Must see:  Michael Jacksons’ This is it!

To watch the movie trailer click on image:

LOS ANGELES – A procuradora da cidade de Los Angeles, Carmem Trutanich, afirmou nesta segunda-feira, 16, que ainda espera obter o reembolso pelos US$ 3 milhões gastos pela municipalidade com o funeral de Michael Jackson. Apesar disso, um relatório afirma que não há lei que preveja esse tipo de ressarcimento.

O Comitê de Segurança Pública da cidade irá revisar nesta segunda-feira um relatório, segundo o qual Los Angeles gastou US$ 3,2 milhões na cerimônia realizada em julho no Staples Center, incluindo US$ 2 milhões em horas extras para policiais. O documento afirma também que o funeral deu um impulso de US$ 4 milhões para a economia local.

O relatório afirma que não havia determinação em julho prevendo que a proprietária do Staples Center, a AEG, reembolsasse a cidade. Apesar disso, a procuradora disse que buscará o dinheiro.

Fonte : reidopop.com/mjbeats | terra.com

 

Acabou o romantismo pós-trauma, hein?

Letícia

I had high expectations of the new Michael Jackson concert documentary, This Is It, though anything related to MJ would be the coolest thing ever in my eyes.  It was the closest I ever came to seeing him live in concert, because when he and his brothers went on the Victory Tour in 1984 I couldn’t attend either of their two Cleveland shows, much to my sister’s and my dismay; two of our friends were lucky enough to go to both concerts and I don’t think we ever got over it.

As for others who were way into Michael during the Thriller craze his death in June was devastating to me, but it also reminded me of what a huge part of my childhood he was, and how his influence on me continues as an adult.  John Mayer summed it up best for those of us who grew up with the most perfect album we knew as kids, performed by the ultimate performer against whom we would always compare all others:  “A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we’ll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player.”  When I heard that he was in the hospital with cardiac arrest it was bizarre, I mean, he had become quite eccentric since those glory days in the 80s.  Everyone wondered what was going on with him for the past couple of decades, he was in the tabloids, everyone made jokes about his plastic surgery, monkeys, and children.  It was almost like Thriller  had never happened!  I continued to like his music, though I didn’t buy anymore of his CDs.  By the time Bad came out in 1987 it wasn’t cool to like him in my school, not that I cared what other people thought was cool, but people were not as in love with him as they once were.  It was strange to see how MJ had changed his appearance in those five years since we all became obsessed with Thriller.  His music was still ahead of its time but he was becoming more of a joke in the public eye because of his allegedly bizarre behaviour and lightening skin.   

The first music I listened to was Chuck Berry, Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Johnny Mathis.  I got my first record player when I was about five years old and those were the records I had–my mom’s old stuff.  But I had no idea who these artists were or that these were old songs, I just knew that I loved the music.  I was nine when Thriller was released, but I didn’t get it until I was ten or eleven.  The first time I had ever heard of Michael Jackson was in 4th grade, the year Thriller came out, when my friend Leslie mentioned him one day in school.  I pretended like I knew who he was because I considered myself a music authority, but Leslie could tell I had no clue.  When the album started to explode and Michael’s picture was everywhere and his videos dominated MTV I understood who he was and how amazing this music was.  I was hooked.

There was a girl in my Sunday school who had the Thriller  jacket.  It was totally inappropriate to wear it to church and I always thought she was showing off, and I was very jealous.  I did find a sparkly white glove that  I would put on when I got to school, and my middle sister and I had small MJ purses that we probably got at the mall; mine was blue, I think hers was yellow, and they had the cover of Thriller on them.  They were our prized possessions!  I remember going to Niagara Falls with my grandparents one time in 5th or 6th grade and carrying my Michael Jackson purse around my shoulder as we walked across the bridge at the Angola rest stop and some random woman grabbed it and started gushing about how much she loved it.  “Oh my God!  Did you get this in Niagara Falls?”  “No,” I said, “I got it in Ohio.”  Every time I go to that rest stop I think about that; in fact, I was there the week before he died.

I incorporated Michael into every aspect of my daily life, including family events and a short story I wrote for a 5th grade assignment.  There was a box of cards, and on each card was written a sentence that was to be the first sentence of your story.  My card read: “And the winner is…”  So, I made my story about the Academy Awards.  The nominees included Michael for his role in The Wiz, even though that had come out about five years earlier.  The story was really about the after-party, which was not at a big LA nightclub but at Michael’s mansion.  Everyone who was anyone in the 1983 celebrity world was there: Valerie Bertinelli, Ricky Schroder, and Joan Jett, to name a few, and, of course, all of the Jacksons.  The party went very late so everyone decided to spend the night in one of Michael’s hundred bedrooms, and Mrs. Jackson made a huge breakfast the next morning.  A fabulous time was had by all! 

After my cousin was christened in Niagara Falls in the mid-80s we had a party.  I used to walk around with a tape recorder at every family event in those days so I could capture funny and random moments.  This time, I pretended I was Barbara Walters and I was covering a celebrity party.  My father was Tom Selleck, my mother Sophia Loren, my uncle was from ZZ Top, a cousin was Don Ho (only because he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt),  another cousin was Dan Tanna from the TV show Vega$.  Dan Tanna’s wife played one of the Jackson sisters, LaToya or Rebbie, and I asked her all about MJ.  Everything in those days revolved around Michael.

I started college in 1991, the year of Dangerous.  Some great videos came from that album, and my roommates and I got excited every time we saw them.  I think “Remember the Time” was my favourite, partially because I was a big Magic Johnson fan (I had a Magic poster on the living room wall of our apartment), partially because I loved Eddie Murphy, but mainly because it was just a really sweet-ass video with a great song.  People still thought Michael was weird, but the girls I lived with seemed to appreciate him like I did.  Still, I didn’t buy the album, and I’m not sure why.   

When I was in my 20s I got interested in punk music, something I didn’t know too much about beyond having heard about the Sex Pistols.  I became obsessed with learning everything I could about the music, buying CDs and old magazines and newspapers with classic covers.  I never forgot about the music I grew up with, but I was branching out.  Over the years my knowledge of different music styles and their histories expanded, and though I never forgot my love for Michael Jackson, I didn’t really think about it too much.  He had changed so much physically since I first fell in love with him, he was so different.  But his music was just as catchy, even if it wasn’t being played on the radio as much—at least, not in the United States.  He continued to be the biggest star in the world to people in other countries. 

From the day he died until he was finally laid to rest I played nothing but MJ in my car.  I bought the albums I didn’t have.  I learned all the words to every song on Off the Wall.  I searched my old bedroom at my parents’ house for all of my MJ memorabilia.  I bought a poster frame and made a little shrine in my apartment with my favourite poster from when I was a kid, the one with him in a yellow sweater vest and bowtie.  I used to kiss it every night, and you can still see my lip print on his lips.  My middle sister did the same.  She found her MJ scrapbook and we all looked at it one night, laughing at the 80s clothes and hair, remembering how cool we all thought he was and how much we loved his videos, and sad to know that he was gone.  I don’t remember really breaking into tears more than tearing up as I watched the TV coverage and listened to his music.  I’m not sure it sunk in that he was dead until the day of his funeral, when I saw them moving his casket to the hearse.  As soon as I saw those red flowers covering his coffin I knew it was real.  I cried like a little bitch, and stayed that way pretty much all day as I watched every second of the memorial.  Listening to everyone’s memories of him, especially Brooke Shields’ touching speech about their innocent friendship when they were both still so young, humanized Michael for those of us who saw him as a superstar.  He was a man, a troubled man, a talented man, a spiritual man.  I had never believed any of the accusations over the years, I never let that type of thing taint my opinion of him.  He may have looked weird, but when I played Thriller again all I could think of was that zipper coat from “Beat It”, the red V-coat from “Thriller”, his sequined socks from “Billie Jean”.  We all wanted to be him, we all wanted to know him, to touch him.  Listening to the music that made us love him so much when we were kids, it feels like he is truly part of us.  That is something that will never fade.  That is what great art is supposed to do.  That is what great human beings do, it’s the legacy they leave for humanity.  Michael Jackson was not just the King of Pop.  He was a man, a father, a son, a brother.  It really is a simple as that.

Você sabe o que é uma VideoSong? Já bem populares pelo YouTube, são vídeos de músicas que seguem duas regras bem simples:

1- O que você vê é o que você ouve – ou seja, qualquer instrumento tocado ou qualquer coisa cantada realmente aparece como tal, sem “dublagens”.

2- Se você pode ouvir, em algum momento irá ver – ou seja, mesmo que um som esteja oculto em algum momento, o que o origina acaba sempre aparecendo.

Não entendeu? Assista este ótimo cover de Beat It, do finado Rei do Pop pelo pessoal da Pomplamoose Music, para entender:

Bueno aqui les dejo este video de FOB es un cover de Michael Jackson de la cancion beat it, pues creo que es un buen cover pero no se la voz no me gusta mucho, pero en general es bueno

.

This cover is a VideoSong, a new medium with 2 rules:

1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).

2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).

As I struggle to finish the rest of the tales of the long ago West Coast trip in addition to a couple of other projects, I’m gonna keep the posts fresh with filler. For Friday, a music selection from a great self-taught guitarist named Simon Davies. Performing both original songs and covers with extreme versatility, I decided to post this one… a cover of Beat It, which, after attending McD’s birthday party a couple months back now holds special meaning.

Aside from this, however, I highly recommend also checking out his cover of Jerry Reed’s fantastic bluegrass-ish instrumental “Breakdown” and Simon’s original track, “Passed,” which I hope eventually records with himself and backing bass performing.

YOU TUBE Write Up:

Nov. 13th Show!!! at Brainwash Café in San Francisco!!!
8pm Greek National Road
9pm Danielle Ate the Sandwich
10 o’clonk Pomplamoose

free mp3 at http://www.myspace.com/PomplamooseMusic

This cover is a VideoSong, a new medium with 2 rules:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).

Beat It, by Michael Jackson
Lyrics:
They told him don’t you ever come around here
Don’t wanna see your face, you better disappear
The fire’s in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it

You better run, you better do what you can
Don’t wanna see no blood, don’t be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it

They’re out to get you, better leave while you can
Don’t wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it

You have to show them that you’re really not scared
You’re playin’ with your life, this ain’t no truth or dare
They’ll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they’ll tell you it’s fair
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right

The Decade in 7 Minutes:

I’ve Got Nothing: Crowdsourced Song Created by YouTubers [VIDEO]

This American Life:

The 1987 Dance Aerobics Championship

Island by Fyodor Khitruk

“Island” by Fyodor Khitruk. 1973 Golden Palm at Cannes Film Festival, 1974 for Best Short Film. Golden Dragon at Cracow Film Festival 1974:

How about some Kurdish music? From the popular Sivan Perwer: Yek Mumek

And yet another sample of Kurdish music. Koma BAWLEKAN – Şerizdin

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VESBRT8lG4I]

Pete Wentzék koncertműsorából kikerül a ‘Beat It’. Wentz vonatkozó nyilatkozatában elmondta, hogy a feldolgozást – mely egyébként felkerül a Fall Out Boy hamarosan megjelenő ‘Believers Never Die‘ című válogatásalbumára – annak idején afféle poénként, furcsaságként rögzítették. „Úgy döntöttük, hogy nem játsszuk többé. Ez az ő dala, nemde? Lemezre tesszük, mert klipes szám volt, de ez egész egyszerűen az ő dala és kész.” – mondta a zenész.

Today I went to the cinema and saw the documentary film MJ-TII. I had been wanting to see it for a while after reading in reviews how good it was. I have to say though that while I enjoyed it, it was not really what I thought it was going to be. For those who maybe haven’t heard of it before, the film pulls together all the rehearsal footage captured from Michael Jackson’s final 50 date concert tour, ‘This Is It’. Even for a music documentary I had been expecting more interviews, and there were none. Especially as it says that’s what’s coming up in the opening blurb. The film really just gives a taste of what fans could have expected from the concert had Jackson lived to perform it. While undoubtedly a talented singer and dancer I was hoping to see many more interviews, perhaps some retrospective ones too, but the only time there was someone talking it lasted for seconds. Because of this, for me, the film got a little tedious in the middle as footage goes from song, to song, to song. The most interesting, I thought, was the segment for ‘Thriller‘. I would say overall that it is worth a look, but probably one look only unless you’re a die hard MJ fan. Not one for the DVD collection, it’s enjoyable but not spectacular. See it if you’re curious. Thanks for reading.

So, found on my new favorite timesuck www.gawker.tv, this band is called Pomplamoose. This little piece of happy couldn’t have come at a more perfect moment for me (effing Stupak… ugh).

First off, Pomplamoose is an AWESOME name and fits them perfectly somehow (they are quirky, and precious, and adorable). Second, these videos are sweet! Not your average, we are a band and are going to perform this song for you and maybe add in a couple things. No, no. They make “videosongs,” which, as I understand it, means that anything they play or sing you will actually see at some point.. plus a little extra. It’s kinda amazing, and fun, and funny, and I’m hooked.

Here are a few of my favorites.

I will admit that this song is ridiculously catchy, and does get stuck in my head. Especially with Glee, and the weird phenomenon of babies dancing to it (which I will not link to cause it creeps me out. go YouTube that on your own!). I will not, however, admit that this was the best video of all time. Sorry.

Best part about this though is that I get the song without Beyonce, and with fun. Love it about two minutes in: “Don’t make me sing this part of the song, the lyrics are so bad so we’re going to skip ahead to the single ladies part instead.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Love this song to begin with, but their take on it is adorable (as all their music is). Plus that grandma has some serious dance moves… I wish I danced like that.

And of course, a little Michael Jackson doesn’t hurt. I officially want a mini piano. I think it’s going on my xmas list…

The Mrs. Robinson one really deserves a shout out too. Do yourself a favor, go download their music, and the next time you are having a crap day, play it. All of it. If it doesn’t make you smile, you have a real problem.

Also, for anyone who knows me, you probably have already guessed I’m in love with this girl’s hair. That is all.

Titolo originale: Michael Jackson’s This is it

Regia: Kenny Ortega

Cast: Michael Jackson, Nick Bass, Michael Bearden, Daniel Celebre, Mekia Cox, Misha Gabriel, Judith Hill, Dorian Holley, Devin Jamieson, Kenny Ortega, Bashiri Johnson, Charles Klapow, Jonathan Moffett, Orianthi, Darryl Phinnessee, Dres Reid, Ken Stacey, Tyne Stecklein

Distribuzione: Sony Pictures, USA, 2009

Guarda il trailer

This is it è un documentario realizzato dal regista californiano Kenny Ortega sfruttando quasi cento ore di materiale raccolto durante le prove dello spettacolo che Michael Jackson stava preparando nella scorsa primavera allo Staples Center di Los Angeles per una cinquantina di concerti che avrebbe tenuto a Londra in estate. La Sony ha acquistato i diritti del film per 60 milioni di dollari ma la pellicola ne ha incassati già 101 milioni nel mondo.

Il documentario ci presenta un Michael in forma a pochi giorni dalla morte avvenuta lo scorso 25 Giugno per cause non meglio chiarite, mentre prova le coreografie e le canzoni che lo hanno reso celebre e che lo hanno reso il vero e unico King of Pop. Il ritratto che ne viene fuori è quello di un professionista attento, perfezionista, conoscitore della musica, pronto a dare consigli o a suggerire correzioni ma sempre col sorriso e con grande umiltà. Affermare che si sarebbe trattato dello show del secolo non è affatto un’esagerazione: ogni canzone ha la propria coreografia e il proprio video sullo sfondo: ad esempio  per Smooth Criminal  Michael viene magicamente catapultato nel celebre film Gilda, con Rita Hayworth e viene inseguito da Humphrey Bogart armato, oppure per Thriller il videoclip orginale di John Landis viene realizzato in 3D; e poi effetti speciali, luci, ballerini spettacolari. Michael sorride e ringrazia alla fine di ogni pezzo, quasi stupito dall’entusiasmo scatenato in chi lo osserva, come quando prova Beat it da solo sul palco  realizzando anche la coreografia suscitando urla e applausi entusiasti da parte dei ballerini che lo osservano rapiti. 

Kenny Ortega fa davvero un buon lavoro, mettendo in luce la persona, il professionista che si occupa di ogni minimo aspetto della performance, dalle luci alla coreografie, alle note della base, fino alle tonalità dei coristi, dimostrando una  grande conoscenza della musica e di ciò che avviene sul palco e dietro le quinte.

Vale davvero la pena di vedere questo documentario, non solo per chi lo ha amato, per chi è cresciuto con la sua musica, con la sua voce angelica e con le sue coreografie e i suoi videoclip che hanno fatto storia, ma anche per chi non lo ha conosciuto magari a causa della giovanissima età o per chi ha interesi musicali diversi, perché si tratta del ritratto di un vero artista, al di là di tutto.

Conclusione: Consigliatissimo.

Voto: 9

Nunca fui fan de Michael Jackson, pero claro que lo conocía antes de muerto, siempre fue el Rey del Pop, conocía partes de Thriller, obvio, Beat it, Bad, Ben y eso porque es de las clásicas de Páginas del pasado que oía mi padre muchas veces.

Sin embargo, nunca me llamó la atención, ya que crecí, lo conocí más por sus escándalos pedófilos, sus hijos, sus cirugías, que por la música. Cuando murió dije que mal plan, y luego que sale su homenaje, video, películal, documental, This is it, y la euforia por él, que lo veo.

Y vaya, que quedé sorprendido, era un artista en toda la extensión, sensible, de esos perfeccionistas, y puede que sea la percepción que deja el making del concierto, porque igual no podemos ver todos los makings de todos los artistas del mundo, pero este era especial, ver cómo iba a ser y quedarte con la sensación del cómo pudo haber sido.

Ni en sueños iba a estar en Londres, pero fue un buen acercamiento, a mí sí me dieron ganas de gritar, de moverme, de al final decir, ouch, ya se murió. En efecto no lo llamaría documental, si acaso, como dijo un amigo, porque ya está muerto, pero es un making, un detrás de cámaras, porque hasta le faltaban entrevistas o más cosas de él, pero digan lo que digan, si la vieron y no les gustó, es válido, pero sino, ojalá puedan hacerlo.

Salí del cine con ganas de tener un disco, porque no tengo ni uno, al ritmo de Beat it, eso creo sólo lo logra un buen artista, y Michael Jackson era grande, a él sí le compro un disco, y le acepto una estatua en algún museo, digo, si aquí hacen a políticos de cuarta, porqué no a un mega artista.

This is it, también muestra a un Michael Jackson paciente, respetuoso, amable, y que sí cantaba, digo, siempre dije es baile, es talento, muy visual, pero no, sí cantaba aún a sus 50, cosa que perdón no decimos de gente como Madonna, que sería su contraparte femenina, This is it, iba a ser muy emotivo, pero se murió antes de tiempo.

Hubo una época en la que sólo unos pocos eran objeto de la adoración del público. En la que los artistas, los entretenedores, habían pasado de ser los bufones de la corte, a algo más. Casi necesario, indispensable. Se trataba de personas que durante toda su vida se esforzaban por ser buenos, arrastrando durante años una carrera consagrada al público. Luego llegó Internet, los sistemas de almacenamiento masivo de música, películas y video. Nos volvimos consumidores realmente feroces que devoraban absolutamente todo lo que se nos pusiera por delante, fuera bueno o no. Había nacido la era en la que un artista puede pegar el pelotazo, superar a las grandes estrellas y convertirse en una divinidad para ser desbancada en tres meses por una adolescente más rubia, más joven, más virginal y más tetuda. Los ‘Idols” japoneses saben de lo que hablo. Cantantes que hacen una carrera de un año hasta que sacan todo lo que pueden de ellos. Así que hoy ya no tenemos “reyes” “Dioses” o lo que sea en la industria del entretenimiento, porque pocos son capaces de aguantar el paso de las modas o el tiempo. Ya no hay superestrellas porque el mercado se mueve muy rápido, así que nuestros hijos difícilmente podrán entender lo que ver solamente un capítulo de Expediente X a la semana (y punto) sin foros de discusión, descargas directas, grupos de fans que hacen quedadas para tragarse temporadas enteras y todo a lo que ahora estamos más que acostumbrados. En ese contexto es entendible una figura mediática como la que nos ocupa, y la película que recoge los últimos momentos de su vida.

En la década de los ochenta Michael Jackson era una referencia mundial. Sus asesores crearon a su alrededor miles de historias fantásticas e inverosímiles que alimentaban una leyenda viva. Daba igual que fuera cierto o no, hacía que se hablase de él, se creaba misterio y, por lo tanto, ventas e ingresos. A la larga esta maniobra destruyó la carrera (y la vida) de un hombre que hoy día sabemos que fue un juguete en manos de un padre violento, compañeros ambiciosos, público insaciable de talento y del propio éxito. De las ganas de comprar el esqueleto del hombre elefante pasamos a que dormía en una cámara de oxígeno para alcanzar la inmortalidad. De un grave accidente a un montón de operaciones de estética. De una enfermedad hereditaria agravada por el estrés y la presión mediática, a las (por otra parte, racistas) ideas de que renegaba de sus orígenes. Un incidente profesional con el disco Invincible hizo que todos pensaran que su carrera estaba arruinada y que si ese hombre tenía que darnos algo, ya estaba hecho. Tras eso, ocho años de excentricidades, acusaciones de pederastia, juicios multitudinarios, parodias incendiarias. El límite entre icono y caricatura es muy delgado y borraron la imagen que el mundo tenía de él hasta que anunció un regreso a los escenarios por todo lo alto. Estas historias son importantes para comprender ‘This is It’, y os pido con que os quedéis con ellas.

Organizar un concierto es caro. Tienes que contratar bailarines, hacer ensayos, construir escenarios…etc,etc. Y si el artista en cuestión es conocido por hacerlo todo a lo GRANDE, ya me contaréis. Estoy seguro de que James Cameron y Michael Jackson hubieran hecho buenas migas. This is it (que viene a significar Esto es todo o Esto es lo que hay) era el nombre de una gira compuesta por cincuenta espectaculares conciertos. Luces, videos, coreografías y algunos destellos de genialidad que finalmente nunca verán la luz gracias a una sustancia médica llamada Proporfol y a un médico que no aclara qué estaba haciendo mientras Michael Jackson moría al tratar simplemente de dormir un poco. Con todas las entradas agotadas y la expectación que había levantado el regreso de este monstruo escénico, ¿Qué iban a hacer los organizadores para recuperar el dinero invertido?

Desde el verano pasado hemos vivido el día a día con un hombre al que no conoceremos jamás. Sabemos los nombres de sus hijos, sus apodos, las idas de pinza de La Toya, que asegura que el espíritu de Michael se comunica con ella haciendo parpadear las luces de su casa (A mí cuando me pasa eso llamo al electricista)… El anuncio de que los últimos ensayos del Rey del Pop se convertirían en una película dividió al público y yo me temía que iba a ser algo parecido a lo que ocurrió con el último trabajo incompleto de Bruce Lee, un ejercicio de canibalismo despiadado en el que llegaron a poner imágenes del cadáver del maestro de las artes marciales para vender más. Se hicieron multitud de preguntas del tipo ¿Sería This is it así? ¿Veríamos un montón de rarezas personales? ¿Saldría drogado o hasta arriba de tranquilizantes? ¿Era capaz de aguantar los conciertos que había firmado?
Y la más importante, que la escuché yo en la sala de cine saliendo de la agradable boquita de una Choni: ¿Hay que leer muchos subtítulos? Que me salgo, ¿eh?

Pues curiosamente, This is it es todo un ejercicio de respeto y cariño hacia un compañero de trabajo y un icono generacional. Se dejan a un lado todas las historias y acusaciones (propias de alguien con tanta fama y dinero) y se pasa a una faceta que me parece increíble que tengan que descubrirnos ahora, la de por qué ese hombre era famoso, su música, su trabajo. No hay ni una sola mención a su extravagante modo de vida o leyenda. Simplemente vemos a un Michael Jackson involucrado hasta la médula en el único campo donde se siente cómodo: el escenario. La película es una reconstrucción no sólo de los ensayos en el Staples Center de Los Ángeles (donde se celebró el funeral de la mega estrella) sino también trata de mostrarnos cómo hubiera sido aquel concierto.

Destacaría multitud de momentos sobre ella, como el inicio, con la voz de Kenny Ortega (el director de High School Musical, pero no os asustéis como hice yo al enterarme, también dirigió el Dangerous Tour) explicándonos cómo hubiera empezado todo. Luces, fuego y explosiones. Es imposible no alucinar literalmente cuando representan Thriller, con grabaciones en 3D de un cementerio plagado de momias, arañas gigantes (esta última, increíble) y bailarines perfectamente maquillados que desaparecen bajo el escenario mientras Michael y decenas de fantasmas bailan en el cielo. Esas grabaciones son parte importante de ‘This is it’, porque demuestran el amor que Michael Jackson profesaba por el cine. Así podemos ver durante la canción de Earth Song un lugar paradisíaco asolado por excavadoras y una niña luchando por rescatar una última brizna de hierba, acabando con una de esas monstruosas máquinas irrumpiendo en el escenario.

Pero para mí, uno de los mejores momentos de la película es la introducción a Smooth Criminal. Si el videoclip original transcurría en un bar de 1930, aquí el equipo se superó cogiendo el metraje de ‘Gilda’, y poniéndonos el famoso baile donde Rita Hayworth se quita el guante y lo lanza, donde un miembro entre el público, que no es otro que Michael, lo recoge. Esta acción hace que otro de los asistentes se enfade y le persiga. Estamos hablando de Humpfrey Bogart. Así, con el blanco y negro y una corta carrera, los disparos atraviesan la pantalla directos hacia nosotros mientras MJ salta rompiendo un cristal.

De la película en sí se puede decir poco más. Esto es lo que hay, muy inteligentemente. No es un concierto, pero casi, no se trata de un documental, pero vemos trabajando a un gran artista. Muchos se preguntan si alguien tan perfeccionista como él hubiera querido que echásemos un vistazo a algo tan parecido a la intimidad de su cuarto. Yo creo que no, pero al menos sirve para confirmarnos que era un tipo increíble y que nos dedicamos a vapulearlo sin descanso durante los últimos diez años.

Pero ‘This is it’ no ha llegado exenta de polémica, como era de esperar. Existe un grupo de gente que bajo el lema ‘This is NOT It’ alegan que la película miente sobre el estado de salud del cantante, que todos sabían que podía morir en cualquier momento, apoyados en las declaraciones de la hija de Michael que aseguraba que le obligaron a trabajar demasiado. Otros fans aseguran que hay trucos y dobles en sus bailes, que él no era capaz de moverse como antes y que en ‘This is It’ sus dotes parecen intactas. Se dice que su regreso a los escenarios respondía a sus deudas millonarias, pero Sony y algunos colaboradores aseguran que lo hacía por sus hijos, porque ahora tenían la edad suficiente para comprender lo que hacía y quería enseñárselo. La película está dedicada a ellos, aunque supongo que siempre mantendrán una sensación amarga respecto a ella. Es lógico pensar que la película toma un matiz romántico al ver a un gran artista trabajando por sus hijos, y no por un rancho cerrado desde el 2003 en busca de pruebas de delitos sexuales (hasta el momento sin éxito). La Toya dice que en los tráilers ella ve a los dobles, y Joe “papi amoroso” Jackson asegura que esa no era su voz. La verdad es que Jackson usó “Dobles” en alguno de sus conciertos, como el de la Superbowl, para dar la ilusión de que podía estar en dos o más sitios a la vez,  también para poder terminar una canción en un lado del escenario y empezar la siguiente en lo alto de una torre, pero no para compensar alguna carencia. Tal vez todo sea fruto de esa campaña de misterio que siempre alentó Jackson, el espectáculo por el mero espectáculo.

Yo voy a deciros lo que me encontré en la sala de cine: un chico, fan de Michael hasta los huesos, con una camiseta luminosa de él y con el mismo tipo de peinado, que arrastró a quince amigos/as suyos al cine con la promesa de que la peli era buena. Cachondeo, risas, melodías de móvil, cuchicheos, comentarios acerca de lo “flipado” que estaba el chaval… conversaciones en voz alta durante los primeros minutos de la peli, chistes sobre su aspecto y su voz cuando cantan Earth Song, con ese inolvidable video de selvas devastadas. En ese momento alguien se puso: “ooooh que bonito, si es que no aguanto más joder, voy a llorar… dios…. Que potito, ¿Esta mierda cuándo se acaba?”. Aplausos irónicos cuando Thriller terminaba y algún que otro mensaje de texto al son de Lady Gagá.  El fan aseguró a sus amigos que al final de los créditos había un detalle que quería que viéramos. Una escena sin más. La vieron y estallaron en carcajadas histéricas por perder el tiempo de semejante forma. Yo no era el fan en cuestión, aunque me considere admirador de Michael desde antes de su triste fallecimiento. Pero me llenó de rabia que después todos (y todas las chonis simpáticas) se hicieran fotos al lado de los pósters, adoptasen pose de prostíbulo rural vagamente sexual y dijeran: ¡¡Fototuentiii!!!

Algo que jamás comprenderé es la maldita manía de la gente de hacerse fotos en todas y cada una de las situaciones de su vida. No es la primera vez que en medio de una película un torrente de flashes de cámaras de fotos llena la sala y se escuchan risas estúpidas. No es por admiración ni respeto, sino educación. Se supone que estamos en el cine, no en el puto parque de la esquina.

Esta película tiene poco para analizar o criticar. Simplemente ES LO QUE HAY. Lo que importa son las reacciones que provoca en el público.

Yo disfruté viendo por fin a alguien a quien le apasiona lo que hace, (y como ya habéis visto, en la ciudad en la que vivo es decir muchísimo, creedme) Demostrando por qué se hizo merecedor del título de “El rey”. Un hombre sano trabajando sin descanso, con la esperanza de darle al público un glorioso espectáculo. (aunque por desgracia sé que murió antes de ensayar Dirty Diana o Bad) Humilde y amable, casi como un niño grande. Quizá muchos esperaban verle acabado y ofreciendo un patético espectáculo, y hay ciertos grupos que lamentan que no se haya incluido un capítulo final con su muerte y funeral. Pero de morbosos está el mundo lleno, y creo que es mejor dejar la película así, restaurando a un icono y recordándonos por qué debe estar ahí.  Ahora todos dicen que les sirvió de inspiración para lo que hacen, desde bailar, escribir o cortar carne en el supermercado. Quizá sea verdad. Lo que yo sé es que, como siempre, mientras algunos se reían, en la pantalla él estaba sonriendo.

“El espectáculo debe continuar, aunque yo no lo haga.” Alfred Hitchcock.

Para leer la ficha de la película pulsa aquí.
Información sobre la filmografía de Michael Jackson pulsando aquí.

ipanonima

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Se estrena el documental con los últimos ensayos de Jackson

 

El documental ha tenido un espectacular debut en las taquillas de todo el mundo y supone la despedida del Rey del Pop, Michael Jackson. “This is it”, diriguido por Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) es un documental post-mortem sobre los últimos momentos del cantante, durante los ensayos de la que hubiera sido su última gira en el O2 Arena de Londres.

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[WARNING: THIS EPISODE REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS]

Beat It was the most anticipated episode of the season for me.  First off, its main plot is about Riley’s sexuality, a storyline with amazing potential that was randomly dropped in Season 8.  Secondly, this episode was directed by Stefan Brogren…though he’s produced Degrassi minis and Degrassi Goes Hollywood (all of which were amazing), Beat It is the first REGULAR episode he has ever directed.

It didn’t disappoint in the least.  I’m actually having a hard time right now thinking of any episode that is as all-around amazing (aka all of its plots were great) as Beat It.

Taking lifeguard training, Riley is immediately attracted to the instructor, Sam.  That’s kinda obvious when he gets a boner while watching Sam give a doll CPR.  LOLZ before the opening credits?  This episode can’t fail.

Yo Riley I'mma let you finish, but Spinner Mason had the best Degrassi boner of all time!!!

Riley tried to "de-gay" himself by attempting to sleep with Fiona. Thankfully, Fiona is too smart for that.

Riley continues to struggle with his sexuality, and the difficulties of balancing faking being straight in front of everyone and suppressing his desires.  Degrassi takes a far different approach with Riley than they did Marco, who simply wanted to keep his sexuality a secret at first.  Riley doesn’t want to be gay AT ALL, and takes actions to “get rid of the gayness.” He fails at doing so after trying to sleep with Fiona, then after they break up he can’t seal the deal with Chantay either.

Degrassi does a fantastic job of pacing the episode and the stages of the emotions Riley goes through.  It’s amazing to watch him gradually become more nervous and aggressive, ending Part 1 after Riley punches Sam because he casually asks Riley if he’s gay (it’s revealed earlier in the episode that Sam is gay too).  Another great element to this storyline is Peter’s presence as Riley’s supportive friend.  It’s only appropriate that Peter be the first person Riley vocally admits he’s gay to.

Marco's sexuality plot in "Pride" is one of Degrassi's best plots ever, and Riley's plot in "Beat It" was even better. Wow.

I noticed that Argiris Karras’ acting is at its best whenever Riley is anxious or angry.  Whenever he’s calm it feels like Argiris is forcing his lines, but he’s on the mark in Part 2 since Riley spends most of the episode frustrated.  From contemplating “gay therapy” to the climactic confrontation with Sam, Riley’s emotional, self-hating attitude brings back that genuine feel to Degrassi…something that hasn’t been around much since Season 4.

BEAT IT MAIN PLOT GRADE: A+

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SUBPLOT A

Has anyone noticed how more mature Anya looks this season?

If you think this subplot is dumb because it involves LARPing, then you completely missed the point.  The theme was simple, and one everybody can relate to.  Tired of being a Studz groupie, Anya has been doing her own thing lately.  She’s involved in Live Action Role Playing after school, but lies and tells Sav she’s taking self defense instead because she knows he’ll just make fun of her.

Samantha Munro has always kinda just been “there,” but I really like her acting in this episode.  When shes LARPing, you can actually tell a difference in Anya’s confidence level compared to all of her previous appearances on the show.

The "happy" ending kinda seeme like a cop out, but not so much since there will be more Sav/Anya drama in the future.

I didn’t particularly like how the plot ended so happily with Sav at Anya’s “wedding,” given the fact they butted heads the entire time leading up to that point.  Either way, I’m just really hung up on how great this plot’s message is: just because you think something’s dumb it doesn’t make it any meaningless to someone else.  Heck, we all have that “thing” we love that everyone else around us thinks is dumb: what a coincidence, mine happens to be Degrassi.

“BEAT IT” SUBPLOT A GRADE: A

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SUBPLOT B

Dave has become the new FUN guy to watch on Degrassi.

This must be stated: Dave is awesome.  He bursts onto the scene out of nowhere and ever since he’s delivered simple comedic entertainment…how sad is it he’s funnier than Danny and Derek ever were combined?

Dave becomes the man after hitting the game winning shot during a Degrassi basketball game.  He uses this opportunity to ask out Jenna, who agrees.  This subplot is so cleverly written…Dave’s crush on Jenna is really just a smokescreen for the plot’s true purpose. 

Why did Jenna go out with him? Because they were going to the fair, and KC and Clare would be there. 

She openly tells Clare she wants to be friends with a guy before dating them…like KC. (oops)

Get where I’m going with this?

Do NOT let Jenna's tears fool you. Behind them is a girl patiently waiting to sink her claws into KC.

Hints are thrown left and right throughout this subplot that Jenna wants KC, and plans to steal him from Clare. 

I love how Degrassi has been setting up this future love triangle without anything big actually happening yet.  Its combination of subtle and not so subtle hints (ranging from Jenna’s comments about KC to the look of confusion/concern on Clare’s face) are making me excited for Heart Like Mine.  Degrassi’s come such a long way to make KC/Clare’s relationship more entertaining, considering it seemed so juvenile in Season 8.  Well done.

“BEAT IT” SUBPLOT B GRADE: A+

El documental basado en  los últimos ensayos de Michael Jackson para su gira de 50 conciertos en Londres ha tenido un espectacular debut en las taquillas de todo el mundo.

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Es la despedida del Rey del Pop, Michael Jackson.”This is it”, dirigido por Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) es un documental post-mortem sobre los últimos momentos del cantante, durante  los ensayos de la que hubiera sido su última gira en el O2 Arena de Londres, después de 8 años de ausencia. Ha sido un éxito además para Sony Pictures, que se hizo con los derechos por unos 60 millones de dólares. 

La película ha conseguido en los primeros días 101 millones de dólares de recaudación en todo el mundo, según la prensa especializada. Un documental que deleitará a los fans y no tan fans por su delicadeza en el que se incluyen imágenes de las más de 120 horas de grabación. En su inicio aparecen testimonios de cantantes y bailarines elegidos por Jackson para el espectáculo e incluye conversaciones con el director.

Se  puede ver al genio de guante blaco ensayando y mejorando en cada minuto los bailes y música de canciones como “Bad”, “The way you make me feel”, “Beat it”, “Billie Jean” o “They don’t care about us“. Quería que fuera perfecto, que deleitara a sus fans. A pesar de la delgadez que se percibe a lo largo de la película, Michael derrochaba fuerza y baile por cada poro de su piel con sus pasados 50 años. Tenía la misma ilusión que en sus comienzos. Muestra a la persona, un hombre perfeccionista, educado y respetoso hasta cuando algo no le gustaba: ” os lo digo con amor, de verdad” solía decir a los miembros de su equipo. Concienciado con el planeta y la sociedad, intentando  siempre que el mundo se diera cuenta para mejorarlo antes de que fuera demasiado tarde.

El concierto hubiera sido todo un éxito, nuevas coreografías, luces y sonido. Nuevos cortos como “Thriller”(vídeo 13:41) en 3D o apuestas como Smooth Criminal en las que iba a mezclar  imágenes de películas como El sueño eterno y Gilda en el que el cantante interactuaba con Rita Hayworth (video 2:12)  y Humphrey Bogart.

Vídeo(2:22)

pasionporelcine.es

Jackson seguirá siendo el rey, no olvidemos que es el hombre que batió el recod mundial de ventas con su disco “Thriller”. El final del filme con “Man in the mirror”, fue el cierre del último concierto donde Michael manda un mensaje de paz y amor al mundo también en su canción “Heal the world”.

Como si de un mal presagio se tratara, tras su inesperada muerte el pasado 25 de junio de 2009 en Los Ángeles, Michael se despide diciendo al mundo: “This is it” (esto es todo). Murió el icono, nació el mito. Dios te bendiga, Michael.

say what you will about michael jackson, and yes, brother did have his issues, but he could sing and dance his ass off.  the man was born to be on stage.

i’m not the biggest mj fan in the world, in fact at times i’ve been highly critical of the man and his antics.  but ya know what?  he’s gone and we are left with all the good things he has done and maybe that won’t wipe away all the crazy stuff we witnessed, but for me.  who cares.  thriller freaking rocks!

i got mj songs stuck in my head i had forgotten where mj songs.

michael jackson looks happy during the rehearsals for that big concert that never happened.  whenever you used to see him on tv or in an interview or anything else, he just looks so uncomfortable.  like he’s not really sure how he is expected to act.  but on stage, he knew how to act.  he looks happy.  looks like he belongs.  and it’s awesome.

if you like michael jackson or not, go see this thing.  it’s only got a few days left at the theater but you’d be sorry to miss it.  they were preparing to put on maybe the greatest spectacle of a concert the likes of such have never been seen.  and these are just rehearsals that are captured here, but the energy, the light, the sound is incredible.

they are not piping music in.  the band is live.  right there on stage with michael.  there ain’t no lip synching at a michael jackson show.  not even during rehearsals.  it’s awesome.  go see it.

best concert movie ever.