Michael Jackson isn't really dead! Or black, for that matter... It was only his surrogate who was killed! This is "Movie Night"!
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Hello, and welcome to "Movie Night", YouTube's #1 interactive weekly movie review show. I'm your host, Jonathan Paula, sporting the early signs of a beard, because, well, I turn 24 this Friday, and I figured, why the hell not? Might as well look the age.
Speaking of people changing their appearances, let's jump right into our first film of the evening, "Surrogates." Released on September 25, 2009, this slightly profitable sci-fi action thriller stars Bruce Willis as, you guessed it, a police officer.
Specifically, he's Tom Greer, an FBI agent in an alternate vision of present-day Earth where nearly all humans stay at home, plugged into machines, and live out their lives by controlling more attractive and able-bodied robot versions of themselves.
These are called surrogates.And with any good first act, everything in Surrogate Land is great- people are happy, and crime is practically non-existent.
Things get interesting, though, once an unknown killer starts murdering surrogates with a highly classified weapon that also kills the fat, ugly people on the controlling end of the robots.
With a sort of "been there, done that" premise, I feared the worst for "Surrogates", but beginning with a really terrific and encompassing opening montage that explains the history of surrogacy, I was actually rather impressed with most of this movie.
Willis doesn't really blow anyone away with his performance in this film, and the supporting cast is just as forgettable and bland, save for a tech-slob named Bobby, portrayed by Devin Ratray.
What is mindblowing about the film, however, is the remarkable make-up work that truly accomplishes many of the surrogates' looks.
Bruce Willis, now in his mid-50s, might look creepy with his blonde hair in this film, but he is easily able to pass for 30 in his surrogate mode.
The film does a great job of explaining the tech and sci-fi aspects of the universe that the action takes place in, but sadly, I felt that this intriguing world was left largely unexplored by director Jonathan Mostow.
The action sequences and the special effects, however, may not have been top-shelf material, but they certainly came close. I had issue with James Cromwell's portrayal of yet another villain in a sci-fi-oriented universe.
I've always enjoyed Cromwell's work, but lately he just seems to be playing right into his typecast and collecting his paycheck. A few late-act twists in the plot help keep "Surrogates" interesting until the end.
But the only thing that really wowed me was Willis's changing hairline. In this rather typical sci-fi movie, though, the real saving grace for me was the final scene in the movie, a fresh and enjoyable ending that sends the movie out on a bang.
Well, that's what I thought about the movie "Surrogates." Now, let's take a look at what you thought in the YouTube comments.
Jon: sketchnate wrote... (reads sketchnate's comment)
Jon: knottsknocks wrote... (reads knottsknocks's comment)
Okay, let's launch the Rate-o-Matic and rank "Surrogates."
Okay, a "good"/"cool" split! While I enjoyed this movie's action and plot twists, I found the acting and writing to be a bit stale. I rated it a "6."
Meanwhile, you guys praised the interesting take on a surrogate-based society and Willis's performance, but you didn't care for the poor supporting cast or the plot's predictability. This resulted in a "7" for you guys.
Moving forward now, let's take a look at "This Is It", the concert film documentary about the rehearsals for Michael Jackson's unrealized farewell concert tour.
The appropriately titled "Michael Jackson's This Is It" was released just months after Jackson's untimely death in June of last year, eventually becoming the highest-grossing documentary of all-time.
You can say what you want about the King Of Pop, but keeping whether or not he really ever did play tiddlywinks with little boys' privates, as well as his Heidi Montag levels of plastic surgery, aside...
Michael Jackson is the greatest-selling entertainer of all-time, and he is easily one of the most influential. Utilizing rehearsal footage intended for Jackson's private library...
"This Is It" captures the raw moments of Michael's final rehearsals just weeks before his death with a simple, but effective, fly-on-the-wall technique. Unlike the music documentary film "It Might Get Loud", which I recently reviewed...
"This Is It" could have greatly benefited from any sort of narrative or backstory of any kind. The 112-minute film is almost exclusively handheld HD-video footage of soundchecks and dance rehearsals for the 50-date tour in London that would never be.
In fact, Michael's death is actually never mentioned in this film, nor is any of his history as a musician or center of the tabloid-centric media. Failing to acknowledge Michael's death is a true mistake in my opinion...
But realistically, since there's not a single person viewing this movie who isn't aware of that, the film is still an emotionally surreal look at Michael's music. The set-list of songs performed in this documentary are top notch...
...Containing all of MJ's classic hits, even including some from his Jackson 5 days. Whether we're watching multiple different takes of his near-finished rehearsals of "Smooth Criminal" or a single, soundcheck-only version of "Billie Jean"...
Michael Jackson and director Kenny Ortega really deliver the goods here, giving viewers an extraordinary opportunity to see the magic of Michael Jackson's stageshow that will never be seen.
Exhibiting Michael's energy, passion, and dedication, the most intriguing aspects of this film are the parts between the songs, when we get a rare glimpse at Michael interacting with his stage crew...
...Voicing the need for changes in the choreography and assuring the band's mistakes are forgiven, stating that this is "what rehearsals are for."
Although few, these scenes provide us with a true sense of what it was like to know the perfectionist and visionary mind that Michael was.
Also, we're treated to some behind-the-scenes footage of the impressive video roll-in segments that would have been shown on stage during the concert, behind Michael. Of particular note is the immensely gratifying new footage shot for the song "Thriller."
Sadly though, much of the film is very basic three- or two-camera coverage of just a few people on stage with Michael, often inter-cut with letterboxed standard-definition footage that can be quite distracting at times.
As incredible as Michael and his music was, and as rewarding of a movie that this is to all of his fans, I honestly felt angry and upset while watching this film.
Even in its rawest and incomplete form, the "This Is It" concert represented an epic and inspiring swan song for Michael, and knowing that all of his hard work and passion would be for naught is a depressing and upsetting thought for any true fans.
In a world without the King Of Pop, though, this basic, but deeply emotional, documentary will have to do. Okay, that's what I thought about "This Is It." Now, let's see what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
Jon: RiseOfTheNerd wrote... (reads RiseOfTheNerd's comment)
Jon: Sonicmage wrote... (reads Sonicmage's comment)
Okay, now, let's fire up the Rate-o-Matic and rank Michael Jackson's "This Is It."
A "7"/"9" split! As a fan of his music, "This Is It" was a very enjoyable and rewarding film, but I was disheartened that there wasn't more done to honor Michael's memory. The film seemed to almost rush to theaters after his death. I gave it a "cool."
You folks, on the other hand, voted overwhelming in favor of the film, many thankful for the opportunity to get a glimpse at a Michael Jackson concert. You rated it an "awesome."
Okay, now, let's review Hollywood's latest releases with some Tweet Critiques. goodish_poems Tweeted... (reads goodish_poems's Tweet) weeted
Jon: rystmid Tweeted... (reads rystmid's Tweet)
Remember, if you're going to the movies this weekend, make sure to Tweet about it after you leave the theater. Now, let's take a look at the two films we'll reviewing for next week's episode.
"Zombieland" is a zombie comedy film staring Woody Harrelson that was released last October to very positive reviews. It's new on DVD this week.
For the second film for next week, I asked my Twitter followers what I should review. Someone by the name "RayWJ" responded and told me I should check out "City Of God."
I've actually never heard of this movie, but after looking into it, I found that it's apparently #17 on IMDB's "top 250 movies of all-time" list, so I'm sure it's a great film.
Well, I hope you get a chance to buy, rent, or download these films before next week's episode. Until then, my name is Jonathan Paula. Thanks for watching "Movie Night."
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