Alex Bain's Blog

Stallone makes a comeback as "Rocky"

It's hard to make the argument that Sylvester Stallone is a genius, but we can certainly learn a lot from him. If you don't believe me, go back and watch the first Rocky movie, or even First Blood (the first Rambo movie). Many people don't know that he wrote both of those movies.

• Rocky - A put upon street thug is given a chance to fight the best boxer in the world, and he doesn't win, but he gos the distance and proves something to himself. One might say that the writing wasn't impressive, since most of the story actually happened in real life. I disagree. I think the script added nuance and depth to a simple idea. The Academy agreed, awarding it Best Picture in 1976.
• First Blood - My friend in high school wrote his term paper for US history about how this movie was the first, real Vietnam released in America. I know nothing about it's cultural significance, but he told me the movie made it ok for people to start talking about what had happened to the vets after they returned. Whether or not this is true, I'm impressed that the film took on such a lofty topic (possible consequences of our training a soldier too well), and handled it with respect, showing both sides of the issue.

I mention these movies and his writing talent because I thought of all that when I read a recent quote from him in a newspaper article (I hate linking to articles, b/c the links die so quickly):

"Every generation runs its course, and they are expected to step aside for the next generation," Stallone said. "My peers are going through it right now, and they feel they have much to contribute, but the opportunity is no longer there. They're considered obsolete, and it's just not true. This film is about how we still have something more to say."

I read this quote and loved it. It's especially interesting when you think about the parallels between Stallone and his character. Found the whole thing inspiring.

And then it came up again, last night, when I went to see "The Queen" with my better half (believe me that I was dragged kicking and screaming to this film). I was expecting a brutal (for me) period piece, with beautiful, effeminate, romantic men, and fancy costumes. I got all of those things (it wasn't a period piece, though), but I was surprised by what I took to be the film's ultimate message:

Most people thought she botched the death of Princess Di, but she was just doing what she was always taught to do, and what would have been expected of her before her generation became irrelevant.

I asked myself if I could sympathize with Stallone and the Queen. Have I been in this situation? I think I have, to a slight extent. I think most people have, if they've ever gone back for their high school or college's Homecoming game within a year or two of graduation. Is there a bigger letdown then these games? You walk around the campus that you used to rule, and you see so many faces that you don't recognize, and the ones you do recognize don't treat you with the same deference they once did, b/c they're in charge now. It's disorienting to realize how quickly one can lose what they've worked long and hard to build up.

I think the lesson is that obsolesce may be inevitable, but our recourse is to keep in touch with our old friends so that the memories don't just live in our heads, and to make as many of these memories as we can while we're young.

I hope that came off as more philosophic than cheesy, but I fear it didn't :-)

I'd rather be just a listener

Here's a great scene to quote when you're trying to draw someone into a conversation...
In the meantime, I gotta go talk to Brooke about something, it's called "The Baseline".

Movie monologues

Next time you're in the mood for a stroll down memory lane, take a gander at this site. It's an awfully comprehensive database of great movie monologues (as well as a few worthy TV quotes). A few of the best are only available upon request due to copyright reasons, but don't let that stop you from perusing such gems as:

Steve Martin to John Candy:
You're no saint. You got a free cab, you got a free room--and someone'll listen to your boring stories! Didn't you notice on the plane when you started talking, eventually I started reading the vomit bag? Didn't that give you some sort of clue, like maybe this guy is not enjoying it? Y'know, not everything is an anecdote, you have to discriminate! You choose things that are funny or mildly amusing! You're a miracle! Your stories have none of that! They're not even amusing accidentally! "Honey, I'd like you to meet Del Griffith, he's got some amusing anecdotes for ya! And, oh, here's a gun so you can blow your brains out, you'll thank me for it! I could tolerate any insurance seminar. For days, I could sit there, and listen to them go on and on with a big smile on my face! And they'd say, how can you stand it? And I'd say, because I've been with Del Griffith, I can take anything! Y'know what they'd say, they'd say, "I know what you mean, shower curtain ring guy...whoa!" It's like going on a date with a Chatty-Kathy doll. I expect you to have a string on your chest that you pull out and have to snap back. Except I wouldn't pull it out and snap it back, you would! (imitating) Dyah dyah dyah dyah! And, you know, when you're telling these little stories, here's a good idea: have a point. It makes it makes it so much more interesting for the listener!