Phylicia Rashad – We Are Movie Geeks

THE BEEKEEPER – Review

Jason Statham stars as Clay in director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

By now, Jason Statham’s fans expect his movies to have a generous dose of over-the-top action sequences, with little regard for the creativity (or even coherence) of the plot. Ka-ching! THE BEEKEEPER stirs up plenty of adrenaline in a standard story line that sets up a whole lot of Statham at his Statham-est.

There’s a bit of JOHN WICK in the premise of THE BEEKEEPER. Statham is a retired super-secret, super-skilled government agent, trying to live quietly, just tending to his titular hives. He rents space from a kind, elderly lady (Phylicia Rashad), who promptly gets conned out of all her savings and $2 mil from a charity she helps manage by a multi-million dollar internet scamming operation. They target victims via spyware that freezes computers and directs their unsuspecting owners to call a number for the remedy. That leads them to a massive call center, teeming with operatives who clean out whatever they can by getting account info and passwords from the innocents.

Thus begins Jason’s obligatory revenge course, progressively wrecking facilities and killing henchmen and honchos as he works his way up the ladder to the top dogs. Jeremy Irons adds a touch of class as a former head of the CIA, overseeing security and covering up the crimes and excesses of the pyramid’s despicable young leader (Josh Hutcherson). His character’s biggest challenge is hiding his contempt for that boss.

For a kicker, Rashad’s character just happens to be the mother of an FBI agent (Emmy Raver-Lampman) who doggedly pursues the same network of baddies, but strictly by-the-book, while honor-bound to stop Statham’s vengeance campaign. His heroism is amplified by (too many) speeches about protecting the helpless from their predators and disabling, rather than killing, most of the cops and clueless henchmen who don’t know the scum-iosity (scum-ishness? scum-ery?) of their employers.

The over-the-top action is properly exciting, except for director David Ayer framing many parts of the fights too close to the lens to fully appreciate the stunt work before us. The plot goes truly off the sanity charts as Statham zeroes in on the top bananas. I ain’t sayin’ no more about that. Better for you to learn the rest in the moment.

As one of the producers, Statham seemingly spent far more on F/X and stunts than on Kurt Wimmer’s script and cast salaries. Wimmer has penned quite a few action flicks, including THE EXPENDABLES 4, in which Statham co-starred.

Basically, it’s an amalgam of every revenge flick you’ve ever seen, especially by establishing Statham as an analog to Wick, by not being the boogeyman but the one you send to kill the boogeyman. I half-expected someone to describe him as the Baba Yaga.

Most cast members with speaking roles portray their personae adequately to adroitly. Those characters without dialog will be destined for orthopedic wards (if they’re lucky) or a coffin before the credits roll.

Whenever Statham is kicking butts on the screen, mine will most likely be in a seat watching it. Suspend a bit more than usual of your disbelief and enjoy the fun stuff.

THE BEEKEEPER opens in theaters (or, for England’s Mr. Statham, cinemas) on Friday, Jan. 12.

RATING: 3 out of 4 stars

Jason Statham Gets Rough In IMAX Poster For David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER

Check out the brand new IMAX poster for director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER.

The film stars Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, with Phylicia Rashad and Jeremy Irons

In the film, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers.”

THE BEEKEEPER opens in theaters and IMAX January 12, 2024

Director David Ayer is one of the greatest filmmakers around and his movies are must-sees for any movie geek. Most of his films you can find on streaming including Netflix’s BRIGHT, END OF WATCH on PRIME VIDEO, THE TAX COLLECTOR on HULU, SABOTAGE on PARAMOUNT+, the underappreciated SUICIDE SQUAD on MAX, and my personal favorite – the brilliant FURY film from 2014.

The BEEKEEPER score is composed by David Sardy and Jared Michael Fry

Rated R for strong violence throughout, pervasive language, some sexual references and drug use.

Jason Statham stars as Clay in director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo Credit: Daniel Smith © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Jeremy Irons stars as Wallace Westwyld in director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo Credit: Daniel Smith © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Josh Hutcherson stars as Derek Danforth in director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo Credit: Daniel Smith © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

(L to R) Director David Ayer and actor Jason Statham on the set of THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo Credit: Daniel Smith © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

(L to R) Jason Statham as Clay and Jeremy Irons as Wallace Westwyld in director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo Credit: Daniel Smith © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Emmy Raver-Lampman as Agent Verona Parker in director David Ayer’s THE BEEKEEPER. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo Credit: Daniel Smith © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CREED III – Review

C3_19200_RC Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Creed and Jonathan Majors as Damian Anderson in CREED III A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Eli Ade © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. CREED is a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

As we get closer to Spring (and that most welcome “break”), the multiplex will present a new addition to a beloved franchise. Some may be indifferent to it, but it’s unique in several ways. For one thing, it’s not based on a comic book (though another ‘s on its way in a couple of weeks), nor are its roots in video games, toys, or TV shows. No, it’s a cinema original, though technically it is a spin-off of the first series that’s almost (gasp) 47 years old (this youngster only has eight years under his championship belt). Oh, it’s also the rare sports film franchise like MAJOR LEAGUE and THE MIGHTY DUCKS. But it’s not about a team, instead, it focuses on an individual as that protege of Rocky Balboa steps back into the ring for “round three” actually CREED III.

Surprisingly this new challenge begins with a flashback from nearly twenty years ago as teenage Adonis Creed sneaks out of his stepmom’s plush LA home to join his slightly older pal Damian.”Donnie” acts as a “corner man” for Damian in an “underground” boxing league at an “after hours” club. Damian easily earns “the purse”, but the duo’s celebration is cut short when Donnie uses his own fists on an old enemy outside a liquor store. The “rumble’ ends when Damian pulls out a pistol and the police arrive. The scene fades out to Donnie running to his home as the sun begins to rise. Flash forward to now as World boxing champ Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) barely retains his title in what he promises is his last match. And why not, since he’s “living large” in a Beverly Hills mansion with his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson), who’s now working behind the scenes as a music producer, and their adorable five-year-old daughter Amira (Mila Davis-Kent). When he’s not having a tea party with her, Adonis is the owner of a big boxing gym/club and is managing an “up-and-comer” fighter named Felix (Jose Benavidez). Trouble is, well, he trains too hard and is scaring off sparing partners.. That problem is suddenly solved by the unexpected return of Damian (Jonathan Majors), just out of prison and itching to get back in the ring, despite his age. Still feeling guilty over their dark past, Adonis hires him, not knowing that Damian is working out a master plan to take the title. When he shows his “true colors”, Adonis must come out of retirement and face down his former pal and confront their shared history. But can Adonis return to fighting shape for the big bout?

In his third outing as the boxing phenom, Jordan succeeds in making his athletic prowess believable (we get an insight into his observational strategy) and in adding a sense of haunting past regret. His teenage decisions are chipping away at him, overshadowing his family life and straining his relationships. Jordan coveys this through his eyes and body language, especially when Adonis decides to break free of the old shackles that weigh on his shoulders. Certainly matching him in the chiseled physique and emotional intensity is rising star Majors, just a couple of weeks after his big screen MCU debut. His Damian is also trying to break free of his teenage sins, though his road to redemption is fueled by ambition and deception. The early scenes of the reunion are soon replaced by his arrogant swagger as he “gets into” his old bro Donnie’s head. His needling insults sting almost as much as his jackhammer fists. Luckily Adonis has Bianca in his corner. Thompson plays his rock with unwavering strength even as her love refuses to “open up” and allow her to see the angry scared teen still in his psyche. As their daughter Amara, Davis -Kent could not be any cuter, the ultimate “daddy’s girl” as she mimics his moves with just the right amount of sass and sweetness. And of course, her “grammy” Mary Ann, playing with serene compassion and wisdom by Phylicia Rashad, dotes on her, along with Amira’s folks.

So, the main man in the ring is the main man behind the camera! Hard to believe that this is the directing debut of Jordan who keeps the story rolling smoothly, holding our interest from fading even as we go from the Creed gym (and bouts) to the lavish Creed household. We suspect that Adonis will lace up once more, but the script by Keenan and Ryan Coogler with Zach Baylin, keeps us wondering before it “sucker punches” us with a creative act two turnabout. Jordan gets us right into the action, slowing things down to show us how Adonis plots out his next moves while focusing on the blows aimed at a ‘weak spot”. We should be relieved that Jordan brings this all in at just under two hours, though the final act often feels a bit abrupt, save for a lengthy dueling “training montages”. Mind you, there’s spectacle to spare in that final fight in a baseball stadium (perhaps a modern colosseum for these two gladiators), but the decision to suddenly flash to a sparse fantasy desert dreamscape may put off some action fans (perhaps the ocean of digital viewers was deemed too “busy”). Aside from this abstract interlude, franchise fans will find Jordan a skilled filmmaker and Majors a very worthy adversary in the battle centerpiece of CREED III.

2.5 Out of 4

CREED III will open in theatres everywhere on March 3, 2023

Watch The New IMAX Featurette For Michael B. Jordan’s CREED III – Starring Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson And Jonathan Majors

Take in every bead of sweat. Feel the impact of each and every punch.

Get inside the ring with Michael B. Jordan in this IMAX Featurette for CREED III.

CREED III was shot with IMAX-Certified Digital Cameras, as part of the Filmed for IMAX Program, featuring IMAX Exclusive Expanded Aspect Ratio – Up to 26% More Picture.

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose.

Screenplay is by Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin with the story by Ryan Coogler and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin.

The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Mila Davis-Kent, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad.

Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, CREED III, is in Theaters and IMAX March 3, 2023.

https://www.unitedartistsreleasing.com/creed-iii/

Tessa Thompson stars as Bianca and Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed in CREED III A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Eli Ade © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SOUL – Review

So on the big day what do you plan on doing after the presents under the tree have been unwrapped (or as with my household, discovered as you enter the living room from your bedroom)? I mean after having breakfast or brunch, what’s next? How about opening a really wonderful gift via modern entertainment tech? In those pre-Pandemic days, Christmas afternoon and evening was one of the busiest times for the ole’ multiplex. Now several areas have shuttered their theatres, while many folks are still skittish about heading to ones still open (at least till those vaccines become more accessible). And so the fine folks at Disney are making the newest release from their subsidiary Pixar available to watch at home through their streaming service. But this is no “cutie-pie” family flick romp. No, this is one of the studio’s most ambitious efforts, pondering mortality, destiny, talent, and all that’s part of everyone’s SOUL.

The soul at the heart of this story belongs to temp inner-city grade school band teacher Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx), who really longs to be a jazz pianist. After the ear-splitting practice ends, the school’s principal gives him some good news along with his paycheck. He’s now a full-time member of the faculty. Joe half-heartedly thanks her and rushes off to share this with the one person who will be thrilled about this permanent job: his mother Libba (Phylicia Rashad), who runs a neighborhood dress/tailor shop. She’s been telling him to get “steady” employment for years. But just then Joe gets a momentous phone call from a former student, now called Curley (Questlove). He’s the drummer for the highly respected Dorothea Williams jazz quartet, which is now a trio after their pianist dropped out of tonight’s “gig”. Could Joe run down to the club for a brief audition? Of course, Joe is a blur as he dashes away from the shop. He’s a bit intimidated by Ms. Williams (Angela Bassett), but she’s impressed enough. Leaving the club, Joe’s floating on a cloud…until he falls…through an open manhole. When he opens his eyes he’s now a fuzzy blue blob on an inclined moving walkway ending in a bright white light. The other “whatzits” tell him that they’re “old souls” headed for “The Great Beyond”. A now panicked Joe starts hurtling in the opposite direction because he’s got the big jazz “set’ that night. He makes his way to “The Great Before”, the home of “new souls” who can go to Earth and get a body once they’ve found their purpose or “spark”. Through the counselors (all named Jerry) he learns that each new soul is assigned to an old soul as a mentor. Hmm, maybe he could grab a “back to my body” pass that way. Joe grabs the ID badge of a Nordic professor and is given the oldest and most difficult of the new souls, number 22 (Tina Fey). After an encounter with some “mystics without borders” Joe finds a portal back home, but 22 accidentally takes the plunge. This begins a mortal mix-up causing calamity on both the physical and spiritual worlds.

A superb voice cast expertly compliments and even enhances the astounding visuals. Foxx is at his endearing best as Joe, a true everyman hero who often evokes the spirit of classic comedy icons. And he’s one of the few mature human protagonists of Pixar, though more excitable than Carl from UP and Bob Parr from the INCREDIBLES series. We hear the defeated resignation in his voice as he endures the band practice which quickly dissolves as one gifted trombonist momentarily lifts his spirit. Foxx conveys the quick shifts in Joe’s emotions, his nervous ticks, and unbridled joy in expressing his musical gifts. He has a surprisingly effective partner (who’d have thought of this comedic team) in Fey who balances her great “wiseacre” snark with a sour pessimism and a mischievous streak (you can’t turn your back on 22). There are some great supporting turns by two acting icons. Rashad and Bassett are tough taskmasters to Joe with Libba trying to bring him back to reality and Dorothea full of cool detachment as she demands his best. UK “chat show” host Graham Norton is a loony, loopy delight as the head “mystic’ always in the “zone”, Moonwind. Big kudos to the various versions of counselor Jerry (Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Wes Studi, Fortune Feimster, and others) and especially Rachel House as the “soul counter” Terry (“It doesn’t add up!”) who adds an extra layer of suspense and urgency to the frantic finale.

One of the frustrations of the Pandemic (although really minor compared to the loss of life and jobs) is the inability to see the incredible artistry of the various craftspeople projected on a huge screen (oh, for some IMAX please). Yes, it’ll look great in your home, I’m sure, but to be emersed in these created worlds would be pure film lovers’ bliss. Yes, both worlds are spectacular. The many scenes set on the city streets (thinking Brooklyn) capture the hustle and bustle in mind-blowing detail with crowded sidewalks and lurching traffic. But then the “soul scape” is truly out of this world with rolling hills and structures that defy space and gravity. Against these marvelous backgrounds are triumphs of character design. The “souls” (old and new) are part puffy clouds and cotton candy with a hazy “wispy” outline that still seems to have the proper “weight”. And somehow they work with the linear look of Terry and the Jerrys, two-dimensional beings that almost fold in on themselves who invoke the styles of Miro, Calder, and Picasso. But the human designs are just as delightful. Joe’s settling into “pear-shaped” middle age with his “bowling pin” body shape with little break between his head and neck except for this bump of a chin. We do get a funny animal character with the plump “support feline” Mr. Mittens who almost rolls from place to place. One particular standout character is Dez the barber whose head appears to be screwed into his buff T-shaped athletic build. All of these wonders are brought together by Pixar’s powerhouse Pete Doctor (of UP and INSIDE OUT) and co-directed by Kemp Powers, and both also wrote the nuanced script with Mike Jones, which delivers the laughs and “feels” while addressing so many adult (not “R” rated stuff) concerns and themes. Am I my talent? If I can’t get my dream job, then what? With the film’s setting in the world of jazz, the producers wisely got the piano superstar Jonathon Batiste to be Joe’s fingers and to augment the entrancing score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Some of the subject matter dealing with morality may be a bit heavy for the lil’ ones, but they’ll be entranced by the vivid visuals and the sweet playful “new souls”. At a time when lots of empty-headed slapstick promotes itself as family fare, Pixar again proves that true “all ages” entertainment doesn’t have to be “dumbed down” to the lowest denominator. It’s not merely a great animated film, but a great film, period. This is a gift that will propel your heart and SOUL.

4 Out of 4

SOUL streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning Christmas Day

Check Out the New Trailer for and Poster For Disney and Pixar’s SOUL

Check out the new trailer from Disney and Pixar’s all-new original feature film “Soul,” which opens in U.S. theaters on June 19, 2020:

Joe Gardner is a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22, who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.

Featuring the voices of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Angela Bassett, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Daveed Diggs, “Soul” is directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), co-directed by Kemp Powers (“One Night in Miami”) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray (Pixar short “Lou”). Globally renowned musician Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and Oscar®-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network”), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds.

Plus, there’s a new poster:

Check Out The First Poster For CREED II Starring Michael B. Jordan

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures have released the debut teaser poster for CREED II.

The first official trailer for CREED II premieres tomorrow. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, Florian “Big Nasty” Munteanu, Andre Ward, Phylicia Rashad and Dolph Lundgren.

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family.

Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.

Check out my list of ROCKY films here, with ROCKY IV being number one.

CREED II opens in theaters Wednesday, November 21st.

CREED – The Review

Yes, Creed – as in Apollo. Who knew one of the most popular and tragic characters in the Rocky mythology had a son? This is the premise in the latest installment of the Rocky franchise (technically Rocky 7, for those of you keeping count) titled CREED.

At first I thought this was just a clever way of disguising the fact that this is indeed a “Rocky movie”, because let’s face it, after the triumphant original (Rocky, 1976) not all the sequels lived up to the standard. The first few were good, but after Rocky IV (1985) – the one where he beats “the Russian” – Rocky V (1990) and Rocky Balboa (2006) just felt old and desperate. And not done very well. Even Rocky himself, Sylvester Stallone, couldn’t save them. So naturally the idea of another Rocky movie couldn’t have been an easy pitch, not to mention there was a certain disappointment that everyone’s favorite underdog was going to go out that way. Until CREED.

Written and directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), CREED is the perfect vehicle to sort of wrap up the Rocky saga. And it’s not a ridiculous “comeback” premise, as Rocky is clearly now too old for any of that nonsense, and Coogler smartly sidestepped that landmine. It’s more like a throwback to the original, where an unknown neighborhood fighter gets his big chance at the title, and with a little help from a ratchety old trainer (the beloved Mickey, played by the late Burgess Meredith), he nearly wins. Only this time, the ratchety old trainer is Rocky and the fighter is Adonis Johnson – the son of none other than Rocky’s nemesis-turned-best-friend, Apollo Creed.

Turning in a stellar performance as the title character, Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station) is both physically and emotionally perfect in the role. He is not over the top or cocky – searching to understand where he came from and determined to make it on his own, despite following in his famous father’s footsteps. Adonis (going by Don Johnson to hide his famous last name) finds Rocky still living sadly alone in Philadelphia, surrounded by the ghosts of his loved ones that have passed (his beloved Adrian and brother-in-law Pauly), and convinces him to train him for one big fight – a move that sends both of them down a road of redemption for the “father-son” relationship that they missed out on in their own lives. The scenes between the two are heartfelt and sweet, without being overly sappy. (Have a tissue ready for some of these scenes).

But the most joyful surprise of this film is Sylvester Stallone. His quietly subdued performance as the aging fighter and Philly’s favorite son is sublime. Stallone could have easily fallen back into a caricature of Rocky – with the punch-drunk mannerisms and slightly slurred speech. But he doesn’t. Instead, Rocky is wistful and sentimental and noticeably sad. No longer interested in the glory days, he is just passing time until he can be with Adrian again. In fact, Stallone has been getting such great nods for his performance, it’s a safe bet that he’ll be on many Oscar radars this award season, and you can pretty much bet that he will be invited to the big show – for the first time since 1977 when Rocky won best picture and Stallone was nominated for playing the iconic title character and for writing the screenplay (along with Best Picture, Rocky also took home statues for Best Editing and for Director John G. Avildsen).

Special note: the look of the film is amazing due to the great work by director of photography Maryse Alberti. Her cinematography gives the audience different perspectives in the ring from what one usually sees in the movies. Alberti used a steadicam throughout the film, particularly in the fight scenes, and the fight between Adonis and Sporino was shot in a single, two-minute take. Additionally, composer Ludwig Goransson’s thrilling score is reminiscent of Bill Conti’s iconic ROCKY theme.

Set to open Thanksgiving weekend, you can expect the box office numbers to be pretty impressive – the highest grossing Rocky movie thus far is Rocky IV (1984) and CREED is the perfect holiday fare for families, young adults and die-hard fans of the Rocky franchise.

OVERALL RATING: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS

CREED opens nationwide Wednesday, November 25, 2015.

New Poster And TV Spot For CREED Feature Michael B. Jordan And Sylvester Stallone

Fans of the Rocky films, get ready.

Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first poster and TV spot, starring Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan, for the highly-anticipated movie, CREED.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

CREED also stars Tessa Thompson (“Selma,” “Dear White People”) as Bianca, a local singer-songwriter who becomes involved with Adonis; Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s “Steel Magnolias”) as Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow; and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew as boxing champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.

Ryan Coogler directs from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on characters from the “Rocky” series written by Sylvester Stallone.

Joining Coogler behind the scenes are director of photography Maryse Alberti (“The Wrestler”) and costume designers Emma Potter (“Song One”) and Antoinette Messam (“Orphan”), as well as his “Fruitvale Station” team: editors Michael P. Shawver and Claudia Castello; production designer Hannah Beachler; and composer Ludwig Göransson.

CREED opens in theaters on November 25.

Visit the film’s official site: http://creedthemovie.com/

https://instagram.com/creedmovie/

https://twitter.com/creedmovie

https://www.facebook.com/creedmovie

Sylvester Stallone And Michael B. Jordan In CREED Set Photos

(Photos by Bobby Bank/GC Images)

Filming is in full swing for Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ CREED.

Here’s a look at Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan on the set of CREED at the ‘Rocky Steps’ at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Monday (March 16, 2015) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Opening on November 25, 2015, the film explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” story and stars Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role and Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

CREED also stars Tessa Thompson (“Selma,” “Dear White People”) as Bianca, a local singer-songwriter who becomes involved with Adonis; Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s “Steel Magnolias”) as Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow; and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew as boxing champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.

Ryan Coogler directs from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on characters from the “Rocky” series written by Sylvester Stallone. The film is being produced by Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Sylvester Stallone and Kevin King Templeton. Joining Coogler behind the scenes are director of photography Maryse Alberti (“The Wrestler”) and costume designer Emma Potts (“127 Hours”), as well as his “Fruitvale Station” team: editors Claudia Castello and Michael P. Shawver; production designer Hannah Beachler; and composer Ludwig Göransson.

Photos: Getty Images

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OVERALL RATING: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS

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