Top 5 Sly Stallone Movies

I would like to preface this post by saying it has been the most difficult list I have ever had to create. Sly has starred in numerous movies that would easily be tops in the careers for the likes of Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Ben Aflack, Mike Myers, and Johnny Knoxville. Movies such as Drivin, Avenging Angelo, Antz, Cop Land, Daylight, Judge Dredd, Demolition Man, Cliffhanger, Tango & Cash and numerous Rocky and Rambo movies have to be left out of this top 5 list, but would undoubtedly be included in other actor's lists if they had starred in them. This just illustrates the greatness of Sly Stallone. Rocky IV ended the Cold War by the way. Here we go:

5. Cobra
Who doesn't get goosebumps when Lieutenant Marion 'Cobra' Cobretti arrives in his bad ass car at the supermarket to try to calm a potentially deadly situation at the start of this great movie? I know that every time I see this scene, I want to become an actor. "Go ahead. I don't shop here" is Cobra's response to the crazy man that threatens to blow up the supermarket. What a response. I mean seriously, what a response. You also can't overlook the fact that the movie also stars the once stunning Brigitte Nielson who also stars in Rocky IV and formally starred as Sly's wife. Brian Thompson, aka the Night Slasher, deserved an Oscar for his performance. He was SCARY! The hospital scene? The final scene fighting The Cobra? You have to be a bad ass to fight The Cobra. Overall, fantastic movie with an even better cast. Great Job on this one Sly!

4. Rocky
The beginning to the Rocky Saga enters our countdown at the No.4 spot. This movie actually won best picture- fantastic work Sly. Although this is probably Sly's greatest masterpiece in terms of the overall project, it can't get past the 4 spot because of the slow beginning. Although I love this movie with all my heart, it does take a while for this picture to grow some legs. Apollo Creed is one Master of Disaster in this film and continuously great all the way to his death in Rocky IV. What else can you say about Micky's performance other than to say he wasn't in the movie enough. Joe Spinell's performance as Tony Gazzo was remarkable. His dialogue with Rocky early on in Rocky II will be replayed here because II did not make our list.
Tony "How much did you clear from the last fight?"
Rocky "About 30 Grand"
Tony "How do you feel about investing in condominiums?"
Rocky "Condominiums?"
Tony "Yea, condominiums."
Rocky ".............I ain't never used 'em"

3. Rambo First Blood Part II
First Blood does not make our list even thought it is a better movie. Part II is fantastic though and is action packed for life. The lesson from this flick is that Rambo is in no way dispensable. He is a courageous Vet that takes on thousands of Russians and Vietnamese. Trautman is great as is Murdock. RIP Richard Crenna. Martin Kove, who also stars in the Karate Kid, is pretty stellar as well. Can we say enough about the arrows that blow up on impact? i mean Captain Vinh blows up from over 400 yards away because Rambo has that kind of skill. Capt. Vinh- you shouldn't have killed Co Bao- she was going to be a great American Wife. And, Rambo coming out of the mud wall was unforgettable and how he can grab a soldiers legs and drag him down a hole and make the soldier lose his voice is a fantastic showcase of his ability to act stealthy. The reason this movie makes its way to the 3 spot is the final 5 minutes- quite possible Stallone's best work. He returns only to shoot up the fake computers in the hanger that are "all for him". Then, he goes on to make Murdock pee his pants. Then, it happens. "What do you want", Trautman asks. The rest is history. HISTORY. I am not even going to write the dialogue because it demands that much respect. I will, however, say that Rambo answering "day-by-day" to the question of how he is going to live is extremely emotional. He proceeds to then walk into the distance. Great ending to a great picture. You need to see it for yourself. Rambo III and Rambo were also great. Rambo V is in production.

2. Rocky Balboa
The only reason is because of the villains name: Mason "The Line" Dixon. Enough Said.

1: Over the Top
Legend has it that I was in the theatre in 1987 as an infant watching Lincoln Hawk turn his hat around. Easily the single greatest arm wrestling movie of all time. Robert Loggia is fantastic as Hawk's Father-in-Law. Susan Blakely just brings the passion playing Hawks dying wife. Tremendously emotional scene when they arrive at the hospital only to find they are too late. David Mendenhall kills the role of Michael Cutler and later takes the name of his father, Hawk. Bob "Bull" Hurley, Smasher, John Grizzly, Big Boy, and Mad Dog Madison play the other Arm Wrestlers and do a fantastic job. The reason this film tops the list is because of the story behind it. Over the Top is probably the only movie that makes me cry time and time again. IT just has the IT factor. Just look at the theme of the movie: "Driving headlong towards the biggest fight of his life". FANTASTIC. Hawk is really down in the dumps and is a struggling trucker trying to rebuild his life. He fights to regain the love of his Son but struggles to fend off his father-in-law who thinks he is a horrible person. After seemingly losing his son for good, he sells his rig, BUT KEEPS THE HAWK! I am confident that the only way he could have beaten Bull Hurley was if he had asked the buyer of his truck if he could keep the Hawk. Also, he made the greatest gamble in History when he bet on himself to win. The movie just gets too emotional when his son escapes the prison of his Grandfather to make it all the way to Vegas to the Arm Wrestling Event. He even leaves his car to the guy at the airport! I really thought that they were going to have Hawk lose his last fight.........but, he didn't. He showed admirable heart and determination to right his life and get his son back. Quality stuff people. Great Work Sly!

I am sure there are those that disagree- feel free to comment. I left some all time classics out of this list but let me reiterate that this was the most difficult list to create ever. He is the greatest actor of our time people. I love you Sly. Thanks for the memories!