The Real Rockys (feat. Philippe Falardeau)
Episode 61
The statue of Rocky Balboa looms over most people’s visions of boxing and boxing films alike, but that hasn’t stopped contemporary filmmakers from mining the gritty world of professional pugilism for its comeback stories and unlikely heroes. On this week’s show, we watched three such films, starting with “Chuck,” the new biographical film about Chuck Wepner. He’s the club fighter who largely inspired Rocky when he lasted 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali in 1975.
“Chuck” director Philippe Falardeau guests on the podcast, talking with Chance about Wepner’s rare comedic and charming persona in the world of boxing and what it was like to cast for iconic figures like Stallone and Ali. At the 30-minute mark, Chance and Noah meet the 2016 film “Bleed For This” at the center of the ring to discuss the vanity and traditionalism that goes into making a stock Hollywood boxing drama. At the 43-minute mark, they reappraise 2010’s “The Fighter” and have somewhat different thoughts on the merits of David O. Russell’s shifty Micky Ward biopic. Ready? Touch gloves.
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Movie Reviews & Reappraisals
Be Reel is a movie reviewing & reappraising podcast hosted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer and Noah Ballard.
Each time out, we select three movies based around a genre and call up guests ranging from submarine captains to Oscar winners. Then, we rate the movies, weighing both technical quality and entertainment.
Noah and Chance are old friends who mostly respect each other’s opinions. Even though Chance is a fool and a traitor. Find their show presented at ThePlaylist.Net and follow them on Twitter for the latest on Noah’s literary agenting and Chance’s work in the Portland arts scene.