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The Wiz (1978)

The Wiz is an adaptation of one of the most popular books in children's literature: 'The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz' by Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919). It is a full length motion picture based on the 1975 broadway musical 'The Wiz' - both featuring an all African-American cast.

The Story
'The Wiz' tells the story of a kindergarten teacher from Harlem, Dorothy Gale (Diana Ross), who finds herself whisked away by a tornado and deposited in the fairy tale land of Oz. On her quest to find her way home, she befriends an unusual cast of characters who each have their own favor to ask of the mighty Wizard Of Oz. The Scarecrow, played by Michael, wants to ask the Wizard for a brain and is the first companion Dorothy meets on the way to Oz.

Cast:

*Diana Ross (Dorothy Gale)
*Michael Jackson (Scarecrow)
*Nipsey Russell (Tin Man)
*Ted Ross (Cowardly Lion)
*Theresa Merritt (Aunt Emma)
*Lena Horne (The good witch Glinda)
*Richard Pryor (The Wiz)

Film History:

At the time the movie was made, Michael Jackson had already left Motown Records (one of the production companies of the movie) to work for Epic. Nevertheless he was cast as the Scarecrow - his first movie role.

The movie was filmed at the Astoria Studios in Queens, New York (USA). In July 1977, Michael moved to New York for six month to begin rehearsals and filming. He was accompanied by his sister LaToya.

As Quincy Jones, who was the musical supervisor and music producer for the film, tells in his autobiography, Michael was very dedicated to the role. For example he watched videotapes of animals in order to learn movements for his part. The film was the first time that Quincy Jones and  Michael Jackson worked together. Jones would later produce 3 of Michael's albums: 'Off the Wall', 'Thriller', and 'Bad'. In his autobiography, Quincy Jones recalled working with Michael Jackson as one of his favorite experiences from 'The Wiz'.

It was also Michael`s first cooperation with Stan Winston, who served as the film's head makeup artist. Winston, nowadays famous as the director of 'Terminator', 'Aliens', and 'Jurassic Park', would later direct Michael Jackson`s movie 'Ghosts'.
Michael's performance in the movie is wonderful and he also sings - with the most popular songs probably being 'You Can't Win' and 'Ease On Down The Road'. His performance as the Scarecrow was one of the few positively reviewed elements of the film when it was released, with critics noting that the 19-year-old singer possessed "genuine acting talent" and "provided the only genuinely memorable moments." Michael himself stated about his role:

"I don't think it could have been any better, I really don't."

In 1980, he also said that his time working on 'The Wiz' was

"my greatest experience so far...I'll never forget that."

'The Wiz' was nominated for 4 Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Original Music Score, and Best Cinematography. However, it did not win in any of those categories.

Release date: October 24, 1978
Premiere: October 25, 1978 at the Pitt's Century Plaza Theater, Los Angeles (attended by Michael)
Running time: 134 min
Production: Motown Productions, Universal Pictures
Producer: Rob Cohen
Director: Sidney Lumet
Written by: Joel Schumacher
Music producer: Quincy Jones

Filming location: New York (USA)

Captain EO (1986)

'Captain EO' is a 3-D science-fiction musical film which was exclusively shown in Disney theme parks (Disneyland, Disney World, Disneyland Tokyo, Eurodisney Paris). There it was shown in special theaters and the actions on the screen extended into the audience, including laser, smoke effects, and starfields. At the time it was shot, 'Captain Eo' was the most expensive film (minute-for-minute) ever made, with costs estimated at US$ 30 million. It was a collaboration between the Academy Award winners George Lucas (Star Wars) and Francis Ford Coppola (Godfather), and Michael Jackson.

The movie stars Michael in the title role as Captain Eo.

The Story
The movie tells the story of Captain EO and his alien spaceship crew on a mission to a strange planet to deliver a gift to an alien queen, the Supreme Leader (Anjelica Huston).

Captain EO's crew consists of his small flying sidekick Fuzzbucket, the double-headed navigators Idee and Odee, robot security officer Major Domo, small robot Minor Domo, and the elephant-like shipmate Hooter (who always manages to blunder the crew's missions).

Upon arriving on the planet, the crew is sentenced to be tortured. However, Captain EO tells the Queen that his gift - a song - can unlock the beauty hidden within her. Using the power of music, Captain EO and his crew transform the Queen and her entire planet.

The Music
The film featured two new songs by Michael: 'We Are Here to Change the World` and 'Another Part of Me`.

Film History
Premiere:

September 12, 1986 at Epcot Center in Disney World (Florida, USA)
September 13, 1986 at Disneyland (California, USA)
On May 30 1988, US tv aires 'Captain EO Backstage', featuring dance rehearsals, make-up and special effects of the movie. The tv special is hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.

Closing:

Disney World (USA): July 6, 1994

Disneyland (USA): April 7, 1997

Disneyland Tokyo: September 1996
Eurodisney Paris: August 17, 1998

Running time: 17 mins
Production company: Walt Disney Productions
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Executive producer: George Lucas
Written by: Rusty Lemorande, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola
Make-up artist for Michael Jackson: Karen Faye

Moonwalker (1988)

'Moonwalker' is a combination of live footage of  Michael Jackson in concert, as well as a series of fantasy pieces with him as the central character. It features some of Michael's best music videos, footage from the 'Bad' World Tour, along with an extended video for a 'Smooth Criminal' fantasy storyline. It is a story told with music and dance that is full of special effects.

'Moonwalker' was intended to coincide with the Bad album (1987).

The Story
'Moonwalker' features Michael and 3 friedns Katy (Kellie Parker), Sean (Sean Lennon), and Zeke (Brandon Quintin Adams) experiencing several adventures.

Starting with the 'Man In the Mirror' video, the movie begins with a history of Michael's work so far. The folloing episode 'Badder' is a parody of the 'Bad' short film, featuring children filling the roles of various people from the original short film. Parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic received premission from Michael himself to use the set for Badder for his video for the Bad parody entitled Fat.

Badder is followed by a chase sequence around a fictional movie studio. Michael, trying to avoid overzealous fans, disguises himself as the rabbit Spike. The episode 'Speed Demon' was directed by Claymation innovator Will Vinton. During the chase, Michael morphs into other celebrities, including Sylvester Stallone and Pee-Wee Herman. 'Leave Me Alone', the next segment of the film, features an animated music video focusing on media interest in Michael's personal life.

'Smooth Criminal' is the main segment of the film. Michael  plays a gangster who uses his powers to protect several children from Mr. Big, Frankie Lideo (Joe Pesci), who wants to get people addicted to drugs. The name is a pun on Frank Dileo, Michael's manager at that time and co-producer of the movie. The most famous episode surely is the dance sequence at the nightclub Club 30's. The version of Smooth Criminal used here is different from the album version, with the song being much longer and additional lyrics being added.

The film comes to an end with Michael performing a cover of the Beatles' song "Come Together".  However, during the closing credits, you can enjoy Ladysmith Black Mambazo performing "The Moon is Walking" while behind-the-scenes footage being shown.

Cast:
*Michael Jackson - Michael
*Joe Pesci - Mr. Big
*Sean Lennon (son of John Lennon) - Sean
*Kellie Parker - Katy
*Brandon Quintin Adams - Zeke
*Nikki Cox - dancer in Badder episode

Film History
Moonwalker has been released on VHS, DVD, and laser disc. The movie was also developed into an arcade video game by Sega with the support of Michael.

Premiere: on May 18, 1988 the movie was previewed at the Cannes Film Festival (France); in late October it was premiered in Japan and on December 26 in the UK; in the USA it was only released on video (January 10, 1989)
Running time: 93 mins
Director: Jerry Kramer, Jim Blashfield ('Leave Me Alone), Colin Chilvers ('Smooth Criminal')
Executive producer: Frank Dileo, Michael Jackson
Written by: Michael Jackson, David Newman

Filming location: Los Angeles (USA)

Ghosts (1996)

Ghosts is an incredible short film in which Michael plays 5 different characters. With the help of makeup, you will hardly realize that all of these characters are actually Michael himself!

The short film features amazing dancing and a lot of special effects. It was directed by Academy Award winner Stan Winston, famous for such blockbusters as Terminator and Alien.

In the 2006 issue of the Guinness Book Of World Records Ghosts is listed as the longest music video ever.

The Story
The story tells of a small town that is very much bothered by a strange man - the Maestro.  He lives in a creepy-looking mansion on top of a hill, overlooking the town of Normal Valley. Occasionally, he entertains the local children with scary magic tricks.

One of the children tells his mother, who alerts the town mayor. The mayor decides to get rid of the Maestro. So, along with several inhabitants of the village, he pays the Maestro a visit. Upon their arrival, the townspeople are greeted by the Maestro who makes a scary, yet comical, entrance. Angrily the Mayor confronts him, calling the Maestro "weird", a "freak", and telling him that he's not welcome in their town.

The Maestro then introduces his "family" of ghouls and together they perform an extraordinary dance routine which alternately impresses and scares the townspeople.

Cast:

*Maestro - Michael Jackson
*Mayor - Michael Jackson
*Ghoul mayor - Michael Jackson
*Superghoul - Michael Jackson
*Skeleton - Michael Jackson

The Music
All songs from the film were taken from the albums HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor:

*2 Bad
*Ghosts
*Is It Scary

Film History
The movie was filmed in 1996.

It was first released in cinemas in the USA as a companion picture to the Stephen King horror movie entitled 'Thinner'. The European premiere was at the film festival in Cannes (France).

The first release on video was as a Limited Edition Deluxe Collector Box Set (SMV Enterprises) including an A5 full colour program, a minimax CD single featuring 3 tracks (On The Line, Ghosts, Is It Scary) and the CD album 'Blood On the Dance Floor.

In February 1998, SMV Enterprises also released the movie on a single VHS video cassette, without the extras of the box set.

Distributor: Kingdom Pictures
Release: theatrical release in the USA as a companion picture to Stephen King's Thinner in 1996; release on VHS on December 12, 1997
Program time: 38:37 minutes
Director: Stan Winston
Executive producer: Caroline Baron

Producers: Michael Jackson, Stan Winston & David Nicksay
Story by: Stephen King, Stan Winston, Mich Garris & Michael Jackson

Men In Black II (2002)

Men in Black II is a science fiction comedy action film starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. It is the sequel to Men in Black, based on the Malibu comic book series The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham.

The Story
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are back in black as the scum-fighting super-agents Kay and Jay - regulators of all things alien on planet Earth. Their latest mission: To save the world from a total intergalactic disaster!

When a renegade Kylothian monster disguised as a lingerie model threatens the survival of the human race the boys of the MIB get the call to step up and get busy. With the headquaters under siege and time running out, Agents Kay and Jay enlist the help of Frank the Pug and a posse of hard-living worms to help them kick some seriously sexy alien butt!

Cast:

*Tommy Lee Jones - Agent Kay
*Will Smith - Agent Jay
*Rip Torn - MIB Chief Zed
*Lara Flynn Boyle - Serleena
*Johnny Knoxville - Scrad & Charlie
*Michael Jackson - Agent M
Michael Jackson has a small cameo in this movie as Agent M and receives one of the biggest laughs!

Film History
Reportedly, Michael saw the first 'Men In Black' film in Paris (France) and liked it so much that he wanted to have a role in MIB II as he had never seen something so creative before this movie.

Director Barry Sonnenfeld scored a big hit in convincing Michael Jackson to appear in Men in Black II as an alien. The cameo lasts only a few seconds, but Michael had a lot of questions about his role, according to Sonnenfeld. He wanted to know everything about the special effects background of his scene. Sonnenfeld told him that there would be icebergs, but Michael wanted to know much more details:

"He said, 'Can I see the icebergs?' 'No we don't have the photos yet.' 'Is there anything else behind me?' 'Penguins.' I'm making this up! I don't know if there are going to be penguins," Sonnenfeld said. "'Can I see the penguins?' 'No I don't have the pictures of the penguins yet.' 'Are they king penguins?' 'Yes.' And then I said, 'You know, I gotta go.'"

Will Smith explained in an interview that seeing Michael, dressed in MIB trademenk attire and consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, is a credit to Michael's sense of humor:

"You know, when he comes on the screen, people are really happy. It's as if Michael is saying to the world, 'OK, all right. I'm human just like everyone else. I appreciate a good joke just like everyone else does,'

But the thing that I loved so much is he kept wanting to play it serious. You know, he was, like, 'You know, I'm a Man In Black, I just want it to be really serious.' I think people are going to be really shocked and really surprised, and enjoy seeing Michael in this film and in this light."

Publisher: Columbia Pictures
Theatrical release: July 3, 2002
Video/DVD release (USA): November 26, 2002
Program time: 88 mins
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Executive producer: Steven Speilberg
Producers: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald
Music: Danny Elfman
Costume designer: Mary E. Vogt



Miss Cast Away (2004)

Miss Cast Away is a comedy about a group of beauty contestants. The film parodies a number of classic movies including 'Airplane', 'Planet of the Apes', 'Jurassic Park', and many more. It was written and directed by independent filmmaker Bryan Michael Stoller, a longtime friend of Michael Jackson.

The Story
While traveling with a team of beauty contestants who are vying for the title of 'Miss Galaxy', an airplane crashes on a deserted island. While the group fights to survive, they discover Noah’s Ark.

The lost ark is being guarded by an oversized prehistoric pig (Jurassic Pork). Alien apes plot to use the ark to destroy the human race and dominate planet Earth. The survivors must develop a rescue plan for both themselves and Noah, who has been kidnapped by the apes.

Michael Jackson makes a cameo appearance of about 10 minutes in the movie as Agent MJ (spoofing his cameo appearance in MIB II). He assists the ladies with their rescue mission.

Cast:

*Eric Roberts
*Charlie Schlatter
*Evan Marriott
*Stuart Pankin
*Joyce Giraud
*Michael Jackson - Agent MJ
*Jerry Lewis

Film History
The movie was not released to movie theaters but was only available on DVD. Since no chain stores stocked the item it was mainly sold via the movie's web site. On the DVD, additional Michael Jackson bonus material can be found.

For additional info, including trailers and photos, you can also visit the movie's web site.

Filming: summer 2003
Publisher: Frostbite Releasing
Release: 2004
Program time: 92 mins
Producer/Writer/Director: Bryan Michael Stroller
Executive producers: Richard Shintaku, Thomas M. Sims