CinemaBuzz by Seymour Flix

Rambo Is Back

Stallone at 69

A spin-off of Vietnam's favorite vet is scheduled to appear on a new TV show.  The scuttlebutt is that Fox has been working with Sly Stallone on bringing Rambo to the small screen in a series entitled, 'Rambo: New Blood'. The series would follow the exploits of Rambo's son, JR - a retired Navy Seal on a quest for justice. It is not clear what Stallone's role, as Rambo Sr., would be, but it would be significant, according to Fox.

The Rambo franchise has been very successful. Four films were made: 'First Blood' (1982), 'Rambo:First Blood Part II (1985), 'Rambo III' (1988), and 'Rambo' (2008). A fifth Rambo is in the works. The first four films cost $171 million to make and market but grossed over $727 million.

As John Rambo in 'First Blood'

Stallone, 69, and has had a long and very successful movie career. He is currently starring in the now-in-release film 'Creed', a sequel to the 'Rocky' franchise. 'Creed' earned a very respectable $44 million on its opening weekend and has been met with critical acclaim. There were six previous Rocky films which have earned over $1.3 billion but cost only $119 million.

Stallone's latest franchise is the 'Expendables' series. Their have been three episodes in the series and a fourth is in the works.  Although these films met with limited success at the U.S. box office they did very well overseas - earning $785 million but costing only $202 to make and market.

CMG wishes Sly Stallone continued success. 'Rocky' is certainly on my top 25 film list - it's a great movie. It should be noted that Stallone has written virtually all of the movies he has starred in, including all of the Rocky, Rambo, and Expendable films.

"I Will Make No Cuts"

Micheal Moore is in a snit over the 'R' rating his new docu-drama, 'Where To Invade Next', received from the MPAA and in losing his appeal to have the rating changed to a 'PG-13'. The movie received the 'R' rating (one one under 17 admitted without an adult) due to "vial language, violent images, drug use, and graphic nudity".

Perhaps a docu on weight loss would be appropriate

'Where To Invade Next' is essentially a travelogue which (sort of) explains how countries deal with social and economic issues in comparison to the U.S. Needless to say, the U.S. comes up very short in all categories - as with all of Moore's films.

In his defense, Moore said of the MPAA ruling, "This film has been widely praised (he gave no names) for its warmth and humor and optimism.  I wish the MPAA would be honest".

The movie is set to open on December 23th in NYC and LA and go wide release on January 15th.  Moore was seeking the 'PG-13' rating (no one under 13 admitted without an adult) for the film.  The option is to release the film without a rating but that won't happen as the large cinema chains refuse to screen any film without a rating.

CMG thinks all the rating fuss may be for naught as the film will fall victim to 'Star Wars'. Teenagers aren't interested in Moore's political views or social opinions, they are interested in spending their cinema dollars on entertainment - and 'Star Wars' will provide that.

Best,
Seymour