Category: Rocky

STALLONE IN FHM

Craig / / 2001, Driven, Rocky

The May 2001 issue of FHM contains the picture above as well as the following:

 DRIVEN 4/27

A hotshot rookie driver hits a slump and realizes he needs the help of a grizzled old vetern who, incidentally, looks a lot like Rocky Balboa.
With Sylvester Stallone, Burt Reynolds, Kip Pardue and Gina Gershon
Go speed racer In a feat that never ceases to amaze, screenwriter Stallone strung together enough words to pen an entire script. At least you can count on director Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger) to make stellar racing scenes.
Get this While filming, Harlin was planning the DVD, which will let the viewer watch the races from various angles: high above, on the side or in the driver’s seat.

5 THINGS THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ROCKY

1 Sylvester Stallone wrote his first draft of the script in three frenzied days. That version ended with Rocky throwing the fight.

2 Even though he had only $105 in the bank, Stallone originally turned down offers of as much as $350,000 for the script from producers who wouldn’t let him play Rocky.

3 To get the green light from the studio, the producers had to agree to keep their budget below $1 million and agree to cover any extra charges out of their own pockets. Both producers ended up mortgaging their house.

4 When production moved from LA to Philadelphia, Stallone could only afford to travel by train. Accompanying him on the 3-day ride was his dog Butkus, who appears in the film and who had putrid gas throughout the trip. In Arizona, Sly literally picked up the pooch and squeezed him, but the dog refused to empty its bowels until they got to Philadelphia and Sly’s hotel carpet.

5 The famous shot of Rocky celebrating at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps was originally filmed as a tight shot on Rocky with a zoom out. Later, the director decided he wanted to start wide and zoom in. In the film, the footage is actually playing backward.

Thanks to Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes! – Craig Zablo (May 5, 2001)

Sly Stallone’s “Rocky” Coming to Video Games!

Craig / / 2001, Rocky

Rage Software has announced that it will produce a series of games based on the classic SYLVESTER STALLONE Rocky film series on multiple formats including Sony PlayStation 2 and the Microsoft Xbox. Ragepromises that the games will attempt to capture the overall look and feel of the movies.

“We are delighted to be developing and publishing the officially endorsed range of computer and video games based on the Rocky movie anthology,” Paul Finnegan, managing director at Rage, said. “We believe that Rocky is without a doubt one of the most entertaining and enduring movie series ever produced, and we plan to create a major gaming franchise that utilizes the strengths of the license.”

“Rocky” Special Edition Set

Craig / / 2001, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5

The long awaited DVD Rocky Special Edition Box Set goes on sale today! The five disc set will list for $89.96 but is available |HERE| at discounted price.
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]

Rocky Gift Set Reviewed

Craig / / 2001, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5

The April 20, 2001 issue of Entertainment Weekly gives the “Rocky” Giftset the lead review in the New To DVD section. Marc Bernardin gives the set an overall “B” rating. SZoners will be glad to hear that Mr. Bernardin says of all of the extras that come in the set, “the most interesting bit is a 28-minute interview with STALLONE, who gives something of a “Rocky” oral history from genesis to release. By turns touching, insightful, and self-indulgent, it’s a fascinating look at a star glancing back through time at the role that, for better or worse, defined him.”

– Craig Zablo

ROCKY SPECIAL EDITION GIFT SET

Craig / / 2001, Celebs, Rocky

The April 20, 2001 issue of Entertainment Weekly gives the Rocky Giftset the lead review in the New To DVD section. Marc Bernardin gives the set an overall “B” rating. SZoners will be glad to hear that Mr. Bernardin says of all of the extras that come in the set, “the most interesting bit is a 28-minute interview with Stallone, who gives something of a Rocky oral history from genesis to release. By turns touching, insightful, and self-indulgent, it’s a fascinating look at a star glancing back through time at the role that, for better or worse, defined him.”(As an interesting aside – on the page following the review is a one page interview with Carl “Apollo Credd” Weathers!)

– Craig Zablo (April 16, 2001) 

“ROCKY” : THE REAL DEAL…

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…

.- Craig Zablo (April 15, 2001)

SZ and Warner Bros. “Driven” Contest Winners

Craig / / 2001, Cliffhanger, Cop Land, Daylight, Driven, First Blood, Lock Up, Lords of Flatbush, Over the Top, Rambo 2, Rambo 3, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Tango & Cash

and

PRESENT THE DRIVEN TRIVIA CONTEST ANSWERS & WINNERS

 

STALLONE TRIVIA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. SYLVESTER STALLONE plays Champ racer Joe Tanto in Driven. What is the name of the movie that starred SLY as a racer named Joe Viterbo?  DEATH RACE 2000

2. RENNY HARLIN is directing SLY in Driven. What is the name of the movie that first paired SLY and RENNY?  CLIFFHANGER

3. SLY wrote the screenplay for Driven. What was SLY‘s original title for the film?  CHAMPS

4. SLY is an accomplished actor, director, and screenwriter. What movie did SLY write that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?  ROCKY

5. SLY seems to like 5 letter names for his characters. Name three of his characters that have five letters in their last name and the name ends with an “o.”  RAMBO, TANGO and TANTO

6. Most people think that Rocky was SLY‘s first feature film screenplay that sold. It was his second! What was the name of his first?  PARADISE ALLEY

7. The “tag line” for Driven is “Welcome to the Human Race.” What was the tag line for SLY‘s last film, Get Carter? “THE TRUTH HURTS”

8. SLY teams with an international cast in Driven. What actor made his US debut with SLY in Nighthawks?  RUTER HAUER

9. Actors and actresses who work with SLY quite often get noticed and move on to stardom [ANNE ARCHER, ARMAND ASSANTE, TOM SIZEMORE, BENJAMIN BRATT, etc.). Who was the actress who got her big break working with SLY in Demolition Man?  SANDRA BULLOCK

10. What is YOUR favorite SYLVESTER STALLONE movie, and why?  This one had no right/wrong answer and here are the movies that made the list (in alphabetical order): Cliffhanger, Cop Land, Daylight, First Blood, Lock Up, Lords of Flatbush, Over the Top, Rambo II, Rambo III, Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, Tango & Cash.

 

The Winners!

1. Melissa Knollman 2. Marks Mail 3. Nicholas King 4. Kyle Riley 5. Tony Camm 6. Alan Sears 7. Jillian Decker 8. Troy Barwick 9. Crystal Coger 10. Mike Russo

I would like to thank Ms. Lifrieri and Warner Bros. for their assistance in making this contest possible. Winners can expect their posters in the next few weeks!

– Craig Zablo (April 1, 2001)

 

Sly Goes X-Treme

Craig / / 2001, Driven, Rocky

Doser [a regular SZ visitor] sent in the pic to the right and the info below:

“It was a very well balanced article. It dealt with the story line for “Driven”, and how it was filmed from the racer’s POV. They really want to put the audience in the driver’s seat. The publication is from a sports supplement company, so naturally there was emphasis on the conditioning that was needed for the actors to be in shape for their roles as race car drivers.”

 

Doser says: “I saw Rocky in the theater in 1976 at a very impressionable age. It changed my life. I was on the brink of heading in the wrong direction, but thanks to SLY, I didn’t.”

Thanks to Doser for sending us in the cover picture and article summary. Doser is quite often found on the SZ message boards carrying on thoughtful discussions.

– Craig Zablo (April 1, 2001)

Sly in “Total Film’s Top 50 [Twice]

Craig / / 2001, Celebs, 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 ALVIDESEN, 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

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