Who’da Thunk It?
By Mitch Berg
The last things in the world I expect to see:
- Britney Spears doing a command performance at Kennedy Center
- The Wege from Norwegianity taking an understated approach to a discussion
A good Rocky sequel. Oops. Well, blow me down. Rocky Balboa has gotten at least one good review:
Theres a disarming quality to Stallones thoughtful script that has a way of stopping smirking skeptics right in their tracks, as if to say: “Yeah, yeah, I know what youre thinking. But at least give me a shot here.”
And darned if that gently self-effacing approach doesnt melt away those preconceived notions.
With his beloved Adrian having passed away, Rocky trudges along the streets of his South Philly neighborhood like a man whos been beaten down by the ravages of time and bittersweet memories of all-too-distant glories.
Hes only too happy to regale patrons at his eatery, Adrians, with those stories, but his habit of living in the past is beginning to grate on his old buddy Paulie Burt Young, whos been there for all six rounds, whos no longer willing to accompany Rocky on those ritual tours through his old haunts.
OK. I’ll go.
December 16th, 2006 at 10:35 am
Several years ago there were billboards up around town advertising a now defunct video store chain. They depicted an old, bald man with a paunch in boxing shorts with gloves. The tag-line read “Rocky 12. When they release it, we’ll have it”.
December 16th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Sly appeared on Rush Limbaugh this week, literally apologizing for Rocky V, that Balboa was the real ending he wants for the series.