Never a Bad Word: This is It

The rehearsal documentary This is It takes what is essentially raw ‘home video’ footage meant for Michael Jackson’s private libraries and creates an illuminating film about the artistic process of one of the greatest performers of all time. Of course, the truth is that every film is a fiction film. There is no way of knowing what footage was left out; what moments of brilliance or ugliness that could be on the cutting room floor. The decision of what is used and how it is portrayed is left to the filmmaker (Kenny Ortega), who in this case chose to showcase both the foibles and virtues of an artist and a person.

During rehearsals, Michael works towards perfection. He pulls his wait and expects everyone else to do the same. He always has a soft sweet voice, even as he is searching for a meticulous change or trying to assert his artistic vision. When an earpiece is too loud, he doesn’t demand that something be done about it, he simply states that he needs some time to become accustomed to the discomfort. He is a hard worker.

Throughout the film, interviews with dancers and musicians comment on what it means to work with the King of Pop. An observation made repeatedly by the band members and back up singers is that he Michaels knows his music. He doesn’t just know the music he wrote and performed, but generally how music works and fits together. They have respect for him as an artist.

Not surprisingly, there are moments of awkwardness and weirdness in the film. As controversial as he can be, I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that there is an oddness to Michael Jackson. At times, Michael’s ways of describing spectacular moments in the show are wrapped in strange metaphors. However, his choice of words is no more unique than when the band’s keyboardist tells Michael to “let him know if he wants more booty in it.” Upon being met with laughter, the musician adds, “But you know what I mean.” And we do know what Michael means when he makes similar comments. We certainly know what he means when he says, “Let is sizzle.” We know the moment of awe and the chills that would have run through us in a full-fledged performance. We have experienced those moments in his music and in his videos. He is an accomplished and talented showman.

Though, the one thing the film is missing is the sizzle; the fully realized vision. It is not to say that the vision isn’t there. It is, and the film gives insight into the creativity and sweat that goes into creating a concert. This is It contains pieces of what would have been a jaw-dropping concert. In one segment we see the different aspects of a spectacular 3-d version of Thriller complete with pre-taped video and live segments, but we are denied the execution of the vision. The film attempts to sew the many pieces of the performance together and help create the experience for us, but it can never be fully realized.

This is It would have been an outstanding companion to a concert DVD, but it suffices as a memorial to an artist who can never be given a enough praise for his talent. Though, somehow it is infinitely sadder to know that the genius was still there at the end.

The Pot of Gold's South of Houston

Never a Bad Word: Whatever Works

The latest Woody Allen film, Whatever Works, is an off-hand comedy driven by its superb ensemble. It fails to be poignant, but succeeds at being a diversion from one’s own worries by compelling the audience into the displeased and scrutinizing world of Boris Yelnikov. It’s a gleeful interruption from reality that haphazardly pontificates about love and luck.

The taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3

I don?t have a lot to say about The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3. The opening sequence is very stylistic, and John Travolta and Denzel are cool as always. The ending is a little blah, nothing special for a film set in NYC, but the sounds of the subway are dead on realistic.

There is a shocking car crash in the middle of the film, as police rush to deliver ransom money. The best character in the film is the mayor played by James Gandolfini as not quite sleazy, but not quite likable either.

Totally Quotable: Art Deco

This is a quote from the Art Deco exhibit at the NYC Library in Bryant Park.

"The Style symbolizes America's romantic enthusiasm for technological progress"

http://www.nypl.org/

Chinese Tea Garden

Live Long and Prosper

There aren’t many summer Blockbuster’s that can make you misty eyed before the title card, but, when James T. Kirk screams his first baby cry, letting his father hear him just once before he dies crashing his ship into the bad guys to save the rest of the crew including his wife and newborn son, I couldn’t help but feel my eyes start to swell.

J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek has you emotionally invested from the very first battle. It, then, powers through the childhoods of both Kirk and Spock with speed and poignancy giving each the back story they need without wasting any time; a rarity among action tentpoles. The rest of the cast is appropriately introduced as Kirk makes his way to and through Starfleet Academy, where he garners unwanted attention from Spock for ‘cheating’ on a Starfleet test. The two finally meet face to face just in time for the Enterprise to be called into action, but before the two could come to terms with there opposing values.

The rest of the movie negotiates ideas of identity, friendship, and faith all while fighting an expertly rendered alien bad guy whose athleticism is intimidating and motivation is near humanizing. With just the right doses of reality and extraterrestrial shine, every moment between the first shot and the final breath, which reminds us space is the final frontier, proves Star Trek will continue to live long and prosper.