Thursday, August 22, 2024

Charlie Sheen Top Ten

Looking back on the filmography of Charlie Sheen, never quite a movie star,  but it's a solid stop ten (and he proved himself a TV star):

1) Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - I'm not sure why people that felt Sheen as a comedy star was a surprise since he stole this movie in a one scene appearance.

2) Red Dawn (1984)  - some right wing teen fun from John Milius, who clearly had the time of his life making it, and Sheen fits in quite well - what sells the movie, though I think, is Patrick Swayze among teen stars looked like he could handle a gun.

3) Platoon (1986) - the role was, in essence, actor proof - I mean you can imagine any number of actors being effective, in a part that required reacting - but he's good. Imagine Johnny Depp in this part though instead of that support bit.

4) Wall Street (1987) - this was more of a challenge - Sheen is very good - it's interesting though that in his memoirs Oliver Stone lamented not being able to use Tom Cruise - ouch.

5) Eight Men Out (1988) - Sheen's casting helped this get made, one of Sayles' best films - Sheen's part isn't very big but it's one of the best things he did and he does give off the corrupt vibe.

6) Young Guns (1988) - splashy part, good fun, entertaining film, surprisingly historically accurate.

7) Major League (1989) - Sheen again reaps good rewards from a comedy. Great moment when Wild Thing comes out at the end.

8) Hot Shots! (1991) - more comedy, different style, very funny.

9) Being John Malkovich (1999) - stars playing themselves grew tired quickly but this gets points for Sheen wearing a bald wig

10) Three Musketeers (1997) - a version best remembered for the song on its soundtrack but quite fun and Sheen was an ideal musketeer

 That's not a bad top filmography - some comedies but a few heavy dramas, and a lot of them hit the zeitgeist. I do acknowledge a lot of the above he's a support character - indeed, he's really only the lead in the two Oliver Stones and Hot Shots, and even then he's overshadowed by support players.

No comments: