By Matt Brunson

THIS IS IT
***1/2
DIRECTED BY Kenny Ortega
STARS Michael Jackson

A sadness permeates the opening moments in the behind-the-scenes piece This Is It, but it has nothing to do with Michael Jackson’s death. Instead, the sequence — filmed, like the rest of the movie, while Jackson was very much alive — centers on the talented young dancers and singers who auditioned to be a part of the King of Pop’s planned series of London concerts. As each person describes the thrill of being included in the Jackson legacy — many of them tearing up as they speak — they comment on how much this opportunity means to them, with one or two even stating that this concert gave them a newfound purpose in their unfocused lives. It’s a heartbreaking sequence, considering that Jackson’s death meant that none would be able to live the dream that seemed within their collective grasp.

It’s a smart way to open the film, filling audience members with emotion before the man himself takes the stage to prepare for his mammoth undertaking. After all, many folks (myself included) turned away from Jackson once he made the complete transformation to tabloid freak, and, to be sure, certain audience members are sure to experience an initial wave of nausea as this physical grotesquerie with a dubious history gets ready for his close-up. But then an amazing thing happens. It starts with the music, those generation-spanning hits that have the power to produce instant bouts of affectionate nostalgia. Then there come the dance steps, not as fast and furious as before, but still deft enough to catch the eye. And finally, there’s the sheer spectacle, the showmanship that was arguably as responsible for keeping MJ in the light as any other aspect of his carefully constructed career. Combined, these elements make resistance futile, and for two shimmering hours, all the ghosts of scandals past melt away, leaving in their wake an entertainer whose only desire is to dazzle. And dazzle he does.

With all of the footage coming from the rehearsals that took place from April through June of this year, This Is It provides backstage access to all the prepping for what promised to be one hell of a concert. With the special effects work completed for many of the show’s rear-screen spectacles, the movie is able to hint at the larger-than-life dimensions that even at their most bombastic never threaten to obscure the human dynamo working front and center. Ever the perfectionist, Jackson comes across as prickly on occasion but generally displays patience and warmth toward those around him — albeit always at an emotional distance. Yet when he gets into his zone as a performer, he invites everyone to the party, grooving as one with his backups and even allowing others to occasionally snag the spotlight. He tackles most of the major hits, including “The Man in the Mirror,” “Beat It” and, of course, “Thriller.” The Jackson 5 sequence, complete with vintage footage, is unexpectedly moving, as is an elaborate production number set to the lovely “Earth Song.”

Ultimately, This Is It doesn’t quite feel like a documentary, nor does it seem like a concert film. It’s clearly a love letter to the fans, but, perhaps more importantly, it’s an olive branch to the latter-day critics, cynics and naysayers, all of whom have probably shown up to bury Jackson, not praise him. But the joke’s on us. Wisely remaining within the parameters of the rehearsal arena, the movie keeps sensationalism and sordidness at bay. And by doing so, it allows us one final look at the Man in the Mirror, an unblemished view that reflects nothing but a desire to let the music play.

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Five people, places and things we really ain’t digging today.

• The whole battle over Michael Jackson’s kids and his estate. I mean, I knew it was going to happen, but damn — way to desecrate the man’s memory.

• The recent court victory for the Alcoa corporation. All evidence suggests that the company operating dams on the Yadkin River is actually bad for the river. And that’s bad for everybody.

• MIchelle Malkin. She’s generally wack, but her recent tirade against the unemployed showed the true depths of her ignorance. Follow this link — she’s the third video on the page. You’ve been warned.

• Another high-speed chase. At least nobody got killed this time.

• The Millionaires. No not the one’s with money, but this up-and-coming trio of female rappers. Music Editor Jeff Hahne hipped me to them, and it’s safe to say that they are the worst rappers ever. I mean, they are so bad, they’re almost good. See for yourself:

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1. The Michael Jackson Tribute that BET Never Aired
Unlike the rest of the universe, I didn’t watch the Michael Jackson memorial service yesterday. Part of me doesn’t want to accept the fact that he is really gone, and another part of me just refuses to get caught up in the media circus. But when I ran across this tribute video last night, I actually shed a tear, or two, or three. Rumor has it (http://perezhilton.com/2009-07-07-in-memoriam-15) that this video was supposed to have aired on the BET Awards, but never did. WTF BET!!

2. John Mayer Performs Human Nature
I’m a huge John Mayer fan, so I felt compelled to share this fabulous video of him performing Michael Jackson’s song “Human Nature.” Some people questioned why John Mayer was performing at the memorial service and what his connection was to Michael. WTF! I don’t care what the connection is or was. If you’re a fan of music, how can you not like this? Two thumbs way up…

3. And Just When the MJ Coverage Is Too Overwhelming, there’s ALWAYS Brother Franklin…
Brother Franklin is quickly becoming a You Tube star! He cracks me up!!

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Five people, places and things we really ain’t digging today.

• What’s about to happen to these poor seals

• Male hookers

• This Ford Explorer

• No home improvement in Iran

• People always hating on Al Sharpton

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When an influential figure passes, congress is able to decide whether or not they’d like to honor them. If most are in favor — two-thirds to be exact — then the process is fairly simple. But, when you have people like Rep. Peter King who “will do anything” to stop the music, things get a little sticky.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee may have trouble keeping the promise she made at Michael Jackson’s public memorial for a House resolution that “forever” honors the late pop star.

Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, took the stage Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and hoisted a framed copy of the resolution, embossed with a gold seal.

The measure will be debated on the House floor, she said.

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Five people, places and things we really ain’t digging today.

• The GOP — politically incorrect

• Peter King

• Sex in the classroom … with your professor

• Serial killer, Patrick Burris

• The Real Estate market (Well it’s wack if you’re a homeowner. Yes, it does suck to be you)

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Pardon me for using an outdated term, but “outdated” is the theme here: If there’s a more clueless square than Bill O’Reilly in this world, I don’t want to know about it. Yesterday, O’Reilly showed his deep ignorance and lack of affinity for his own nation’s culture, and how it has changed since the days of I Love Lucy, by his doofus comments on Michael Jackson. Since the singer died, the media has gone predictably nuts in the way the media always does — at least in the last, say, 25 years — when something happens that affects lots of people. O’Reilly, who has shown many times how oblivious he is to cultural changes, is apparently amazed at how much adulation is being directed toward Jackson since the singer’s death last week. Moreover, he’s really excited that — gasp! — African-Americans are following the Jackson story more intently than white people, “even though he chose to have white children … and the face deal, I don’t want to get into it …” Take a look at this bit of banality, in which O’Reilly manages to get in some sexist condescension toward his two female guests while also insulting an entire racial group and a deceased popular entertainer — whose tribute/memorial service/concert takes place in Los Angeles whether O’Reilly likes it or not.

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1. Ok Magazine Runs Cover Photo of Michael Jackson on Stretcher
Please make the Michael Jackson circus stop!  Personally, I wish the media would leave Michael alone and let him rest in peace, but OK! Magazine has no intentions of doing that.  According to the latest gossip blogs, the magazine paid $500,000 for the last picture of Jackson alive on a stretcher.

2. Kevin Jonas is Engaged
Apparently the eldest Jonas Brother Kevin is getting hitched to his longtime girlfriend.  So will the Jonas Brothers sing at their wedding?  LOL

3. With All the MJ Madness, Did You Forget About Fantasia’s Birthday!
Oh, the tragedy that is Fantasia.  Apparently she turned 25 recently.  But before we sing Happy Birthday, let’s have a moment of silence for her new red hair.  *crickets*

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That’s likely because so many have spent so long living beyond their means, celebrities included. Look no further than Michael Jackson. But, he’s not the only one. Sports stars, media darlings, musicians — they’re all feeling the pinch.

One big difference between them and us, though: They’re debts are often measured in the millions.

It seems like just yesterday — excess was in and celebrities lived it up, buying lavish cars, expensive toys and over-the-top homes. Now, they’re losing it like everyone else.

Victoria Gotti, daughter of deceased Gambino family crime boss John Gotti, let audiences into her lavish $4.2 million Long Island estate for her reality TV show, Growing Up Gotti. But now, the mafia princess turned New York Post columnist is behind by $650,000 on her mortgage and will likely lose her home.

Part of the problem for some celebrities is that they were allowed to borrow huge amounts of money because of their sizable paychecks during boom times. But Hollywood is fickle, and now some VIPs are struggling with smaller income streams and mortgages worth more than what their homes are currently worth.

More from MSNBC.com.

Celebrity broker now $12 million in debt:

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If you’ve been alive on Earth at any point in the last 30 or so years, you’ve engaged from time to time in celebrity worship. Sorry, don’t try to say you haven’t, it’s just not believable.

So, regarding Michael Jackson’s untimely death after an amazingly creative career and sad life, well, umm, I’m just saying … can everyone start to take a deep breath before we all go as nuts as the guy who says MJ’s face has appeared on a piece of toast?

OK, a Web designer was fooling around with Photoshop and paying tribute, albeit in a really odd way, but if you’re like most people, you know at least one person who has gone off the deep end over Jackson’s demise. Try to calm them down, maybe help them make a homemade card, or video or whatever to send to the family. Just don’t fix them any toast for the time being.

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