Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This movie had me kind of curious about Michael (I'm in my 30s and don't really remember a time when Michael was an actual celebrity and not a punchline). I was reading his wikipedia and:

Jackson's previous album Off the Wall (1979) received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, having sold 7 million copies at the time.[4][5][6] The years between Off the Wall and Thriller were a transitional period for Jackson, a time of increased independence.[7] The period saw him become deeply unhappy; Jackson said, "Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends ... I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home."[8]

This is one of the saddest things I've ever read? He would've been in his early 20s when he said this and was on top of the world professionally.

I don’t think he was on top of the world professionally then. I remember when thriller came out it was portrayed almost like a comeback album. I just find his story so sad. He was definitely physically and emotionally abused and I think it’s almost certain he was sexually abused as a child star in the 1960s/70s. I think his parents really used him. And he probably have severe gender dysmorphia, definitely body dysmorphia, and was maybe autistic or at least neurodivergent in some ways. He was so amazing talented and everyone in his life just took advantage of that. Even the public clearly knew something was off and we all just loved the music and the show.

I always think wanna be starting something is his best song, and the lines you’re a buffet, you’re a vegetable, they’ll eat off you….. seems to be about right for his life.

I don’t want to see the movie because I am not down for the hagiography. He was an incredible talented artist with an incredibly sad life.

Maybe not on top of the world by your standards, but he had certainly established that he could be successful as a solo artist with Off The Wall. He was personally disappointed with that's album's impact, though, which is why he went so hard on Thriller.

Anonymous wrote:I assume everyone freaking out about this movie hasn't seen a Woody Allen or Roman Polanski movie since their accusations began? I mean, it would only make sense, right?

And those of you insisting it's not a good movie...who died and made you the arbiter of taste? It's a movie, not a doctoral thesis. It's okay to watch things that aren't serious for a couple hours.

Yes, that is correct.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t wait to see this. Played by his nephew, jaafar Jackson.

Could not pay me to go. He was extremely talented and had a tough childhood with his dad and expectations.
I get it. But . .

He was still a pedophile. And any movie that leaves this out is not telling his bio. It's white-washing his history.

Apparently the estate could be sued if they profit off of the sexual assault allegations. They legally can’t do it and they had to reshoot a lot of the film after the fact because of it. That is why the film had such a strange pace.

Anonymous wrote:Someone will say this is victim blaming but I cannot get over the parents who let their kids have so much contact with him. Whether or not he sexual abused them, it was messed up — and these parents did it just for the fame and presents. Gross. I mean, even if Taylor Swift, who is as wholesome as they come, wanted your 12 year old girl to sleep over at your house.,,,you’d be like, uh, no thanks….thats weird.

This all just seems to me totally different than kids who were molested by teachers, priests, scout masters, sports coaches, etc…..parents were reasonably thinking their kids would be safe with them and that was a normal part of childhood experience. But michael (talented as he was) was like a walking billboard blinking “I have some real psychological damage and a confused sexuality that I haven’t come to terms with.” Who looks at him and says — yeah, I’ll leave my 10 year old with him???? People can saw it was another time but I was a teen in the 80s and it was not THAT different.

This. Same with the parents who let their 14 and 15yo daughters move in with R. Kelly. Like...okay...you didn't think it was weird a grown man wanted to spend so much time with children?

Someone will say this is victim blaming but I cannot get over the parents who let their kids have so much contact with him. Whether or not he sexual abused them, it was messed up — and these parents did it just for the fame and presents. Gross. I mean, even if Taylor Swift, who is as wholesome as they come, wanted your 12 year old girl to sleep over at your house.,,,you’d be like, uh, no thanks….thats weird.

This all just seems to me totally different than kids who were molested by teachers, priests, scout masters, sports coaches, etc…..parents were reasonably thinking their kids would be safe with them and that was a normal part of childhood experience. But michael (talented as he was) was like a walking billboard blinking “I have some real psychological damage and a confused sexuality that I haven’t come to terms with.” Who looks at him and says — yeah, I’ll leave my 10 year old with him???? People can saw it was another time but I was a teen in the 80s and it was not THAT different.

I'm from GenX and was a HUGE MJ fan and I remember all of it. Off the Wall was massive. Thriller was out of this world. The videos that would premiere during regular tv hours. The sheer pandemonium he would cause wherever he went. Unless you were alive at the time you cant grasp how famous he was and still is. He was a child star who transitioned to a mega Superstar which is darn near impossible. People would faint at the sight of him. My 18 year old is big fan. I still am. He was a great singer/dancer who was a big part of my teen years and his music/videos remind me of my youth and simpler time. I do think he did have inappropriate relationships with children. To what extent...dont know for sure but a grown man hanging out with children in a warped Peter Pan type fantasy is just not right (famous or not). He certainly should have been in some sort of therapy. That said...I enjoyed the movie but it was an overly simplistic Disney fairy tale. Mike's all good, animals are his friends. His dad is evil. His mother is goodness and light. Still.....I want more and look forward to the sequel or part 2 or whatever comes next.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michael Jackson is the ultimate (contemporary) conflict of values for me:
- he was accused of and probably did some very messed up stuff
- I love his music!

And to learn that the movie brushes over the scandalous parts of his story… I don’t know if this is right.

(Actually, Bill Cosby is worse and therefore sadly I cannot support him by watching his shows anymore.)

Notice a theme-- going after black men who made $?

Or (wait for his), both were supremely talented people and deserved the money for their talent. But their legacy is sh-- b/c they were both predators.

I looooooooooooooved both of them growing up. Cosby Show was my fave. Fat Albert. Puddin' Pops. And MJ? Damn, I listened to those albums until they wore out. I even choreographed many dance routines and learned Thriller. His music is just absurdly good.

When I really looked into the allegations against both, it was just crushing to learn. Anyone nonbiased cannot truly view those allegations against either as false. So, yeah, I"m not going to put lipstick on these pigs.

Anonymous wrote:Can’t wait to see this. Played by his nephew, jaafar Jackson.

Could not pay me to go. He was extremely talented and had a tough childhood with his dad and expectations.
I get it. But . .

He was still a pedophile. And any movie that leaves this out is not telling his bio. It's white-washing his history.

My 11 year old loves MJ and we’re going to see the movie this Friday. It’s interesting seeing MJ through his eyes and him having no knowledge of his challenges later in life, other than that he died abusing propofol (he knows that). He think he’s incredible-the dancing, singing, his outfits-it all stands the test of time and he truly was incredible.

I think Michael may have been bisexual and didn’t know how to deal with it and he definitely had some sort of body dysmorphia and shame about his appearance. I’m sure he was sexually abused and never had a normal childhood which is why he was childlike as an adult. The abuse allegations are disturbing and while I’d like to think he didn’t abuse any boys, he certainly had inappropriate relationships with kids-maybe he knew what he was doing or maybe he didn’t fully understand why it’s wrong and he just sought the company of kids but in a non-sexual way since he didn’t get to be a kid himself. I don’t know. It’s sad either way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be going with my 16 year old! Can’t wait!

I think the 16-year-old is too old for Michael Jackson. Sorry!

My 11 year old and 17 year old could not wait for this movie and begged me to see it opening night. You're a moron. Sorry!

I think it was a joke about MJ’s proclivity for close “friendships” with pre-pubescent boys?

Anonymous wrote:Michael Jackson is the ultimate (contemporary) conflict of values for me:
- he was accused of and probably did some very messed up stuff
- I love his music!

And to learn that the movie brushes over the scandalous parts of his story… I don’t know if this is right.

(Actually, Bill Cosby is worse and therefore sadly I cannot support him by watching his shows anymore.)

Notice a theme-- going after black men who made $?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be going with my 16 year old! Can’t wait!

I think the 16-year-old is too old for Michael Jackson. Sorry!

My 11 year old and 17 year old could not wait for this movie and begged me to see it opening night. You're a moron. Sorry!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be going with my 16 year old! Can’t wait!

I think the 16-year-old is too old for Michael Jackson. Sorry!

People of all ages enjoy his music.

+1
There was a very wide range of ages in the theater.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be going with my 16 year old! Can’t wait!

I think the 16-year-old is too old for Michael Jackson. Sorry!

People of all ages enjoy his music.

Saw the movie and thought it was great but wanted more story and less concert. Jaffar was absolutely amazing but I can watch the real Micheal on YouTube. ☺️The beginning to middle was great but then it became too concert heavy and just left me hanging a bit. Would still go see the follow up if they make another.