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Rocky Balboa, a review by Tom

Title: Rocky Balboa
Year: 2006
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Rating: 12
Length: 98 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: DTS 5.1, English: Dolby Digital Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital Surround
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Sylvester Stallone
Burt Young
Antonio Tarver
Geraldine Hughes
Milo Ventimiglia

Plot:
'30 years after the clang of the first bell, Rocky Balboa dons his gloves for his final fight...'
Armed with a highly credible, heart-wrenching story, Sylvester Stallone leaps back in to the ring in this knockout final chapter as one of the most iconic characters in the history of motion pictures!
Since retiring, Rocky reminisces about his glory days for the locals at his Philly diner, Adrian's. But his quiet world is shattered when the current reigning champion (Antonio Tarver) loses to a virtual, in-his prime Balboa in a computer-simulated match and challenges the retired Italian Stallion to the real thing! Never one to back down, Rocky does the unthinkable and agrees to the fight of his life... pushing himself to the breaking point to go the distance one last time.

Extras:
Alternate Ending
Commentary
Featurettes
Outtakes
Scene Access
Trailers

As I said, I felt that Rocky V was a great conclusion to the series. It wouldn't have needed a sixth part.
I am glad that this sixth movie works great as a well-done reunion kind of movie.
And I am surprised that the fight works reasonably well, which is surprising what with 60 year old Rocky fighting against the current undefeated world champion.
Rocky's son is played by Milo Ventimiglia (Peter from Heroes), which I never got quite used to. I am connecting him too much with his role in Heroes.
What surprised me is, that Rocky's wife died a few years ago. I really expected her in the movie as the actress is listed in the cast credits.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on March 10th, 2009)

The Last Homecoming, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Last Homecoming
Year of Release: 2008
Directed By: Corinna Avraamidou
Starring: Stavros Louras, Popi Avraam, Dimitris Xystras, Christopher Greco, Maria Kitsou, Christodoulous Martas
Genre: Drama

Overview:My Thoughts:
The Last Homecoming reminded me a lot of A Summer in La Goulette. Like the Tunisian film, it's about a group of neighbours who are good friends despite ethnic/religious differences, who are living their lives at the cusp of political turmoil. Here, what we see is a family on the verge of falling apart - long-married couples with underlying difficulties, a young couple without a strong connection. The family's difficulties are a mirror of the country's. The older son supports one political cause, his mother another, his father and brother want nothing to do with politics and just want to live in peace. Despite their hopes, things will come to a head, and solutions are not found. It's really quite a good film, but avoid if you cannot take an ambiguous ending.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 3.5/5

(From March Around the World 2016 on March 23rd, 2016)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

1.19 Heaven and Earth (1995-03-25)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Phil Bedard (Writer), Larry Lalonde (Writer)
Director: David Warry-Smith
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Jonathan Banks (Garret), Ramona Milano (Francesca), Alex Carter (Agent Ford), Djanet Sears (Caroline Wilson), Mark Melymick (Agent Deeter), Karyn Dwyer (Mary Ann), Bill Macdonald (Kidnapper), Ken Quinn (Chili Cook), Roy Lewis (Manager), Jack Jessop (Cook # 1)

A good episode. Though I am not sure if it's a good idea that they did a Johnny Smith here. Also fun is how Ray tries to find out, if Fraser slept with Francesca.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 26th, 2009)