Once Upon a Time in the world of professional boxing....Apollo Creed was the champion of the world.  He eventually lost his title to Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone who would receive an Oscar nomination for his performance in this film) who would also lose the title before winning it back with Apollo as his trainer.  They remained very good friends right up until the day that Apollo tragically lost his life during an exhibition match against the feared Russian boxer, Ivan Drago.  But did you know that Apollo actually had a son right before he died??

That son is Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) and he has now become a boxer himself to the consternation of his mother (Phylicia Rashad), only he has been struggling to find some one who can train him.  So one day he travels across the country to Philadelphia to seek out the former champion whom his father trained when he needed him the most.....and after some hesitation, Rocky decides to train him as he works his way up the professional boxing circuit.  Along the way, Adonis also finds a companion in Philly with the lovely singer Bianca (Tessa Thompson) when suddenly, he has the opportunity to fight for the SAME boxing title which his father previously had.  What results is one of the most beloved sports dramas of recent years directed by future Oscar-nominee Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Sinners) as his first major studio film.  

Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon  

Send us a text

Support the show

https://livingforthecinema.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/

Letterboxd:
https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/