Rocky Balboa

In 1938 Henry Armstrong held three different championship boxing titles. He held them in the featherweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. After he retired he became an ordained minister and focused his ministry on unprivileged youth. He also appeared in three movies and wrote his autobiography of "God Gloves, and Glory." If not knowing better one might assume that Sylvester Stallone has thought about traveling the same path as the late great Henry Armstrong. The difference is that the process is somewhat in reverse. The fact that he is using his movies to provide a spiritual message is obvious though.

Rocky Balboa is a wonderful film, and a wonderful ending to a character that is loosely based off of Stallone's own life. The fact that the last of the Rocky series is written and directed by Stallone is not lost on this one reviewer. What will be the surprise of many was not so much a surprise to me, Stallone brings us back to the character of Rocky; the one we loved in the original, and the one that has lived through various circumstances that Stallone himself has gone through. In essence, we see boxing as a metaphor for not only the life of Sylvester Stallone; we see boxing as a metaphor of all of us approaching the later stages of life. Jesus stated he never taught anything without first telling stories, Sylvester Stallone has told a story that is as rooted in faith, and moral integrity as anything coming out of Hollywood in years.

Truth is, it is virtually impossible to comment on Rocky Balboa without making reference to the Rocky's of the past. One has to go to the original Rocky, the one that garnished various Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor. In that movie Stallone in a recent interview gives indication as to what he was foreshadowing. "The character of Rocky was built on the idea that he was chosen to do something. That's why the first image in Rocky is the picture of Christ." Stallone has made it clear, that it is through God that we find our gifts, and that it is God whom we should serve when using those gifts.

From that first image in Rocky, to the continuing story of seeing him offering advice to a young Marie, telling her to not hang around certain kids, or that she will end up being a whore and not amounting to much, we see Rocky develop a tender love and compassion for those he comes into contact with. Rocky develops a love and compassion that in some ways leads to his demise at times with devastating consequences. Despite the difficulties life throws his way we see Rocky over and over come back to his senses and rekindle the love and dedication to carry and improve his situation. The love, dedication, and continual effort of the Rocky Balboa character carries on, and it is where we end up in the last film of the series, Rocky Balboa. While Rocky is questioning his own heart and his own convictions, he has reminders of the influence he has had on others.

Rocky now owns a little restaurant called Adrian's in Philadelphia. He loves telling stories of his old boxing days, always taking time to spend with an autograph seeker or anyone who has an interest in what he has done. He plays a grateful sports figure who realizes the importance of the life he has led. He knows he owes it to the fans as his blessings in life came from some place deeper than himself. We see the giving and giving continue from having around him his brother in law Pauley, who he still loves and looks out for to old fighting foe, Spider Rico, a fighter we came to know from the first Rocky. The relationships and memories do not end there though, Rocky through a series of events comes into contact with Little Maria the little girl he offered advice to in the first Rocky film. It is from this relationship that we begin to understand the heart of Rocky Balboa. Rocky's heart is one full of courage, integrity, faith and ultimately victory.

After a series of events Rocky Balboa finds himself wanting to get back into the ring. There is a beast in his stomach, or as he refers to, "in the basement," that he has yet to let out over the years. In the process of wanting to throw a few punches around, he ends up getting an invitation to fight in an exhibition match against Mason "The Line" Dixon, played quite well by real life fighter Antonio Tarver. Dixon is a unique individual because he is an undefeated champion who has lost the respect of fans. He has lost respect because the heavyweight field is not strong and many assume he has no appreciation of what he has obtained in the sport. After a computer fight between Dixon and Balboa, many begin to question even more how good Dixon is.

Through the process we see the relationship between father and son develop between Rocky and his son, Rocky Jr. played by Milo Ventimiglia. In this relationship we see of the difficulties both have gone through in life, but we also see the love and respect they have for each other. In this relationship we see a consistency with Balboa, his character really is as good as he plays out to the fans around him. While the fans are important, he truly sees value in family and they take first priority.

I could go on with the story line, but this is the place to comment on my own appreciation of the movies willingness to address a character in a strong spiritual way. Many will see this movie and not notice the spiritual attributes of Balboa, which is a shame. This is a character that from the very beginning of the series has seen value in his faith, church, family, prayer, and in scripture. Even here, we see Rocky refusing to go to battle without first hearing a passage of scripture. We see Rocky in prayer, we see him like most any other Joe on the street, except he takes his faith seriously and he chooses to live it out among those he comes into contact with, even his enemies. This love not only carries out in the way he treats other people, it is evident because we see the way he treats the animals he comes into contact with.

Is Rocky Balboa as good as Rocky? The answer to me here is obviously no. That being said, it may be the best Rocky since the original. Stallone does a great job of acting, and those who are critical of his acting methods will likely be seeing the movie because so many of their friends who have seen the movie, will come back and question their integrity. Truth is, this is the best role Stallone has played in a very long time. He has surrounded himself with a wonderful cast, provided wonderful direction, and written a beautiful script. This movie is not about boxing, it is a reminder to all of us to live life to the fullest, to get up when we are knocked down, and to do so with an attitude that we don’t care what others think. In many ways, just as boxing is a metaphor for life, this movie is a metaphor for the life many have led while growing up watching the Rocky series. It is a character we can love and appreciate; it is one that has drawn fans from all generations.

Rocky was one of the first movies I took my then girlfriend, now wife to see in 1976. It was so good we stayed and watched it twice. At the time I was a boxer and could relate to so much of what the movie was presenting. Now some 30 years later, I attended to watch the movie with my wife, and son who is 17 and a wrestler. My son, not even thought of 30 years ago fell in love with the Rocky character and watches the movies every chance he gets. He has for at least 6 or 7 years now. I can honestly say, I am honored that my son grew up admiring this character, I am even gladder that Sylvester Stallone made this final film in the series. It is a lesson on life, it is lessons on never giving up on your dreams, not for what others think of you, but for what you think and desire for yourself.

The Bible tells the Christian to love their neighbor as they love themselves. I have often had difficulty with that concept, what it means to love your self, how that relates to the way we love others. In many ways, the life struggle of Rocky Balboa illustrates that message, it illustrates it in such a way that I now have a better understanding of what that concept means. Rocky Balboa, while not a Christ figure, is certainly a role model, one that spoke to me some 30 years ago, and one that speaks to me now in my maturing adulthood. Thanks Sly, thanks for the character, and I can honestly say, Rocky will live on for as long as there is film, and people with a heart to go after their own dreams.

On a scale of 1 - 10, I am really surprised but for the 8 counts Rocky has taken over the years, only to get back up, an enthusiastic, enjoyable 8

Contact and Giving Information

Oh Yea, here is that contact information again.

The Virtual Pew

P.O. Box 17731

Wichita, KS 67217

Or you van give on line via Pay Pal at: http://www.furches.org/donations/index.html

To become a part of The Virtual Pew, visit, http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ To learn more about me visit http://www.furches.org/ I am also active on MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/mikefurches I have another blog at http://blog.myspace.com/mikefurches To visit the Hollywood Jesus group at MySpace with membership by numerous Hollywood Jesus reviewers visit: http://groups.myspace.com/hollywoodjesus For a more in depth weekly study and conversation you an visit: http://virtualpewsermon.blogspot.com/ where you can access deeper teaching and ultimately videos for viewing and teaching. You can also subscribe to the newsletter at http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ or see the newsletter on line at http://thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/ You can also sign up for the free newsletter from The Virtual Pew by visiting the main page for The Virtual Pew, or you can see the newsletters online by visiting this web site: http://thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/ You can contact me via email at mike@furches.org or mike@thevirtualpew.com For those interested in knowing more about my own story, contact me for a free e-copy of my book The Keystone Kid in pre-edit form.

Rocky Balboa Trailer

The Nativity Story

Sometimes I realize I am a little late, sometimes a little early. Today I realize as I write this, that at least for me, I am right on time. I also realize that my timing may not be what is best for everyone. Last night, realizing I needed a shot in the arm to get into the Christmas Spirit, I went to see The Nativity Story. While the movie has been out for sometime, I really believe the movie deserves a shot in the arm during the last weekend of Christmas. I also expect the movie will get a bump in the numbers despite the release of several expected blockbusters. It certainly deserves that shot in the arm, and my personal belief is that it would make a great Christmas Eve movie.

In some ways the movie moved me more than I expected. I know of all of the controversy surrounding the movies young star, Keisha Castle-Hughes. Frankly that controversy does not bother me. I do not know when the last time I expected a dose of morality from Hollywood, and for many within the Hollywood industry to be making such a huge deal over young Castle-Hughes real pregnancy is in my opinion hypocrisy at its worst.

For me the power of the movie was the ability to reflect on what the pregnancy of Mary meant for those around her, especially Joseph. I have heard the stories for most of my life,but I never really thought of the consequences like I did until after watching the film. In many ways, especially for the religious readers, if anything movies like The Passion and now The Nativity Story show the power of film, the power to take the persons thoughts past what they had already perceived. I believe that if truth is involved in film, no matter what type of film, we can use that truth to point others towards the realities of God.

The story focuses on various aspects, including the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, the story and search of the wise men, and King Herrod's obsession with power and much more. The real power of the movie though has to do with the developing relationship between Mary and Joseph, and of Joseph's undying love for Mary. Wee see the willingness of the two of them to follow God's will and direction as the script plays out. Oscar Isaac does a wonderful job playing Joseph, and for me, Joseph's story becomes the focus of the movie. I thought this was likely because I was a guy, but after speaking to my wife after the movie she felt the same way.

My family was also moved by the underlying theme in the movie as to the purpose of Jesus' birth and of the power and love he had for the poor. The theme of being for the oppressed and poor is strongly presented throughout the movie; it is concluded with the narration of Mary's Magnificat where we hear about the purpose of Jesus coming to redeem the poor, and to set the captives free.

For many of us, we often get caught up in the Christmas materialism that surrounds us. Sometimes we need a reminder of what Christmas was all about, and especially what it must have been like during that first Christmas. The Christmas Nativity does a wonderful job of opening our eyes to that story. We see the story like few times before, and while the action is not great, the special effects just hardly exist, the story is intact. I promise that if seeing this movie, it is likely you will see Christmas a little differently this year, and in a much better way. I can recommend it with no hesitation and hope that for those who have not seen it, you will, I know if you do, you will have a very wonderful and Merry Christmas, because you will have a better understanding of Christmas.

On a scale of 1 - 10 I give a heartfelt 8

Now for those reading the blogs today, enjoy the videos. I am including a number of others here from different formats, but I challenge you, that despite the fact that the videos are sometimes funny, sometimes based on different themes, that the truth is, none of the videos wouldn’t exist without the birth of Christ, because without the birth of Christ, we just wouldn’t have Christmas. Now enjoy the videos, and make plans to go to the movies this week.

Now before we get to the videos today, hopefully everyone will remember to pass the blogs along to your friends. The Christmas Special blogs from TVP can help a lot of people. You can show them what we are doing by Clicking Here at this Link. They can also get in the Christmas Spirit by Clicking Here and reading about The Virtual Pew and our Christmas giving options. Also be on the lookout for my story of The Best Christmas Ever, which will be posted around Christmas Day. It is a heart tugging story, and a true testament to the power of Christmas and God. I am really looking forward to retelling this story that is true, and happened to me and my family. It has been published across the world, and I will redo the story, just for The Virtual Pew.

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are numerous postings, and you will have to go into the archives to see the 100 plus postings over the last months.

Now I also want to remind you that you can visit www.thevirtualpew.com and on the front page scroll down to the left hand side of the page where you sill see our store. Your purchases through our Amazon store provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something on the page to buy, you can click on the search engine for the store, (do not put anything in the search box at this time) and you will then be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully as you shop for Christmas you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew and/or at the very least shop our store. The items on the store page are highly recommended.

Now prior to checking out the videos for the day, here is that information, contact and contribution information regarding The Virtual Pew. Again, thanks for visiting, have a Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate. Just remember though, from The Virtual Pew, we wish you a Merry Christmas.

Contact and Giving Information

Oh Yea, here is that contact information again.

The Virtual Pew
P.O. Box 17731
Wichita, KS 67217

Or you van give on line via Pay Pal at: http://www.furches.org/donations/index.html

To become a part of The Virtual Pew, visit, http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ To learn more about me visit http://www.furches.org/ I am also active on MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/mikefurches I have another blog at http://blog.myspace.com/mikefurches To visit the Hollywood Jesus group at MySpace with membership by numerous Hollywood Jesus reviewers visit: http://groups.myspace.com/hollywoodjesus For a more in depth weekly study and conversation you an visit: http://virtualpewsermon.blogspot.com/ where you can access deeper teaching and ultimately videos for viewing and teaching. You can also subscribe to the newsletter at www.thevirtualpew.com or see the newsletter on line at http://thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/ You can also sign up for the free newsletter from The Virtual Pew by visiting the main page for The Virtual Pew, or you can see the newsletters online by visiting this web site: http://thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/ You can contact me via email at mike@furches.org or mike@thevirtualpew.com For those interested in knowing more about my own story, contact me for a free e-copy of my book The Keystone Kid in pre-edit form.

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