Ghosts

1997 "Are you scared yet?"
Ghosts
7.5| 0h39m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 04 September 1997 Released
Producted By: Optimum Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

In the town of Normal Valley, an eccentric magician named Maestro entertains the local children every day in his spooky mansion. One stormy night, the town's mayor leads a group of angry citizens to the mansion in an attempt to run Maestro out of town.

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

Optimum Productions

Trailers & Images

Reviews

zuzmara Those who says it's a re-cycled Thriller obviously didn't understand much of this film. Which is a shame because by some of the hateful comments it's exactly them who have something to learn from this message. I consider this film a masterpiece and unlike Thriller it's not just an entertaining horror story. It's a lesson about how we, as a society tend to treat people who are different. We lynch them, want to drive them away, want to ostracize them. We hate them. And that all just because they are is different. In real life Michael Jackson was at the receiving end of this kind of hatred (as demonstrated even in some comments here), so he knows exactly what he is talking about. It's also important to listen to his lyrics. The song "Is it Scary" says it all about how we project OUR OWN dark thoughts onto others and how we should be careful because the evil we assume in others might actually come from our own mind! Masquerade the heart Is the height of haunting souls Just not what you seek of me Can the heart reveal the proof Like a mirror reveals the truth See the evil one is youI also have to say the acting on Michael Jackson's part in this short film is fantastic! He doesn't only play the protagonist, the Maestro, but also the Mayor whose character was probably inspired by Tom Sneddon (the bigoted, judgmental, hateful right winger). Not to mention the crazy and unique dance routines where MJ never disappoints.When this piece came out the media (especially in the US) already decided that no matter what MJ does they will trash it. From some of the criticism directed at this film it is painfully obvious that they didn't even intend to give it (and MJ in general) a chance. Criticism was often directed not at the art piece itself but at Jackson's looks or tabloid gossip. Is that serious criticism of art? But ironically exactly this phenomenon is what proves Jackson's point that he presents in this film! It seems like the people who should look into Jackson's mirror try to avoid this mirror he holds up in front of them. He certainly hit a nerve!So the film remains very, very underrated. I don't think it will stay this way for ever. The film is too good and too profound for that. Perhaps the society which is criticized in it has to pass before a new generation comes along and will analyze Jackson's art with an open mind, without the decades long media brainwash influencing them.
katka_london This short video is simply excellent! It proves that Michael wasn't only a great singer and dancer but actor too. I don't think that Michael was trying for 'another' Thriller, the music and dance routine is very original and different. Personally, I like it more than Thriller, never get bored of watching it. It's scary, funny and fresh! I see a connection to his 1993 trial in it though. The mayor looks remarkably like the DA Sneddon and the whole plot sounds like Michael (the eccentric but harmless and funny ghost) defending himself from the vicious prosecutor. He did a great job indeed! Michael was very innovative and was always trying for something new, perhaps even trying to undo himself. He was simply the best entertainer of all times! This short video is a gem.
jay Someone scaring people by singing at them. Awesome. Michael Jackson scaring people by singing at them. Even better.And that's where it ends. Turning him into a hero? No thanks. The plot just wasn't what I was hoping for. Of course the acting is terrible; it's a cross between a music video and a story.Here's the story they should have told: An old man moves into a house, seemingly alone. He never leaves his house, so people get the impression he's a bit strange. After a few days, people hear creepy noises at night and see a strange dark figure through the windows. The local townsfolk agree that the figure looks nothing like the old man. One day the old man mysteriously leaves the house to go to an unknown destination, and he hasn't returned after days. However, the same noises and sinister figure continue to appear. On Halloween night, some of the local town boys decide to dare each other to enter the house. They discover strange things in the dark house, and they find an albino (played by Michael Jackson) with psychological disorders and the mind of an 8 year old. They all run out screaming. Having lived a sheltered life, the freak roams around during Halloween night and unintentionally scares all the kids and parents until the police try to shoot him down. They fail, however, and he hides into a forest seeking refuge. A little boy saw the whole thing and takes pity on the poor misunderstood man, who is revealed to be the son of the old man. The boy comforts him, and the man explains his father left to seek help from other family members. The movie ends with the man bringing the little boy to his home and sinister music playing. For my ideal movie, Michael Jackson doesn't need any makeup.For the lead role, Michael Jackson (no exceptions). For the sheriff, Joaquin Phoenix (the incest-driven Commodore From Gladiator). For the old man, Jack NicholsonUnfortunately, this isn't the movie that was told. My hopes were up really high until I actually saw it :(
UncleJohnny66 I love Ghosts. As a MJ fan I think it's the best mini-movie he's ever made. Thought it could've been a little bit longer, it was completely awesome. I like his role for the Mayor. I'm mad it wasn't released around my area though. I also like his dances especially when he was singing 2Bad. The whole mini-movie was for Ghosts, Is It Scary, and 2Bad. All in all , out of 10 I'd give it an 8. When this new album comes maybe there will be more lengthy short films like he made "Ghosts". If you watch carefully you can see Mos Def. I don't know if there are any more stars besides Mike in the movie. I really like the mini-movie Michael Jackson's Ghosts.