candiproby's posterous

Michael Jackson 'Hold My Hand' Video Tugs At Heartstrings

Posthumous clip mixes classic footage of Jackson with newly shot film of fans.
By Gil Kaufman


Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment

In addition to his flawless vocals and mind-bending footwork, one of the things Michael Jackson was best known for was his drive to create the most elaborate and cinematic music videos the world had ever seen.

"Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Black or White," "Remember the Time" and "Bad" are just a few of the landmark clips the late King of Pop gave the world during his 1980s and early-'90s hit-making peak. Which is why fans and critics alike were eager to get a glimpse Thursday morning (December 9) at the first music video in the singer's career that was created without his firm guiding hand and vision.

After teasing the clip earlier in the week, the official MJ site debuted on Thursday the full video for the stirring ballad "Hold My Hand," the first single from the upcoming album, Michael. The clip for MJ's duet with Akon is not unlike the first posthumous vids from the likes of other contemporary fallen stars such as Tupac Shakur or the Notorious B.I.G., in that it mixes classic footage of the artist performing with newly shot images of fans young and old paying homage to their hero.

It opens with a crowd of people standing in front of a large airplane hangar and unleashing a flood of white balloons as they say "Thank you, Michael" and "We love you, Michael," while a gigantic image of the singer in silhouette appears on the side of the structure.

If nothing else, the "Hold My Hand" video is a kind of MJ greatest-hits montage, intercutting images of the singer in his prime in some of his most beloved stage outfits with glimpses of children wearing the same garb, a young boy holding a red plastic heart in his hands and Akon dancing on a pure white background as MJ hoofs beside him.

As Michael begins to sing the first verse, we see a variety of different hands — old, young, holding babies, reaching up to the sky, down into a bathtub, etc. — as well as a series of women crying, the infamous glittering glove and a woman in a hospital bed seemingly dying of cancer, all intended to pull heartstrings and stir emotion.

It continues on like that, with most of the video consisting of shots of hands (some trailing a kind of glittery pixie-dust vapor) doing various things, children breakdancing and popping, and various images of angels, as the edits of stock-like footage of sunny skies, forests and adorable babies pile on so quickly it's almost hard to keep up.

Jackson, frankly, is hardly in the video, making sporadic appearances courtesy of some iconic footage of him in concert, a curious choice given the reported dozens of hours of HD footage shot of the singer while he was preparing for what was slated to be his big comeback tour in England last year.

The duet with Akon was recorded in 2007 and, as a message on MJ's site points out, "a handwritten note from Michael belonging to his estate indicated his desire that 'Hold My Hand' be the first single on his next project." After an unfinished version leaked in 2008, Akon recently went back into the studio to complete production on the track.

Instead of the eye-popping special effects and intricate choreography of the past, the "Hold My Hand" video goes for a simpler, more predictable sentimentality. Without Jackson around anymore to call the shots and push the video envelope, it also signals a quiet, uneventful end to a career of constant reinvention and visual ambition via music video.

In a statement to MTV News, director Mark Pellington explained what he was aiming for with the posthumous clip. "We shot the video in a variety of locations in Los Angeles, including a blimp hangar in Tustin. The attempt was to create a celebratory, positive, healing music video honoring Michael's legacy," he said. "And for me personally, if his fans like it, that's all I really care about."

What do you think of the "Hold My Hand" video?

Related Photos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653895/20101209/jackson_michael.jhtml

The Pussycat Dolls Eva Longoria Milla Jovovich Cat Power Coco Lee

Ryan Gosling Calls 'Blue Valentine' A 'Companion Piece' To 'The Notebook'

Actor says his new film is about 'the nitty gritty of trying to stay in love.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Ryan Gosling
Photo: MTV News

Ryan Gosling is set to appear on the big screen this month in a new film about love. Of course, while he might forever be remembered as the lovelorn Noah in "The Notebook," he's certainly weaving a different story about relationships in the darker "Blue Valentine."

So, does Gosling think fans of the sweeping Nicholas Sparks love story will find anything to relate to in this gritty, sexy new flick?

"I think that 'Blue Valentine' is a nice companion piece to 'The Notebook,' because I feel like both are true," he told MTV News. "That they're both possible, and the truth is somewhere in the middle. But I feel like 'Blue Valentine' kind of picks up where 'The Notebook' leaves off."

While "The Notebook" deals with the courtship of two people who are head-over-heels for each other, "Blue Valentine" looks deeper at what happens after two people think they've gotten their happy ending.

"There's a huge period of time which isn't in ['The Notebook']: The practical, day-to-day living with one another isn't dealt with in that film," he explained. "I would meet people when I did 'The Notebook' who would come up to me on the street and say, 'That happened to me; that's my parents story,' because these people are saying that's not realistic love, doesn't really happen for people like that.

"That's not true, because I've met so many people that told me that that's their story or their parents' story," he continued. "But I've also talked to a lot of people now that feel like this film is more about what it's like the day to day, the nitty gritty of trying to stay in love."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Related Videos

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653917/20101209/story.jhtml

Tami Donaldson Sarah Silverman Lucy Liu Alexis Bledel Rachel Bilson

Usher Promises An 'Incredible Tour'

'Incredible records go with incredible tours,' he tells MTV News of his string of hits.
By Hillary Crosley


Usher
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

Don't call it a comeback, but following a tumultuous 2009 that included a messy divorce, Usher could describe the past 12 months as his climb back to the top. Now, he's celebrating with a national tour.

"Been hard at work getting ready for this tour ... Man, ya'll are really in for a treat," the singer tweeted Monday. "I'm on. Twits back up."

Recently, MTV News caught up with Ursh about his upcoming national run.

"The tour starts November 13 in Seattle," Usher said. "[Producer] Max Martin made an incredible record with 'DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love,' but what would I expect: less? He's one of the best."

Racking up several hits on the Billboard chart this year, including "OMG" featuring will.i.am, his current single checks in at #5 on the Hot 100, and Usher couldn't be happier.

"[I'm] loving it. Just in time for an incredible tour," Usher said during a recent visit to New York. "I took a step away from L.A. tonight. My dancers and crew are real hot with me right now."

Earlier this week, the singer was nominated for four Soul Train Awards, along with Alicia Keys. Usher is up for Best R&B/Soul Artist Male, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Dance Performance.

The singer was confident that his upcoming run will be memorable. "The tour's gonna be incredible," Usher said. "Incredible records go with incredible tours."

Will you check out Usher's tour? Let us know in the comments!

Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650370/20101019/usher.jhtml

Megan Fox Alessandra Ambrosio Lokelani McMichael Aaliyah Laura Harring