Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Michael Jackson

Went to see the Michael Jackson biopic movie at the Flicks, we enjoyed it, worth seeing.
There’s been a bit of a fad since I suppose the Freddy Mercury movie, doesn’t really work unless you were a megastar and ideally, dead so some are a bit lame, I forgot just how big a star Michael Jackson was.
I see it as an explanation of his flaws and how he became wrong in the head as opposed to an excuse, all men are capable of great good, terrible evil or a life of unremarkable existence, sometimes even all three in their time.

I watched the BBC Two three part documentary
His addiction to painkillers after his scalp received third degree burns after his hair caught fire.
The pressure he was under all the time to preform.
All very sad ..

It is sad, fame and fortune, especially in childhood is more of a curse than a blessing for all but the strongest of minds, that’s a poor excuse not to try your best though, some manage to achieve it all and have contentment. Those people have usually avoided exploitation by others though, that seems to be the key, it pays you to be talented and clever, it pay everyone else more if you’re only talented.

I haven't seen the Michael film; however, whilst putting together flat-pack-furniture today (what an odious task that is!) , I was listening to a variety of podcasts, one of which touched on the film.

I hadn't realised that he is played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, and that the family were quite involved in the making of the film. The inference was that this may have resulted in certain aspects being limited or left out; furthermore, they went on to discuss how the movie has really split opinion. Critics seem to have been quite negative, where as audiences very positive. I can't say I hold film critics opinions in high regard; however, I did find that split quite interesting.

Simon, surely you liked Barry Norman ( loved his spicy pickled onions which may no longer be available like him ) back in the day and now Mark Kermode !? Enjoy(ed) their reviews and insights .
Have a favourite film ?
Two of mine would be old films , Same Time Next Year (Alder & Ellen Burstyn ) & Harold & Maude ( Ruth Gordon & Burt Cory ) .
Best MM
PS Didn’t really enjoy Hamnet even though a fan of Jessie Buckley, great shouting though…….

I share Simon's view on critics, a "critically acclaimed" film is usually a red flag to me as something I won't enjoy.

In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better."
Or more succinctly, "A critic is a man who knows the way but can't drive the car." (Kenneth Tynan).

I'll admit I did enjoy Barry Norman's turn of phrase.

Ian, that is one of my favourite quotes. At one time I learnt and could recite the whole quote. . It was an inspiration and I used it at our rugby club with some modification. It also spurred me on in business.
I did think about printing it on a tee shirt. I did print a whole range for touch rugby but my fav was from The Rocky Horror Shoe …..tu ,touch me , I won a be dirty….. I also liked. If rugby is only a game, why do we keep score..
Back to films, loved Mel Brooks The Producers back in the day and even went to see the theatre production a few weeks back. Thought it might be weak but it was really a close none PC copy of the film and well worth the ticket price !

Best for the BH, MM

Mike, I think far too many are either po-faced and/or feel like an industry / studio shill.

Kermode, funnily enough, is exactly the review I was mentioning with regards to Michael and, in fairness, often seems one of the more independent ones. However, and stating the obvious, any review is a subjective analysis of a piece of art, which seems to tell me more about that individual than whether I'd view the topic in the same light. Perhaps my own views on film critics are based on vivid memories of being forced, in school, to deconstruct art to the infinitesimal degree and find meaning in each and every aspect!

As for films I've enjoyed, like you, mine tend to be older. If asked, for something recent, I'd struggle as I genuinely can't recall a film in recent years that I've thoroughly enjoyed or that made me think 'wow, that was brilliant'; and that includes the ones that have had the critics praise and had them waxing lyrical. On that note, and in saying that, they don't have to be high brow, deep, meaningful, or have a message; I'm quite happy with a film that doesn't take itself too seriously and allows me to sit back, suspend disbelief, and have a laugh. I'm also an easy sell on whimsy and light-hearted. If forced to name one, and setting aside all the obvious classics, I do really enjoy 2001s Amélie.