(Scene begins with a smartwatch screen and a finger as it taps the screen, and the 1994 American Gladiators plays as the scene cuts to a hand as it taps an app on his phone, as it opens a portal.)
(It cuts to James and the characters he’s played until it cut to his face and the credit of “James Faraci” is shown as it cuts to “The Last Of The Americans'” current iteration then slides away to different images of Paulo Fonseca, Brenda Fonseca, Rebecca Yaun, Nick Yaun and the characters they’ve played until it cut to their faces. The credits of “Paulo and Brenda Fonseca, Rebecca and Nick Yaun” are shown, then slide away to different images of Doug Yaun and Crosslyn Castillo, Nick Lopez and Jessica Lopez-Barkl, and the characters they’ve played, until it cuts to their faces.)
(After that, the credits “Doug Yaun and Crosslyn Castillo, Nick Lopez and Jessica Lopez-Barkl” are shown, as it then slides away to different images of Andrew Beach Eric Kurtzke, Renee Miller and Olivia Horvath. Following this, the credits of “Andrew Beach, Eric Kurtzke, Renee Miller, Olivia Horvath” are shown as the 0:00-0:21 mark of the theme song plays.)
(Everything becomes a swirl of reds, whites, and blues, as the credits “Produced by First Choice Entertainment Productions in association with Manic-Expression.com"; “Executive Producers: James Faraci, Paulo Fonseca, Brenda Fonseca, Rebecca Yaun, Nick Yaun, Eric Kurtzke, Renee Miller, Andrew Beach & Olivia Horvath”; “Editing by Eric Kurtzke and James Faraci”; “Written and Directed by James Faraci” are shown, as the 0:21-0:26 mark of the theme song plays.)
(We then see an image of James as he jumps through the portal and lands with half of his team on his right. The other half on his left is on a black background. Finally, the title “THE LAST OF THE AMERICANS” is shown Lazer etched into Titanium as the last six seconds of the American Gladiators 1994 theme song plays. Cut to Guitar music like “American Idiot” plays as James Faraci and Paulo Fonseca on guitars, Andrew Beach on Bass Guitar, and Nick Lopez on the Drums and the set is like the set of “American Idiot” except the colors are Patriotically Red, White, and Blue)
James Faraci (Singing):
All year we’re cheering American Icons! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) From John Wayne to Rocky Balboa (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Oh, hell yeah, we’re talking about them all! (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues.) We’re going to show off the hard work! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Even if it makes me look like a real jerk. (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) Now everyone get ready to celebrate with us! (Guitars play the tune for three seconds.) And make sure you have a dose of common sense. (The tune continues) [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me that’s good enough! (Drums play and the music continues with a guitar solo.) All year we’re cheering American Icons! Twelve months of heroes of Cinema! Information about them will be a lot, you’re going to know whether you like or not [Chorus] Welcome to the two hundred and fiftieth, hoping we’ll see two fifty-one! And we can finally be Okay! Humans dream of a better tomorrow, knowing it won’t be hollow! For me, that’s good enough! (Drums play, and the music continues and concludes, and the words “American Icons” are put up in different styles of text. The scene cuts to James physically in Philadelphia as he joins a walking tour that’s being led by Jamie Brooks as she begins by talking about the city of Philadelphia.)
TLOTA (Internal Monologuing):
As I walk in this city, I am feeling the energy of the founding fathers, how their dream of freedom and the pursuit of happiness was in their thoughts. I see it in the city itself. I see it in the country they tried to create and in the people who have tried to live up to that ideal. And maybe in some way, along the way, what our founding fathers had changed and grown in ways we didn’t think of at the time of this country’s inception and the start of our journey towards independence, and the dreams they had changed as well, and in one way, the dreams of an average American and their desires for life evolved as well. And nowhere, except fifty years ago, did we see the biggest one of all. (Cut to the title crawl of “Rocky” as “Going The Distance” plays over the card and clips of the movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
Released fifty years ago, “Rocky” told the story of one man’s dream and how it would change America for the better. That the underdog could win in the end, no matter what the outcome. (Cut to James physically)
TLOTA (Inner Monologuing):
However, fifty years later, does this movie still hold...
TLOTA:
Of course it does.
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
What’s going on?
TLOTA:
I’m responding to you.
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Well, would you let me narrate and do the bulk of the work?
TLOTA:
One thing, you let me finish this opening, on this, the Fourth Of July, I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans, the views that I’m about to express are that of my own and most of yours, and this is “Rocky”!
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
That works (Cut to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
We open in November of 1975 as we meet Rocky Balboa, played by the man who wrote this movie, days after watching a match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner; Sylvester Stallone, as he is fighting a man by the name of Spider Rico, and we see that their pay at the end of the fight is peanuts. As the credits roll, we see Rocky make his way home to a tiny apartment in the Kensington area as a corner group, which has Sylvester’s brother Frank in there singing “Take You Back.” (Cut to James physically as he stands in the same Kensington Area of Philadelphia)
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
And as I stand here, I can hear the echoes of the band as they sing like the ghosts of the past. (The tour guide walks up to James)
The Tour Guide:
Excuse me, are you going to keep up with the rest of us?
TLOTA:
Hmm? Oh yes, I am listening to the sound of the area.
The Tour Guide:
The Sound of the area? Listen quickly and join the rest of us.
TLOTA:
Don’t worry, I am going to keep up with the rest of the group. My team is in the group. (Cut to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
We then see Rocky the next day, as we see that Rocky’s day job and the fact that, unlike many in his profession, he makes it clear that he will only go so far, especially when you know that Rocky is collecting money for certain unmentionable people. After that, we see Rocky in a gym owned by Mick Goldmill, played by The Late Burgess Meredith, and, as we can see, Mick does not think much of Rocky, calling him a bum, among other things. However, not all is bad for Rocky, as he finds an incredibly unique love interest in the form of shy and awkward Adrian, played by Talia Shire. While she does not give Rocky much, he tries to be the nice guy he knows he is and the decent man he knows he is. (Cut to James physically as he lays down a rose at where the pet shop used to be.)
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Sadly, the Pet Shop where Adrian worked is now just a memory.
TLOTA:
Why do you think I laid down the flowers?
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Okay Wiseguy. (Cut to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
We soon find Rocky at a place called The Lucky Seven Tavern where he decides to wet his whistle and overhears a fight set for the Bicentennial Between Apollo Creed, played by the late Carl Weathers and a non-descriptive opponent as he tries to get some advice about Adrian by the one source that would know about her, Her brother Paulie, played by the late Burt Young but he’s as helpful as a road map would be to Stevie Wonder. However, fate would begin to play out as Apollo’s opponent cannot get in shape in time for the fight and starts looking for something else. We then find Rocky trying to look after a young girl named Marie as he tries to take her home and give out some advice; her response to Rocky is, well (Show the clip of Marie saying, “SCREW YOU CREEPO!”) Subtle. Later, we find Rocky and Paulie coming in for Thanksgiving Dinner; however, Paulie is not too keen on being a nice guy about her sister’s menu and Rocky’s plans for Adrian that same night. (Show the clip of Paulie ruining the Turkey. Cut to James physically as he and everyone else are outside the house where Adrian and Paulie lived in “Rocky.”)
The Tour Guide:
Now, this may not seem like a prominent place, but it was used for an exterior shot in a movie filmed here a long time ago. Does anyone know what that movie is? (Cut to James and his team.)
TLOTA and Team TLOTA (In Unison):
“ROCKY”! (Cut to the guide.)
The Tour Guide:
That is correct! And as we move on, we will find more places from that movie either changed or different in some way; of course, nothing looks like it does since 1976, except for me, of course. (The Tour guide laughs as it cuts to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
We soon find Rocky and Adrian on a quick ten-minute date at an Ice Rink, where we see the two slowly build up their romance as Rocky and Adrian soon become more intimate, and to the movie’s credit, they don’t show things as easy for the two. Back with Apollo, he is looking for an opponent he thinks can give him an easy win by the name of Rocky “The Italian Stallion” Balboa. We then cut to sometime later, as Rocky goes to Mick, who tells him that Apollo Creed wants to see him, and it is here that we get why Mick is so abrasive toward Rocky. (Show the clip of Mick telling him he could have been great, but he had to work for a criminal for a living and tells Rocky that it is a waste of his talents and time.) Okay, honestly, I do not approve of Rocky working for a collector, but at that point in time, did anyone have it good enough? Well, we are then shown that Apollo wants Rocky to fight him for the championship. The next thing he knows, he has become more well-known, even hanging around Pat’s for a cheesesteak gets him attention (Cut to James and the team as they enjoy a real Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich at Pat’s.)
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Where we see that everyone is enjoying said sandwich at Pat’s, near the...
Rebecca Yaun:
James, is that you thinking?
TLOTA (After finishing a bite):
It’s the inner monologue.
Jessica Lopez-Barkl:
Well, if you cannot control it while we eat, then maybe you should send it away.
TLOTA:
Sorry, it is doing the review while we do the tour.
Nick Lopez:
Well, can you at least shut it up while we have our Philly Cheesesteaks from Pat’s
Andrew Beach:
Yeah, we are taking fifteen minutes to enjoy authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and the last thing we need is to hear James
Doug Yaun:
Come on, we are talking to... whatever is going on with James.
TLOTA (Inner Monologue)
It’s just the thoughts in James’ head as he was recording the footage for this, expressed for the review. Could one of you be in the place where Sylvester Stallone stood when he filmed there?
TLOTA:
Okay! You stay there and enjoy the Cheesesteaks; I will stand at the spot. (James walks to the spot) Satisfied?
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Yeah, now do me a favor, will ya? Go back to the others and enjoy it while I continue your review?
TLOTA:
Oy Vey! (Cut to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
Of course, the news reaches Mick, and soon enough he decides to become Rocky’s trainer and manager, which leads to a conflict between them. Throughout most of their time together, Mick has been abrasive and harsh about Rocky’s life and his decisions. Rocky is not going to let him sign on that easily. (Show the clip of Micky leaving as Rocky yells at Mick, wondering where he was before he made the decisions in his life.) Ultimately, Rocky does decide to let Mick train and manage him. One day, during heavy-duty training, we get the moment when Rocky decides to save some heat and have his eggs raw, and of course, talking about Adrian, Paulie asks Rocky to promote the meat-packing company he works for, and while frustrated that Paulie isn’t going to be in his corner, we get this moment... (Show clip of Rocky pounding the side of beef.) And that moment has been known in pop culture. (Cut to James and his team as the tour continues.)
The Tour Guide:
Now here we are in the Italian Market on the ninth street of Philadelphia, now feel free to buy some of the wares, they will be returned to you by the end of the tour. (An orange is tossed to James and he grabs it.)
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Interesting fact: later, as Rocky is training and running, the guy who tossed Sylvester Stallone the orange wasn’t trying to do something nice, and he wanted to knock Sylvester out, but this time I wasn’t about to let this go to waste.
Paulo Fonseca:
WILL YOU PLEASE STOP THE INNER MONOLOGUE
Brenda Fonseca:
IT’S GETTING OUT OF HAND!
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Well, what did you expect?
Nick Yaun:
For an inner monologue to not be so vocal!
Renee Miller:
Unless you can move this part of events forward, keep whatever comes out of you to yourself. (Cut to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
After returning to his place in the Kensington Area, Adrian gifts Rocky with Butkus, a 140-lb. Butkus is a dog Sylvester Stallone had to sell for just a few bucks, so when he sold the script, the first thing he did was buy the dog back. On one trip, he and Butkus come upon Paulie at the Meat Packing Plant, and inside is the local news showing Rocky punching the side of a beef. While showing it on the TV, Apollo’s manager Tony “Duke” Evers, played by the late Tony Burton, is keeping a close eye on Rocky while Apollo is not even giving it the time of day, more interested in the bottom dollar of the event than the actual event between Rocky and Apollo. Meanwhile, events between Adrian and Paulie finally reach their breaking point, and thanks to the confidence and strength of Rocky now coursing through Adrian, the church mouse finally roars and lets loose on the bane of her existence in this movie! (Show the clip of Adrian finally chewing out Paulie for years of his abrasive actions. Cut to the James and the Team looking in shock.)
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
WOW ADRIAN, YOU GOING TO LEAVE ANYTHING LEFT OF HIM OR WHAT? (Cut to “Rocky” as James does a voiceover)
TLOTA (V.O.):
And after one last moment of training at Mick’s, we come to the montage with Bill Conti’s music putting the right touch on a man who is about to fly to greatness! (Cut to everyone in the tour stretching and preparing to run)
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Which is why we are about to do this as well.
Crosslyn Castillo:
Seriously, we know what is about to happen.
Olivia Horvath:
We’re going through it right now!
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Okay then, best of luck.
The Tour Guide:
Alright everyone, it is time for the Rocky “Fly” run! Ready! (The Tour Guide pulls out a starter pistol) Set! (“Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti begins as The Tour Guide fires it at the four-second mark as everyone starts running, intercut to the training montage that leads to Rocky in victorious glory making it up the iconic stairs as James and his team make it up just as Rocky does at the same time mark of “Gonna Fly Now.” Cut to the montage in the movie as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
What makes this montage is how hard Sylvester Stallone, and by extension Rocky Balboa, showed how far he had come and that he was going to fly, and of course the music of Bill Conti highlighted the rise of the character. We then cut to the night before the fight as Rocky tells the promoter that the shorts he’s wearing is wrong, that’s because... well the budget was so little that any mistake had to be pointed out before anyone else noticed, but I digress, Rocky then returns to his apartment with Adrian to confess that if he makes Apollo go the distance, it’s a victory in its own right, even if he doesn’t win the match, he made Apollo do something that no one else fought him ever did. The night of the fight is here. While we don’t see the undercard of the event, we see both get ready for the fight as Rocky comes out in a simple yet baggy robe; we see... Apollo dressed as GEORGE WASHINGTON ON HIS WAY TO THE RING, AND THEN WHEN HE GETS IN THE RING, HE’S UNCLE SAM! After a brief reference to Believe It or Not, a movie that was released not long after the fight in their world, but was released as production began on this one, so kudos on being the first movie to reference it and the appearance by Joe Frazier. We then see the fight as in the first round, Apollo is playing with Rocky, but one punch soon changes that! (Show the moment Rocky knocks down Apollo to uproarious applause.) With that punch, the fight gets real, even in the montage, as the two continue to trade blows; Rocky shows the stamina, intensity, and determination to keep fighting, as Apollo shows his skills. It is a literal fight between the irresistible force and the immovable object! By the fourteenth round, it looks like the two are gassed out, and after one punch that knocks out Rocky, he STILL gets up and continues to fight. Even as blood swells over Rocky’s eyelid and needs to be cut, the two continue fighting in the final round, culminating in the most incredible ending to a movie. (Show the ending of the movie as Apollo wins by Split Decision, Rocky saying he does not want a rematch, calls for Adrian, and the two declare their love for one another as the movie ends. Cut to James as everyone is getting ready to head back out on the road.)
TLOTA:
Hey, Inner monologue, you can take a break for the rest of the review.
TLOTA (Inner Monologue):
Thanks, I think if I were to do the ending of this review, your team would do things that could get away with.
TLOTA:
So about the ending, it is so great because not only did Rocky go the distance but again, Bill Conti’s music highlighted the greatness of the fight and the movie as well. And the results speak for themselves fifty years later. (Cut to clips of "ROCKY” as James does a voiceover.)
TLOTA (V.O.):
What can be said that hasn’t been said? This movie is CLASSIC; everything about the movie works to this day. The acting is perfectly dramatic, the writing holds up, Bill Conti’s music, much like Elmer Bernstein’s, helps move the movie forward with perfect rhythm, and the direction is amazing. So many great moments that helped make Cinema a great storytelling experience. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, what the hell are you waiting for? Get it on physical media or digital media and see how this movie showcases the American Dream and how you can fly! (Cut to James as he gets ready for the next destination.)
TLOTA:
Everyone ready to go? Next Stop is A BBQ Festival, and there will be one stop before then that will not affect the trip; then we will head back. I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and that’s my opinion.
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