Rambo redux

Now this is a trend I can fully support - re-releasing older movies to a new generation.

On May 15, more than 430 theaters will show a digitally restored, high-def version of "First Blood," the first John Rambo feature. The release will include an ending that wasn't seen in theaters as well as fresh interviews with Sylvester Stallone about his iconic character. Chuckle if you want, but Stallone's a thoughtful guy and it would be great to hear him pontificate about all things "Rambo."

For a complete list of presenting theatre locations and prices please visit the "First Blood" event page at Fathom Events.

(Photo: Sylvester Stallone gets fired up in "Rambo" -courtesy of Lionsgate Entertainment)

Stein on Stallone

Did Joel Stein see the same "Rambo" print I did?
Stein is the often hilarious reporter for Time magazine as well as other outlets - some of his humor columns rank among the funniest pieces I've ever read.

He also serves as a straight up reporter, elbowing his funny bone in when topics allow.

His latest piece for Time on Sylvester Stallone was a different kind of funny.

Both Stein and his subject, apparently, insist the new "Rambo" feature is anti-war in nature. But the first half of the film depicts Burmese soldiers as the lowest of the low, and a group which can't be reasoned with. The second part of the film has Rambo and pals blasting them into tiny, unidentifiable pieces, while some peace-loving hostages appear to embrace Rambo's methodology in the final reel.

Seems anything but anti-war to me. Then again, there was so much carnage on screen who knows what Stallone was really trying to say. Or grunt.

Rambo fears nothing, except ...

John Rambo has been to hell and back, so why is he afraid of those mean ol' critics? The upcoming "Rambo" will not be screened for reviewers, and while action fans may shrug their shoulders at the news, it's not a great sign.

Critics, myself including, put aside their reservations about Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky Balboa" project to give it mostly warm reviews back in 2006. And deservedly so -- I watched it again recently and darned if those long-buried goose bumps didn't start dancing when Rocky starting throwing uppercuts.

But releasing "Rambo" in the dungeon of the movie year - January - without screenings means Stallone may have run out of "Rocky" style comebacks.

Note: Stallone speaks here -- (hat tip: Libertas)

(Photo: Sylvester Stallone charms a nasty snake in the upcoming "Rambo.")