There came a time in my life when I was ok with simply admitting when I don't "get" something. I stopped pretending to understand certain music, writers or artists simply to seem cool and hip. Therefore I can easily say that although I liked THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS, I am pretty certain I didn't get it. And if I did get it then that means it is not as good a film as I think it is. Because what I got out of it was not very deep and profound. I almost want there to be something that eluded me. That way I can feel better about walking out of there confused and missing out. I can only hope that this movie is not as silly as it appears to be on the surface. (more)

The Halloween pumpkins are still warm from their candles and our thoughts have yet to turn to turkey and stuffing yet A Christmas Carol is already the talk of this weekends movie releases. I would have a big issue with that if not for the fact that director Robert Zemeckis has created one of the most visually stunning holiday films I have seen. Combine that with the timeless tale of Scrooge and his four phantom visitors and I am willing to get in the Christmas spirit a little early. (more)

There is a new DVD out that has, of all things, Christian stand up comedians. Some would find this a strange combination for sure. But surprisingly it is not only relevant and often hysterical, it is a rare time that you can sit with the entire family and have a few laughs. The live performance is hosted by John Tesh and I had a chance to talk to him about this DVD and about family entertainment as a whole.
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There have been countless versions of Charles Dickens classic story "A Christmas Carol," everyone from Mickey Mouse to the Muppets to George C. Scott have been featured in both musical and non-musical forms of the novel, but none has been seen like the new Robert Zemeckis 3D motion capture version. This is definitely not your mother's version of "A Christmas Carol”: all the stops have been pulled out to make a visually stunning and entertaining, but intense film that isn't recommended for those younger than age 10.

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I haven’t missed Michael Jackson. I’m too young to have grown up watching him perform, so all I knew of him was his phenomenal music and the creepy way he’s portrayed in the media. Since he died, the media has focused on what’s happening with his kids and which of his family members stands to gain an inheritance. For every brief clip they showed of Michael performing, they showed hours of off-putting interviews and replays of bizarre moments in his life. Even his televised memorial had too many moments that rang false. So I haven’t really been given the chance to appreciate the man and what he meant to music. Until THIS IS IT. (more)

Movie Review-This is it Incredible, amazing, insightful and entertaining…that’s how I’d describe Michael Jackson’s concert documentary, “This is it”! In the film we see the king of pop as we’ve never seen him before. (Too bad we didn’t see him this way while he was still alive).

 

He’s funny, humble and even when he’s handing out admonishment to a band member for not getting one his arrangements exactly right he’s touches his heart and says, “with love…with love”. In “This is it” we get a real behind the scenes peek at the man and his music. It’s a fitting tribute to Michael Jackson.

 

At 50 Michael Jackson still had “it”. The voice, the dance moves and the choreography…it was all there. In “This is it” we see the magic. The film breaks down every song in the show and we see how MJ “The Artist” constructed his on stage extravaganza. It would have been a show that would have dwarfed anything currently being done by the Kanyes and the Beyones of today.

 

“This is it” will only be at the theater for a limed two week run so don’t sleep on it. (However, you can look for the DVD release just in time for the holidays) and as far as I’m concerned Michael Jackson was and always will be “The King of Pop”!

 

Hollywood Hernandez

It is hard to watch and talk about the new documentary, THIS IS IT, which chronicles the last few months of Michael Jacksons life without feeling some tinge of sadness and a little bit of media sensationalism. Granted the film was created with the full support of Jacksons estate but you have to wonder if it is too soon. That said, Jackson was always a fan of media attention and probably would be proud to have this shown as a last look at his talent and genius. The film is directed by Ken Ortega who was both Jacksons creative partner and director of the stage show. That connection helps Ortega to use over 120 hours of behind the scenes footage to bring a nice homage to the legend of Jackson and the concert that never was to be.
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There are loads of interesting movies coming out this holiday season. Which one are you most looking forward to? Your comment could appear in a neighborsgo movie column!

Nov. 6 – Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Precious

Nov. 13 – 2012, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Nov. 20 – The Blind Side, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Nov. 25 – The Princess and the Frog

Dec. 11 – The Lovely Bones

Dec. 18 – Avatar, Nine

Dec. 25 – Sherlock Holmes, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Let us know. Click here to cast your vote

 

 

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To test whether a live orchestra mixed with a montage of clips from Star Wars on the world's largest video screen would have the desired impact, I had my own young Jedi with me Friday night.

He is, of course, the target audience of the Star Wars In Concert show.

His reaction: a hearty thumbs up. Either that, or he was trying the Jedi Mind Trick on me.
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Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT tickets are still available. You can pick them up either online or at your local movie theater. To get your tickets or to find a theater near you that is showing this presentation click here.

There are 3 Dallas IMAX theaters expected to play the film; AMC Mesquite, AMC Firewheel, and AMC Stonebriar. 

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