THE END OF THE ROAD

Throughout this journey of enlightenment on Rocky IV. I have drawn this conclusion: as time goes on more and more people find Rocky to be annoying and cheesy. So I figured I will look into this issue and try and get a few sites that justify this thinking. Not only what people think in modern times but what they thought of Rocky when it first came out. I will also try to justify why so many feel so negative toward Rocky, but yet why the movie is so popular.

Bashing review of Rocky

The writer of this review, Vince Leo, Went all out on his attacks of Rocky IV. He gives a combination of a plot and director roast that gives his obvious feeling towards Rocky. Although his review does give some insight into what Rocky IV is all about, his style of writing put a very sarcastic twist upon it. He is yet another critic who believes that Rocky was nothing more then a insult towards the Soviet Union. “Given the fact that he resolved his through an all-out violent conflict, the message rings quite hollow to most discerning audiences, although Ronald Reagan would openly applaud Stallone's efforts with this film for showing true American spirit (i.e. overcoming all obstacles by eviscerating the shit out of them). Yet another critic that cant get past this narrow minded concept of Rocky IV.

Leo , Vince . "Rocky IV (1985) / Action-Drama." A Film Review By Vince Leo . 2006. Qwipster's . 10 May 2009 http://www.qwipster.net/rocky4.htm.

Early Review Of Rocky

Janet Maslin, a writer for the New York Times gives a much softer and kind hearted review on Rock IV. She talks about the amazing boxing stadiums and and scenery the movie incorporates. Janet also gets into mentioning the creative ability Sylvester Stallone has towards creating characters. I find it very fascinating the further you go back in time the nicer the reviews get. In Janet's review she uses a very tasteful way of mentioning things she does not like about the Rocky movies. On the contrary, modern day reviews go full out on their insults.

Maslin , Janet . "Rocky IV (1985)." Movies. November 27, 1985. The New York Times . 10 May
2009 .

Bad 80's movies: What Makes them Work


This was personally my favorite site to look at. Since the big theme of Rocky is how cheesy and over simplified the plot was I figure I would look up what made it great any way. On badmovies.org they talk about how the outrageous over acting and the sense of kicking ass for the reason of pride and honor make these movies so great. I think it is funny how they mention all the movies that deal with Russia, considering Rocky was one of them. This web site is very funny and entertaining

After this research I am still not impressed with critics reasoning on why Rocky is so bad. I guess in the ending it is my opinion that matters most to me.
Rocky rules!!!!!!!

"Bad 80s action: What makes them great?." Badmovies.org Forum. April 30, 2009. Simple Machines LLC . 10 May 2009 .

The Man Behind The Curtains

He is big. He is Russian. He is Ivan Drago!! In real life, this machine-like muscle man depicted in Rocky IV is a Swede who goes by the name of Hans Dolph Lundgren. Although Rocky depicted Hans as a mindless robot who's only purpose was to give people concussions, he is a very educated man. I was amazed by the amount of education this man has been through, going to a world renowned school such as MIT and the University of Sydney. It is ironic that Lundren's character in the movie who is depicted as simple minded has a master's degree in Chemical Engineering.(Biography for Dolph Lundgren) The movie did get one thing right about Hans; he is a physical beast. In real life, Hans is not as big into boxing but he does enjoy throwing people around the mat in karate. Not only does he hold a triple black belt-yes a triple black belt-he also worked for the Olympics in Atlanta . Not to mention he is a top ranked contender in his home country of Sweden.(Biography for Dolph Lundgren) Just when the list of accomplishments Hans holds seems to stop, there is more. Hans did not just call it quits at the top educations he was receiving. No, in fact after his education was completed he decided to try his hand in acting. I just wonder if Hans woke up one day and said, “Hey I think I want to star in one of the greatest actions movies of my time”, and did it! I think it is a shame, however, that very few people know Hans for the 30 plus additional movies he has starred in. (Starpulse Entertainment News Blog) And that the shadows casted by the steel curtain character of Ivan Drago hides the brilliant minded man Hans Dolph Lundgren behind it.





"Biography for Dolph Lundgren ." IMDB. 2009. IMDB. 5 May 2009

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000185/bio.



" Starpulse Entertainment News Blog." Feeds 4 All. 12-2-2008 . Feeds 4 All. 5 May 2009 .

<http://article.feeds4all.nl/Dolph-Lundgren-Discusses-Missionary-Man/17018646.aspx>.

It is all about the emotion

To me good writing is all about feeling. When I read something it is not about grammar and punctuation. Most of the time when I read a book that is one of the last things that I look at. Anyone can do a spell check on their computer. Anyone can have a friend who is really good at spelling and editing. You cannot do this when it comes to the feelings and emotions that your writing gives off. Think of all the Fictional novels out there. People do not read fiction for knowledge, they read fiction for the feeling they get from it. So this brings me to my definition of good writing. If I had to sum up good writing it would be this: A piece of literary work that captures the mind and can evoke, and move, the reader on an emotional level.
This means whether a good war novel, or the twilight trilogy. These novels, to me, did not make it big because the grammar used within them, but the emotion that they brought out in the reader. One of my favorite examples that fits my definition comes in the form of a poem. I originally heard this poem in a movie called ATL. To me this is one of the most touching literary works. Because of the emotion it brings, I also consider it to be great writing.

pleasure turns to the pain lessons learned from the strain questions burned in my brain.. about whether love is humane in its touch. these thoughts are like salmon swimming upstream in the tears of your deceit. fighting the current hurt that kills more than is created by the chaos of our intertwined emotions. chaotic because the anchor of Erros' arrow has been plucked from the vessel of my undying infatuation separation not as simple as the distance between us my mind no longer possessed by demons that have been the overseers of my enslavement to your lies the seeds of these lies rooted so deeply they have cracked the foundation of what we once shared allowing the faith in us i had sealed inside to gush out like a river ripping the image of our future together from my thoughts as violently and as brutally as if it were a child being taken from its mothers arms im left surrounded in darkness but i refuse to be swallowed by it my loneliness like the night air invisible to the eye obvious to the touch it is cold uncomfortableness yet if i could do it all over again id do it in the same skin im in to lay down and let love die just stay down and let love lie? no, no..not i id stay around and let love fly even though i have seen its darkest form deceit nothing else could taste this warm or feel this sweet...

I personally believe that I do not write with the emotional intensity that the author of this poem does. But I do try to use emotion within my writings. I try to be honest and share my actual opinion. This brings emotion to my writing, because a reader can pick up on what is real and what is a load of crap. So to me if you bring emotion and truth into your writing, you have created a work of good writing.

The Good Old Days

Sometimes I just wish I could go back in time. Back to a time before college and work. To a time with no worries and no cares. You never realize how much you miss the little things until they are long gone and there is no turning back. To me this was about three summers ago. The last summer I would ever have with out all the responsibilities and cares.
That summer my family and I went to the beach. It was actually the last trip I had with my whole family. Its so funny looking back, how bad I hated going on vacation with all the relatives. Now I would love to just be able to do that whenever. The trip, looking back, is just such a wonderful memory. I can still picture the countless miles we walked along the beach. The memory of the grandparents spoiling me with all kinds of presents. The warm beach wind, and the late night fishing trips.

On the last night of all this, just my dad an I went to the movies. He took me to see Star Wars Episode 3. I love the Star Wars movies, but that is not what made it so memorable. The trip I had when I watched Star Wars makes it so memorable. It is not often any more that just my dad and I hang out, let alone the whole family. Every time I see Star Wars it just reminds me of that time. It makes me just sit back and reminisce thoughts of that most memorable trip. The trip, that to me, summed up my childhood. The trip that ended all those summers of care free fun and family vacations.

I just wish there were more fond memories, like the kind Star Wars brings to mind.

Mounting the Defense for Rocky IV

When I last posted, I was saying how great I thought Rocky IV was. I was talking about how every time I watch it I feel on top of the world. And no matter how bad I am feeling, watching that movie brings me out of the slumps. For those of you who have never seen it, I gave a brief summary, and also my favorite quotes.

I found out easily though, that some feel differently. Graeme Clark, of the Spinning Image web site, Thought “Rocky IV just may be the most predictable film in motion picture history”. “Rocky is a shallow installment . That weakens the credibility of the series.” He also made his opinion pretty clear on Rocky being a play up of the Cold War by saying “ Sylvester Stallone is making his musclebound, muscle headed hero of the Rocky films into the personification of American patriotism and power. He scripted this attack on the Soviet Union himself as a triumph, yet again, of the underdog, and if some cried foul at the ridiculous oversimplification of the politics of East and West.”

And although I do agree that Rocky has a lot to do with the Cold War, I do not agree on it being a flat out attack, on the Soviet Union. In fact I think it is the opposite of an attack. The quote from Rocky “If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.” is talking about acceptance. He is saying I,You, Everybody, not just a you, talking about the soviet union, need to change. Sounds more like a peace offering to me.

I can also agree Rocky IV was a predictable movie. But I don't believe it takes away from the struggles and the emotion the movie depicts. And to me the emotions Rocky makes me feel out weighs predictability any day.

Dan Grant of the Internet Movie Database Shares my point of view “It is by far and away the most entertaining film of the 5.” As I said, “Rocky always gives me hope.” Grant agrees by saying “Rocky appeals to all of us. Because all of us have been the underdog at some time in our lives and we love to watch him and perhaps live vicariously through him. That is the beauty of Rocky. If Rocky can do it then dammit so can.” I feel the same way. Who cares if you know he is going to win. The point is the odds are stacked against him, and yet through struggles and hardships he perseveres. Some times I just need under dog hero to get me through the day.

To me it does not matter if it is predictable, as Clark states. It is the passion and the will to keep pushing that makes Rocky one of the greats.



“Rocky!Rocky!Rocky!”

The Italian Stallion: Greatest Movie Ever

My first blog prompt asked of me in my English class, is to write about my favorite song, movie or book. And since nothing makes me feel more on top of the world or gives me hope when I am in a bad spot I selected Rocky 4. The greatest underdog, love/inspirational movies out there (in my opinion).

For you out there that are not familiar with the Rocky movies. It is a story about a no name boxer(Rocky Balboa/Italian Stallion). Who is poor and lives in a little run down apartment in Philadelphia. Every one in his world has pretty much given up on him, including himself. Through out his life the only thing he wants is to become a professional boxer, but every one just calls him a bum and wont give him a chance. Until one day he is given a shot to prove himself, and gets a chance at a professional career. And through out the series it is about his struggles and hard ships, and how he over comes them.

My favorite out of the series is Rocky 4. In it Rocky has went into retirement. When a Russian named Ivan Drago, Who is suppose to be some kind of super human. Kills one of Rocky friends in a boxing match and Rocky faces Ivan to avenge his friends death.

I love this episode because no matter how bad some thing feels in life. Or I think I cant do some thing. I just think of rocky, and all the things in his life he had to over come. And all the little hills I have to climb in my life just seem so much smaller and easier to over come. It also help me feel like not just dreaming dreams but to live them out. To get out there and do what I love and not to let any one tell me what I can and can not do.

Below are some of the quotes I find most inspirational from Rocky.

“If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.”

Rocky Balboa

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"

Rocky Balboa