Movie Review: Michael

 Movie Number 16 of 2026

The Movie: Michael

The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens Extreme Screen

Runtime: Two hours and seven minutes

Stars: 3.75

I went with no pre-conceived ideas about what this would be like - and I'm glad I went in like this. Like many Gen-Xers I have a variable view on Michael Jackson. Genius? Weirdo? Trouble soul? Philanthropist? Abuse victim? Drug addict? All of the above, maybe. 

However, I also remember loving the Jackson 5 cartoon as a kid, and the Jacksons' music permeated my younger childhood. I was never a Michael Jackson superfan, but I did enjoy his music. He was an incredible musician, and nobody can take that away from him

This movie is what I would call sanitised. It's obviously been made with the blessings of the family. Janet Jackson has been written out of this. His mother Kathleen, who is still alive, was treated sensitively. But I'm sure this was a cleaned-up version of his life from when he was a young child until his split with the Jackson family juggernaut in the mid-eighties. 

I remember most of this history - I was there. Still, this is a very entertaining movie as long as you realise that this is the family's version of the history they want you to see. And this is okay. Look at is it like a story and go for the music - which is fabulous. 

This movies takes us from the origins of the Jackson 5 in Gary, Indiana. The five boys (Germaine, Tito, Marlon, Jackie and Michael) are under the thumb of their perfectionist and abusive father, Joseph, played with chilling insight by Colman Domingo. I would not be surprised if there were some awards for his performance - he's outstanding. Joseph Jackson was borderline evil. 

Michael is portrayed by two actors - Juliano Valdi plays Michael the boy with an incredible voice and dance moves. Jaafar Jackson, Germaine's son, plays older Michael - and his look is eerily similar to the Michael Jackson we all know at the time. 

In the film, written by John Logan and directed by Antoine Fuqua, is cohesive. It does gloss over a lot of what would have happened at this time, a lot of which is not easy. A violent and abusive father. The racism of the age. The reliance on Michael's talent is all there.

You're also introduced to Michael's love of childhood games, books and toys and his desire to own exotic animals. Bubbles, thankfully is AI generated. Knowing this monkey wasn't real helped matters.

Redeeming the movie is the music, which is on brand, sounds brilliant and is just as I remembered it back in the 80s. All of the song and dance numbers incorporated into the film are wonderful. Jaafar Jackson's performance as the older Michael is superlative. 

Also, the film stops short of going into all of the not-so-great things we remember about Michael - the marriage, the kids, the drug use (although the film introduces why he was on painkillers after the hair burning accident). This is not a bad thing. 

In all, if you go to see this for the music, you'll be happy you've seen this. Go for a great cinematic experience and you'll probably be disappointed. The music, for me, was everything. 

Today's song: 

Sunday Stealing Does Want to Know

 I'm procrastinating about going to the gym - so let's get the questions for the week out of the way - then I'll go. At least I'm in my gym gear and ready to go - and they questions are quick.

So here we go. Questions have come from Sunday Stealing - as always. 

1) Has anyone ever told you they would love you forever? 

 No. Never. Not even close to anything like that. 

2) Who is the last person you were in the car with?

 Jay. We went to the movies last night and I picked her up on the way there. 

3) Do you have big plans for tomorrow (Monday)?

I'm writing this on Saturday, so things are a bit skewy. Tomorrow is Sunday - I plan to get up, go to the gym, maybe get some breakfast, then I've got a mason's meeting in the afternoon - after which, I'll probably go and see Blarney for a cup of tea. Monday I'll be working from home then going to the gym in the evening. 

4) How long do you typically spend in the shower?

 It depends. My morning shower takes around five minutes; my evening shower is two or three minutes (I like to rinse off the day). Of course, the morning shower goes up to about ten minutes if I'm washing my hair. 

5) What were you doing at 7 AM yesterday (Saturday)?

Both yesterday (Friday) and today (Saturday) I was home in bed, contemplating getting up and feeding the cat. 

Today's song:

Film Review: Father Mother Sister Brother

Movie Number 15 of 2026

The Movie: Father Mother Sister Brother

The Cinema: Palace Cinemas Balwyn

Runtime: One hour 50 minutes

Stars: 4 (with a caveat)

We came out of this tonight and Jay says, "That was weird," while scrunching up her nose. That's Jay for she didn't rate it. 

"I loved it. Have you not seen any Jim Jarmusch before?" I asked. 

"I don't think so."

"Well, there you go then."

I really liked this film. I also like Jim Jarmusch's films. And yes, they are strange, but it is their strangeness, and sadness and relatability which I love. 

Is this as good as his wonderful Night on Earth? No, but I love the subtlety and the twists with this film of three parts. Jarmusch is good at setting his movies across countries, using similar props and themes. Father Mother Sister Brother is no different.                                                           

Imdb.com describes the plots of the three vignettes as such: "Estranged siblings reunite after years apart, forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents".

In the Father section, Jeff (Adam Driver) and Emily (Mayim Bialik) visit their ailing father (Tom Waits) in his rural New Jersey home. None of them want the visit to happen. It's been a while and from the visit, they can see that their father is not doing that well. The twist at the end of this is a chef's kiss. 

In the Mother section, located in a nice part of Dublin,  Charlotte Rampling waits for her daughters Timothea (Cate Blanchett) and Lilith (Vicky Krieps) to arrive for their annual high tea. They love each other - sure, but it's what's not said that speaks volumes. 

In the third section - Sister Brother - set in Paris, twins Skye (Indya Moore) and William (Luka Sabbat) reunite to say goodbye to their parents' flat after their untimely deaths. Of the three stories, the twins' relationship feels the most functional. 

Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, it's just his style. The stripped back script, the quirky humour, the repeated themes - skateboarders, a Rolex, a blue car, water - it's the little things that make this film. 

If you're not into arthouse cinema, you're not going to love this. For me - it was just what I wanted and needed. Subtle, fun, surprising and a script that keeps you guessing. Just my cup of tea. 

Today's song:

We are lucky

 I woke to the news that James Valentine had died. 

Eh, another eighties rocker has crossed over to the land of decent musos where he can jam with his old bandmate James Freud, among others. He was well loved this side of the metaphorical guitar bridge. Broadcaster, musician and all-round decent bloke, he went out on his own terms. After a battle with cancer, he took the decision to use the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) facility that's available in all states (but not in the ACT or the Northern Territory - however these laws are being reviewed.)

It's always sad when somebody from your youth passes. However, I was buoyed by the method of his passing. 

He chose to go.

He'd had enough of the pain, and wanted it to end for himself, and his family. He was of sound mind, even if his body had given up the ghost. He also wanted the world to know that he chose the way he went. Surrounded by family, in his home, on his own terms, in a calm and peaceful manner. 

The Age had a good article on this today. 

Of course, it's not a good news story in that somebody who's been a part of the Australian landscape has left us a little too early, however learning of his courage in choosing the way of his exit is going to be a part of this legacy. 

We are lucky - in certain circumstances, when you a sick, dying and suffering, you may have the choice to use this facility, it is there.

Nobody likes death. It's a hard, looming fact of life. 

It is, however, good to see these stories of VAD and the grace and dignity that making the decision to use this option provides for all concerned. 

Today's song: 

Death by Compliance

 Wandering into the building, all neutral colours, blonde wood, escalators and denial, I wondered what I was getting myself into. 

I've been here before. I know the drill. I can swim with these sharks and come out unscathed. 

My first impression was that I'm going to have to up my corporate wardrobe - I'm still wearing Darwin business casual, and it's not going to cut it here. If anything, I'm going to have to find some different, comfortable work shoes - my trusty white trainers aren't going to cut it in the main office - maybe the satellite offices, but not this one. 

The second impression is that the man on the concierge desk was known to me. 

"You came back! Good to see you again."

"Lovely to see you too -though I've forgotten your name."

"I've forgotten yours too - but we know each other and that is all that matters."

He's been with the company about as long as I've been going in and out of it. 

As onboardings go, this has been a good one. by 11 am I had a configured computer, a working door pass and ID and a functioning email (not that I can email out of the company - joys of being a contractor.)

And I got started on the compliance training. 

I'm not sure what I did in a former life. Most of it is boring (although it has improved tenfold over the years). But still. It's been a day of compliance training. Tomorrow will be a day of compliance training. 

I'm considering my life choices. 

Today's song: 

Back to Work Tomorrow

It's new job day tomorrow. I hope the new team are as lovely as my last team - who I'm going to miss. 

The list of things I wanted to do is nearly complete. The Lost Dogs Home visit nearly killed me - when all I did was drop off some blankets and towels. 

I've had a lovely day today. I found the couch, had lunch with a friend and had book group this evening. 

Now, I'm going to do my physio exercises and get ready for tomorrow. 

That will do. 

Here's hoping all goes well. At least it's a company I've been at before and know the lay of the land. 

Wish me luck. 

Today's song: 

Diversions

The day was planned out. 

• Go see the physio
• Drive out to the Lost Dogs Home and drop off the unused towels and blankets. 
• Go home. 
• Knit and watch Netflix

Not hard. It's not too much to ask. 

The physio went well - intermittent knee pain - nothing serious, but we have some exercises to do a couple of times a day. Thankfully nothing is broken. 

After this, my organising head come on. Did I take my meds? No. Does it matter? No. But I do get led astray a bit more. I get it into my head to go and get a coffee, so I have something to drink on the way to the Lost Dogs Home. How hard can it be? Go to my favourite coffee shop, get a coffee, get driving. 

Did that happen? No. 

Did I run into an old friend, Trish, who I keep saying to Jay, we really should catch up with Trish and then do nothing about it.

Trish and her gym buddies have a coffee at the same place at the same time every Monday, not that they go to the gym anymore. Also, Trish, technically, is old enough to be my Mum. Only just. As are most of her friends. They are very nice people. They remind me of the masons. 

However, don't get me started on gender politics. That's a bad move. Especially when you start a sentence with, "When we were growing up..."

Give me my dues. I didn't roll my eyes. I tried to be gentle. When the other party was stating some narrow views on personal pronouns, I gently reminded them how would they feel if they were addressed as Mr on their post? Or how I get shitty when I'm referred to as Mrs or Miss, instead of my default Ms (personally, I think we should be done with courtesy titles - especially as there is no courtesy in this world. Besides, who needs to know if I'm married or not? Seriously.)  Or when people assume that I've got another nick name - It's Pandora or Panda - nothing else. The courtesy title discussion is a good jumping off point. 

And besides, who is it hurting if the person wants to use alternative pronouns. It's a matter of respect...

I think my mate Trish's friends think I'm a bit odd and lippy. 

Never to mind. 

An hour later, I made my excuses, found some lunch and then drove out to the Lost Dogs Home in North Melbourne, which is one of the most heartbreaking places I've sensed. Dropping off the towels and blankets to a cacophony of barking. I just wanted to take all of them home. I didn't see them, but I could feel the beasties. I hope they find a home soon. At least now, they have some warm dry bedding to sleep on

And that was my day. 

Today's song: