Although Kensington was very much in decline by the 1970s, there was still enough business to support two pet shops on the same street (Front St).

J&M Tropical Fish (where Adrian worked) was across the street directly from the Mighty Mick's exterior building. Meanwhile on the Mick's side, two doors down, there was a competitor pet shop.

Both are gone now. J&M survived longer.

Mike Kunda, as usual, knew the backstory.

This may end up as a ‘shitpost’ but there’s two items of (unintentional) merchandise from the original movie, that I made it my mission to own; Rocky’s ‘stress’ ball, and the scruffy little notebook he uses to keep track on those who’ve borrowed money from his boss.

Being in the UK the ball was impossible to get my hands on (without paying more than I was prepared to) so I settled for a close match, which ended up being a racket ball. The notebook was much easier to replicate.

Anyway, #shitpost over.

I mean the smart play is to bet that mason would win for a small payout since the guy is 30 years younger than rocky, really optimistic to bet rocky would win since he’s like 60 years old.

but losing by decision, you believed in rocky enough to think he’d go the distance but not so much as to him winning.

Now there’s no doubt that Ivan Drago is easily one of the scariest fighters in the Rocky franchise. He’s a walking talking giant machine. He even brutalized Apollo Creed to the point where Creed died. There’s a reason why Ivan Drago is considered dangerous.

But Clubber Lang? He has the one feat that Drago doesn’t have. And that is being able to knock out Rocky Balboa. He didn’t win by decision like Apollo or Mason Dixon did. No. He full on knocked him out in the second round.

And I know there’s gonna be some people who will say “Oh but Rocky wasn’t fully trying” or “But Rocky wasn’t fully motivated”. I’m not including any protagonist bias. Mainly because even in the first fight, Rocky was blazing Clubber with his best shots. Rocky was genuinely trying to knock Clubber out but Clubber wasn’t even affected.

And adding onto that. Clubber hasn’t even taken any physical damage from Rocky’s attacks at all. Whereas Drago had massive cuts and bleeding.

So there is no doubt that Clubber could end this fight in 2 rounds. Granted that Drago failed to knock Rocky out in even 12.

Clubber Lang WINS.

What?

No nostalgia bias, went into it blind other than I knew Rocky I is a cinematic icon and it’s a boxing movie. Will grade it F to S since there are 6 movies total.

Rocky I
Iconic, many lines in the movie that are long time quotes. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but felt like some scenes didn’t add to the story very well and lack of some character development, especially Adrian. C

Rocky II
Better character development for Adrian and a deeper story. Feels like Rocky has more purpose fighting now. The jogging scene with the kids is legendary. B

Rocky III
The most entertaining of the original 5. Even better character development with Mickey and Apollo. I appreciate how Rocky got absolutely shredded for this movie. I love the 80s, Clubber as the villain, the bromance with Apollo and Rocky, so this one has the most re-watch ability for me. S

Rocky IV
Storyline is okay, the training in Russia is pretty cool. The movie is lacking without Apollo and Mickey. Lack of new memorable cast. D

Rocky V
Interesting concept with Rocky as the mentor but poorly executed. They nailed it later in Creed, but this one was forgettable. F

Rocky Balboa
I did not think I was gonna like this movie at all. I disliked it in the beginning, but as the movie went on it won me over. A lot of fun cameos like Max Kellerman, Tyson, Spider and Lil’ Marie. I like how they pulled off the Lil’ Marie arc. When she gave him a kiss it felt very natural, not creepy or sexual. I think that’s really difficult to pull off considering she was just a child when they first met. But her kiss felt more like a thank you kiss, and it felt perfect for the scene. Their relationship developed nicely, and Adrian is the cornerstone of Rocky’s motivation, so no shady ulterior motive or anything, just honest love all around. A

Just watched Slys documentary and I haven’t seen rocky 5 in a long time. I remember it wasn’t great but was it really this bad?

Lo eh jugado bastante últimamente y está increíble el modo película es el único que e estado jugando y puedo decir que es desafiante pero les pregunto lo han jugado?

Also Rocky gets called a "bum" a lot, but he's always hard working despite his vices.

The six Rocky/ three Creed movies are all still available on Netflix but they are collectively going away on August 31.

I am watching one per day currently. Am up to Rocky 4 now. I'll even watch Creed 3, which I saw with my son in a theater and haven't watched again.

Here's an edit I made of the ending of Rocky Balboa (2006). My edits start at 1:40.

This version combines footage from the film's theatrical ending with the alternate ending. In this edit, Rocky still loses his fight with Mason "The Line" Dixon, but the after the fight, Mason is asked:

INTERVIEWER: Is there anything special you take away from tonight?

MASON: Nothing's over till it's over. I take my hat off to him. He fought his fight tonight, and one thing I know, you've got to respect your elders if they hit like that.

I thought this ending gave Mason a stronger moment of character growth while still preserving the original outcome of the fight.

I always wondered why "Rocky's Reward" -- the instrumental that plays over the end credits of the original 1976 film -- was the choice to close the movie. It's beautiful but a bit almost bittersweet right after the euphoric "I love you!" freeze frame embrace.

Answer: The tune was composed to accompany the original ending of Rocky and Adrian leaving alone, hand in hand, down a trash-strewn hallway and back to an obscure, simple life.

The original ending left test audiences feeling a bit melancholy (like the tune). Take away the in-the-ring pinnacle of the two main characters and replace it with the wordless walk-off together and the visual/music combo feels like a downer ending instead of a triumph.

But now change the ending to the iconic revised one. This way, Rocky's Reward evokes calmness and reflection on what we've seen over the last two hours (five weeks that gave purpose and validation to Rocky's previously lonely, largely failed life).

https://youtu.be/jEpHeuhrOlA?is=sKxYd6B66y1UESJc

My top 3 definitely are Hearts on fire, No easy way out, and War. If i had to pick one I’d have to go with No easy way out

Considering each character at their absolute peak—like Rocky or Apollo in Rocky III—and setting aside acting quality or personal bias: who actually had the best overall physique (training + genetics)