70's Month - Day:10 Rocky II

Rocky II, as the name would suggest, is the follow up to 1976's Rocky. Released in 1979 Rocky II features a rematch between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. Apollo is upset that people are claiming he's a false champion because some think Rocky should have won the first fight. While I do like Rocky II, this setup never really worked for me. In the first film Rocky was a guy who had no business fighting for the Heavyweight title which is why it's such a great underdog story. However, having Apollo just deadset on beating Rocky in more convincing fashion doesn't resonate as much... and spoiler alert: Rocky wins this time.

All of the same characters are back for this one; Adrian, Mick, Paulie, etc. and I like these characters so I give the film a bit of a bonus for that, and the score is solid.

Overall, while not as good as the original, I think Rocky II is entertaining and a decent follow-up to the original.

3.5 out of 5

70's Month - Day:3 Rocky

"70's Month" rolls on and today's movie is 1976's Rocky.

A Best Picture winner, #57 of the American Film Institute's top 100, and the highest grossing film of 1976, Rocky is simply one of those all-time great films. For anyone who doesn't know the plot of this iconic film, it's the story of Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), a down-on-his-luck boxer from Philadelphia who gets the chance of a lifetime to fight the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers). Even though Rocky narrowly loses the big fight at the end, he proved to himself that he "could go the distance".

I almost didn't want to write anything up about this film because anything I could say most people already know; It's a great underdog story, with memorable characters, it has an amazing musical score, and the training montage that ends with Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most famous scenes in cinema history. 

Rocky would end up spawning a whole series of movies of varying quality (I did a ranking of all the Rocky films a while back that you can check out buy clicking HERE) and they're not all 'must-see' films, but the first one is still great. 

5 out of 5

My Favorite Sports Movies

In addition to my love of movies, I'm also a big sports fan. So, when the two forms of entertainment meet the result is some of my favorite films to watch time and time again. This isn't going to be a "Best Sports Films Ever" type of list. These are just some of my favorites. Now, this list was getting WAY too long so I pared it down to the fifteen films I've gone back to most frequently.

#15 The Longest Yard (1974)

This is one of Burt Reynolds' best known films and one that I can't help but watch every time it pops up on one of the movie channels. Unfortunately the 2004 remake with Adam Sandler wasn't nearly as good.

#14 Days of Thunder (1990)

I don't have much to say about this one... Sure, it's the worst critically received film on the list, but I still find it really entertaining. 

#13 Raging Bull (1980)

38 years later and this still holds up as one of Scorsese's best works and one of De Niro's best performances. A fair argument could be made that it's the best film on this list.

#12 The Stratton Story (1949)

This is the film on here that the least amount of people reading this have probably seen. It's based on the true story of Monty Stratton, a baseball pitcher who makes a comeback after having his leg amputated, and it is a fantastic movie. Check it out if you've never seen it. 

#11 Cinderella Man (2005)

This film about James J. Braddock, a boxer who is forced by injuries to retire and later defied the odds to become Heavyweight Champion of the World, is one of the better boxing movies out there in my opinion. 

#10 Jerry Maguire (1996)

"Show me the money!"

Yea, it's a movie about a sports agent, but it's a really good movie about a sports agent.

#9 Moneyball (2011) 

Who would've thought a movie about the analytics of baseball could be this entertaining. Moneyball is well written, well directed, and features what I think is Brad Pitt's best performance.

#8 The Hustler (1961)

Is Billiards a sport? Well, Google and ESPN at 2am say it is. Plus, The Hustler is a phenomenal film, so it makes the list. 

#7 Happy Gilmore (1996)

I've lost count how many times I've seen Happy Gilmore and I still get a bunch of laughs out of it every time. Sandler's schtick got old after a while, but in the mid-90's he was on top of his game and Happy Gilmore still holds up.

#6 The Wrestler (2008) 

This isn't one of those feel-good sports movies where the lovable underdog wins the big championship and everyone is happy in the end. But, if you want to see a great movie with a terrific performance by Mickey Rourke, then this is a must-see.

#5 Field of Dreams (1989)

It's become a tradition of mine to watch this one a few days before Opening Day each year. It's the most sentimental film on the list, but it doesn't take it too far.

#4 Caddyshack (1980)

This is one of those rare movies that when the final credits role, and the Blu-ray returns to the home menu, I can press play and watch it all over again. 

#3 Bull Durham (1988)

"Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls, it's more democratic" - 'Crash' Davis

I love this movie.

#2 Slap Shot (1977)

A few sports-comedies made the list, but this one is arguably my favorite of the bunch. Paul Newman is great in the film, and despite my love of the sport, it's the only hockey movie to make the list.

#1 Rocky (1976)

Since 1976 everyone who makes sports movie, is hoping that they are making the next Rocky. I wrote a whole blog entry on the Rocky film franchise a while back (you can check that out by clicking HERE) and the original Rocky film still stands out as not only my favorite film in that series, but as my all-time favorite sports movie.

Some movies that just missed the cut: Rocky IV (1985), Miracle (2004), Creed (2015), The Natural (1984), The Mighty Ducks (1992), Hoosiers (1986) A League of Their Own (1992), All the Right Moves (1983), The Sandlot (1993), Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story (2013)

What are some of your favorite sports films?

Leave a comment below.

10 Sylvester Stallone Movies Everyone Should See

With another film featuring Sylvester Stallone (Creed II) due out later this fall, it seemed like a good time to add a new entry to my ongoing '10 Movies Everyone Should See' series. I have previously written similar posts about Tom Cruise, Sean Connery, Tom Hanks, Alfred Hitchcock, and others. If you're not familiar with how I make these lists, they aren't necessarily a 'Best Of' or 'Top 10', It's merely 10 films that I feel are a good representation of someone's overall career.

(and if you're interested in checking out the other entries in the series, you can by clicking HERE)
  

10. Tango & Cash (1989)

This isn't a great film. However, if you're in the mood for a buddy-cop style action flick and you like Stallone and Kurt Russell then it's worth a watch.

9. Cliffhanger (1993)

It's a pretty average action plot, except it's set in mountains which apparently was interesting enough for audiences as this one was a decent financial success for Stallone.

8. Antz (1998)

A bit of a change of pace for the action star, Stallone lent his voice to this computer-animated comedy, and I thought he did a pretty good job.

7. Creed (2015)

In the original Rocky film the late, great Burgess Meredith played Rocky's manager Mickey. In this film it's Stallone that's taking on the old, ex-boxer, mentor role to up-and-comer Adonis Creed (played by Michael B. Jordan). Honestly, it's one of Sly's best performances to date.

6. The Expendables (2010)

'The Expendables' movies are not good, but this is worth watching for the novelty of having so many past-their-prime action stars in one movie.

5. Lock Up (1989)

Stallone starred in two duds in '89, one was Tango & Cash and the other was Lock Up. Much like Tango & Cash, if you go into this one with lowered expectations then you might have fun with it.

4. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

First Blood is a legitimately good film, but the sequel Rambo: First Blood Part II is what most people think of why you say "Rambo". This is a big, explosion-filled, bullet-riddled, high body count, action flick. It's pretty awesome.

3. Cop Land (1997)

Just look at the poster: Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, and Ray Liotta... There was no way I could leave this one off the list.

2.Over the Top (1987)

There just aren't enough movies about a truck driver who is trying to reconnect with his son, while also traveling to Las Vegas to compete in an arm wrestling competition.

1. Rocky (1976)

It's the movie to which every underdog story will forever be compared to. Rocky isn't just a great sports film, but a great film in general and it even won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

80's Month Day 24: Rocky III

Obviously the third film in the 'Rocky' franchise, Rocky III was released in 1982. The film stars all of the keys actors from the first two films; Sylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Talia Shire, Burt Young, and Carl Weathers, as well as introducing Mr. T as Clubber Lang (a character that only appears in this film).

The film picks up where the previous one left off, with Rocky being the Heavy-Weight Champion having recently beaten Apollo Creed in a rematch. However, this entry marks a bit of a turning point in the series for two main reasons; First off, Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers) isn't Rocky's opponent like he was in the previous two films, and second, Rocky's friend/manager/trainer Mickey Goldmill dies in the movie. Rocky early on loses a fight to a trash-talking challenger Clubber Lang, after being distracted by Mickey having a heart-attack. Afterwards, and for good reason, Rocky is pretty down, demoralized, and has lost the will to go into the ring and box without Mickey in his corner. However, his old rival Apollo tells him that the he can beat Clubber Lang if he gets back the "Eye of the Tiger" (a hunger and passion to win). So, Apollo trains Rocky, a friendship between the two starts to form, and pretty soon Rocky is ready for a rematch with Clubber. What follows is a middle of the road fight sequence with Rocky, of course, emerging victorious.

Overall, this one isn't my favorite 'Rocky' movie but I do enjoy it. Mickey's death is emotional, Mr. T is an entertaining foe, and the song "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor gets stuck in my head after each viewing.

I give this one a 4 out of 5.

...and if you want to read my ranking of all the 'Rocky' movies, you can by clicking here.

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave it in the comments below.

Ranking the “Rocky” Movies

Ranking the “Rocky” Movies

I put up a poll about a week ago asking which film franchise I should rank, and this is what won the poll overwhelmingly. So, here is my personal ranking of the 7 films thus far to feature Sylvester Stallone as the iconic character Rocky Balboa. Like my list ranking all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films (which you can check out here: http://onlyinthemoviesblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-marvel-cinematic-universe.html) this list is a worst-to-first ranking based on a variety of factors; story, initial viewing and rewatchability and, above all, how much I personally enjoyed one film over another.

#7 Rocky V -1990

There was no internal debate here for the #7 spot, it wasn't even close. This is the only one I have a hard time sitting through. The movie isn’t any fun, Rocky’s son Robert (played by Sylvester Stallone’s real-life son Sage Stallone) is awful, and the plot just doesn’t work for me.

#6 Rocky Balboa -2006

I get what they were going for with this one, but it wasn’t as enjoyable as it could’ve been. It shot passed being just a dramatic look at where the 'Italian Stallion' is at this point in his life and went straight to depressing. Unlike Rocky V, I don't hate this one, it's just not one of my favorites.

#5 Rocky III -1982

 I have mixed feelings about it this one. There are a few game-changer moments for the franchise in this film; most notably Mickey's death, and Rocky and Apollo Creed putting their rivalry aside because Rocky has to learn to fight with the "Eye of the Tiger" in order to beat Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T). It's not the strongest movie, but there's a lot to like about it.

#4 Rocky IV -1985

Interestingly enough, the #4 film in the franchise came in at #4 in my rankings. Is this the 4^th best written or acted film? Nope. But it is a ridiculous bag of fun. They went balls to the wall with this one: it’s got a great training montage, some cheesy lines, they apologetically play up the strained relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and it’s one of the most rewatchable films of the franchise.

#3 Rocky II -1979

The first sequel to the masterpiece that is 1976’s ‘Rocky’ is a satisfying continuation. A rematch between Rocky and Apollo would’ve been enough reason to watch the movie, but it's also a solid development of Rocky’s relationships with the other characters from the previous film which places this one pretty high on my list.

#2 Creed -2015

 

This film really surprised my when I saw it in the theater last year. Sylvester Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa and Michael B. Jordan joins the franchise as Adonis Creed (son of Apollo Creed). Both of these actors knock it out of the park it in this film, and it hit all the beats I was hoping it would. It’s not only one of my favorite films in this series, but also one of my favorite films to come out in the last several years.

#1 Rocky -1976

It’s one of the most iconic films in the history of American cinema. The others in the franchise have their memorable moments, but I don't think any of the other films are quite as good as the original. It's a great sports movie, it's a great drama, it won 'Best Picture', it's become the definitive underdog story... It's going to take a damn good movie to eventually knock this one out of the #1 spot.

 

 Have a suggestion for a review, a ranking, or a '10 Movies Everyone Should See' list?

Leave it in the comments below.