Apparently, things may be looking up for Tom Cruise's freaky behavior-tainted film career. The chairman of Viacom (which owns Paramount) Sumner Redstone has said he's open to Cruise starring in a fourth Mission: Impossible film. As a fan of the TV series, I wasn't wild about the first three (though at least Mission: Impossible 3 was a little more about teamwork than the first two). I've really loved watching Seasons 1-3 of the show on DVD and it's too bad that a film hasn't been made that really follows the spirit of the series.

But (here comes a tangent!) when I read this news, I got to thinking - I know Tom Cruise faced some box office backlash because of his antics. As for me, I now have trouble distinguishing the actor from his characters. I was watching Rain Man again recently and could not get the image of a psychology-bashing Cruise out of my mind. Maybe because his behavior was so vitriolic that it really left an impression. The same thing has happened with Mel Gibson. After it came out that he's a crazy anti-Semite, watching him clown around in Lethal Weapon isn't quite the same.

Has anyone else experienced this, or am I just nuts? I guess there's a double-standard...I saw Iron Man and thought Robert Downey, Jr. did a great job and his drug-abusing past was far from my mind as I watched him as Tony Stark. Again, maybe it's because Cruise and Gibson were hurting OTHER people, and RD Jr. was being self-destructive? I don't know. Cruise hasn't driven me away yet, but I won't see anymore Mel Gibson movies because of his tirades.

It's nothing new...Fatty Arbuckle saw his career go down after standing trial for rape and murder. William Talman of Perry Mason almost got canned for some pot smoking (which always gives me a laugh when I imagine Hamilton Burger lighting up and cursing that SOB Mason!)

So, I put it to you...if an actor has off-screen trouble, does it change how you view their movies, or do you continue to view their movies?

Hope everyone's enjoying the start of spring weather...high 70s in Virginia today!

After X-Men, Batman Begins and the Spider-Man films (1-2 anyway) raised the bar, superhero movies are now judged with a more critical eye. Explosions, eye candy and the excitement of merely seeing a favorite comic book character on the screen are no longer enough; audiences expect good performances from strong actors and a story worthy of their attention. It's what separates the afforementioned films from duds like Hulk, Ghost Rider, Daredevil and Superman Returns.

Fortunately, the newly released Iron Man falls into the first category, and for my money it rivals Batman Begins as the best superhero movie ever. It's an example of what happens when you give a talented filmmaker the reins of a character he has enthusiasm for, and cast a leading man who is one of the best actors of his generation. Robert Downey, Jr. makes the role of Tony Stark his own with his first appearance in the movie and makes the weapons designer turned superhero the best on-screen likable cad since Han Solo.

Avoiding spoilers, Iron Man finds Stark experiencing a crisis of conscience after almost being killed by terrorists (armed by his weapons) in Afghanistan. Escaping and returning home, he rededicates himself to eradicating the world of such weapons, much to the dismay of his No. 2 man, the wonderfully named Obidiah Stane (played by a bald, bearded Jeff Bridges). When Stane tries to shut Tony out and create an ultimate weapon, Stark uses his technical know-how to become Iron Man, an armored hero with a suit capable of flight, super strength and armed to the teeth.

Along with Downey and Bridges, the cast includes Gwenyth Paltrow and Terrence Howard as Stark's friends and allies. Like Batman Begins, the cast is stocked with marquee players who could carry a movie on their own - instead, they gel as a perfect ensemble and elevate the already sharp script to new levels. The special effects are fantastic, but not so overdone that we ever lose interest in the film. And there's a healthy dose of humor, both with Downey's antics and some sharp one-liners.

Whether you're a comic-book nerd (like me) or not (my fiancee loved this movie too), I strongly recommend Iron Man. It's a great way to kick off the summer movie season. 4 stars out of 4.

P.S. Comic-nerds should ABSOLUTELY stay through the end credits.

I hit 50 blogs today, something I didn't think would happen when I started. I've really enjoyed posting and reading people's comments, as well as seeing what my friends on the site have to say!

But before I realized I had reached this mark, I had an idea for a blog topic. Inspired by other people's polls (favorite western, etc.) I thought of one of my own. We've all had the experience of finding a new show, enjoying it, investing in the characters...only to have it yanked away by the hook of cancellation. So, do you have a favorite show that only lasted one season (or less?)

Mine is The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. My family never missed an episode of this show when it aired on Fox. It was a great mix of action, adventure, sci-fi and humor (when I finally saw The Wild Wild West later, I could see the influence the show had on Brisco). Anchored by a strong performance from Bruce Campbell, this show was always funny and exciting. And then it was gone, starting the "curse" of Fox Friday night. It seemed for a while that everything paired with The X-Files was doomed. Thankfully, Brisco rode on to DVD, so I can revisit the series whenever I want. Happily, it entertains this 24 year old as much as it did when he was 10.

At least Brisco aired in a time when a show would get a full season run to find its sea-legs. Now a series is lucky if it gets five weeks to find an audience before the network pulls the plug.

Anyone else have a lamented show done in before its time?

And again, as I hit 50 and beyond, thanks for reading and commenting!

I haven't written anything of substance here in a while...so here's some random notes.

Tax Day! Thank God for TurboTax...enabling even a math-illiterate like me to get my paperwork off and my refund check back.

Work has kicked my behind...I was in the office all weekend on a big project for a big client. We got it done...I just want my Saturday and Sunday back! And this week hasn't been much better so far.

Law school letters have been rolling in. Outright "No's" on two, wait listed on one. Waiting to hear from three more. I think I'd be more bummed if this was what I really wanted to do. In the meantime, I've just been working and writing in my spare time. In a perfect world, I'd get the mystery stories I write published and be an author. The problem is, I'm not there YET, so I need something to pay the bills in between.

And, my birthday is a week from Friday. I think I'm going to go down to see my brother and sister at school and have dinner with them (my sister's birthday is just four days after mine.) It's weird, since my parents moved, I'm the oldest family member in the area. I'm way too irresponsible and immature for that!

Boosted shamelessly from karlmezaros' profile...

1. Initials: JAM

2. Name someone with the same birthday as you: Al Pacino. Hoo-wah!

3. Favorite fruits: Pears, oranges, apples, bananas

4. For or against same sex marriage? For. What business is it of mine who wants to get married?

5. Are you allergic to anything? Mold, dust, pollen.

6. Are you bisexual? No.

7. Have you ever slept in someone else's clothes? No.

8. Are you comfortable with your height? Meh, I could be taller.

9. How many of the Canadian Provinces have you lived in? Canada?

10. Have you ever lived outside Canada? Yes, and still do.

11. Name something physical you like about yourself? My face.

12. Something non physical you like about yourself? Sense of humor

13. Do you have any pets? Yes.

14. What is your dream car? Aston Martin

15. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? Paris

16. What are your favorite sports teams? Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles

17. Have you ever been stalked? No

18. Favorite Vegetables: Carrots, Corn, Asparagus, Green beans.

19. What song did you listen to last? ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man

20. Where would you want to go on a first date? The Movies

21. Would you date the person who posted this before you? Nah, no offense, Karl.

22. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally? No.

23. Ever been kissed under fireworks? Yes.

24. Do you like Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada? Hmm...he's Canadian, but I don't know anything about him. Undecided.

25. Have you ever bungee jumped? No.

26. Have you ever white water rafted? No.

27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you? No

28. Favorite Day Time Television Program? If I'm home to watch daytime TV, Matlock reruns.

29. Ever been in the slammer? No.

30. If yes, what for? N/A

31. What song are you listening to right now? Beatles - "Rocky Raccoon"

32. What's your favorite song at the moment? "One For My Baby, and One for the Road"

33. What was the last movie you watched? A Face in the Crowd

34. What's the Worst Film you've ever seen? Blair Witch Project or the Steve Martin Pink Panther

35. Where was the last place you went besides your house? Work

36. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? No

37. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? Yes...but jokingly.

38. Has anyone of the opposite sex hit you? Yes.

39. What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Smile, laugh.

40. What's your favorite body part on the opposite sex? Butt.

41. What do you usually order from Starbucks? Anything w/o coffee...Vanilla frappacino.

42. Who would you want to see right now? My fiancee.

43. What was the last album you bought? Traveling Wilburys Collection

44. Say something totally random about yourself: I'd be taller if I didn't wear glasses.

45. Do you have an iPod? Yes...and it's permanently attached to me.

46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? When I was little, my dad's boss told me I looked like Ralphie in A Christmas Story.

47. What was the last DVD you bought? Matlock - Season 1; Perry Mason 50th Anniversary Collection

48. What languages can you speak? English and a little bit of French

49. Do you have freckles? Yeah.

50. Favorite movie quote? From Beverly Hills Cop

Taggart: We're more likely to believe an important local businessman than a foul-mouthed jerk from out of town.
Axel Foley: Foul-mouthed? F*** you, man!

51. How are you feeling? Feelin' alright

52. Ever Gotten on Stage and Sang/Played for a Crowd? Yes. I acted in plays in high school and college.

53. Ever Deliberately Slaughtered Your Family in 'The Sims'? Heck yes. The secret is fill a room with wicker chairs, start a fire in the fire place, and then delete the doors.

54. What's the most money you've spent in one day? $400 or $500 on bills

55. Have you ever ridden in a limo? Yes

56. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? Yes.

57. Do you watch MTV? No.

58. What's something that really annoys you? American Idol, or religious fundamentalism.

59. What are some things you really like? My fiancee, parents, brother and sister, our dog, movies, writing

60. Do you like Michael Jackson? No...I'm young enough to really only know him for his freak-out behavior.

61. How much do you spend on credit a Month? I don't have a credit card.

62. Have you ever surfed? No...I've boogie boarded!

63. Do you know how to pump gas? Yes.

64. Do you like to fly? Flying doesn't bother me as much as going to the airport.

65. What's the latest you have ever stayed out? 3:00 or 4:00 am

66. Have you ever thought that you were honestly going to die? Yes.

67. Were you ever rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Yes.

68. Have you ever been dared to do something you didn't want to do? Yes.

69. How many songs are in your music folder? 1613 on my Ipod.

70. Favorite Hobbies: Writing, listening to old-time radio shows.

71.What was the last movie you bought? The Bourne Ultimatum

72. What car do you drive? 2003 Isuzu Rodeo