Author Archive
Michael Jackson: An American Icon
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Friday, 26 June 2009 17:37
28 Comments

Do you remember parachute pants? How about bandannas? Growing up in the ‘80s was quite a memorable experience. I can remember taking break-dancing lessons at a local teen club in Louisville, KY. I was about 8 or 9-years-old then, and my competitive nature propelled me to be asked to become a member of the club’s break-dancing team, “The CC Breakers.” Crystal Cove was the name of the club, and I still remember many names and faces from that experience. One of the first dance-moves I learned, which was before the break-dancing lessons, was self-taught. I picked it up by observing my idol, Michael Jackson. I was an incredible moonwalker at a very early age. Mike was my hero.

My parents bought me the “Thriller” cassette, and I still remember carrying my table-top tape recorder/player around everywhere I went and playing the tape over and over and over. The lyrics of “Beat It,” “Billy Jean,” “The Girl Is Mine,” “PYT,” and especially, “Thriller,” are forever ingrained in my memory. I loved Michael Jackson.

My mother, being more aware of time and history and having the realization of documenting the present, helped me to start a Michael Jackson scrapbook. I still can recall sifting through newspapers and magazines — carefully cutting out pictures and articles about the King of Pop (MJ). My parents bought me the famous, shiny, right-handed glove (of course, it was not as cool as the real one). They bought me two special articles of “outerwear,” too — the badass Thriller jacket, and the zipper-covered Beat It jacket. I was the man… I had the training, I had the passion, but most importantly, I had the attire. “You Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”? I was the man.

Okay, Elvis was my first love… And, KISS came shortly thereafter. But, I can remember MJ being the first musical artist that hypnotized me. I cannot listen to any song on the Thriller album without being jettisoned back 27 years in history — it’s like association in its purist form.

Last night (6-25-09), I received a text message from a friend. It informed me of MJ’s untimely demise. To be honest, I first thought it was a spam-message — you know, the crappy Forwards you get from your friends and family. But, when I got home, and then today, watching the news is like watching my own funeral. I mean, my childhood idol was way too young for this to happen. Is this a joke? Is this one of those “fake your death and run to a 3rd world country for anonymity” schemes?

Michael has been chastised over and over for being a little “eccentric,” and many things (like reconstructive surgery) he brought on himself. But, he has been an easy target for many cruel jokes over time, and especially the last ten years. I read a book about him when I was a kid — one that talked about his childhood. His life, as a child, was more messed-up than his life as an adult. I admit that I don’t know the truth about Michael, and I never will. However, a part of me has always sympathized with him. How could anyone that lived his life be expected to act normal?

Well, he’s gone now. It still seems surreal, but there are a few things that will always be “real.” Michael Jackson entertained millions of people, Michael Jackson changed music videos forever, Michael Jackson was the architect of Pop Music, and most of all, Michael Jackson affected many people — even some simple folks like me.

 
Jonathan Krohn: “And a little child will lead them…”
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Monday, 22 June 2009 13:09
3 Comments

Do you ever engage in a political conversation with your friends, family or even strangers? Do you ever wonder how in the hell they can actually believe the idiotic, "feel-good" rhetoric they spew? Well, I do, and I think these peoples' brains aren't fully functional. So, I think to myself, "maybe you just have greater discernment than other folks. Maybe you are just wise beyond your years." But, just when I give up hope for my fellow Americans, I see something like this, and I realize that even a 14 year-old has sense enough to "get it."

Take 5 minutes and watch this young man define conservatism better than any political candidate in recent memory. I promise, you won't regret it.

 
Walt Disney: Can you hire a decent director???
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Monday, 15 June 2009 13:44
No Comments

I love dramatic reenactment — skits, plays and, of course, movies. My love most likely stems from the creative side of me. You see, when I watch a movie, I always want to see, hear, feel and smell what the writer and director are trying to convey. And, I want to be “in” the story. There is nothing more impressive than a well constructed and sonorously conveyed tale.

However, I have an affinity for sports. And, when someone writes a book or makes a movie about sports, I really want to have a “true-to-life” experience. Have you seen “Hoosiers”? If you haven’t, it’s awesome. It is a very closely accurate depiction of the basketball craze here in Indiana. “Hoosiers” is a great example of “making a movie, that depicts the reality of the subject.”

What am I saying? Well, I hate watching movies that completely abandon the "true" story at hand. For example, I just finished watching “Glory Road” (a movie about the all-black Texas Western college basketball championship team in 1966). It is absolutely a monumental story, but “Disney” (like in other movies), almost makes me believe that the story they tell, is well, fiction. “Glory Road” is a good movie, based on an excellent story. The story absolutely carries the movie, and the ridiculous amount of B.S. — like the fake “can’t we all just get along” crap they feed you in the movie — only detracts from the real subject, which is tolerance and acceptance. Why can’t they just tell it like it was? This “reshaping” of history only clouds the true theme, which was racial integration within college basketball.

This movie reminded me of “Miracle” (the Disney movie based on the 1980 USA hockey team victory over the USSR). Almost exactly, the theme was, “the great underdog.” I love the underdog. But, how many movies can be made with the same “cookie-cutter” script? The worst part was that, in both movies, the “game-play announcement” sounded SOOO fake, that it made it hard for me to attach myself to the story. It sounded like a home video, with a bad actor, doing a book-read overdub…well, it sucked. And, the commentary (in both instances) seemed more like modern day vernacular than what would be expected for the times of the movies. One last thing…how in the world does hip-hop music fit into a movie based in 1965-66?

I absotively, posilutely LOVE a good movie, but give me a break. There is nothing worse than taking an incredible story and “transforming” it into a mediocre movie. Disney, you suck!!