​Back in my youth I was privy to watching some of the finest martial arts classics out there featuring the great Bruce Lee. Fists of Fury along with Enter the Dragon were by far my two favorite movies, not only because of the action, but seeing someone that was not especially big being able to kick the snot out of people twice their size seemed to just sit right with me. Now don’t get me wrong, these were the best of the best, so when you sit back to watch Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, don’t expect anything near what these films gave to you. 

A young man, going by the name Chosen One wanders the world endlessly, trying to find the man who killed his parents. The Chosen One meets many opponents upon his quest for revenge, but without being properly trained, he is in need of the best. Master Tang will be able to help him train to defeat his lifelong nemesis Master Pain, also known as Betty. Only one man will survive the battle between Master Pain (Betty) and the Chosen One. With help from many different resources, the Chosen One is ready to settle the score with the man who robbed him of knowing his family…

Enough of the story line, on to what makes this movie special. This movie was assembled from an old martial arts film and new footage that was inserted into the original to add to the story. Turning something from old to new again is a feat in its own right, but what was done next just blew me away, the dubbing. If you can think back to the seventies and early eighties films you may have watched, if someone did not speak English, their lines would be dubbed over for the American audiences. Kung Pow does this, but takes it to a new level altogether, changing up the original story line, along with playing around with how bad the dubbing delays were when it comes to older films similar to this one.

Kung Pow is a comedy, don’t think of it in any other way. In my mind, this is a cinematic masterpiece for one reason and one alone; Nasty Nes. He is one of Master Pain’s (Betty’s) henchmen whose sole job is to play the proper fighting music when the time arrives. Kung Pow delivers on the laughs, if you are looking for mature humor, or just slapstick, you will not be disappointed when you get them both.  

With outlandish characters, along with Steve Oedekerk directing and starring, Kung Pow will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will leave your head shaking with the product placement of Taco Bell (you may want some after watching). You may still have doubts, but don’t. This movie may deliver one or two messages on an important level, but you will have to learn French if you want to truly understand them. So instead, just sit back and enjoy the adventure, the action and the characters, along with the meadow battle.  

There comes a point in all of our lives where we desire to be different or better in some way. We hope that perhaps our fortunes will change and all the negativity in our life will go away. We hope that all of our hard work will pay off at some point, or we even hope that we can change who we are at a deeper level. 

Or perhaps we dream of having it all. Of reaching the point where we have altered our lives both mentally and physically to the point to where we can achieve anything and I would venture to say that particular state of mind is perhaps the most common thread of thought for so many people. Because the possibility of having infinite knowledge that would allow us to handle anything that comes our way and manipulate the world to our whims is intoxicating to say the least. It would make life, exactly like the title of today's review, Limitless.  

Eddie Morra is a man and a writer without direction. He is trying his best. He has managed to land a book contract, but despite having such an incredible honor, he can find no words to write. His life consists daily of daydreaming, drinking and pretending that he can be something more in life. That is until his ex-brother-in-law, a drug dealer, bestows upon Eddie a gift. A drug that manages to ramp up his I.Q. and give him incredible focus. But the death of his brother/dealer signals the fact that this drug is dangerous business, but that won't stop Eddie from getting his hands on more and enjoying the freedom the drug brings.  

This is one of those motion pictures that completely takes you by surprise. Simply because, there is little in Limitless that resembles a traditional fish out of water story, and that's courtesy of a brilliant script and an equally brilliant performance by Bradley Cooper. There are twists and turns that may at first seem predictable but they quickly turn you and the story in a different direction...with ugly results.

The trick to this film, is that it is incredibly dark. It is filled with angry and malicious characters who quite frankly...all have an agenda. Whether it be power, money, or obtaining more of the powerful drug, there isn't a moment where someone is trying to get something from someone and that's what makes Limitless so damn intriguing. It is an in-depth character study of well... the fact that life is what it is. Despite the fact that Eddie ends up with one of the highest I.Q.'s in the history of man, his life is no easier.
 
The challenges are wild and crazy in many respects yes, but there are challenges and dangers there regardless, and questionable actions performed...just like the rest of us perform on a regular basis. That's the beauty of Limitless, that while there may come a day when we stumble on the answers to life, such a discovery doesn't change the nature of the world. While Eddie Morra may get a break in the last few minutes of the film and seem to be on the right track to something wonderful, the moments before the credits roll demonstrate, it will still never be an easy road, for Eddie... or any of us. 

The past is something that is often viewed in a negative light and understandably so. Because each and every one of us come to learn at a fairly early age, that rough moments from yesterday, have an impact upon us today and tomorrow. One that is often bad in nature. For some of those ugly experiences engender resentment and anger in us, which in turn elicits a nasty response on our part when those memories come to the surface. Or it can elicit fear in our souls and motivate us to shy away from opportunities and experiences that could in fact be healthy for us. If anything, the sour response that the past inspires in us is so strong, that all of those elements are explored in storytelling often, simply because it offers so much for us to chew upon and because the struggle to overcome it, can be quite powerful.
 
Because so many of us, simply don’t know how to let go of those ugly memories from yesterday, or the pain that they cause us. And being able to explore such matters in a safe space helps us to formulate our own way forward and oddly enough, one particular genre of film that does an incredible job of exploring the power of the past and how it can help us instead of hinder us, are sports movies. Because sports are a wonderful way to funnel and channel one’s pain into something positive. Provided of course the character in question learns how to do that properly and recently, this reviewer had the opportunity to revisit a sports film that not only explored those elements in a powerful and detailed manner, but it also did a wonderful job of properly bidding farewell to a silver screen icon in Creed II.
 
Now in this particular motion picture we are able to follow up with Adonis Johnson as he continues to fight under his father’s surname, and it turns out that he is doing quite well for himself these days. Because when we catch up with him here, he’s finally won the Heavyweight Championship and he is flat out on top of the world. But it doesn’t take long for the universe to decide to test Adonis. For not long after he has claimed the title of Champion, a blast from his past emerges. Because it turns out that Ivan Drago, the man responsible for Apollo Creed’s death, has been training his own son in the art of boxing and he would like Viktor to take on Adonis in a heavyweight title match. A move that quite frankly rattles Adonis like never before since he is fully aware of what could happen to him if he enters the ring with another Drago. Which means that Adonis is going to have to dig deep and face his fears and the demons in his past if he is going to remain a champion, a feat that might be easier said, than done.

​So, what makes this particular film so incredibly worth our while is the sheer fact that it holds nothing back in its presentation of the power of the past and how easily it can impact us in a negative manner. Because the instant Rocky and Adonis come face to face with the Drago family and their wishes, they immediately let bad memories of yesterday wash over them. To the point where Rocky further backs away from the world and of course, Adonis goes and does some silly things in the ring because he lets fear infect every aspect of his mind and soul and really, the point of this particular part of the journey, is to allow for us to relate to these dynamic characters and really understand their plight. So that when the movie shifts gears to overcoming the power of the past, we are rooting for them every single step of the way as we learn something from their actions. 
 
Which is truly the highlight of the story since both Rocky and Adonis have to be honest about what is eating at them and rather than go the traditional route that stories in this vein go, where they focus heavily on messages of just ‘letting the past go’, this story offers up a different take on how to heal from yesterday. In that, it more or less teaches us to embrace our mistakes and embrace what has happened. Because the only way we can truly start to overcome what’s eating at us, is to acknowledge it and give it gravity, so that we can properly address it. And in this instance, Rocky finally recognizing his worth and that family is forever, is what finally allows for him to shed his fear, whereas Adonis accepts his past and how he’s come to this point. Which allows for him to finally separate himself from his father’s legacy so he can create his own and that makes for one satisfying ending when all is said and done, one that reminds the audience to embrace everything about who they are and make peace with it so you can find a way forward.
 
But there was also mention of this film offering up closure for a silver screen icon and really, it becomes obvious in the closing seconds of the fight and of this film that this is Rocky’s farewell. Because he finally sees himself as worthy and valuable by the end of this story, something that he has always struggled with, even with loving people at his side. Which means he’s found peace at last here and a clear path as to how to enjoy life with his family and that really is a beautiful way to wrap up his long and winding journey, all while passing the torch to Adonis if the studio decides that a Creed III is in order. And if it doesn’t, well then this is the perfect way to end the saga. Because everyone in this franchise, found their way or lived a good life and that’s about a happy an ending as one can ask for when it comes to a story about a down-home boxer that never thought he’d amount to anything, and it is supremely satisfying to see Rocky and Adonis’ respective journeys come to an end in such a beautiful manner, after all the strife they’ve been through.

When we often think about, or talk about our legacy, we instantly worry about how others will view us when we are gone, and we ask ourselves plenty of questions regarding whether or not we have done enough to be remembered by others in this life before we pass on to whatever awaits in the great beyond.

Yet, we often forget that while our legacy and what we leave behind is indeed important in life, we need the experiences that go along with all of that to provide us with an incredible sense of satisfaction, the kind of feeling that leaves us whole and also reaffirms that we matter in this world and when it comes to the latest entry in the Rocky film franchise, Creed, that search for personal meaning takes the center stage for both Rocky Balboa, and a young man desperate to show the world that he is something special.

The film introduces us to Adonis Johnson, the son of Apollo Creed and well, suffice it to say Adonis is lost in this world. He knows he is the product of infidelity and despite the fact that he is well educated, employed at a good job, years after being taken in by Apollo's wife Mary Anne, Adonis is desperate for more in life. He's always had talent as a fighter and he wants to be as great as his father, but no one takes him seriously. It leads him to leave his life behind, quit his job and move to Philadelphia to find the only other man he can consider family... Rocky Balboa, who he hopes will train him and make him as great of a fighter as his father.  

​So, when I heard another movie was coming to this storied franchise, that didn't revolve around Rocky, I raised an eyebrow. Not because I expected a bad product, far from it, of the now seven films in the franchise really only one hasn't been up to snuff. No instead, I was curious how the heck they were going to pull it off and moving to a new generation of fighter from Creed's bloodline was a stroke of genius and everything in this film works from beginning to end. Michael B. Jordan is simply phenomenal as Adonis, a man who you instantly understand feels lost in life and feels that he has something to prove and his journey in this film is extremely satisfying and powerful to say the least.

In fact I'd be lying if I told you I made it through this whole motion picture with perfectly dry eyes because there are some amazingly emotional moments in this film, many of them between Jordan and Sylvester Stallone who takes Rocky into a new stage in his story in unexpected fashion. This iteration of Rocky is well...timid and lost and settling into what he believes is the final stages of his life without Paulie, Adrian and his son by his side and it's downright tragic to see him in a place where he isn't constantly fighting and trying to do something special in his life. It makes what Adonis stands for all the more special, for in the process of trying to be something more in this world, he brings out the best in Rocky at the same time.

In the end, we are left with a wonderful entry in the franchise, one that clearly sets up a whole new series with a whole new man and in addition to the incredible story of Adonis Creed, we are also treated to a few technical marvels on film thanks to director Ryan Coogler who has managed to reinvent how boxing is portrayed on film. But perhaps what I loved about Creed the most, was the fascinating contrast between the lead characters in this series. While Rocky was a lovable loser who we could instantly relate to due to his strife, Adonis' journey is so vastly different. While he is a good man, at first glance all we see is his anger but we quickly find ourselves rooting for him as he faces great odds and the shadow of his father to get what he wants in this life and it serves as a fine reminder that while our paths may be different in this life, we all share in the desire and the drive to stand out in this world and find a way to live our dreams. 

I would like to think that when the time comes to settle in for retirement, that we can look back and say we accomplished everything we ever wanted to in life. But unfortunately, that may not be the case. Regardless of how hard we work to accomplish everything we can, there will be something we miss. Sometimes it may be a little thing, or it can be important, but unfinished business is often a fact of life.  

If there is one place where this notion is extremely prevalent, it is in the world of sports. After all, there can only be one respective champion and only a handful of people get the chance to hoist their respective trophy and walk away at the top of their game and there are many athletes out there who would love one last shot to finish what they started and it is that idea, of going back to handle unfinished business, that is central to the core of a beautiful motion picture, Rocky Balboa.

Rocky Balboa has settled into retirement and life after boxing, but he has continued to see his share of loss. The love of his life, Adrian, has passed away. His son has grown and moved out into the world. But Rocky is doing okay for himself. His friend Paulie is still at his side and he owns a lovely restaurant named after his late wife. Yet Rocky is still haunted by the career that was taken from him in an instant, and the pain that comes with that, is only made worse when a computer simulation sees Rocky in his prime beating the current Champion, Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon. It inspires Rocky to return to the ring where he expects to battle it out in a few unimportant matches, but Dixon's team sees an opportunity to improve the champ's flailing image by pairing him up with Rocky in an exhibition match and Rocky agrees to the fight, in order to finally get the opportunity to close out his boxing career, win or lose, on his own terms.   

I'll say it now, this is my favorite film in the series. It's beautiful and full of heart and incredibly inspirational as we see Rocky's journey finally come to an end. He has seen more incredible loss over the years, yet he has come to realize how short and precious life truly is and this opportunity to step into the ring one last time is just a poetic way to end the series. I love the fact that Rocky finally gets his shot to handle the unfinished business in his life, exactly how he wants to.  

Yet, the story takes the time to venture beyond the fight between he and Dixon. Especially since the film is also about reflecting upon the life we live and lead. Because Rocky is stuck in the past in this movie, but in the right kind of way. He honors Adrian every day that she is gone, he does his best to keep his son at his side and he reminisces with his guests at the restaurant about his wonderful career. That's why I think I like this film the most, it's truly a celebration of life and all the things that make it worth living. 

It's also the ending that Rocky deserves, and its handled in such masterful fashion that it doesn't retroactively forget the events of the last film, it merely enhances them and we as fans are treated to one last incredible fight that sums up so much about the character, the series and life itself as Rocky leaves the boxing world the same way he came into it... by simply going the distance. This is just a wonderful movie that you need to see. Not only out of respect for the character, but also because it's an incredibly inspirational motion picture, and a fine way to say goodbye to a movie legend. 

The word legacy means a lot to all of us, simply because we want to leave something behind in this life. For some it's about doing something special that everyone will remember them for before they take their last breath, for others it is about making sure they leave a lasting impact on the career of their choice.  

Yet it is safe to say the desire to be remembered is something we see more often in sports, since every pastime features athletes who wish to be regarded as the greatest of all time once they’ve retired, and they also hope that everything they have contributed to their respective sport will serve as inspiration for generations of players to come. It is the importance of a legacy, and what it means to us that is explored in Rocky V. 

After the fight of his life against Ivan Drago, Rocky Balboa is suffering from lingering health issues and it turns out that Rocky is suffering from minor brain damage, effectively ending his boxing career. Adding insult to his injury is the fact that Rocky's accountant turned out to be as crooked as they come and after getting Paulie to sign off on a blanket power of attorney, he robs Rocky blind. Now destitute, Rocky and his family move back to central Philadelphia to start over, but Rocky cannot completely escape boxing. A young and talented boxer named Tommy Gunn seeks out Rocky, in the hopes of being trained by the legendary boxer. Rocky agrees, but he will have to now find balance between his love of the sport and the love of his family.

So, let's get the obvious out of the way, this is by far the most downtrodden and depressing of all the Rocky motion pictures. I mean, Rocky had it all. The fame, the fortune, and respect and in the blink of an eye, everything but the respect is taken away from him. Yet, that completely and utterly works for the story. Because by heading down this route, we return to the wonderful formula of taking Rocky on a journey and it's done here in impressive fashion. 

After all, Rocky was larger than life in the last two films, but here, Rocky is once again just a man. A family man for that matter, and he is also a man who is respected, and a man now haunted by the sport he so loves. It makes for a film that well, is uncomfortable to watch at first because of the cruelty that comes with stripping him down once again. This is a character that worked so hard to become the best, to win at everything in life. Yet here we are, back where we started and that was how the franchise was originally supposed to end. It's something that instantly gave the film a bad rap because well, fans felt robbed. They didn't like the fact that he didn't go out on top. Rocky was everyone's hero, and now he simply walked off into the sunset with no belt, no glory, just respect. But if you ask me that's not a bad ending, it's a satisfying one. 

As an added bonus the film also takes a hard, long look at legacy and what it means to be a true champion and how some morons simply want to exploit a title, and the fame that comes with it, for money. Something that is explored by George Washington Duke, the film's damning satire of Don King. Since he is clearly a firm believer that money means more to the sport than the fighter, and his beliefs serve as a trap that Tommy falls into by signing with Duke. But that's the beauty of the film. Rocky is and always will be a champion and as he walks off into the night, he is still just that while Tommy is nothing more than a greedy punk. It's a deeper philosophical ending that lightly echoes the first film, but it simply wasn't enough to satisfy. But that's okay, since Stallone later realized that there was a way to keep the grit of this film intact and give the fans the ending, they wanted for Rocky since this film ended up being nothing more than the setup, for the grand finale. 

​Friends are truly something special. These are people that randomly come into our lives and stay with us for either a short period of time, or if we are lucky, forever. Yes, those kinds of friends, the ones that we can consider family, are the most special ones of all because they are people we can trust through and through and we are always comforted by the knowledge that they would do anything for us. 

Of course, the right kind of friendship goes both ways and we in turn would do anything for them and often times the gestures we make to our friends to prove our loyalty are either something as simple as letting them vent or as complex as stepping in in a time of need. But what if we had to go beyond that? What if our friend's life was at stake? What if the only way to do them proud was to avenge their honor? Those are questions few of us have ever had to face, but in Hollywood, such questions are answered all the time, as was the case with the 1985 film... Rocky IV.

Following Rocky's incredible championship bout against the mighty Clubber Lang a new sensation has entered the world of boxing, Ivan Drago. While he has only won a few amateur fights in the Soviet Union, he is a physically intimidating boxer, but not to Apollo Creed. Creed sees an exhibition match with Drago as an opportunity to once again prove his worth and stay in the spotlight, but in this case, he has bit off more than he can chew. Drago's raw power is too much for Creed and the injuries he suffers in the fight costs Apollo his life. Now it will be up to Rocky Balboa to surrender the Heavyweight Championship title to avenge the death of his friend and restore Apollo’s honor by taking on Drago in the ring.  

This is a decidedly different Rocky Balboa film and it’s a story that instantly pulls away from the saga's proud tradition of giving us a stellar character journey. Instead this entry in the franchise is basically the pinnacle of 1980's bravado and machismo. Everything here is over the top, and even the aspect of defending Apollo's honor and legacy by battling the big Russian is a simple idea handled in big time fashion. Not to mention, I've heard this film referred to as ‘The Montage Movie’ because of how many epic montages it features, which... it does have a lot of them.

Yet, this film still finds a way to draw you in. You quickly come to hate Drago despite the fact he is a big muscly pawn, and the film gets props for continuing to have Rocky deal with the loss of people he knows and loves in his life, it's just a shame that part of the story wasn't expanded upon further. But you are treated to the most epic and incredible fight in the entire series when it comes to Balboa vs. Drago. Everything comes to a head in that final battle and I’m not kidding when I call it epic, because this magnificent showdown will leave you on the edge of your seat.

But while this may not have the heart that the other films do in the series, and while the characters may remain stagnant in their growth, Rocky IV is still a blast to watch. It's a good old fashioned 1980's popcorn flick that works. Your attention will be held the whole way through, and you will be rooting for Rocky to avenge the fallen Apollo Creed. Thankfully, this is the only ‘one off’ in the series, since the franchise would return to its roots in the next film, but the fans would not be happy with how that, played out.

​There's something to be said when you're regarded as the best at what you do. People look up to you, you're often rewarded handsomely when it comes to money and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you have become a master in your field.  

Yet there is one thing that can threaten anyone at the top of their game, complacency. After all, when you have reached the top, who is there to motivate you? Who will make sure you are driven day in and day out, because complacency can not only rot a person's skills from the inside out, it can provide an opportunity for others who are willing to work harder than you, to try and take your place. It is that idea that drives the plot of Rocky III.

Rocky Balboa, is the Heavyweight Boxing Champion at last and he is finally living the dream. Endorsement deals, a fine home, fancy cars and fancy living surround the champ as he successfully defends his title again and again. But as he prepares to retire, a new challenger, a monster of a fighter known as Clubber Lang wants his shot at the title. Rocky wants his last fight to be against Lang, but his trainer Mickey believes it is a bad idea and reveals a painful truth to Rocky; in that he has lost his edge as a fighter and Mickey has hand-picked his opponents to keep him safe, galvanizing Rocky to believe that fighting Clubber is the right call for his final fight. But the battle with Lang costs him his title and Mickey's heart gives out during the match and he passes away, leaving Rocky devastated. But an old opponent, Apollo Creed, knows that greatness is still within Rocky and takes it upon himself to help Rocky regain the fire within and face Clubber Lang one more time.  

The amazing journey we accompany Rocky Balboa on is something we talk about often when it comes to this film series, and this film features an incredible odyssey to say the least. In fact, I love the twist that Rocky, who wanted nothing more than to be someone in this life is finally granted his wish, only to have it backfire Rocky when starts to believe in his own hype and seems to regard himself as invincible. Heck even the transformation of the character in this movie is incredible. This is a refined Rocky, one we aren't used to seeing and that makes the story work all the much more when Rocky is brought back down to earth by the mighty Clubber Lang.

Speaking of which, Mister T's performance as Clubber is nothing short of amazing. He brings to the franchise its first real villain. While Apollo Creed could be considered the bad guy in the first two films, he is merely a cocky champion and clearly, he is a good guy deep down as is evidenced by the fact that he takes Rocky under his wing. But Clubber, well Mister Lang is crass, crude and an all-around bad dude and he spends his time in this film spewing hate and some of the best one liners in the entire series.  

But while this movie seems over the top and stylized, and in some ways it is, the film is in fact, loaded up with some heavy themes. In addition to analyzing what it means to become and stay the best, it also deals with life and the eventual loss we face when it comes to those we love, as is demonstrated by way of Mickey's death. This is something that I think is quickly glossed over the first time you watch this motion picture, because so much happens to Rocky in a short time frame. But it's quite the sight to see Rocky have to grieve for the first time and seeing him lose so much, adds another level to this film. Either way, this is another great entry in the series, one that you cannot help but watch when it comes on the air and one that I always remember fondly, especially since what would come next would alter the franchise for years to come.  

Whether we like to admit it or not, there is a moment in our lives where we wish we could get a do over. It doesn't matter if it was something as simple as saying what was in our hearts to another person or perhaps stepping up and taking advantage of a grand opportunity, those moments are with us. The question we have to ask ourselves, however, is whether or not we would take another shot at doing things differently if the opportunity presented itself.  

Some folks would certainly prefer to leave their lives the way they are, believing that whatever has happened, has happened and their life is fine the way it is. But there are those that are haunted by that moment, and it fuels them daily to either live their life differently, or they would give anything to go back and do things differently. It is the concept of a second chance at a lost opportunity that fuels the plot of Rocky II.

Following the incredible fight between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa, a match that Creed won, Rocky is content to walk away from the sport and settle into retirement and it proves to be a wonderful decision. He has the respect of his friends and family, he marries the woman of his dreams and they have a wonderful baby on the way. But his lack of education leaves his financial future uncertain, yet opportunity has come knocking once again. Creed, despite winning the fight, is furious that he was unable to defeat Rocky decisively and challenges Rocky to come out of retirement to fight him for a rematch. Rocky is game, but his wife is not and now he must train without the person that matters most in his corner for what could be his last shot at glory.  

I think what I love most about this motion picture, is how much it delves into character development this time around, primarily for both Rocky and Apollo and it follows to a tee the theme of what a second chance can mean to a man. For Rocky, it means nothing. He said point blank in the last movie it was about going the distance, and it's clear early on in the film he is content walking away from the sport, collecting a few checks and raising a family. But what truly grows the character is the fact that he steps back into the ring, risking limb and long-term health to care for that new family. It's a noble reason to be a hero and one that is so pure and honest you root for him every step of the way. 

Contrast that with Apollo, who is clearly consumed by how the fight went. Sure, he won. Sure, he's still the world champion of boxing, but none of that matters. He needed to dominate in the win. He needed to embarrass Rocky and walk away as untouchable. It's amazing to watch his descent into obsession and anger over what happened in that first fight and quite frankly, it's something I haven't seen in a sports film since this one.  

Despite the incredibly epic finale that will leave you satisfied to say the least, this is an extremely beautiful and cerebral sports movie that shows us a side of boxing we rarely see... what happens after the fight and it makes for a fascinating and gripping motion picture experience, one that pays full respect to the monumental film that came before it. See this one if you haven't, it really is a fantastic motion picture. 

At some point or another in our lives, we have dreamed a dream and hoped with every fiber of our being that one day we would get a shot to live that dream. For some folks, this is an everyday occurrence, where morning, noon and night the dream consumes them as they wait for someone to give them their shot at glory. 

Yet often times, that knock at the door, or phone call out of the blue, is rare and for the dream to come to fruition it takes hard work and dedication and a love of your craft that few will ever understand. But there are moments where people are plunged into greatness, and while they are few and far between, we love to see when those moments happen, especially if the person gifted with such an incredible opportunity happens to be an underdog. It is our love of those kinds of stories that fuels an all-time classic motion picture, Rocky. 

Rocky Balboa is well... a nobody. He simply gets through the day by making money collecting debt for low level loan sharks and spends his free time training to be a professional boxer. But even that seems to be a waste of time, because Rocky is undisciplined and while there is raw talent running through his veins, it seems a sheer sense of direction or purpose is missing from his boxing ambitions and his life as a whole. But when the world champion of boxing, Apollo Creed, chooses Rocky for a fight, Balboa is looking at the shot of a lifetime, and a chance to change his life for the better.  ​

Well simply put, this is a phenomenal film, because everything in this motion picture works. There is not a scene wasted, a moment that isn't perfect and it is a motion picture that will captivate you from beginning to end. The story is as I mentioned earlier, our favorite kind, where we see an underdog be transformed into a hero that we can all relate to in some form or fashion.  

After all, we have all had our moments of lazy like Rocky. We've all worked meaningless jobs that we don't see an escape from like Rocky, the bottom line is that we have all been him or some part of him at one point or another in our lives and it's what makes the character so magical and he is brought to life by Sylvester Stallone in incredible fashion. At no point does it seem like Stallone is acting, this character is completely believable through and through. Of course, the rest of the cast is just as stellar, with acting legend Burgess Meredith stealing the show as Mickey.

Yet while it does a fine job of entertaining you and drawing you in, the film is also inspirational on so many levels. It takes us all back to those moments of doubt we have had in life, or our darkest hours to remind us that at some point things will get better and something wonderful will present itself to us. It's always fantastic when a film can do this much in telling a story and if you don't own this one, it really is time you brought this one home. It's a great one to watch whether your spirits are up or down because there's no way anyone cannot enjoy a film that reminds you to seize the moment when it presents itself, because that moment will never come again.