Next Friday will see Grindhouse Dublin celebrate the anniversary of another fan favourite, and they pity the fool who won’t be there.*
Grindhouse Dublin, the purveyors of cult film who screen monthly at the Light House Cinema, had one of their most successful outings last November with a screening of Rocky IV, the crowd-pleasing and unfortunately timely story of America vs Russia as expressed by the fists of Rocky Balboa and Ivan Drago. One year on, they’re returning to Rocky ground and familiar territory by screening the previous entry in the series, Rocky III.
Released originally in 1982, the film shows Rocky on top, ten successful title defenses in to his title reign after beating Apollo Creed. Now wealthy and content, Rocky Balboa is considering retirement, until his complacency soon cause Balboa to lose his title to the hungry Clubber Lang, who inadvertently causes the death of Rocky’s trainer Mickey. Rocky sinks into a depression, and Apollo decides to train Rocky for a rematch against Lang so Rocky can try to win the title back.
The film launched Mr. T to catchphrase-inspired-stardom after Sylvester Stallone had spotted him on television in the ‘America’s Toughest Bouncer’ competition and also features a cameo from Hulk Hogan as the world wrestling champion ‘Thunderlips’, who challenges Rocky in a charity event. Fools are pitied and redemption is sought as Rocky rises up to the challenge of his rival in this film, which introduced the iconic ‘Eye of the Tiger’ theme by Survivor, which earned a nomination for Best Original Song at the Oscars.
Rocky III will be shown at Light House Cinema, Smithfield for its 35 anniversary on Friday 24th November , with proceedings kicking off at 10:30pm.
*Film In Dublin does not endorse the description of non-attendees at Grindhouse Dublin as ‘fools’. We do however agree that you should treat ya mother right.