I finally saw Creed which is basically a retelling of the Rocky story. Michael B. Jordan plays a young boxer from Los Angeles who travels to Philly to ask Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him. Rocky recognizes that this kid is really the son of his opponent Apollo Creed. Initially, Rocky resists but then gives in through guilt and starts training the young fighter. You know how the story goes. The kid trains hard ends up getting an offer to fight the World Champion in Liverpool, England. The Heavy-weight Champion, Pretty Rick Conlan, is bigger, faster, meaner. The fight scenes are intense and gripping. I’m not a boxing fan, but this film really moved me. GRADE: B+
With all the uproar about lack of diversity in Oscar nominations this year, Michael Jordan was the one name that I saw consistently mentioned as a glaring omission for lack of nomination. I doubt I’ll get to this movie until it’s shown on one of the premium channels I get, but I’ve heard good things about it.
I’m watching full episodes of the Tonight show with Johnny Carson, and realize how lacking Jimmy Fallon is in style as compared with Carson. Jay Leno was almost as good, but Carson was king. Chevy Chase was on one and he mentioned Paul Hogan being on and dissing Stallone. At this time i think there had just been the one Crocodile Dundee movie, and Chevy was (rightly) peeved that such a new comer could be disrespectful of an actor who had done a lot of movies that were box office hits. My favorite bits on the tonight show are Joan Embry of the San Diego Zoo. I knew her in Jr. High. we played volleytennis at lunch one year.
Maggie, I’m with you on Johnnie Carson. No one has done it better. Fallon has his following, but I only watch “highlights” when sometime special happens. CREED should have garnered more Oscar nominations than just Stallone’s. Michael B. Jordan should have gotten a nod.
I thought it was the best Rocky since the first and if you judge it on its artistry, even better.