I had the day off today and my wife and I saw the Michael Jackson movie "This Is It." Actually I thought it was good. The movie chronicles the rehearsals for the Jackson tour set up earlier this year. I liked watching how the rehearsals went, especially with the band. Incredible keys' sonics; some way cool sounds created. Really neat hardware, too, very customized it looked, and most of the sounds were software, I guess, except for what looked like an oaysis and probably a big motif. No telling what they were driving though. The songs all came back to me; I was surprised that I remembered any of them except thriller and billie jean. The band was very nice, especially the chick guitar and sugarfoot, the drummer. The keys/musical director of the group was a super-pro. I think that's the most MJ I have ever been exposed to, except perhaps in my drinking days when he was always on some jukebox. Incredible production coming together was cool to see - dancing, sets, arrangements, lighting, videos and all. RIP, MJ. Elvis' daughter said she had to leave him because she couldn't stand to watch him go down like her dad did. It's a real shame to see it. That would have been one heck of a show.

My wife and I saw it yesterday, and we enjoyed it. Being a studio guy, I saw a lot of 'fixes' and fill ins/overdubs but who cares? It doesn't really distract from the event. I've sat in on more than one such rehearsal over the years, and outside of the gay cheering section made up of the dancers, what they chose to show was pretty much what you'd expect to see at nearly any similar production. There was also a lot left out, but again, who cares?

I also want to say that I thought that it was the right length, and kept good focus. Too many of these type of movies go places that I don't care about, and go on and on and on forever. This movie is about Michael, and he is seldom off-camera.

I'm an old time loud guitar rock and roller, but I have always appreciated the writing talent and performing talent of Michael Jackson.

i saw it on friday an really really enjoyed it, too bad that thre was not even one show done, the show production was as expected AWESOME, i would've loved to get that gig (playing keys on that band) they sounded tight , anyway i was wondering what other songs were left out, and was it only me or MJ looked sick, well Duh, but after seeing it a friend pointed to me that he was about 50, and well no 50 y/o should be that skinny, or be able to still dance like he did, so go figure.

One of the benefits of reading Keyboard, I guess... there's a great article on the rigs of each of the players in MJ's band in the September 2009 issue (with MJ on the cover):

Michael Bearden:
- Korg M3-73
- Yamaha Motif XS8
- Open Labs NeKo LX5
- 17" MacBook Pro
- 2x Receptor 2 Pro Modules

Morris Pleasure:
- Korg M3-73
- Yamaha Motif XS8
- Korg CX3 through under-stage Leslie 3300
- Yamaha Motif XS7
- 17" MacBook Pro

Sounds were programmed by Dave Polich (DCP Productions). If you're interested in the behind-the-scenes of the movie, grab this issue.

Actually, in one of the threads here, someone quoted the coroner's report (likely you can find it online) and the coroner said MJ was basically healthy.

Dave is a good friend of mine -- is he in the movie? (I'll ask him separately in email today).

I'm still not sure I want to see it in a local movie theatre, as screens are so small these days unless it's a blockbuster (is this movie in that category?). We'll probably show it at the theatre at work eventually anyway, since we were involved with the production of that show/tour (although not me personally -- except indirectly). I'd almost rather wait until then, so I hear it with good sound. :-)

Dave just confirmed that he is indeed in the film. For the sake of privacy, even though there's nothing sensitive in the email, I'm just going to paraphrase a couple of cameo descriptions:

"You can see me right behind MJ during the scene where he's showing Michael Bearden how he wants the chords to "The Way You Make Me Feel". I'm also in the scene where we all gather round in a circle with MJ for a feel-good moment (House of Blues T-shirt). A couple of other scenes with back to camera."

Looks like I'll go ahead and see this in a local theatre soon after all. :-)

If good sound is paramount try to catch it in an IMAX theater Mark. The newer ones are not true IMAX in screen size but they have state of the art sound systems in them.

I haven't seen "This Is It" though - in IMAX or anything - and will probably wait and watch it here at home.

Mark, your friend is one hell of a sound programmer. Those really work.

Bill, thanks for the hint -- I'll see if it's playing at SF's Odeon or whatever their IMAX theatre is currently called.

Daviel, you are correct that Dave Polich is one of the best sound programmers in the business. I only knew him as an on-line buddy for many years, until we finally met in person, and we've helped each other out on a number of things over the past few years. He's a great guy, and has a special gift for being able to quickly come up with musically useful patches. He did quite a few of the patches in Yamaha, Korg, and Dave Smith synths.

I saw the movie on Saturday. My feet were moving, my head was bopping to the beatz and I was singing along in places. I thought the movie was tastefully done and truly showed MJJ's talents. I can't believe that talent is no longer here with us. It's still very sad.

My wife asked me if I wanted to see this. I hadn't really thought about it since I really don't go to the theater anymore, but I have to admit when I saw it advertised I was interested. This thread has only peaked my interest even more. If we can get a sitter, I'll have to check it out.

Timely, too, as we just learned Thriller for Halloween (not to mention Somebody's Watching Me, which feature MJ). Interesting Semi-OT Fact regarding the howls in Thriller: I figured it must be some cheesy wolf howl preset in an 80's era keyboard, so in my quest to recreate, I did a search. Found that the producer had a Great Dane and put him in the barn with tape rolling where he could hear the coyotes, hoping he could capture a howl. Dog never did howl, so MJ did all the howls on Thriller. I figured if he can do it, I can do it. So I set up a mic and howled into my sampler. After a little reverb (well, a lot), it sounded pretty close.

That's funny; I always thought Vincent Price did those. :-)

As Rolling Stone said, he really did almost pull off the comeback. Damn shame, I think it would have been a massive success.

Why "gay"cheering section made up of dancers? How do you know that the dancers are gay? And so what if some of them are... You mention it as if it somehow detracted a little from your enjoyment of the movie.

Anyway, it seems like an odd, if not subtlety homophobic comment.

I agree with both sentiments.

I saw the movie last weekend and thought it was great. I was very impressed with Michael's professionalism, his attention to detail, whether talking to a musician, dancer, choreographer, sound guy, lighting guy... he knew exactly what he wanted, and his instincts were right on.
Here is someone who could've sold out a hundred shows and gone out and half assed it and most of the audience still would've been happy. But his own high standards, and the where he set the bar based on his past, is why he was going all out in every aspect of the show.
Having seen the movie, now I really wish we could've seen this tour play out. I imagine it would've been one of the best concerts ever.

I've worked on stages most all of my life, and in the theater for the last 20 years. It was an observation, not a judgement. it was curious, strange, and to me it felt unprofessional.... as if he needed affirmation. I also found it funny that people were always speaking out to agree with him, wherein NOBODY EVER said "this might work better.." or "no that sucks". I understand that Michael was the boss and basically had total creative control (in spite of the 'collaboration' with Kenny Ortega....) but that being the case, they should have shut up and listened. It was very disconcerting hearing Kenny Ortega on mic off screen 'agreeing' with Michael...as if it mattered. In fairness I should also mention that Kenny Ortega was supportive and encouraging in places where Michael was uncomfortable, and that I believe was his role. He did it well.

My admiration was sparked many years ago from watching this little tyke with the big afro command a stage, singing and dancing, like few before or since. With reference to the thread we had a while back, there's no discounting the impact and influence of his collaborators (particularly QJ) on his product. Yet this film has strengthened my conviction that MJ is too easily fobbed off as a fortunate little cog in a much bigger and more powerful machine. He didn't have to be the most technically accomplished 'musician' or 'songwriter' to be one of the most formidably talented artists ever in popular music.

Very interesting insight, and I have always been fascinated with this aspect of MJ's story. On one hand, you have truly one of the greatest (MJ) surrounded by the greatest musicians, dancers, etc. - - - but then it also just seems a little cult-like.

It was like that when I was touring in national acts, and my distaste for this kind of conduct is probably why I didn't continue on with touring.

I'll see this at some point to see Bash and Orianthi.

I think 'This Is It" is one of those movies that hits on so many levels, the most prominent being that we lost a TRUE musical treasure. To see MJ's involvement and dedication to the creative process and preparation for the presentation is something every artist and musician should see. The professionalism of the band, singer and dancers..all of it...was simply incredible to see. We had a chance to see what happens before the performance and it is invaluable.

I have heard good reviews about the movie. However, those folks are diehard MJ fans so I take their praise with a pinch of acid reflux.

MJ was a great entertainer. I'm sure he picked up a lot of knowledge with 40 years of experience. Still, there is a reason they hire the very best at every skilled position.

I may not see the movie until it hits cable TV but I know what happened. They rehearsed. The gig got cancelled.

" However, those folks are diehard MJ fans so I take their praise with a pinch of acid reflux."

I'm not a 'fan' in that context, and I would never have even thought about going to the movie if my wife had not wanted to see it. But I am glad that I went, and glad to have seen it on the 'big screen' in spite of the fact that theaters today suck, in both the visual and auditory experiences they pretend to provide. If you enjoy good music and enjoy the mechanics of putting a show together, you'll probably enjoy this. There are a handful of times when they go into 'interview' mode and it looks and sounds like "So You Think You Can Dance" but for the most part, you are a fly on the wall at the assemblage of a large scale production, and that worked for me.

I agree with Bill in that I never really paid any notice to MJ until lately, with the exception that as a 30yr+ practicing lawyer, in criminal defense for 2/3d's of that time, I followed his lawyer's getting the not guilty. I loved the production though. So far as the help sucking up, that's probably what MJ was used to and the best way to communicate with him. Given he was so loaded most of the time, you probably needed a special way to converse with him, and these guys knew how. Everybody else working for him really knew their craft, too. The first timeI ever experienced this phenomenon was the first time I saw Johnny Mathis in Vegas. Frankly, I never thought he was anything that great. We went to the show. The production was so well done, and the arrangements were so well written that they made him sound better than he probably really is. I admire anybody who can write arrange and compose with that ability. The MJ movie shows musicians like that working for MJ. Jackson really is good in the movie, and his musicians, are too. It's every bit on the same high level as his lawyer's trial representation.

I saw the film last night (at the behest of my fiance). I enjoyed watching the preparation and process involved with a large production like MJ's concert, but I didn't really think MJ was anywhere near his old game.

To me, MJ looked tired and his moves weren't nearly as crisp by comparison to his much younger principal dancers (he was 50 after all, but still one has certain expectations). It also seemed on some of the footage that much of the power in his upper vocal register was missing.

I was also a little annoyed by the sycophantic behavior on display by those around MJ, but I guess that's part of the deal.

The band was killin' and I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't "more" automation involved with the musical production. Kudos to Michael Bearden and his crew!!!

I'd recommend seeing it for the "behind the scenes" look into such a production!

YMMV

"To me, MJ looked tired and his moves weren't nearly as crisp..."

at rehearsals like this, the principle talent is expected to basically 'walk through' their parts rather than actually perform. I saw nothing unexpected, and you should consider that, though the movie was under 2 hours, the rehearsals would have been several hours at a stretch, for quite a few days in a row.

Perhaps, but then the vast majority of movie goers and fans wouldn't know that, and frankly the film did little good for MJ's musical image. I don't think I would want my last "performance" recorded for posterity to be a "walk through", as that's what the masses may remember.

Lackluster is the only word that comes to mine based on what I saw (walk through or not).

+1

1. It was never MJ's intent that these rehearsals and walk thrus would be his last time on stage. It's likely they were filming this to be part of a movie or DVD that had a full real concert later. 2. Judging by the fan reaction, I don't think they're seeing what you're seeing, or if they are, they don't care. Even Mike McKnight dug the film (he posted on Facebook about it).

I didn't mean to sound overly critical of MJ's last performances, as that wasn't my intent. I guess if I were his estate, I would have been more concerned about perception that those rehearsals might have left, since MJ was always such a perfectionist and his shows were often unequaled.

That said, I did enjoy the film.