CREED (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Creed does justice to the Rocky series. The script is a spinoff of the rest of the Apollo Creed (the boxer who died in Rocky 4) story. Sylvester Stallone is back and once again completely takes us by storm in his role as the seasoned trainer, Rocky Balboa, who coaches and trains Apollo Creed’s son. This is one of the best spinoff films you’ll ever see. Director Ryan Cooglar really struts his stuff in this top-of-the-line boxing film. The final fighting scene, fast-paced and realistic, totally enters the ‘WOW! What a fight!’ category. Exceptionally well-done, the film completely absorbs that old Rocky feel that no boxing film achieved since the first release of the Rocky films. Great work for all involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The illegitimate son, Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), of Apollo Creed, the fighter who fought in the Rocky 1 through 3 films and was killed in the Rocky 4 film, decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and looks up Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ryan Coogler for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Nicolas Stern for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bianca (Tessa Thompson), Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad), Danny ‘Stuntman’ Wheeler (Andre Ward), ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew), Pete Sporino (Ritchie Coster), Stitch (Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran), Tommy Holiday (Graham McTavish), Amir (Malik Bazille), Padman (Ricardo ‘Padman’ McGill), and Leo ‘The Lion’ Sporino (Gabe Rosado).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It lives up to the original Rocky series with an outstanding performance by Sylvester Stallone as a seasoned Rocky Balboa. The film is a complete winner and worth watching more than once. Thank you to everyone involved in the production of this film for giving us one more gourmet taste of Rocky Balboa. WOW! What a film!

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARDBALL (Reased to Theaters USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Hardball—language and a rough, harsh theme—educates about life in the projects, gang fighting, and the hardships of achieving and keeping dreams alive.  It's above the level of most movies that attempt to tell this story. Keanu Reeves more than carries his weight in this film. This is a mid-career movie performance for Keanu Reeves. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A young man takes a coaching job working with a group of children who live in the projects.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Brian Robbins for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Herbert W. Gains, Kevin McCormick, Erwin Stoff. Cast includes: Keanu Reeves, Diane Lane, John Hawkes, Bryan Hearne, Julian Griffith, Michael B. Jordan, Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a very good watch that addresses an important subject. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers