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Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Virgil Films concerning the outstanding documentary 40 Years Of Rocky: The Birth Of A Classic

From Virgil Films & Entertainment comes Director Derek Wayne Johnson’s new documentary film 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic. The film – narrated by ‘Rocky’ star and creator Sylvester Stallone, who shares insights from his battle to get the story of a down-on-his-luck boxer greenlit and onto the big screen – will premiere on digital HD June 9th.

In 1976, a low budget movie written by an unknown actor was released, inspiring audiences around the world to go the distance. Rocky became the ultimate underdog film. Over forty years later, Sylvester Stallone recounts the making of the beloved classic through rare home movies provided by Director John G. Avildsen and Production Manager Lloyd Kaufman.

Sylvester Stallone pitched the idea of this film to director Derek Wayne Johnson...

Last week, I was tasked with picking my favorite moments from the Rocky series for a piece tied to the release of “40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic,” now available on digital platforms. As a result, I ended up consuming all eight “Rocky” movies (including the two “Creed” films) over the course of 72 hours. In addition to feeling energized and a need to hum “Eye of the Tiger” nonstop, here’s a few things I picked up on during that marathon.

It’s Not About Winning — Or Boxing

Because “Rocky” went on to create a legacy of indelible characters and make over $1.7 billion at the box office, people remember cheering the big fights at the end of the films. But the first “Rocky” has virtual no boxing outside of the final match with Apollo Creed; it’s more of a character study and a love story between...

We are getting closer, it seems, to movie theaters attempting to reopen again. It's still hard to know what that might look like, and quite a few people may not be ready to head back out to a theater again just yet. So, for the time being, we are still left with what is available to stream from the comfort of home. Luckily, there is no shortage of options this week.

This is arguably the biggest week for marquee new titles on streaming services since quarantine kicked in. We have a new Judd Apatow comedy starring Pete Davidson, the latest from Spike Lee and a big Disney blockbuster. We also have a couple of documentaries and a selection of free rentals from black filmmakers. Here are this week's streaming selections.

The King of Staten Island - Digital

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The upcoming “Rocky” documentary narrated by franchise star Sylvester Stallone premieres on-demand on June 9.

“40 Years of ‘Rocky:’ The Birth of a Classic,” written and produced by Derek Wayne Johnson, offers a deep-dive into the making of the original “Rocky” film as Stallone recalls his experiences working on the movie.

The documentary’s official trailer, which is linked below, promises a candid and personal look at the making of the film from the actor behind the legendary character.

“The documentary is a golden nugget for ‘Rocky’ fans and casual audiences alike,” Johnson said in a statement. “It’s a charming piece of film history narrated by Rocky himself, Sylvester Stallone, and will give audiences an intimate, and at times, emotional experience. We’re proud of the film, and audiences can expect new stories and new footage that they’ve never seen before in a blend of director John Avildsen’s home movies,...