Rocky? Fine. Rambo? Sure. But Sly, Let's Stop Before This Gets Ugly

We Don't Want Stallone Digging Too Deep for More "New" Movie Ideas
Sylvester Stallone in Lionsgate Films' 'Rambo'
Sylvester Stallone in Lionsgate Films' 'Rambo' - Lionsgate Films
Sacha Howells

There's nothing fresher than going back to your own decades-old movies to jumpstart a career -- Charlie, Emilio, I'm looking at you! Young Guns 3 isn't going to star in itself. But Stallone has turned it into an art, and I for one can't wait to see what's left in his old, stale bag of tricks.

Stomp! or My Mom Will Shoot:
Nothing spells box office success like "action guy" and "comedy." Throw in the oldest old lady from Golden Girls (except she was actually the youngest old lady from Golden Girls -- it's really confusing) and you have comedy bronze. So how do you improve on a masterpiece? Throw in trashcan lids and hip-hop dancing, of course. Thanks to all you people who went to see Chicago, the musical is back. And how! Musical theater and action-guy comedy: two great tastes that taste great together.

Victory:
The original was a testament to the power of soccer against the Nazis, costarring Michael Caine as a POW; why not NASCAR against the Khmer Rouge, with Michael Caine as a teenage Vietnamese prostitute? Or hockey against Idi Amin, with Michael Caine as Idi Amin? See, sports = freedom. The possibilities really are endless. And following Sly's new formula, they wouldn't even need to change the name! Genius.

Under the Top:
Stallone brought much-needed attention to the dark world of underground arm wrestling with Over the Top. Nothing less than that kind of clear-eyed focus is needed to illuminate the new scourge of American grade schools: thumb wrestling. When a green, rebellious fourth grader with a golden thumb (and the attitude to match) crosses the class bully, school janitor Stallone steps in to show the kid the ropes -- if he's got the heart. My fake sources at 20th Century Fox, and I have the best fake sources in the biz, call this one a lock for '09.

Tango and Cash:
I'm thinking a shot-for-shot remake like Gus Van Sant's Psycho. Why mess with perfection?

Rhinestone II: Cubic Zirconium:
In the original, Dolly Parton taught Stallone to sing like a country star -- and a little bit about love. In the remake, Stallone teaches Rascal Flatts how to sing like country stars -- and a little bit about love.

Still Really Staying Alive I'm Serious:
Stallone didn't star in Staying Alive, the oh-so-necessary sequel to Saturday Night Fever, but he did direct it. Headbands, long-ass dance sequences, and a cheap echo of the Fever strut? This is a film that needs to be revisited. Last time: flashy Broadway spectaculars. This time: Dancing With the Stars. Stallone steps into the Travolta role as Tony Moreno, who comes out of retirement to show that Scary Spice a thing or two. Or Brooke Hogan, or whoever's on that show now. (Sly's brother Frank sang on the Staying Alive soundtrack; here's hoping he's still available.)


post a comment




Most Popular Stories
Popular Photo Galleries
FREE Movie of the Week
Adrien Brody and Charlotte Ayanna - "Love the Hard Way" (2001)
Kino

Love the Hard Way

Film.com's FREE movie of the week is "Love the Hard Way." Oscar-winner Adrien Brody and Charlotte Ayanna star in this drama about a thief who falls for a curious, beautiful young woman. As their intimacy grows, a slick cop (Pam Greer) is closing in.
 
Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  RealNetworks  |    |  FAQ  |   RSS  |   Mobile  |   SiteMap  |   Blog   |   Partners
Browse All: Movies |  TV |  Celebrities
© 2006-2009 RealNetworks. All Rights Reserved.