Category: Rocky III

Top 25 Threequels

Craig / / 2011, Rambo III, Rocky III

On November 3, 2011, Crave Online posted their choices for the Top 25 Movie Threequels. Coming in at 23 was Rambo 3 and here’s why…

By the third film in the franchise, John Rambo had gone from a tragic figure – a man so scarred by the Vietnam War that living amongst quote-unquote “peaceful” folks was now an impossibility – to a musclebound all-American hero for the Reagan era. But even so, Rambo III is still a kick-ass action movie. Once again, John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is called out of retirement, this time to aid Afghan rebels in fighting off Communist invaders from the Soviet Union and save his kidnapped former colonel, Sam Trautman (Richard Crenna) in the bargain. If you can overlook the unfortunate-in-hindsight political subtext, director Peter MacDonald made a killer, over the top action extravaganza, which once owned the Guinness World Record for “Most Violent Movie Ever Made.”

Sylvester Stallone makes his second (and final) appearance on our list with Rocky III, the last good film in the Rocky franchise until Stallone concluded it (we assume) with Rocky Balboa in 2006. The third time out, Rocky Balboa doesn’t start the film as the underdog. In fact, the new champion has gone so soft that he’s easily beaten by young, upstart boxer Clubber Lang, played by 1980s icon Mr. T in his film debut. After the death of his former mentor he’s forced to turn to his old nemesis Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) for guidance, creating an iconic “bromance” for the ages, and culminating once again a grand fight sequence that once again proves Rocky to be the greatest boxer of the age. The Rocky movies started to get a little hokey here, but if Rocky III had been the last film in the series it would have been a fine send-off to a classic franchise.

You can see the list here.

New HCG Rocky Statue!

Craig / / 2011, Rocky III

Hey SZoners! Mark from Hollywood Collectibles is going to hook us up again. Hollywood Collectibles is currently taking pre-orders on a limited edition [just 750 pieces worldwide] approximately 20″ Rocky statue. Here’s how they describe it…

  • A movie and cultural icon, Rocky needs no introduction. The “Italian Stallion” created by Sylvester Stallone has become a part of our popular culture.
  • Standing in his classic boxing pose, this impressive 1:4 scale statue stands approx 20″ tall including base, and is designed as a companion piece for our highly sought after Rambo statue. Featuring an accurate likeness of Sylvester Stallone in the titular role of Rocky as he appeared in Rocky 3 and Rocky 4, it comes complete with a title-belt themed display base.
  • Sculpted by Edinho Maga.
    Paint masters by John Allred.
  • This incredible piece of art is constructed from heavyweight polystone and then hand painted to the finest detail. Limited to just 750 pieces worldwide There is no HCG Exclusive version of this piece. However if you like low serial numbers, we are reserving # 1 to # 100 for retail customers only. So the first 100 retail orders will receive the desirable low edition numbers!Strictly Limited to 500 Pieces Worldwide

Once again, Mark and the fine folks at Hollywood Collectibles have created a password for StalloneZone fans. Simply enter “Balboa” at check out and you will receive a 10% discount! Another feature that Hollywood Collectibles has started is the ability to spread the cost of owning an item out over four or six equal payments.

Folks, when they are gone, they are gone. And they do sell out. So if you want one, I wouldn’t wait too long!

 

Lady Gaga Gaga Over Rocky Balboa

Craig / / 2011, Celebs, Rocky, Rocky Balboa, Rocky III

On May 23, 2011, Artist Direct posted an article titled titled “Lady Gaga Says Rocky Balboa is Her Dream Man.”  Gaga is quoted as saying…

  • “Rocky is my favorite movie – I love Rocky 3 because he gets his ass kicked in the first round and comes back.

Lady Gaga goes on to say…

  • “The Edge of Glory means a lot to me – it was written when my grandfather died. That song is about looking life in the eye and when you die saying ‘I won, I’m a champion’ like Rocky sprinting to the top of the staircase.”

You can read the entire article here.

 

Top Five Stallone Eighties Movies

Craig / / 2011, Cobra, First Blood, Rambo II, Rocky III, Rocky IV

AMC recently posted their choices for the Top Five Stallone Eighties Movies.  Here’s a taste of the piece:

1. Rocky III (1982)
The third movie in the saga changes the pace, and Sly deftly walks a fine line between the Oscar-worthy drama of the movie’s predecessors and straight-up action… Rocky III is bigger, better, and more exciting than any sports movie that came before (or after)…

2. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
… one of the greatest action flicks of all time.

3. First Blood (1982)
…First Blood has a realism that is lacking from many eighties action movies…

4. Cobra (1986)
… Cobra is like Dirty Harry after five shots, three Red Bulls, and a trip to a military arsenal.

5. Rocky IV (1985)
The Rocky formula is taken to a whole new level with better training scenes and musical montages, bigger opponents (the truly monstrous Russian, Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren), and Cold War themes…

You can read the whole article here.

Ranking the “Rocky” Movies

Craig / / 2011, Rocky, Rocky Balboa, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V

On February 9, 2011, ChicagoNow.com posted Ranking the Rocky Movies by Kyle Trompeter.  While I don’t agree with Kyle’s rankings, he does make a good case for each choice… and there is a surprise or two in his list.

And for the record, here is how I rank them:

1.  Rocky and Rocky Balboa.  {Perfect bookends to the series]
2.  Rocky III
3.  Rocky II [Depending on my mood sometimes I flip positions on II and IV]
4.  Rocky IV
5.  Rocky V [While many fans really dislike Rocky V, I am thankful that because of it we got Rocky Balboa]

– Craig