Michael Jackson Lives On in This Is It
After seeing Michael Jackson's This Is It for the second time in four days, I can say that it is a little easier to accept his death. It is still incredibly sad. But watching him on the screen with this backstage documentary of what was to be his farewell tour, I felt uplifted and I got a sense that he was in a different place than he had been a few years ago when he was going through his trials and tribulations. It seems that he had come full circle and reached a point in his life where he was at peace with himself.
He was poised for a comeback and this tour would have been spectacular. It included his greatest hits and a few new songs with contemporary themes such as saving the planet. Jackson seems to be in his element throughout this project whether it is rehearsing onstage or working with the musicians, singers, and dancers behind the scenes. He knew every nuance and detail of the show and his directions served as an inspiration to the entire cast.
Some of the most intimate moments of the movie are when Jackson mentors outstanding guitarist Orianthi Panagaris, telling her "this is your moment to shine" and when he shares a spontaneous duet of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Judith Hill. You can almost feel the excitement and pure joy of being coached by the King of Pop.
What struck me was the vitality and sense of abandonment he projected. He was like the MJ of old, mesmerizing with his dance moves and sweetly serenading with his vocals, even though he said he was conserving his voice. I can only imagine how he would have soared on the tour.
This movie should put to rest any of the tabloid fodderabout Michael losing his voice or being a skeleton right before he died. I was amazed at how smoothly and elegantly he danced onstage. He certainly did not look, sound or move like a 50-year-old. Indeed, the autopsy reports had confirmed that he was in good health overall, making his passing all the more painful for his many fans.
MJ, appearing a bit psychic, stated that this tour would be his "final curtain call" at the press conference near the beginning of the film. His demeanor then was upbeat and triumphant which indicates to me that he was fired up and ready to go on this, his last adventure.
The constant admiration shown to MJ by his fellow artists throughout the documentary highlight the contributions he has made to the music world. In fact, after my first screening of the film as I was driving home listening to the radio I was amazed by how many of today's pop and rap artists show an influence of Michael Jackson. MJ's music will never go out of style. Even the Jackson 5 tunes felt contemporary when recreated in the film.
One of the most moving parts of the movie for me was near the end when the cast and director, Kenny Ortega got in a circle interlocking arms and Michael declared they were a family, that they should do their best and not be nervous and look at it as a big adventure. He then said it was about love, loving the earth and that he loved everyone there. That was when I realized that MJ had reached a deep place in his journey.
In June I had written an article in the Huffington Post stating that Michael did not love himself because of his constant quest to change his appearance and his blocking out of those who loved him. I was basing this on interviews he gave about four years ago. After having seen this film I must revise my thinking on that.
When he rehearsed certain songs alone while his dancers became his audience, his performances were received with thunderous applause and cheering. MJ's reaction was to humbly say "God bless you." He seemed to be able to take in the admiration and appreciation and beam it back to them. The love was palpable.
I am grateful that we have this documentary as the final legacy of one of the greatest entertainers of the century. With this film, it almost seems that Michael never left us. In a way, he never has, as his music will always be with us and his influence will continue to inspire generations to come. God bless you, Michael.
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Hi Joan. 14:00 is indeed 2pm. I am based in london so not entirely sure of EST conversions. For us here, it is 10pm. The site advises people to 'settle in' over a period of one hour beforehand, so that those participating give themselves time to be at their most 'present' and 'aware' by the time everyone around the planet gets ready to focus. Just to clarify for everyone: this isn't some weird, frivolous experiment. It's a global concerted effort to anchor the reality and awareness of love, healing and compassion on the planet, for the benefit of all here. That said though, I'm also hoping it's going to be really lovely and joyous. We have all been experiencing grief to varying degrees over this most strange of summers, and to me at least, it feels 'right' somehow to 'take that' sharing somewhere. Doing something that honours Michael and ourselves in the way I think he would really appreciate - feels like the best way to say thank you.
www.majorloveprayer.blogspot.com
November 25th
14:00 LA time
For Michael.
Hold the vision.
See Joan E. Dowlin's Profile
Will do. What is 14:00, 2 PM LA time? Which is 5 PM EST, correct?
I talk about him and my eyes start to tear up. All I am going to say is, and this come from my heart. I will never forget Michael J. Jackson.
With respect: Joan has already said that she will play her part in attempting to remedy the distorted bias the media has force-fed the American public with - in relation to editorial on Michael. I understand your anger, but to seems to me that attacking people in the media who are openly saying they realize what was done to Michael, is both pointless and shortsighted. Only the most imperceptive would deny that the slow drip of the anaesthetic that killed Michael was – in reality, just a formality. What killed him, was the sustained trauma of being put through a baseless, protracted trial that should never have reached court, knowing if found guilty he would be removed from his children’s lives. And even after acquittal, facing the relentless villification of the media, who – post 2005, decided to simply disregard a verdict they found economically inconvienient. The truth is coming. But until then, I invite all of us to stop buying into the thought that we are powerless, and instead, do something very powerful. An intention has been set in effect, and I ask all of us now to - Hold This Vision in our minds and hearts:
‘That the truth of Michael’s integrity and the innocence of his relationships with children will be
unequivocally known and understood by all in our lifetime.’
If the millions of us who love Michael can commit to doing this daily – we will do more to affect change than we could ever imagine.
Nice article. Thanks for posting your thoughts.
I very much enjoyed "This Is It" and can't wait to get it on Blu Ray. The movie confimed what I personally felt all along which was how MJ was still capable to thrill. I've been a fan since I was a boy and the J5 were on the cusp of becoming simply, The Jacksons.
Through the years I have always felt disappointment and doubt about MJ because of all of the stories about him in the media. But I always found myself coming back to his music and particularly his films of which I am a big fan of. Ultimately I would determine that MJ was always the victim.
Considering his life, art and charity, I have felt for many years now that MJ has been sorely misrepresented. As an adoring fan today, it will be part of the rest of my life to defend MJ's legacy whenever it is needed. And I simply cannot wait for future material from the King Of Pop.
Thanks again!
This commentary were my exact thoughts!
Excellent!
Michael's life had come full circle.
Like he said ''if you come into this world knowing you are loved and leave this world
knowing the same, everything esle can be dealt with".
Dear Joan. Thanks, but too little too late. Unless you team up with other positive media people and try to vindicate MJ. The way the tabloid media portrayed MJ in the past made a lot of people believe what they read about him. Now with his movie everybody could see the real Michael Jackson. The warm, loving and considerate man. The wonderful coach of young musicians and dancers who lovingly taught them and wanted them "to shine" like he did. After all they did to him stiil speaking of LOVING each other of saving the PLANET. WHAT A MAN!! I , telling his CAST that they are FAMILY. Too bad he said the same thing to those CHANDLER AND ARVIZO NOBODYS. The media should be ashamed of themselves. And those Chandler and Arvizo boys should come out of their hiding places and SPEAK OUT. They are grown-ups now and know very well they did him wrong. Especially the Chandler boy should have no consideration with his parents since they have no contact with each other for years. His mother said 4 years ago during MJ's trial she had not seen her son in 11 YEARS and his father EVAN physically abused his own son. So what are they waiting for?? I know they are afraid of charges against them or their parents for perjury, but if are REAL MEN they should and tell the truth, especially for MJ's kids. Love you more each day MJ, RIP!
1. Joan, Thank you for your honest and fitting review of This Is It. I have seen it 13 times. I simply cannot get enough of Michael and will see it at least 2 or 3 times a week. I've been a fan of Michael's my entire life so I feel the need to correct you on a couple of things. In stating that you no longer believed that Michael did not love himself because of "his constant quest to change his appearance". Michael stated many times throughout his life that the only plastic surgery he had done was to his nose and that he had vitiligo. The press tortured Michael about this and never believed him. Well, the official autopsy has PROVED that Michael was telling the truth. Michael only altered his nose (like most people in the entertainment business) not his eyes, no chin implant, no cheek implants, and not his lips as speculated about in many tabloids and "legitimate" news outlets. The autopsy also PROVED that Michael never bleached his skin to look white - but that he in fact had the vitiligo that he always said he had. You also said, "He then said it was about love, loving the earth and that he loved everyone there. That was when I realized that MJ had reached a deep place in his journey." Michael was ALWAYS deep and ALWAYS loved everyone.
yes, the press tortured Michael instead of listening to his lyrics, his messages. Not sure what interviews Joan is referring to 4 years ago but one of them couldn't be the Geraldo interview because that shows Michael as a loving person. All his interviews show that. All Michael's friends said the same thing - that he was a loving, caring human being.
2. Michael spent his entire life writing and recording songs about love and healing. Here's a couple of examples. When Ryan White, the AIDS kids from the 80s, was shunned by everyone, Michael befriended him and invited him to Neverland so he and his family could have some joy and peace. Michael promised Ryan that he would make sure the world never forgot him. He kept that promise when he recorded GONE TO SOON and dedicated it to Ryan after he passed away. YouTube the video. In 1992, Kenny Oretago toured with Michael on his Dangerous Tour. When they got off the plane in Bucharest, Michael asked Kenny if he was going to the hotel or coming with him to the orphanage. Kenny went with Michael and watched him visit with the kids. At one point, he saw Michael whispering to the administrator. He later found out that Michael told the administer that the orphanage was not up to par and told them that if they didn't make the necessary changes for the benefit of the children that Michael would not take the stage to perform the next day. Well, Michael took the stage the next day because ALL of the improvements were made to Michael's specifications. This was par for the course for Michael.
3. Michael always used his fame and money for good. These are just two of the many many examples of Michael's love for the world and everyone in it. Listen to his spoken EARTH POEM on the This Is It soundtrack written and recorded by Michael in the 80s. It's AMAZING. Michael gave over $300 million to charity throughout his life. To learn more about his humanitarian work, Google: Michael Jackson's Humanitarian Efforts 1979-2003. I can tell you that unlike most people, the more you learn about Michael, the more you are amazed at the incredible loving, kind, giving person he was and the more you fall in love with him. Again, thank you for your overall lovely review of the film. I hope you take the correction in the spirit in which it was given - Love - ala Michael Jackson.
See Joan E. Dowlin's Profile
Thank you, Pina for those corrections. I always believed him that he had vitiligo and that the only surgery he had was on his nose. However, he did have multiple operations on his nose. I read that his father used to make fun of his nose and that is why he tried to change it. Either way I respect the level of devotion you have for MJ and only now am I realizing the depths of the man and the artist and the love he gave to the world.
Joan, Thank you for responding. I also read the apology you wrote to Michael and was so touched by it. You are unique in your chosen profession. I greatly admire not only your ability to admit that you were wrong but also your ability to express such heartfelt sorrow. You are a rare gem in your profession and should be emulated. I can't express how much it means to have someone like you in the media stand up and do what you have done for Michael. I only hope that more in media will follow your example back to the pursuit of truth, integrity, and compassion. God Bless You.
Nicely written, Joan. I agree after seeing the movie that Michael certainly didn't seem ready to die, and it is such a tragedy this this great talent and human being was taken away so abruptly.
Thank you for this wonderful review. As a fan of MJ's since girlhood nearly forty years ago, I have felt his passing in a deeply personal and profound way. This film has helped to see him back in his glory, yet it has reignited the grieving process for me. I have seen the film 6 times. I understand the need to see it multiple times. Each time I see something new--in his performance or in the work of those in his company, or in the reactions of his company to his presence and guidance. One of my favorites is to watch the woman who dances with him on The Way You Make Me Feel. She is trying her best to be professional but her expressions are priceless when he spontaneously touches or grabs her arm. She lights up in a way that isn't about performance. Observing young people in the theater's audience, who could only have known of MJ as the crazy, scary spectacle he had become was really wonderful. The moment he began to sing or dance, they responded as if he were the Michael of many years ago. That stunningly gorgeous young man and not the plastic, cosmetically altered face he had come to be. His music, his spirit, his love is with us still and, as you said, will never be out of style. His music is timeless--something that is the true mark of genius and what constitutes a "classic."
Thank you Joan. I've seen the film twice and felt relieved - even joyful - at first viewing. This was not a sick or dying man, but a vital one. However, on second look, I was morbidly depressed at the thought of such an enormous project (both personal and professional for MJ) being forever unfulfilled. If only his children could have seen him shine in his element, as we have, just once before he died. How sad for them and for him.
If people had paid as much attention to his lyrics as they did to his appearance, and seeming eccentricities, they'd have empathized with Michael Jackson. Since every word of an interview was dissected and redirected with an often inaccruate slant on it, he told us his feelings in his songs. Love, fears, distain, problems, joys - it's all right there, laid out like a map of his soul.
I have seen out-takes of the Bashir interview which, if aired, would have given the full context of Jackson's comments. It's clear that a negative slant was created by these omissions. Such is the existing standard of our journalism. Shameful. Too many in the media adhere to this degradation of standards, no matter the potential backlash on a human being's life, thereafter.
Finally, let us not forget that MJ's philanthropic legacy will also continue after death. He gives as generously in death, as he gave in life. It seems he truly walked his talk, a very rare thing these days.
Thank you for this sincere review of the movie and of the man. I, too found out my tone regarding Michael Jackson changed from when he just died. I had my doubts about him before, but now it seems more and more less sensational truths about him are coming to light (autopsy report - vitiligo and lupus, child molestation accusations? Apparently there are no evidence at all. His resources saved him? Yes, they did, else he would end up like many other poor victims of false accusations - innocent and in jail). It seems sad that it took his death for him to be vindicated from all the rumours and false accusations, but I hope with the Internet, people will learn to search for the truth themselves and not be spoonfed by the mainstream-media-turned-tabloids.
Michael’s early death was not a given. Only the most imperceptive would deny that the slow drip of the anaesthetic that killed him was – in reality, just a formality. What killed Michael, was the sustained trauma of being put through a baseless, protracted trial that should never have reached court, knowing that if he was found guilty he would be removed from his children’s lives. And even after acquittal, he faced the relentless villification of the media, who – post 2005, decided to simply disregard a verdict they found economically inconvienient. In time, Michael’s name will be vindicated. Until then I invite all of us to stop buying into the thought that we are powerless – and instead, do something very powerful. An intention has been set in effect. And everyone who wants to, is now asked to – ‘ Hold The Vision’ of this intention: ‘That the truth of Michael’s integrity and the innocence of his relationships with children will be unequivocally known and understood by all – in our lifetime.’ Whenever or wherever you think of Michael, re-affirm this global intention in your mind and in your heart. Put all the desire you have for the successful unfolding of this vision into your imagining. If the millions of us who love Michael can commit to doing this daily – we will do more to affect change than we could ever imagine. Hold The Vision.
The truth is coming.
See Joan E. Dowlin's Profile
I'm in, Killashandra. I will hold that vision. I will also question and confront anyone who still holds on to the attitude that he was guilty. It is an affront to me, not to mention MJ and his family and friends. Perhaps if we hold on to the truth, it will prevail. You would think being acquitted at his trial would be enough. I believe sometime soon in our lifetime he will be vindicated however it happens.
hear.. hear.. thanks for this..
have you noticed?? how the media still protects the Chandlers?? when there's a lot of melodrama going on with that f amily-- even a courtcase.. it's very easy to see now what kind of people they are-- and it won't even b e surprising IF the father is the one posting MJ hate in different web sites.
the EXPOSURE will be on them-- NOT MJ..
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