Despite all of my pop culture references here on Yes and Yes, there are huge, gaping holes in my knowledge of movies that were released before 1996. I spent the majority of my childhood building forts and writing overly involved stories about pioneer families, so if you reference The Princess Bride or The Goonies, I’ll probably just stare at you blankly and try to steer the conversation in the direction of Jersey Shore.So I began the long process of filling in these holes by watching Rocky. Did you know it won an Oscar?! All I knew about this movie was that at some point, Sylvester Stallone ran up some stairs in a gray sweat suit and pumped his hands in the air. Also, he yelled about his girlfriend at some point.
Not surprisingly, it’s a good movie. And funny! At least I found it to be so. Is it supposed to be? It’s interesting to see how much acting styles have changed and how different cinematography is. At times, it was hard to see the movie as anything other than a long string of one liners that I’ve heard referenced in pop culture for the last 20 years. “Yo, Adrian. It’s me Rocky!” “OK, I’m gonna tell ya! You had the talent to become a good fighter, but instead of that, you become a legbreaker to some cheap, second rate loanshark!”
Have you seen Rocky? What ‘classic’ movies have you never seen?
One 'classic' movie I've never seen is A Christmas Story. When I tell people I haven't seen it the reaction is always the same: "OMG, you haven't seen that!! It's the best Christmas movie EVAR, blah blah blah".
I'm become rather proud of the fact that I seem to be the only person in existence who hasn't seen it.
I haven't seen Rocky, but Top Gun seems to be the one I haven't seen that most people are upset by. I have seen the Princess Bride but I fell asleep, so I don't "get it" but I do know the references.
Oh My! I'm sitting here in shock that ya've never seen ROCKY! Ok, I forgive you. because at the mere mention of the word Rocky, my family scatters like the wind. It's one of my go-to movies when I need a pick-me-up. Besides winning an Oscar for the movie, there is a ton of lil tid bits I find facinating. For instance didya know the when Pauly tosses the Turkey out the door, that someone was on the other side to catch the turkey? Why? Because Sylvester Stallone (who wrote the movie) was on a very limited budget. He even sold his dog Butkus (yes, that's his dog) to make ends meet.He wanted someone to catch the turkey in case they didn't get the shot on the 1st take.
He also used his ex-wife to take the photos for the movie. Slyvester Stallone also was praised for the fighting scene alone. He was the first to ever start filming a fight scene at the end & work backwards to the beginning. He said it was easier to make sure the makeup matched by removing pieces, then it was to add as the fight scene went on.
I could go on because Rocky is my one of my faves. But I really hope ya watch the other Rockys, Ya won't be dissappointed. I would love to hear if ya did and whatcha thought of each one.
Hugs, Poe
I've never seen Rocky either! Also, like someone else said, I missed out on Top Gun (but I really don't feel too bad about it). The kids movie that most people are shocked that I haven't seen is "Hook". Whatevs.
I just watched it last year on my quest to see all the movies that have won Best Picture. I'm glad I saw it, but I don't think I appreciate it as much as other people since I didn't grow up with it. I found it slow and it was tough to keep paying attention.
I haven't seen Christmas Story either! Nor have I seen Rocky, or The Godfather. And I meant to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's this week, but time got away from me (well, that and I got distracted by the new season of Project Runway).
My brothers are really into film, so I have seen quite a number of more obscure but classic films. Some are really good, and a lot are kind of weird. I really enjoyed The Apartment (I think that's what it is) — it's about a guy whose bosses use his apartment for affairs. Quite funny.
Eek! Rocky! I'm doing an Al Pacino post today, so we're totally on the same blogging wavelength.
P.S. This post is tagged as "30 New Things" but I think it should be tagged as "31 New Things" 🙂
Love Rocky, have watched all the Rocky movies so many times. The second movie is often overlooked but I think it's the best one of the series.
Nope, haven't seen Rocky either. Nor It's a Wonderful Life, Bonnie and Clyde, Braveheart, Gladiator, Taxi Driver… the list goes on and on.
Erm, I've never seen Gone With the Wind. Pretty sure I never will–I've tried watching it three or four times (with the costuming as my main motivation) and have fallen asleep/invented a distraction for myself within the first half an hour each time…
I haven't seen anything! I was only allowed to watch Disney movies and in the summer we were out at the cottage running through the hills and playing stick people. When I was travelling through Europe I asked everyone I met what the most important movie from their youth was. I have a list and am slowly making my way through it. I just saw The Goonies for the first time last week. Some of them are Labrynth, ET, Rocky, Princes Bride, Gremlins… Too many!
I've never seen Rocky either so no judgement here. A classic movie that all my friends are in disbelief because I have not seen it is Sound of Music. I love musicals and all of them tell me I would love it but I just haven't gotten around to it.
I've never seen ET or Mary Poppins, which seem to be childhood classics for people my age. (Also, I've seen A Christmas Story. It's not that great. Never was sure what the big deal about it was. :P)
I was wondering if you would take the time to have a look at my poll to help me decide the name I'm going to call my new blog. I've already come up with a list of names, but need some help in choosing the best one! Here's the link:
http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/dyeYhaJ/Which-one-of-these-names-should-I-call-my-new-blog
Thankyou! x
Rocky is one of my all time favorite movies! And yes, it is quite funny at times.
I've never seen the Godfather movies, which is a bit of an oversight I think! I'm sure that there's a lot of others I haven't thought of too.
And I'm also on a personal quest to make sure everyone has seen The Princess Bride, so please put this at the top of your list of movies to watch next!
I watched all (then) five of the Rocky movies in one week when I was 18. And the latest one I actually saw in the theatre. I love them! Order of preference: IV, II, I, Balboa, V, III. The movies aren't intentionally funny, but it does seem that way now that we're so far off from that time. But they're all really great; I'm so glad you liked Rocky!
I have never seen Rocky either but I totally get what you mean about the movie being a whole string of pop references, recently I watched Casablanca for the first time and it was like that for me as well. I had to keep reminding myself that THIS was where all those references came from. It was a beautiful movie though.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has never seen The Godfather. My friends look at me crazy when I say I've never seen that movie. Eh. I'll get around to it eventually.
Watch the Princess Bride and the Goonies. Magic childhood stuff.
I've never seen a few things actually, including Rocky. I tend to avoid films that don't look like something I'd remotely enjoy.(I base this on whether it's a film my dad would like, if it is, chances are it's not for me.)
For work sometimes, I have to sit at the airport for a six-hour stretch and wait to see if I will get called out for a flight (I'm a flight attendant). That's what I was doing on Christmas last year, and noticed that Rocky was available to Watch Instantly on Netflix. I figured if it were awful, no skin off my nose. But it wasn't awful. It was actually kind of great, but it was def hard to get past all the oft-quoted lines.
I've still never seen The Godfather. I'll get around to it someday.
I have never seen Rocky either. And until recently, I had never seen "Top Gun," for which I got a lot of slack… I probably should have watched that in the '80s though… it didn't have the same impact in 2000s. Princess Bride is a must though!
I have never seen Rocky either. And until recently, I had never seen "Top Gun," for which I got a lot of slack… I probably should have watched that in the '80s though… it didn't have the same impact in 2000s. Princess Bride is a must though!
My husband got me the Rocky anthology a few years back for Christmas because he was tired of me cancelling plans if Rocky was showing on TV. I love everything about these movies – the raw emotion, the realness, and, the boxing! 2 & 4 are my faves, but 1 is truly a gem 🙂