Charlie Sheen | pinartarhan.com

Anger Management starring Charlie Sheen: Surprisingly Entertaining

Posted on October 18, 2012 Written by ripitup

Anger Management Charlie Sheen. Image via pop-break.com.

When baseball player Charlie (Charlie Sheen) ruined his career because of his anger problems, he went back to college, got a degree in psychology and started working as a therapist.

As Charlie offers group therapy sessions in his house, he also has to find a balance between his ex-wife Jennifer (Shawnee Smith) obsessed with ridiculous business ventures, their teenage daughter Daniela Bobadilla (Emma of Awake)- a smart, sweet kid with OCD, his neighbor Michael (Michael Boatman, Carter Heywood of Spin City) who often considers Michael’s problems as non-problems, his best-friend/sex-buddy/own therapist Kate (Selma Blair) and of course the members of his anger therapy group- Ed (Barry Corbin), Nolan (Derek Richardson), Lacey (Noureen DeWulf) and Patrick (Michael Arden.)

Anger Management: A Few Good Laughs

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Anger Management. Not that the concept isn’t fun (I liked the movie Anger Management with Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson as well, though they are in general very different), but I wasn’t a fan of Charlie Sheen on TV. I absolutely couldn’t stand One and a Half Man, and didn’t for the life of me understand what so many people saw in it. I didn’t like anything about that show, so I was worried Anger Management would be so…well…not funny.

Now while Anger Management doesn’t deserve all of its laughing tracks, it deserves several of them well- it doesn’t score laughs that gives you stomach pains,but it makes you smile, giggle and laugh a lot- and even when it is not very funny, it is still entertaining.

It’s refreshing to see a modern comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously (aware of the pun, but it really is the case with a lot of new comedies).

People having problems with the show complain about Shawnee Smith’s acting, saying she is not supposed to seem dumb- but her character is gullible, not so savvy and the only thing she is good at is being Sam’s mother-and even there she doesn’t always make the best call. Hell, she was cheated on by Charlie so many times during their marriage, and she still wouldn’t have gotten out without some shoving from the others.

And some people joke that it is unrealistic that Charlie’s character can get so many (hot) dates, in addition to the constant benefits he is getting from his best friend. While I don’t find the 47-year-old Sheen attractive (not that 47 is old, but his relationship with alcohol has showed its effects), his character is likeable. He’s smart, fun, nice and doesn’t lie about who he is. Wouldn’t want to date him, but can understand why others would. And I’ve always liked Selma Blair.

The patients can come off as annoying and not funny at times, but they do make up for it with some decent one-liners and/or amusing events to make up for it within the same episode.

Nope, it is no Friends, Coupling or Spin City (the first 4 seasons with Michael J. Fox.) But it is a good laugh, and I don’t mind watching more episodes. And I have watched all 10.

Fun notes:

1) Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife Denise Richards, with whom he’s not exactly parted well with, appeared in one episode as his love interest. They had some lines about her ex, who she referred to as a total nut job several times, and Charlie stopped her at one point, saying he got it. It was a great self-directed humor, and very well done.

2) Charlie’s dad came to visit for one episode. His name is Martin, and was played by none other than Charlie’s real life dad Martin Sheen.

See it. The worst case scenario is that you will waste 20-40 minutes, assuming you will try 1-2 episodes before writing it off. Best case, you’ll find a fun new show.

Golden Globes 2011- The Best of Host Ricky Gervais

Posted on January 23, 2011 Written by ripitup

The 68^th Golden Globes – Best of Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais at 2011's Golden Globes: He was outrageous, politically incorrect and downright hilarious! image via tvverdict.com

If there is one thing good about not being a Hollywood star, it is that Ricky Gervais won’t get to joke about you at the Golden Globes. The guy is hilarious, but let’s face it, he is not gentle and he is definitely not politically correct. And we love him for it. But I am not sure I’d want to be at the receiving end of his jokes.

Here’re my favorite Ricky Gervais lines from the 68th Golden Globes – the words may not be exact but the punch lines are intact:

on Charlie Sheen:

– It’s gonna be a night of partying and heavy drinking, or as Charlie Sheen calls it: “breakfast”. Wow, so… Let’s get this straight. What he did was he picked up a “porn star”, paid it to have dinner with him, introduced her to his ex-wife: “how do you do?” went to a hotel, got drunk, got naked, trashed the place while she was locked in the cupboard… that was a Monday! What did he do on New Year’s Eve?

on “The Walking Dead” Hugh Hefner and his 24-year-old bride-to-be:

– Talking of the “Walking Dead”, congratulations to Hugh Hefner, who’s getting married at the age of 84 to 24-year-old beauty Crystal Harris. When she was asked why she was marrying him she said: “‘Cause he lied about his age. He told me he was 94.

on Robert Downey Jr.:

– I love this next presenter. He’s so cool. He’s the star of “Iron Man”, “Two Girls and a Guy”, “Wonder Boys”… Sorry, are these porn films? “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, “Bowfinger”, really? Here… “Up the Academy”. Come on… He was in all those films, but many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail. Please welcome Robert Downey Jr.

on Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor and “Scientology”

– Also not nominated “I love you Philip Morris”. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor: two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay, so the complete opposite of some famous scientologist thing. Um, probably. My lawyers helped me to get away with that joke; they’re not here.

on Tom Hanks and Tim Allen:

– What can I say about our next two presenters? The first is an actor, producer, writer and director whose movies have grossed over three and a half billion dollars at the box office. He’s won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes for his powerful and varied performances starring in such films as “Philadelphia”, “Forrest Gump”, “Cast Away”, “Apollo 13” and “Saving Private Ryan”. The other is… Tim Allen.

on The Tourist and the nominations of Angelina Jolie & Johnny Depp … AND Cher

– It was a big year for 3D movies: “Toy Story”, “Despicable Me”, “Tron”. Seems like everything this year was three dimensional… except the characters in “The Tourist”. Uh, I feel bad about that joke. I… no… I’ll tell you what… I’m jumping on the bandwagon ’cause I haven’t even seen “The Tourist”. Who has? But, no… It must be good ’cause it’s nominated tonight. So shut up, ok? And I’d like to squash the ridiculous rumor going around that the only reason “The Tourist” was nominated was so that the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish, that is not the only reason, they also accepted bribes… No. All that happened was some of them were taken to see Cher in concert, how the hell is that a bribe? Really? “You wanna go to see Cher?” “No.” “Why not?” “‘Cause it’s not 1975.

on Robert Pattinson and Olivia Wilde

– The next presenters are very young, thin and beautiful. Which is just as well because they are presenting a category no one in America cares about: Best Foreign Language Film!

on Sex and The City 2

– There were a lot of big films that didn’t get nominated this year, nothing for “Sex and the City 2”. I was sure the Golden Globe for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster. Um, great job! Girls, we know how old you are: I saw one of you in an episode of “Bonanza”.

on Scarlett Johansson & Mel Gibson

Our first presenter is beautiful, talented and Jewish, apparently. Mel Gibson told me that. He’s obsessed. Please welcome Scarlett Johansson.

on Lost:

– One of the biggest events on TV this year was the finale of “Lost”. One of my favorites. And all the questions were answered… yeah. I have to say, though, It was a complicated finale. I’m not sure I totally understood it all, but from what I can work out, I’m pretty sure the fat one ate them all.

– **

Also one of my favorites, he presented Bruce Willis as Ashton Kutcher’s dad!

Spin City starring Michael J. Fox, Barry Bostwick, Heather Locklear, Charlie Sheen & Connie Britton

Posted on December 12, 2010 Written by ripitup

Spin City starring Michael J. Fox, Heather Locklear, Connie Britton, Barry Bostwick & Charlie Sheen

The Plot, Characters and First Episodes

Mike Flaherty (Michael J. Fox) is the Deputy- Mayor of New York City. He is ambitious, hard-working, witty so the often-clueless Mayor Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick) depends on Mike for everything. Mike runs an equally funny group of employees: the introverted and goofy speech writer James (Alexander Chaplin), the always dating Nikki (Connie Britton), goofier, lanky and socially clueless media spokesperson Paul (Richard Kind), and the annoying but harmless Stuart (Alan Ruck).

Mike also manages to squeeze in a serious relationship with the beautiful, ambitious journalist Ashley (Carla Gugino) who gives Paul nightmares. However Mike feels an overwhelming pressure when Ashley talks about letting her apartment go, since they practically live together. Add this to the mayor’s constant goofs and the attack from the leading gay activist Carter (Michael Boatman) and Mike feels at a dead end. But at the end of the day, he always manages to save his own butt, as well the mayor’s. He hires Carter – persuading him that it will be much harder to actually contribute to policies than putting blame and what better job to make the mayor’s life a nightmare?

The team is complete with constant jokes about politics, relationships, friendships, character personalities and sex.

Sense of Humor

Spin City is one of the funniest TV shows I have ever seen. I don’t care about politics and I am not even a New Yorker, but the jokes are universally hilarious and the characters are original, as well as highly relatable. The show has the advantage of making fun of the politically incorrect situations, and the goofiness of its characters. No character is perfect and despite Mike’s professional success, he can be equally ridiculous when it comes to his personal life.

Some Early Favorite Lines & Scenes

* Mike feels frustrated in his relationship with Ashley so he asks Carter if gay relationships are easier. Carter says that apart from not having the toilet seat argument, it is just as, maybe even more complicated.

* Mike: (on a formal dinner they are all attending) There are 10 commandments. I’d like your dates to check out on at least 7 of them.

Nikki: (on phone): I didn’t mean to scare you, it was just a simple run of the mill orgasm… (Mike walks up) …Can you hold on a second, Mom?

Mike: Oh, I’ll let you get back to your mom, before she loses her erection

Changes in Cast and the Departure of Michael J. Fox after Season 4

Carla Cugino left after playing in 13 episodes. Connie Britton (Nikki) left after 4 seasons and so did Alexander Chaplin. While some Spin City fans didn’t like the arrival of Heather Locklear in 1999, I didn’t really have problems with that. While she is not the funniest actress around, she suited her character and the comedic timing of the rest of the cast remained perfect. For me, the show got its real and crushing blow after season 4, as Michael J. Fox, the leading character of the show, had to leave due to his progressing Parkinson’s disease. Charlie Sheen took over, playing the new deputy mayor Charlie Crawford.

Charlie’s character lacked Mike’s likability and for me, Charlie Sheen failed as an actor where Michael J. Fox had shone. I never found sheen to be a great actor but he is OK. He is just not my type of funny. I don’t really enjoy his popular comedy Two and a Half Man either. I quit watching Spin City a short time after J. Fox left.

Recommended episodes:

All of the first 4 Seasons! But if you are in some way allergic to Heather Locklear, all of the 3 seasons.

Fun Notes:

* Charlie Sheen was married to actress Denise Richards, who was rumored to have had an affair with Richie Sambora while he was married to Heather Locklear.

* Charlie Sheen is best friends with rocker Bret Michaels. Charlie Sheen’s brother Emilio Estevez is best friends with rocker Jon Bon Jovi.

Also on Spin City

Spin City TV Show Guest Stars Trivia: Amanda Peet, Gabriel Macht, Paula Marshall & Tracy Pollan

Spin City TV Show Guest Stars Trivia: Feat. Jennifer Garner, Kim Raver, Carla Gugino, Christopher Llyod & More

Other Posts on Michael J. Fox

My favorite Canadians: #1 Michael J. Fox

Canadian Celebrity Trivia: Featuring Bryan Adams, Jim Carrey, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Reynolds and More

Posts on Heather Locklear

10 Celebrity Couple Break-Ups You May Not Have Seen Coming

Charlie Sheen Movies and Posts

The Three Musketeers starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and Chris O’ Donnell

Actor Families: Michelle Pfeiffer, Dedee Pfeiffer, Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen

The Three Musketeers starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and Chris O’ Donnell

Posted on June 2, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Three Musketeers starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnell, Oliver Platt, Rebeca DeMornay and Tim Curry

D’Artagnan (Chris O’ Donnell) is a young man whose father was one of musketeers protecting the king. Now he wants the honor of being a musketeer is well. Trying to shake off an idiotic guy and his brothers at his tail, D’Artagnan sets out to join the musketeers. What he doesn’t know is that the cardinal (Tim Curry) and his right arm Rochefort (Michael Wincott) have let all of them go as a war with England is approaching and they are all needed in the field to fight for France. Of course in reality, what the cardinal and Rochefort just intend to get rid of the king easily so that cardinal can take his place. What better way to leave the king unprotected? Of course not all Musketeers are that easily persuaded. The famous trio of Porthos (Oliver Platt), Athos (Kiefer Sutherland) and Aramis (Charlie Sheen) will do what it takes it protect the king, even if it means they are declared outlaws. When D’Artagnan finally gets to his destination, he finds the musketeers gone and he doesn’t start off on good terms with the trio. But common purpose brings them together and a marvelously entertaining journey of love, friendship, comedy and adventure gets a kick start. Mind you, the movie gives us plenty of action and comedy from the very start, even before the trio becomes a quadruplet.

Now, I didn’t read the book. So I have no way of comparing the two. But I saw the movie and I loved it. It is one of the best period movies I have seen: It is a lot of fun with lots of action, comedy and just the necessary touch of romance. The setting and costumes look really good and all that sword-fighting and horse-back chasing show us a good time. Of course the fighting and chasing includes comedy as well as action. The musketeers all have distinct characters that make you either smile, grin or laugh.

The Musketeers

Porthos (Platt) loves a good time with drinks, women and fighting. He also has a good sense of humor.

Aramis (Sheen): He is a little religious- he does pray after the people who he kills. As Athos puts it: “Aramis takes that very seriously”. But religion doesn’t stand in his way when he wants to kick some serious butt, seduce women and/or get laid.

Athos (Sutherland): Athos comes with a complicated past. Although he loves a good laugh, duels and butt-kicking, he is emotionally scarred. And this scar adds a nice little touch and complication to the movie.

The Women

You might recognize the young queen (Gabrielle Anwar) from Things to do in Denver When You are dead (where the leading role was Andy Garcia’s) and For Love or Money (where she starred with Michael J. Fox). Julie Delpy is best remembered for her role as Celine in the lovely Before Sunrise and its sequel Before Sunset. They are both beautiful and although Gabrielle has a little more screen time, the girls are not seen that often. I had to pick, I’d have loved to play Rebecca De Mornay’s character Countess D’ Winter. After all as her character puts it, “she is dangerous”. De Mornay is a beautiful actress who was especially popular in the 90s. She definitely doesn’t mind playing the villain either. You might recall her thrillers The Hand That Rocks The Cradle or Never Talk to Strangers.

The Baddies

English Tim Curry makes a good villain and well, he is never boring. His most famous movie is probably the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He didn’t exactly play a sweetheart in 2001’s Attila either. But of course if there is a guy who competes with Kevin Bacon in the number of playing villains, it is Michael Wincott. I would probably be shocked to see him playing nice. Do you remember what he was up to in The Crow? Or Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves? Strange Days? Seraphim Falls? Exactly.

So we have a great cast in a lovely period film with just the right ingredients. It is fun to see all these actors when they are so young. After all, it was 1993. And if you grow up in the 90s- I did- you might get the nostalgia you need.

Directed by Stephen Herek. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas père and written for the
screen by David Loughery. Rated 6.1 on IMDB by over 16,600 votes. Well, it might be a 6-7 movie but speaking in the entertainment level, it is a 10. Even the soundtrack rocks. After all the theme song All for Love is a duet performed by rocker musketeers: Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart.

Some Favorite Quotes/Moments:

Athos: (sees the cardinal’s men approaching) Only a fool will try to arrest us twice in one day.

Cardinal’s man: You are under arrest.

Aramis: Fool.

*********************

(Athos gets the brandy from Porthos for distraction. )

Porthos: What a waste!

**********************

One of the cardinal’s men says that they will arrest them but it will be peacefull if they won’t resist.

Porthos: Oh, don’t be so stupid. Of course we intend to resist! Give us a moment, alright?

On Chris O’Donnell:

NCIS Los Angeles

Mad Love

The Bachelor

<br>