While I don’t really like to publicly admit this, I’m a little bit of a closet Michael Jackson fan. In fact, one of my earliest childhood memories is fighting over the Thriller video (yep, on VHS not DVD) with my older brother (I’m not tellin’ who won. All I’ll say is that I have a scar on my forehead for a reason and it ain’t self-inflicted).

And we were under the impression that staring was rude!

What really makes me laugh about anything to do with Michael Jackson is that I just can’t get past those shameless impersonators parading themselves on television. And I’m talking the complete package: white glove, glittery jacket, white socks coupled with black pants that are a fraction too short… need I go on? I could go on forever but at the end of the day, not even I can deny the fact that Michael Jackson is a legend when it comes to music. That’s one thing that no one can take away from the man!

Open wide...

So when I got my hot little hands on a copy of Michael Jackson’s This Is It, I completely understood why people around me had been gushing over it when they saw it at the cinemas (seriously, my 10-year-old cousin was ready to lift up her sleeves and have it out with me when I said something slightly negative about the man). Look, I’m not obsessed with Jackson, the Jackson 5 or even his intriguing personal life (I’m not exactly Supernanny, ready to swoop in and give parenting tutorials but I’m guessin’ dangling a child at a height isn’t good) but as an entertainer, he’s second to none.

No, I ain't no Supernanny!

Featuring the last ever footage of this musical genius on stage and in action, there’s no denying that Michael Jackson’s This Is It, is great viewing.

If we looked like this, we wouldn't mind full length mirrors either!

And while I’m at it, appreciating the fine art of performance, I’m going to throw in a little word for Mao’s Last Dancer, a flick that really exceeded my expectations. I have been know to scamper away from any flick loosely tying acting together with singing and dancing (and no I didn’t appreciate the mother/daughter bonding session complete with Pierce Brosnan screeching as though he were in pain in Mamma Mia! In fact, it’s really worth seeing just for comical reasons… oh, how cruel I’m becoming in my old age!). So if I enjoyed it, it really must be good.

Look at that steely gaze!

Anyway, back to the point… based on Li Cunxin’s autobiography, Mao’s Last Dancer is one of the best Aussie flicks I’ve seen in quite a while. Not only does it capture the grace and style of the talented performers on screen, there’s an element of drama that keeps you hooked throughout. I also quite enjoyed the historical back drop as well as the story takes place during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Quality stuff!

Behold: the hair!

You know, the word ‘sarcastic’ has been used to describe me quite a bit throughout my lifetime and here, I just can’t help myself. Bruce Willis donning fake hair in Surrogates looks so real and awesome I had myself thinking “is he really a bald man?” Yep, that was sarcasm at its best straight from my mean little mind. Why do movie producers continually try to put hair on this poor guy? It looks bad… it looks like the fake hair I used to play with as a kid when I used to have to pretend to enjoy playing with Ken and Barbie. In fact, I was so distracted by the fake hair during this flick that I wanted to jump into the screen and touch it to feel if the texture was the same as my old dolls (note: my brother hi-jacked these dolls and got a sick satisfaction out of cutting their plastic limbs off for some unknown reason).

See how he looks better with no hair?

Whew… I’ve vented and can now concentrate on what is actually a really good sci-fi flick. One thing you can always count on Bruce Willis for is to play an action hero and here, he’s perfectly cast as the macho Tom Greer (argh, why does Germaine Greer keep on poppin’ into my head at this point?). But this is the clincher… sure, he’s a tough guy but he’s also sensitive. It’s a perfect blend… like chocolate and ice-cream.

Is it just me or does he look like Stone Cold Steve Austin?

Ever imagined living as an ideal representation of yourself? Surrogates makes this possible because in this movie world, sensory simulators are used by people to control robotic surrogates who are the perfect version of themselves. And all from the comfort of their own home! But as usual, it’s not all sunshine, rainbows and lollipops…

I gotta get me one of these babies!

Are you excited (wow, how random am I?). If you’re not, you will be on Friday because I’ll be taking you through a few of my hot Oscar tips. Not following? The Oscars are on this Sunday (in the US) and I’ll be putting my neck on the line (again!) with a few of my predictions on Friday. Until then… play nice!