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.

Columbus Circle starring Selma Blair, Amy Smart, Jason Lee, Beau Bridges & Giovanni Ribisi

Posted on March 4, 2012 Written by ripitup

Columbus Circle Movie Poster from left: Giovanni Ribisi, Selma Blair, Jason Lee, Amy Smart & Kevin Pollak.

Plot

Formerly abused wealthy heiress Abigail Clayton (Selma Blair) has been living in her loft, refusing to leave her apartment. The concierge Klandermann (Kevin Pollak) runs all her errands, making her agoraphobic existence possible. Her only visitor is the family friend Raymond (Beau Bridges), the only person she trusts.

Her peaceful and structured existence is disrupted when her elderly next-door neighbor is killed and the young couple, Lillian (Amy Smart) & Charles (Jason Lee) move in. Things get complicated for Abigail when she witnesses Charles being violent, which bring back her own memories. She helps out by letting her in, but unfortunately Lillian is not the innocent abuse victim she is pretending to be. And Lilian may actually be the only person Charles is not ready to hurt…

It seems that all the characters have a secret, apart from the cop (Giovanni Ribisi) determined to solve the case. Can he solve it in time before things get out of hand for everyone?

Fun Level: Mediocre

Columbus Circle is -on paper- a good idea. A good cast, a good premise. Unfortunately it has severe editing and directing problems which stalls a lot, as well as making its twists way too obvious. The first important “twist” is already given in the trailer, and what you don’t know, you guess at the spot.

Despite the expected turns, it could be fun, except it is astounding how stupid the villains can be. You’d think someone attempting a con of millions of dollars would use their brains better. And of course there is the ending – which could have been a lot better if it was a little more difficult for a certain character, and a little less ridiculous for our villains.

Better with Multi-Tasking

It is all in the name of good fun, and it is certainly not the most boring film out there. But if you want to get the best value for your time, you might want to multi-task and not give the movie your full attention. You don’t need to.

Written by Kevin Pollak and George Gallo. Directed by George Gallo.

In Good Company starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson

Posted on August 31, 2010 Written by ripitup

In Good Company starring Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johansson and Topher Grace. Written and directed by Paul Weitz. 2004.

Dan (Dennis Quaid) is a 51-year-old successful ad executive. He is happily married with 2 daughters and has been working at the same company for over 20 years. And recently he has received two life-altering news: his wife (Marg Helgenberger) is pregnant and his company has been recently been bought by a corporation so he now has a new boss, Carter (Topher Grace). The problem is Carter is half his age, has no experience in advertising and he is under constant pressure to lay people off, Dan making the top of the list.

Carter is a total workaholic. But when it comes to his social life, he is alone. His wife (Selma Blair) dumps him and he tries to form an unlikely friendship with Dan. But Dan isn’t particularly fond of this rookie who has his job, his office and who keeps firing his friends. And his beloved 18-year-old daughter Alex (Scarlett Johansson) has moved to New York to study at NYU and she starts seeing Carter…

In Good Company is simply a beautiful, bittersweet and funny film where art imitates life. I saw the film for the second time last night. The first time was when the movie had first hit the theaters and I wasn’t all that impressed. I had found it ordinary. I guess I was fooled by the movie’s taglines :“He’s rich, young and handsome. He’s in love with you and he’s your dad’s boss.” – which does make it sound like a romantic comedy. And I guess at 20, I was expecting a fun romantic comedy rather than a true-to-life drama with fun parts, so I was disappointed.

At 26, I loved every minute of it. At 26, I am trying to build my life as a freelancer, so that I won’t have to go through what Dan goes through at his age. And almost all my friends are trying to be a hotshot like Carter, without thinking anything through.

I loved how it wasn’t a romantic comedy and how it wasn’t focused on Alex and Carter’s relationship but the effects it has on the relationship with Alex and Dan. But most importantly, I loved the friendship and alliance eventually getting formed between Dan and Carter and how Carter really wants what Dan has built for himself.

It helps that the cast is fantastic. You might have seen Topher Grace in the comedic TV series That 70’s show where he starred as Eric Forman (1998-2006). You might also watch Grace in Valentine’s Day. And of course there is the always charming Dennis Quaid and Scarlett Johansson.

Written and directed by Paul Weitz. 6.8 on IMDB. Depending on where you are in your life, it could very well get an 8.

Favorite Quote:

Carter: Dan, you seem to have the perfect marriage. How do you do it?
Dan: You just pick the right one to be in the foxhole with, and then when you’re outside of the foxhole you keep your dick in your pants.
Carter: That’s poetic.

Recommended film:

Up in the Air starring George Clooney

Other Dennis Quaid Movies

The Day After Tomorrow

Yours, mine and ours

Playing by Heart

Other Scarlett Johansson Movies

He is Just Not That Into You

Vicky Christina Barcelona

Iron Man 2

The Deal with Christian Slater: Christian Slater Tribute and The Deal Movie Review

Posted on September 7, 2009 Written by ripitup

Christian, growiing up nicely — Christian Slater is growing up nicely,

I’m so living in the 90s when it comes to movies. I believe that’s when most of the great movies have been made. Feel free to disagree but for me that was a time when movies were at their best, especially when it came to entertainment; whatever the genre. That was also an era when I had many actors to follow the filmographies of. Christian Slater was denifinitely one of them. His name still draws me to the movie. I know I can trust him to make a good one. I know I will have fun.

Yes, I believe him to be cute. But we are not talking about hot, hot, hot. We are talking about a sort of unique, maybe quirky but totally appealing attractiveness. He carries on anger and angst very well,just as well as he plays the bad boy/bad guy. When he does get to play romantic, we girls feel lucky. He has that innocent, boyish charm- and he can be sexy at the same time. It is a dangerous and irresistable combination. Have you seen “Untamed Heart” ?

He skillfully plays a clueless, highly sensitive and an unintentionally reclusive young guy; who is in love with his co-worker (Marisa Tomei).

Bed of Roses (1996) with Mary Stuart Masterson

Or “Bed of Roses” ? Too romantic for your taste? But, hey- Christian has the ability to make you forget about your cynical side.

He is not a big guy, but he is nicely built and he sure can carry an action film. I absolutely love the John Woo flick “Broken Arrow”. Christian versus a psychotic John Travolta… What a team. Good vs. Evil, nuclear weapons…The works.

I don’t want to forget Basil, where he is the guy of my nightmares. Murder in the First is an excellent legal thriller/drama where he plays the dedicated lawyer of the abused Kevin Bacon…The list goes on so let’s come to this century, shall we?

I still watch the movie if Christian is in it. Yesterday I saw the 2005 ‘s : “The Deal”.

thedeal2005 — The Deal starring Christian Slater and Selma Blair

A thriller about big companies, oil deals and how far people will go to get what they want. Strategies, lies and deceptions – nicely written, beautifully acted: right up my alley.

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The Deal with Slater is that he can play the lead and be in a supporting role. He is in his 3rd decade of movies. He doesn’t mind getting ugly for a role (please check out “He was a quiet man” and you will know what I mean).

He can pull off any genre. But I guess because he is a bad boy in real life (I forget how many times he got arrested), when he plays a romantic role; he is at his best. Add some action to the mix. We have a talented and good-looking actor who can kick ass.

christian500

All I can say to Chris is : Cheers and keep up the good work…

Other Christian Slater posts:

The Forgotten starring Christian Slater

Job Security? What Job Security?

ALIAS

My Own Worst Enemy

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