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Thriller 40th Anniversary

AlwaysThere said:
Whenever Spike does a documentary, the actual people who matter get second shift behind contemporary artists. Why is Questlove getting more airtime in Off the Wall than Stevie Wonder or Greg Phillinganes? Why is Chris Brown telling me his opinion on “Another Part of Me”?
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Questlove has become the go-to music "historian" these days it seems, even having forewords for various Beatles reissues.
CB and Mariah on Bad 25 are bollocks, agreed.

AlwaysThere said:
I think it’s completely valid to expect a documentary chronicling the making of an album to show more behind the scenes material than pow wows with Kanye and Mariah Carey. It’s fine if you enjoy them, but there are legitimate criticisms to be made regarding their quality, and I’m thrilled (no pun intended) that he’s gone for this one.
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The criticism is valid, but aiming it at Spike is quite dumb.
The Estate is in charge of planning, they should be criticized. If they wanted to produce a documentary focused on exploring the making of an album, technicalities and all, with the personnel being interviewed, they would do it. They have the final say, always, so they're the ones to be blamed for you guys not getting what you want.
Shall I remind you that Branca turned his back on Sonic Fantasy, which is literally the type of documentary you guys been asking for?

I'd love to have a doc describing the production steps of the albums, but I'm aware that it's not a director's fault it doesn't happen.
 
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MJbr2 said:
Questlove has become the go-to music "historian" these days it seems, even having forewords for various Beatles reissues.
CB and Mariah on Bad 25 are bollocks, agreed.
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I can somewhat quantify the Beatles, as many of their collaborators have sadly passed on. The majority of MJ’s are still with us and, by all accounts, are willing and eager to contribute. There is no reason they shouldn’t.
MJbr2 said:
The criticism is valid, but aiming it at Spike is quite dumb.
The Estate is in charge of planning, they should be criticized. If they wanted to produce a documentary focused on exploring the making of an album, technicalities and all, with the personnel being interviewed, they would do it. They have the final say, always, so they're the ones to be blamed for you guys not getting what you want.
Shall I remind you that Branca turned his back on Sonic Fantasy, which is literally the type of documentary you guys been asking for?

I'd love to have a doc describing the production steps of the albums, but I'm aware that it's not a director's fault it doesn't happen.
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This is one of the more wild assertions I’ve seen on this forum lately. The idea that a documentary’s quality falls on anyone’s shoulders but the director is objectively wrong. Spike has never once given any indication that he was given limitations or requirements; quite the opposite, actually. Would you then argue that the Estate deserves acclaim for his productions, since they were in charge of planning? Or are we picking and choosing based on preconceived bias? Sure, you could argue that the Estate could’ve sent him back to the drawing board, but asserting that that puts them at fault when he’s the one turning in piss-poor products is asinine.

It has nothing to do with us “not getting what [we] want,” and everything to do with Spike being assigned to create a documentary showing the creation of two of the most influential albums ever released, and instead releasing surface-level schlock that sidelines the things that matter for people who had no involvement. Spike absolutely deserves every ounce of criticism he gets.
 
AlwaysThere said:
This is one of the more wild assertions I’ve seen on this forum lately. The idea that a documentary’s quality falls on anyone’s shoulders but the director is objectively wrong. Spike has never once given any indication that he was given limitations or requirements; quite the opposite, actually. Would you then argue that the Estate deserves acclaim for his productions, since they were in charge of planning? Or are we picking and choosing based on preconceived bias? Sure, you could argue that the Estate could’ve sent him back to the drawing board, but asserting that that puts them at fault when he’s the one turning in piss-poor products is asinine.

It has nothing to do with us “not getting what [we] want,” and everything to do with Spike being assigned to create a documentary showing the creation of two of the most influential albums ever released, and instead releasing surface-level schlock that sidelines the things that matter for people who had no involvement. Spike absolutely deserves every ounce of criticism he gets.
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Let's agree to disagree.

It is plain and simple to me that if the Estate wanted a project to have this behind-the-scenes sort of approach, they could have just shelved Spike's concept and hired somebody else to do it, especially giving them directions.
If Spike was given freedom to conduct the project whichever way he wanted, I don't see how he can be faulted for not doing what some people expected if he wasn't given any directions of "it should be like this" or "like that".

Also, since you're one of the people who say the Estate is right to focus on the mainstream public, well, Spike's docs are just that. Interviews by MJs acquaintances, people who worked with him, studio personnel and random celebrities of the given period voicing their opinions on how the man influenced them. Couldn't be more appealing to general audiences.
A documentary exploring the technical side of things, how it came to be, with personnel involved discussing the production would be focused on us, as I fail to see how a random casual, especially youngsters, would have any interest in it.
 
They're giving us the exact same documentaries they've given us since MJ was alive. Was "The Making of Thriller" a technical showpiece? That Number Ones bonus video? Thriller 25. It was literally just Quincy arguing with Will.

This is another thing being done seemingly to MJ's specifications, so that's just the way it's been.
 
MJbr2 said:
Let's agree to disagree.

It is plain and simple to me that if the Estate wanted a project to have this behind-the-scenes sort of approach, they could have just shelved Spike's concept and hired somebody else to do it, especially giving them directions.
If Spike was given freedom to conduct the project whichever way he wanted, I don't see how he can be faulted for not doing what some people expected if he wasn't given any directions of "it should be like this" or "like that".

Also, since you're one of the people who say the Estate is right to focus on the mainstream public, well, Spike's docs are just that. Interviews by MJs acquaintances, people who worked with him, studio personnel and random celebrities of the given period voicing their opinions on how the man influenced them. Couldn't be more appealing to general audiences.
A documentary exploring the technical side of things, how it came to be, with personnel involved discussing the production would be focused on us, as I fail to see how a random casual, especially youngsters, would have any interest in it.
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All I’ll say is, there is a severe difference between focusing on the mainstream public with a new studio album of unreleased music, and doing so by immortalizing a historic piece of art while minimizing the voices of those who created it.
 
AlwaysThere said:
All I’ll say is, there is a severe difference between focusing on the mainstream public with a new studio album of unreleased music, and doing so by immortalizing a historic piece of art while minimizing the voices of those who created it.
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There is for sure, but they're fully focused on the mainstream public all across the board.
I would love them to show us, hardcore fans, some love through their actions, but well, that's not the case.
 
MJbr2 said:
There is for sure, but they're fully focused on the mainstream public all across the board.
I would love them to show us, hardcore fans, some love through their actions, but well, that's not the case.
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I say let us hardcore fans suffer. If mjjcommunity is the "hardcore" fan base we deserve therapy and probations, not MJ content. Lotfik alone makes us unworthy.
 
Mister_Jay_Tee said:
I say let us hardcore fans suffer. If mjjcommunity is the "hardcore" fan base we deserve therapy and probations, not MJ content. Lotfik alone makes us unworthy.
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My man, it goes way back. He might be the very last straw.
 
www.mjvibe.com

Thriller 40 Documentary to premiere on December 2 - MJVibe

Better late than never! Not Thriller 41... oups... Thriller 40 documentary will debut on December 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Showtime.
www.mjvibe.com www.mjvibe.com

Thriller 40 Documentary to premiere on December 2​



ByAdmin Team
October 27, 2023
0



Better late than never! Not Thriller 41… oups… Thriller 40 documentary will debut on December 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Showtime and will stream on Paramount+ (for Paramount+ With Showtime subscribers).
The film will also make its international debut the same day on Paramount+ in the U.K., Australia, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Latin America and South Korea and on MTV internationally, excluding China and Japan. The film was directed by Nelson George and produced by Optimum Productions and Company Name. Colin Hanks, Sean Stuart and Jackson estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain serve as producers.
“There are two things in the music business: before Thriller and after Thriller,” journalist Steven Ivory says to kick off the trailer, premiering below.
The trailer navigates the album’s production process, the music videos, the Moonwalk (which Jackson debuted at 1983’s Motown 25 special) and the eventual world domination of the project and its musical mastermind.
“It’s the ultimate blueprint to modern pop music,” Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am says in the trailer. “If Thriller came out today, it would still be the greatest album ever made.”
Watch the trailer below, and check out the premiere Dec. 2 on Showtime and Paramount+.
 
the trailer (which was only 1:52 seconds) showed; the engineer who originally worked on the song ‘thriller’ recreating the bass line, the backup singers on ‘wanna be startin’ somethin’, a glimpse of bruce swedien, previously unseen footage from behind the scenes of ‘beat it’, the ‘victory’ tour, and the ‘thriller’ dance rehearsal, previously unheard audio of michael telling his own story.. the early screening was not the final product. there will be more surprises in store🤩nobody has the inside scoop unless they were actually part of the team.

yes, there were also artists inspired by michael, but that’s been the standard since michael’s own ‘the legend continues (also a showtime presentation’). they didn’t make up the total of contributors either.

some ‘fans’ have been trying to sabotage this project from its inception. they hate anything that came before 1987, and are trying to rewrite history. there’s never been an official ‘thriller’ documentary. it’s time. all the lies and spiteful nitpicking in the world won’t change anything. it’s happening, on the anniversary of the short film’s release. even though many of you said it wouldn’t. some people love being miserable, and have made hating the estate their entire personality. it’s not edgy, it’s old and tiresome. michael’s whole vault could be emptied and they would still complain.

I, on the other hand enjoy michael, and I’m really looking forward to this documentary 💜if I don’t post here for awhile (not that anyone would notice or care) it’s because I’m not in good company😔
 
Annita said:
You can get a free trial for 7 days or do I understand something wrong?

www.sho.com

Paramount+ with Showtime Official Site

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME official site, featuring The Curse, Yellowjackets, Billions, Dexter: New Blood, The Chi, and other popular original series. Schedule, videos and more.
www.sho.com www.sho.com
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I already pay for Paramount+. I can't use a free trial. I'd have to upgrade and I don't think my student discount would apply.
 
83magic said:
the trailer (which was only 1:52 seconds) showed; the engineer who originally worked on the song ‘thriller’ recreating the bass line,
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For anyone wondering, Anthony Marinelli is wrong.
The Thriller bassline was NOT made on an Arp 2600, it was made using a Jupiter 8.
Multiple people in the past have recreated it and got the exact same sound as the actual bass from the song in the Jupiter 8.
If that isn't enough proof, the multitracks themselves label the bass track as made with a Jupiter 8.

Just gonna throw this out there, please nobody play devil's advocate here lol
 
That's enough talk about Thriller and being 40.

I hate anything that came before 1987, and I am trying to rewrite history. I love being miserable, and have made hating the estate my entire personality.
 
Mister_Jay_Tee said:
I hate anything that came before 1987, and I am trying to rewrite history. I love being miserable, and have made hating the estate my entire personality.
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Guess I'm with the Estate on this one as I turn the blind eye to anything post-1987.
 
I understand why they're waiting til the 40th anniversary of the Thriller short film to release the documentary, but I don't understand why they just couldn't tell us that was their plan from the start.

Fans have been waiting over a whole year for this doc, and the Estate just stayed silent for no good reason. They could have saved themselves from tons of angry comments and bad publicity if they could just be more transparent with the fanbase.
 
Zack44 said:
I understand why they're waiting til the 40th anniversary of the Thriller short film to release the documentary, but I don't understand why they just couldn't tell us that was their plan from the start.

Fans have been waiting over a whole year for this doc, and the Estate just stayed silent for no good reason. They could have saved themselves from tons of angry comments and bad publicity if they could just be more transparent with the fanbase.
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Nothing stops the bad publicity. Someone was literally complaining about why "the docu isn't coming to Netflix, this is my last straw"

Like, you don't even know what you're talking about? Damned if you do and damned if you don't, how Bout that? There's no solution to stop other people bullying you.
 
Meanwhile, we all just collectively gave up on any kinda remastering of Billie Jean, which is way more flawed imo. Unless they're saving that for the docu as well.

That makes me think actually, @MJbr2, can they clean up the Motown 25 tapes to make that look better or is it too worn for wear?
 
NeoGardiV8 said:
For anyone wondering, Anthony Marinelli is wrong.
The Thriller bassline was NOT made on an Arp 2600, it was made using a Jupiter 8.
Multiple people in the past have recreated it and got the exact same sound as the actual bass from the song in the Jupiter 8.
If that isn't enough proof, the multitracks themselves label the bass track as made with a Jupiter 8.

Just gonna throw this out there, please nobody play devil's advocate here lol
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Such a pretty set of words, wish I could understand any of em
 
Mister_Jay_Tee said:
Meanwhile, we all just collectively gave up on any kinda remastering of Billie Jean, which is way more flawed imo. Unless they're saving that for the docu as well.

That makes me think actually, @MJbr2, can they clean up the Motown 25 tapes to make that look better or is it too worn for wear?
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It seems like the 16mm film for Billie Jean is lost. So theres not much they can do with the tape masters besides ai upscale.
 
Robbsaber01 said:
It seems like the 16mm film for Billie Jean is lost. So theres not much they can do with the tape masters besides ai upscale.
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If so, it’s honestly better to just not. AI upscaling isn’t there yet, so “Billie Jean” would just look wonky beside the proper improvement of “Thriller” and “Beat It.” Hopefully the films are found soon.
 
Got to be honest I haven't been looking forward to the doc, but seeing the trailer did get me a bit excited. Just the fact that there's some positive new MJ content coming has given me a reason to be positive.

I want to celebrate the man, the artist we all grew up loving and just bask in his wonderful artistry again. Sadly who knows how much more content will come further down the line, so I choose to enjoy it while it's here.

I'll watch the doc that night with my girlfriend and then watch Thriller 4K right after to celebrate
 
AlwaysThere said:
If so, it’s honestly better to just not. AI upscaling isn’t there yet, so “Billie Jean” would just look wonky beside the proper improvement of “Thriller” and “Beat It.” Hopefully the films are found soon.
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If it looks as good as Ghosts in 1080p, I say why not.
 
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