In Nina Garin's pop-culture think-back she points out -- aside from "the most exciting election, ever..." -- other things made a case for themselves in 2008:

"Vampires were the hands-down No. 1 sex symbol of 2008. Thanks to the making of “Twilight,” a movie based on Stephenie Meyers' young adult vampire series," Garin writes. "And for those looking for something sexier than the chaste Cullen clan, HBO delivered Bill Compton from its more mature “True Blood” series."

"The Puerto Rican doesn't always have to be the fucking grocer or the plumber," says actor Luis Guzman (Esquire Magazine). "He could be the head of the fucking FBI. He can be the main investigator. He can do the forensic stuff."

That about sums up one of my biggest fear -- that I'll end up trapped in a world limited by our various stereotypes.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with being Jose-the-plumber, far from. I just don't want a life limited to just a few standard roles.

There are key elements why a flick will tank at the Box Office -- some happen behind the scenes -- (as with 'Delgo,' the least-attended film ever to open on 2,000 screens -- we'll get into that in a second) -- and some of it end actually ends up on the big-screen making you choke on your popcorn.

'Not just pointing at Samuel L. Jackson's over the top camp-noir-of-a-mess in the Spirit -- that's not his fault alone.

You can have a visually stunning looking film -- but, really, doesn't it all start with a well crafted script -- (a compelling story, NO?).

I've taken some time to think over what went wrong (and it wasn't just bad directing) -- Frank Miller does get the brunt of the shrapnel here for his diva-mess of a screenplay for the film The Spirit...

here are my random thoughts (that someone shoulda' pulled Miller over on the side and chatted him over):

- FILM GENRE: What is it? Film-Noir? -- Or a Slapstick Comedy?

One of the first rules of writing a screenplay is that you have to very quickly set the tone -- or the ground rules to keep the audience...well grounded...in that world. I think it's balls-on to mix things, hey I'm a big fan of messy things...but, you do need some rules of the road and you need tell me those rules or it falls apart and I'm out of the story scratching my head...

- BACKSTORY: Another complaint in the Spirit, at least one of mine, was how long it took for us to get the Backstory -- about an hour into the film. I might have forgiven how uncomfortable the Lead Actor seemed to be on what note to play the scripted dialogue if I knew some of the backstory, I'm easy like that.

This was a quiet Holiday Season...recession and all.

Although, in my house we did indulge on one glam-gift -- unwrapping our new Nintendo Wii just before Christmas.

Wii weren't alone either - (pardon the pun).

"Despite the economic gloom and doom that saddled this Christmas shopping season, a few products rose above the recession and flew off the shelves faster than eight magical reindeer," says the Washington Post.

'Case you missed these goodies -- enjoy today's fully-loaded brain-candy links:

1. Really enjoyed reading --

   Kevin Lehane's very thoughtful top ten list of things he learned in ‘08 -- and you will too.

2. That Slash Film series --

   "Big Directors Small Films: Steven Spielberg's first award winning short" -- (and career bio write up)...'certainly film school-101 study-worthy-material.