1976's big winner (and loser): Rocky

I only had one movie to watch this week, since the top earner of the year also happened to nab the Oscar in '77. Despite all the winning, the backbone of this movie - the one thing that makes it all worthwhile - is that Rocky loses the match. 

I have deep affection for the rest of the series (and the Creed films, too), but there's nothing else that works like this first one. I love the super-hero version that takes on Thunderlips. I love the Cold War-stopping "piece or iron". I appreciate how they struck a similar tone in Rocky Balboa. 

But, again, the first is the best. Turning the underdog story on its head and deking the audience out by revealing that he doesn't care about winning, but just about proving himself, was quite clever.

I was struck by Shire's performance this time more than I have been in the past; I've never dismissed her, mind you, but I tuned into the fine details of her slow transformation much more in this viewing.

And Young is great. And Weathers is splendid. And Meredith is spectacular. 

Happy to watch this one again.