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It is commonly known among Michael Jackson fans and even non-fans what an astounding filmmaker Michael was. And, it was among Michael’s plans and dreams to move even further into making films as opposed to live performances and touring.  At least one film critic, a man who has actually studied film making as an art, agrees with us that Michael’s filmmaking talent was phenomenal and much unappreciated (and even grossly misunderstood ie: Black or White Panther Sequence) by the public-at-large and certainly by Hollywood.

Here’s what Armond White has to say about how Michael was able to so compellingly bring messages about the human condition and complex social issues to audiences via dance, music, and film:

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Black or White

SOURCE: The State News 03-03-2010

Michigan native Armond White remembers beginning the first stages of his film critic career by using the family typewriter to write about movies.

White, notorious for being a controversial critic in New York City, is a self-proclaimed lover of not only film, but music and pop culture, which he spoke about during Wednesday’s lecture, a part of the MSU Film Institutes in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building.

“This is a profession that started as my hobby, but I did study it, and sadly it seems like only in film are you allowed to criticize the form without having studied it,” White said. “There’s a difference between a blogger who reviews films and a film critic who has studied film as an art.”

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During the lecture, White lived up to his reputation, discussing subjects such as how Lady Gaga’s music videos cultivate no real purpose, and although he owns one, he believes Blu-ray players are just a phase along with 3-D movies.

“I do what I do because most of the critics I encounter never say the things I think they should so that’s why I write the way I write,” White said. “Other critics don’t see what I see and don’t understand where my opinions come from.”

He concluded his lecture by surprising attendees and featuring Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” music video as one example of how Jackson was a talented filmmaker as well as music artist who was able to portray difficult concepts through his dance and music skills. White also recently published a book on Jackson called “Keep Moving: The Michael Jackson Chronicles,” and has authored numerous other works.

“He talks about not being an elitist, and that’s nice because he writes about pop music. And I mean, how many people would have the nerve to show ‘Black and White’ and raise that as a significant film,” associate film studies professor Jeff Wray said. “It’s the controversy he brings to the table that sets him apart — he knows what he’s talking about and there’s no other critic like him.”

Jam

SOURCE: New York Press

In The Closet

. . .Despite race, class and puritanical obstacles, Jackson advanced the movie-musical genre his own way—working with the best, trusting his instinct and raising the promo film to an art form every time out.

MJ’s taken-for-granted cinematic passion was ahead of Hollywood in visualizing the complexities of sex (“In the Closet”) race (“Black or White”), ecology (“Earth Song”) and that aspect of our cultural heritage that wrestles with mankind’s aggressive instincts (“Smooth Criminal”).

Put MJ in proper context with Singin’ in the Rain, Shall We Dance and The Band Wagon as serious expression, not trivial daydreaming. Too busy finger-tapping to consider “The Way You Make Me Feel”’s exploration of courtship ritual?

In This Is It, MJ turns masculine drive into iconography that studies eroticism and social custom—all of it beautifully sung and imaginatively choreographed.

MJ’s music video legacy shames contemporary Hollywood’s inability to sustain the music video as an expression of mankind’s dreams. He displayed rare understanding of how music and images can edify the human condition. . . .

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{ Thanks to my friend Insanity X for the pointer to the article on film critic Armond White. – Seven }

Tags: Photos, Quotes About MJ