Better than Rocky - Southpaw (2015) Discussion

[–] creatorof2002 9 years ago

Are you comparing this to the FIRST Rocky movie since there will soon be seven of them?

This movie definitely did not have as generic a plot.

This felt like a compromise between Rocky and Raging Bull. The main character in Raging Bull was a total A hole and unlikable while Rocky was kind of a goody goody super hero type

This guy felt halfway in between. He was not a wife beating douche constantly going into violent rages for no good reason (until his wife died and he lost his mind) and was redeemable, while raging bull was not.

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[–] Maximilian_Zammit 9 years ago

6 Rockys and 1 spin-off*

And I agree with the whole half way in between thing.

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[–] mtsaska 9 years ago

How is Rocky a "goody goody super hero type"? In the first film he's a leg breaker for a loan shark.

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[–] ianthefist 9 years ago

It's a living.

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[–] ninjaphil 9 years ago

It's a waste ah life!

Adrian: Why do you wanna fight?
Rocky: Because I can't sing or dance.

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[–] TheUglyCasanova 8 years ago

So is posting on IMDB, yet here we are.

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[–] gargantuaboy 9 years ago

Yes you bring up a great point about the original "ROCKY." "ROCKY" is such a gritty little movie with an amazingly sensitive performance by Stallone who also wrote the Oscar nominated screenplay. The movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won three including Best Picture. It's an American classic. I don't think young people today quite get it. I just don't think they do.

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[–] vicky_lc2001-1 8 years ago

Another outstanding performance of Stallone is in Copland, people always underestimate him.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

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[–] booya83 8 years ago

I loved Southpaw! I cried like a freaking baby, which I only admit because my real name isn't posted here. What I can't understand is why people have to trash two great films to show their application for this one? All brought great emotion and something different to the table.

The first Rocky and Raging Bull are among my favorite films, do I have to rank them in order of best to least? No, nor do I have sling mud at the others.

I'm more than happy to watch any of the three multiple times and that my friends is what really counts.

Vicky, I agree Sylvester's performance in Copland is under rated. I still think Rocky I is his best work though.

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[–] LukeLovesFilm28 8 years ago

Everyone forgets about Stallone in Copland and yet, that was the most remarkably subtle and still effect performance of his career. Schwarzenegger just did something similar in Maggie. It is wonderful seeing these giant become real people in a movie.

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] wisperingdeth 9 years ago

I'll always hold a special place for the Rocky movies, as I grew up with them, and all barring 4 and 5 are actually pretty great.
However Southpaw is definitely up there with the best of them sure. Superb movie.

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[–] jsl_99 9 years ago

I really enjoyed Southpaw. But the first Rocky is in another league.

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[–] audierules 9 years ago

Thank you

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[–] gehenna-3 9 years ago

Are you retarded? There's no better Rocky Movie than Rocky IV! Amazing soundtrack and a terrifying adversary in Ivan Drago. Boo!

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[–] yosockdawg 9 years ago

I completely agree man! *spoiler alert* Creed's death was one of the most emotional scenes I have ever witnessed in a movie and Drago was an incredible opponent! The most intense Rocky movie IMO. I love both Southpaw and Rocky. Another good movie (not boxing) is Warrior!

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[–] jones8557-1 8 years ago

Rocky IV is also my favorite!

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[–] thecure-1 9 years ago

Rocky ONE is special because it was the first in the genre.
Obviously 35 or so later and with a much better actor, this is WAY better.
I actually found the plot incredibly close to Rocky THREE.

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[–] BoSoxRules 9 years ago

Rocky V was the one it most resembled.

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[–] jones8557-1 8 years ago

No, Rocky III

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[–] jimpemmas 9 years ago

Rocky is great but first of the genre? lol

The champ
Body and Soul
Champion
Somebody up there likes me
Requiem for a heavyweight

and many more came before and were also very similar.

***All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.***

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[–] Pistolpete332010 9 years ago

Your out of your mind if you think this movie is superior to the original rocky.

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[–] goonies383 9 years ago

Not even close to Rocky. Southpaw is a by the book cliche riddled sports redemption story. It's full of forced unnatural drama that has an incoherent time frame and hardly makes sense even in the context of the story. Jake Gyllenhaal and some decent boxing action is the only thing that saves this film. Where Rocky is a true underdog story about a journeyman club fighter who comes from nothing and rises up far beyond anyones expectations giving the fight of his life in a losing effort. Rocky would be like Mayweather giving a shot to some 35-10 nobody club fighter and almost losing.

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[–] Aburns1203 9 years ago

Rocky sucks

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[–] j-lebbing3-1 9 years ago

You can`t compare Rocky with Southpaw.
I think Southpaw was a very great movie with very great actors, but Rocky is a masterpiece.

"Films are home movies of your past".

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] Zulfmanauthor 9 years ago

Rocky is great and comparing any boxing movie to that film is like comparing modern gangster movies to 'The Godfather' and 'Goodfellas'. Rocky is an iconic movie that set the standard for story of the underdog. I loved 'Southpaw' but Antoine Fuqua had the Rocky movies to base his film on yet Stallone had no such concept when he created his journeyman character.

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[–] dbk 9 years ago

While I agree that Rocky is far superior to Southpaw (which is a cliche-ridden mess, imo), Stallone did have the Chuck Wepner story (or concept) on which he based his story.

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[–] vicky_lc2001-1 8 years ago

That's very true. I'm a big Rocky fan but not necessarily for the sport but because of the heart behind the films. My Aunt recommended this film and it felt like a Rocky film with a Rocky esque underdog.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

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[–] LukeLovesFilm28 8 years ago

Exactly. Stallone made film history with Rocky. He somehow pulled one of the most classic, subtle love stories and one of the most - if not the most inspirational sports movies ever made out of his ass, so to speak. Rocky was an amazing achievement. And the character doesn't even win in the end. Even The Karate Kid (directed by the same guy) won. Rocky lost... but then, he gained the undying devotion of Adrian. I get teary-eyed just thinking about that beautiful, timeless ending of Rocky.

There's not a lot of moments like that in Southpaw. I will admit the story of the violent boxer losing his daughter is very touching. It pulled on the heartstrings. But, I think it deserved a more timeless face... like a Rocky sequel.

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[–] jarjarbinks-51514 9 years ago

If these movies came out at the same time, Southpaw would be way better

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[–] jarjarbinks-51514 9 years ago

And the transformation he had to make from nightcrawler to this movie is amazing

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[–] Cyclo Rider 9 years ago

Have to know what you've been smoking because Southpaw is nowhere near as good as Rocky.

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] scoldne 8 years ago

No freaking way. How many times have you seen Rocky movies? Do you think you could watch Southpaw again? I rest my case.

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[–] Aqqk 9 years ago

One thing that did not stand the test of time with rocky are the fight scenes. Its so unrealistic, like watching a video game.
Havent seen southpaw, but the movies I remember having the best boxing scenes are raging bull, ali, and cinderella man. Denzel did the hurricane but I havent seen it.

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[–] vicky_lc2001-1 8 years ago

Only 3-5 were over the top fights because those were different genre films unlike the first and sixth. And I disagree, the over the top fights have stood the test of time, they're high caliber entertainment surreal type fights, no different from the over the top action or kung fu films. And btw, Rocky 1 & 6 are very realistic in its presentation.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

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[–] LukeLovesFilm28 8 years ago

I don't know what you're talking about. After watching my Blu-ray Rocky collection, the fights are as effective as ever. You have to remember that this is still a movie. You have to accept the fact that actors won't actually be taking punches, that it's all stage acting and fighting, no matter how it's presented. It's like criticizing T2 because you can see Arnold's stunt man. Gimme a break. It's a petty con to something so awesome.

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