Pathfinder, Rocky Balboa

PATHFINDER. A thousand years in the past, a Viking boy is left behind after his clan battles a Native American tribe. Despite his lineage, the boy is raised by the very same Native Americans that his kinsmen set out to destroy. He grows up to become Ghost -- and as the Vikings return to stage another massacre (they want to cleanse the island before they inhabit it), he wages a personal war against them to stop the trail of death and destruction. The title and trailer were just too corny for me (and yet, I still watched it), and when you see Pathfinder, that's exactly the adjective you'll be thinking of. The movie neither has an interesting story or good acting. Even (a lot of) the lines are so predictable that you can see someone saying it a mile away. If you're looking for an action flick, it's best to stay away from this one. Better yet, go see 300 instead.

ROCKY BALBOA. I remember a couple of friends of mine several weeks ago telling me that Rocky Balboa sucked. Which brings to mind how I thought that Stallone was absolutely nuts in making another Rocky movie when he told Conan O'Brien at a guesting over a year ago (promoting The Contender) that he was planning to make one more in the movie franchise. But I take back what I said about Sly making a huge mistake -- and I don't agree with my friends' assessment of the film -- because, as it turns out, writer, director and star Stallone has managed to create a superb film. I think what will turn off a lot of people about the movie after they've seen it is the fact that it's not an all-out fisticuffs Rocky movie that most have gotten used to seeing. Well, what do you expect? Stallone isn't exactly in his 30s anymore. And it's not like he can travel back in time and change his age. Plus, this latest Rocky flick is more drama than anything -- probably another turn off for most hard core Rocky fans (or fans of pugilistic-themed movies). It was touching to see Sly deal with his character's age, as it made Balboa even more human (as opposed to memorable action heroes never being allowed to grow old in Hollywood). If you love underdog stories, then this is perfect -- you won't be able to help yourself from cheering on The Italian Stallion, particularly when he trains (with the expected theme accompaniment of course) to get in shape for his big fight against World Champ Mason Dixon (real-life boxing champ Antonio Tarver). It's when Balboa steps into the ring with and against Dixon that the movie falters for me, as it becomes some sort of sports drink video. But, nonetheless, this is a terrific and touching movie. You'll be humming Rocky's rousing theme "Gonna Fly Now" again and again after watching this flick. I just hope that Stallone doesn't go through with his other crazy and rumored idea of making another Rambo movie.