Your Rocky Guide

I saw that Rocky III was on this past weekend. I watched long enough to hear Eye of the Tiger (as well as the literal reference from Apollo... "you have to have the eye of the tiger Rock") and then went on to better things.

But then I started thinking, which one is the third one? Is that the one where he rematches Mr. T but then wrestles Hulk Hogan? Russian was 4? Too many questions so I present a quick guide to the Rocky movies so you won't have to go back and watch them all:

Rocky (1977) - Won 3 Oscars (Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture). Rocky is a nobody, trains with Mickey (the one from the 7-up cartoons), falls in love with Adrian (Rocky's BFF Paulie's little sister). Rocky gets setup as a nobody to fight the Undefeated Heavyweight Champ: Apollo Creed. 15 rounds of whaling around later, Apollo wins by split decision but Rocky wins the heart of Adrian.... Awwwww....

Rocky II (1979) - First 20 minutes are a repeat of the final 20 minutes of the first flick (used in Godfather 2 as well as Friday the 13th Part 2. Rocky gets Adrian knocked up and Rock retires (common theme in all the movies). Apollo talks some more trash and demands a rematch but it takes Adrian coming out of her coma (occurred at the birth of their son) to say "win one for the gipper" for Rocky to fight again. This is where he trains in Philadelphia with all the people chasing him. Another 15 round fight, both fighters go down, Rocky makes it up on count 9 (just like in the WWF!). We all go home with a wonderful feeling in our hearts.

Rocky III (1982) - What did you people do from 1979-1982 without knowing what was going to happen to Rocky? By now Rock is still champion, but look out for Seargant Baracus - MR. T!!! Rocky makes good with his BFF Paulie and even hires him to help out around the house. Charity match against Hulk Hogan, then Rocky gets his ass kicked by Clubber (Mr. T) in round 2. Oh yeah, Mr. T gives Mick a heart attack punch which turns out kills him. Rocky goes to LA to train with Creed (his new BFF). He rematches and beets Clubber in 3 rounds since he's better "conditioned". At the end, Rocky and Apollo are holding hands sharing a diet Fresca... right before they kiss, the movie freezes and ends.

Rocky IV (1985) - BFF Creed goes to fight the Big Russian "Drago" (Dolph Lundgren - who also played He-Man in the movie). Rocky sits in Apollo's corner but doesn't throw in the towel which leads to Creed getting killed. No, as in needs a funeral, not figuratively! Rocky goes to train in the woods by chopping wood which Drago just uses steroids (works for baseball! Why not boxing?). Christmas in Moscow, Rocky goes YET again for 15 rounds.... finally knocks the Russian down in the end. Rocky turns diplomat and asks for an end to the coldwater. I think his line was "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" or something like that.

Rocky V (1990) - Rocky's now bankrupt (a realistic element to the boxing world) and comes home to his family having returned to the old neighborhood. He is hired to help train an up-and-coming boxer, Tommy Gunn. Tommy ditches Rocky when Rock talks about heart instead of about $$$! Tommy goes to win the title with Don King-ish guy, only to have Rocky still be the "people's champ". He goes to challenge Rocky in a street fight but that's not smart as the 60 year old Rocky kicks his butt and embarrasses him out in the back yard. Thanks to the ghost of Mickey!

Rocky Balboa (2006) - A 120 year old Rocky has to deal with no Adrian, and a son who's basically distanced himself. Rocky is a restaurant owner now and runs across Marie who was a friend from the past. ESPN starts doing their "what if" virtual matchups and the current champ faces off against the Rocky of old only to lose to Rocky. This pisses him off so of course he wants to fight the old Rocky. Rocky goes the distance but again loses in a split decision. He's happy though and visits Adrian's grave only to say "we did it". Aww......

Haiku of the Day
Seventh of August
It still seems like Labor Day
WILL NEVER GET HERE!!!

Entertainment of the Day - I watched an interesting movie this weekend that if you're into foreign films, you might like. The Page Turner is a French Flick and a Musical Thriller!!! Not often do you see those. Basically this young girl goes to a piano competition and in the middle of her audition one of the judges takes an autograph and distracts the young girl enough that she messes up miserably. So she gives up the piano and never wants to play again. As the girl gets to college age, luck brings her back to the judge and the family as first a nanny of the son, but also as a page turner for the judge that messed her up. She now has the opportunity to repay her (not to mention at times looks like she can do physical harm to the son). There's actually a couple of scenes that were rather impressive for being a French movie.

Weblink of the Day - In honor of Bowling Season coming up very soon (yeah, it did just end).... I give you: Human Bowling. Think Slip and Slide with a bunch of pins at the other end! Could be a good tailgating idea Jill!!