|
The June 15, 2006 issue of The Las Vegas Sun posted John Katsilometes‘ brief interview with Sly who was in town to accept his award at the CineVegas film festival. As he was heading down the red carpet for a special screening of “Rocky”, Sly said,”The story of ‘Rocky’ is that everyone, no matter what walk of life you are from, wants a shot at the golden ring – to fail or succeed, but to have a chance to prove themselves based on their own abilities.” For the full report, click HERE. – Craig |
Category: Rocky
“Rocky” Honored Again!
On June 14, 2006 the American Film Institute announced it’s list of the 100 most inspirational films of all time. The announcement was made in conjunction with AFI’s 100 Years…100 Cheers special aired on CBS. A jury composed of 1,500 film artists, critics and historians made the selections.
“Rocky” came in at #4!
For the full report, click HERE. – Craig
PS – You can also read about it HERE. Thanks to Wes Bennett for the tip!
Exclusive Photos from Sage Stallone
Sage Stallone, Sly‘s oldest son, and a talented actor, writer and director in his own right, recently checked in with some photos that he thought SZoners might enjoy. They were taken by his mother, Sasha Stallone.
Sasha, Sly‘s first wife, is an accomplished photographer. Many fans will know her from her photos of Sly which appeared in books, magazines and even posters back in the day.
This is a shot of Sly and Rocky producer, Irwin Winkler, taken in 1976.
Sage writes that this photo was taken by Sasha on the streets of New York City before Rocky!
Sage writes that this photo was taken “way before Rocky… dad was writing “Poe”… and posing as Poe!”
Sage goes on to say, “Mom tells me this was taken at Bloomingdales in ‘71!
I want to thank Sasha Stallone for allowing us access to the rare photographs from her personal collection. Most fans know that Sasha was Sly’s first wife and the mother of his two sons, Sage and Seargeoh. Sasha and Sly were together years before “Rocky” made him an international superstar.
Sly has always credited Sasha with being totally supportive in his quest to make it as actor / writer / director. Not only did Sasha type his scripts, but when they were nearly broke and she was pregnant with Sage, Sasha totally supported Sly‘s decision to turn down hundreds of thousands of dollars to sell the “Rocky” script and let someone else take the starring role.
Sasha‘s photographs have appeared in national magazines, books, and posters. Sasha occasionally acts. She most recently took a role in Sage‘s film “Vic” where she also served as set photographer.
| I want to thank Sage Stallone for allowing us access to the rare photographs from his family’s personal collection.
Most fans know Sage as Sly‘s real-life son or as Rocky‘s kid from “Rocky V.” What many people forget is “Rocky V” was released 16 years ago! Sage is now a young man, about the age that Sly was when he made “Rocky.” In addition to acting, Sage is also a writer, director and co-founder of Grindhouse Releasing. His short film “Vic” will be on the festival circuit this year. I’m hoping to interview Sage in the near future, so if you have any questions you’d like to throw his way, e-mail me and you may get your answers! I’ll also keep SZoners updated on which festivals Sage will be attending so that we can go out and support his efforts. Thanks again to Sage and Sasha Stallone! – Craig |
“Rocky” Makes All-Time Greatest Screenplay List
“Rocky” Makes All-Time Greatest Screenplay List
In 2005, ballots were sent out asking all Writers Guild of America members to list up to ten of their favorite produced screenplays. Any film [past, present, or foreign language or otherwise] was eligible. The resulting list featured films from every decade from the 30’s on, films with big name stars that achieved blockbuster status as well as little films that went largely unnoticed by the masses. The one thing that they did have in common was a great screenplay.
“Rocky” made the list. It came in at 78. Quite an honor for a little film written by a then unknown Sylvester Stallone.
To see the list click HERE.
.Thanks to Wes for the tip. – Craig
Gerardo Moreno’s Rocky and Rambo DVD Packages!
Gerardo Moreno checked in to the SZ with pics of his design work for a Rocky and Rambo dvd packages sold
overseas.
If you’d like to see more of Gerardo’s work; he specializes in illustrations [traditional and digital], graphic design, as well as sculpture and photography; then check out his website and tell him I sent you! – Craig
“Rocky” USA Weekends’ Best Sports Movie
Rocky Balboa Teaser Hits the Net
|
The March 3-5, 2006 issue of USA Weekend contained an article called “Our Oscars go to…” USA Weekend opened the article with: “We asked our experts for their picks for Best Movie in the categories that you really care about, from sport and food to romance and pets.” As you’d probably guess, “Rocky” won for Best Sports Movie. Here’s what was said: BEST SPORTS MOVIE OK, this one might seem a little cliche. But I think there’s a reason Rocky won for best picture: Everyone can relate! It’s about personal struggle, being the underdog and fighting the odds, which is how many people feel when they’re trying to lose weight or get fit. The fact that he doesn’t win makes it even more relatable. Rocky makes another “Best Movie” list thirty years after it’s release! – Craig |
POW – “Rocky” Behind the Scenes
Our POW [Picture of the Week] of Sly comes to us from the collection of Loghman Sheyda.
– Craig
Action Figure Digest: Rocky and Rambo!
The March 2006 issue of Tomart’s Action Figure Digest features early prototypes of the new Rocky figures on the cover as well as a two page spread featuring over 20 images of the additional characters and items which will be offered.
Here are some highlights:
* Approximately 40 to 50 figures will be produced
* All of the lead characters will be featured with figures from each film
* Key secondary and tertiary characters from all films will also get a figure [even the robot from Rocky IV!]
* A new series will be issued every one to two months starting in October 2006
This issue also features a pic of the Sideshow Collectables HALO Rambo!
The mag is well worth the price of admission and can be found on newstands now.
– Craig
New “Rocky” Figures Coming
| Jeremy Padawer [Vice President of Boy’s Entertainment Marketing at Jakks Pacific, the 3rd largest toy company in the US, behind Mattel and Hasbro] has posted some photos of the new Rocky figures which will be released later this year and in 2007. The faces are covered because these are just prototypes.
Here’s more from Jeremy: “When I say we’re doing Rocky, I mean we’re going ALL OUT. We’re going to create R.A. style figures for the entire Rocky series – Rocky I through Rocky Balboa (VI). In total, I estimate that we will develop and release approximately 45-55 figures. The goal will be to not only celebrate the most important characters in the Rocky series (Clubber Lang, Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa, Ivan Drago and about 15-20 more that fit into the obvious category), but we will also recreate key secondary and tertiary characters!” I think it’s cool that Jeremy is a long time fan of the Rocky series and that we’re going to see figures from all of the movies. Jakks is a major player in the action figure market [my youngest son must have hundreds of the wrestling figures] and I can’t wait to see what they come up with! For the full report, click HERE. – Craig |
“Rocky” the Most Glaring Omission
Each year, since 1989, the National Film Registry has selected 25 “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films” for preservation in the Library of Congress. Phil Villarreal, in an article for the Arizona Daily Star, takes a look at the films that haven’t yet made it. Here are a couple of excepts.
Even more intriguing than the list of preserved films is the number of movies that haven’t yet made the cut. This Web site lists the films that have been named to the registry, and reading through it is enough to enrage any movie lover.
The most glaring omission, especially after the entry of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” is plain ol’ “Rocky” (1976), not only a best-picture Oscar winner, but the inspiration for countless sports films and basically any movie with a training montage. Guess those contributions, along with the launch of the career of Sylvester Stallone, an enduring action icon, wasn’t “significant” enough for the registry.
For the full article, click [HERE]. – Craig