the single release as we speak

* I also have two more songs in the movie: “You Wake Up The Heart In Me” and “Raw.”

* Thanks for the support! It’s so great that you still keep the site going!

– Frank‘s not only a talented guy, but he’s always been supportive of the SZ!

I think it’s so cool how “Take You Back” was in the original “Rocky” and now brings the final chapter full circle.

If all SZoners support the release of the “Take You Back” it’ll send a strong message about the strength of Rocky Balboa‘s fan base.

There was a “teaser” trailer for “Rocky Balboa” on the net which featured Frank’s song “Take You Back” as the camera was panning Philly. Does anybody have a link to it?  – Craig

Entertainment Weekly: They’re Back, Baby!

Craig / / 2006, Rambo, Rocky Balboa

The October 20, 2006 issue of Entertainment Weekly features and article titled, “They’re Back, Baby” by Tim Stack. Stack looks at six movie franchises that are set to return to the big screen: “Jurassic Park IV,” “Indiana Jones 4,” “Terminator 4,” “Live Free or Die Hard,” and “Rocky Balboa” / “Rambo IV.”

Here’s what’s said about Sly’s movies:

ROCKY BALBOA / RAMBO IV
Franchise Gross to Date: $488 million [Rocky] / $250 million [Rambo]

After failed attempts at establishing street cred [Cop Land, Get Carter], Stallone has fallen back on his two most iconic characters. Rocky Balboa [Dec. 22], the sixth entry, finds the now-widowed boxer returning to the ring despite being old enough to be his competitor’s grandfather. “I started writing it about three years ago,” Stallone told EW this summer. “The people at MGM at that time were not interested on any level.” Stallone’s persistence also paid off with the next Rambo adventure. That one is set to begin shooting in January in Thailand, a country which has seen its share of drama in recent months. Hanging out in a spot that just had a military coup? Rambo wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rocky: The Ultimate Guide

Craig / / 2006, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Rocky 6, Rocky Balboa, Sly Fan

Here’s a StalloneZone Exclusive first look at a book that all Sly and Rocky fans will want to own – Rocky: The Ultimate Guide. Jam-packed with over 1,000 stills and digitally remastered photos bringing together moments from the original “Rocky” through the first five films as well as details on the final installment, “Rocky Balboa.”

To Pre-Order the Hardback click HERE

Paperback Orders can click HERE

– Craig

With a Little Help From My Friends

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa

It’s prefight time as Rocky [SYLVESTER STALLONE] spends a contemplative moment with an old friend before going to do battle with a much younger and more skilled opponent.
– Craig Zablo

The final round of the Academy Award ®-winning Rocky franchise hits theatres Friday, December 22, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.

Photo by: John Bramley

Bill Pruitt’s “Rocky Balboa” Painting

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa, Sly Fan

SZoner, Bill Pruitt, checked in with his cool “Rocky Balboa” painting and here’s what he had to say about it:

Hi Craig,
How are things with you? Just busy here painting a lot. The site and blog look really great. Wanted to send pics of the finished painting of my Rocky Balboa piece so you can post it on your weekly update at the earliest convenience. As mentioned before, the meaning
of this 36″x48″ oil painting is profound. The light rays coming down on Rocky are from the heavens and represent Micky, Apollo and especially Adrian. They are like angels on his shoulder (as mentioned in Rocky V) watching over him. I am more proud of this painting than any other piece I’ve done and could write a book
on the whole process from its conception to finished
painting.

Thanks a lot Craig. – Bill

Longtime SZoners will know just how much work Bill has put into this piece, and it really shows. Thanks to Bill for sharing his talents with us. We always look forward to seing his work. Check out his site and tell him I sent ya! – Craig

Entertainment Weekly is Pumped about”Rocky Balboa”

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa

Everyone is getting on the “Rocky Balboa” bandwagon!

Entertainment Weekly’s August 18, 2006 Fall Movie Preview issue highlights “Rocky Balboa” in the “Things We’re Pumped for in December” and calls it the “unlikely but still stirring idea of Stallone climbing back into the ring for ‘Rocky Balboa.'” EW also runs the photo above with a look at the film.

Here are a couple of excerpts: Adrian’s death “is a dramatic ploy to put Roc at rock bottom” and from Sly, “What they [Mason Dixon’s camp] don’t understand is that Rocky‘s got this beast inside, this grief, and to him it’s not a fight, it’s a purging.”

. – Craig