Although, I never understood why an Italian like Stallone would call his character "Balboa," which I believe is a Spanish name.

I am horrified and bewildered to record here that I wept fluently during the "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"sequence near the end of "Elf."

PS: and to get back on track, no question in my mind that Rocky was a classic.

I've never watched the Rocky movies, but I do like the song Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. My favourite movie/s Before Sunrise (maybe a little corny)and Before Sunset,wonder if there will be a third to the series.

I can't believe Rocky is that old. I still remember watching that on cable (very cutting edge in 1979) with my boxing-nut Dad.

That actor in Elf can sing, sophieblue. She has an awesome voice. Zoe something or other, I think.

recently, Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge. his campy Romeo+Juliet a close second.

all-time favorite: Les Parapluies de Cherbourg

I've never seen either of those, matteo. I was kind of curious about your take on the first Rocky. The sequels after Rocky II are negligible at best, but the first two have an emotional pull that's difficult to ignore, especially if you're a sports fan.

"Rocky"? one of the ten best American screenplays of the postwar era. the acting's good and the direction is adequate, but with that screenplay you jujst couldn't go wrong, it only needed the minimun amount of interference.
an American classic, all in all. I hope they're keeping a clean print in the Library of Congress.
"Rocky II" is good classic braindead popcorn fun -- a good product. anything after that inm the series, Stallone and the producers and the cast should be tried at the Hague.

Luhrmann's good, giovanni -- big emotions, a lot of camp, flawless. Moulin Rouge is Traviata with CGI, so charged that it even manages to melt -- occasionally -- Ms Kidman's ice.

and Cherbourg -- well, do rent it sometime. and watch it with the woman you're in love with. you'll thank me.

I've always had mixed feelings about the idea of "camp," because it seems depend on feeling superior to what it's appreciating, but i admit i could be misinterpreting.

"Rocky"? one of the ten best American screenplays of the postwar era. the acting's good and the direction is adequate,

Gotta agree with you there. Stallone, Burt Young and especially Burgess Meredith (an extremely underrated character actor) give exemplary performances. And the factthat it depicts a belegauered demographic-the white urban working class of the 1970's which much of my family came out of-makes it all the more poignant. And the tenderness of the scenes between luggy Rocky and frumpy Adrian are beautiful. Especially since after the putative greatest moment of his career he cries out, not for a reporter, not for his manager, but for the woman he loves, is heartbreakingly moving.

Plus, if I ever do start working out, "Gonna Fly Now," and "Eye Of The Tiger," will be my workout music. They make want to kick ass.

Moulin Rouge has some damn fine singing, too. Ewan McGregor has quite a voice. I don't generally much like musicals, but that one even I like, after my wife dragged me kicking and screaming to watch it. She works out with that movie playing.

Until early adulthood, I thought the lyrics to "Gonna Fly Now" were actually "Californya!"

Ewan McGregor, he's a fine actor, I see him in the part as the "new age" 007. Moulin Rouge, not a bad movie as far as musicals go.

I'll admit to liking MacGregor, as well. Despite his handsomeness, he exudes a "Who? Me?" sort of cluelessness that gives him everyman-type appeal as well.

and, he's quite massively endowed

ach, those Scots and their bagpipes.

I can't remember the last time I watched Rocky but listening to the theme song makes me want to watch it again.

Stallone was surprisingly good in Cop Land.

And much to my dismay, I did NOT like Moulin Rouge. I tried for 45 minutes to "get it" but didn't and turned it off.

i didn't like Moulin Rouge either, but appreciated what he was trying to do on a colder level (which was not the point)--i miss movie musicals, and think we need them. MacGregor has like a rare and clean likeability--and edge--all at once, which is totally hot.

I once ran out of gas because that song came on and I became convinced that I could ignore the "empty" light and "go the distance."

It's got a particularly strong hold over the Philly-born.