Category: Rocky

The Real Deal on “ROCKY”

Craig / / 2001, Rocky

The April 2001 issue of CinemaSavant [an mgm.com e-magazine] features part one of an article by Alex Ben Block titled “The Real Deal on Rocky.” The opening paragraph states: “On the 25th anniversary of its landmark release, we set aside the many myths, and delve into the little known true history of “Rocky.” We pull back the curtain on the behind the scenes wheeling and dealing which got SYLVESTER STALLONE‘s inspirational boxing drama made, and helped the United Artists release win an Academy Award…”

Want to get the full details? Click |HERE|.

– Craig Zablo

SLY “GOING THE DISTANCE”

Craig / / 2001, Rocky

The April 2001 issue of Total Movie, features Going the Distance: ROCKY at 25. The eight page article by Edward Gross (author of Rocky and the Films of Sylvester Stallone) provides an extensive look at Rocky (and its sequels) with over 25 photos (including the one to the left). The article provides quotes from Sly, Talia Shire, John Alvidsen, Robert Chartoff, Carl Weathers, and others involved with the films.
The magazine comes with a DVD which provides a trailer for Rocky and a snippet of the interview with Sly that will appear on the Rocky special edition dvd. All in all, easily worth the cost of the mag!
(Now I’m REALLY psyched for the ROCKY Boxed Collector’s Set! Click |HERE| to check it out!)
Craig Zablo (March 17, 2001)

ROCKY: NOT THE BEST PICTURE??

Craig / / 2001, Rocky

ROCKY: NOT THE BEST PICTURE??
The April 2001 issue of Premiere contains an article entitled “They Wuz Robbed!” The article compares the results of two polls taken (one with 25 film professionals such as Quentin Tarantino; and the other with 2,000 film fans) who voted for their choices of who should have won Academy Awards during the last 25 years.
The piece is accompanied with some spectacular artwork by ROBERTO PARADA showing Rocky putting Travis Bickle in a headlock while Ghandi and ET look on!
The article makes for some interesting reading and I’m sure will inspire some lively debate. I plan to discuss my thoughts on the results over at BigBeatty’s message board. I hope to talk to you there!
Craig Zablo (March 17, 2001)

Sly Revives Rocky

Craig / / 2001, Rocky

The March 13, 2001 issue of The National Enquirer contains an item called “Yo! SLY Brings Back Rocky to Help a Tragic Kid” in the Hollywood Behind the Screens section by Mike Walker.

“In a heartrending revival of his gutsy “Rocky” character, SLY STALLONE played a real-life hero when he suddenly appeared in the hospital room of a badly injured little boy who idolizes him, knelt by his bedside and said gently: “Yo!… Give Rocky a punch!” Sadly, 5-year-old Brandon Zucker, maimed in a Disneyland accident, can’t throw a punch anymore.. or even whisper, “Yo, Rocky!” But STALLONE got a smile from the beautiful kid – and these are rare these days, says mom Victoria, who relives the horror of watching her son fall out of the “Roger Rabbit” ride and get crushed under machinery. SLY’s wife JENNIFER FLAVIN, read in a paper how Brandon used to run through his house wearing oven mitts punching the air like his hero, “Rocky.” JENNIFER showed the story to SLY, who went to the hospital to give the kid a shot of come-from-behind Rocky courage! “His visit did a lot of good for Brandon,” wept Victoria. [Keep punching, kid… and… lookin’ good, Rock!]

– Craig Zablo

Sly in “Total Film’s Top 50 [Twice]

Craig / / 2001, Cop Land, Honors, Rambo, Rocky


The March 2001 issue of Total Film contains some items of interest to STALLONE fans. In an article titled: “The 50 Greatest Movie Heroes of All Time! As Voted By You,” two of SLY’s portrayals made the list! Rocky Balboa clocked in at #30 and John Rambo followed at #40.

In another section called Best of the Best the following appears: – COP LAND ” An undisputed career best performance for STALLONE.”

Thanks to Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes for the pic and tip! – Craig Zablo

ROCKY: “THE BEST OF THE BEST”

Craig / / 2001, Honors, Rocky

The February 23, 2001 issue of Entertainment Weekly has an article titled “The Best of the Best” in which EW ranks the 72 Best Picture Oscar winners. Here’s what they had to say about Rocky:

43 ROCKY 1976
Directed by John G. Avildsen Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire Nominations 9 Wins 3 Stiffest Competition Taxi Driver, Network
A likable triumph-of-the-underdog tale, but why this boxing fable and not Scorsese’s Raging Bull four years later?

+++

Let me begin by pointing out a small error… did you catch it? The listing says that Rocky was nominated for 9 Oscars but the right number is 10! I’ve already e-mailed them about the error – so let’s talk about the article…
Articles like these are written to encourage discussion about the subjective rankings of personal favorites. So let me say that, personally, I feel that Rocky should be in the Top 10 and without a doubt the Top 20 — I am happy to see that the editors of the piece ranked Rocky higher than many past winners (even if they didn’t “get it exactly right.”).

  • Craig Zablo (February 24, 2001)

“Rocky” One of the ‘Best of the Best’

Craig / / 2001, Celebs, Honors, Oscar, Rocky

The February 23, 2001 issue of Entertainment Weekly has an article titled “The Best of the Best” in which EW ranks the 72 Best Picture Oscar winners. Here’s what they had to say about Rocky:

43 ROCKY 1976

Directed by JOHN G. ALVIDSEN Starring SYLVESTER STALLONE, TALIA SHIRE Nominations 9 Wins 3 Stiffest Competition Taxi Driver, Network

A likable triumph-of-the-underdog tale, but why this boxing fable and not SCORSESE‘s Raging Bull four years later?

Let me begin by pointing out a small error… did you catch it? The listing says that “Rocky” was nominated for 9 Oscars but the right number is 10! I’ve already e-mailed them about the error – so let’s talk about the article…

Articles like these are written to encourage discussion about the subjective rankings of personal favorites. So let me say that, personally, I feel that “Rocky” should be in the Top 10 and without a doubt the Top 20 — I am happy to see that the editors of the piece ranked “Rocky” higher than many past winners [even if they didn’t “get it exactly right.”].

– Craig Zablo

ROCKY SPECIAL EDITION BOX SET

Craig / / 2001, Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V

ROCKY SPECIAL EDITION BOX SET

The long awaited DVD ROCKY SPECIAL EDITION BOX SET will finally be available on April 24th! The five disc set will list for $89.96 but is available |HERE| at a pre-order price of $59.98 which is a savings of $29.98 (33%)!
FEATURES:
* 5-disc set that includes all of the Rocky films
* All of the films will contain new sound mixes
* All of the films will contain anamorphic transfers
* ROCKY will be a SPECIAL EDITION with:
– deleted scenes
– a documentary
– commentary track with SLY,
director John Alvidsen, and cast members
– an extensive still gallery
– a new 5.1 Dolby Digital Soundtrack
– and MORE!

– Craig Zablo (January 22, 2001)

The “Rocky” Connection to “Girlfight”

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Rocky

“Girlfight” is the story of an inner-city high school student, Dianna Guzman, who repeatedly gets into fights because of uncontrolled anger. She finds redemption when she finds a release for that anger in the boxing ring! “Girlfight” was written & directed by KARYN KUSAMA.  It stars MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ and SANTIAGO DOUGLAS. “Girlfight” has been winning rave reviews from the public and critics around the country as well. It also won the grand jury prize and best-director awards at the Sundance Film Festival.

What’s the STALLONE connection, you ask? Of course many critics are comparing it to “Rocky” because of the plot — underdog rising above expectations while at the same time finding love. But there’s more… Diana‘s boyfriend’s name is Adrian [and we all know that’s Rocky‘s girl’s name…]! There’s even a rap song on the soundtrack that mentions Rocky Balboa!

– Craig Zablo [October 22, 2000]

STALLONEZONE EXCLUSIVE: Sly at PH NYC “Behind-the-Scenes”

Craig / / 2000, Get Carter, Planet Hollywood, Rocky

Joyce is a long-time SYLVESTER STALLONE fan and STALLONEZONE regular and is proud of it! She writes, “My family and friends know how much I care for Sly.” Joyce goes on to say that she is very close to her son and daughter-in-law and they fans but that that’s not all…

“My son has a German Sheppard. Whenever Dan and Shaz watch “Rocky” (which is quite often) no matter where the dog is, she runs into the living room lies down and listens to the “Rocky” music. See she is also a “Rocky” Fan. Joyce attended SLY‘S press conference at PLANET HOLLYWOOD NEW YORK. She sent in the following pictures and descriptions. Our thanks to Joyce for sharing! – Craig (October 7, 2000)

The Bulletin Board announcing Sly‘s arrival to Planet Hollywood and yes, that is me standing near it.

Setting up the stage with posters from “Get Carter.”

The Famous “Italian Stallion” Robe…

…and the “Get Carter” suit!

Sly in Planet Hollywood.

We’d again like to thank Joyce for caring enough to take the time to share her photos with us!


– Craig Zablo (October 7, 2000)