Charlie Sheen...

I was going to save this rant for Where is My Remote but I feel I must strike this issue while it's hot. And the issue is...Charlie Sheen.

Before Sheen's outburst, Two and a Half Men was one of the most top ten watched television shows this season. And amidst the drunken and domestic violence at home, it looked like CBS was going to stand by one of their top ratings contenders no matter what. Much like how WWE chairman Vince McMahon would stand by any wrestler caught with steroids...as long as they were a top drawer for the company. It was the same with Sheen, the guy could have gone on and slept with hookers left and right and he'd still have a home with CBS.

But...things obviously changed when Sheen turned on creator Chuck Lorre. He showed anti-Semitic views as he referred to Lorre as Chiam and Hymie. Then, had the nerve to say that he was the show.

No no no no...Charlie Sheen...let's get facts straight. Without Chuck Lorre's comedic genius...you would not even have a show. Turn back the clock before Two and a Half Men...you had just ruined Spin City for everyone, and your movie career was far removed from your prime time in the 1980s. You were a Mighty Ducks movie away from becoming like your brother, Emilio Estevez.

But, just to keep score, let's skim through Mr. Sheen's career over the years, shall we?

1984...'Red Dawn'...a pop culture icon where high school students repel a Soviet Invasion of America. Sheen played the younger brother of Patrick Swayze. It also starred C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson and Jennifer Grey. Trivial Pursuit players should always remember 'WOLVERINES!!!'

1986...a quick reunion with Jennifer Grey at the police station scene in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'. But, in the same year, he would star in the eventual Academy Award winning movie about Vietnam, 'Platoon'. It was his first lead role and evidence in time that the man could act. He was also in a personal favorite of mine, 'The Wraith' where he played a vengeful spirit killing street racers in his super turbo charged car.

1987...Sheen would star in the movie that flat out defined the greediness and veneer of 1980s's Corporate America...'Wall Street'.

1988...He played in 'Eight Men Out', about the 1919 Chicago Black Sox Scandal, along with John Cusack and John Mahoney. Afterwards, he was in a young ensemble cast alongside his brother, Emilio Estevez, Keifer Sutherland and Lou Diamond Phillips, as the movie put a spin on the legend of Billy the Kid. Despite being #1 at the box office, historians slammed it as being the most historically inaccurate Billy the Kid movie.

1989...After being incriminated in Eight Men and dying in Young Guns, Sheen took a comedic turn with 'Major League', as Ricky 'Wild Thing' Vaughn. Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes and Corbin Bernsen co-starred.

1990...He once again played in a movie alongside Emilio, as an oddball garbage pick-up crew in 'Men at Work'. Then, he played opposite Clint Eastwood in the police movie, "The Rookie". One would think it would have been a success...except it opened in the wake of 'Home Alone'.

1991...Sheen was in the action movie spoof 'Hot Shots'.

1993...He was in the sequel to Hot Shots and The Three Musketeers.

1994...Skydiving with a Ferrari was the only part I can recall in 'Terminal Velocity', as well as kidnapping Kristy Swanson with a candy bar in 'The Chase'. And finally, he wrapped up the year in 'Major League II', which lost to D2: The Mighty Ducks at the box office.

1996...a mediocre alien movie, 'The Arrival'.

1997...he played opposite Chris Tucker in 'Money Talks', which had its moments.

1999...he played himself in 'Being John Malkovich'.

2002...he killed Spin City.

2003...Scary Movie 3...

So, an appearance in a God awful parody franchise was where his career was at before Two and A Half Men hit its stride and saved his career. He is no longer the young upstart actor he was in the 1980s...and I really do not see anymore Academy Award material headed his way...Two and a Half Men was all this man really had. I imagine much of the show's success fuels his hooker and drug addictions.

So, what happens to the show?

Honestly, Chuck Lorre and CBS have every right to pull the plug and cancel the show entirely. I would understand if Lorre said 'I do not want to work with this man, ever again!"

However, if these are the final weeks of the show, I would hope that after nearly a decade...CBS, Lorre and Sheen can agree to terms to give the audience a proper send off. Nearly a decade, it's almost expected. Because I feel if this story abruptly ends without closure...it'll have as much syndication expectations as Shasta McNasty. Okay, that was a little rough...but, after Roseanne won the lottery, the show lost its credibility with me and I can no longer enjoy the reruns of Roseanne because of how crappy the show ended. And the same will go for Two and a Half Men if it comes down to that.

As for Sheen...a message...Don't ever think you make the show. You might be out there on the screen, you might be pulling in the ratings...but without the writers, without the creator...You'll find yourself sitting next to Emlio, thinking 'What the Hell happened?:

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Hollywood's Bust and Sleeper Pick

Those are terms I've borrowed from fantasy football. A bust being someone drafted with high expectations but being an utter disappointment and a sleeper being someone who unexpectedly obtains success and recognition. I bring these terms up because I've found a Hollywood Bust and a Hollywood Sleeper pick from a 2009 movie.

Jennifer's Body

It starred Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. I never actually watched it, nor do I intend to. If it's eye candy they're trying to target me with, I'm fine with just the DVD cover. As for the plot, from what I've gathered, Fox is a flag girl/cheerleader who is killed during a cult sacrifice and comes back as a flesh eating demon. Her friend, played by Seyfried, tries to put a stop to her murderous rampage.

It was written by Diablo Cody, the same writer who gave us the 2007 Academy Award winning movie, Juno. It was Cody's first completed screenplay and she won the Oscar for it. So, why didn't lightning strike twice for Cody?

I can only think of one thing. The Hollywood Bust(no pun intended)...Megan Fox.

I'll admit, Fox is a very attractive young woman. But that's where my compliments end. She is not a leading actress. Plain and simple. Her time on Transformers was heavily overshadowed by giant robots and explosions. Yes, the image of her bending over the engine of Bumblebee was somewhat memorable...but it certainly was no Ursula Andress rising out of the water in Dr. No. And Fox's body cannot compensate for her irritating voice, her mediocre acting skills and should I even mention her life in reality? I'll peck at it. The tattoos...a few tattoos here and there can be alluring, but when she's trying to compete with a 1930s circus sideshow act...it's ridiculous. But even more annoying, is her attitude. She's not part of the third Transformers movie because of it. And I'm glad. Reports said this girl was incredibly rude and offensive on-set, and very ungrateful towards Michael Bay. Before Michael Bay came along, the only real movie in Fox's credits were 'Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen' with Lindsey Lohan. I unfortunately did see that movie...I wish I didn't. And a few single episode appearances on shows like 'What I Like About You' and 'Two and a Half Men'. For better or worse, the Transformers movies put her name on the damn map. And she had the nerve to bite the hand that fed her a fame she would have never have received from anyone else. Ungrateful and undeserving.

The Hollywood Sleeper...Amanda Seyfried

When compared to a girl who is of Irish, French and Native American descent, it was hard for me to see Seyfried as super attractive. But, that no longer matters. Seyfried doesn't need to look like Megan Fox to win over the box office. She started her career in 2000 on As the World Turns for 27 episodes and 3 episodes on All My Children afterwards. She would also play the murdered friend in 'Veronica Mars', a fairly successful but short lived show. Seyfried also landed a lead role in HBO's 'Big Love' series. Her first movie role was in 2004's successful comedy 'Mean Girls'. Oddly enough, another Lindsey Lohan movie. She had a supporting role in 2005's 'Alpha Dog' and her first leading role in 2009's 'Mamma Mia!', which, despite mediocre reviews, became the highest-grossing musical film of all-time.

2009...Fox and Seyfried starred in Jennifer's Body. Despite expectations of young men lining up to see Megan Fox...the film opened at #5, proving that without giant robots, Megan Fox cannot draw in a crowd.

Since the movie...

Even though she's still made several 'hot' lists, Megan Fox has only completed two movies. 2010's 'Jonah Hex', which opened at #7 (did Josh Brolin have gambling debts to pay off? Was he this desperate for a role??) and Passion Play, a film to be released this year, and from what I've heard, is going to make Hex look like MacBeth.

As for Amanda Seyfried, she has defined the Hollywood sleeper...an unexpected rise in her career. In 2010, she starred opposite Channing Tatum in 'Dear John', which knocked 'Avatar' out of first place. She also played a lead role in the erotic thriller 'Chloe' and the moderately successful 'Letters to Juliet'. This weekend, she puts a new take on the old fairy tale, 'Red Riding Hood'. And set for release this October, is a science-fiction movie called 'Now', where people pay to stay alive, literally buying time.

So basically, Fox is pretty much like Carol Alt right now, just making the magazine hot lists, while Seyfried actually has an acting career. And I've seen most of Seyfried's movies, she can act and she can hold my attention. In 2004, if you were to tell me the ditzy blonde in 'Mean Girls' was going to be the lead, I would have snickered. But now, when I see someone playing a small or supporting role, I'll keep my eye out for them.

As for Megan Fox...if she actually had talent, she could have been the next Wonder Woman or Lara Croft, she could have been the next Angelina Jolie. But now, she's well on her way to becoming the next Denise Richards.

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Music

Without music, my life would be totally different and possibly not worth living for. Watching Persepolis made me think about that.

My take on Persepolis (2007 film)

Persepolis is a 2007 animated film based on the graphic novel of the same title. It's based on the true story of artist/writer Marjane Satrapi and her struggles during her teenage years in the worst time to be a teenager...1978 Iran.

The story uses real stylistic black and white animation, much like the graphic novel. The plot also does a great job filling the audience in on the 20th century history of Iran, from how the Shah came into power, the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the Iraq-Iran War of 1980-1988. But the main focus of the story was on Marji, the innocence of her childhood, the dark realization of the new regime, her young rebellious teenage years in Tehran and her preparatory years in Austria, her return to Iran for college and beyond. There were a few odd moments, for better or worse, her grandmother's remarks on her height and Marji's rendition of 'Eye of the Tiger'. But what made up for that was the life lessons for Marji and how to never deny who you really are and to seek freedom. My only real complaint was about the DVD. The original version was in French, but it does give you the English option, which led to the problem that some of the French lines do not match English subtitles. And I understand the poignant relationship between Marji and her grandmother...but I felt the ending could have been so much better. Regardless, I see why it had been nominated for Best Animated Feature, but it lost to Ratatouille.

Persepolis took a character and a dangerous background with dark history and blended them beautifully.

My rating: 10/10

The trailer:

What other thing interested me was that there is an uprising all through the Middle East and North Africa and it reminded me of this movie.

Enjoy!

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What I find funny

Okay, if you've ever really known who I am...beneath the quiet thinker lies the laughter of a sadistic genius. I tend to believe what I find funny makes up a part of who I am. There are a lot of things I find funny. I watched SNL in the 1990s and was able to see Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Phil Hartman and kept on watching when they added Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan. I remember skits like The Joe Pesci Show, Goth Talk and the skit that would eventually lead to Night at the Roxbury.

I also enjoy the animated comedies. I saw The Simpsons on its premiere night in December, 1989. I also loved The Critic. I initially didn't like King of the Hill in the early years but since Adult Swim has been airing it in syndication, the show has grown on me. As well as South Park, although I haven't watched it as much as other show. Futurama was another favorite of mine. I like the works of Seth MacFarlane...Family Guy...Cleveland Show...American Dad...they all push the limits. But, The Simpsons will always be my top animated show.

Throw in some sitcoms...the classics like All in the Family and Cosby...what I grew up on...Boy Meets World...Seinfeld...Friends...to my college years...Arrested Development...That 70's Show.

But here is what I'll leave visuals for. My top favorites.

MadTV:

It was hit or miss with me. And I was sorry to see it go. But, when they had funny bits, they really had funny bits. Will Sasso, Frank Caliendo, Bobby Lee and Michael McDonald were my favorite comedians on the show. It was awesome how Sasso could be Tony Soprano or Kenny Rogers...Caliendo did great impressions of John Madden and Andy Rooney...Bobby Lee's skits with John Cena and Ike and Jordan were just great...Teaching Jordan how to drive a car picks me up on sad days...and Michael McDonald...his time as Chris Martin as Coldplay and Dr. Phil...I'm thankful Youtube is loaded with memories.

Portlandia:

It's a recent sketch show that's debuted on IFC in January, 2011. It has Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. It reminds me of other sketch shows like The Ben Stiller Show and The Chappelle Show. I really do enjoy just how off beat this one is.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia:

It premiered on FX in 2005, was almost canceled but found it's balance and added Danny Devito in the next season. Although this past season wasn't quite as memorable, the first few seasons just brought in complete randomness, insanity and hilarity all into one. Junkyard cats, erotic novels and the McPoyles...I catch the reruns on Monday nights on Comedy Central.

Conan O'Brien:

I had been a fan of Conan since 1994, ever since I was able to get away with watching late night television on school nights. I don't know about everyone else but school really sucked...but, being able to stay up for Late Night...made me forget about everything. And I watched Conan all throughout my middle school and high school years and kept up with him in college and beyond. And I stood with him through his brief time on The Tonight Show. And I kid you not, when Conan left, my late night television habits were distorted. And now, that he's on TBS, I haven't seen the 11 o'clock news in months :-D

But for now, I leave an old clip from Late Night.

Well, there we have it, what makes me cackle like a supervillain. Enjoy!

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A song that I've really grown to love in the past few days.

It's by a band called Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. 'Home' has been featured in an NFL commercial and I think a movie soundtrack. They're not a true country western band, but the lead singer grew up listening to Johnny Cash and Patsy Kline. And they're played on David Letterman and were at Bonaroo.

And I normally do not like anything that resembles country western but this song has won me over and I just feel so much inspiration from it.

The Plot Book

I recently read an article through the Twitter feed Advice to Writers about the plot book vs. the writer's notebook. All this time, I thought I kept things in a notebook when it turned out, I've been keeping a plot book since 2005. I found out I am a fairly organized person, a real 'a place for everything and everything in its place' kinda guy...well, in writing at least.

Can't say the same for my closet. Haha.

I know some people who can just hit the keyboard and spew forth chapter after chapter. And I can honestly say, I can't do that. I can't blindly charge into a story.

I look at writing like I'm an architect. I'm setting out to build something. A story, with characters that need to be cared for, with dialogue reserved just for them and a setting that is as carefully crafted as a Michelangelo sculpture. As an architect, I'm really trying to strive for beauty as well as near perfection...but most importantly, as an architect, I need my work to stand on its own.

Therefore, I live by the plot book. I'm currently on my third one. And it's been a real trial and error process, as my first plot book, despite having so many ideas, was just all over the place...I wrote notes within other notes, and I would now need several hours to sift through the garbage to get to the gold.

Now, as I work on my third, I've gone to the trouble of splitting it into sections and numbering each page. I've got a section for plot ideas, a section for names I would consider for characters, places, things, I've got a section for notes and a section for miscellaneous items like title ideas. And it is a nice small size, something I can throw into my pack and go.

So, using a plot book, I intend on keeping all my ideas on paper, with possible chapter-by-chapter steps and guidelines. It will also record my thought process as well.

Years ago, as an art student, an instructor tried the same method with drawing and painting and I remember groaning, going how much I just wanted to immerse myself into a project and not think. Now, I see why he devised that plan. And the same has applied to my writing.

If you can dive headfirst into writing a story, more power to you. But if you're struggling to get through, then I highly recommend the plot book. Just a few dollars at any Target!

Starting Over

Okay, I decided to restart my blog for the third time. I'm not really sure what or how but I'll figure it out over time. Basically, I'm starting over based on the advice that a blog should just reflect who you are. And as much fun as it was, giving out advice, I found that I wasn't following it myself.

So, if this blog is a reflection of me...then let's just start with the basics and not-so-basics...

1: I used to want to be an artist...for the longest time too...only in recent years did I find out I had a deeper passion for writing.

2: Despite not being into art, I would like to get back into it, but just for me. I would like to have an online art gallery in the future.

3: I'll admit...I have so many regrets...but what guy doesn't? I just try to let go of the past...so what happens when the past won't let go of me?

4: I'm addicted to Twitter...but Tumblr confuses the hell out of me.

5: I have a very unique taste in music, as I seem to like bands and acts that nobody has really heard of...for the most part, I love Indie Rock and 1990s Alternative Rock. Bands like the Gin Blossoms, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Sponge, all rest on my iPod playlist. I also love acts like Phoenix, Matt & Kim and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

6: Speaking of music, if anyone remembers the annoying song "Blue" by Eiffle 65...I actually enjoyed the album and wish they had selected anything else other than that awful song. Funny how that works, it's the same with Vampire Weekend, I don't like their single but I enjoy the rest.

7: Back to the regrets thing...even though my life hasn't turned out the way I had hoped...I am thankful for the people I've met, the friends I've made and the family that I have left.

8: I tend to mask my emotions, it's an old habit and now, I can't seem to stop it...some see this as me not being myself and I apologize.

9: I love cars and yet, I'm still learning about them. I've learned more about driving from the anime 'Initial D' then from anyone else.

10: I know I have a problem with social media addiction and I know I need to put an end to it...what a time to restart my blog, huh?

11: At times, I wonder what my life would be like had I pursued my interests in law, marine biology, criminology, history, graphic design or even teaching...but then I think, I probably wouldn't have had as many ideas if I went down those pasts.

12: I always wondered about being a drummer...but time playing Rock Band pretty much killed that fantasy.

13: I hate how smart phones have taken over so many people my age and have reduced us to chimps stuck in a digital loop. What happened to the days when men worked on cars?

14: I've been to Boston twice, and I left my heart there.

15: Honestly, I feel like the little boat in The Perfect Storm...at the part where that giant wave is about to engulf it. But...can't really explain it, I still feel optimistic.

16. Get to know me. I'm pretty amazing.