All posts by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 85: ‘Rocky II’ (feat. Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast)

Even decades after its release, 1976’s Rocky stands as the ultimate cinematic underdog story. But following its critical acclaim, box office performance, and awards wins, it’s only natural that everything involved — including star and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone — would explore what happened next in the lives of Rocky, Adrian, Paulie, Mickey, and of course, Apollo.

Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast and Back To Bluey joins us to talk about how 1979’s Rocky II expands on the original film. We’ll discuss whether the movie undercuts its predecessor with a Rocky and Apollo rematch, how the movie cements Stallone as the primary creative force of the franchise, and whether the film successfully justifies Rocky’s return to the sport.

Join us as we step back into the ring with Rocky and his crew for a sequel that dares to push boundaries. With Rocky II, Stallone sharpens the stakes to focus on the theme of redemption and hones in on the emotional journeys of both Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. It’s a can’t-miss entry in a franchise that still has so much more ground left to cover.

Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 84: ‘Rocky’ (feat. Lauren Knight of That Movie Is Fine)

Long before Franchise Detours began, the Rocky/Creed series was well on our radar. Following the Crooked Table Podcast’s (now Close Watch) monthly coverage of the Star Wars and Harry Potter films, “The Italian Stallion” was eyed as the next long-running, beloved series to take the spotlight. Alas, plans changed, and we didn’t enter the ring until now.

At last, we tackle the 1976 classic that is Rocky. One of only four franchise films to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, the film—directed by John G. Avildsen (The Karate Kid)—introduced Sylvester Stallone’s leading-man status and has left an indelible mark on the industry in the nearly five decades since it first hit the big screen.

Lauren Knight from That Movie Is Fine joins us to chat about the enduring legacy of Rocky. We’ll discuss how its themes still resonate today, why Stallone needed to write his own star-making project, and how the film lays the groundwork for what has become a decades-long character study. More about people than boxing, Rocky is so much more than a sports movie.

Join us to discover why Rocky still justifies the cultural phenomenon it created. We bet you’ll be jogging up the nearest staircase in no time.

Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 83: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (feat. Chauncey Telese of LA Podfidential)

Six years and one major studio acquisition later, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool finally joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But after Deadpool seemingly shattered the superhero movie formula and Deadpool 2 doubled-down on the scale of the Merc with the Mouth’s particular corner of the universe, where could “Deadpool 3” go to keep upping the ante? In a word, *SNIKT*.

After years of development, it was the addition of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine that finally helped Reynolds and director Shawn Levy (Free Guy, Real Steel) crack the code that ultimately led to the first Marvel Studios’ billion-dollar grosser since the similarly multiverse-centric Spider-Man: No Way Home. But does this third entry confirm Deadpool as Marvel Jesus?

Chauncey Telese of LA Podfidential joins us to discuss Deadpool & Wolverine as it continues its rampage through theaters. We’ll chat about how the franchise makes the shift to the MCU, whether those surprise characters add or distract from the story at hand, and where the film’s conclusion leaves the title characters amid the upcoming MCU slate.