Whenever I’m scanning the web for interesting Michael Jackson news I always check out a blog called A Major Love. It’s a fan made Michael Jackson site that has been created after Michael’s untimely death for fans to share their feelings and experiences of Michael and celebrate his legacy. It has some great content; I suggest you check it out!
After recently visiting amajorlove.com, I found out about a worldwide fan petition that is campaigning to re-open Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch for sick children from around the world so they can experience the magic and love that it once shared.
I think it’s a fantastic idea. You can show your support by visiting http://www.neverland4tc.com/
Celebrity biographer Ian Halperin – who penned the unauthorized 2009 tell-all Unmasked: The Final Years of [lastfm]Michael Jackson[/lastfm] – is set to release a documentary about the late singer. Halperin has been working on a 88-minute Jackson tribute documentary, entitled Gone Too Soon, which uses audio and video footage of the Thriller singer shot before his death last June. The feature is also expected to include interviews with the King of Pop’s personal manager, chef, spiritual adviser, hairstylist, trainer, bodyguard, and attorney. The film will debut at the MIPTV conference in Cannes, France, next month and will open in limited release in Canada and France June 25, the first anniversary of Jackson’s death.
Ian Halperin who penned “Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson” is working on a documentary about the late pop singer to be released in June.
Halperin’s tribute documentary titled “Gone Too Soon”, uses audio and video footage of the star shot before his death last June, reports contactmusic.com.
It also includes interviews with the “Thriller” singer’s personal manager, chef, spiritual adviser, hairstylist, trainer, bodyguard and attorney.
According to the filmmaker, the family of the 50-year-old star, who died of acute Propofol intoxication, are aware of the project, though they do not appear in it.
The 88-minute documentary is expected to cover the star’s personal life, including allegations of child abuse, but Halperin insists he is showing a “balanced tribute” to the King of Pop.
“This is the film Michael and his fans deserve,” he said.
Chris Grant, the president of distributors Shine International, is confident the documentary will “eventually be known as a really important piece of the Michael Jackson saga”.
“Ian’s done an incredible job telling the story of what actually happened to Michael. We’ve teased it a bit and the reaction has been tremendous,” he said.
The film will be unveiled at the MIPTV conference in Cannes, France, next month and will receive a limited cinema run in Canada and France June 25, the anniversary of Jackson’s death.
There has been no confirmation about release in other countries as yet.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Of course today’s blog will be about something – or someone – Irish, so sit tight and we’ll get to it. But first, some news. And, because nothing says bring on the green beer like a multimillion-dollar DVD release, here goes: Avatar will be available April 22. (For format specifics, Fox says they’ll release the big blue moneymaker “in 2D on DVD and Blu-ray on Earth Day, April 22. A four-disc 2D release with numerous extras follows in November, and a 3D version on Blu-ray arrives next year.” So I’d say ‘get yours April 22!’ but I don’t want to insult you in case you’re waiting for the more souped –up version to buy. Speaking of buying, did you know that pretty soon you’ll be able to tell loved ones/ family members/ benefactors & coworkers that what you really, really want for the holidays is “the new Michael Jackson album” and no one will look at you funny? That’s right. According to CNN, the King of Pop left this world in debt, but he also left enough unreleased material for at least 10 new albums over the next 10 years – and us regular folks will actually be able to buy it. They’re going to happen. A Jackson insider says there’s music and more music, enough to “ bring in $250 million to the late pop star’s trust”. Of course it makes you wonder how they’ll do it…will they start playing a “single” on local radio stations? Then will they, say, release new tracks for folks who want to download “the latest” from MJ? And will it be weird when a song gets “leaked” on the internet? Just saying, it seems like sort of a strange posthumous proposition all around. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be right there waiting for it – having eagerly purchased over the years his music on LP, cassette, cassingle, 45, eight-track and CD. Still, let’s hope they handle it tastefully. Now let’s get to St. Patrick’s Day. The day that’s not really a holiday in the US, but the day when thousands of bars are spilling over with patrons by noon who think it should be. With this in mind, let’s talk about Irish stars. There are lots of them in Hollywood. In fact, so many that we may do Favorite Irish Actors and add Favorite Irish Actresses in the weeks to come. But for now, voice your choice in today’s featured poll and let us know which one of these Emerald Isle stars is your favorite:
Brian Oxman, Joe Jackson’s attorney and Jackson family friend, gives an eye-opening interview. In Part 2, Joe Jackson calls in, and Brian discusses an arrangement Frank Dileo made with AllGood Entertainment (AGE) which resulted in the company bringing a lawsuit against Michael’s estate. (Dileo was Michael’s manager when he died, but not at the time of the arrangement.)
For reference, I am including the interview in which Dileo his business with AGE.
Note: I’d personally like to know what made Frank think he had the authority to discuss business involving Michael. Why did AGE approach him instead of Michael’s manager? Why didn’t Frank refer AGE to Michael’s manager? Also, according to Oxman, Dileo works for Michael’s estate. (That’s a shocker. I had no idea.) THE PLOT THICKENS. What is going on?
The charges against Dr. Homicide have made the Jacksons and their friends mad enough to drop names. The interview with Oxman is no different.
The radio interview (videos) with Brian Oxman is/are brought to you buy Eddie Jones and The Los Angeles Civil Rights Association. The interview with Frank Dileo is by Raffles van Exel
You are gone, and I was supposed to be there, Sue called me today any said that you had all drowned in Colorado. I was so confused. That you had bee swept away by some current, and that this was a couple of of days ago.You left Thursday, and you did Friday. Panthi, they found you first. I was looking forward to see you and you giving me shit about how unreal the camping food was and that you still had to take me out for some real Indian food, because Carbondale didn’t have any. Kurt and Amanda, you were getting married this summer, and you will never take those vows. You were so in love. If I had to model a relationship after the two of yours, I would do it. You had dated since freshman year and all through poet-grad school. We all met in engineering classes. April with gonna come too. And I was gonna come but they told me I couldn’t having surgery so recently. And then April begged out, something about California.
You all decided to go anyway, the Arizona Salt River is just early in the season. I should have been there, spending time with you. This was my idea. I was gonna take my tax return and do it! Fuck Amy! I get you guys to go along with it. The amount of guilt I feel is incredible. And I have no outlet. There is no on to talk to about this. There is never gonna make anything right.
Have you ever seen the movie Final Destination? I think my life is that movie. I almost get beat to death from the person I am with. She gives me a mild concussion. I know, nursey self, what to do. I have gashes on my face and light yellow bruises that were once purple. She shoved me in the counter and bruised my hip and shoulder. I don’t know what else is on my body. I don’t bruise easily. It’s just deep and it hurts like a MF. Car wrecks are a given. And now this– death averted? How can that be? I was supposed to die there? Can’t you see it?
I miss you Panthi, you were my best friend in college, the entire two years I was there. You were going to India this summer. For the first time. When I spoke to you two weeks ago, you were so excited, but you understood I couldn’t come. You would have let me live with you in Seattle. You’re the best gay guy friend I’ve ever had. You’ll always be in my head. You had the best job out in the Pacific Northwest. I envied you.
Kurt and Amanda, I can’t think of the two of you as separate, so I won’t try. You got her coffee every morning. She got the paper off the front stoop. Doctorate’s in engineering. Who would have thought. Perfect for each other in every way. And loved the Beatles to boot. And could do all the MJ dances. You all could. I used to be able to. I fucked my life.
When I imagine the three of you, I’m imagining the good times. The young stupidity. Panthi, you were the first person to ever know I was with her. And you knew that it wasn’t it for me. You just knew these things. You knew everything about me. I wish I had kept in though more than every month or so. I miss you all. This wasn’t supposed to happen this way.
22 pieces of custom-made furniture from [lastfm]Michael Jackson’s [/lastfm]home are going on the auction block
Julien’s Auctions says a gilded red velvet sofa that seats nine, a leopard-print chair trimmed with ostrich feathers and a pair of velvet armchairs embroidered with gold eagles are among the offerings.
Jackson intended to use the furnishings during his “This Is It” comeback concert run in London.
You can visit a re-creation of the home at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood casino from June 14th to the 25th before the items are sold at auction.
more about “Brody’s Ex- Moved On Up?“, posted with vodpod
Cora Skinner, Brody Jenner’s girlfriend in the pre-Jayde Nicole era, was with her new man, Evan Ross, when TMZ bumped in to them last week. While there were rumors at one point that Cora and Evan were together and even engaged, we hadn’t heard much from them recently, but it seems like they’re still together.
The only thing on TMZ’s mind was what Evan Ross, son of music icon Diana Ross, thought about family friend Jafar Jackson buying a stun gun at 13 years old.
We couldn’t help wondering if Cora has moved up since breaking up with Brody and getting together with Diana Ross’ son? While Brody is probably more famous than Evan individually, the Ross family name carries a lot more notoriety and power than the Jenner name does. So, we ask…
Its been a long week, I’m pretty tired. Who isn’t?
I got on the train, grabbed a great seat (no one squished in next to me!), and opened my book. I don’t think I even made it through a full sentence; I fell right asleep. I didn’t just take a light snooze though, I full on passed out. When I woke up I was sprawled out, things everywhere, apparently just not giving a crap about people watching me with my mouth fully opened and most likely a little drool coming out.
I quickly got over the embarrassment, I mean what do you want me to do? I’m tired! My only problem at this point – well maybe not my only problem, but my main problem at this point - was that I had to dig deep in order to find some motivation to go to the gym and run 3 miles. This is the last thing I wanted to do, but since I am training for a half-marathon and have made the commitment I decided to just turn off the complaints running through my head and just get ‘er done.
My workout went smoothly and when I was done I was really happy that I pushed through. It’s so easy to complain and to talk yourself out of going to the gym, going outside for a run, going to a class, etc. but you know that once you just shut up and do it you’ll feel great about yourself, maybe even a little proud. Even if throughout the whole workout you can not wait until you’re done and are able to just go home, it’s worth it.
Something that helps me keep my energy up is music. Here’s a playlist with a ton of good songs that’ll help you keep going.
1 – Put it in a love song – Alicia Keys featuring Beyonce
2 – The way you make me feel – Michael Jackson
3 – Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2
4 – White Liar – Miranda Lambert
5 – Call on me (workout remix) – DJ Hush
6 – BlahBlahBlah – Ke$ha
7 – Shots – LMFAO
8 – Good Day – Nappy Roots
9 – Superstition – Stevie Wonder
10 – Sandstorm – Darude
11 – Diva – Beyonce
12 – Shook me all night long – AC/DC
13 – We shall be free – Garth Brooks
14 – Africa – Toto
15 – Imma be – The Black Eyed Peas
16 – Hey soul sister – Train
17 – Don’t stop believing – The Cast of ‘Glee’
18 – Fat bottomed girls – Queen
19 – In my head – Jason Derulo
20 – Beware (Jay-Z remix) – Panjabi mc
21 – Cowboy casanova – Carrie Underwood
22 – Cecilia – Simon and Garfunkel
23 – Ain’t too proud to bed – The Temptations
24 – Fantasy – Mariah Carey
25 – Shoop - Salt n’ Pepa
26 – Telephone – Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce
27 – Rock with you – Michael Jackson
28 – I can’t help myself – The Four Tops
29 – Sexy chick – David Guetta featuring Akon
30 – Jai ho! (you are my destiny) A.R. Rahman featuring Nicole Scherzinger
31 – Mary – Zac Brown Band
32 – Be faithful – Fatman Scoop
33 – Hit me with your best shot – Pat Benatar
34 – I’ve got a rock and roll heart – Eric Clapton
One reason I respect the Catholic Church is that they’ve never felt the need to bow to cultural pressure. Their positions change and soften over time but it’s never immediate. So it was still a shocker when the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, announced their Top 10 Rock Albums. I’m not surprised that many priests like rock music – most of them grew up with it – but I was surprised that a group of priests got together and decided on the Vatican’s Top 10 Rock Albums.
The Beatles’ 1967 album Revolver got the top spot (as it does on most lists) but the other albums listed were Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, Oasis’s What’s the Story, Morning Glory, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors, U2’s Achtung Baby, Santana’s Supernatural, Paul Simon’s Graceland, Donald Fagen’s Nightfly, and David Crosby’s If I Could Only Remember My Name.
Some of them – like Thriller and Achtung Baby – have been on many people’s Top 10 Lists but there are a few that come out of left field. Like Oasis’s What’s the Story, Morning Glory. I really like this album but I’m kind of surprised anyone would put it in their Top 10. Santana’s Supernatural is an odd choice too – but who can resist the allure of “Smooth”?
Then there are the really odd ones: Donald Fagen and David Crosby. I’m sure Donald Fagen’s album is amazing but is it as amazing as his first band Steely Dan’s Countdown to Ecstasy or Pretzel Logic? Probably not. And David Crosby? I’ve never even heard of that album. But given Crosby’s history of drug use I do find the title If I Could Only Remember My Name pretty hilarious.
[NOTE: I can't believe I'm actually dissecting the Vatican's Top 10 Rock Albums list. These are strange times.]
Some of you might be saying “hey, where’s the Bob Dylan?” I didn’t think that because Bob Dylan is almost always a lackluster musician, performer, and songwriter. But the Vatican’s response to that question, which they knew would be posed, is hilarious:
“The article by Giuseppe Fiorentino and Gaetano Vallini said that Dylan was excluded from the list despite his “great poetic vein” because he paved the way for generations of unprofessional singer-songwriters who have “harshly tested the ears and patience of listeners” with their tormented stories.” (Courtesy of the WSJ Article)
Nice! Even die hard Bob Dylan fans can’t argue with the atrocities committed by those who followed in Bob’s wake.
(Due to our busy schedules, Aaron and I couldn’t do our prediction column as promised. But since there was no way in hell either of us would miss the show live, here is our marathon conversation over IM. Enjoy…)
MALIK: Welcome to the 1st Annual Art Fradieu Oscar Running Diary. My pre-show thoughts: While I like to think it’s as much of a lock as anything, I still feel jittery Mo’Nique will somehow get jobbed out of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Beyond that I’m hoping the Hurt Locker wins Best Picture. Any pre-show thoughts Thomas? Who will be wearing Vera Wang on the red carpet tonight?
ART: I don’t know much about Vera Wang, but I’m with you on Hurt Locker. Best film I saw last year. As for Mo’Nique, I think she wins Best Supporting Actress hands down. In fact, I think she wins it and does the emotional speech thing, “Uh Oh honey, if y’all start playing that music, somebody’s getting hurt…” She will steal the show and have people talking about her moment this week. “Mo’Nique is my hero. So soulful and real.” Wouldn’t surprise me at all.
MALIK: And we’re off! Cristoph Waltz wins Best Supporting Actor, no surprise there. It was actually a good performance in a good film I have to admit. But how about Penelope Cruz eh? Is that accent real? I’ve heard rumors…
ART: Waltz is no surprise at all. I agree, well deserved. As for Penelope Cruz, I’ve heard she’s actually from Cleveland. But, you never know. Yeah. I agree with Up for best animated feature. First ten minutes of that movie almost had a brotha misty eyed. Whatsup with that film Nine? Don’t think I’ve heard one good thing about it.
MALIK: Penelope Cruz brotha! That’s all you need to know… And the Crazy Heart song wins. So far this is a pretty predictable Oscars…
ART: Figured that was a crush of yours, but wasn’t even going there.
MALIK: (laughing)
ART: Yeah, definitely predictable so far. Does Crazy Heart sweep every musical category this year?
MALIK: Probably. The movie wasn’t that bad actually. The big question now is if Jeff Bridges continues to talk in the Oklahoma accent if he wins…
ART: I’m just trying to see if he’s sober.
ART: Wow. Actually thought Tarantino might pull out Best Original Screenplay.
MALIK: I did too. Guess there aren’t as many Tarantino fanboys in the Academy as I guessed. John Hughes gets his own In Memoriam?!?
ART: His generation is in power now in Hollywood.
MALIK: Yeah. Jokes aside, he was either directly or indirectly responsible for A LOT of good movies…
ART: He had a great run.
MALIK: OK, watching this montage I see your point…
ART: And, here comes that song…
MALIK: WHOA! Young Alec Baldwin!!! (laughing uncontrollably)
ART: Yup. Him and Steve Martin worked in Hughes films. Brat pack. Plus Culkin.
MALIK: So…is this a ratings ploy or an Academy tribute?
ART: I guarantee people will be talking about this tomorrow. Just seeing people from their childhood. The answer? It’s both.
MALIK: Am I the only one who noticed the crowd seemed to refuse to throw down the standing ovation?
ART: I saw that too. Part of the perception with Hughes is that his works were more entertainment than art. What’s the verdict on Zoe Saldana?
MALIK: Looking at Zoe makes me want to eat dinner. Great intro for the Short Film category though.
ART: Nice to hear from seasoned pros looking back. Whoa. Brotha sighting.
MALIK: A brotha wins!!!! And he gets cut off!!!!
ART: Why is this woman bogarting?
MALIK: (laughing uncontrollably)
ART: And, what is she talking about? Brotha probably hot!
MALIK: MANNNNNNNNN! I’m still mad for the brotha who got cut off!
ART: Same here. Leave it to Stiller to do blue face. Think Cameron is ticked at this?
MALIK: Doubt it, but is there any doubt Stiller officially gets invited to present every year now? You remember the Joaquin Phoenix move last year…
ART: So, Star Trek takes this one, you think?
MALIK: I still heard a little Crazy Heart accent in Jeff Bridges. Yeah Star Trek deserved that last one.
ART: So far, early on, the highlights of the night? Brotha gets cut off and Tina Fey/Downey Jr.
MALIK: Best Adapted Screenplay – What say you Mr. Writer?
ART: It’ll be interesting to see who wins Best Adapted Screenplay. Not sure. Probably Up In The Air, but there was a debate as to how well the co-writers (one was the director of the film) got along during the process.
MALIK: Really? We’ll talk about that one off the record – no need to give these plebians all the inside Hollywood magic.
ART: Oh. Precious. Black screenwriter. Nice.
MALIK: Go ahead brotha!!! A behind the scenes win at that!
ART: Nice to see this. He’s gotta be the first black screenwriter to win. Nice.
MALIK: Yeah, and the way Rachel McAdams can’t take her eyes off him motivates me.
ART: Yup, figures…
MALIK: Very sincere acceptance speech.
ART: That’s the word that comes to my mind. Good moment. Queen Latifah’s looking good.
MALIK: Yeah she cleans up well. The Governor’s Award ceremony is like a wet dream for film buffs like myself.
ART: Yeah. Each of those is a giant of the industry to say the least. They all get standing ovations from everyone.
MALIK: Damn straight! And Penelope and Javier keeping it real!
ART: Get ready for Mo’Nique to get emotional.
MALIK: Standing O?
ART: Mo’Nique walking with regalness. Nice speech.
MALIK: Gut reaction but I think that was the best acceptance speech by a black winner.
ART: Succinct. To the point. Sincere. Ah. You can always depend on the costume category to give an Oscar to the old English movie of the year. Eh. Least sincere speech of the evening. “I already have two of these awards. This is for the little people who never win.”
MALIK: (laughing) Seriously! How arrogant was that!?! So what do you think of Twilight brotha? I know you’ve seen it.
ART: Haven’t seen it. The Vampire thing never gets me like others.
MALIK: Wait…a horror tribute, introduced by the Twilight kids? Definitely ratings ploy.
ART: Yup. What you know about a young Johnny Depp in Nightmare On Elm Street?
MALIK: I honestly don’t like horror films, only the all time classics like the Exorcist and Psycho.
ART: Same here. Those actually scare you instead of shock you. They got Morgan Freeman doing the narration again? Here’s your Dark Knight…
MALIK: Needless to say, this is the greatest moment in the history of the Academy Awards…
ART: Alright Batman, calm down.
MALIK: So you think Precious has a chance now for Best Picture?
ART: Not really. I still feel like they’ll lean toward Hurt Locker. Getting the Adapted Screenplay was an upset for Precious.
MALIK: We’ll see brotha, we’ll see…
ART: The Hurt Locker is starting to collect the awards now.
MALIK: Very true.
ART: Paul N.J. Ottoson kind of looks like an albino Vampire with that hair.
MALIK: Yeah, kind of stereotypical to have that be the ’sound guy’ isn’t it?
ART: Like he’s been in a cave only working with sound for an entire year.
MALIK: Really! Avatar for best cinematography, that was probably the biggest lock.
ART: Yeah. The film looked great. What you know about CCH Pounder with the general from Avatar. Is that her guy?
MALIK: Don’t know, don’t know… ah, here comes the In Memoriam. I can’t joke with this part.
ART: My mom is a James Taylor fan. Always perfect for reflection.
MALIK: Surprised they opened with Swayze. Well done. No giants like Paul Newman passed this year.
ART: Of course, there’s Mike, but it’s not quite his stage.
MALIK: Yeah as far as ‘Hollywood’ goes he was more a fan than anything else. Not surprised they included him though.
ART: Malden, Swayze and Dom Deluise seem to be the biggest this year.
MALIK: I haven’t seen white girls with this much soul since the Sprite Step Off. Too soon?
ART: (laughing) You gonna be hunted down by every Essence reader in America. Nice overall dance piece, though. Huge fan of scores. These were all solid. Up was a classic. Glad it won for score. I also like Sherlock’s music. Avatar sounded like recycled music from Glory (remember that?)
MALIK: (laughing) That was my first wrong pick tonight. My gut said Up though. And if people don’t know this is tongue in cheek, they should have stopped reading a long time ago.
ART: Avatar won for special effects? That’s crazy.
MALIK: (laughing)
ART: Precious should have got that. Best Director is up next. You figure that Reitman and Tarrantino think they don’t have a chance against a woman, an African American and the king of the world, Cameron.
MALIK: Yeah. I’ll be genuinely disappointed if the cougar doesn’t win now.
ART: She’s got it. But, since you bring it up. If Bigelow looked like an average above 40 year old woman, think she’d be nominated?
MALIK: First thing I’m not responding to in order to protect my future career opportunities.
ART: You done said enough, brotha…
MALIK: (laughing)
ART: Best Editing for Hurt Locker. I’m thinking 90% chance of Best Picture.
MALIK: If Bigelow wins, yeah…
ART: Oh, she’ll win… She’s your new cougar crush, right?
MALIK: (laughing) Settle down, brotha, settle down. I’m gonna have enough explaining to do when this column is over. Esoteric group to present this (Best Actor).
ART: Yeah. It’ll be interesting to see how they relate to each actor.
MALIK: Love Michelle’s speech about family and career. What we aspire to.
ART: And, it’s a challenge for many people in many walks of life.
MALIK: Yes sir.
ART: Ok. Shawshank.
MALIK: Yeah good anecdote.
ART: Nicely done, Tim Robbins.
MALIK: Yeah, and SWAT? I’ve watched that. I’ll leap out of my seat if Jeremy wins.
ART: He’s not winning, but it’s nice to see him there. I remember when Renner was “the guy” I saw in every other commercial. By the way, using other actors to introduce the nominees is still a great way to do it.
MALIK: Agreed. It’s crazy Bridges got his first nomination 6 years before we were born.
ART: Jeff Bridges. No surprise there. The Bridges, a very underrated Hollywood family.
MALIK: Agreed once again. The Thomases will get there soon enough though.
ART: (laughing) If my kids are crazy enough to try this line of work, I’ll support them and wish them well. Been married 33 years in Hollywood? That might be the most amazing thing I’ve heard all night.
MALIK: (laughing)
ART: Forrest always sounds sincere, even if he’s ordering a burrito.
MALIK: I was thinking the same thing. How does he get villain roles?
ART: The lazy eye. Does it every time. These are nice speeches. The best things about these intros is the reaction from the nominees. And, you can tell they have no idea what will be said. What better intro to have than Oprah?
MALIK: You were reading my mind. I think Oprah would be the number one choice to do an intro in our industry.
ART: If/when I have to intro you, I’ll start with “Malik used to dress like Batman, but… actually, he still does…”
MALIK: Is that right brotha? well… If/when I have to intro you, I’ll start with “Aaron is a great writer, but if he asks you to help him move, know you won’t be getting a dinner out of it.”
ART: I’ll look at the camera and go “That’s right!”
MALIK: (laughing)
ART: Is Sean Penn drunk?
MALIK: OH YEAH!
ART: Sandra…Bullock…
MALIK: You can’t leave Sean Penn backstage that long without libation, brotha…
ART: Sandra Bullock’s always been pretty down to Earth.
MALIK: Yeah I met her when we were in school. I guess I can say I’ve met an Oscar winner now.
ART: Aren’t we all hoity toity? I met Clarence Jenkins, the guy who buffs the Oscars…
MALIK: Oh no, the husband was tearing up! Eric Benet Part II
ART: We all know what happened after that, though.
MALIK: Bigelow’s winning…
ART: Yeah, you got Barbara presenting… AND, she led off with it being a woman….
MALIK: What if she would have said, “Or, for the first time, a colored…”
ART: (laughing) Cut to the Tyler Perry section looking angry.
MALIK: Oprah probably would have walked back onstage…
ART: Well, well, well… Bigelow wins. And Cameron made sure to cheer loudly. Good stuff.
MALIK: Yeah. When my daughter tells me she wants to be a director, I’ll be able to look back at this night.
ART: So, here we go. The big one. Best Picture. Hurt Locker.
MALIK: Right to the Point!
ART: Like it.
MALIK: Alright I think we got it.
ART: I like Bigelow, but she’s a little overhwelmed up on stage. Cool. Until next year. That’s a wrap.
I have had a great couple of days. The sun has been shining and yesterday I went up to town to drop my book off for a meeting then had a couple of hours to wonder around the West End. I looked in shops (even bought a couple of things), went to Starbucks, noticed buildings that I hadn’t really looked at before and it was all possible because my folks were looking after the girls for the afternoon. For the first time in nearly three years I felt like Chloë again. No big make up kit to lug around, no heavy portfolio to carry, no buggy to push, no nappy bag and no babies on my hips. Just me.
I then went to St Lukes Church on Old Street where MAC Cosmetics were putting on a master class with the world renowned movie make up artist, Rick Baker. What an amazing man. I sat with my jaw on the floor while he transformed himself, with nothing but paint, into a multi-coloured monster. The church was lit with eerie green lights and the whole process was done to a sound track of horror movie music. When he had finished he told us to watch a short film which comprised of several clips from his movies; Wolf Man, Hell Boy, Star Wars, MJ’s Thriller video, The Grinch, Men In Black, Ed Wood, The Grudge, Gremlins, Tropic Thunder, Enchanted, The Ring, X Men, Norbit, Cocoon, Bigfoot, Click and Nutty Professor to name but a few! He has won several Oscars for his amazing special effects make up and animatronics and rightly so. When the mini film finished he stepped out from behind a curtain dressed in a black cloak, his long silver hair loose and had a fearsome set of teeth in. The scene was set. I managed to grab a quick snap so you could see his incredible work.
An hour later and with nothing but paint, Rick is transformed. WOW!
I was on such a high when I got home and decided that I now want to work on films! Kindly, the wonderful Christina at MAC has said she will send me some of the chromacakes which he used last night so I can start practicing straight away. I will keep you informed!
Today has been nothing extraordinary but just chilled and productive. While the girls were at nursery I managed to write a thousand email, do ten tons of washing and tidy the house. They came home and after a quick nap we spent the afternoon outside in the spring sunshine. The last of the leaves are now gone and the flower beds and vege patch have been cleared out and are ready to go. The girls were so sweet and helpful and decided to dig with me. You can imagine the mess but if you can’t eat dirt and play with worms when you’re a toddler, when can you?!
Finally, Esmeralda snuggled up into bed with first ever duvet and pillow tonight. Bless her cottons, she was so happy. Ah, the simple things. Here’s to another lovely day tomorrow x x
It’s so sad to see fans of Michael fighting. Everyone says they understand the message, they want to spread LOVE, but some aren’t doing so. And why?
Michael has a twitter account? Michael has messengers? I don’t know.
Some believe the HOAX. Others don’t. I understand.
But what I really know and believe, is the respect I have for others. All are free to believe and opine, but respecting the each other.
We will not remember the words of Michael only when we are listening to your music, watching their short films, their DVD’s. WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER!!
Think of how Michael was feeling seeing all this. He has always talked openly that he loved us and had the best fans.
We aren’t here to judge anyone. Our mission is to spread the message of Michael and L.O.V.E.
We must do our part.
For all think:
I recall myself and a friend crossing the border into East Berlin before the Wall was torn down. As my friend maneuvered our rented VW to the checkpoint, I pulled back the sunroof and rolled down the windows. Earlier I had cued a tape to play Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” As the guard approached, I hit the play button and turned the volume way up. The guard, who was carrying an automatic rifle, asked for our passports. Instead of responding directly, I said over the top of the music: “Do you like Michael Jackson?” He looked nervously at the guard house and then quickly nodded in approval. For a long moment, his face was covered with an unforgettable smile. But more than signaling his approval, the guard had broken military decorum.
Similarly, when we returned to the West through Austria, the guard stationed there responded to my question by first placing his machine gun on the ground. Then he grabbed my closest hand with both of his and said: “Yes, oh yes. Michael Jackson!” Not far away, hidden in a clump of bushes and trees, I saw the dark, sinister presence of Soviet tanks.
Daftar lagu U-Know Yunho yang akan bernyanyi di Korea untuk konser peringatan Michael Jackson, yang akan diadakan di Memorial Peace Plaza di Yongsan, Seoul pada 27 dan 28 Maret, telah diumumkan.
Pada konser, U-Know Yunho akan menyanyikan tujuh lagu dalam konser ini. Antara lain lagu no. 1 Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, serta lagu-lagu hit lain seperti ‘Wanna be startin somethin’, ‘Smooth Criminal’ dan ‘Jam’. Ia juga menyiapkan ‘Man in the Mirror’ dan ‘Black or White’ dengan vokalis Vann Johnson dan Tony Terry yang akan mengunjungi Korea untuk konser tersebut.
U-Know Yunho akan berangkat ke LA pada tanggal 5 Maret untuk berlatih dengan tim. U-Know Yunho berangkat ke Las Vegas untuk mempelajari tarian koreografi dengan tim dan juga untuk berbicara tentang isi konser dengan master konser Morris Pledger.
Morris Pledger akan merilis lagu Michael Jackson yang berjudul ‘This Is It’ pada awal konser sebagai lagu kenangan yang didedikasikan untuk Michael Jackson. source: [mk+DNBN]
translation credits: jeeelim5@tohosomnia.net
shared by: tohosomnia.net
I was listening to Off the Wall the other day, and especially digging this song. The album isn’t quite the equal of Thriller but it’s a terrific funk/pop record.
Started wondering what ever happened to Michael Jackson. He just sort of disappeared after Dangerous.
Turns out he died last year. How did I miss that? Must have been drowned out by all the coverage of Farrah Fawcett’s passing.
I salute you, Jacko! You will be missed.
Girl, close your eyes
Let that rhythm get into you
Don’t try to fight it
There ain’t nothin’ that you can do
Relax your mind
Lay back and groove with mine
You got to feel the heat
And we can ride the boogie
Share that beat of love
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Were gonna rock the night away
Out on the floor
There ain’t nobody there but us
Girl, when you dance
There’s a magic that must be love
Just take it slow
cause we got so far to go
When you feel that heat
And were gonna ride the boogie
Share that beat of love
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Were gonna rock the night away
And when the groove is dead and gone (yeah)
You know that love survives
So we can rock forever, on
I wanna rock with you
I wanna groove with you
I wanna rock with you
I wanna groove with you
I wanna rock (all night) with you girl (sunlight)
Rock with you, rock with you girl (yeah)
Dance the night away
I wanna rock with you (yeah) (all night)
Rock you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Rock the night away
Feel the heat feel the beat
Rock you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock – rock the night away
Yesterday my girlfriend and I decided to go to Disneyland. Living in the LA area, it wasn’t such a big deal. But, what was a big deal was the confirmation of a rumor we had been hearing for the past few weeks. Captain EO is back!
Now the last time I watched Captain EO I was a wee lad with no idea of what true awesomeness was. It all looked cool back in the day. As an adult and having every inch of my childhood handed back to me on a silver platter I was a bit skeptical on how good Michael Jackson could possibly be. After all Transformers, G.I. JOE and Dragonball were presented to me last year chopped all to hell. To my surprise Captain EO was better than I could have possibly imagined.
Okay so let me explain. Do you remember the 80s? Sure hair and clothes were a bit off, but the 80s were the golden years. America was good and proud, television cartoons were experiencing a golden age and Michael Jackson could do no wrong. He was at the top of his game. He had his best music in the 80s not to mention his most favorably memorable music videos. And… he was black. There were no rumors of him sleeping with children or monkeys or whatever. He wasn’t crazy, or he wasn’t portrayed as crazy in the media. He was good and that was awesome.
This is what Captain EO reminds us of. Michael Jackson is good. 80s Michael is good. And he’s at the top of his game in this movie. This movie was well worth the 45 minute wait that I had to endure. Everyone in the theater was pumped. We cheered as the Michael rose into frame for the first time. The crowd went crazy when he Moonwalked for not even half a second. And the electricity could be felt as the first dance number was cued with audience simultaneously shouting out with Michael, WHOOOO!!! There are no special edition FX to throw you out of the movie. It’s all the same old school special effects, stop motion and 3D magic that makes Captain EO a classic.
I was recently sent a link to the BLHFL (Bud Light High Five League) by a friend who cannot wear wrist watches because of his compulsive propensity to connect palms. Apparently, the good people of Bud Light (who I am no longer compensated by) have decided to create a web-based competition that captures the best in high fives, double fives, double foot-fives, need for speeds, reverse slaps, flip backs, high-lows, low-highs, back agains, front agains, snap-dragons, open-pounds, sock-puppet hugs, thumblers, trifectas and palmies from around the world.
After doing a little research on the high five, I realized that while there is now a definitive home for the current state of the open-handed slap, there is no definitive bullet point record of the high five’s history. So, without further ado, I present…
A Brief History of the High Five
1278: Upon hearing that the Habsburgs’ have taken control of Austria, Rudolph I slaps the raised hand of a stranger then kills that stranger. Later, the movie Rudy is written about the birth of this influential European House, but is turned into a feel good football movie during extensive rewrites.
1849: The first prospector, Fuzzy Wiggins, discovers gold in California, but loses his arm to a bear on the way back to town. He hires a blacksmith to make him a golden arm, but runs out of gold and is left with his hand in the raised, open-palmed position, leading to a life full of fives.
1861: Having heard the story of a gold-armed man people travel to slap the hand of for good luck, President-elect Lincoln high fives his way from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration.
1944: Franklin Delano Roosevelt high fives a 19 year-old Lenny Bruce after Bruce tells him the one and only joke about wheelchairs he’s ever heard and laughed at.
1945: Franklin Delano Roosevelt is asked by his wife to stop high fiving every person he meets on the street. FDR refuses and adds “High Fiving” as part of the Secret Service training.
1956: After a precipitous rise, the Low Five takes over as the preeminent form of casual, hand contact related greeting. Some believe it is a result of a general weakening in our countries shoulder strength because of Communism.
1968: JG Ballard writes a passionate letter to The New Yorker explaining the misappropriation of the high five as a form of hello. Ballard argues persuasively that high five’s be returned to their original intent as a celebratory gesture.
1974: People Magazine is launched to capture compelling high fives from around the world, but changes direction and becomes a home for meaningless lists after its founder is left hanging by an old friend during a softball game.
1988: Michael Jackson and Michael J. Fox and Michael Jordan work together to found the MJMJFMJHFFKF. Their plan to sell pictures of the three of them high-fiving to raise money for kids fails after their acronym is confused for a foundation that offers mining jobs to stutterers.
2009: Jason Marziani breaks the record for most high fives in an hour during the Philadelphia Brewer’s Bar Crawl.
2010: ???
Twenty-ten, much like the rest of the future, is wide open for all sorts of history making, high-five related and otherwise.
Celebrity biographer Ian Halperin – who penned the unauthorized 2009 tell-all Unmasked: The Final Years of [lastfm]Michael Jackson[/lastfm] – is set to release a documentary about the late singer. Halperin has been working on a 88-minute Jackson tribute documentary, entitled Gone Too Soon, which uses audio and video footage of the Thriller singer shot before his death last June. The feature is also expected to include interviews with the King of Pop’s personal manager, chef, spiritual adviser, hairstylist, trainer, bodyguard, and attorney. The film will debut at the MIPTV conference in Cannes, France, next month and will open in limited release in Canada and France June 25, the first anniversary of Jackson’s death.
Ian Halperin who penned “Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson” is working on a documentary about the late pop singer to be released in June.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Of course today’s blog will be about something – or someone – Irish, so sit tight and we’ll get to it. But first, some news. And, because nothing says bring on the green beer like a multimillion-dollar DVD release, here goes: Avatar will be available April 22. (For format specifics, Fox says they’ll release the big blue moneymaker “in 2D on DVD and Blu-ray on Earth Day, April 22. A four-disc 2D release with numerous extras follows in November, and a 3D version on Blu-ray arrives next year.” So I’d say ‘get yours April 22!’ but I don’t want to insult you in case you’re waiting for the more souped –up version to buy. Speaking of buying, did you know that pretty soon you’ll be able to tell loved ones/ family members/ benefactors & coworkers that what you really, really want for the holidays is “the new Michael Jackson album” and no one will look at you funny? That’s right. According to CNN, the King of Pop left this world in debt, but he also left enough unreleased material for at least 10 new albums over the next 10 years – and us regular folks will actually be able to buy it. They’re going to happen. A Jackson insider says there’s music and more music, enough to “ bring in $250 million to the late pop star’s trust”. Of course it makes you wonder how they’ll do it…will they start playing a “single” on local radio stations? Then will they, say, release new tracks for folks who want to download “the latest” from MJ? And will it be weird when a song gets “leaked” on the internet? Just saying, it seems like sort of a strange posthumous proposition all around. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be right there waiting for it – having eagerly purchased over the years his music on LP, cassette, cassingle, 45, eight-track and CD. Still, let’s hope they handle it tastefully. Now let’s get to St. Patrick’s Day. The day that’s not really a holiday in the US, but the day when thousands of bars are spilling over with patrons by noon who think it should be. With this in mind, let’s talk about Irish stars. There are lots of them in Hollywood. In fact, so many that we may do Favorite Irish Actors and add Favorite Irish Actresses in the weeks to come. But for now, voice your choice in today’s featured poll and let us know which one of these Emerald Isle stars is your favorite:
One reason I respect the Catholic Church is that they’ve never felt the need to bow to cultural pressure. Their positions change and soften over time but it’s never immediate. So it was still a shocker when the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, announced their Top 10 Rock Albums. I’m not surprised that many priests like rock music – most of them grew up with it – but I was surprised that a group of priests got together and decided on the Vatican’s Top 10 Rock Albums.
left field. Like Oasis’s What’s the Story, Morning Glory. I really like this album but I’m kind of surprised anyone would put it in their Top 10. Santana’s Supernatural is an odd choice too – but who can resist the allure of “Smooth”?
I was listening to Off the Wall the other day, and especially digging this song. The album isn’t quite the equal of Thriller but it’s a terrific funk/pop record.
