say what's good to...THIS IS IT

who: Take a wild guess
what: documentary premiere
where: Time Square, New York NY
when: October 28th, 2009

why you should care:

SCENE

Lola: So are you going with me or not?
Me: No I'm done with all of this MJ stuff...I really want to go work out
Lola: No seriously, I think we should go. I think it's, like, a thing.
Me: Ughhhh fine. But I want popcorn...and a hotdog.

END SCENE

...And that's how I found myself at the sneak premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It." When I pulled up to the theater (in the pouring rain, mind you) and saw all the glittery fedora-wearing ushers, I was glad Lola pushed me into going (thanks, sis!). When I tell you that the event was star studded, I mean, I walked in and sat next to Rachel Dratch, behind Andy Cohen (who was bopping to the music like it was his job), and in front of Alexander Wang. Russel Simmons was down the aisle and when I walked out Spike Lee and Amy Sedaris were walking with me. It really was one last gathering for all the industry folks to honor the musical genius that was Michael Jackson.

As the light's dimmed and Kenny Ortega, director of the film, came on to say his hello's to everyone watching (the premiere was broadcast in 17 locations simultaneously - Spain, Japan, Los Angeles, Amsterdam to name a few) I didn't know what to expect. Would it be tasteless and exploitative? Long and boring? Well...it was about 20 minutes too long, but definitely not boring and very respectful. For once, we actually got to see the King of Pop in rehearsal action. Phrases like "You gotta let it simmer. Let it bathe in the moonlight," when he felt the band was rushing, or "Lights out, let it burn" (his version of "it's a rap") showed us what a hard working perfectionist MJ really was. While rumors may have swirled about possible illness or drug use, all we saw was a hard-hitting dancer that schooled everyone around him. Full run throughs of "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Thriller", and "Beat It" were unbelievable, but my favorite parts of the evening involved MJ's iconic fashions! Red skinny jeans, gold sequin harem pants, brogues, TWO Balmain jackets (one with a silver studded lapel, the other leather) and animal print shirts. Dude had every piece of clothing I've longed for! Plus the body...he was as skinny as a 15 year old Russian model (gross on him, hot in fashion). Every designer's dream.

As I walked out of the theater, there were mixed reviews. Some thought it needed a good editor and others felt it was just right. We could all agree though, that we were left feeling a little empty. We desperately wanted to go to the actual tour...but knew how that was going to end up. So, all-in-all, while the celebration had a bit of an anti-climactic end...but it definitely wasn't...BAD [womp womp..ha!].