'Getting old sucks, more so if you're Mel Gibson where your dirty laundry has being left out there in steaming pile, leaving so many wanting to spank his dirty tush-y. No, this isn't going to be a love letter to 'ol Mel. Even if I weren't a Latino, or in Mel's eyes just another “wetback" he'd still be a really hard one to defend.

The words to that "When I'm 64" Beatles song makes some sense here

'goes something like: "When I get older losing my hair..." -- or in Mel's case when he hits the wall so hard, losing his looks. Wow, what to do then?

'Thinking about that Chris Rock rant on O.J. Simpson: "I'm not saying he should have killed her... but I understand." -- and while I don't think Mel Gibson has killed anyone just yet, there is the part of Mel's meltdown that I do understand: It's how he simplified his sex life.

Stay with me here, I might be doing a little walking on the edge here...

I offer up the Writer-director Michael Patrick King here as the weakest link. Or, if you're a fan of the original HBO show looking for a perfect example of someone getting in the way of the story -- look no further.

As one reviewer put it: 'What is it about movie versions of hit TV series that the producers seem unable to recapture the magic that once had us glued to our TV screens?'

Well, if I remember correctly --

the best laugh-out-loud episodes of the show were not written by the show's creator --

don't believe me, go back and check the credits.

They had a powerhouse writing staff. Is it curious then why all the reviewers have said pretty much the same thing that the movie version was missing that

'same loony spritz' --

because instead of a powerhouse writing staff, they relied on the not so-funny King to write and direct and be funny. Knowing a few things about films, mostly from watching really bad ones --

I'm going to say a few checks and balances

some script notes saying "funny"

or not so funny --

'someone to bounce off a few ideas are sorely needed. So we can filter out the bad ones and keep the cream of the crop.

If you're the director (and writer and creator of the show and not so funny), well who do you bounce your ideas off?

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.

M. Night's movie version of Avatar: The Last Airbender has some fans of the original animated series getting their protest-panties ready to kick up some dust...

on the films seemingly racist casting decisions.

'gotta say up front what's most amazing to me is that any casting announcement -- would be of interest to anyone (except card carrying members of the uber-Geek-squad), but we'll put that one way-back-there...on the bottom shelf for the moment.

Feeling a little bit smarter (and blessed) to have learned under some great minds (in the area of screenwriting) this past year...I will continue to pass along any goodies I learn along the road right here...special thanks to --

Aaron F. Schnore -- (who co-wrote my 15 minute short film: After Party Babies.com -- thanks for making me look good and teaching me to keep it simple).

Because I believe you're never too old to learn I also took two screenwriting courses (slash workshops). Shout-outs to both instructors: