Plot
The mayor of a nameless town gathers a mob to confront a hermit living in a "haunted house," but when the mob arrives, the man has a few tricks up his sleeve to convince them that he's not that bad.
Cast
Michael Jackson leads and pulls double duty in a short created by Mick Garris, Stephen King and Stan Winston!
Verdict
I watched this again recently, the reason? I forgot I'd seen it the first time round so that's not exactly a good start.
Straight up it's dated but quite stylish, it has a real Goosebumps feel to it which I appreciated. It's tone, mixed. It feels like it's supposed to be light hearted and family friendly but often feels like it's oddly dark and wouldn't be suitable for plenty of young un's or just people not inclined with the horror genre.
So what actually is it? It's 15% story, 95% extended music video and as much as I respect his music I have to say this is not the greatest of his works in the slightest.
Ghosts is absolutely essential viewing, for Michael Jackson fans. For the rest of us it's a gimmick, a niche, a one off novelty event nothing more.
Rants
How could I have a rant about this subject material without bringing up the obvious. At time of writing there is a Michael Jackson stage show going around and people are moralizing whether its right for such a thing to attend due to the allegations. The thing is, did they ever transcend beyond that? I don't remember anything being proven and he's taken the truth to his grave. Do I think he was guilty, actually no. I think he was likely inappropriate but sexual assault? I just don't see it. But what do I know, a talented performer's entire legacy marred by allegations that we'll never know the truth about.
The Good
Jackson is oddly likable in this acting role Great Goosebumps-esque horror feel Jackson's double duty role is great
The Bad
Song isn't fantastic Too long Inconsistent tones.
The mayor of a nameless town gathers a mob to confront a hermit living in a "haunted house," but when the mob arrives, the man has a few tricks up his sleeve to convince them that he's not that bad.
Cast
Michael Jackson leads and pulls double duty in a short created by Mick Garris, Stephen King and Stan Winston!
Verdict
I watched this again recently, the reason? I forgot I'd seen it the first time round so that's not exactly a good start.
Straight up it's dated but quite stylish, it has a real Goosebumps feel to it which I appreciated. It's tone, mixed. It feels like it's supposed to be light hearted and family friendly but often feels like it's oddly dark and wouldn't be suitable for plenty of young un's or just people not inclined with the horror genre.
So what actually is it? It's 15% story, 95% extended music video and as much as I respect his music I have to say this is not the greatest of his works in the slightest.
Ghosts is absolutely essential viewing, for Michael Jackson fans. For the rest of us it's a gimmick, a niche, a one off novelty event nothing more.
Rants
How could I have a rant about this subject material without bringing up the obvious. At time of writing there is a Michael Jackson stage show going around and people are moralizing whether its right for such a thing to attend due to the allegations. The thing is, did they ever transcend beyond that? I don't remember anything being proven and he's taken the truth to his grave. Do I think he was guilty, actually no. I think he was likely inappropriate but sexual assault? I just don't see it. But what do I know, a talented performer's entire legacy marred by allegations that we'll never know the truth about.
The Good
Jackson is oddly likable in this acting role Great Goosebumps-esque horror feel Jackson's double duty role is great
The Bad
Song isn't fantastic Too long Inconsistent tones.