Comment Archives: stories: Cinema
Re: “Maze Malaise”
Frankly, I quite enjoyed your take on this film (even having only seen Saw I and bits and pieces of the sequels) and I'd like to propose that the above "bad review of your review" is a terrible review in and of itself. Why? Because the commenter clearly didn't understand your overall message: these Saw films are so bad that they don't deserve the dignity of a "real" review. You can write some nonsense about time-traveling caveman torture porn instead of analyzing the film's acting or cinematography, because the films have neither. Bravo on your review, and hopefully someday people will stop funding these God-awful movies.
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
So let me get this straight. Some of you think MJ was the picture of health, and my observation that he looked haggard, distressed, and sleep deprived (which he clearly was) is totally out there? I submit to you that the man is dead, that the lethal cocktail that killed him had been administered to him (at different levels) at times before, and that there is no way he was in a good place mentally in the weeks leading up to his death. The man couldn't sleep, and he was under a lot of pressure. This film did nothing but make that obvious to me. You are all defending MJ, but I didn't attack him in any way in this review. I pretty much defended him, and no matter what Kenny Ortega or some show promoter says, Jackson would not want us to see what's on display in this movie. It's just another way to feed on the guy's bones after his death. The more I think about it, the more it disgusts me.
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Hi Chandy UK, I liked reading your comment as well. I too, am a registered nurse; one who has served quite a few dying patients in my time, whether it be in ER, ICU, DOU (i.e. Telemetry), or Med-Surg units. Quite a few of these patients sometimes virtually begged for the release of death before dying, due to the intense pain they experiencing. A pain so intense sometimes that even the most powerful analgesics like morphine, demerol, dilaudid, oxycodone, etc, barely did anything to control their suffering, and attending nurses like me, began to feel quite depressed, just from watching them suffer before their deaths. So in comparison with poor folks like this, MJ had quite a blessed death indeed. Dr. Conrad Murray simply knocked him unconscious with a lethal cocktail of propofol, ativan, and xanax, and he thereafter never regained consciousness, due to the resultant respiratory and cardiac complications MJ experinced from receiving an overdose of such powerful sedatives. Of course the possibly accidental nature of this pharmacologically inflicted homicide, neither exonerates Dr. Conrad Murray from guilt of gross medical malpractice/negligence, nor does it change the fact that Dr. Conrad Murray, as a fully trained and licensed physician (Someone who has taken the Hippocratic Oat, and has pledged to observe the code of "Primum Non Nocere," i.e. he has pledged to "First Do No Harm."), should have known better, and should never have greedily aquiesced to MJ's insomnia driven demands. As a trained cardiologist, he should have exercised better judgement, and should never have given him a dangerous medication like propofol (which should never be used outside either an Operating Room, or an ICU Unit), in such a careless and negligent manner. You and I know as nurses that patients will on several occassions try to bully, bribe, cajole, or otherwise manipulate their caregivers, into giving them either pain medications, or powerful sedatives in a dangerous fashion, or at dangerously toxic levels, because they know no better (not having studied pharmacology, like we have), or else because they are experiencing unbearable pain. But the responsible licensed Healthcare Practitioner, has to be the grown-up in such situations, and has to very firmly say no, to the patient, in order both to save the patient's life (or health), as well as to, remain faithful to the oat we have all taken, to "First Do No Harm." Unfortunately Dr. Conrad Murray seems to have been totally blinded by his $150,000.00 a month paycheck and forgoten all about "Primum Non Nocere," he seems to have seen only huge dollar signs, and "out...[it seems]...through the...[proverbial]...window" went both his Hippocratic Oat, and years of medical training. And sadly now as a result of his greed and medical malpractice, we have lost Michael Jackson in an untimely, and entirely unnecessary manner. Peace Out Guys! May MJ rest in Peace!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Pop ML and John Odeh, Hi. Both your comments had me laughing so much I nearly fell out of my chair. Both your comments are accurate but I haven't laughed so much since MJ died. The only good thing like you said Pop ML is that he died peacefully. I am a nurse and have seen painful ones. Bob Grimm you got your just deserts. Hurrah!!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Bob, you fool! You've angered the Michael Jackson fanatics! You do realize that the devoted followers are going to pop out of the ground like the zombies in the Thriller video to dance and eat your brains! Stay away from all cemeteries and discotheques!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Bob Grimm, you are such a donkey! I guess you think that you know more than the LA Coroner; who spent more than eight years in medical school learning how to determine the pre-death health of victims of a questionable deaths (not to mention his many years of experience as a practising Coroner). This same LA Coroner, declared in his autopsy report that Michael Jackson, had been in an excellent state of health for a man his age, except for slight inflammation of his lungs (which could have been a side effect of his Vitiligo; which is a variant of the disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). Where if I may ask, did you get your medical degree, and what is it that qualifies you to give us a medical diagnosis of Michael Jackson's health-state during these final rehearsals of his. You are absolutely full of cr*p! I and millions of others watched this film, and I will trust my own eyes and ears, as well as my three plus years of healthcare practice in judging Michael Jackson's final health-state, before I listen to the hate-filled rants of a medically illiterate fool like yourself, or have you tell me that Michael was sick and on the verge of death during his final rehearsals. Did you even watch the movie at all? None of Michael Jackson's speech was incompresensible, I heard everything the man said loud and clear. It is not unusual in movies to sometimes subtitle an actor's speech, and the false as well as weird conclusion you arrive at from these occassional subtitles, only exposes your deep-seated hatred of Michael Jackson, and your ultimately futile attempt to paint him as a man past his prime. We his devoted fans, will do all we can in our life-times, to keep both his memory and artistic glory, fresh and alive forever, and there is nothing that anti Michael Jackson haters and disparagers like yourself, can ever do that will change that or end our goodwill towards this Great King of Pop. The more your depraved kind, attack and insult this great man, the more we will glorify and revere him, so eat your stinking loveless hate-filled hearts out! If indeed Michael Jackson's speech was subtitled because it was often incomprehensible as you state, then why was the speech of the choreographers, guitarists, pianists, aerialists, and many of the singers and dancers who came to audition for these shows also subtitled. Perhaps these often quite young singers, dancers, guitarists, pianists, aerialists, fashion designers, Kenny Ortega (himself), etc, were also mumbling incoherently and incomprehensibly due to old age, drug addiction fuelled illnesses, and artistic decline, etc, which they had somehow miraculously contracted from Michael Jackson? Last time I checked old age, drug addiction fuelled illness, and artistic decline, were not contagious! Or maybe it is you Bob Assh*le Grimm, who is deaf, demented, and writing filthy incomprehensible rubbish that arises from a dark stinking well, of deep-seated anti Michael Jackson bias and bigotry. You are so full of stinking Sh*t! Please spare us, the fake concern and tears about Michael Jackson's health (As well as your filthy tripe, about how his closest friends are now ripping him off for cash even in death. It is quite clear you have no love for this man! If you did even care for MJ in the slightest, you would never have written such a filthy and patently dishonest review about a movie meant to memorialize the man.) If you truly (though I seriously doubt it) don't know why subtitles were used in this movie, then may I educate your quite dense coconut-water filled skull of a brain, as to one very plausible explanation of why subtitles were used. "This Is It," is a movie that was designed for a global audience, and it is also filled with a very diverse and multinational cast. It is well known that people from one country, might not understand the accents of people from other countries (even when they are all English Speaking Countries). As such some English speaking Australian fans, or English speaking Nigerian fans, or Portugues speaking Brazilian fans of Michael Jackson, may not understand his US-style speech clearly, due to his heavily American accented English (apart from the fact that he was also quite soft-spoken). Therefore it would be most reasonable in such circumstances, to subtitle some of his soft-spoken American accented speech, as well as the variously accented speech of other members of this fine movie's diverse multicultural cast, in order to guarrantee clarity of their dialogue. But I actually think you know that already, and that you are just maliciously, and very deceitfully trying to put Michael Jackson down. Shame on you eternally for that! The man was in the prime of his life when he died! Michael Jackson has always been skinny. Even his musical videos as a kid, i.e. during his pre-pubescent "Jackson Five" days proves this (and back then he wasn't yet a vegetarian). After he became a vegetarian, he lost a considerable amount of the little weight he previously had, and he did not look any different in the movie "This Is It," than he has looked over the past ten years (Go watch the video of "Thriller"). Indeed the only new thing I noticed about his appearrance, was that he looked quite happy, relaxed, and excited in this movie; which is a side of him we have not seen lately in public, especially since all the unfair media bashing he received until his death began, following the spurious child molestation allegations that started in 1993. And I am really happy that Michael Jackson spent the last days of his life being happy; surrounded as he was, by people who loved and appreciated both the man, and what he did. And finally I quite glad also that he spent the last days of his life, doing what he loved doing the most, i.e. singing, dancing, rehearsing for what would have been a great series of comeback concerts, mentoring young upcoming artists, composing new melodies, directing concert-set arrangements, etc. Wow! What a way for any human being to bow out of this world, I actually somewhat envy this man, his joyous and relatively pain free exit from this our so often mundane existence, to what I hope is a better more loving world. Michael Jackson, you will shine among the brightest stars in the firmament of artistic geniuses forever, and I almost feel (like Achilles; The Fleet Footed and mighty warrior of ancient Greece) that such glory is worth dying young for. So spare us Mr. Lying Bob Grimm, your false concern about Michael Jackson's relatively excellent (i. e. for a 50 year old man) health. He has always rehearsed at half-strength before concerts, as any wise professional artist does, so you are not telling us anything new. The very day clips from these rehearsals footage were aired on cable news, many commentators on these cable news networks, noticed that Michael Jackson wasn't either letting it all hang out, or giving it his best (as he would do in a real concert), but they all also immediately stated that Michael Jackson was quite famous for holding back during rehearsals, and saving his best performances for the real stageg, and actual live concert. Your spiteful and disrespectful review of the movie "This Is It," only unmasks, either your own disgraceful ignorance about how Michael Jackson prepared for his concerts, or else it reveals your deep-seated hatred of the man, and is a vain attempt to rubbish his final artistic efforts, thrash his reputation, and deny him his well deserved final Hurrah! And you know what imbecile? People like me who have always given Michael Jackson a fair shake (even during the darkest times of his unwarranted child-molestation trials), will never let wicked people like you, to get away with your filthy lies. Publish my very fitting critism of your disgustingly shameful review of the fine movie "This Is It," as well as your shameful attack upon the memory of a dead and undefended Michael Jackson, if you are not just an intellectual coward, but also a stinking turd! I dare you, to show some character and do so!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Many can speculate that there was some cynical premise behind why this movie was made, but whichever way you look at it, this is the first real glimpse we've had of Michael since 2001, 8 years? It upsets me (and as I'm sure many others) that the only reason why we've heard MJ's name on the news is when it rhymed with something "Wacko" and this kind of brings us back to reality, like it or not, of how much of an extraordinary person he was and no one can doubt that.
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Huh? Did we see the same film? It's clear from the scene in which you've got him collapsing on a cot after only a few minutes of rehearsing, that you saw the version that played only in your head. I think everyone else understood going in that this is not a concert film. And for footage that was never even intended to be seen by the public, it should once and for all obliterate the tabloid image that plagued Michael during his life. Contrary to what you bafflingly took away from this film, what most of us saw was a commanding, funny, kind, brilliant and real person who had not lost one shred of the talent that first made him a star.
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
i seen the movie and it WAS NOT worth the 4.75 it cost to see it!!!!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
It's not even your article is it? I wonder who the first writer was. You should have gone and seen the movie before you decided to rewrite in places and print it. Incomprehensible mumbling? You must be deaf since at 56 I heard all he said in his gentle soft voice. I agree with all the comments made.
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Bob Grimm is well Grim indeed. You obviously went into the film wanting to hate it. Anyone that has seen it, knows you're full of it. I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH JJAN AND THRILLER. I could not have said it better so instead of going point by point I will simply give my opinion.
I've seen THIS IS IT 6 times. I have NEVER gone to see a film more than once EVER but will be going back for more! It is AMAZING!! I LOVE IT! I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I melted (Michael is so SEXY) and I wasn't alone. The audience was right there with me. I simply can't get enough. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, right? Well, I haven't. I will see it at least twice a week until it is no longer in theaters.
This is Michael Jackson like we've never seen him, not the media distorted version that was fed to us (Bob Grimm etc). Michael is so loving, kind, and respectful and cares so much about the world and everything in it. His was singing and dancing like he was 25. The stuff Michael and Kenny were working on for this concert was mind blowing and simply must be seen on the big screen. Don't cheat yourself, GO SEE IT IN THE THEATER! And stay until well after the credits - there's more GOOD stuff!! Kenny, THANK YOU for putting this documentary together with such love. And thank you for being a TRUE friend to Michael. I love you for what you've done for Michael and Michael, I love you more!!!!!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
sorry, my comments are now above the jjan. I agree with comments...not the article. I just want to be perfectly clear on that..
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
I agree with the comments above. I do not agree with much of this article. I have been a lifelong fan and I know good MJ material when I see it. What other 50 year old performer in the world do you know that could sing, dance and put on such a show like he was preparing? I'll answer for you, noone! He may not have wanted this to been film to be shown in life; however in death it's pretty much all that's left (at least new material of the man). He know his fans would enjoy this material and I'm certain he approves of the way it was presented. You put your largerly negative story together to get a reaction and you got one..at least a little one and in disagreement. He is great and the King of Pop does no service to the level he was on. I do agree with you on point, Human Nature was special. It was one of those moments in the movie. Like it or not, I'm personally going to see it again in IMAX because I am a fan and simply can't get enough of Michael Jackson. So please, do us all a favor. Keep your negative comments/"journalism" to yourself. The fans will keep him alive forever!!!
Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Michael was healthy, the autopsy proved that, do your research first, and you call yourself a journalist? Michael was ready for this tour and in top form, he hit all the notes and nailed all the dance moves, sure he was thin but is that unusual for a dancer and someone who is rehearsing late into the night almost every day? No it's not, Michael would have gained some weight and he would have pulled of all the concerts. He only had to do 2 shows a week spread out over 6 months. You are completely off the mark with your review it's a bit ridiculous and I had to laugh. Your right no one was supposed to see this and I think you missed the point that this was a REHEARSAL, and Michael was setting his place and coaching the band, and still he was brilliant and out dancing his much younger dancers. This is similar to the DANDEROUS tour rehearsals which you can find on youtube where he is as you put it " half -assing" you are so full of it. This movie was captivating and mesmirizing, he was so full of life. You were obviously expecting a concert movie, but in reality this is better and shows you what a perfectionist he was. This movie is a tribute to Michael's genius and showmanship and what a great show we would have had. You should rethink your review because it is completely inaccurate. I guess your just another hater, get over yourself, 105 million gross in 5 days and counting. Michael's " bantering" is poetry and you are obviously not intelligent enough to understand that " let it simmer" " bathe in the moonlight" is his way of expressing what he hears in his head and how he wants HIS music to sound, MJ knows what he wants. He has a soft voice which is why there is subtitles and he is SAVING his voice. You must be living on another planet because we could not have possible seen the same movie, you don't have to like him but your review is so bizarre it sounds like it was written out of abhorrence, jealousy and resentment. Get yourself together and give the man the credit he deserves. This review needs to be taken down.
Re: “Cuddle Porn”
Jimmy Boegle- I am not a member of the Arizona Press Club and I don't think that their opinion makes Mr. DiGiovanna a better writer. As for Argyles comment- you could save yourself some money by skipping the movies altogether and just get entertained for free by JD.
Re: “Cuddle Porn”
I haven't lived in Tucson since 2003, yet I still come back to the Tucson Weekly, weekly, just to read James' reviews. Nine times out of ten, his reviews are more entertaining than the films they discuss.
Re: “Cuddle Porn”
Best in the state for several years in a row, according to the Arizona Press Club, filmgoer!
Re: “Cuddle Porn”
Why does James DiGiovanna get to write film reviews? I know there are qualified writers in Tucson. Lets get a good writer in there TW! This guy writes like a football coach.
Re: “Maze Malaise”
That was a terrible review. Not because of your opinion or thoughts on the movie, but because of your ability to write a coherent and relevant review here at all. I've read other reviews of Saw VI where they hated it and they still managed to write professionally. Sorry to give your review a bad review, but seriously, if you have any ability or talent when writing reviews at least make an effort to show it. Pathetic.
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Re: “Michael's Sad End”
Wow. Really? It's a movie everyone. I don't care how much you loved MJ, there's no rule that just because someone died everyone has to love a quickly chopped together documentary about him. If you feel like blowing twenty bucks a week seeing this movie for as long as it's in theatres then be by guest, but don't assume everyone else is as big of a fantard as you are.
Yes, the coroners office said that MJ was healthy, but a coroners office also changed Billy Mays official cause of death from cocaine overdose to heart failure after pressure from his family members. The Grimm made an observation that Michael didn't APPEAR healthy. He didn't pretend he was Dr. House and start diagnosing him with lupus and sacardosis based on a barely visible facial tic at hour one of the film.
I won't argue with anyone that MJ was a flippin' genius in his prime, but his prime was a long time ago. This concert tour may have been absolutely mind-blowingly brilliant had he lived, or it might have been utter crap. Bob clearly believes the latter, but unless you have an inside line to Miss Cleo and her bevy of psychic friends then your arguments against him are just opinions. Just like his is just an opinion. Now could everyone calm the hell down please? I hear propofol is a great way to chill out...