"Rock On"

As we get ready to enter a new year, I just wanted to thank all of the SYLVESTER STALLONE / ROCKY fans [especially the SZoners, and you know who you are!] for the support that they’ve shown me since I took over the Rocky Balboa Blog. I also want to thank Sly, Frank, Sage, Kevin, Celeste, Amy, and Sandro for believing that a fan could get the job done and then helping him to do it.

Finally, I want to thank John Beatty at Big Shot Graphics for his invaluable assistance in making sure everything worked [and looked great]!



Sly gave us a great movie, let’s return the favor. Continue to support “Rocky Balboa” [see it again and take your family and friends – heck take your enemies!]. Don’t forget that Frank’s “Take You Back” is available on I-Tunes!


May the new year bring you everything that you’ve wished for and even a little bit more!
–Craig Zablo

Photo by: John Bramley

"It Ain't About How Hard You Hit"

Rocky Balboa [SYLVESTER STALLONE] is still standing after ten brutal rounds. Rocky's corner: Duke [TONY BURTON], Spider Rico [PEDRO LOVELL] and Rocky Jr. [MILO VENTIMIGLIA] know that their man has done the impossible... he stood toe-to-toe with the Heavyweight Champion of the World!

"Rocky Balboa," despite facing tough competition at the box office, is more than holding its own! The critics are nearly unanimous in their praise of the movie, many making special mention of Sly's work as writer, director and actor. It's a great time to be a SYLVESTER STALLONE / ROCKY fan!

The final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky is in theatres now! Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.
- Craig Zablo



For a larger version of this picture click HERE!

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

"Rocky Balboa" Shocks The World

"Rocky Balboa" opened Wednesday with over $6 million at the box office. No one really expected it to do over $2 million. Sly said that fans made "an old lion roar proud" in an e-mail to Harry at Ain't It Cool News [where Sly just completed a marathon question and answer session with fans].

What's even more important is that "Rocky Balboa" is receiving rave reviews from nearly everyone! Ebert and Roeper gave it "two thumbs up", Rolling Stone gives it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars, The Hollywood Reporter, E!Online as well as reviewers all over the country are singing the praises of SYLVESTER STALLONE and "Rocky Balboa."

So grab your family and friends and head out to see it [again and again]! I know that I will!
-Craig Zablo



The final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky is in theatres now! Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.

Photo by: Neil Leifer

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

Are YOU the "Ultimate Rocky Fan?

Are you the ultimate Rocky fan? Do you want to win a pair of boxing gloves autographed by SYLVESTER STALLONE? If you answered, "yes" to both of those questions, then I have the contest for you!



Click HERE for all contest rules. Oh yeah, guess who will be judging the contest! Yep, me! So get your entries in soon!
-Craig Zablo



For a larger version of this image click HERE!

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

Abs-solutely!

Anyone who thought SYLVESTER STALLONE's age might be a factor against him returning to the ring for the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise had their doubts crushed when he got into the ring. Sly trained hard and it shows. We're just two days away from the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise which hits theaters Wednesday, December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.
-Craig Zablo



For a larger version of this image click HERE!

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: Can you tell us about your decision to make Rocky a widower?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: In the beginning of this film, "Rocky Balboa," I thought if his life is still intact then you really don't have a, a launching pad, a starting off point. But, if the most precious thing is taken away from you and your stability is askew, your best years supposedly have come and gone and you're alone. Alone full of grief, full of rage, full of anger, you know, what do I do now? What's the last chapter of my life? There is your starting off point. And I think that people need a mountain to climb. And I also read about a few men who, you know, in their late 50s, who decided to climb the seven largest peaks in the world just to, you know, do it. Well this is literally going out and trying to find a mountain to climb, which is going to really change, not just his life, but the lives of the people around him.

Also be sure to check out Sly's answers to fan questions from around the world at Ain't It Cool News!

6 New "Rocky Balboa" CLIPS!

Sneak peaks of "Rocky Balboa" are hitting all around the country! Postive reviews are rolling in and the premiere is next week! Life is great!! Here are some additional "Rocky Balboa" video clips!
-Craig Zablo



Rocky Meets Robert At Work - 1:24

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Rocky & Paulie At Ice Rink - 1:38

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Mason & Old Trainer - 1:10

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Convincing Rocky to fight Mason - 1:23

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Rocky & Marie: Fighters Fight - 1:11

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Ready to Train - 0:52

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Trading Old Pain For New Pain

Mason "The Line" Dixon [ANTONIO TARVER] lands some "hurtin' bombs" of his own when he and Rocky Balboa [SYLVESTER STALLONE] stand toe-to-toe fighting for much more than a title!
-Craig Zablo



For a larger version of this image click HERE!

The final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise hits theatres Friday, December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: Did George Foreman have any influence on that decision that Rocky could still fight professionally?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: Well, that, George Foreman! George Foreman gives Rocky a great credibility. So does Larry Holmes, he's 53, or 54 fighting. There are a couple of fighters today living out. The oldest one is 58, I believe, Sol Mamby for real. So it's happened. They believe that Sonny Liston was almost 50 years old and fought Mohammed Ali and, you know, lied about it. But the point is as, as it's said in Rocky, "They just want to prove that the last thing to age is the heart." And this is just, you know, a symbolic gesture that when you're young at heart you're basically in the game.

Sly fans will also want to check out Round 11 of the great question and answer session that Sly is delivering each day at AIN'T IT COOL NEWS! Click HERE to get there!
-Craig Zablo

As Real As It Gets

Rocky [SYLVESTER STALLONE] takes a hard shot from Mason Dixon [ANTONIO TARVER] when the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise hits theatres on December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE. Sly and former light heavyweight champ, Antonio Tarver traded real blows in an effort to make Rocky's last fight his most realistic.
-Craig Zablo



Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: What motivated you to bring back Rocky for a final chapter?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: I just didn't like the way the last one ended. Truthfully I thought the last one it, it just wasn't over, you know, you think it's over, and you really go back and you rehash it in your own mind like an athlete. You go, "God, you know, maybe I just retired too soon. Maybe Rocky just retired too soon." And yeah, someone told him he had problems. He had health problems. He, he had a little brain damage, but he never even had a second opinion. He just automatically assumed it. We do have our ups and downs, and it was a down side of his life. But I think that the real affirmation of life is what comes after that? Do you come out of that valley or not, you know?

Sly fans will also want to check out the great questions and answers that Sly is delivering each day at AIN'T IT COOL NEWS! Click HERE to get there!
-Craig Zablo

Always in His Corner

Paulie [BURT YOUNG] tries to offer Rocky [SYLVESTER STALLONE] sage advice in between rounds when the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise hits theatres on December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.
-Craig Zablo



For a larger version of this picture click HERE!

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, some interview questions and answers from Sly!

QUESTION: Can you talk about the legacy of "Rocky" and the influence it's had.

SYLVESTER STALLONE: Well, you know, the legacy... I never thought would ever end up being a legacy. But I guess what has come out of it is that it's a pretty universal dream to, to try to rise up and take your best shot at life. And you may not totally be successful but at least you made an out, you've had the chance. You've had the opportunity and I think that's the biggest frustration a lot of people have in their own lives is never getting a shot, you know.