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Creed - 2015 "Every punch I’ve ever thrown has been on my own. Nobody showed me how to do this. I’m ready."
Ryan mother F*ing Coogler. My god the birth of a true talent. This man has an eye for cinema that I hope gets the chance to work on the biggest canvas it can. The scene I posted below is special. 2 rounds of boxing shot in one take. You can't help but be awed by it. Then he consolidates his talent later in the last fight during the entrances proving he has an eye for spectacle and the moment that I hope gets to flex for a long time. Also that last entrance is a great example of Coogler being able to add his voice subtly to a movie. He is so massively talented, I hope he doesn't get boxed into just doing black themed movies like a Spike Lee. I believe he has the talent to transcend cinema like Spielberg, maybe not to that level, but close to it if he works on more accessible type films. I just root for the guy, we are practically the same age, and you can tell in interviews the guy is just genuine to the bone with people. Hope he takes over Hollywood.
This movie however brings the Rocky franchise to a new generation. I have never been a huge Rocky guy. (Ironic since I've really become a fan of boxing like 5 years ago, I was always just causal until then.) I just never got into the movies, I've seen most of them when I was younger and know what happens but couldn't recite them. However, I loved this movie. Coogler gives a masterclass in how to pay homage to original films while creating a film with it's own identity. Michael B. Jordan is wonderful in the lead role but Stallone really brings it as an older trainer Rocky. Brings his story full circle as well.
It's a damn shame Coogler couldn't come back for Creed 2 (which I've only seen 1/3 of the movie so far). I know the movie was personal for him because Rocky is his dad's favorite movie and he convinced a reluctant Stallone to do it. I mean it worked out for him doing Black Panther, but it's still a shame. Do yourself a favor and watch some Coogler interviews online. You can help but like the guy. It sort of fallen a bit in my countdown just because I haven't seen it in awhile, but I really do love the movie.
Director - Ryan Coogler
Best Performance - Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
Rotten Tomatoes Score - 95%
Factoid - Following in the tradition of his father Apollo, Adonis is named after a character in Greek mythology. Whereas Apollo was named after the Greek sun god, Adonis is named after the demi-god of beauty and desire.
Stock In Countdown - Sinker