This Is It

Amidst fedoras, sequinced gloves, and other MJ memorabilia, I sat in eager anticipation at the advanced screening of This Is It (by My33). I felt like a little girl who was nervously awaiting her favorite (& legendary) performer take center stage at the concert of a lifetime that she would never forget. So close to the stage, she would retell the story over and over to her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids.

For anyone that believes in love and believed in Michael, this film is for you. For all the haters and those who tried to bring him shame, it is even more for you. For those who never understood, it is for you. This Is It is for the world.

The beauty of this movie is not that we can see Michael rehearsing and enjoy his music again, although I assure you everyone in the theater truly enjoyed the performances; the thing about the movie is that it reveals the Michael that everyone wanted to know but had no means to do it. His eccentricity, perfectionism, and passion for his art and what motivated him is what really shines here. We already knew and loved his music, that's not new, but we didn't all know to the extent that he wanted to do it for us, his fans.

"I want it to sound like how I wrote it...how the audience hears it," MJ tells the music director when they're modifying one of the songs.

The film truly showcases MJ as the musical genius and dedicated and talented performer that he was, and what he meant to the music and dance community. The film takes you through auditions, rehearsals, pyro sets, and the filming that was going to be a part of the actual concert performance. The stage production was spectacular; this was going to be the show that would have everyone talking about it for years. The choreography, digital effects, costumes, music, everything was at its best, just like Micahel asked.

I always dreamt of going to a MJ concert, and now I feel like I did. The film brought the audience together and felt like a real concert with everyone singing, clapping, and cheering. It was a wonderful experience.

Michael wanted to share a message, This Is It.

MJ, may he rest in peace, as his music and love live forever.


-------- a fan at the screening won a soundtrack CD for best costume






PS stay through the end of the credits ;)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Stepfather

Last night I attended an advanced screening by My33 of "The Stepfather," and I am so glad I didn't pay for that ticket!!

Ok, first let me say that I hate being scared. I can't sleep at night, the paranoia is just intolerable. I should also warn that I am very easily scared. I saw "The Ring" mostly through my sweater, and I screamed and jumped countless times. But, being the masochist that I am, I agreed to go see Stepfather.

Now I've never seen the 1987 movie, but I can assure you that if it's horror, thrills, and fright that you're after, PLEASE skip this year's version.

Now, don't get me wrong, the acting was good quality, and the storyline in and of itself is plausible/amusing, but the execution failed miserably at delivering an exciting, suspensful film.

Why? This couldn't have been a more cookie-cutter "scary" movie. Not one single scene/incident was unpredictable. And the character of the stepfather even came off foolish and his secret sins were messy.

I mean, I know if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but I think this level of predictability certainly needs some work. The music, the clues, the situations, spice it up a bit please!!!!

The only somewhat exciting (although still predictable) part was the final chase between the son and the stepfather.

I actually found myself laughing (not nervously, but mockingly) at various points, and was just happy to see the whole thing come to a [predictable] end. But I do pray to the movie gods that they bury it there and do not produce a sequel.

For those completely unfamiliar with the plot:

A son, Michael, returns from military school to find his mom engaged and living with his soon-to-be stepfather, "David," As they get to know each other, Michael grows suspicious of David's intentions and identity, especially after noticing the great resemblance to a most wanted killer known for murdering his new family.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Funny People- a Dramatic Comedy for no fool

… as to not give up to much information on the movie I’ve decided to dive into certain scenarios that seem to only jump through the movie, be aware that reading a review means, most of the time, a walkthrough of thru movie in writing.

Funny People is not your typical Dramatic Comedy. It follows a comedian name George
Simmons played by Adam Sandler, resembles him in vast detail. Like Sandler, George has starred in his share of seeming box-office “cash grabs”, he has gained a fan base, but unlike Sandler he isn't happily married.

The story also follows another comedian portrayed by Seth Rogen as Ira Wright whom interacts with George as his assistant and opening act. Ira comes into the picture when he follows an act by George, whom by this point has been told that he has a rare blood disease from which he has an 8% chance of survival rate. George Simmons rather like Ira’s jokes and decides to call him for a job offering.
From here on out a friendship begins to develop based on the fact that they both are enduring George’s approach of Death.

In one particular scene we see the typical “Scrooge” character change or if I may, the stage of grief in which one accepts ones demise. He begins to call and try to make amends with all the people he is “closest” too, but one in particular. He calls, the one that got away, portrayed by Leslie Mann who wants to hear nothing of George.

The story develops into George Simmons’s recovery (which isn’t a recovery per-say), which leads him to the question “now what”?
Simmons manages to make contact with his beloved who agrees to go see a show of his that will be in town because she still thinks that George is dying. At the end of the stand up both George and Ira (whom by this point is not only Georges assistant but also his opening act) meet up with Leslie Mann in which the old spark they had seems to ignite between the two ex-lovers. Later on Eric Bana’s character as Leslie Mann’s as the crazed husband which adds a sense of instability to the story that never seems to quite click.

In the end, this movie seems more like a some what realistic view into a mans unhappiness, which through a set time period and interaction with people seems to change his view of life and take measures that will in the end lead him to the moral of the story. Yes a lot of jokes are made through out the movie, around every corner one might even say, but most are used as a means of deflection. There are some upon the stand up bits, which are in a sense biter sweet as the audience knows the backgrounds story of the characters. All in all, this movie is not for the person hoping to laugh at another Knocked UP, this movie has a whole heartedly drama that blends into the lives of comedians. I give this Movie a rating of

B+

Julie & Julia: Will definitely whet your appetite...and your heart!

::sigh::

I really loved this movie. I got to see it earlier this week at a preview screening sponsored by the My33 Movie Club (thanks, Ardis!) and I instantly fell in love with the film. Meryl Streep is simply charming and endearing as the renowned Julia Child, and Amy Adams couldn't play the role of Julie Powell any better. Both are outstanding actresses, but I can't lie, Streep impressed me more. Why?

I love Streep, but I think she is a little overrated. She plays a wonderful love-to-hate bitch, but nice, warm characters just don't seem to fit well. I mean, did anyone else see Mamma Mia!? I guess that was just an exception, because Streep brought Child to life and made her warm, charismatic, real, and very, very loveable.

As for Adams, as always, her characterization was flawless. A great actor always engages her audience in such an intense way that the viewer suspends belief, and completely forgets there is an actor. So does Adams in her role as Julie Powell. I believed her frustration with her "friends;" her desire to be a good person; her inner conflicts and insecurities; her love for cooking and writing and Eric.

I assure you I am no cook, and though I do love to eat (although my options are limited to vegetarian choices), I loved this movie because it hit home. Because it showed what it's like to want something that other people may think is crazy; and doing it...against all odds.

The movie is also very much about love, and I am sucker for love. Plus, it had a lot of comedic scenes. If you are completely unaware of the plot line it goes a little like this:

First of all, yes, it is based on two true stories (they always do make for the best stories, don't they?)...One chronicles the life of Julia Child--an American who becomes trained in French cuisine while her husband is on assignment in Paris. And the other of Julie Powell, a frustrated writer stuck working in a cubicle who loves to cook...Julia Child's recipes.

While viewers get a taste of how Julia got to publish the recipes in her lengthy cookbook, Julie challenges herself to do every recipe from Child's cookbook in exactly one year and document her experience via a blog, The Julie/Julia Project.

I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone.