Shippee's Sly

SZoner, Adam Shippee is back with a new painting of Sly. Adam's e-mail is ashippee1@cox.net if you'd like to drop him a line. - Craig

Eric Newsom's Rocky

I met Eric Newsom at this year's Heroes Con. He introduced himself to me and said that he visited the SZ regularly and had created a drawing of Sly as Machine Gun Joe from "Death Race 2000" that he wanted to send to me. We talked for a few minutes and I gave Eric my address and that was the last I heard from him until earlier this week. Eric wrote to say that he returned home to find the drawing had accidentally thrown out so he went back to the drawing board to create THIS as well as the computer colored piece above. Well, come to find out, Eric not only creates art, but collects it as well. Eric runs the very cool The Question website which features drawings and a whole lot more about, you guessed it, The Question.

Thanks to Eric for sharing his talents with us! - Craig

Rocky Statue in Zitiste, Part 2

A child poses in front of a statue of the film character Rocky Balboa in the village of Zitiste, some 60 km (37 miles) from Belgrade, August 19, 2007. The three-meter high statue of Sylvester Stallone in the role of Rocky, made by a Croatian sculptor, was revealed late Saturday in the centre of Zitiste. The idea to build a statue came to a village inhabitant in February who said he wanted to pay tribute to his favourite hero after seeing the sixth and latest "Rocky" movie. REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic (SERBIA)

A men drerssed in chicken costumes stand by a huge statue of the film character Rocky Balboa,is seen just after unveiled in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. The village of Zitiste has repeatedly suffered heavy flooding, gaining a disaster-prone reputation. Fed up, the locals started contemplating how to change that image and revive the village, which is one of the poorest in northern Serbia, and decided to erect statue of Rocky Balboa, similar to one in Philadelphia, PA, USA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

A huge statue of the film character Rocky Balboa,is seen just after unveiled in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. The village of Zitiste has repeatedly suffered heavy flooding, gaining a disaster-prone reputation. Fed up, the locals started contemplating how to change that image and revive the village, which is one of the poorest in northern Serbia, and decided to erect statue of Rocky Balboa, similar to one in Philadelphia, PA, USA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Rocky Balboa Statue in Zitiste

Zoran babic, avillage official unveils huge statue of the film character Rocky Balboa, in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. The village of Zitiste has repeatedly suffered heavy flooding, gaining a disaster-prone reputation. Fed up, the locals started contemplating how to change that image and revive the village, which is one of the poorest in northern Serbia, and decided to erect statue of Rocky Balboa, similar to one in Philadelphia, PA, USA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

A huge statue of the film character Rocky Balboa,is seen just after unveiled in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Saturday, Aug.18, 2007. The village of Zitiste has repeatedly suffered heavy flooding, gaining a disaster-prone reputation. Fed up, the locals started contemplating how to change that image and revive the village, which is one of the poorest in northern Serbia, and decided to erect statue of Rocky Balboa, similar to one in Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Villagers look at a statue of the film character Rocky Balboa in the village of Zitiste, some 60 km (37 miles) from Belgrade, August 19, 2007. The three-meter high statue of Sylvester Stallone in the role of Rocky, made by a Croatian sculptor, was revealed late Saturday in the centre of Zitiste. The idea to build a statue came to a village inhabitant in February who said he wanted to pay tribute to his favourite hero after seeing the sixth and latest "Rocky" movie. REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic (SERBIA)

A statue of the film character Rocky Balboa is seen in the village of Zitiste, some 60 km (37 miles) from Belgrade, August 19, 2007. The three-meter high statue of Sylvester Stallone in the role of Rocky, made by a Croatian sculptor, was revealed late Saturday in the centre of Zitiste. The idea to build a statue came to a village inhabitant in February who said he wanted to pay tribute to his favourite hero after seeing the sixth and latest "Rocky" movie. REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic (SERBIA)

French "John Rambo" Article

Hi Craig,

Here's an insight of the article: They were told that Sly's age wouldn't be an obstacle for the shooting. (refering to a hospice) moking remarks "Too hot for him"... One week later "volte-face" of speech...

In Chiang Mai, north of Thailand the climate is incredibly humid, and the insects bite you in a hell of a heat. Later that day, a few journalists from France, England and Italy share a van to go on the set. The publicist proudly announce "Welcome to Rambo land!"

Another boat ride, it reminds the journalist of Apocalypse Now. Sly's nickname on the set is Col Kurtz. He sent the crew in a hell of a journey to serve his vision. Such abnegation "command" admiration.

Arriving on the set, the self centered Italian journalist sink in deep mud with her manolos while Sly quickly join them with a "So You are the jounalists" and shakes hands. His hand shakes are like a vice. No one says a word, respect. He gives some instruction with the deepest calm and went on the pirogue with three burmese pirate. Sypnosis of the movie.
Sly is rehearsing with a coach because the scene is entirely shot and screamed in Burmese! a classic Rambo scene, then Sly comes back looking satisfied with the scene. He invites the journalists to watch the then exclusive teaser of a rare violence. Sly adds that it only represents 9% of what will be seen in the movie and Burmese do much worse.

The self-centered Italian journalist ask if Sly have recollection of their previous meeting, with an horrible accent that you want to leave her alone in the jungle, and Sly aware of the "danger" got a quick look at the lights and noticed a deficiency: "If you'd like me to go fix it, please let me know." The guy from the lights was shaking in his shorts from the cold reprimand. (It's funny to read in French)

Then Julie Benz came, from the incredible amazing and creepy show Dexter.

They ask a few questions to Julie:

About being a different atmosphere than Dexter: "Oh, yes! Especially since I've trained very hard thinking that, as I was going to be in a very male environment, I would need to defend myself. (Laughs) But I've never held a gun in the movie!"

About Sylvester Stallone: "You don't think I'm gonna tell you, he's sitting right in front of us! (laughs) He pushed my acting to a level I've never reached before. He never requiered something from me that himself couldn't do. He devotes himself (to the movie) at 100% and never used short cuts. His commitment is complete, for each rehearsal, each take... He is really motivating, and isn't afraid to tell you that you suck when you did. (laughs)

Sly: "I made Rocky Balboa for people of my generation, and they didn't go to see it. John Rambo, I'm making it above all for me and for the young people who have never seen it in theaters, follow my look." (It's not explicit who he is looking at.)

The journalist asked if that's the reason the movie is so bloody and Sly replied:

He swears no. He wants above all to wake up the self-absorbed conscience of the American people.

End of the article.

I'm not the best to translate an English article but I hope he was an interesting reading.

Light & love,

Isabelle aka Jademaliburoad
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Thanks to Isabelle for the bigger scans and translation! - Craig

Double Page Splash
Choke
Close Up
Machine Gun
Director

John Rambo Composer Interview

Tom from Scorenotes sent in this e-mail...

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Hi there,

Thought you might like to post a link to an audio interview with John Rambo composer, Brian Tyler. He tells us the approach he'll be taking for the new Rambo pic as well as sharing thoughts about the previous work by Jerry Goldsmith.

www.scorenotes.com

Thanks

Tom
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Tom - Thanks for the link! - Craig

First Blood Celebration

Hey SZoners, This came in and I thought many of you would be interested...

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Greetings from Hope, British Columbia, Canada … birthplace of John Rambo as a world renowned film screen character!

“First Blood” was filmed in our community in 1981 and the film was released into theatres in 1982 – so 2007 marks the 25^th anniversary of the film and we are celebrating that October 5^th to 8^th, 2007 with a variety of activities … do you think your website readers would like to know more about the special film screening, the souvenirs that will be available, the film location tours, the Rambo look-alike contest, the First Blood art contest & more!?

They can email me at destinationhope@telus.net and I will fill them in on the details….

Inge Wilson

Destination Hope & Beyond Services

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Hard to believe it's been 25 years! - Craig

First Blood Video Art

Ernest "Jazzman" Resendes sent in the following:

The current issue (August 2007) of Smithsonian magazine has got a cool write up on artist Takeshi Murata on page 37 and the connection to First Blood ...

NOT A HOLLYWOOD SEQUEL American video artist Takeshi Murata mutates footage from B-movies and action flicks, adding techno soundtracks to create hypnotic digital films (2006's Untitles ( Pink Dot) samples 1982's Rambo: First Blood). At the Hirshhorn through September 9. Here's a link the Pink Dot > http://youtube.com/watch?v=d87FaWdj3L0 Have a great one !
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Thanks to Jazz for the tip! - Craig

Rambo Fan Art

Stefano Rondinella is 33 years old and has been a fan of Sylvester Stallone since 1989. Stefano lives in Sicilia, Italy. Stefano's passion is painting and he sent us his take on Rambo. - Craig

Hutchinson's Rocky

SZoner, Sherry Hutchison is back with her latest Stallone painting. She welcomes comments to Sherry_Hutchison@yahoo.com - Craig

Belgrade Rocky Statue

A huge statue of the film character Rocky Balboa is prepared for unveiling in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Tuesday, Aug.7, 2007. The village of Zitiste is planning to erect the statue of Balboa, to attract tourists and show a new face to the world. Local officials have already contacted Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. The unveiling is scheduled for August 18. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Workers cover with plastic sheets a statue of the film character Rocky Balboa, which is being prepared for unveiling in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Tuesday, Aug.7, 2007. The village of Zitiste is planning to erect the statue of Balboa, to attract tourists and show a new face to the world. Local officials have already contacted Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. The unveiling is scheduled for August 18. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Workers secure with ropes the statue of the Rocky Balboa film character, which is set for unveiling in the village square in Zitiste, about 60 kilometers (36 miles) north of Belgrade, Tuesday, Aug.7, 2007. The village of Zitiste is planning to erect the statue of Balboa, to attract tourists and show a new face to the world. Local officials have already contacted Philadelphia, PA, where a monument to the actor Sylvester Stallone's film character already exists. The unveiling is scheduled for August 18. (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic)

Fan Art

Renato Mundt is a Brazilian from Sao Paulo city. Renato has been a Rocky / Stallone fan since 1985 when he was 9 years old. Renato did the Stallone sketch to the left and this Rocky tribute.

- Craig

Rocky Minimates

I really like this MiniMates replica of the original "Rocky" movie poster. Here's a page to tell you more about the Rocky Minimates. - Craig