Episode 2 Preview

Now that episode 1 is finally online (sorry about the technical difficulties and be sure to check the "Show Notes" below), it's time to preview Episode 2!

Since we ran over with episode 1, we didn't have time to fit in each panel member's Top 5 favorite movies. Well, guess what? That's what the whole show will be about next week! What will make the cut? What won't? And more importantly, who will you agree with (hint: it's not Schwex!)

This Is It

Since we were unable to get to Michael Jackson's This Is It episode 1, I'm posting my thoughts here.

I grew up a Michael Jackson fan. I remember in my youth I owned a small, red plastic radio with the Thriller art emblazoned on it. Beat It was and continues to be my favorite MJ song, followed closely by Black or White. As an amateur music historian, I understand and promote Michael's influence in modern music in specific and pop culture in general. And I can say, with great authority, if you have ever seen one of Michael's videos or listened to his songs, owned his albums or tried (usually unsuccessfully) to Moonwalk, you'll be enthralled with this film.

The movie itself, while purporting to be a concert film, is actually somewhere between concert film and documentary. Made up of rehearsal footage shot days before the singer's untimely death, we were never supposed to see this. As you'll see when you watch This Is It, Michael Jackson was a perfectionist. Since this footage was of the rehearsals, it was never intended to be released. And that fact is what makes the film so engaging. You're getting an intimate view of one of the greatest performers of all time and his genius is on full display.

From his place on center stage, Michael is directing the music (provided live by a bevy of musicians on stage with him) and music cues, the lighting, the dancing, the video interstitials displayed on the giant screen behind him, everything. And it all works. The man knew how to entertain; he knew what his fans expected. And he was dedicated to making this, his final performance, his greatest. Over and over again he tells everyone involved in the production that however the song sounded on the records, that's how it should sound in the concert.

But it's not only the music that remains the same. Every song's video is performed, for the most part, live on stage. During Beat It, we get the knife fight. During The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael chases down a lovely ingenue, trying desperately to get her to notice him. And, the piece d'resistance, during Thriller we get backup dancers decked out in ghoulish garb, hands akimbo, traversing the stage while behind them on the screen an all new video is projected behind them, in full 3-D (that's right, 3-D).

There are a few disappointments, however, the singer's death and the subsequent canceling of the concert not-withstanding, though these disappointments are only evident during retrospection of the spectacle the audience is treated to. Not once is the moonwalk on full display (though you can spot the moment Michael expects to perform it during Billie Jean). The songs selected for the concert, while all hits, are not all the hits. A few notable exclusions: Bad (one of my favorite Michael songs, as well as dances), You Rock My World (and anything else post HIStory), Remember the Time, Heal the World, Will You Be There, and Scream. We are however, treated to three Jackson 5 selections (including I Want You Back).

During the rehearsals of each song, Michael is singing half-vocals and performing only parts of the dancing, saving himself for the concert itself. However, sometimes the man cannot keep the music inside him and indulges in soaring vocals and mesmerizing moves. And I will defy anyone who watches this to sit quietly still in their seat. One cannot help singing along or grooving in the theater.

Michael, of course, is the main focus of this film, though we do spend time with others involved in the production. In the opening minutes, we meet the touring dancers and view how they were selected (hand-picked by Michael himself). We meet the bombastic and beautiful lead guitarist, who perfectly executes Eddie Van Halen's solo on Beat It and Slash's riffs on Black or White. We briefly glimpse the wardrobe department creating Michael's new Billie Jean costume, replete with sparkling gems covering the jacket and lining the pants that would have illuminated (this as also another disappointment, as we never see the final product tested onstage). And we see Michael thrill to the testing of stage pyrotechnics.

Overall, this is one of the greatest movies I've seen yet this year, and urge anyone with even a mild interest in one of the most brilliant musicians in history to view this film. As the film draws to the end of it's 111 minutes, you ask yourself "this is it?' Because we want to see more of the man. Hear more of the music. And marvel at what truly would have been Michael's return to prominence with one of the greatest concerts ever performed.

Episode 1 - We Grew Up on the Joker!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The LSQ Movie Review, a podcast that focuses on movies, but with our panel, The LSCrew, focus is quickly lost and we start discussing any topic that comes to mind. In this episode we start our discussion with The Men Who Stare at Goats and find ourselves at the end of the episode talking about The Spirit. Join Christ (or Chris with a T, or Hey Zeus), Joe, Schwez, and Cory on this long, strange journey.

02:28 - The Men Who Stare at Goats
14:21 - District 9
15:22 - Star Trek
22:22 - Batman Forever
24:02 - Batman
31:09 - Spider-Man 3
33:07 - Sin City
33:30 - Watchmen
35:34 - Ninja Assassin
36:07 - The Spirit


You can e-mail the show at lsqpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/lsqpodcast. Read our blog at lsqpodcast.blogspot.com.

And finally, be sure to subscribe to LSQ's 5-Minute Fridays, where we take a look at each weeks' movie releases at decide what you should see for you.


Theme song:
New Found Glory - The King of Wishful Thinking

Opening song:
Cake - Sheep Go to Heaven