"This Is It"

"This Is It" (dir. Kenny Ortega, 2009).

Held out on its release on the moral grounds that the movie was exploitative. But as soon as MJ got to the chorus of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," I alit my high horse. It was probably meant for the Special Features of the concert movie, but instead became the main event. Surprised by its intimacy and one could see the gears turning in his head on how to entertain a stadium full of fans. Noticed the way he adjusts other performers onstage (the guitarist and his duet partner on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You") - those are generous moves from a star. More impressed by the "slower" sections, like "Human Nature. One could see the transformation - from his view outside of himself (as creator thinking of the audience) to being "in the moment."