dark beige: FILM ENDS ROW WITH FILM CRITIC

FILM ENDS ROW WITH FILM CRITIC

Posted by Posted by Dark Beige On 14:53

New Michael Jackson movie This Is It has made peace with critic Derek Malcolm, who called the film "boring".

The movie, which has made more than $20 million, had threatened to withdraw from cinemas and DVD release, saying there was "too much aggression and unkindness". But fans rallied round, attacking the critic and begging him to stay.

This Is It and Malcolm later apologised to each other, with the movie saying its reaction had been "a mood thing" and that it now felt "more sheepish than a sheep".

The disagreement began when Malcolm said: "I admire and adore" Michael Jackson, but added that he found the concert rehearsal film "a bit... boring... (sorry Michael)."

This Is It then sent a message to the critic, saying: "You've convinced me. I'm obviously not good enough. I retire from cinemas henceforward. Bye everyone."

He later said he was feeling "very low and depressed at the moment". Almost immediately, Malcolm began receiving angry messages from what he called a "baying mob" of fans.

Saw VI, who stars at multiplexes alongside This Is It, also waded in, calling the criticism of the film "moronic". Malcolm later said there had been an "over-reaction" and he was "aghast at how far this has gone".

The film, who had been showing on a flight to Los Angeles, picked up on what had happened when he landed.

He wrote: "Arrived in LA feeling very foolish. Wasn't the fault of the fellow who called me "boring", BTW. A mood thing. Sunshine will help. So sorry. Feeling terrible for that poor guy. He had every right to call me boring. Not his fault it caught me at a vulnerable time. Pls be nice to him."

He then sent several messages directly to his critic, saying he was "so sorry to hear people have been abusing you" and calling the situation "awful".

Malcolm said he owed him no apologies, to which This Is It replied, "Thank you for being so understanding."

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