Michael Jackson's This Is It: For The Fans

This is one of the most difficult reviews I will probably ever write for reasons that include wanting the final images of Michael Jackson to be affiliated with excellence and the hope that tributes come forth worthy of his legacy, and because of the inevitable exploitation issues raised regarding any project on this mega-entertainer. But as the list of projects continues to grow – executed and planned – Michael Jackson’s This Is It may be the most successful monetarily, even if it falls short of effectively exonerating itself from rip-off associations. With its monumental worldwide opening October 28, 2009 (showings in some entire countries sold out within days of advance sells in September), the adoration and eagerness of fans to see Michael Jackson work his magic one more time, albeit not live on stage, may enhance the acceptability this film. Then, too, there is the matter of his three children who never had the opportunity to see their father perform live, and were slated to be surprise guests at the opening show at O2 Arena in London. For them, This Is It is probably the closest thing – which they will view in a private showing. Again, there is the matter of his fans. Jackson’s relationship with his fans was deeply heartfelt on both sides, and he would, in all likelihood, want to give them something innovative and unique even after making the transition. But is this film what he would have wanted?...Tidbits of his greatness?...Un-finalized, incomplete, nonlinear snippets of an unprecedented, potentially ground-breaking tour?...Michael Jackson seen giving less than100 percent?...all legitimate concerns.

Admittedly, Director Kenny Ortega did a credible job of intersecting selected shots from roughly 120 hours of available rehearsal footage into the 111-minute tribute to Jackson. Ortega chose clips that are visually interesting. The peeks into Jackson’s perfectionism are insightful. The presentations of aspects of signature segments in the show are extremely valuable to establishing for viewers a sense of Jackson’s overall concept for the concert. Enough was given to realize that had the tour occurred, it would have been incredible. Jackson looks pretty good despite being noticeably thinner and obviously holding back – with unusual skill - on dramatic dance moves reserved for the real thing; and he sounds great even though he is clearly saving his full voice for the same reason.

Jackson in black and white film (thanks to PhotoShop) taking on Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson creates a clever lead-in to Smooth Criminal, and he is quite funny in some of the conversational interactions with the singers, musicians, dancers and Ortega. These elements work as clear reminders that, after all, the intent is to present a documentary.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It is a paradox: a film that Kenny Ortega will probably reflect on in years to come with reasonable pride, and a tribute that die-hard fans will most likely consider to be something legitimate to cling to. At the same time, it raises concerns about what the man himself would have wanted or not wanted. His own production standard is high and legendary. To me, Michael Jackson was a genius. One of a kind. He deserves a tribute comparable to his legacy and equal to his passion. As one lone voice, for me, for now, this is not it; but I hold steadfastly to the possibility (and hope) that, perhaps, it may serve as a spark igniting its beginning.


Grade: B+

The Soloist: A Noteworthy Film

The Soloist is a fact-based account of interactions between two men who discover one another in the midst of urban chaos, unfulfilled desire, and personal dysfunction that strike an unusual chord of friendship despite limitations of social and mental disorder. Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.) and virtuoso Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a homeless Julliard trained musician meet in a public park as Ayers beautifully serenades Beethoven’s statue playing a worn violin with only two strings. Lopez is hungry for a career-rejuvenating article with powerful first-person impact. He immediately realizes the potential of a great feature – and job security – in Ayers’ story, and sets out on a course of action motivated by self-interest and personal gain that quickly transitions into novice attempts to help the musician get back on his feet and realize his dreams, not the least of which is to perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

There are obvious complications. Ayers exists in a world obscured by schizophrenia. His days are consumed with complex myriads of sounds of L.A., echoes of resurrected life events, and concerts of inner voices muted periodically by his own impromptu recitations and transcendent musical performances. Lopez lives in a state of defeat and resignation, overwhelmed by the downward emotional spiral defining his life - a life exacerbated by the declining newspaper industry and incessant mantras of failed relationships resonating through the voice of ex-wife and fellow journalist portrayed effectively by Catherine Keener. He unexpectedly slips into the role of Ayers’ “savior” , and once this is realized, becomes conflicted by his awareness of the associated psychological commitment and personal responsibility - unwanted mammoth positions he prefers (and seeks) to avoid.

Ayers, though ill and irrational is consistent in his emphasis on a self-constructed state of bliss, affection for Beethoven, and pure passion for music. In witnessing his musical genius, Lopez experiences something close to redemption, and as he brings public awareness to the incredible uniqueness of Ayers, he discovers things about his own flaws, weaknesses and needs. Ironically, it is Ayers who is the fixture. His intent, agenda and dreams remain intact. The major difference in his life is geography. On the other hand, it is Lopez who changes, who rethinks the meaning of friendship and family, and who experiences new eyes. Metaphors of mirrored similarities in the presence of profound difference are discernible throughout the film for those viewers inclined to travel such routes, but it is a worthy movie without these interpretive explorations. Credit is due director Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) for snatching the plot back and continuing to tell Ayer's particular story just before it spills over into a cinematic monologue on the homeless or mentally ill on L.A.’s skid row - there is candid, raw footage that deals straightforwardly with aspects of both social concerns that strays ever so gently from the professed focal narrative. The intertwined aerial views and sound equivalents presented in vivid color formations are nice, unexpected extras worth noting as well.

The film is not perfect, but the performances of Janie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. are. Foxx brings calculated weight and credibility to the illness, frayed existence, and complicated talent of Ayers. Downey, Jr. is utterly believable as the uncertain, anxious down-and-outer who endeavors to help, yet being poorly-prepared, literally makes it up as he goes along. They nail the necessary on screen chemistry, and both give performances worthy of Oscar consideration.

Grade: B+

MY MOVIE REVIEW FILM ALERT:

Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy

If you like great character studies, are intrigued by fact-based recreations of historical biography, appreciate the candid humor unique to Mark Twain, or have the slightest affinity for experiencing what might best be described as a magnificent adventure through the wilderness of a complex, impassioned human soul, then fine tune your radar...do not fall asleep at the wheel... be on the look out for what may well be a slam dunk performance by Val Killmer. MARK TWAIN and MARY BAKER EDDY: A Love Story went into pre-production in January 2008 and its trailer - slightly over 10 and a half minutes - is a gripping invitation to what should be a powerful film and an extraordinary addition to the actor's filmography. Remember Kilmer's incredible performance as Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993) where he walked away with everything except the set (and a well-deserved Oscar nod - do not get me started...), well, it seems he is at it again. Kilmer is superb as Mark Twain as seen in the available footage, capturing the popularized physical, attitudinal, and verbal likeness of the American humorist, lecturer, essayist, and author with uncanny perfection. I eagerly await the release of the completed project and anticipate that, should it receive the distribution and viewing opportunity it seems to warrant, it will bring the deserved acclaim to Kilmer.

Written and directed by Kilmer, the projected release date for Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy is 2010.


Take a look and tell me what do you think:

My 2009 ACADEMY AWARD PREDICTIONS

Before listing predictions for this year's Oscar winners, I must comment on the nominations for Best Documentary Film - one category where the Academy cannot fall short no matter who is called to the stage on award night. All of these films are extraordinary in distinctly different yet highly effective ways. They are equally strong in fashioning storytelling, direction, filming, etc. to the optimum benefit of the particular account they set out to present. Kudos and Congratulations to the production staffs of each of these fine documentary films:

The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) addresses the far-reaching implications of America's involvement in the Vietnam War through the story of Laotian immigrant Thavisouk Phrasavath who exchanged a life of persecution in Southeast Asia following US withdrawal because his father assisted the CIA for a life of poverty in Brooklyn. It is quietly gripping and poignant.

Encounters at the End of the World is filmmaker Werner Herzog's beautifully recorded examination of the unique range of personalities and occupational lifestyles from research scientists to blue collar workers defining the population surviving in the harsh environment of Antartica. Never before has ice cold been conveyed with such warmth.

The Garden is a well constructed narrative of the conflict between residents in a South Central L.A. neighborhood and the new landowner of a previously city-owned tract of land that was one of the nation's largest community gardens but the owner has targeted for development.

Man on Wire is the dramatic account of how French performance artist Philippe Petit planned and executed his 1974 high wire walk between the World Trade Center's Twin Towers that took nearly one hour to the amazement of New Yorkers observing from the streets below. An homage to the structures themselves is an unintentional subtext.

Trouble The Waters is the first hand account of New Orleans resident Kimberly Roberts and her husband's chaotic experiences of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina from their grueling exodus, settlement in Memphis and eventual return to the city. Uses actual footage shot by Roberts. Candid and raw at times.


On to my predictions:


Category....................... Should Win................... Will Win

Picture....................... Benjamin Button.............. Slumdog
Actress....................... Meryl Streep..................... Meryl Streep
Actor.......................... Brad Pitt.......................... Sean Penn
Supp. Actress.............Taraji Henson................. Amy Adams
Supp. Actor............... Heath Ledger.................. Heath Ledger
Director..................... Howard:Frost/Nixon......Boyle: Slumdog
Art Direction............. Ben/Button........................ Ben/Button
Orig. Screenplay........ Wall-E................................ Milk
Adap. Screenplay....... Ben/Button........................Slumdog
Foreign Lang.............The Class (Fr).......Waltz/Bashir (Isr'l)
Docum. Feature........ WIDE OPEN
Short Docum............. WIDE OPEN
Short Film................. New Boy...............................Toyland
Short Animated......... Lavatory/Lovestory..........La Maison
Song........................... Slumdog ............................ Slumdog
Score...........................Button or Defiance............. Slumdog
Sound Editing.............Ben/Button................... Dark Knight
Sound Mixing.............Slumdog.............................Slumdog
Editing........................Button or Milk..................Sllumdog
Cinematography......... Dark Knight.................Ben/Button
Animation................... Wall-E.............................. WALL-E
Visual Effects.............. Ben/Button.................. Ben/Button
Costume Design.......... Ben/Button.................... Australia
Makeup....................... Ben/Button................. Ben/Button

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 GOLDEN GLOBE WINNERS...especially....

the family and friends of the late Heath Ledger, especially Chris Nolan

the production staff, cast and crew of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, the underdog that could (and DID!)

Best Actor recipient Michael Rourke (The Wrestler)....Welcome Back!

Double Winner Kate Winslet (Best Actress - Reservation Road, Best Supporting Actress -The Reader)...see you in CA 2/24!!!

and

Steven Spielberg - 2009 Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievment Award Recipient...Well Deserved!

MY PICK FOR BEST MOVIE: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button......Followed Ever So Closely By Doubt

View Site:
http://www.benjaminbutton.com/


Read My Review of TCCOBB Below
(Blog appears immediately after Golden Globe Predictions)

MY 2009 GOLDEN GLOBE PREDICTIONS

BOLD indicates correct pick:
(16 out of 26) Check out my Oscar picks later in the month!

Category.............................. Who Should Win ..................... Who Will Win

Best Picture/Drama………….......TCCO Benjamin Button……...............TCCO Benjamin ButtonX

Best Actress/Drama…………………Meryl Street (Doubt)……………..Angelina Jolie (Changeling)X

Best Actor/Drama……………Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button)……… Pitt (Rourke -Wrestler CBAS*)

Best Picture/Comedy/Musical……..……Mama Mia!…………………….Mama Mia!X

Best Actress/Comedy/ Musical… E. Thompson (Last Chance Harvey)... McDormand CBAS*X

Best Actor/Comedy or Musical………Dustin Hoffman (Last Chance Harvey)………..HoffmanX

Best Supporting Actress in a Mot. Pic.…….Viola Davis (Doubt)…Kate Winslet (Reader)

Best Supporting Actor in a Mot. Pic.………Heath Ledger (Dark Knight)……….Heath Ledger

Best Animated Feature Film……………………Wall-E………………………….Wall-E

Best Foreign Language Film.…I’ve Loved You So Long (France)……I’ve Loved You So LongX

Best Director – Motion Picture.…David Fincher (Button)…..Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon)X

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture……Eric Roth - B. Button .....David Hare – The ReaderX

Best Original Score – Mot. Pic.…….Alexandre Desplat (Button)…….....A.R. Rahman (Slumdog M.)

Best Original Song – Mot. Pic.…..Bruce Springsteen (Wrestler)……Peter Gabriel (Wall-E)

Best Television Series/Drama………………....Mad Men (AMC)…………………………… Mad Men

Best Actress in TV Series/Drama……Sally Field (Bros/Sis-ABC)..Anna Paquin (Blood/HBO)

Best Actor in TV Series/Drama………..Jon Hamm (Mad Men-AMC)…………….Jon HammX

Best Television Series/Musical or Comedy………….30 Rock (NBC)………………………..30 Rock

Best Actress in TV Series/Musical or Comedy…Tina Fey (30 Rock-NBC)……………….Tina Fey

Best Actor in TV Series/Musical/ Comedy…..Alec Baldwin (30 Rock-NBC)……Alec Baldwin

Best Mini Series or Motion Picture
Made for TV…………………..……………John Adams (HBO)……………………………John Adams

Best Actress in a Mini Series or Motion Picture
for TV/Drama.…….Laura Linney (John Adams-HBO)……C. Keener (Amer. Crime CBAS)*

Best Actor in a Mini Series or Motion
Picture Made for Television……………Paul Giamatti (John Adams-HBO)….Paul Giamatti

Best Supporting Actress in Mini Series or
Film Made for TV….....Melissa George (In treatment-HBO)…Laura Dern (Recount-HBO)

Best Supporting Actor in Mini Series or
Film Made for TV……..Tom Wilkinson (John Adams-HBO)………Tom Wilkinson
.......................................................................Dennis Leary (Recount-HBO) BCAS*


*Could Be a Spoiler