Sly & Dolph Receive Awards

From Yahoo News!

Actors Sylvester Stallone (L) and Dolph Lundgren receive an award from the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the most successful sports franchise in film history with their movie “Rocky” during a news conference for the upcoming Lionsgate motion picture “The Expendables” at Comic Con in San Diego, California July 22, 2010.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

Rocky Balboa IS the American Spirit

In honor of Independence Day, Cinema Blend posted their choices for the Ten Movie Heroes Who Make Us Proud to be Americans.  Making the list were:

  • Scarlett (Gone with the Wind) O’Hara
  • President James (Air Force One) Marshall
  • Captain John H. (Saving Private Ryan) Miller
  • John (Die Hard series) McClane
  • Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) Finch
  • Jason (The Bourne trilogy) Bourne
  • Will (High Noon) Kane
  • Sarah (Terminator series) Connor
  • Bryan (Taken) Mills
  • Rocky (Rocky series) Balboa

Here’s some of what they had to say about Rocky…

Everyone loves an underdog, and that’s the reason why Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa is such a great character

Balboa is a hero because of the inspiration he provides,

Rocky Balboa IS the American spirit.

Click here to read the full piece.

“Rocky” Rated Top Film Franchise

On June 22, 2010, We Are Movie Geeks.com posted their selections for the Top Ten Film FranchisesBack to the Future; Planet of the Apes; Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter; Rocky; Alien(s); Lord of the Rings; James Bond; The Godfather and Star Wars all made the list. Here’s some of what they had to say about the Rocky series:

…you cannot dismiss the genius of the character of Rocky Balboa.

Rocky was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay that Stallone wrote, and won 3, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Rocky stole the heart of America and reminded us why we should always root for the underdog.

You can read the entire post by clicking here.

Hollywood Collectibles Rocky Statue

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 500 pieces worldwide] 12″ Rocky statue.  Here’s how they describe it…

Rocky needs no introduction. A movie and cultural icon, the “Italian Stallion” created by Sylvester Stallone has become a part of popular culture. This highly detailed 12” statue portrays Rocky in a classic fight pose, as he is about to throw another huge punch at his opponent.

This incredible piece of art is constructed from heavyweight polystone and then hand painted to the finest detail. Approximately 12” tall.

Strictly Limited to 500 Pieces Worldwide

Sculpted by Edinho Maga.
Painted by Dan “Danno” Cope.

Once again, Mark and the fine folks at Hollywood Collectibles have created a password for StalloneZone fans.  Simply enter “Rocky” 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 equal payments.

You’d be surprised at the number of SZoners who contact me asking about how they can get one of the sold out: Rambo statues, Rambo busts, Rambo color busts, Rambo bobbleheads, Rambo Xtreme DForm statues, Rocky color busts, and Rambo Xtreme DForm statues.  Folks, when they are gone, they are gone.  And they do sell out.  So if you want one, I wouldn’t wait too long!

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.

AMC: Top 5 Sly Stallone Movies

On April 30, 2010, the AMC Movie Blog posted their choices for The Five Best Movies of Sylvester Stallone.  Here are their choices and a little of the rationale for selection:

5.  Demolition Man: …Nothing about this movie should work — dated jokes about Taco Bell, a ridiculous time-travel setup — but it work it does, from start to finish. Credit Stallone’s amusing fish-out-of-water performance…

4. Cliffhanger: …Die Hard on a mountain, Cliffhanger is as cool as it sounds… Stallone reminds us why he’s one of the best action stars ever. He radiates intensity.

3. Copland: …Stallone turned his career around with this serious (and underappreciated) drama…

2. Rambo: No. We’re not talking about the original — that’s First Blood. We’re not even talking about Rambo: First Blood II, the sequel. While we love those both, this bare-bones, bloody action film ranks as one of the best flicks in years..

1. Rocky: Not just Stallone’s best but also one of Hollywood’s best…

If I were making the list Rocky Balboa would have been near the top forcing Demolition Man off the list.  And while it may not be one of Sly’s Top 5 best, Get Carter still is one of my favorites.  To see AMC’s whole post with all of their comments as well as some Stallone movies that nearly made it to the Top 5, then click here.

“Rocky” Series Makes the Cut

On April 29, 2010, Mike Gorman listed in his weekly column his choices for the Top Ten Movies Series.  Coming in at # 9 [Number 9?  And how did Rambo not make the cut?] is the Rocky series.  Here’s what Gorman had to say:

Sure, sometimes the Rocky films lose sight of their core ideals and veer off in strange directions that involve obnoxious robot butlers and training in a cabin in the Russian wastelands, but all it takes is that bell to clang in the ring and they have our attention again. The story of Rocky Balboa’s rise to stardom in the boxing world was iconic and Sylvester Stallone carried on his shoulders the hopes and dreams of a nation that had seen brighter days. Rocky, in all of his battles, reminds you that the underdog can reign victorious in the end and also that sometimes those victories can be too much, and take you away from your roots. Sounds like I am all over the place when it comes to this franchise and it is true. I believe the greatest thing about the Rocky series is the journey that we have taken with the characters, from rags to riches and back again. This is what a truly successful series about to me.

To see the full list click here.