Re: Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon - Excl Advanced Blu-ray & DVD Cover Preview *Update Post 13
I watched it as well. So I will write a detailed review.
It starts with the 911 call and Dileo telling how he learned Michael was dead and how he kissed him goodbye. It also ends with the 911 call and people's reactions about how they found out Michael's death and they would remember him. so the beginning and the end is quite emotional.
Although the DVD is overall okay to me it seemed it was not able to carry a theme. For example as many people had reported the first part is all about Jackson's being at Gary and how they came to Motown, the albums they released, their move to CBS, Michael's solo albums etc. So a good portion - like the first half - is all about music , there's almost no new stories about Michael , his personality that you didn't know - except how Dionne Warwick met Michael and Smokey Robinson taking Michael to the golf course. At times that first half become somewhat boring. After they spent all the time to establish their musical history at Motown then it's like then Michael released Thriller it was the biggest selling album and he become a superstar. Suddenly the mention of his musical career is over like that and his solo career is not detailed (motown one is really really detailed). (note: Motown people all seem to say that it was obvious that Michael would go solo and he couldn't carry his brother's forever. Jackson's perspective sound more like family togetherness)
The second part turns into all about Michael life with almost nothing about his career. And at some instances it becomes tabloid like. Waht they cover are below:
- Plastic surgeries are mentioned. Hoefflin is blamed for making Michael to get more plastic surgery and making him feel more insecure. Most of the people say Michael should have stopped after the second surgery (1978-1981 surgeries) but then they never knew what he did. Interesting J.Randy Taraborelli is the person that repeats Michael's words in which he said plastic surgery didn't start with Michael Jackson and defends him.
- Pepsi burn and the balloon procedures and how painful the procedures is mentioned. They clearly state that Michael's use of pain medicine started after that and had a legitimate reason.
- For some reason Gest mentions the alcohol stories.
- Randomly Paul Anka is entered and mentions the story behind this is it, how Michael stole the masters from his studio and then made copies before returning them to him and how after his death a copy was found in his home and people thought it was a new song as it had "this is it" line in it.
- 1993 allegations are mentioned. Latoya's press conference is shown. Jack Gordon is blamed for it. Gest says MJ had mentioned high amount of hate towards Latoya.
- While Michael's initial reaction was " I will not give a dime", it seems like he couldn't believe how he could have been strip searched. They say it was highly humiliating to Michael and he believed that if they did that they could do anything to him. And then the settlement happened. Dileo calls it the worst advice ever. JRT says when he first asked Michael after the settlement he didn't care and just wanted to put it behind him. JRT says in the later years Michael regretted it and was like "why did I do that?".
- Then comes the not gay part. Whitney Houston tells a story, Gest says a leading actress jumped on his bones. Dileo says he would swear on a bible that Michael is not gay and that he would take the names of the famous women he's been with to his grave. (kinda made me teary eye). Lisa Marie Presley is mentioned as his love and real marriage. It's stated that being second to his career was the problem with that marriage. Debbie Rowe is mentioned and that their relationship was not love - Michael reportedly said she was a nice person and it was all about having kids. It's said that Debbie would be a surrogate and it was planned that we would never hear her name. The marriage is explained as done by Katherine's insistence and not to have a child out of wedlock.
- 30th anniversary show. Gest says that he convinced Michael to do it and perform with his brothers. Jermaine is mentioned as making a lot of demands and Michael cutting him out of the show. Later Katherine calls and says that Jermaine would not be a problem. Jermaine is portrayed not quite good honestly. Jermaine is portrayed as jealous.
- Elizabeth Taylor story is mentioned as she was saying "I don't know if I attend or not" and Michael buying her a necklace and she's saying she'll be there.
- Gest tells that Michael was supposed to be there at 8:00PM but didn't show up and Frank Cascio was sent to get him. Cascio says he finds him at bed sleeping and asked him and Michael tells him he took Demerol because his back was hurting a lot.
- JRT mentions that during those times Michael was falling to sleep on the phone while talking to him. Gest says who knew his issues with drugs and wanted to help Michael was eliminated them from his life.
- Arvizo's is mentioned. Frank Cascio seems highly animated during that part. Cascio says Michael is a person that wanted to help kids in need. Cascio says he warned Michael about Janet Arvizo. Frank Cascio also mentions the sleeping in MJ's room. According to Cascio they came to Michael and says can we sleep in your room tonight and Michael look to Frank and say I don't know you should ask your mother. The kids say oh we already did and she says it's okay. Frank says they thought something was wrong and Frank was getting ready to say Janet that they cannot stay. Michael turns to Frank and says You have to sleep with us in the room. Frank says the boys slept on the bed and he and Michael was on the floor.
- They talk about the trial and JRT calls the media a lynch mob. Katherine talks about Diane Dimond. Tito says media never reported anything the defense said. JRT and T-Mez talks about the trial such as the heterosexual porn, how Janet Arvizo claimed an hot air balloon etc.
* edited to add: T-Mez mentions Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker as real, true and loyal friends of Michael. T-Mez says their managers, publicists, lawyers didn't want them to be involved in 2005 lawsuit. T-Mez says that both of them called him and said "whenever you need us for Michael we'll be there".
- It's mentioned that the trial took a toll on Michael starting the day that the Gavin first testified. It's said that Michael started to have sleep problems, he was traumatized, his mind was fragile and he was extremely worried about his kids. It's also said that he needed help with sleeping - although they don't explain what they mean by it. The verdict day is portrayed as "dead man walking" and he couldn't even realize he was found not guilty. T-Mez is reported to say to Michael " You are a free man". They say that Michael was too devastated by all the lies and trial that being found not guilty was not something that he could enjoy.
- Frank Cascio mentions Michael agreeing to 10 shows. His then manager (although not named - Tohme) seemed to be blamed for it. (Dileo makes a comment that every changing managers taking a toll on Michael)
- Again the topic turns to addiction. JRT says Michael was doctor shopping and he had heard Michael was using anesthesia. Katherine says she never though he had an addiction problem but then her kids said it to her and she asked Michael and he denied it. Dileo says after he became manager again he asked Michael if he was okay, if he had any problems. Michael asks him why he's saying that. Dileo says because he was sometimes dizzy and asks if he wants to go to rehab. Michael replies as now why would you think that? I'm not taking anything. Frank Cascio says Micheal was not an addict. Cascio says depending on what happened in MJ's life there have been times when he had some issues but he wasn't an addict.
Then comes the end , again 911 call and people telling how they found out and what would be Michael's legacy. During this part Katherine tells how the children always say daddy did this and daddy did that and how they are proud of their father. there are nice moments when people say that in addition to Michael's art he would be remembered for his heart. Although not shown in the original documentary (it's in the extras) JRT has a lot of nice words about Michael's legacy and how he will be remembered.
so overall - not bad but not perfect either. to me it seemed like it had two parts and was a little bit disconnected. also I think this will be something that you'll watch one time ( honestly I don't think I'll watch it again) so I'm not sure if it's worth the buy. Renting could be an alternative.
ps : there's no MJ solo songs on the documentary. every song used (and it's few) is from Motown years so it doesn't seem like it's Estate approved. Although there are a lot of pictures and videos of Michael included. JRT has even given some of his interview audios with Michael.
I watched it as well. So I will write a detailed review.
It starts with the 911 call and Dileo telling how he learned Michael was dead and how he kissed him goodbye. It also ends with the 911 call and people's reactions about how they found out Michael's death and they would remember him. so the beginning and the end is quite emotional.
Although the DVD is overall okay to me it seemed it was not able to carry a theme. For example as many people had reported the first part is all about Jackson's being at Gary and how they came to Motown, the albums they released, their move to CBS, Michael's solo albums etc. So a good portion - like the first half - is all about music , there's almost no new stories about Michael , his personality that you didn't know - except how Dionne Warwick met Michael and Smokey Robinson taking Michael to the golf course. At times that first half become somewhat boring. After they spent all the time to establish their musical history at Motown then it's like then Michael released Thriller it was the biggest selling album and he become a superstar. Suddenly the mention of his musical career is over like that and his solo career is not detailed (motown one is really really detailed). (note: Motown people all seem to say that it was obvious that Michael would go solo and he couldn't carry his brother's forever. Jackson's perspective sound more like family togetherness)
The second part turns into all about Michael life with almost nothing about his career. And at some instances it becomes tabloid like. Waht they cover are below:
- Plastic surgeries are mentioned. Hoefflin is blamed for making Michael to get more plastic surgery and making him feel more insecure. Most of the people say Michael should have stopped after the second surgery (1978-1981 surgeries) but then they never knew what he did. Interesting J.Randy Taraborelli is the person that repeats Michael's words in which he said plastic surgery didn't start with Michael Jackson and defends him.
- Pepsi burn and the balloon procedures and how painful the procedures is mentioned. They clearly state that Michael's use of pain medicine started after that and had a legitimate reason.
- For some reason Gest mentions the alcohol stories.
- Randomly Paul Anka is entered and mentions the story behind this is it, how Michael stole the masters from his studio and then made copies before returning them to him and how after his death a copy was found in his home and people thought it was a new song as it had "this is it" line in it.
- 1993 allegations are mentioned. Latoya's press conference is shown. Jack Gordon is blamed for it. Gest says MJ had mentioned high amount of hate towards Latoya.
- While Michael's initial reaction was " I will not give a dime", it seems like he couldn't believe how he could have been strip searched. They say it was highly humiliating to Michael and he believed that if they did that they could do anything to him. And then the settlement happened. Dileo calls it the worst advice ever. JRT says when he first asked Michael after the settlement he didn't care and just wanted to put it behind him. JRT says in the later years Michael regretted it and was like "why did I do that?".
- Then comes the not gay part. Whitney Houston tells a story, Gest says a leading actress jumped on his bones. Dileo says he would swear on a bible that Michael is not gay and that he would take the names of the famous women he's been with to his grave. (kinda made me teary eye). Lisa Marie Presley is mentioned as his love and real marriage. It's stated that being second to his career was the problem with that marriage. Debbie Rowe is mentioned and that their relationship was not love - Michael reportedly said she was a nice person and it was all about having kids. It's said that Debbie would be a surrogate and it was planned that we would never hear her name. The marriage is explained as done by Katherine's insistence and not to have a child out of wedlock.
- 30th anniversary show. Gest says that he convinced Michael to do it and perform with his brothers. Jermaine is mentioned as making a lot of demands and Michael cutting him out of the show. Later Katherine calls and says that Jermaine would not be a problem. Jermaine is portrayed not quite good honestly. Jermaine is portrayed as jealous.
- Elizabeth Taylor story is mentioned as she was saying "I don't know if I attend or not" and Michael buying her a necklace and she's saying she'll be there.
- Gest tells that Michael was supposed to be there at 8:00PM but didn't show up and Frank Cascio was sent to get him. Cascio says he finds him at bed sleeping and asked him and Michael tells him he took Demerol because his back was hurting a lot.
- JRT mentions that during those times Michael was falling to sleep on the phone while talking to him. Gest says who knew his issues with drugs and wanted to help Michael was eliminated them from his life.
- Arvizo's is mentioned. Frank Cascio seems highly animated during that part. Cascio says Michael is a person that wanted to help kids in need. Cascio says he warned Michael about Janet Arvizo. Frank Cascio also mentions the sleeping in MJ's room. According to Cascio they came to Michael and says can we sleep in your room tonight and Michael look to Frank and say I don't know you should ask your mother. The kids say oh we already did and she says it's okay. Frank says they thought something was wrong and Frank was getting ready to say Janet that they cannot stay. Michael turns to Frank and says You have to sleep with us in the room. Frank says the boys slept on the bed and he and Michael was on the floor.
- They talk about the trial and JRT calls the media a lynch mob. Katherine talks about Diane Dimond. Tito says media never reported anything the defense said. JRT and T-Mez talks about the trial such as the heterosexual porn, how Janet Arvizo claimed an hot air balloon etc.
* edited to add: T-Mez mentions Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker as real, true and loyal friends of Michael. T-Mez says their managers, publicists, lawyers didn't want them to be involved in 2005 lawsuit. T-Mez says that both of them called him and said "whenever you need us for Michael we'll be there".
- It's mentioned that the trial took a toll on Michael starting the day that the Gavin first testified. It's said that Michael started to have sleep problems, he was traumatized, his mind was fragile and he was extremely worried about his kids. It's also said that he needed help with sleeping - although they don't explain what they mean by it. The verdict day is portrayed as "dead man walking" and he couldn't even realize he was found not guilty. T-Mez is reported to say to Michael " You are a free man". They say that Michael was too devastated by all the lies and trial that being found not guilty was not something that he could enjoy.
- Frank Cascio mentions Michael agreeing to 10 shows. His then manager (although not named - Tohme) seemed to be blamed for it. (Dileo makes a comment that every changing managers taking a toll on Michael)
- Again the topic turns to addiction. JRT says Michael was doctor shopping and he had heard Michael was using anesthesia. Katherine says she never though he had an addiction problem but then her kids said it to her and she asked Michael and he denied it. Dileo says after he became manager again he asked Michael if he was okay, if he had any problems. Michael asks him why he's saying that. Dileo says because he was sometimes dizzy and asks if he wants to go to rehab. Michael replies as now why would you think that? I'm not taking anything. Frank Cascio says Micheal was not an addict. Cascio says depending on what happened in MJ's life there have been times when he had some issues but he wasn't an addict.
Then comes the end , again 911 call and people telling how they found out and what would be Michael's legacy. During this part Katherine tells how the children always say daddy did this and daddy did that and how they are proud of their father. there are nice moments when people say that in addition to Michael's art he would be remembered for his heart. Although not shown in the original documentary (it's in the extras) JRT has a lot of nice words about Michael's legacy and how he will be remembered.
so overall - not bad but not perfect either. to me it seemed like it had two parts and was a little bit disconnected. also I think this will be something that you'll watch one time ( honestly I don't think I'll watch it again) so I'm not sure if it's worth the buy. Renting could be an alternative.
ps : there's no MJ solo songs on the documentary. every song used (and it's few) is from Motown years so it doesn't seem like it's Estate approved. Although there are a lot of pictures and videos of Michael included. JRT has even given some of his interview audios with Michael.
