The “Rocky” Series Most Inspiring!

On May 2, 2010, PasteMagazine.com posted their list of the Five Inspiring Movie Montages.  Of course the Rocky series had to be represented… and what better way than to include ALL of the Rocky movies.  Here’s what they had to say:

5. All the Rocky movies
Each Rocky movie could honestly have occupied a slot on this list—if you’re watching one, you’re eventually going to see Sylvester Stallone pulling a cart through the snow, or doing one-armed pullups on a Philly playground, or doing wind sprints down a beach with Carl Weathers. Eye of the tiger, baby.

To see the full list as well as the montages for the movies, click here.

“Rocky” The Undisputed Collection

The HDRoom.com has announced that on November 3rd, a seven disc collection of all of the “Rocky” movies will be released on Blu-ray.  Amazon.com has the collection listed at 30% off for pre-orders.  Hopefully this will be the definitve collection that all fans have requested.  As more information on the extras becomes available, we’ll post the information.

Why “Rocky Balboa” Works

On June 27, 2009, Christopher Crespo at the Orlando Movie Examiner posted an article titled “Why Rocky Balboa Works Where the Other Rocky Sequels Failed”.  Crespo actually has some good things to say about “Rocky II” and “Rocky III” but focuses his attention on how “Rocky Balboa” (like the original “Rocky”) mirrors what was happening in Sly’s life and “Stallone (didn’t) pretend things (were) different from what they (were).” You can read the full piece by clicking here.

“Rocky II – The Forgotten Rocky”

Christopher Crespo writes a nice piece called “Rocky II – The Forgotten Rocky” for Examiner.com [and I would have said that even if they hadn’t used a StalloneZone photo!].  Here’s a few quotes:

If Rocky was about being the underdog and taking that one in a million shot, then Rocky II is about that underdog finding out what his role is in this game called life.

Much more character based than Rocky III-V, Rocky II shows a predilection for character development and drama arising out of these characters interactions.

Rocky II deserves to be remembered better, and should take its place alongside Rocky and Rocky Balboa as excellent installments about the seminal underdog. Stallone’s direction is fine, and not without a few inspired camera moves and choice moments.

You can read the full article right here.

Rocky’s Best Opponents

William Russo, over at the Bleacher Report, takes a look at “The Best and Worst Opponents of Rocky Balboa.” There’s an online poll and right now Apollo and Clubber are at at 30% with Drago close behind at 28%Thunderlips [2%], Tommy Gunn [6%], and Mason Dixon [4%] are lagging way behind.

Click here to read the article and get your vote in!

Sly’s Underrated Sequels

Simon Brew, at the Den of Geek, lists 19 Underrated Sequels That Deserve a Second Chance.  Here’s what he had to say about some Stallone-starring choices:

Rocky II, III & IV

Our love of Rocky IV has already been documented at Den Of Geek, but the saga of Sylvester Stallone’s Italian Stallion is really enjoyable right up until 30 seconds before Rocky V starts. The second movie is a glossy and very functional sequel, but let’s cut film three slack for loosening up and having some fun, with Mr T’s Clubber Lang a great introduction to the franchise. Rocky IV, of course, remains without modern day parallel…

You can read the entire article here.

Rocky: The Ultimate Guide

Hi Craig,

My name is Bess Braswell, and I work in marketing at DK Publishing. I recently noticed that you have Rocky: The Ultimate Guide up on Stallonezone.com, which is fantastic! Thank you very much! We’ve changed the cover from the version on your site, so I’ve attached the final cover.

Thanks again for showing the book – you have a fantastic site!

Best wishes,
Bess
DK Publishing


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.”

Honoring the thirtieth anniversary of the original Rocky film, as well as the Winter 2006 release of Rocky Balboa, a definitive reference to all six films in the blockbuster series features more than one thousand stills and digitally re-mastered pictures, as well as plot information, cast and character profiles, accounts of Rocky’s most famous fights, and more. (An MGM/Sony Pictures film, written & directed by Sylvester Stallone, releasing Winter 2006, starring Sylvester Stallone)

To Pre-Order the Hardback click HERE

Paperback Orders can click HERE

– Craig