Legitimate Theater: #2. Rocky (2014)

Rocky

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

R.I.P. John G. Avildsen (1935-2017)

John G. Avildsen

On June 16, 2017, director John G. Avildsen died of pancreatic cancer in West Hollywood, California at the age of 81. Among his most memorable works are some of Hollywood's most beloved underdog stories, including The Karate Kid and the Best Picture winner Rocky. He made films to uplift people's spirits and provide hope to anyone struggling to be accepted. He also collaborated with some of the best artists of the 70's and 80's to help produce these masterpieces. Among his greatest attributes was his ability to make films that were as innovative as they were independently made and produced. In some ways, he was just as much an underdog as his greatest protagonist, Rocky Balboa. It's why his work will continue to live on, inspiring people to get up and train for success in any way that they can. 

Theory Thursday: "Guardians of the Galaxy" is Overrated

Scene from Guardians of the Galaxy

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Nothing But the Best: "Rocky" (1976)

Scene from Rocky

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.

The First "Creed" Trailer Proves There's Still Some Steam in the "Rocky" Franchise

Michael B. Jordan

Two years ago, director Ryan Coogler released the rather impressive debut film Fruitvale Station. It's day in the life depiction of a man just trying to do right may have been simple, but packed a punch thanks to its dramatic third act. With racially charged films starting to crop up everywhere, it definitely has built its own little and deserved following. With his first film since then, he looks to update the Rocky franchise not by giving Sylvester Stallone another go in the ring, but to focus on the son of his original opponent in Creed. The first trailer shows that it may be better than the novelty premise will have you believe.