This is my fifth Top 5 for Heavy and my seventh Countdown. With the release of new season of Game of Thrones last year I went all out with a Top 10 Countdown where each piece averaged over 500 words and was published separately counting down to the telecast of the first episode. It was a lot of work that I was happy to do but can’t maintain as a side gig with all the other work I do. A Top 5 of Tom Hank’s best films followed which was a lot shorter and I decided doing something akin to that format was sustainable. It also appeared to be really popular. When it came time to do another Top 5 on Stranger Things Season 2 I found there was too much to choose from and decided to do a Top 10 instead. Top 5s have continued though with Thor: Ragnarok, Star Trek: Discovery, Blade Runner 2049 and now A Top 5 of the Best Things about the Rocky film series which you can find here https://heavymag.com.au/top-5-best-things-about-the-rocky-movies/
In the summer of 1993 heading out of primary school into high school I got out from my local video store what was at that time all five Rocky films and I fell in love. Even as a child I knew number one was the best and it has stayed with my throughout the years. The great regret of my life possibly is that I did not pursue boxing as a sport in my youth. Rocky is not really about boxing though, as the great film critic Roger Ebert once wrote “It’s about heroism and realizing your potential, about taking your best shot and sticking by your girl. It sounds not only cliche but corny-and yet it’s not, not a bit, because it really does work on those levels. It involves us emotionally, it makes us commit ourselves.” The sequels continued the story with diminishing returns until Rocky Balboa salvaged some dignity and went out on a good note. Then came Creed by Ryan Coogler which was even better. Now there is Creed II and I hope it’s good but also that this closes the door on this franchise. We shall see.
It’s been a while since I’ve published with Heavy magazine due to other commitments and time constraints but it is always a pleasure and I hope you enjoy. Feel free to comment on the site of what would be your picks. I look forward to doing a few more in the near future.
Heavy is an independent magazine and website that is all about the music and specifically heavy music and supporting the Australian music scene in general. Fortunately for me they do cover film as well and I have been fortunate to have a few things published there.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
Nice roundup, Lloyd. I still love the original, but I have to confess I never managed to sit through the first sequel, and didn’t bother with any of the others after that.
Sometimes, one is enough. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Hey Pete, the original is the best but there was something I found really touching about Creed and the passing of time. Maybe check that one out even if you didn’t dig Rocky II. I’ll let you know if Creed II is any good in my humble opinion. Best wishes Pete.
I could have written Beetlypete’s review. Loved the original, got turned off by the first sequel and never saw another. Loved your reviews;! Still don’t know though, what happened to the dog??? It was so prevalent in the first half of the first movie and the POOF it disappeared, right around the scene where Rocky is training in the meat packinghouse. You don’t think!!! Nah.
Very funny Don. Actually I think that was Sly’s real dog who he sold to someone before he got the movie and then he had to buy the dog back at great expense to appear in the film. I’m guessing he’d moved on or was old by the time of filming Rocky II but who knows.glad you enjoyed the post. As I mentioned to Pete, I think Creed is a great movie that you should consider. Have a good one. 🙂
I will see it based on your advice. You have a kindred taste in movies with me.
Well then I hope you enjoy it.