The Gambler is a 1974 movie directed by Karel Reisz.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A literature professor chases the thrill and destruction of his devastating gambling addiction.
ONE LINE REVIEW
The Gambler is a honest and often difficult look at the impulsive nature of a gambler.
THE ACTORS
James Caan is compelling as Axel Freed, a professor who constantly seeks the “juice” of betting. It’s a unique role for Caan – as he balances his character’s wealthy upbringing and intellectual background with an impulse for seedy action. Caan’s natural fire emerges in several scenes but is tempered during moments with Jacqueline Brookes’ Naomi. Caan appears both enabled and wounded – a victim of both his grandfather’s success and his warped addiction.
Rocky Balboa is a 2006 movie directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky Balboa returns to the Rocky saga, as the aging boxer finds himself widowed and growing estranged from his son. Thanks to a computer simulation, Rocky receives another chance to fight for the heavyweight championship.
THE BEST – Stallone Gets to Act
Excepting the original, this is Stallone’s best acting job of the saga. He shines in a few strong scenes, including a dialogue in front of the athletic commission, exchanges with Geraldine Hughes’ Marie and a powerhouse speech to Milo Ventimiglia’s Robert. However, Stallone’s best moment comes as he’s flooded with emotion when he laments Adrian’s death. There’s genuine hurt and confusion that Stallone allows to the surface. It’s a brilliant moment – one of the best of the entire series.
Rocky is a 1976 movie directed by John G. Avildsen.
WHAT HAPPENS?
An aging club boxer gets a chance to prove himself against the heavyweight champion of the world.
ONE LINE REVIEW
Rocky is a beautiful American story about determination, pride and loneliness.
THE ACTORS
Sylvester Stallone stars in the lead role as Rocky Balboa, an aging, down on his luck club boxer. Stallone takes what could be a limited, cartoonish role and infuses the character with a unique earnestness. Physically, Stallone is born for the role – his unique face and slurred speech resemble a hardened prize fighter.
Talia Shire is terrific as Adrian, the meek, painfully shy pet shop worker who falls for Rocky. Her lack of confidence is intense, as she continually hides her face – never making eye contact. She ducks behind bird cages and scurries away when Rocky approaches. Her character later emerges as Rocky’s support system – her voice and self-esteem grow as the movie progresses.
The cast is rounded out by Burt Young and Burgess Meredith. Young is spectacular as the moody, alcoholic Pauly. His emotional breakdowns are stinging – he viciously snaps on his sister Adrian, then collapses in tears. Still, there is a lovable quality to Pauly – Young plays up the comic aspects of the character. Meredith is great as the crusty, cynical Mickey. He plays the character with absolutely no filter – he coldly dismisses Rocky before offering to later train him. It’s a complicated, tarnished relationship.
Rocky V is a 1990 movie directed by John G. Avildsen.
Rocky V concludes the original saga as a suddenly broke Rocky faces brain damage and a splintering family. He begins to train a new protege, Tommy Gunn, who emerges as a target of greedy promoter George Duke. Rocky and Gunn’s relationship falters, which leads to a final showdown.
THE BEST – Stallone
Rocky V is certainly the weak link in the original saga but Stallone gives a solid performance. He’s given a significant amount of dialogue and while there are obvious stumbles, it’s a solid performance – especially as he navigates the evolution of the character.
THE BEST Part 2 – The Kid Gets a Name
For two straight movies, Rocky and Adrian’s son was only referred to as “the kid.” Worse, he was virtually abandoned in each movie while Rocky trained in far-off locations. In Rocky V, his family’s ill fortunes throw him into the streets of Philadelphia, where he struggles to survive. Needless to say, “Robert’s” a bit damaged emotionally. Sage Stallone does an admirable job as the lost Balboa son and contributes some of the movie’s more memorable scenes. His transformation from preppy, rich kid to street tough is a highlight of the movie.
THE BEST Part 3 – Pauly and Adrian Get Some Scenes
Talia Shire gives great effort throughout the movie but it’s obvious the hyper speed script does her no favors. She’s easily the most polished actor of the group but it never appears that she finds any footing here. Burt Young gets a couple of scenes to shine but a similar fate befalls him.
Rocky IV is a 1985 movie directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky IV continues the saga of heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Balboa. In this sequel, Apollo Creed takes on Russian Ivan Drago in an exhibition that tragically ends. Rocky agrees to an unsanctioned fight in the Soviet Union, where he emerges triumphant.
THE BEST – Rocky Basically Ends the Cold War
If you’re tracking Rocky’s post-fight speeches, you’ll notice a huge leap. He’s convulsing like a wounded animal in the early movies – making non-sensical, guttural yelps. After defeating Drago and winning over the Soviet crowd, he turns political by noting the unifying quality of brute American strength. It’s pure Reagan-era propaganda and prodigious American ego.
And of course, it’s brilliant.
THE BEST Part 2 – Coked Up Training Montages
The evolution of Rocky training montages is a beautiful phenomenon. While the first two movies involve Rocky using his natural surroundings, Rocky IV finds our hero chopping down trees, outrunning KGB cars and climbing mountains. Stallone’s own transformation from beefy club boxer to chiseled action hero is on display – some of the herculean exercises he performs seem to be a love letter to his own ego.
Rocky III is a 1982 movie directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky III continues the saga of Rocky Balboa, as the champion faces his toughest competition yet in the form of Clubber Lang. Rocky has to face the death of his manager Mickey, while dealing with his own lack of confidence. Apollo Creed now teams up with Rocky to train him for an epic rematch.
THE BEST – Clubber Lang’s Promo
Physically, Mr. T isn’t that imposing but his vicious rhetoric throughout the movie creates a compelling villain. As Rocky’s statue is unveiled, Clubber Lang shows up and cuts a brilliant promo on Rocky, Mickey and Adrian. He seals the champ’s ire when he focuses on Adrian: “Hey woman, hey woman. I’ll show you a real man.” Later, during a pre-fight interview, we hear Mr. T utter his signature phrase. When asked about Rocky, he states: “I don’t hate Balboa but I pity the fool.”
THE BEST Part 2 – Pauly
Pauly officially becomes comic foil in this installment of the series, but Burt Young gets a lot of mileage out of the character. The fish out of water act as he arrives in Los Angeles produces some 80s humor but he shines as Stallone’s figurative punching bag. He gets pulled into the pool as Rocky swims laps, then hilariously spat on during the fight. I can only imagine the practical jokes pulled during this shoot.
Rocky II is a 1979 movie directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky II picks up where the classic leaves off. Rocky is essentially retired but struggles to find a purpose for his life. After continued goading from Apollo Creed, he agrees to a rematch. During his training, Adrian gives birth and slips into a coma.
THE BEST – Mickey’s Movie
Burgess Meredith is given more meaty scenes here and turns in a tremendous performance. His crusty Mickey snarls and callously rejects Rocky’s request to continue training. To show how damaged Rocky’s right eye is, Mickey viciously slaps him. Yet later in the movie, Mickey changes his mind and pushes Rocky to fight – even during Adrian’s time in a coma. Despite the flawed plot, Burgess shows some vulnerability and gives dimension to his character – his speech in the chapel is the most passionate part of the movie. Still, his trademark humor is on point – he declares “I don’t want to get mad in a biblical place” before he screams at Rocky.
THE BEST Part 2 – Rocky’s Job Interviews
Rocky II continues – and somewhat repeats – the natural arc of the title character as he navigates a post-fighting world. Rocky attempts different jobs, including a hauling meat, before looking for a “desk job.” While slightly over the top, his experience shooting a commercial is painful to watch. Rocky “doesn’t read so well” and is berated by an angry, flamboyant director.
