Citizen Beanstockd (11.5.09): Watching Michael Jackson in This Is It Reveals A Deeper Genius

The Yankees won the World Series last night and baseball is finally over. As a Mets fan, this year’s dismal season was an abortion and the World Series, pitting my least favorite teams, the Yankees and Phillies, was a nightmare. Now, a ticker tape parade that I will not be attending is scheduled for Friday morning and is expected to assemble millions of people and litter 100,000 pounds of paper on the streets of our beautiful city. Beanies, it looks like I have a parade to sabotage.

So, of the many things I expected to see when I visited my local cineplex to watch This Is It, I did not expect to see Michael Jackson giving bona fide sermons about saving the planet. Turns out Michael became quite the nature lover near the end of his life. On more than a few occasions, the cameras capture him reminding his band, dancers and roadies of the destruction wrought upon the planet by humanity—he even professes his love for trees. Anyway, the movie is a documentary style compilation of the footage shot during rehearsals leading up to MJ’s This Is It tour. A candid look, it was the first time I’ve ever heard him speak in a “normal voice.” Seriously, his real voice was not as high-pitched and childish as what you hear during interviews. In total command of his world, we get to see him imparting genius upon his musicians and demonstrating kinetic intelligence that defies imitation. The set, the costumes, the choreography and the music are amazing. If you’re a Michael fan, you’re going to love this film and you just might start dancing in the aisles. Just remember to wait for Michael’s cue, because like he says in the film, don’t move until he’s done sizzling.

So, another year, another ridiculous Halloween. When else can one witness an entranced citizen from True Blood embroiled in a shouting match with Taylor from the Rachel Zoe Project? And when else can a fiasco like that be outdone by Gilligan’s Island’s Thurston Howell the Third slamming a beer can on the head of a dude dressed as a Jackson Pollock painting? I can’t wait for Halloween 2010. Right now my early favorite for next year’s costume is George Washington. Happy Holidays! Too soon? I don’t care. Cue up “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus!”

Finally, Happy Birthday, Sesame Street! The children's program that I credit for making me the respectful writer and loving humanitarian that I've become today turned 40 this week. Oh and don't get it twisted—the Cookie Monster has not turned into any kind of Veggie Monster.

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