Sylvester Stallone:The Original Critic's Bane
Brendan BrownCOM 329: Contemporary Film
Key Note Presentation 2
Born in Hell's Kitchen, he had facial nerve severed while being delivered, resulting in his slurred speech and drooping lip
Initially a small time actor, he found success after writing the script for Rocky, but refused to sell it unless he could star in it. During this time he has living in his car.
While widely known as an actor, he has written numerous screenplays and directed a number of films
Never finished College, but was awarded an honorary degree in 1999 by the University of Miami
Beginnings and Background
Roles as an Actor 2 1981: Escape to Victory as Captain Robert Hatch
1982: Rocky III as Rocky Balboa *
1982: First Blood as John Rambo *
1983: Staying Alive as Man on Street *
1984: Rhinestone as Nick Martinelli
1985: Rambo: First Blood Part II as John Rambo *
1985: Rocky IV as Rocky Balboa *
1986: Cobra as Marion "Cobra" Cobretti *
1987: Over the Top as Lincoln Hawk
1988: Rambo III as John Rambo *
1989: Lock Up as Frank Leone
Roles as an Actor III 1989: Tango & Cash as Ray Tango
1990: Rocky V as Rocky Balboa *
1991: Oscar as Angelo 'Snaps' Provolone
1992: Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot as Sgt. Joe Bomowski
1993: Cliffhanger as Gabe Walker *
1993: Demolition Man as John Spartan
1994: The Specialist as Ray Quick
1995: Judge Dredd as Judge Dredd
1995: Assassins as Robert Rath
1996: Daylight as Kit Latura
1997: Cop Land as Sheriff Freddy Heflin
Roles as an Actor IV 1998: Antz as Weaver (voice)
1999: D-Tox as Jake Malloy
2000: Get Carter as Jack Carter
2001: Driven as Joe Tanto *
2002: Avenging Angelo as Frankie Delano
2003: Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over as The Toymaker
2004: Shade as Dean 'The Dean' Stevens
2006: Rocky Balboa as Rocky Balboa *
2008: Rambo as John Rambo *
2009: Kambakkht Ishq as Himself
2010: The Expendables as Barney Ross *
Roles as an Actor V 2011: Zookeeper as Joe the Lion (voice)
2012: The Expendables 2 as Barney Ross *
2012: Bullet to the Head as Jimmy Bobo
2013: Escape Plan as Ray Breslin
2013: Grudge Match as Henry 'Razor' Sharp
2014: The Expendables 3 as Barney Ross *
2014: Reach Me as Gerald
2015: Rambo: Last Blood as John Rambo *
* = Denotes writing credit
Paradise Alley (1978)
Drama
Three Brothers in Hell's Kitchen struggle to make ends meet in the 1940s
Stallone's directorial debut, he also starred in, wrote the screenplay, sung the theme song, and wrote the novelization
Written prior to Rocky, it wasn't Green lit til after its success
Currently Holds a 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a gross of only $7 Million
Trailer
Rocky II (1979)
Drama/ Sport
Rocky struggles to make a life outside of the ring, while Apollo pushes for a rematch
In addition to directing, Stallone wrote the novelization and screenplay, while staring as the titular Rocky
While not as success as the first Rocky, it currently holds a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed over $200 Million
Trailer
Rocky III (1982) Drama/ Sports
Rocky has become the champion, but learns all his opponents have been hand picked, and challenges someone out of his league
Stallone again Stars as lead actor, director, and writer
While critics disliked it more than Rocky II, it currently holds a 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, and grossed over $270 Million worldwide
Trailer
Staying Alive (1983) Drama/ Music
Sequel to Saturday Night Fever, Tony now tries to make it on Broadway
Only film Stallone directed and did not star in, other than a cameo
Currently holds a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, it earned $64 Million Dollars
John Travolta stated after filming Stallone was his favorite director to work with
Trailer
Rocky IV (1985) Drama/ Sports
After the death of Apollo Creed, Rocky heads to Russia to train and take down Ivan Drago, a hulking Russian boxer
Stallone once again stars in, directs, and wrote the film
Considered a Cold War film, with Rocky and Drago being metaphors for their respective countries, and in the end both countries have good people who can change
Currently holds a 43% on
Rotten Tomatoes, it is the highest grossing film in the Rocky franchise at $300 Million
Trailer
Rambo III (1988)
Adventure/ Thriller
Rambo heads to Afghanistan to help rebels fight against the oppressive Soviet Union
Another Stallone Cold War film, by the time of it's release the Cold war was over
While not directed by Stallone, he did star in it
Considered to be the most violent film of all time upon its release
Currently holds a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, it earned $189 Million
Trailer
Rocky Balboa (2006) Drama/ Sport
Rocky, now an old man, comes out of retirement for an exhibition match against the current champ
Stallone returned to his most famous role after a decade of flops
Stallone once again directs, writes, and stars in this film
Currently holds a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a worldwide gross of $156 Million
Trailer
Rambo (2008) Action/ Thriller/ War
Rambo teams up with a group of mercenaries to rescue a group of Christian Aid workers in Bruma
Stallone Writes/ directs/ stars in it
Currently holds a 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was a modest hit grossing $113 Million
Stallone recently announced Rambo: Last Blood is in production
Trailer
Expendables (2010) Action/ Thriller
A group of old mercenaries are rounded up to take out a Latin dictator
Written/ directed/ stars Stallone
This film was intended to give aging action stars who hadn't had much luck a second chance, like Stallone had received with Rocky Balboa and Rambo (2008)
The film grossed $278 million and opened at Number one, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 41%
Trailer
Sources of Information
IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000230/?ref_=tt_ov_st
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_Stallone
Box Office Mojo
http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Writer&id=sylvesterstallone.htm
Rotten Tomatoes
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/sylvester_stallone/